Abstract Metabolic adaptations to negative energy balance as lipomobilization may influence inflammatory responses, immune function and oxidative stress in animals. The aim of this study was to assess the metabolic, oxidoreductive and immune status of buffaloes from prepartum to postpartum period by grouping animals according to mild, medium, or severe lipomobilization. Seventy-six Mediterranean Buffaloes were enrolled and a weekly blood sample was taken from 7 weeks before to 6 weeks after calving. The concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) was determined in serum and used to divide buffaloes at 7 weeks before calving into: mild (NEFA-I; NEFA ≤ 0.29 mEq/L; n = 18), medium (NEFA-II; 0.29 < NEFA < 0.57 mEq/L; n = 20), and severe (NEFA-III; NEFA ≥ 0.57 mEq/L; n = 38) lipomobilization groups. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess changes between groups and over time. Differences were found in the concentration of NEFA, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, cholesterol, protein profile, oxygen radicals, antioxidant, lysozyme, complement and minerals. These results suggest a greater or lesser severity in energy metabolism and oxidative stress in the medium and severe lipomobilization groups.
Stray cats potentially act as reservoir for zoonotic agents, posing a risk of exposure to humans and domestic cats. The most prevalent Chlamydiaceae species in cats is Chlamydia (C.) felis, which is frequently associated with conjunctivitis and/or upper respiratory disease. The zoonotic potential of C. felis is believed to be relatively low, although exposure is possible through handling infected cats, by contact with their aerosol, and via fomites. Infection is more frequent in conditions of overcrowding, stress, poor hygiene and impairment of the immune system. For this reason, stray cats appear to be particularly susceptible to this pathogen. Aim of the study was to identify the molecular occurrence of Chlamydiaceae in stray and colony cats. Between May 2021 and June 2022, in seven provinces of northeastern Italy, veterinary services officers collected oropharyngeal swabs from 379 stray and colony cats. The samples were screened for Chlamydiaceae by real-time PCR targeting a 23S gene fragment. Positive samples were further analyzed either by a C. felis-specific qPCR or by amplification and sequencing of a 16S rRNA gene fragment. Overall, 7.7% of the cats tested positive for Chlamydia spp., and all were identified as C. felis. Among the positive individuals, only one exhibited respiratory symptoms. The analysis of anamnestic data revealed a significantly higher frequency of C. felis in male intact cats during the spring season, suggesting a potential behavioral aspect of this infection. Although the zoonotic risk of this Chlamydia species is low, it would be prudent to exercise caution when handling stray cats.
Despite the reported increase in SARS-CoV-2-infected pets, the description of the clinical features from natural infection and the medical follow up in symptomatic pets is still not sufficiently documented. This study reports the case of an indoor cat that displayed respiratory signs and a gastrointestinal syndrome, following the COVID-19 diagnosis of his owners. Thoracic radiographies were suggestive of bronchial pneumonia, while blood tests were indicative of a mild inflammatory process. Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs tested positive through RT-qPCR assays targeting SARS-CoV-2 genes 14 days after his owners tested positive for the virus. Nasal swabs persisted to be RT-qPCR positive after 31 days. Serology confirmed the presence of antibodies through ELISA, electrochemiluminescence analysis and plaque reduction neutralization test, recording a high antibody titre after 31 days. The cat improved after medical treatment and clinically recovered. This study suggests that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 could lead to a natural infection with bronchial pneumonia in cats along with a possible prolonged persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper airways, albeit at a low level. The cat developed neutralizing antibodies, reaching a high titre after 31 days. Further descriptions of SARS-CoV-2 naturally infected pets, their medical management and diagnostic findings would be useful to enhance knowledge about COVID-19 in susceptible animals.
Pneumocystis is an atypical fungus that resides in the pulmonary parenchyma of many mammals, including humans and dogs. Immunocompetent human hosts are usually asymptomatically colonised or show subtle clinical signs, but some immunocompromised people can develop florid life-threatening Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Since much less is known concerning Pneumocystis in dogs, we posit the question: can Pneumocystis colonization be present in dogs with inflammatory airway or lung disease caused by other pathogens or disease processes? In this study, Pneumocystis DNA was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 22/255 dogs (9%) with respiratory distress and/or chronic cough. Although young dogs (<1 year-of-age) and pedigree breeds were more often Pneumocystis-qPCR positive than older dogs and crossbreds, adult dogs with other infectious conditions and/or a history of therapy-resistant pulmonary disease could also be qPCR-positive, including two patients with suppression of the immune system. Absence of pathognomonic clinical or radiographic signs render it impossible to convincingly discriminate between overt PCP versus other lung/airway disease processes colonised by P. canis. It is possible that colonisation with P. canis might play a certain role as a co-pathogen in some canine patients with lower respiratory disease.
Abstract Ketosis is one of the most important health problems in dairy sheep. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic alterations in hyperketonemic (HYK) ewes. Forty-six adult Sardinian ewes were enrolled between 7 ± 3 days post-partum. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein using Venosafe tubes containing clot activator from jugular vein after clinical examination. The concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was determined in serum and used to divide ewes into assign ewes into: Non-HYK (serum BHB < 0.80 mmol/L) and HYK (serum BHB ≥ 0.80 mmol/L) groups. Animal data and biochemical parameters of groups were examined with one-way ANOVA, and metabolite differences were tested using a t-test. A robust principal component analysis model and a heatmap were used to highlight common trends among metabolites. Over-representation analysis was performed to investigate metabolic pathways potentially altered in connection with BHB alterations. The metabolomic analysis identified 54 metabolites with 14 different between groups. These metabolites indicate altered ruminal microbial populations and fermentations; an interruption of the tricarboxylic acid cycle; initial lack of glucogenic substrates; mobilization of body reserves; the potential alteration of electron transport chain; influence on urea synthesis; alteration of nervous system, inflammatory response, and immune cell function.
The transition period is a central moment in dairy cows breeding because metabolic disorders may occur in relation to a dramatic increase in energy demand. This research aimed to identify new biomarkers for the diagnosis of hyperketonemia in bovine in early lactation phase with different value of plasmatic non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). The profile of plasma fatty acids (FAs) divided into four lipid classes was evaluated using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatographic techniques (TLC-GC). A group of 60 multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were recruited in the present study. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein and NEFA and the β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were evaluated. All animals were divided in 2 groups based on NEFA, NEFA0 group had as mean value 0.24 ± 0.12 mEq/L and NEFA1 group had as mean value 0.87 ± 0.23 mEq/L. Plasma FA concentrations were analyzed separately in free fatty acids, cholesterol esters, phospholipids and triglycerides. Six FAs demonstrated a predictive value in the hyperketonemic dairy cows. In the free fatty acid class, the predictive FAs were C14:0 (AUC = 0.77), C18:1 ω 9 (AUC = 0.72), C18:1 ω 7 (AUC = 0.70) and C18:3 ω 3 (AUC = 0.68). In the phospholipids class the predictive parameters were C12:0 (AUC = 0.78) and C8:0 (AUC = 0.73). In cholesterol, esters and triglycerides lipidic classes no FA had a predictive function.
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is recognized as one of the most important disease in beef industry because it may negatively influence animal welfare and farm economy. An early diagnosis is necessary to improve prognosis and outcome, as well to provide for specific management treatment for the affected animals. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of the ultrasonographic technique as diagnostic method for BRD in fattening bulls after pharmacological treatment with tulathromycin and ketoprofen. Sixty Limousine fattening bulls of 10.23 ± 1.37 months’ age belonging to a single farm were enrolled in this study. Animals were divided into two groups according to ultrasonographic score (US score) of lungs: Group C or control group (US score<3; 29 animals), and Group D or disease group (US score≥3; 31 animals). Both groups received a clinical examination and a TUS (thoracic ultrasonography) at time 0 (T0; day of restocking) and time 7 (T7; +21 days). Furthermore, group D received additional clinical examinations and TUS at time 1 (T1; day of diagnosis and treatment), time 2 (T2; +1 day), time 3 (T3; +2 days), time 4 (T4; +3 days), time 5 (T5; +7 days), and time 6 (T6; +14 days). Statistical differences between groups were evaluated by parametric and not-parametric test. The lung lesions such as total areas of hepatization and fluid alveolograms were measured and analyzed with mixed regression models over time. The two groups showed a significant difference both in US score and clinical symptoms (respiratory score, nasal and ocular discharges and rectal temperature) when comparing T1 of group D with T0 of group C. Over the time, the treatment of group D was effective in reducing the US score and rectal temperature after 2 and 1 days, respectively, while ocular discharges was reduced after 2 days. The ultrasound evaluation of the general health status showed an improvement after 7 days from treatment. However, a reduction of total areas of hepatization and fluid alveolograms were evidenced in 3 days. In conclusion, the pulmonary ultrasound has been evidenced as a feasible and sensitive tool both for BRD early diagnosis and treatment effectiveness evaluation in fattening bulls.
Abstract The transition from late pregnancy to early lactation is characterized by marked changes in energy balance of dairy ruminants. The mobilization of adipose tissue led to an increase in plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). The aim of this study was to analyze the total plasma fatty acids of healthy and hyperketonemic dairy ewes in early lactation through gas chromatography (GC) to evaluate metabolic alterations. An observational study was used with a cross-sectional experimental design. Forty-six Sarda dairy ewes were enrolled in the immediate post-partum (7 ± 3 days in milk) and divided into two groups according to serum BHB concentration: non-hyperketonemic group (n = 28; BHB < 0.86 mmol/L) and hyperketonemic group (n = 18; BHB ≥ 0.86 mmol/L). A two-way ANOVA included the effect of group and parity was used to evaluate differences in fatty acids (FA) concentrations. A total of 34 plasma FA was assessed using GC. 12 out of 34 FA showed a significant different between groups and 3 out of 34 were tended to significance. Only NEFA concentration and stearic acid were influenced by parity. The results may suggest possible links with lipid metabolism, inflammatory and immune responses in hyperketonemic group. In conclusion, GC represents a useful tool in the study of hyperketonemia and primiparous dairy ewes might show a greater risk to develop this condition.
Cell function and energy redistribution are influenced by lipid classes (phospholipids (PLs), free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides (TGs), and cholesterol esters (CEs)). The aim of this study was to investigate metabolic alterations that are related to changes in lipid classes according to different levels of energy deficits in early lactating Mediterranean buffaloes (MBs). Sixty-three MBs were enrolled at the beginning of lactation using an observational study with a cross-sectional experimental design. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were used to group the animals into a healthy group (Group H; n = 38; BHB < 0.70 mmol/L) and hyperketonemia risk group (Group K; n = 25; BHB ≥ 0.70 mmol/L). Statistical analysis was performed using a linear model that included the effect of the group and body condition score to assess differences in fatty acid (FA) concentrations. A total of 40 plasma FAs were assessed in each lipid class. Among the FAs, eight PLs, seven FFAs, four TGs, and four CEs increased according to BHB levels, while three FFAs, three TGs, and one CE decreased. The changes among lipid class profiles suggested the influence of inflammatory response, liver metabolism, and the state of body lipid reserves. In addition, the possible similarities of buffaloes at risk of hyperketonemia with ketotic cows suggest the necessity of further investigations in these ruminants.
Leptospirosis is a widespread disease throughout the world, presenting in severe clinical forms in dogs. The pathogenicity of the different serovars in field infections is not fully documented, and clinical diagnosis is often limited to a combination of serological tests and molecular analyses. The latter, although a fundamental tool, cannot identify the infecting strain without further analysis. This study reports the use of various indirect (microscopic agglutination test, MAT) and direct (microbiological culture, real-time PCR) laboratory techniques, followed by typing protocols (Multi-locus Sequence Typing (MLST), Multiple Loci Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA), serotyping) that allowed for the identification of the Leptospira serovar Australis in a symptomatic and previously vaccinated dog (vaccine containing heterologous strains). This study reports long-term clinical follow-up (0–640 days) and describes the possible role of the infection in the development of chronic renal failure. This study aims to highlight how a combination of different techniques can be useful to better characterise the environmental circulation of zoonotic agents. Therefore, the identification and isolation of circulating L. strains would facilitate the updating of epidemiological data, enhance the knowledge of pathogenicity and long-term clinical effects, and provide a valuable resource for improving the efficacy of a specific serovar vaccination.
