Einleitung: Es ist bekannt, dass Clostridium (C.) perfringens und dessen Toxine eine Rolle in der Pathogenese des AHDS spielen und betroffene Hunde Veränderungen der intestinalen Mikrobiota aufweisen.Derzeit wird AHDS symptomatisch therapiert, wobei der Einfluss von Probiotika auf das intestinale Mikrobiom sowie den klinischen Verlauf bei Hunden mit AHDS bisher nicht untersucht wurde.Material und Methoden: 25 Hunde
After 5 years of development, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was formally recognized and approved on July 4, 2007 by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS), the European regulatory body that oversees specialization in veterinary medicine and which has approved 23 colleges. The objectives, committees, basis for membership, constitution, bylaws, information brochure and certifying examination of the ECVCP have remained unchanged during this time except as directed by EBVS. The ECVCP declared full functionality based on the following criteria: 1) a critical mass of 65 members: 15 original diplomates approved by the EBVS to establish the ECVCP, 37 de facto diplomates, 7 diplomates certified by examination, and 5 elected honorary members; 2) the development and certification of training programs, laboratories, and qualified supervisors for residents; currently there are 18 resident training programs in Europe; 3) administration of 3 annual board–certifying examinations thus far, with an overall pass rate of 70%; 4) European consensus criteria for assessing the continuing education of specialists every 5 years; 5) organization of 8 annual scientific congresses and a joint journal (with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology) for communication of scientific research and information; the College also maintains a website, a joint listserv, and a newsletter; 6) collaboration in training and continuing education with relevant colleges in medicine and pathology; 7) development and strict adherence to a constitution and bylaws compliant with the EBVS; and 8) demonstration of compelling rationale, supporting data, and the support of members and other colleges for independence as a specialty college. Formal EBVS recognition of ECVCP as the regulatory body for the science and practice of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe will facilitate growth and development of the discipline and compliance of academic, commercial diagnostic, and industry laboratories in veterinary clinical pathology. Future needs are in developing sponsorship for resident positions, increasing employment opportunities, increasing compliance with laboratory, training, and continuing education standards, and advancing relevant science and technology.
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of feline haemotropic mycoplasmas in Germany, to determine probable risk factors for these infections and to compare the diagnostic value of microscopic examination of blood smears to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For the prevalence study, convenience samples (Ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood) from 262 (64.5% male and 35.5% female) cats were included. A PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma haemofelis (MHF) and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (CMH) as well as a feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)/feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) enzyme-linked immunoassay was performed. Blood smears from 224 cats were examined and the sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic diagnosis were determined. The prevalence of CMH, MHF, and CMH/MHF co-infection was 22.5%, 4.5%, and 0.8%, respectively. CMH was significantly associated with male gender (P=0.047), older age (P=0.0015) and both FeLV (P=0.002) and FIV infections (P<0.0001). However, there was no association between the presence of anaemia and CMH/MHF infection. The respective sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic diagnosis were 10.3% and 87.1% for a CMH infection and 0.0% and 98.0% for MHF infection.
Introduction The point-of-care-analyzer (POCA) Scil vCell5 (Scil animal care company GmbH) was introduced as a laser and impedance based automated hematology system providing a complete blood cell count including a 5-part leukocyte differential count. Aim of the approved study was the evaluation of the analyzer for its use in cats.
Ziel Vergleich epidemiologischer Daten und Laborparameter zwischen diabetischen (D) und nicht-diabetischen Hunden (ND) sowie gut (GED) und schlecht eingestellten Diabetikern (SED) in Deutschland
Ziel Das Ziel der genehmigten Studie war, die Evaluation der Auswirkungen des Einsatzes eines bG-CSF auf die Akute-Phase-Reaktion (APR) und das leukozytäre Blutbild der Mutterkuh (MK) zum Zeitpunkt der Geburt und des Kalbes (K) in den ersten 2 Lebenswochen.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major, acute-phase protein in dogs; however, there is a need for automated assays to ensure in-time patient monitoring. Three automated immunoturbidimetric assays (Randox, Thermo, and Wako) developed for human beings were evaluated for their ability to detect canine CRP, including method validation, evaluation of diagnostic use, and establishment of exploratory reference intervals. Sera from 36 healthy dogs and 82 diseased dogs were included for method comparison with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Tridelta) serving as the reference method. A nonparametric estimate of the 1-sided 95% reference interval was established (n = 36). Precision study revealed good intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) of 1-10%, 0-9%, and 2-13% for the Randox, Thermo, and Wako assays, respectively. Interassay CVs were 18%, 24%, and 19% respectively. Because of a low linear range, the Thermo test was considered unsuitable for use with canine specimens. No significant differences were present between the results obtained with the Randox and Wako assays with CRP concentrations less than 15 mg/l; however, median CRP results differed significantly between the Thermo test and the ELISA (P = 0.03). Bland-Altman analysis detected a proportional bias of 0.28, -0.59, and 0.61 mg/l for the Randox, Thermo, and Wako assays, respectively. For all tests, median CRP values were significantly different between healthy dogs and dogs with neoplasia. The upper limit of the reference intervals were 8.2 and 9.9 mg/l for the Randox and Wako assays, respectively. In contrast to the Thermo test, the Randox and Wako assays were suitable for detection of abnormally high canine CRP concentrations; however, improvement of assay precision and evaluation of accuracy are warranted before their clinical use with canine specimens.
Radioiodine therapy (RAIT) is the gold standard for treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of uni- or bilateral thyroid adenoma on changes in total thyroxine (TT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and creatinine concentration over a period of 6 to 12 months following RAIT. Fifty-one hyperthyroid cats presented for RAIT between April 2021 and April 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Cats with an increased creatinine concentration (creatinine ≥ 140 µmol/L), renal morphology abnormalities, and suspected thyroid carcinoma were excluded. TT4, TSH, and creatinine were determined before and one week and one, three, six, and twelve months following RAIT. The effects of the re-examination timepoint following RAIT and the presence of uni- or bilateral thyroid adenoma based on technetium-99m scintigraphy on TT4, TSH, and creatinine were analysed by mixed effects modelling. Cats with bilateral adenoma had significantly higher TSH concentrations after RAIT compared to those with unilateral adenoma. TT4 concentration significantly decreased one week (p < 0.001) and again one month following RAIT (p < 0.001). TSH and creatinine concentration significantly increased one month post RAIT (both p < 0.001). As indicated by an increase in TSH concentration, the pituitary–thyroid axis needs a minimum of one month post RAIT to recover from hyperthyroidism-induced suppression, but hypothyroidism necessitating levothyroxine supplementation might not be diagnosed before 6 or even 12 months post RAIT. Although creatinine did not increase significantly after one month post RAIT in this cohort, an increased creatinine concentration was detected at later timepoints in individual cats.
