Search Results (7,520)

Background and clinical significance:Pasteurella spp. are Gram-negative coccobacilli, aerobic facultatively anaerobic, belonging to the Pasteurellaceae family. In humans, they are known to cause zoonotic diseases, which usually develop after dog or cat bites, licks or scratches. Case presentation: We present the case of a 61-year-old patient, with cardiovascular comorbidities, who presented to the Orthopedics Department, 38 days after knee replacement surgery, with recurrence of pain on walking, an antalgic gait with auxiliary support, and local signs of inflammation at the level of the left knee joint. The patient admitted to owning a dog who accidentally licked the post-surgical wound. The symptoms were suggestive of a post-surgical wound infection with extension to the periprosthetic area. A purulent discharge was collected from the wound during surgical debridement and sent to the microbiological laboratory for diagnosis, where Pasteurella canis was identified using MALDI-TOF MS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was performed according to the EUCAST guidelines and empiric antibiotic treatment was started with Cefuroxime. During his future admissions to the Orthopedics and Infectious Diseases departments, two more samples were collected, in which Pasteurella canis was isolated, along with Klebsiella oxytoca (second sample), and Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (third sample). Patient evolution was favorable due to the debridement of the wound and combined antibiotic treatment, with Ceftazidime and Gentamicin. Conclusions: Infections with Pasteurella canis are rare but slowly increasing due to more and more humans owning pets. The present case underlines the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations when rare pathogens are identified. Full article

Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) is a congenital anomaly allowing communication between the peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Surgical repair of large diaphragmatic defects can be challenging due to insufficient tissue for primary closure. A 2-year-old intact female White Miniature Schnauzer weighing 6.23 kg presented with a 1-month history of panting and exercise intolerance. Thoracic radiography, ultrasonography, echocardiography, and CT confirmed PPDH with herniation of the left medial and quadrate liver lobes into the pericardial sac. Surgical repair via midline celiotomy revealed a large defect (4.5 × 5 cm) involving approximately 70% of the central tendon. Primary closure was incomplete because only two simple interrupted sutures could be placed at the dorsal margin due to excessive tension, leaving a triangular residual defect larger than 3 × 3 cm at the ventral aspect, which was closed with a two-layer canine small intestinal submucosa (cSIS) patch applied over the residual defect. Reherniation occurred 42 days postoperatively at the margin between the diaphragm and the cSIS patch. At the second surgery, grossly observed tissue presumed to be newly formed self-tissue at the cSIS site enabled direct suture repair. No recurrence was observed during a 5-month follow-up, and a telephone interview with the owner 3 years after the second surgery confirmed that the dog remained free of clinical signs. This case suggests that cSIS may serve as a feasible reinforcement biomaterial for large diaphragmatic defects where primary closure alone is insufficient, although conclusions drawn from a single case remain preliminary, and surveillance for marginal reherniation is warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding genomic responses to environmental contamination is essential for assessing long-term ecological and genetic risk. The free-breeding dogs inhabiting the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) offer a unique, multigenerational model for investigating these responses within a chronically contaminated landscape. Following the 1986 radioecological disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and subsequent remediation activities, the surrounding environment was contaminated by ionizing radiation, heavy metals, organic compounds, and other environmental toxicants. Our previous work identified significant genetic differentiation between two distinct but geographically proximate dog populations within the CEZ, a pattern not explained by breed composition, spatial isolation, or increased mutation rates. Methods: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the dogs residing at the nuclear power plant show genomic signatures consistent with adaptive evolution in response to chronic environmental stressors. This work extends prior population-genetic analyses by integrating whole-genome selection scans with estimates of effective population size and comparative measures of population divergence, providing a framework to evaluate whether the observed genomic differentiation is more consistent with selection than demography. Using these whole genomic data, we evaluated chromosome-level F_ST metrics, estimated effective population size (N_e), and analyzed a geographically isolated island dog population as a comparative reference for genetic divergence. Results: We continued to find that the levels of genetic differentiation are not comparable to other free-breeding dog populations. Genome-wide outlier analyses identified candidate loci showing evidence of positive selection across multiple metrics. Conclusions: Genes associated with these loci were enriched for biological functions related to DNA replication and repair, cell death and survival, cellular compromise, immune response, and cancer-associated pathways, suggesting biologically plausible mechanisms through which chronic environmental stress could influence fitness. These findings are consistent with directional selection in the nuclear power plant population, which could potentially be associated with the environmental variables present, and advance our understanding of local adaptation and genomic resilience under chronic environmental contamination. Full article

This study describes postmortem histological changes in skin appendages of domestic dogs in the first seven days after death. The objective was to document the progression of autolytic change in the sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles and to compare it between body regions and sides. Skin samples were collected bilaterally from the neck, thorax, abdomen, and thigh of nine dog carcasses (female, non-pedigree, short-haired, 5–10 years old, ~10 kg). The carcasses were kept at 10–12 °C in Karditsa, Greece, and sampled at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h postmortem. Sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Alcian Blue-PAS. The rate of change varied by structure, body region, and side. In this cohort, autolysis appeared earliest in the abdomen and on the dependent (left) side. The sweat glands and hair follicles reached the most advanced stage recorded by 48 h, whereas the sebaceous glands remained unchanged for 24 h, except in the dependent abdomen. The three structures changed over different periods, giving complementary timelines. These findings provide the first structured reference data on postmortem change in dog skin appendages, a baseline for early postmortem interval estimation and for recognizing antemortem lesions. Full article

Probiotic effects in dogs may depend not only on the bacterial strain but also on host-related characteristics. Differences in body size are associated with distinct gastrointestinal and microbial features that may influence responses to nutritional interventions. This study evaluated the effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 32203 in healthy small-breed dogs and investigated whether responses differed between Chihuahua and Dachshund dogs with different body weights. Healthy adult dogs were supplemented daily with L. reuteri DSM 32203, and body weight, body condition score, fecal score, fecal moisture, total lactobacilli, and total coliforms were evaluated throughout the study. Supplementation improved fecal quality, with increased consistency and reduced moisture, and fecal scores reaching or approaching the optimal value. An increase in total lactobacilli and a reduction in total coliforms was also observed. These findings are consistent with previous observations obtained with the same strain in other canine breeds. However, the magnitude of the reduction in total coliforms differed from that observed in our previous studies in larger breeds. Because breed, body size, and diet were not independently controlled, these cross-study differences cannot be directly attributed to body size alone. Although body size cannot be established as a direct causal factor due to potential confounding factors such as dietary differences, these findings provide preliminary evidence that host phenotypes may contribute to probiotic responsiveness. Full article

Decompressive cholecystocentesis (DCC) was performed in 14 dogs with gallbladder distension (GBD) and primary digestive symptoms non-responsive to conventional symptomatic therapy. All dogs in this uncontrolled, retrospective case series had their fasting estimated gallbladder volume (eGBV) measured by the ellipsoid method. Aspirated volumes were compared to predicted volumes. Common symptomatic characteristics included diurnal inappetence (DI) and bilious vomiting (BV). Total magnesium insufficiency was common in the general population. In all dogs treated, symptom relief was reported within 24–48 h. Follow up status and data were available for all dogs within a 2–22 month period. Full article

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent oral conditions in dogs, yet the microbial dynamics underlying its progression remain incompletely understood. This exploratory study aimed to describe the canine oral microbiome across four clinical stages using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Dogs were categorized as Healthy (Stage 0), Gingivitis (Stage 1), Early Periodontitis (Stage 2), and Moderate–Advanced Periodontitis (Stages 3–4) according to American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) criteria. Pooled subgingival plaque samples from the groups were analyzed for microbial diversity, taxonomic composition, and ecological patterns. Alpha diversity differed among the four pooled profiles, with the highest observed richness in the Early Periodontitis (Stage 2) pool and the lowest in the Moderate–Advanced Periodontitis (Stages 3–4) pool. Beta diversity analyses showed separation among the pooled profiles, particularly between the healthy and severe groups. Taxonomic profiling identified higher relative abundances of sequences assigned to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola in the more advanced disease stage pools, while Fusobacterium nucleatum reached its highest relative abundance in the Early Periodontitis (Stage 2) pool. Visualization of abundance profiles across the four pooled libraries revealed concordant trends among selected treponeme taxa and Fusobacterium nucleatum, as well as inverse trends for other taxa. These findings provide a descriptive, group-level characterization of microbial community differences across AVDC-defined stages of canine periodontal disease based on pooled samples and generate hypotheses for future individual-level studies. Full article

Canine leishmaniosis is a chronic vector-borne parasitic zoonosis caused predominantly by Leishmania infantum in Europe, with dogs being the main domestic reservoir. Diagnosis may be challenging in countries where the disease is less frequently suspected, particularly in relocated dogs from endemic regions. This case report describes an integrated diagnostic approach for canine leishmaniosis in a six-year-old male Cane Corso dog relocated from Tuscany, Italy, to north-eastern Romania. The dog was referred for progressive weight loss and poor general condition. Clinical examination revealed cachexia, muscle wasting, onychogryphosis, severe pustular pododermatitis, ulcerative lesions of the plantar pads, auricular erosions with fine scaling, nasal planum hyperkeratosis and perianal erythema. Laboratory abnormalities included moderate anaemia, marked hyperproteinaemia, hyperglobulinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and a markedly decreased albumin-to-globulin ratio. Cytological examination of a May–Grünwald–Giemsa-stained sternal bone-marrow aspirate revealed intracellular amastigote-like forms compatible with Leishmania spp. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected using three complementary serological methods: a point-of-care rapid antibody test, IFAT and ELISA. Molecular detection of Leishmania spp. DNA was achieved by real-time PCR performed on DNA extracted from a conjunctival swab using two independent protocols, including a TaqMan-based assay targeting Leishmania spp. minicircle kDNA. Treatment consisted of meglumine antimoniate administered in combination with oral allopurinol, which was subsequently continued as long-term maintenance therapy, together with supportive treatment and ectoparasite prophylaxis. This case underscores the importance of considering canine leishmaniosis in relocated dogs with compatible clinical findings and of integrating epidemiological history with complementary diagnostic evidence, particularly in regions where the disease is infrequently encountered. From a One Health perspective, the case also highlights the relevance of surveillance in dogs relocated from endemic areas to regions where competent vectors are present and autochthonous transmission has been documented. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence on infected and delayed pediatric facial wounds outside the setting of animal bites is limited. This study characterized the anatomy, wound characteristics, management, and documented outcomes of pediatric facial wounds with documented infection or delayed/non-recent presentation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients younger than 18 years, identified by electronic free-text search, who presented at a single tertiary trauma center from 2000 to 2024. The hospital recorded 24,877 pediatric facial-wound presentations during the same period. Records were classified as clinically infected when the source dataset coded infection as present and as delayed/non-recent when infection was coded absent but the record described delayed or non-recent presentation. Descriptive analyses and exploratory two-sided Fisher exact tests used variable-specific denominators. Results: Of 92 screened records, 89 met the inclusion criteria: 61 were record-coded as clinically infected and 28 as delayed/non-recent. The selected cohort represented 0.36% of all pediatric facial-wound presentations. Perioral wounds accounted for 46/89 cases and forehead/periorbital wounds for 34/89. Wounds were superficial in 36/89 (40%), subcutaneous in 35/89 (39%), intramuscular in 15/89 (17%), and of unknown depth in 3/89 (3%). Initial closure was documented in 22/89 (25%). All eight dog-bite wounds occurred in the infected group, and none had been initially closed. Post-presentation antibiotics were documented in 48/58 (83%) evaluable infected and 5/28 (18%) delayed/non-recent records; admission was documented in 26/59 (44%) and 2/28 (7%), respectively. Conclusions: This case series describes a small, selected subset of pediatric facial-wound presentations. Mechanism, depth, anatomy, and management differed between the two record-defined groups, but the retrospective sampling and classification framework precludes causal or incidence inference. Full article

Bioactive compounds are widely used as adjunctive therapies for canine ocular disease, yet the supporting evidence has not been systematically mapped. This scoping review characterised its distribution, design and direction. PubMed and CAB Abstracts were searched, supplemented by Google Scholar and backward citation searching; 1350 records were screened and the 50 included studies were charted by compound class, disease category and study design. They addressed keratoconjunctivitis sicca; the cornea and ocular surface; cataracts and lenses; retinal disease; and glaucoma, the last with only a single study. Thirteen were therapeutic trials in dogs with naturally occurring disease, seven of them in keratoconjunctivitis sicca; eleven further studies used healthy or purpose-bred dogs or induced models. The remaining evidence rested mainly on in vitro work, deficiency observations and uncontrolled reports. Null or unfavourable results were reported for topical hyaluronic acid in corneal wound healing and for dietary docosahexaenoic acid in progressive rod–cone degeneration. Reports on one marketed supplement differed in direction; commercial interests were declared in some but not others, and their influence could not be determined. This evidence map delineates where canine research has accumulated and where it has not, providing a basis for prioritising controlled trials with concurrent safety assessment. Full article

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important opportunistic pathogen and a potential reservoir of antimicrobial resistance determinants, yet comparatively little is known about isolates originating from both humans and companion animals. This study characterized 320 S. epidermidis isolates obtained from humans, cats, and dogs within a One Health framework using phenotypic, molecular, proteomic, and genomic approaches. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high frequencies of resistance to oxacillin (67.19%), erythromycin (66.56%), tetracycline (55.63%), and clindamycin (53.75%) by disk diffusion. PCR-based analysis identified blaZ as the most prevalent resistance determinant (50.63%), whereas whole-genome sequencing of a selected subset revealed a broader and heterogeneous repertoire of resistance-associated genes. Among 67 sequenced isolates, 26 known sequence types were identified, including several STs occurring in isolates from more than one host species. Core-genome phylogenetic analysis demonstrated substantial genomic diversity without complete segregation according to host species or clinical status. Genotype–phenotype concordance was generally limited and gene dependent, and discrepancies were also observed between PCR- and WGS-based detection for selected resistance determinants. Biofilm formation was significantly influenced by incubation temperature, host species, and clinical status, while growth kinetics showed pronounced strain-specific variability and no consistent relationship with biofilm-forming capacity. MALDI-TOF MS profiling and partial rpoB phylogeny likewise showed considerable overlap among isolates from different host groups. In the Galleria mellonella infection model, mortality was inoculum dependent and varied substantially among strains. Overall, the findings demonstrate marked phenotypic and genomic heterogeneity among S. epidermidis isolated from humans and companion animals and indicate that some clonal backgrounds and resistance determinants occur across host species, highlighting the relevance of this species within a One Health context. Full article

Animal shelters can be stressful environments for dogs. Undesirable in-kennel behaviours may reflect poor welfare and negatively affect adoption outcomes. Response-independent treat delivery has shown promise for improving in-kennel behaviour, but its effectiveness when delivered by multiple people is less understood. This study evaluated behavioural and noise-level differences associated with response-independent treat delivery in shelter dogs and responses to a subsequent Novel Person. Twenty-four dogs were observed during Baseline and Intervention phases. During Intervention, volunteers delivered treats when approaching kennels. Compared with Baseline, dogs in the Intervention phase were more likely to be at the front of the kennel, face forward, and stand, and were less likely to be at the back of the kennel, face backward, or exhibit prolonged barking. Behavioural changes across and within days occurred primarily during the Baseline. During the Novel Person comparison, several behaviours differed from Trial 4 during Baseline, while standing increased during Intervention. Because Baseline always preceded Intervention, phase was confounded with time, and the observed differences cannot be attributed unequivocally to treat delivery. The observed phase-associated differences in dogs’ in-kennel presentation appeared context-dependent and should not be interpreted as a generalized improvement in behaviour or welfare. Full article

The occurrence of acute hemorrhagic diarrhea in dogs has prompted investigation of emerging enteric viruses, including Bocaparvovirus carnivoran 1 (CBoV-1), which has been associated with respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive disorders in dogs. In this study, CBoV-1 was successfully isolated in MDCK cells from a clinical sample obtained from a dog with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea. A CBoV-1 genome sequence (4973 bp) was obtained from isolate MX-ABM30 and deposited in GenBank under accession number PQ683622. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close genetic relationship between MX-ABM30 and CBoV-1 sequences from the United States, with 98% nucleotide identity. A comparative analysis identified six missense mutations across the genome, resulting in four amino acid substitutions in NS1 (K176R, K182N, P669S, and I680L) and two in VP2 (S200G, S536A). This study represents the first report of isolation and characterization of CBoV-1 in Mexico, providing preliminary data on the genetic diversity of this virus in the region. These findings highlight the need for continued surveillance of CBoV-1 and other emerging enteric viruses in canine populations. Full article

The influenza A virus hijacks host cell machinery by “snatching” molecular caps from cellular RNAs to prime its own transcription. While this process is typically associated with the beginning of genes, this study reveals that the viral RNA polymerase exerts a far-reaching influence on host gene expression. Using genome-wide mapping and comparative pathway analyses, we show that viral polymerase (FluPol) recruitment is decoupled from general host transcriptional activity; instead, FluPol is markedly enriched at a distinct subset of promoters and enhancers associated with defense-related pathways. Beyond the initiation site, FluPol remains associated with host transcripts throughout elongation, extending into downstream-of-gene (DoG) regions. It further accumulates at gene ends, potentially contributing to widespread defects in transcription termination. By remaining linked to host transcripts across the entire gene body, FluPol could extend its opportunity for cap-snatching and impair the recycling of cellular transcription machinery. Together, these findings demonstrate how FluPol accumulation across key cellular defense loci spans from initiation through to termination, driving host transcriptional attenuation. Full article

Camellia japonica seed oil (CJO), which is generally characterized by a high proportion of oleic acid in its fatty acid composition, represents a renewable lipid substrate for producing value-added glycerides. This study aimed to enrich dioleoylglycerol (DOG) in CJO through controlled lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis and evaluate the skin hydration properties of the resulting DOG-rich hydrolyzed CJO. Seven lipases were screened, and a lipase preparation from Thermomyces lanuginosus was selected. Key reaction variables were identified by factorial screening and subsequently optimized using a Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology. Temperature, enzyme concentration, and reaction time were identified as the major factors affecting DOG content. The quadratic model was significant (p < 0.0001; R² = 0.9936) and predicted optimal conditions of 52.56 °C, 0.357 wt% enzyme, and 7.22 h, corresponding to 0.3006 mg DOG/mg oil. Validation at 53 °C, 0.36 wt% enzyme, and 7 h yielded 0.2976 ± 0.0040 mg DOG/mg oil. In an exploratory skin hydration assessment involving five participants, a formulation containing 20 wt% DOG-rich hydrolyzed CJO showed a 34.82% descriptive increase in hydration relative to baseline at 4 h and retained 89.29% of the immediate post-application hydration level. These findings demonstrate an effective biocatalytic strategy for producing DOG-rich CJO and support its potential as a functional lipid ingredient for topical applications. Full article