Search Results (12)

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) population has been increasing in recent years thanks to the collaboration of several associations within the framework of the Life Lynxconnect project, which promotes captive breeding for the subsequent release of specimens into the environment. It is therefore important to know their population status, the diseases to which these animals are exposed, and how they affect their repopulation. In this sense, this study aims to study how the presence of mycobacteria affects the lynx population in Extremadura (southwest of Spain). To this end, blood samples, tracheal swabs, and tracheobronchial washings from live-captured lynxes, as well as mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes from roadkill animals, were collected. The association between the presence of mycobacteria and various factors—including body condition, age, sex, and blood parameters—was subsequently evaluated. Up to date, our findings show the absence of tuberculosis (TB) in all lynxes tested, while they seem to be reservoirs of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), mainly M. lentiflavum, the most isolated species. Nonetheless, these mycobacteria appear to have no significant effect on the health condition of the animals. Full article

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) is a common pulmonary disease among racehorses, diagnosed by the detection of blood in the trachea after strenuous exercise or the presence of hemosiderophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Although the latter is considered the most sensitive method to diagnose EIPH, it is perceived as a less practical and more invasive procedure compared to tracheal wash (TW) collection among racehorse trainers. The present retrospective study aimed to verify the agreement between Tracheal wash and BALF cytology in assessing EIPH in racehorses. For this purpose, cytological data from 172 patients regarding hemosiderophage percentage, hemosiderin score, and percentage of recent, intermediate, and old EIPH were reviewed, and the simplified Total Hemosiderin Score (sTHS) was calculated. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to assess the difference and the correlation between TW and BALF. The two cytological methods strongly agreed in evaluating EIPH in racehorses for hemosiderophage percentage (ρ = 0.89, p < 0.001), hemosiderin score (k = 0.63, p < 0.001), sTHS (ρ = 0.87, p < 0.001), percentage of recent EIPH (ρ = 0.95, p < 0.001), intermediate EIPH (ρ = 0.92, p < 0.001), and old EIPH (ρ = 0.85, p < 0.001). In conclusion, TW showed to be a reliable method, which might substitute BALF in assessing EIPH in racehorses. Full article

Equine asthma is considered a non-infectious respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and hypersensitivity. Given the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, an international survey was designed to investigate the use of antimicrobials in asthmatic horses and the factors influencing prescription behavior. An online survey was distributed in six languages by international mailing lists and social media from December 2020 to January 2022. Of the 434 responses recorded, 249 veterinarians working in 25 countries finished the survey. These included 79 ECEIM/ACVIM diplomats. A total of 204 respondents confirmed national regulations concerning antimicrobial use in their country. Knowledge of the asthma definitions as presented in the revised ACVIM consensus statement was greater in veterinarians treating over 95% of equine patients compared to veterinarians treating more species, based on 10 questions (answers consistent with the consensus statement in 7 (IQR 5–9) and 4 (IQR 3–6) questions, respectively, (p < 0.001)). A total of 131 respondents stated to use antimicrobials (at least ‘sometimes’) in at least one of the three presented cases consistent with equine asthma. Trimethoprim-Sulfa combinations, penicillin(s), and tetracyclines were prescribed most (by 105, 53 and 38 veterinarians, respectively). Aminoglycosides, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were also selected (22, 15, 9 veterinarians respectively). Tetracyclines and cephalosporins are prescribed more often by veterinarians working without national regulations (p 0.019 and p 0.035, respectively). The most selected factors influencing prescription behavior were: ‘tracheal wash culture’ (62% of 131 veterinarians using antimicrobials in these cases), ‘whether other horses in the barn have similar complaints’ (60%), and ‘response to other forms of therapy’ (53%). In conclusion, insight into prescription behavior is the first step towards minimizing and optimizing antimicrobial use. Full article

According to the “unified or united airway disease” theory, diseases in the upper and lower airways frequently co-occur because they represent a single morphological and functional unit. Palatal disorders (PDs) and severe equine asthma (SEA) are frequent diseases that, respectively, affect upper and lower equine airways; however, clinical studies focusing on the co-occurrence of PDs and SEA are limited. The present study investigated the prevalence of PDs in horses affected by SEA, and whether prevalence decreased after SEA treatment. Forty-six privately owned horses affected by SEA in exacerbation were included. For each horse, the severity of the asthma clinical signs was assessed using a previously described scoring system, and the co-occurrence of palatal disorders was investigated using overground endoscopy, before and after treatment for SEA. Before treatment (in exacerbation), 67.4% of SEA-affected horses showed evidence of PDs, including 39.1% showing evidence of palatal instability (PI) and 28.3% of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Airway inflammation (neutrophil percentage in the tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) was worse in horses with co-occurring PDs. After treatment (in remission), no horses showed evidence of PI, while DDSP was diagnosed in 8.7% of horses. These findings suggest that palatal disorders respond to asthma treatment, supporting the hypothesis that both diseases could be manifestation of a common underlying disorder. Full article

Tracheal replacement with a bioengineered tracheal substitute has been developed for long-segment tracheal diseases. The decellularized tracheal scaffold is an alternative for cell seeding. It is not defined if the storage scaffold produces changes in the scaffold’s biomechanical properties. We tested three protocols for porcine tracheal scaffold preservation immersed in PBS and alcohol 70%, in the fridge and under cryopreservation. Ninety-six porcine tracheas (12 in natura, 84 decellularized) were divided into three groups (PBS, alcohol, and cryopreservation). Twelve tracheas were analyzed after three and six months. The assessment included residual DNA, cytotoxicity, collagen contents, and mechanical properties. Decellularization increased the maximum load and stress in the longitudinal axis and decreased the maximum load in the transverse axis. The decellularization of the porcine trachea produced structurally viable scaffolds, with a preserved collagen matrix suitable for further bioengineering. Despite the cyclic washings, the scaffolds remained cytotoxic. The comparison of the storage protocols (PBS at 4 °C, alcohol at 4 °C, and slow cooling cryopreservation with cryoprotectants) showed no significant differences in the amount of collagen and in the biomechanical properties of the scaffolds. Storage in PBS solution at 4 °C for six months did not change the scaffold mechanics. Full article

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) may be a rare cause of granulomatous pneumonia in horses. The mortality of IPA is almost 100%; direct diagnostic tools in horses are needed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum samples were collected from 18 horses, including individuals suffering from IPA (n = 1), equine asthma (EA, n = 12), and 5 healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from another 6 healthy controls. Samples of BALF (n = 18) were analyzed for Aspergillus spp. DNA, fungal galactomannan (GM), ferricrocin (Fc), triacetylfusarinin C (TafC), and gliotoxin (Gtx). Analysis of 24 serum samples for (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) and GM was performed. Median serum BDG levels were 131 pg/mL in controls and 1142 pg/mL in IPA. Similar trends were observed in BALF samples for GM (Area under the Curve (AUC) = 0.941) and DNA (AUC = 0.941). The fungal secondary metabolite Gtx was detected in IPA BALF and lung tissue samples (86 ng/mL and 2.17 ng/mg, AUC = 1). Full article

When developing methods for diagnosing pathologies and diseases in humans and animals using electronic noses, one of the important trends is the miniaturization of devices, while maintaining significant information for diagnostic purposes. A combination of several sorbents that have unique sorption features of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on one transducer is a possible option for the miniaturization of sensors for gas analysis. This paper considers the principles of creating polycomposite coatings on the electrodes of piezoelectric quartz resonators, including the choice of sorbents for the formation of sensitive layers, determining the mass and geometry of the formation of sensitive layers in a polycomposite coating, as well as an algorithm for processing the output data of sensors to obtain maximum information about the qualitative and quantitative composition of the gas phase. A comparative analysis of the efficiency and kinetics of VOC vapor sorption by sensors with polycomposite coatings and a set of sensors with relevant single coatings has been carried out. Regression equations have been obtained to predict the molar-specific sensitivity of the microbalance of VOC vapors by a sensor with a polycomposite coating of three sorbents with an error of 5–15% based on the results of the microbalance of VOC vapors on single coatings. A method for creating “visual prints” of sensor signals with polycomposite coatings is shown, with results comparable to those from an array of sensors. The parameters A_ij∑ are proposed for obtaining information on the qualitative composition of the gas phase when processing the output data of sensors with polycomposite coatings. A biochemical study of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples, a microbiological investigation of calf tracheal washes, and a clinical examination were conducted to assess the presence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). An analysis of the gas phase over EBC samples with an array of sensors with polycomposite coatings was also carried out. The “visual prints” of the responses of sensors with polycomposite coatings and the results of the identification of VOCs in the gas phase over EBC samples were compared to the results of bacteriological studies of tracheal washes of the studied calves. A connection was found between the parameters A_ij∑ of a group of sensors with polycomposite coatings and the biochemical parameters of biosamples. The adequacy of replacing an array of piezoelectric sensors with single coatings by the sensors with polycomposite coatings is shown. Full article

Mild-moderate (MEA), severe (SEA) equine asthma and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) are common respiratory disorders in horses. The present retrospective study aims to evaluate the role of ultrasonography and endoscopy in the diagnosis of these conditions. Three hundred and three horses were included and divided into SEA, MEA and MEA + EIPH groups, on the basis of history, clinical examination and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) cytology; scores were assigned to lung ultrasonography, pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH), tracheal mucus (TM) and tracheal bifurcation edema (TB). These scores were compared between groups, and their associations with age, BALf cytology, tracheal wash microbiology and between endoscopic and ultrasonographic scores were statistically analyzed. Ultrasonographic scores were higher in the SEA and MEA + EIPH groups and associated with increased BALf neutrophils and hemosiderophages. The PLH score was higher in younger horses affected by MEA and EIPH and associated with increased eosinophils and hemosiderophages. TM and TB scores were greater in older horses affected by SEA, associated with increased neutrophils and inversely correlated with hemosiderophages. Moreover, TM grade was negatively correlated with mast cells. Thoracic ultrasonography and airway endoscopy can provide useful information about the inflammatory status of upper and lower airways in the horse. Full article

Background: The A-Line Autoregressive Index (AAI), which is derived from auditory evoked potentials, has been used for determining anesthetic depth. This study verified the correlation between AAI values and the corresponding end-tidal concentrations of sevoflurane during general anesthesia induction. Methods: Thirty young male adults undergoing elective minor orthopedic surgery were sequentially allocated to receive inspiratory 3%, 5%, or 6% sevoflurane for mask induction, followed by mechanical ventilation after tracheal intubation. The inspiratory, end-tidal and estimated jugular bulb concentrations of sevoflurane were recorded at three target AAI values: below 20, below 10, and at the start of burst suppression. Results: The mean time to loss of consciousness in the 6% sevoflurane group was shorter than that in the 5% and 3% groups; however, the groups had comparable AAI values (range: 16–45). The 6% group had a higher end-tidal concentration (4.5% ± 0.2% vs. 3.8% ± 0.2%, p < 0.05) than did the 5% group, despite having the same target anesthetic levels by AAI score ≤10, whereas the estimated jugular bulb concentrations were comparable (1.9% vs. 1.9%) in both groups. Conclusions: Following mechanical ventilation with inspiratory 3%, 5%, or 6% sevoflurane, the end-tidal concentrations were discrepant at the same end points of AAI levels, despite similar estimated jugular bulb concentrations of sevoflurane. Thus, conventional alveolar concentration may overestimate anesthesia depth during rapid wash-in of sevoflurane. Full article

Respiratory infections are still a major concern in pigs. Amongst the involved viruses, the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and the swine influenza type A virus (swIAV) have a major impact. These viruses frequently encounter and dual infections are reported. We analyzed here the molecular interactions between viruses and porcine tracheal epithelial cells as well as lung tissue. PRRSV-1 species do not infect porcine respiratory epithelial cells. However, PRRSV-1, when inoculated simultaneously or shortly before swIAV, was able to inhibit swIAV H1N2 infection, modulate the interferon response and alter signaling protein phosphorylations (ERK, AKT, AMPK, and JAK2), in our conditions. SwIAV inhibition was also observed, although at a lower level, by inactivated PRRSV-1, whereas acid wash treatment inactivating non-penetrated viruses suppressed the interference effect. PRRSV-1 and swIAV may interact at several stages, before their attachment to the cells, when they attach to their receptors, and later on. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that PRRSV can alter the relation between swIAV and its main target cells, opening the doors to further studies on the interplay between viruses. Consequences of these peculiar interactions on viral infections and vaccinations using modified live vaccines require further investigations. Full article

High throughput sequencing is currently revolutionizing the genomics field and providing new approaches to the detection and characterization of microorganisms. The objective of this study was to assess the detection of influenza D virus (IDV) in bovine respiratory tract samples using two sequencing platforms (MiSeq and Nanopore (GridION)), and species-specific qPCR. An IDV-specific qPCR was performed on 232 samples (116 nasal swabs and 116 tracheal washes) that had been previously subject to virome sequencing using MiSeq. Nanopore sequencing was performed on 19 samples positive for IDV by either MiSeq or qPCR. Nanopore sequence data was analyzed by two bioinformatics methods: What’s In My Pot (WIMP, on the EPI2ME platform), and an in-house developed analysis pipeline. The agreement of IDV detection between qPCR and MiSeq was 82.3%, between qPCR and Nanopore was 57.9% (in-house) and 84.2% (WIMP), and between MiSeq and Nanopore was 89.5% (in-house) and 73.7% (WIMP). IDV was detected by MiSeq in 14 of 17 IDV qPCR-positive samples with Cq (cycle quantification) values below 31, despite multiplexing 50 samples for sequencing. When qPCR was regarded as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of MiSeq sequence detection were 28.3% and 98.9%, respectively. We conclude that both MiSeq and Nanopore sequencing are capable of detecting IDV in clinical specimens with a range of Cq values. Sensitivity may be further improved by optimizing sequence data analysis, improving virus enrichment, or reducing the degree of multiplexing. Full article

Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) occurs in horses performing high-intensity athletic activity. The application of physics principles to derive a ‘physical model’, which is coherent with existing physiology and cell biology data, shows that critical parameters for capillary rupture are cell–cell adhesion and cell stiffness (cytoskeleton organisation). Specifically, length of fracture in the capillary is a ratio between the energy involved in cell–cell adhesion and the stiffness of cells suggesting that if the adhesion diminishes and/or that the stiffness of cells increases EIPH is more likely to occur. To identify genes associated with relevant cellular or physiological phenotypes, the physical model was used in a post-genome-wide association study (GWAS) to define gene sets associated with the model parameters. The primary study was a GWAS of EIPH where the phenotype was based on weekly tracheal wash samples collected over a two-year period from 72 horses in a flat race training yard. The EIPH phenotype was determined from cytological analysis of the tracheal wash samples, by scoring for the presence of red blood cells and haemosiderophages. Genotyping was performed using the Illumina Equine SNP50 BeadChip and analysed using linear regression in PLINK. Genes within significant genome regions were selected for sets based on their GeneOntology biological process, and analysed using fastBAT. The gene set analysis showed that genes associated with cell stiffness (cytoskeleton organisation) and blood flow have the most significant impact on EIPH risk. Full article