bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Features of Canine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in 18 Naturally Infected Dogs
Authors: Kohn B. , Galke D. , Beelitz P. , Pfister K. 
Published: January 2009

Background:Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis (CGA), is a Gram‐negative intracellular organism transmitted by ixodid ticks. Thus far, only a few clinical studies evaluating dogs with CGA have been published.Objectives:Evaluation of dogs naturally infected withA. phagocytophilumin which known co‐infections were excluded.Animals:Eighteen dogs with CGA.Methods:Prospective study. The diagnosis of CGA was based on a positive PCR test result; dogs with co‐infections were excluded. History, clinical findings, CBC, clinical biochemistry, infectious disease screening, diagnostic imaging, and the course of disease were evaluated.Results:CGA was diagnosed based on a positive PCR test forA. phagocytophilum; 10 dogs also had morulae in neutrophils. Six of 18 dogs were seronegative toA. phagocytophilum, the others were seropositive. All dogs were acutely ill. The most common clinical findings were lethargy, inappetence, fever, and splenomegaly. Abnormal laboratory results included thrombocytopenia, anemia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and abnormally high plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. In 6 of 10 dogs tested, the platelet‐bound antibody test was positive; Coombs' test was negative in 9 dogs. All dogs were treated with doxycycline and recovered. PCR testing as well as blood smear analysis for morulae were negative in 14 tested dogs 2–8 weeks after beginning treatment.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Clinical findings in dogs with CGA were nonspecific. Positive platelet‐bound antibody test results suggest immune‐mediated platelet destruction as an important pathogenic mechanism. With correct diagnosis and treatment, prognosis is good.
Transarterial Ductal Occlusion with the Amplatzer Vascular Plug in 31 Dogs
Authors: Achen S.E. , Miller M.W. , Gordon S.G. , Saunders A.B. , Roland R.M. , Drourr L.T. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Transarterial ductal occlusion with the Amplatzer vascular plug was first reported in dogs by Hogan et al in 2005.Hypothesis: Use of the Amplatzer vascular plug is a safe, efficacious method of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion.Animals: Thirty‐one client‐owned dogs with PDA.Methods: Records of 31 dogs in which transarterial occlusion of PDA with an Amplatzer vascular plug was attempted were reviewed.Results: All dogs had a type II PDA, with 27 dogs having type IIA morphology and 4 dogs having type IIB morphology. Appropriate device deployment was achieved in 29 of 31 dogs. Postdeployment angiography in 21 dogs documented complete occlusion in 10 dogs, trivial residual flow in 5 dogs, mild residual flow in 2 dogs, moderate residual flow in 3 dogs, and severe residual flow in 1 dog. Transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography documented complete occlusion in 22 dogs, whereas 2 dogs had trivial residual flow, 2 dogs had mild residual flow, 2 dogs had mild to moderate residual flow, and 1 dog had severe residual flow. Of the 7 dogs with residual flow, 2 had complete occlusion 2–4 months postoperatively, 1 had moderate residual flow 1 month postoperatively, and 4 were lost to follow‐up. One dog required a larger device than was able to be deployed through the largest sheath placed in the femoral artery. Pulmonary embolization of the device occurred in 1 dog.Conclusion: We conclude that ductal occlusion with an Amplatzer vascular plug is a safe and efficacious therapy for PDA in dogs.
Lidocaine Converts Acute Vagally Associated Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm in German Shepherd Dogs with Inherited Arrhythmias
Authors: Pariaut R. , Moïse N.S. , Koetje B.D. , Flanders J.A. , Hemsley S.A. , Farver T.B. , Gilmour R.F. , Gelzer A.R.M. , Kraus M.S. , Otani N.F. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Lidocaine is most frequently used to treat ventricular arrhythmias. However, lidocaine may have an antiarrhythmic effect for certain supraventricular arrhythmias.Hypothesis: We hypothesized that lidocaine would be effective in converting experimentally induced atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm and that a decrease in the dominant frequency (DF) and an increase in the organization as judged by the spectral entropy (SE) would occur over the course of the conversion.Animals: Seven German Shepherd (GS) Dogs.Methods: Dogs were anesthetized with fentanyl and pentobarbital. AF was induced with standard pacing protocols while left and right atrial monophasic action potentials (MAP) were recorded. The power spectra from the MAP recordings were analyzed to determine DF and SE during treatment with boluses of 2 mg/kg lidocaine.Results: Lidocaine converted AF to sinus rhythm in all dogs and all episodes (n = 19). Conversion time was 27–87 seconds. After atropine, sustained AF was not induced; however, 5 episodes of atrial tachycardia resulted, and 3 were converted with lidocaine. Frequency domain analysis of 12 conversion sequences showed that left and right DF of the MAP signals decreased from the time of injection to conversion to sinus rhythm (P < .001). Mean SE indicated a gradient between the left and right atria (P= .003) that did not change during conversion.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Vagally associated AF in GS dogs is terminated with lidocaine. Lidocaine is likely an effective treatment in clinical dogs with vagally associated AF.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in 13 Dogs
Authors: Fall T. , Johansson Kreuger S. , Juberget Å. , Bergström A. , Hedhammar Å. 
Published: January 2009

Background: There are few reports on the clinical appearance, prognosis, and risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in dogs.Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of GDM in dogs.Animals: Thirteen dogs with GDM.Methods: Retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed and owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow‐up information.Results: Nordic Spitz breeds (11/13 dogs) were overrepresented in the case material. Diagnosis was established at a median of 50 days after mating (range, 32–64). Median glucose concentration at diagnosis was 340 mg/dL (18.9 mmol/L) (range, 203–587). One dog was euthanized at diagnosis, 5 bitches were treated with insulin until whelping, and in 7 dogs, pregnancy was terminated within 4 days of diagnosis. One dog died after surgery. Tight glycemic control was not achieved in any of the insulin‐treated dogs during pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus (DM) resolved in 7 dogs at a median of 9 days after the end of their pregnancies and DM was permanent in 4 dogs. Puppy mortality was increased compared with offspring of healthy dams.Conclusion: This report suggests that GDM affects mainly middle‐aged bitches in the 2nd half of pregnancy with a breed predisposition toward Nordic Spitz breeds. GDM may resolve within days to weeks after pregnancy has ended. Further research is needed to investigate optimal treatment regimens for dogs with GDM and risk factors for unsuccessful outcome.
Atrial and Ventricular Electrical and Contractile Remodeling and Reverse Remodeling Owing to Short‐Term Pacing‐Induced Atrial Fibrillation in Horses
Authors: De Clercq D. , Van Loon G. , Tavernier R. , Duchateau L. , Deprez Piet 
Published: January 2009

Background: In humans, atrial fibrillation (AF) induces electrical, contractile, and structural remodeling leading to AF stabilization. Little is known about AF‐induced atrial remodeling in horses.Hypothesis: Induced AF produces rapid atrial electrical and contractile remodeling in horses.Animals: Six horses, 5 animals completed the study.Methods: Each horse was instrumented with a pulse generator and pacemaker to maintain AF by burst pacing and to study atrial and ventricular electrophysiology (AF cycle length [AFCL], AF duration, and atrial/ventricular effective refractory period [AERP/VERP] at different pacing cycle lengths [PCL]). Left atrial and ventricular contractile remodeling were assessed echocardiographically by calculation of fractional changes in atrial and ventricular dimensions, respectively, during the cardiac cycle. Measurements were performed at baseline, a 7‐day AF period and a 2‐day recovery period.Results: Atrial electrical and contractile remodeling could be demonstrated after 4 and 12 hours of AF, respectively. A progressive shortening of the AERP (261 ± 39–171 ± 18 ms at a PCL of 1,000 ms, P < .0001), an attenuation of the AERP rate adaptation, a decrease in AFCL (239 ± 39–194 ± 7 ms, P < .0001), and a decrease in atrial FS (12 ± 3% to 0 ± 2%, P < .05) occurred. AF duration increased progressively and became persistent in 2 animals. VERP did not change significantly. Upon restoration of sinus rhythm, values returned to baseline within 48 hours.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Atrial electrical and contractile remodeling appears rapidly. After 7 days of AF, reverse remodeling occurred within 2 days. These observations suggest that early conversion of AF might be beneficial for success rate and early return to training.
The Cardiac Sodium‐Calcium Exchanger Gene (NCX‐1) is a Potential Canine Cardiac Biomarker of Chronic Mitral Valvular Insufficiency
Authors: Moon H.‐S. , Choi E. , Hyun C. 
Published: January 2009

Background: The cardiac sodium‐calcium exchanger gene (NCX‐1) is upregulated in humans and mice with congestive heart failure (CHF).Hypothesis: NCX‐1 expression is upregulated in dogs with heart failure from chronic mitral valvular insufficiency (CMVI).Animals: Client‐owned 14 healthy control dogs and 30 dogs with CMVI.Methods: Prospective, controlled, observational study. We investigated the levels of NCX‐1 expression in dogs at different stages of CMVI with real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results: The mRNA expression levels of NCX‐1 were determined in peripheral blood samples obtained from the animals used in this study. Dogs were graded by the severity of disease. The fold differences in the levels of mRNA expression compared with controls were 1.39 ± 0.88 (group I), 1.32 ± 0.65 (group II), 4.86 ± 1.25 (group III), and 5.96 ± 1.69 (group IV). NCX‐1 expression was significantly higher in groups III and IV (P < .05) compared with the healthy controls, whereas groups I and II were not.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The level of NCX‐1 expression was significantly higher in groups of dogs with moderate to severe CMVI (groups III and IV) compared with the controls. Our findings indicate that NCX‐1 can be a biomarker for chronic valvular disease in dogs and is a potential biomarker for severity of heart disease.
Plasmodium falciparum pfmdr1
Amplification, Mefloquine Resistance, and Parasite Fitness
Authors: Preechapornkul Piyanuch , Imwong Mallika , Chotivanich Kesinee , Pongtavornpinyo Wirichada , Dondorp Arjen M. , Day Nicholas P. J. , White Nicholas J. , Pukrittayakamee Sasithon 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

Mefloquine is widely used in combination with artemisinin derivatives for the treatment of falciparum malaria. Mefloquine resistance in
Plasmodium falciparum
has been related to increased copy numbers of multidrug-resistant gene 1 (
pfmdr1
). We studied the ex vivo dynamics of
pfmdr1
gene amplification in culture-adapted
P. falciparum
in relation to mefloquine resistance and parasite fitness. A Thai
P. falciparum
isolate (isolate TM036) was assessed by the use of multiple genetic markers as a single genotype. Resistance was selected by exposure to stepwise increasing concentrations of mefloquine up to 30 ng/ml in continuous culture. The
pfmdr1
gene copy numbers increased as susceptibility to mefloquine declined (
P
= 0.03). No codon mutations at positions 86, 184, 1034, 1042, and 1246 in the
pfmdr1
gene were detected. Two subclones of selected parasites (average copy numbers, 2.3 and 3.1, respectively) showed a fitness disadvantage when they were grown together with the original parasites containing a single
pfmdr1
gene copy in the absence of mefloquine; the multiplication rates were 6.3% and 8.7% lower, respectively (
P
< 0.01). Modeling of the dynamics of the
pfmdr1
copy numbers over time in relation to the relative fitness of the parasites suggested that net
pfmdr1
gene amplification from one to two copies occurs once in every 10
8
parasites and that amplification from two to three copies occurs once in every 10
3
parasites.
pfmdr1
gene amplification in
P. falciparum
is a frequent event and confers mefloquine resistance. Parasites with multiple copies of the
pfmdr1
gene have decreased survival fitness in the absence of drug pressure.
Occurrence of Efflux Mechanism and Cephalosporinase Variant in a Population of
Enterobacter aerogenes
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Isolates Producing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases
Authors: Tran Que-Tien , Dupont Myrielle , Lavigne Jean-Philippe , Chevalier Jacqueline , Pagès Jean-Marie , Sotto Albert , Davin-Regli Anne 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

We investigated the occurrence of multidrug resistance in 44
Enterobacter aerogenes
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
clinical isolates. Efflux was involved in resistance in
E. aerogenes
isolates more frequently than in
K. pneumoniae
isolates (100 versus 38% of isolates) and was associated with the expression of phenylalanine arginine β-naphthylamide-susceptible active efflux. AcrA-TolC overproduction in
E. aerogenes
isolates was noted. An analysis of four
E. aerogenes
isolates for which cefepime MICs were high revealed no modification in porin expression but a new specific mutation in the AmpC β-lactamase.
The Lipopeptide Antibiotic Friulimicin B Inhibits Cell Wall Biosynthesis through Complex Formation with Bactoprenol Phosphate
Authors: Schneider T. , Gries K. , Josten M. , Wiedemann I. , Pelzer S. , Labischinski H. , Sahl H.-G. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

Friulimicin B is a naturally occurring cyclic lipopeptide, produced by the actinomycete
Actinoplanes friuliensis
, with excellent activity against gram-positive pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. It consists of a macrocyclic decapeptide core and a lipid tail, interlinked by an exocyclic amino acid. Friulimicin is water soluble and amphiphilic, with an overall negative charge. Amphiphilicity is enhanced in the presence of Ca
2+
, which is also indispensable for antimicrobial activity. Friulimicin shares these physicochemical properties with daptomycin, which is suggested to kill gram-positive bacteria through the formation of pores in the cytoplasmic membrane. In spite of the fact that friulimicin shares features of structure and potency with daptomycin, we found that friulimicin has a unique mode of action and severely affects the cell envelope of gram-positive bacteria, acting via a defined target. We found friulimicin to interrupt the cell wall precursor cycle through the formation of a Ca
2+
-dependent complex with the bactoprenol phosphate carrier C
55
-P, which is not targeted by any other antibiotic in use. Since C
55
-P also serves as a carrier in teichoic acid biosynthesis and capsule formation, it is likely that friulimicin blocks multiple pathways that are essential for a functional gram-positive cell envelope.
Molecular Epidemiology of Outbreak-Related
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Strains Carrying the Novel Variant
bla
VIM-17
Metallo-β-Lactamase Gene
Authors: Siarkou Victoria I. , Vitti Danai , Protonotariou Efthimia , Ikonomidis Alexandros , Sofianou Danai 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

A study was designed to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of multidrug-resistant outbreak-related
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates collected in a university hospital in northern Greece. Of 29 nonreplicate
P. aeruginosa
isolates resistant to carbapenems and ceftazidime, 14 were positive for metallo-β-lactamase production. PCR analyses with primers specific for
bla
VIM
and
bla
IMP
revealed that 13 isolates carried a novel
bla
VIM-2
gene variant, designated
bla
VIM-17
, and only 1 isolate carried
bla
VIM-2
, a gene predominant among
P. aeruginosa
strains in Greek hospitals. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of XbaI-digested genomic DNAs showed a close genetic relationship for 12 of 13
bla
VIM-17
-carrying outbreak-related isolates, which were of the O11 serotype; the clonally unrelated isolate carrying
bla
VIM-17
was of the O12 serotype. PCR mapping strategies for the detection of class 1 integrons and sequencing approaches revealed the presence of integrons containing one
bla
VIM
cassette flanked by two
aacA29
cassettes. These integrons were similar but not identical to In59 (GenBank accession number AF263519) initially described in France. All isolates carrying
bla
VIM-17
, regardless of their genetic profile, had an identical integron, named In59.3, indicating that although the hospital outbreak was mainly due to clonal dissemination, the horizontal transmission of the
bla
VIM-17
-containing integron among
P. aeruginosa
isolates should also have occurred. An outbreak-related isolate and a control strain, both of which carried the
bla
VIM-2
gene but which were clonally distinct, had an identical integron, named In59.2, which differed only at the level of the
bla
VIM
gene from In59.3 integrons, suggesting a common ancestry. The spread of the
bla
VIM-17
-containing integron in clonally unrelated
P. aeruginosa
isolates without any evidence of plasmid carriage is probably associated with a transposon.
Detection of (1→3)-β-
d
-Glucan as an Adjunct to Diagnosis in a Mixed Population with Uncommon Proven Invasive Fungal Diseases or with an Unusual Clinical Presentation
Authors: Cuétara María Soledad , Alhambra Almudena , Moragues María Dolores , González-Elorza Ernesto , Pontón José , del Palacio Amalia 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

This single-center observational prospective study evaluated the performance of (1→3)-β-
d
-glucan as an adjunct diagnostic tool in 12 patients with proven invasive fungal disease with different risk factors. The infections were due to either uncommon fungal pathogens such as dematiaceous molds (
Scedosporium apiospermum
,
Alternaria infectoria
, and
Cladosporium macrocarpum
) and hyaline septate molds (
Fusarium solani
and
Blastoschizomyces capitatus
) or
Aspergillus
spp. with unusual clinical presentations.
Isolation, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Virulence Genes of
Pasteurella multocida
Strains from Swine in China
Authors: Tang Xibiao , Zhao Zhanqin , Hu Junyong , Wu Bin , Cai Xuwang , He Qigai , Chen Huanchun 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

A total of 233 isolates of
Pasteurella multocida
were obtained from 2,912 cases of clinical respiratory disease in pigs in China, giving an isolation rate of 8.0%. Serogroup A
P. multocida
isolates were isolated from 92 cases (39.5%), and serogroup D isolates were isolated from 128 cases (54.9%); 12 isolates (5.2%) were untypeable.
P. multocida
was the fourth most frequent pathogenic bacterium recovered from the respiratory tract, after
Streptococcus suis
,
Haemophilus parasuis
, and
Escherichia coli
. All isolates were characterized for their susceptibilities to 20 antibiotics and the presence of 19 genes for virulence factors (VFs). The frequency of antimicrobial resistance among
P. multocida
isolates from swine in China was higher than that reported among
P. multocida
isolates from swine in from other countries, and 93.1% of the isolates showed multiple-drug resistance. There was a progressive increase in the rate of multiresistance to more than seven antibiotics, from 16.2% in 2003 to 62.8% in 2007. The resistance profiles suggested that cephalosporins, florfenicol, and fluoroquinolones were the drugs most likely to be active against
P. multocida
. Use of PCR showed that colonization factors (
ptfA
,
fimA
, and
hsf-2
), iron acquisition factors, sialidases (
nanH
), and outer membrane proteins occurred in most porcine strains. The VFs
pfhA
,
tadD
,
toxA
, and
pmHAS
were each present in <50% of strains. The various VFs exhibited distinctive associations with serogroups: concentrated in serogroup A, concentrated in serogroup D, or occurring jointly in serogroups A and D. These findings provide novel insights into the epidemiological characteristics of porcine
P. multocida
isolates and suggest that the potential threat of such multiresistant bacteria in food-producing animals should not be neglected.
Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of SevereStreptococcus pyogenesDisease in Europe
Authors: Luca-Harari Bogdan , Darenberg Jessica , Neal Shona , Siljander Tuula , Strakova Lenka , Tanna Asha , Creti Roberta , Ekelund Kim , Koliou Maria , Tassios Panayotis T. , van der Linden Mark , Straut Monica , Vuopio-Varkila Jaana , Bouvet Anne , Efstratiou Androulla , Schalén Claes , Henriques-Normark Birgitta ,   the Strep-EURO Study Group, Jasir Aftab 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTIn an attempt to compare the epidemiology of severeStreptococcus pyogenesinfection within Europe, prospective data were collected through the Strep-EURO program. Surveillance for severe cases ofS. pyogenesinfection diagnosed during 2003 and 2004 was undertaken in 11 countries across Europe by using a standardized case definition and questionnaire. Patient data as well as bacterial isolates were collected and characterized by T and M/emmtyping, and selected strains were analyzed for the presence of superantigen genes. Data were analyzed to compare the clinical and microbiological patterns of the infections across the participating countries. A total of 4,353 isolates were collected from 5,521 cases with severeS. pyogenesinfections who were identified. A wide diversity of M/emmtypes (n= 104) was found among theS. pyogenesclinical isolates, but the M/emmtype distribution varied broadly between participating countries. The 10 most predominant M/emmtypes were M/emmtype 1 (M/emm1), M/emm28, M/emm3, M/emm89, M/emm87, M/emm12, M/emm4, M/emm83, M/emm81, and M/emm5, in descending order. A correlation was found between some specific disease manifestations, the age of the patients, and theemmtypes. Although streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis were caused by a large number of types, they were particularly associated with M/emm1 and M/emm3. Theemmtypes included in the 26-valent vaccine under development were generally well represented in the present material; 16 of the vaccine types accounted for 69% of isolates. The Strep-EURO collaborative program has contributed to enhancement of the knowledge of the spread of invasive disease caused byS. pyogeneswithin Europe and encourages future surveillance by the notification of cases and the characterization of strains, which are important for vaccination strategies and other health care issues.