bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of purinoceptors in wound healing
Authors: Braun M. , Lelieur K. , Kietzmann M. 
Published: August 2004

Purinoceptors are membrane‐bound receptors for adenosine, purines and pyrimidines that are expressed in nearly all cell types throughout the organism. Previous studies demonstrated that they are involved in the regulation of proliferation of most target cells. Since it is well known that several purinoceptors are expressed in skin keratinocytes, we were interested in examining their involvement in wound healing. Primary skin keratinocytes from four different mouse strains were isolated and cultured for in vitro studies. The expression patterns of metabotropic purinoceptors of the primary cells as well as a murine cell line were determined by RT‐PCR analysis. The specificity of the amplification products was verified by sequence analysis. Proliferation assays with various purinoceptor agonists and antagonists were performed using the murine cell line MSC‐P5. Cell proliferation was determined by incorporation of 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU). Female NMRI mice were used for in vivo trials. To inhibit the wound healing process, animals were treated once daily with dexamethasone. After a week of treatment, full thickness wounds were set with biopsy punches in depilated back skin. The wound healing process was measured by determination of the wound area and the incorporation of BrdU in vivo. The purinoceptor agonists and antagonists were administered topically on the wound area. Among the examined metabotropic purinoceptors, the murine cell line MSC‐P5 expressed the receptors A2b, P2Y1, P2Y2 and P2Y6. Primary cultured murine keratinocytes possessed the same expression profile and they additionally expressed the P2Y4 receptor. Furthermore, three of the four primary cultures showed a splicing variant of the P2Y2 receptor. The purinoceptor agonists ATP, UTP and 5’‐(N‐ethyl)‐carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) enhanced the cell growth of the murine cell line MSC‐P5. The mitogenic effect of ATP and UTP was inhibited by the P2Y1, P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptor antagonist suramin, while the effect of NECA was inhibited by the selective A2b receptor antagonist enprofylline. Taking into account that other tested purinoceptor agonists, 2‐Me‐S‐ATP and UDP, exhibited no proliferative activity on MSC‐P5 cells, it can be concluded that ATP and UTP act on proliferation via the P2Y2 receptor, and NECA via the A2b receptor. In vivo trials in an animal model of impaired wound healing confirm that pharmacological actions via purinoceptors offer an intriguing possibility in the treatment of wounds. Nevertheless, further investigations are needed to fully elucidate the role of purinergic mechanisms involved in wound healing. Funding: Self‐funded.
Histopathological and clinical characterization of dermatopathy associated with toxic shock‐like syndrome in dogs
Authors: Ramiro‐Ibanez F. , Walder E. J. , Gross T. L. 
Published: August 2004

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in humans is a systemic disease caused by the release of bacterial toxins with superantigen activity. Most cases in humans are related to production of toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 (TSST‐1) by strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Clinically, they manifest with high fever, hypotension, diarrhoea, myalgia, skin rash and oedema, often progressing to desquamation of the skin. External or internal infections may be the origin. In dogs, the most common bacterial organism isolated from cases of bacterial pyoderma is Staphylococcus intermedius. This bacterium has also been shown to produce exotoxins, including TSST‐1. Retrospectively, 11 dogs with clinical presentations and histopathological lesions closely resembling TSS in humans were evaluated. The animals ranged in age from 1.5 to 13 years, with a mean of 4.65 years. No sex predisposition was found. The breeds represented in the study were varied, including small breeds (pug, Boston terrier) and large breeds (golden retriever, Labrador retriever). The most common clinical presentation was multicentric to generalized cutaneous erythema (n = 10) and oedema (n = 7), in some cases with vesicles (n = 4) and pustules (n = 3) evolving to ulcers (n = 3). The extremities, ears and ventrum were frequently involved. Systemic signs were invariably present. Mild anaemia (n = 8), hypoalbuminaemia (n = 8), depression (n = 8) and neutrophilia (n = 7) were the most consistent abnormalities. Fever (n = 5) and thombocytopenia (n = 5) were also observed. Complete clinical history was not obtained in two cases that were compatible with this condition on histopathological exam. In general, there was a good response to systemic treatment with cephalexin (n = 4); in cases for which early antibiotic therapy was not instituted, the outcome was usually fatal(n = 5). In the only case cultured, pustular lesions yielded a mixed population of coagulase‐positive Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Histologically, the most characteristic pattern was superficial dermatitis with epidermal neutrophilic exocytosis and necrotic (apoptotic) keratinocytes, often with neutrophilic satellitosis. The lesions evolved to panepidermal necrosis with ulceration in some dogs, a phenomenon unrelated to the final outcome. The pathogenesis of the skin lesions in human cases of TSS seems to be related to the nonspecific stimulation of lymphocytes by the bacterial superantigen and the release of high levels of cytokines, specifically TNFα. Until further characterization of the process is obtained, biopsies with features of neutrophilic exocytosis and apoptosis should warrant consideration of TSS, and immediate antibiotic treatment (cephalexin) should be instituted to prevent potential fatal progression of the disease. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐1  Evaluation of the influence of sex, diet and time on hair coat characteristics of cats
Authors: Bourdeau P. , Taylor K. W. , Nguyen P. , Biourge V. 
Published: August 2004

Skin physiology in cats has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term influence of sex, time and the level of dietary fat and energy on the dynamics and qualities of the hair coat. Twenty‐four European short‐haired laboratory cats were followed over a 1‐year period. They were divided into eight groups of three, according to: sex (12 males and 12 females), sexual status (intact or neutered) and diets [(high energy 4300 kcal/kg as fed, 21% fat) vs. (moderate energy 3500 kcal/kg as fed, 10% fat)]. Both diets were fed for 6 months to all cats following a cross‐over design. The following parameters were evaluated throughout the study: thickness of hair coat and hair lengths (neck, rump, lateral, flank), hair regrowth (after periodic clippings of 25 cm2 areas), and telogen/anagen ratio. The thickness of the hair coat initially varied from 1.2–1.7 cm on the neck, 1–1.4 cm on the rump, 1.8–2.5 cm on the flank, and hair shaft lengths were 1.7–2.5, 3.7–3.9 and 2.5–3.2 cm, respectively. Comparison of values revealed few statistical differences: increase of the thickness of hair coat in neutered cats (male and female) during the study, and increase of the length of lateral hairs in all groups during the study. Over all periods and in all groups, the curve of growth was similar (rapid then slower). Some transient variations were attributed to temporary changes in ambient conditions. In conclusion, neither sex, nutrition or season (in housed cats) influenced the general quality of hair coat, in particular hair regrowth. Funding: Royal Canin.
P‐10  Comparison of carpet and toothbrush methods for the detection of asymptomatic carriage of dermatophytes in cats
Authors: Bourdeau P. , Costiou F. , Peron C. 
Published: August 2004

Diagnosis of Microsporum canis infection is a challenge in cats with suspected asymptomatic carriage. The aim of this study was to compare the carpet method and the toothbrush method of sample collection for dermatophyte culture. The study was conducted on apparently healthy cats in a chronically infected cattery. Sampling was performed with both a sterilized piece of carpet and a toothbrush applied to the entire body surface. Samples were inoculated on Sabouraud's media (with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide). Multiple (6) applications with the toothbrush were necessary to obtain a similar surface area of inoculation. Cultures were incubated at 27°C, then examined from day 5 to 21 for the presence and number of colonies of M. canis and other fungi. Some samples were inoculated twice (initially negative or with a low number of M.canis). A total of 112 cultures were performed (14 duplicates) from 44 cats. On day 21, infection was detected in 23 cats (54.7%): 20 (87%) with the carpet method and 21 (91%) with the toothbrush method. None of the replicated cultures allowed the detection of new cases but three were subsequently negative. In eight cases, only one to six colonies of M. canis were obtained. Both methods used are easy to perform on cats and have a similar sensitivity of approximately 90%. The carpet method is, however, much less expensive, easier to prepare, mail, store and inoculate. The lack of growth in some duplicate cultures (initial development of one or two colonies) may explain the limits of diagnosis of infection and justify the need for multiple inoculations of agar with the toothbrush method. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐11  Occurrence of dermatophytes in dogs and cats and their susceptibility to antifungal drugs
Authors: Zdovc I. , Mičunovi J. , Pirš T. , Ocepek M. 
Published: August 2004

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats with skin disorders and in clinically healthy animals suspected to be a source of human dermatophyte infection. Over a 2‐year period, 776 samples from 339 dogs and 437 cats were examined. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar (with chloramphenicol and actidione) for 2–3 weeks. Antifungal susceptibility tests for ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B and flucytosine (E test) were performed to establish the MIC values. Different dermatophyte species from the genus Microsporum and Trichophyton (M. canis, M. gypseum, T. mentagrophytes, M. persicolor) were isolated from 194 samples (25.0%). Among 57 positive dogs, M. canis was isolated from 26 (45.6%), T. mentagrophytes from 28 (49.1%), M. gypseum from two (3.5%) and M. persicolor from one (1.7%). Among 137 positive cats, M. canis was isolated from 124 (90.5%), T. mentagrophytes from 12 (8.7%) and M. gypseum from one (0.7%). These results are different to those reported in the past, where M. canis was the predominant dermatophyte species in both dogs and cats. In the last 2 years, the occurrence of T. mentagrophytes infections in carnivores has evidently increased, especially in dogs. One of the possible reasons is the increasing number of rabbits and rodents being kept as pet animals. As T. mentagrophytes is often isolated from these animals, they may serve as a source of infection. The results of susceptibility testing to antifungal agents were similar to those obtained in previous testing with most dermatophytes susceptible to ketoconazole and itraconazole, but resistant to fluconazole. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐12  Comparative study of griseofulvin and terbinafine therapy in the treatment of canine and feline dermatophytosis
Authors: Balda A. C. , Otsuka M. , Gambale W. , Larsson C. E. 
Published: August 2004

In domestic carnivores, dermatophytosis is caused mainly by two fungal genera: Microsporum spp. and Trichophyton spp. These diseases are anthropozoonoses of significance in public health. The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of griseofulvin and terbinafine in the therapy of the dermatophytosis. Thirty‐five animals were included in three protocols of treatment. Griseofulvin was used at a dosage of 50 mg/kg once daily. It was effective in 100% of the cases, with no side effects, and the average time until cure was 41 days. Terbinafine was used at a dosage of 5 mg/kg once daily. It was effective in 81.3% of cases, no side effects were observed, and the average time until cure was 21 days. Terbinafine used at a dosage of 20 mg/kg once daily was similarly effective. However, at this higher dosage, the average time to cure was 33 days and side effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea and an increase in transaminase and alkaline phosphatase serum activity were seen in 16.6% of the animals. This study demonstrated that terbinafine is a good therapeutic alternative, although griseofulvin is still the first‐choice drug for the treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐13  Dermatophytosis in domestic cats: treatment with lufenuron
Authors: Ramadinha R. R. , Reis R. , Campos S. G. , Ribeiro S. S. , Peixoto P. V. 
Published: August 2004

Preliminary studies showed that lufenuron inhibits chitin synthesis, a dermatophyte cell wall constituent, and may be effective in the treatment of dermatophytosis. Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of lufenuron in the treatment of feline dermatophytosis. Forty‐six cats (Persians and mixed‐breed cats from 1‐month to 4‐years old) naturally infected with Microsporumcanis were included in this study. Fifteen cats were treated isolated in cages in the veterinary hospital and 31 were treated in their home environment (some with access to the outdoors). Dermatophyte skin lesions were seen in 29 animals while 17 other cats were asymptomatic carriers. Wood's lamp, direct microscopic examination of hairs, fungal culture and skin biopsies were used for the diagnosis. Affected cats and all in‐contact animals received lufenuron at a dose of 120 mg/kg every 21 days for four treatments. Of the 29 symptomatic cats treated with lufenuron, 70% recovered within 21 days and 28% within 42 days of initiation of therapy. One cat had only partial recovery and another was euthanized. Negative fungal culture was recorded only after the fourth dose of lufenuron in 98% of affected cats and 100% of asymptomatic carriers. There was no difference in clinical response to lufenuron between the cats treated in their home environment and those treated in the veterinary hospital. Side effects were not observed, thus the drug proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of dermatophytosis. Funding: Novartis.
P‐14  Use of lufenuron in the therapy of canine and feline dermatophytosis in São Paulo (Brazil)
Authors: Sonoda M. , Balda A. C. , Otsuka M. , Gambale W. , Larsson C. E. 
Published: August 2004

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lufenuron in the treatment of animals with dermatophytosis [M. canis or M. gypseum (n = 48) and T. rubrum (n = 1)]. The study was performed over a 2‐year period. The 49 animals (23 dogs and 26 cats) were randomly separated into four groups, each one receiving 50–120 mg/kg of lufenuron, divided into one to four doses administered at various intervals. Liver enzyme measurement were performed on all animals. The results showed clinical and mycological cure in 22–60% of the animals treated in the study, with the highest efficacy in the group treated with 120 mg/kg given in two doses at a 3‐week interval (group IV). No systemic or cutaneous side effects or changes in liver enzyme levels were observed in any of the animals. Persian cats and Yorkshire terrier dogs had the highest rates of therapy failure. Lufenuron was more effective in dogs than cats. Morphological changes occurred in isolated Microsporum spp. colonies on culture. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐15  Identification of Malassezia spp. isolated from a cat and cattle, including a new species, M. nana
Authors: Hirai A. , Kano R. , Makimura K. , Yamaguchi H. , Hasegawa A. 
Published: August 2004

Isolates from a cat and cattle with or without otitis externa in Japan and Brazil were thought to be Malassezia spp.,but were clearly distinct from the other nine species of Malassezia which have been reported by molecular analysis, including M. dermatis and M. japonica. These isolates resemble M. dermatis and M. sympodialis morphologically and physiologically, but can be distinguished from these two species by their ability to use cremophor EL as the sole source of lipid and to split esculin. These isolates were classified as a novel species, Malassezia nana,by mycological examination as well as molecular analysis. Methods to identify seven Malassezia species have been reported, but they do not include the three new species, M. nana, M. dermatis and M. japonica. In this study, we described a practical approach to the identification of all 10 species of Malassezia yeasts from clinical material. We improved the identification system by examining lipid requirement, catalase reaction, precipitate production on modified Dixon agar, utility of cremophor EL, ability to split esculin and the shape of cells. This approach represents an identification scheme for Malassezia spp. without elaborate equipment. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐16  Treatment of Malassezia otitis in dogs: a comparative field trial
Authors: Bensignor E. 
Published: August 2004

Otitis externa (OE) is a very common disease of dogs. Various treatments are available for OE, but most commercial preparations contain a mixture of antifungal, anti‐inflammatory drugs and antibiotic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a commercial product containing clotrimazole, marbofloxacin and dexamethasone (Aurizon®) was more effective than the use of a topical antifungal agent econazole (Daktarin®) used alone to treat Malassezia otitis. Dogs presenting with bilateral OE and numerous yeasts on cytological examination were included. Twenty dogs aged from 1 to 14 years old were treated in this trial (40 ears, 20 in each group). Each case was treated with Aurizon® (four drops) in one ear and Daktarin® in the other ear. Criteria analysed were pruritus (visual analogue scale), erythema, amount of cerumen, and the number of yeasts on cytologic smears. All animals demonstrated a good improvement in Malassezia counts after either treatment. Significant differences were noted in favour of Aurizon® for erythema, cerumen, and pruritus on various days of evaluation. This study demonstrated the superiority of a mixture of corticosteroids and antifungal agent in comparison with an antifungal agent used alone for the treatment of Malassezia OE. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐17  In vitro activity of posaconazole and other antifungals against Malasseziapachydermatis isolated from dogs
Authors: Bourdeau P. , Marchand A. M. , Etoré F. 
Published: August 2004

The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro antifungal activity of several antifungal drugs (posaconazole, nystatin, miconazole and clotrimazole) against Malassezia pachydermatis with microdilution and agar dilution techniques. Malassezia pachydermatis isolates were obtained from the skin and ears of dogs. Tests on solid media were performed using 25‐well Petri dishes (2 mL/well containing Sabouraud's dextrose agar and diluted antifungal drug) inoculated with 5 μL suspensions of M. pachydermatis. Microtitre broth dilution used 96‐well microtitre plates containing Sabourauds dextrose broth and appropriate dilutions of antifungal drugs, inoculated with 10 μL standard suspensions of M. pachydermatis. Plates were inoculated in duplicate and incubated at 30°C for 5 days and growth assessed. The four antifungal drugs were tested in 10 dilutions (4.0‐0.007 μg/mL for posaconazole, and 32‐‐0.06 μg/mL for clotrimazole, miconazole and nystatin). Results obtained for 83 strains of M. pachydermatis and a control reference strain (CBS 1879) exhibited the same pattern. Results of the MIC between microtitre and agar methodologies showed no significant differences (≤ 2‐fold) across all drugs. For both solid and liquid methods, posaconazole was the most effective antifungal drug of the four tested with MIC90 of 1–2 μg/mL for posaconazole, 16–32 μg/mL for clotrimazole, and ≥ 32 μg/mL for miconazole and nystatin. Funding: Schering‐Plough.
P‐18  Cryptococcosis in São Paulo (Brazil): clinical and epidemiological features (1992–2003)
Authors: Chiesa S. C. , Castro R. C. , Otsuka M. , Michalany N. S. , Larsson C. E. , Larsson C. E. 
Published: August 2004

Cryptococcosis is a relatively frequent disease in the southwest region of Brazil. We have diagnosed 19 cases of cryptococcosis (1.6 cases/year) at our hospital in the last 12 years. Cats were most frequently affected (18 feline and one canine) among our cases. The disease was most frequent in purebred Siamese cats (55.5 %), and in male cats (77.8 %) with an age predisposition of 4‐ to 6‐year‐old animals (56.2%) and 7‐ to 9‐year‐old animals (18.8 %). The diagnosis was established by cytologic and histopathologic examination, fungal culture and serologic evaluation. All cases was caused by Cryptococcus neoformans serotype AD. We used fungal culture as the gold standard for the diagnosis. Histopathology was positive in 93.3% of cases and the cytologic examination in 75% of cases. Most cats were FIV and FeLV negative. Ocular involvement was found only in the canine case which is the first report of canine cryptococcosis in Brazil. Itraconazole (10 mg/kg once daily) as the sole therapy or in conjunction with 5‐fluorocytosine was effective in 95% of the patients. Funding: Self‐funded.
P‐2  Evaluation of the influence of sex, diet and time on skin pH and surface lipids of cats
Authors: Bourdeau P. , Taylor K. W. , Nguyen P. , Biourge V. 
Published: August 2004

Skin lipids and pH are two factors classically considered of importance in homeostatic characteristics of skin. Skin physiology in cats has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term influence of sex, sexual status, season, and dietary fat and energy on these parameters. Twenty‐four European short‐haired laboratory cats, 14 months of age, were followed over a 1‐year period. They were divided into 8 groups of three, according to: sex (12 males and 12 females), sexual status (intact or neutered) and diets [(high energy 4300 kcal/kg as fed, 21% fat) vs. (moderate energy 3500 kcal/kg as fed, 10% fat)]. Both diets were fed to all cats for 6 months following a cross‐over design. Parameters regularly evaluated were skin pH and hair total lipid content (extraction from samples of 0.6–1.2 g of clipped hairs). The pH of the skin varied from 6.6–6.8 initially to 7.2–7.4 at the end of the study. This increase was significant only in intact animals (male and female). The dietary changes did not affect skin pH. Hair total lipid content was not affected by sex or the diets but slightly increased in all groups over the study period from 1.5–2.4 to 2.4–3.3%. In conclusion, skin pH appeared to be potentially modified by sexual status, but not by sex or dietary lipids and energy. Hair lipids do not appear to be affected by sex or increases in dietary lipids and energy. The slight increase in pH and hair lipids during the study was attributed to the change from young adult to adult stage of all cats. Funding: Royal Canin.