Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Kovarikova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Urinary biomarkers of renal function in dogs and cats: a review Abstract: Kidney diseases commonly affect dogs and cats. Early diagnosis of renal impairment may be challenging even when urinalysis is used to provide additional information. Serum creatinine concentration is often used in the diagnosis, but it is a relatively insensitive marker of renal function. Particular attention is aimed at the investigation of certain molecules that may occur in urine at elevated levels as a result of glomerular or tubular dysfunction. These changes may be found before the increase of serum creatinine levels. This review article summarises reports of urine biomarkers and their utility in detecting early kidney disease in dogs and cats. Detection of multiple urinary biomarkers in diagnosis of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease may increase specificity and sensitivity. Early diagnosis of reduced renal functional mass allows early therapeutic interventions which may decrease morbidity and mortality. Keywords: microalbuminuria, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, N-acetyl-β -d-glucosaminidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, immunoglobulin G Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 589-602 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8527-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8527-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8527-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Jankowska Author-Workplace-Name: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: J. Bajzert Author-Workplace-Name: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: M. Pisarek Author-Workplace-Name: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: A. Rzasa Author-Workplace-Name: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: P. Jawor Author-Workplace-Name: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: T. Stefaniak Author-Workplace-Name: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Title: Humoral and cellular immune response to Histophilus somni recombinant heat shock protein 60 kDa in farm animals Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of immunising farm animals with the Histophilus somni recombinant heat shock protein 60kDa (H. somni rHsp60) in field conditions. Fifty piglets, 10 calves and 30 hens were immunised twice, and the same number of each species was used as the control. The humoral immune response was evaluated using ELISA in piglets (IgG, IgA and IgM) and calves (IgG1, IgG2 and IgM) sera and in hen egg yolks (IgY). Cell-mediated immune responses were evaluated using the skin test. Concentrations of serum haptoglobin in calves and piglets and plasma fibrinogen in calves, daily weight gain in piglets, as well as the inner body temperature and clinical signs in calves were measured to evaluate the clinical effects of vaccination. In animals immunised twice with H. somni rHsp60, a statistically significant increase in IgY antibodies in egg yolk as well as serum IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies in calves (P < 0.05) was found. In piglets, the antibody reaction against H. somni rHsp60 was higher in the experimental than in the control group, but the difference was significant only for the IgG class (P < 0.05). A moderate cell-mediated immune response to H. somni rHsp60 measured using the skin test was observed in piglets after 24 h (P < 0.05), but not in calves and hens. The daily weight gain was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control piglets (P < 0.05). The fibrinogen and haptoglobin levels in calves, as well as the inner body temperature, indicated a reduced risk of pathology in the experimental group of calves. The preliminary results confirmed the immunogenicity of H. somni rHsp60. A beneficial effect on piglet weight gain was observed. The obtained results warrant further studies of the protective effects of H. somni rHsp60 as an ingredient of subunit vaccines in farm animals. Keywords: rHsp60, Histophilus somni, subunit vaccine, calves, piglets, hens Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 603-612 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8528-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8528-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8528-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: T. Benko Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: M. Boldizar Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: F. Novotny Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: V. Hura Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: I. Valocky Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: K. Dudrikova Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: M. Karamanova Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: V. Petrovic Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Title: Incidence of bacterial pathogens in equine uterine swabs, their antibiotic resistance patterns, and selected reproductive indices in English thoroughbred mares during the foal heat cycle Abstract: Fertility problems of mares on a well-managed breeding farm with thoroughbred stallions have been ascribed mostly to contamination of the reproductive apparatus of females with pathogens, particularly those of bacterial origin. This study presents a summary of the frequency of bacterial pathogens isolated from 437 cervical swabs which were collected from English thoroughbred mares intended for mating between 2008-2014, as well as of resistance tests of these pathogens to seven commonly used antibiotics as follows: penicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, sulfisoxazole, cefotaxime, marbofloxacin and enrofloxacin. In addition, the study reports the changes in the levels of plasma oestradiol and progesterone determined two to three days before and two to three days after the first post-partum ovulation in mares with positive and dubious bacteriological findings and percentage of barren mares and mares that conceived at first, second and third post-partum ovulations. It was observed that 21.5% of mares were barren even after the third post-partum cycles. The oestradiol levels determined two to three days before the first post-partum ovulation were significantly lower in mares positive for pathogenic microflora in their reproductive apparatus compared to mares with the dubious findings (25.1 ± 5.8 pg/ml vs. 69.7 ± 18.3 pg/ml; P < 0.05), while the mean progesterone levels did not differ significantly but displayed a rather wide range in positive mares (from 0.08 to 1.38 ng/ml) compared to dubious mares with only small variations (0.12 ± 0.03 ng/ml). Moreover, of the total number of cervical swabs taken shortly before the first post-partum oestrus from all the mares intended for mating as many as 69.7% were contaminated with pathogenic microflora (positive findings). Saprophytic microorganisms only (the dubious findings) were isolated from 29.7% of swabs. From the 307 positive swabs, we could identify 40.4% positive for β-haemolytic streptococci and 20.4% positive for Escherichia coli, the pathogens implicated in causing reproductive disorders. Tests of antibiotic resistance of the investigated pathogens revealed that both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria showed high susceptibility to antibiotics such as cefotaxime, marbofloxacin and enrofloxacin. On the other hand, both these bacterial groups showed high resistance to routinely used broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as penicillin and tetracycline. Because further research is required for a full understanding of the mechanism of pathogenesis of post-breeding endometritis, we can only hypothesise that uterine contamination with pathogenic microflora, particularly with β-haemolytic streptococci and coliform bacteria, diagnosed before the first post-partum ovulation, could negatively affect the hormonal regulation of oestrus and result in mare fertility problems. Keywords: equine, endometritis, antibiotics, progesterone, oestrogen Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 613-620 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8529-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8529-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8529-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G. Bekyarova Author-Workplace-Name: Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria Author-Name: M. Tzaneva Author-Workplace-Name: Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria Author-Name: M. Hristova Author-Workplace-Name: Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria Title: Melatonin protects against burn-induced hepatic oxidative injury by inducing HO-1 via the Nrf2 pathway Abstract: Melatonin exerts beneficial effects on early liver injury by modulating hepatic oxidative stress. In order to understand the protective effect of melatonin against burn-induced hepatic injury we investigated the expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a main product of lipid peroxidation and mediator of oxidative injury, the inducible heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme, and the anti-oxidative stress regulator erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a burn rat model. Expression and localisation of HO-1, 4-HNE and Nrf2 in liver were investigated using light immunochemistry. Thermal skin injury caused a significant elevation in hepatic 4-HNE and degenerative liver changes. Concurrently, there was increased expression of HO-1, a rate-limiting enzyme for haem degradation and an oxidative stress marker in sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) and hepatocytes without changes in Nrf2 expression in the liver. Melatonin (20 mg/kg b.w.) augmented the increase in HO-1 expression, upregulated Nrf2 expression and also led to decreased 4-HNE levels and reduced levels of histopathological changes in rat liver. In conclusion, our results suggest that melatonin ameliorates burn-induced liver injury through the inhibition of oxidative stress, upregulation of the antioxidant enzyme HO-1 and activation of the antioxidant Nrf2 pathway. Stimulation of cellular protective mechanisms by activating the antioxidant stress response through Nrf2 is a new mechanism for protection against liver damage in burns. Keywords: melatonin, Nrf2, HO-1, 4-HNE, oxidative stress, liver Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 621-628 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8530-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8530-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8530-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J.H. Park Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea Author-Name: I.H. Kim Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea Title: Effects of dietary gamma-aminobutyric acid on egg production, egg quality, and blood profiles in layer hens Abstract: Hy-line brown commercial layers (32 weeks old) were used to investigate the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) derived from E. coli strains on productivity, egg quality, and blood profile. In total, 288 birds (1946 ± 0.5 g) were fed four different levels of GABA (0, 25, 50, and 100 ppm), in a basal diet based on corn-soybean meal, for five weeks. Egg production, egg weight, and egg mass during weeks 32 to 36 showed significant improvement, as dietary GABA was increased from 0 to 100 ppm (linear, P < 0.05). Additionally, GABA supplementation was associated with increased eggshell breaking strength and albumen height (quadratic and linear, P < 0.05). Blood variables, such as white blood cells, red blood cells, lymphocyte, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine concentrations, were not influenced by addition of GABA to the diet; however, the haptoglobin concentration decreased significantly (linearly) and the IgG concentration increased (quadratically) in the GABA-fed groups (P < 0.05). These results suggest that diets containing GABA may beneficially affect productivity, egg quality, serum haptoglobin, and IgG concentrations in layers. Keywords: gamma-aminobutyric acid, egg production, egg quality, blood profile, layer Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 629-634 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8531-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8531-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8531-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Begum Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea Author-Name: M.M. Hossain Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea Author-Name: I.H. Kim Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea Title: Effects of caprylic acid and Yucca schidigera extract on growth performance, relative organ weight, breast meat quality, haematological characteristics and caecal microbial shedding in mixed sex Ross 308 broiler Dickens Abstract: Caprylic acid (CA) and Yucca schidigera (YS) extract have many functional and nutritional properties that may have applications in animal nutrition. These beneficial effects include improvement of growth performance, immunity and anti-microbial activity. This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with CA and YS extract on growth performance, relative organ weight, meat quality, blood characteristics and caecal microbial shedding in broilers. In total, 672 one-day-old Ross 308 (BW of 34.05 ± 0.21 g) mixed-sex broiler chicks were allotted randomly into three dietary treatment groups with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 16 birds per pen. The experiment lasted for five weeks and dietary treatments were as follows: (1) PC, basal diet; (2) PC, basal diet + 44 mg/kg of avilamycin; and (3) CAY100 (basal diet + 100 mg/kg CA + 100 mg/kg YS extract). Chicks fed the CAY100 diet exhibited improved overall body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with those fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). Compared with the NC and PC treatments, mortality was decreased in chicks fed the CAY100 diet during the finisher phase and also overall. Broilers fed the CAY100 diet exhibited increased (P < 0.05) relative organ weight of bursa of Fabricius, compared with the PC diet and demonstrated decreased relative organ weight of the gizzard compared with those fed the NC diet. The relative organ weight of the liver, spleen, breast, and abdominal fat was unaffected by any of the dietary supplements tested. The breast meat redness (a*) was reduced (P < 0.05) in the CAY100 diet compared with the NC and PC diets. White blood cell (WBC) counts were increased in the CAY100 treatment compared with the NC treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the CAY100 diet resulted in improved lymphocyte counts compared with the PC and NC diets (P < 0.05). Broilers fed the CAY100 diet exhibited reduced caecal E. coli counts compared with those fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the CAY extract-supplemented diet improved growth performance, relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and reduced mortality rate, breast muscle a* and caecal E. coli counts in broiler chickens. Keywords: broilers, caprylic acid, E. coli, lymphocyte, breast meat redness, Yucca schidigera Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 635-643 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8532-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8532-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8532-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z. Hoskova Author-Workplace-Name: Private Clinic with Emergency, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Svoboda Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: D. Satinska Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Matiasovic Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Leva Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Toman Author-Workplace-Name: Private Clinic with Emergency, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Changes in leukocyte counts, lymphocyte subpopulations and the mRNA expression of selected cytokines in the peripheral blood of dogs with atopic dermatitis Abstract: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a chronic allergic disease characterised by genetic predisposition. The exact pathogenesis of the disease is still not fully understood. Blood parameters, lymphocyte subpopulations, cytokines and other molecules involved in pro- and anti-inflammatory activities, and Th1/Th2 polarisation in peripheral blood were assessed in clinically healthy dogs and dogs with AD by haematological examination, flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. The group of diseased dogs was further divided into subgroups according to the severity of clinical signs expressed as CADESI-03 (canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index) values. The group of dogs with CAD showed mild neutrophilia without general leucocytosis, reduced numbers of B-lymphocytes (P < 0.05), increased relative numbers of T-lymphocytes (P < 0.01) decreased absolute numbers of double-positive lymphocytes (P < 0.001) and NK cells (P < 0.05) as compared with healthy controls. The expression levels of IL-10 mRNA were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the group with CAD. Correlation with CADESI-03 was observed in expression levels of CCL3 (P < 0.05), CCL5 (P < 0.05) and SOCS-3 mRNAs (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the disease stage investigated in the present study is characterised by a chronic inflammatory response. Keywords: chronic inflammation, B-lymphocytes, double-positive lymphocytes, stress Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 644-653 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8533-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8533-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8533-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Ploneczka-Janeczko Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: J. Bania Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: K. Bierowiec Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: M. Kielbowicz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: Z. Kielbowicz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Title: Reduction of Chlamydophila-felis-associated signs by roxithromycin treatment regimen in cats showing doxycycline intolerance Abstract: Chlamydophila felis (C. felis) causes chronic conjunctivitis in cats, and is frequently treated with tetracyclines. However, tetracyclines may cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and increased liver enzyme activity in some pets. We evaluated the effect of a four-week treatment regimen with roxithromycin - RXM (Rulid® Sanofi-Aventis, France) in 14 cats with conjunctivitis that tested C. felis-positive, and exhibited doxycycline intolerance. The treatment was given for four weeks. Assessment of clinical disease was performed on Day 0 and Day 56. Changes in severity of clinical signs were assessed on a three-step scale (increased, decreased, or no changes) every week of the therapy (Days 7, 14, 21, and 28). Additionally, conjunctival swabs were collected on Days 0 and 56 from each animal, and the C. felis-count was assessed through amplification of the ompA gene by real-time PCR with fluorogenic probes and normalisation to the feline DNA signal. Animals receiving RXM improved regarding the ophtalmological parameters related to manifestation of conjunctivitis, severity of ocular discharge and nasal discharge and breathing patterns (P ≤ 0.05). A visible improvement in relation to these parameters was already observed after two weeks of RXM administration. C. felis-counts decreased in nine cats that were given RXM, but in the other five C. felis was not eliminated. Interestingly, however, aggravation of symptoms was not observed in these five animals. Further studies are needed to fully confirm that a reduction of clinical signs and pathogen counts under conditions of natural infection can be attributed to RXM treatment, since there was no control group that received placebo or another drug in this study. The present results also indicate that in some cases 28 days of RXM administration will not be sufficient to eliminate infection. Keywords: cats, chlamydophilosis, conjunctivitis, alternative therapy, roxythromycin RXM Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 654-661 Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8534-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8534-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201511-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:60:y:2015:i:11:id:8534-VETMED