Musculature from 198 Canadian cattle with suspected lesions of eosinophilic myositis were examined histologically and by pepsin digestion. Sera from 51 of the 198 animals were also examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-Trichinella antibodies. Viable larvae of Trichinella were not recovered from any of the cattle but one animal from Ontario tested positive for anti-Trichinella antibodies. Histologically, focal and/or diffuse eosinophilic myositis lesions were observed in 149 (75.2%) of the animals studied. Other conditions identified were sarcocystiosis, abscesses, cysticercosis, steatosis, fibrosis, granuloma, lymphosarcoma and necrosis. Sarcocystiosis was identified in 105 of the 198 animals in both normal and affected musculature. The study indicates that trichinosis is not a primary cause of eosinophilic myositis in cattle.

Autologous tissue transmission of spontaneously developing feline eosinophilic plaques was attempted in 5 cats. Macerated tissue from the plaque was vigorously rubbed onto 2 scarified skin sites in each cat. The inoculated areas were observed daily for 30 days. During that time, no clinical or histologic evidence of transmission was found.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation between the density of native gastric Helicobacter spp and the presence of gastric lesions in dogs. ANIMALS 80 dogs of various breeds, sexes, and ages. PROCEDURES Gastroscopic and histologic examinations were performed for all dogs. Helicobacter spp were detected by combining evaluation of urease activity and results of bacteriologic culture, microscopic observation, and a 16S rRNA PCR assay. The density of Helicobacter-like organisms was evaluated with light microscopy by use of Warthin-Starry modified stain. Correlations were evaluated by use of the Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS Gastritis was found in 55 of 80 dogs and classified as mild (n = 31), moderate (16), or severe (8). Of these 55 dogs, only 8 had clinical signs. Histologic examination revealed some degree of lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltrate, mild eosinophilia, and neutrophilic inflammation in the lamina propria. Seventy-six dogs had positive results for Helicobacter spp. Helicobacter pylori DNA was not detected. Low density and homogeneous distribution of Helicobacter spp were observed in all gastric zones. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A significant correlation between density of Helicobacter spp and gastroscopic or histologic lesions was not detected. These findings supported the contention that there is no correlation between general Helicobacter spp density or numbers and gastritis in dogs.

Eight bovine hearts with lesions of eosinophilic myositis (EM) and 2 bovine hearts without EM lesions were collected at slaughter. Blood samples from these 10 hearts, and the heart of a newborn calf also were collected. Histologically, Sarcocystis cruzi was identified in the 8 hearts with EM lesions and the 2 hearts without EM lesions, but not in the heart of the newborn calf. Serum was harvested from the 10 blood samples and was used in homologous, modified, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test. Antigen was prepared from S cruzi bradyzoites isolated from the 2 hearts without EM lesions. Serum samples from the 8 cattle with EM lesions reacted positively to S cruzi antigen. When heat-inactivated IgE in serum (56 C for 4 hours) was used, all passive cutaneous anaphylaxis responses were considered negative. Using ELISA, serum IgE concentrations from the 10 cattle with and without EM lesions were 2.2 to 9 U/ml. As determined by radial immunodiffusion, IgM concentrations were 80 to 215 mg/dl. Immunoglobulin G concentrations were 420 to 2,050 mg/dl, but most were less than or equal to 1,700 mg/dl. Immunoglobin A concentrations were 0 to 62 mg/dl; 1 steer with EM lesions had 0 mg/dl. Double-gel immunodiffusion confirmed the presence of Sarcocystis-specific precipitating antibodies. Sera from the 10 cattle with and without EM lesions formed at least 1 precipitin band.

Fourteen cats were inoculated orally with 1 of 2 infective doses of Toxocara canis to induce eosinophilia. Cats were subsequently challenge exposed twice via intraperitoneal injection with 1 of 2 T canis antigen preparations. Peritoneal lavage was performed 2 days after antigenic challenge exposure, and eosinophils in the peritoneal lavage fluid were quantified. None of the cats developed clinical signs of disease after infection. All cats developed peripheral eosinophilia after infection. Significant (P < 0.05) difference in mean eosinophil count from the lavage fluid was observed between lavage 1 (prechallenge exposure) and lavages 2 and 3 (postchallenge exposure) in both groups of cats. Significant difference in eosinophil count was not found between cats given different doses of eggs. After initial challenge exposure, significantly (P < 0.05) more eosinophils were obtained from cats given antigen preparation 2 (prep-2) than from those given antigen prep-1. This difference was no longer observed after the second challenge exposure with higher doses of either antigen prep-1 or prep-2. In cats given antigen prep-2, significant difference was not found between lavages 2 and 3. However, in cats given antigen prep-1, eosinophil count was significantly (P = 0.005) greater in fluid obtained from lavage 3, compared with eosinophil count from lavage 2. Mean +/- SEM percentage of eosinophils in the fluid from lavage 3 in all cats was 70.8 +/- 2.2%. Other cell types included macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and mast cells. Gross postmortem findings were mild. One- to 3-mm nodular white foci of inflammation were observed on the serosal surfaces of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and omentum. Microscopic examination of tissues revealed pulmonary artery hypertrophy (n = 4), eosinophilic peribronchitis and perivasculitis (n = 10), mild granulomatous interstitial nephritis (n = 6), interstitial pancreatitis (n = 1), focal lymphocytic myocarditis (n = 1), focal eosinophilic granulomatous hepatitis (n = 1), and eosinophilic hyperplasia of bone marrow (n = 14). Large numbers of eosinophils could be harvested from the peritoneal cavity of cats inoculated orally with 500 embryonated T canis eggs and subsequently challenge-exposed intraperitoneally with preparations of parasite antigens. After the second challenge exposure, at least 108 eosinophils could be harvested from each cat, yielding eosinophils in the quantity required to begin isolation of granule constituents.

Sarcocystis cruzi sarcocysts were isolated from eosinophilic myositis (Em)-affected and nonaffected bovine hearts. Isolates were ruptured and used to prepare a bradyzoite antigen extract from each heart. The nonaffected heart from one newborn calf contained no apparent sarcocysts when examined histologically and was used to prepare Sarcocystis-negative control antigen. Blood samples were taken from the heart approximately 20 minutes after slaughter. Serum was obtained and evaluated, using a radioimmunoassay to measure Sarcocystis-specific IgG and IgE titers. Sarcocystis cruzi extract from a heart without EM lesions was used for antigen in the radioimmunoassay. Sarcocystis-specific IgG titer ranged between 1:1,280 and 1:2,560 in EM-affected cattle and was 1:640 in nonaffected cattle. Sarcocystis-specific IgE titer ranged between 1:640 and 1:1,280 in Em-affected and nonaffected cattle. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein (western) immunoblot analysis were used to compare antigen extracts and serum samples from EM-affected vs nonaffected cattle. Twenty protein bands, ranging from approximately 22 to 215 kD, were detected consistently on bradyzoite blots probed with anti-bovine IgG after incubation with serum samples. Seven of these bands, 37, 44, 53, 57, 94, 113, and 215 kD, were also detected consistently on bradyzoite blots probed with monoclonal anti-bovine IgE. One additional band, 61 kD, was detected consistently on bradyzoite blots probed for IgE, but was seldom recognized when probed for IgG. Sixteen protein bands were evident in silver-stained gels of S cruzi-negative, newborn calf antigen, but none were recognized by antisera on western blots. Consistent differences were not found among antigen extracts or among serum from EM-affected vs nonaffected cattle on silver-stained gels or western blots.

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) pathology is extremely rare in canine practice, with insufficient reported data. The knowledge of the clinical behavior of this pathology is scarce. In human medicine, SM has been widely investigated, being defined as a rare hematopoietic disorder by the World Health Organization (2016), within the type of myeloproliferative neoplasms. Herein, we describe a systemic mastocytosis case in a Portuguese Serra-da-Estrela dog, where a cutaneous grade III/high-grade MCT was also diagnosed. The clinical decline of the animal and owner’s insistence throughout anamnesis that the dog was markedly different after the cytologic exam performed in another clinic, along with both severe eosinophilia and hepatomegaly, led to the clinical suspicion of SM. The animal passed away 7 days later. Post-mortem investigation confirmed SM pathology, and a deletion of 15 base pairs change on c-Kit gene exon 11 was identified. Contemplating the low number of cases described in the literature, this publication aims to disclose clinical and laboratory features of rare and poorly described canine SM, taking into consideration human outcomes described in the literature.

Searching for new, effective and safe methods of treatment of hookworm disease (ancylostomatidosis) of dogs caused by Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus on the basis of studying of spices composition and dissemination of Ankilostomatidae, age-specific and seasonal disease dynamics, testing of medical and preventive preparations Univerm and Fenbendazol. In the Republic of Belarus Ancylostoma caninum was stated 4,2% of studied cases and Uncinaria stenocephala – in 14,3%. The maximum intensity of the invasion was stated in summer and autumn periods: in cases of individual keeping – 19,4%; in cases of group keeping the disease transformed into enzootic form with 66,7% affect. In winter period there was the lowest invasion – up to 1,4%. The preparation Univerm administrated twofold with feed in dose of 0,1 mg/kg with 24 hours interval proved to be highly effective therapeutic agent with extensefficiency100%. Anthelmintic Fenbendazol administrated once with feed in dose of 0,005 g/kg proved to be highly effective with extensefficiency 80% and intensefficiency 98,84%. Hematological indexes of sick dogs showed the evidence of erythropenia (4,30-4,80 x 10E12/l), hemoglobinemia (113-119 g/l) and eosinophilia (up to 11%), as well as the increased quantity of leukocytes on 5,46% - 23,61 %, and the lowered quantity of lymphocytes on 15,84 % in comparison with healthy animals indexes