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In dogs, primary bone tumors can be difficult to distinguish with histopathology. Of those tumors, osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common and aggressive. In this study, 4 immunohistochemistry markers—alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteonectin (ON), osteopontin (OP), and runx2—were evaluated for their ability to distinguish OSA from other primary bone tumors. The 42 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, primary canine bone tumors included 15 OSAs, 8 chondrosarcomas, 11 fibrosarcomas, and 8 histiocytic sarcomas. All 4 antibodies were highly sensitive for detection of osteosarcoma. ALP was the most sensitive at 100% and runx2 the most specific at 78%. Running ALP and runx2 in series resulted in a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 85%. This combination of immunomarkers resulted in a diagnostic panel for distinguishing osteosarcoma from other primary bone tumors.

Investigations focusing on host–ectoparasite interactions in animals have revealed asymptomatic to severe health and fitness consequences suggesting that species mobilize different interspecific response mechanisms. Fewer studies, however, have examined intraspecific responses to ectoparasitic burdens. In this study, we analyzed host health and fitness responses to increasing ectoparasite burdens along with the presence/absence of hemoparasites of free‐ranging insular rock iguanas ( Cyclura cychlura ) in The Bahamas. Using hematology, plasma biochemistry, as well as body condition and growth rate comparisons, we failed to find significant associations of tick burdens with annual growth rate, corticosterone, packed cell volume, total white blood cell, and heterophil, monocyte, eosinophil or hemoglobin measures. We did, however, find mixed and significant associations of tick burdens with lymphocyte and basophil counts, heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratios, and body condition indices. These associations varied by sex, size, and hemoparasite infection status suggesting that different life stages of iguanas may invest differently in immune responses, and impacts may be modulated based on size and sex of hosts, and coinfection status.

BackgroundAcute phase protein (APP) measurement is used to detect inflammation. Intramuscular (IM) injections could cause tissue injury and induce an acute phase response (APR).ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of IM procaine penicillin G (PPG) injections on APP concentrations in horses.Study designProspective longitudinal design.MethodsPPG was administered intramuscularly to six horses, twice daily, for 5 days. Plasma fibrinogen (FIB), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (HAP), creatine kinase (CK), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were quantified daily for 5 days before the first injection, during the course of administration, and for 4 days after the final dose. Analytes were quantified every other day for the remaining 16 days. Data were compared using a parametric or non‐parametric repeated measures ANOVA and a Tukey's or Mann–Whitney rank sum test, respectively. Significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsCK was increased over baseline (mean ± SD: 200 ± 74 IU/L) on Days 1–6 (p < 0.001 to p = 0.02, mean ± SD: 723–1177 ± 355–544 IU/L) and AST was increased above baseline (mean ± SD: 233 ± 58 IU/L) on Days 2–7 and 10 (p < 0.001 to p = 0.05, mean ± SD: 307–437 ± 79–146 IU/L). Increased FIB was noted over baseline (mean ± SD: 177 ± 30 mg/dl) on Days 6–8 and 10 (p = 0.02 to p = 0.03, mean ± SD: 234–252 ± 33–49 mg/dl). SAA was increased above baseline (mean ± SD: 4.7 ± 2.9) on Day 6 (p = 0.02, mean ± SD: 113 ± 186 μg/ml). There was no change in HAP.Main limitationsHealthy horses were used, small sample size, and a lack of a negative control group.ConclusionsSerial intramuscular procaine penicillin G (IM PPG) injections may result in increased positive APP concentrations in horses and this must be considered when these test results are interpreted.