Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Babesia. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine that plays a role in the pathogenesis of canine babesiosis. In this study, the authors determined the concentration of serum TNF-α in 11 dogs infected with Babesia canis and calculated Spearman’s rank correlations between the concentration of TNF-α and blood pressure, and between TNF-α and indices of renal damage such as: fractional excretion of sodium (FE(Na+)), urinary creatinine to serum creatinine ratio (UCr/SCr), renal failure index (RFI), urine specific gravity (USG) and urinary protein to urinary creatinine ratio (UPC). The results demonstrated statistically significant strong negative correlations between TNF-α and systolic arterial pressure (r = −0.7246), diastolic arterial pressure (r = −0.6642) and mean arterial pressure (r = −0.7151). Serum TNF-α concentration was also statistically significantly correlated with FE(Na+) (r = 0.7056), UCr/SCr (r = −0.8199), USG (r = −0.8075) and duration of the disease (r = 0.6767). The results of this study show there is an increase of serum TNF-α concentration during canine babesiosis, and the increased TNF-α concentration has an influence on the development of hypotension and renal failure in canine babesiosis. This probably results from the fact that TNF-α is involved in the production of nitric oxide and induction of vasodilation and hypotension, which may cause renal ischaemia and hypoxia, and finally acute tubular necrosis and renal failure.
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of feline hyperthyroidism in a cat population in Warsaw, considering risk factors. The study was conducted between June 2007 and July 2011. Seven-year-old and older cats were examined. Diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism was based on the results of clinical examination, data from clinical history, and serum concentrations of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 20.14% of 417 cats (95% confidence interval (CI): 16.28%-24.01%). Statistically significant risk factors were age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.27), feeding with a commercial wet feed (OR = 6.74, 95% CI: 2.03-22.37), and an indoor lifestyle (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.04-4.84). There were no effects of breed, gender, castration, or the frequency of deworming on the occurrence of hyperthyroidism. Feline hyperthyroidism in Warsaw is a prevalent disease. This probably results from chronic exposure to dietary and environmental factors.
Introduction
The purpose of the study was to investigate post-mortem changes in dogs infected with Babesia canis and to establish the probable cause of death of the affected animals.
Material and Methods
Cadavers of six dogs that did not survive babesiosis were collected. Necropsies were performed and samples of various organs were collected for histological examination.
Results
Necropsies and histological examinations revealed congestion and oedemata in various organs. Most of the dogs had ascites, hydrothorax or hydropericardium, pulmonary oedema, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, and cerebral congestion, and necrosis of cardiomyocytes.
Conclusion
These results suggested disorders in blood circulation as the most probable cause of death. However, the pulmonary inflammatory response and cerebral babesiosis observed in some of these dogs could also be considered possible causes of death. This study also showed a possible role for renal congestion in the development of renal hypoxia and azotaemia in canine babesiosis.
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