UNASSIGNED: Feline panleukopenia is a contagious viral disease caused by the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). A closely related pathogen is canine parvovirus (CPV), and amino acid substitutions in this virus allow it to acquire a feline host range. In feline hosts, the disease induced by CPV manifests with similar symptoms to those caused by FPV or milder ones, leading to its underdiagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of CPV type 2 (CPV-2) in cats with clinical symptoms of panleukopenia and to assess the use of commercial CPV antigen tests for the clinical diagnosis of FPV.
UNASSIGNED: Samples from 59 cats from central Slovakia were included in the study. Rectal swabs were collected and clinically tested for parvovirus infection using a commercial antigen test. Antigen-positive samples were confirmed by PCR targeting the viral VP2 gene. The sequences of the PCR products were established with the Sanger method.
UNASSIGNED: Of 59 samples, 23 were revealed to be positive for parvovirus infection by both antigen and PCR test (38.9%). Analysis with the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLASTn application showed 99.78-100% pairwise identity with FPV. The mortality rate of parvovirus-infected cats included in this study was 8.69% (2/23).
UNASSIGNED: Although feline disease with CPV-2 was not confirmed, the CPV antigen test was able to detect FPV infection.

Opisthorchis viverrini infection is a pressing health issue in rural Southeast Asia and is associated with the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. Despite control efforts, high infection rates persist, including evidence of reinfection post-treatment. This study aimed to address this public health concern through an integrated One-Health approach in endemic areas in rural Thailand over a 3-year period. The study included data from 3600 participants from Udon Thani Province, Thailand, during the years 2020 to 2022 and involved integrated epidemiological data collection and risk factor analysis to understand the impact of various interventions on disease transmission in the community. The efficacy of interventions was assessed by monitoring the incidence of O. viverrini reinfection in 2021 and 2022. In 2020, 218 cases of O. viverrini infection (6.0%) were identified. Significant risk factors included proximity to water bodies and consumption of raw fish. Variables contributing to infection risk among participants (P < 0.001) were education level, engagement in traditional ceremonies, poor sanitation, absence of ducks in nearby water bodies, self-medication for parasitic conditions, and multiple infections within a household. Dogs, cats, and cyprinoid fish showed prevalence rates of 5.4%, 6.3%, and 11.5%, respectively. Geographic analysis revealed clusters of infected households around water bodies. Interventions, including in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions, health education, anthelminthic treatment, and biological control using local free-range ducks, were implemented, resulting in no human reinfections in the second year and a minimal 0.3% prevalence rate in the third year. This study offers valuable insights into the dynamic changes in infection prevalence, making a significant contribution to effective disease control and community health promotion. This integrated One-Health approach proved to be an effective strategy for the prevention and control of opisthorchiasis.

Coronavirus frequently infects humans and animals, showing the ability to recombine and cross over to different species. Cats can be considered a model for studying coronavirus infection, in which feline coronavirus (FCoV) represents a major enteric pathogen related to gastroenteric disease. In this animal, the virus can acquire tropism for macrophage cells, leading to a deadly disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). In this study, monocyte-derived macrophages were isolated by CD14-positive selection in venous whole blood from 26 cats with FIP and 32 FCoV-positive healthy cats. Phagocytosis and respiratory burst activities were investigated and compared between the groups. This is the first study comparing macrophage activity in cats affected by FIP and healthy cats positive for FCoV infection. Our results showed that in cats with FIP, the phagocytic and respiratory burst activities were significantly lower. Our results support the possible role of host immunity in Coronaviridae pathogenesis in cats, supporting future research on the immune defense against this systemic disease.

Rat lungworm disease or neuroangiostrongyliasis is a cerebral parasitic infection that affects humans and animals alike. Its clinical signs and symptoms can range from mild self-resolving to serious life-threatening conditions. Studies suggest therapeutic interventions during the early stages of infection to be more effective than in later stages. However, early diagnosis of infection is usually problematic without the knowledge of exposure and/or detection of the parasite\'s DNA or antibody against the parasite in the cerebrospinal fluid. This requires a lumbar puncture, which is an invasive procedure that generally requires hospitalization. This study evaluates an affordable and less invasive alternative to detect parasitic DNA by PCR from the peripheral blood of potentially infected animals. Blood samples from 58 animals (55 dogs and 3 cats) with clinical suspicion of infection were submitted to our lab between February 2019 and August 2022 by local, licensed veterinarians. DNA was extracted from whole blood, plasma, serum, and/or packed cells using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit as per the manufacturer\'s protocol. All 58 animals were tested by real-time PCR using the AcanITS1 assay and 32 of these animals (31dogs; 1 cat) were also tested using the AcanR3990 assay. The PCR results for both assays were classified into strongly positive > positive > weakly positive > negative, and equivocal for ambiguous results, based on the strength of the signal. The percent infection detected using the AcanITS1 and AcanR3990 assays was 12.72% (7/55) and 20.68% (6/29), respectively. The overall percent infection detected was 34.37% (11/32), with only two animals testing positive by both assays. The three cats involved in this study tested negative by both assays. These results are promising and warrant further investigations to increase sensitivity including variables that might affect detection in the blood, such as parasite load, and laboratory methodologies.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of high flow oxygen therapy (HFOT), and to record SpO2 and desaturation episodes in dogs and cats receiving HFOT or conventional oxygen therapy (COT) during bronchoscopy ± bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).
UNASSIGNED: Dogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy ± BAL between January and May 2023 were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: HFOT (HFOT group; two cats and four dogs) and COT (COT group; one cat and five dogs). HFOT and COT were started at the beginning of the bronchoscopy. HFOT was delivered with a gas flow rate of 1 L/kg/min at an FiO2 of 100% and a temperature of 34°C (pediatric mode) or 37°C (adult mode). COT was delivered through the working channel of the bronchoscope at a rate of 1.5 L/min. The safety and feasibility of HFOT were assessed, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured by pulse oximetry every 30 s throughout the procedure.
UNASSIGNED: HFOT was feasible and safe in both dogs and cats with no complications reported. While there was no significant difference in the number of desaturation episodes (SpO2 < 94%) between the two groups, none of the patients in the HFOT group experienced severe desaturation (SpO2 < 90%). In contrast, two patients in the COT group had an SpO2 < 90%. Mean SpO2 was significantly higher in the HFOT group compared to the COT group at T0 (98% ± 2% vs. 94 ± 2%), T0.5 (98% ± 2% vs. 94% ± 3%) and T1 (98% ± 2% vs. 94% ± 4%).
UNASSIGNED: To the authors\' knowledge, this is the largest study conducted to date using HFOT during bronchoscopy in dogs and cats. Our results suggest that HFOT is feasible and safe during bronchoscopy ± BAL. Furthermore, HFOT may reduce the risk of desaturation episodes in dogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy and BAL.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal diseases are the most frequently diagnosed problem in cats. It has been well-established that periodontal diseases could not only cause various oral health issues but could also contribute to systemic diseases. Oxidative stress is a possible link between systemic diseases and periodontitis. Our study aimed to illustrate the influence of periodontitis on oxidative stress development in cats. Furthermore, the changes in the bacterial flora of the gums were investigated.
METHODS: Based on the clinical and laboratory examinations, fifty cats were divided into two groups normal (n = 25) and moderate to advanced periodontitis (n = 25). Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were measured. In addition, samples were taken from the subgingival plaques of all cats for bacterial culture.
RESULTS: Serum TOS, GSSG, GSSG to GSH ratio, and oxidative stress index (OSI), calculated as the ratio of TOS to TAC in cats with periodontal disease were significantly higher, and TAC was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared with controls. The results of bacterial culture indicated that the number of isolated bacterial colonies is higher in patients than in the control group. Additionally, the analysis of these data showed a positive association between periodontal index and oxidative stress.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that periodontitis in cats is related to a main oxidative stress. Furthermore, oxidant factors such as TOS and OSI, compared to antioxidant factors, may better indicate the presence of oxidative stress conditions in patients with periodontitis.

The supracondylar foramen with a (seemingly) osseous peripheral arch noticed on the medio-distal feline humeri had remained disputed among anatomists. Some scholars have argued in favor of homology between this foramen and the supracondyloid foramen formed in presence of the ligament of Struthers in humans. Other theories include its presence as a retinaculum holding the median nerve and brachial artery to their anatomical position in a flexed elbow. Unfortunately, these theories lack investigative rigor. The emergence of non-invasive imaging modalities, such as micro-computed tomography, has enabled researchers to inspect the internal anatomy of bones without dismantling them. Thus, a micro-computed tomographic investigation was conducted on three feline (Felis catus) humeri specimens while the internal anatomy of the supracondylar foramina was examined. Unlike the humerus, the thin peripheral arch of the feline supracondylar foramen failed to elicit any osseous trabeculae or foci of calcification. While adhering to the humeral periosteum at its origin, the non-osseous arch, typical of a muscular tendon, attaches into the bony saddle related to the medial humeral epicondyle suggestive of a tendon or aponeurotic extension of a (vestigial) brachial muscle, with the coracobrachialis longus emerging to be the most likely candidate.

UNASSIGNED: Dermatophytosis is a contagious fungal infection that affects mainly cats. It poses significant challenges in veterinary medicine due to its zoonotic potential and impact on animal and public health. Rapid and reliable diagnosis is crucial for preventing the spread of the disease, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring disease control efforts. Although there are several studies on diagnostic methods in feline dermatophytosis, the comparison between them from the same sample lacks data. The absence of a universally accepted gold standard diagnostic method highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to diagnosing feline dermatophytosis.
UNASSIGNED: This study aims to assess the accuracy and efficacy of different diagnostic techniques comprehensively.
UNASSIGNED: For this, 48 samples of cats were analyzed by dermoscopy, direct hair examination, fungal culture using various media (Mycosel, Sabouraud, and Dermatophyte Test Medium), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
UNASSIGNED: Direct examination and dermoscopy yielded unsatisfactory results. Mycosel and Sabouraud were suboptimal. DTM demonstrated superior selectivity, making it the most reliable among traditional methods. PCR was the top performer, exhibiting singular sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
UNASSIGNED: The study suggests that PCR may be the preferred choice for diagnosing feline dermatophytosis in clinical practice, especially when rapid and accurate results are essential.

BACKGROUND: Hemotropic mycoplasmas, hemoplasmas, are epi-erythrocytic parasitic bacteria that can be transmitted through blood transfusion.
OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of hemoplasma infection of potential feline blood donors and investigate the association between Hemoplasma spp. quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) positivity in blood units and selected variables.
METHODS: Seven thousand five hundred seventy-three blood units from 4121 privately-owned potential donor cats.
METHODS: Retrospective observational cross-sectional study. The Banco Sangue Animal (BSA)-Animal Blood Bank medical database was reviewed for all feline donations performed in 2022 in Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. Baseline characteristics and results of blood-borne pathogens screening tests were extracted from the medical records.
RESULTS: Two hundred twelve of 4034 Portuguese donor cats and 2 of 70 Spanish donor cats tested positive for Hemoplasma spp. qPCR in 2022 leading to an overall estimated prevalence of 5.2% (95% CI: 4.5%-5.9%) in potential blood donors. Using multivariable generalized estimation equation models, Hemoplasma spp. qPCR was more often positive among blood units issued from male cats (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4-2.6, P < .0001), units positive for FeLV (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.4-5.6, P = .0023), and units collected in winter months (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.7-3.6, P < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the importance of Hemoplasma spp. and other relevant blood-borne pathogens screening at every donation. Implementing stringent screening protocols is crucial to mitigate the risk of hemoplasma transmission via blood transfusions, thereby safeguarding the health and welfare of cats receiving transfusions.

BACKGROUND: Macular degeneration of the eye is a common cause of blindness and affects 8% of the worldwide human population. In adult cats with bilateral lesions of the central retina, we explored the possibility that motion perception training can limit the associated degradation of the visual system. We evaluated how visual training affects behavioral performance and white matter structure. Recently, we proposed (Kozak et al. in Transl Vis Sci Technol 10:9, 2021) a new motion-acuity test for low vision patients, enabling full visual field functional assessment through simultaneous perception of shape and motion. Here, we integrated this test as the last step of a 10-week motion-perception training.
RESULTS: Cats were divided into three groups: retinal-lesioned only and two trained groups, retinal-lesioned trained and control trained. The behavioral data revealed that trained cats with retinal lesions were superior in motion tasks, even when the difficulty relied only on acuity. 7 T-MRI scanning was done before and after lesioning at 5 different timepoints, followed by Fixel-Based and Fractional Anisotropy Analysis. In cats with retinal lesions, training resulted in a more localized and reduced percentage decrease in Fixel-Based Analysis metrics in the dLGN, caudate nucleus and hippocampus compared to untrained cats. In motion-sensitive area V5/PMLS, the significant decreases in fiber density were equally strong in retinal-lesioned untrained and trained cats, up to 40% in both groups. The only cortical area with Fractional Anisotropy values not affected by central retinal loss was area V5/PMLS. In other visual ROIs, the Fractional Anisotropy values increased over time in the untrained retinal lesioned group, whereas they decreased in the retinal lesioned trained group and remained at a similar level as in trained controls.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our MRI results showed a stabilizing effect of motion training applied soon after central retinal loss induction on white matter structure. We propose that introducing early motion-acuity training for low vision patients, aimed at the intact and active retinal peripheries, may facilitate brain plasticity processes toward better vision.