Abstract
ISFM Congress poster session
A total of 12 clinical/research abstracts were accepted for presentation at the poster session held during the 2016 ISFM Congress in Malta, 29 June to 3 July.
Establishment of RD-114-Free Cell Line for Vaccine Production by Talen-Mediated Genome Editing Technology
1Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan
2Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
3Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are the remnants of ancient retroviruses which were integrated into the genomes of all mammalian species. Although most ERVs are inactivated, some ERVs are replication-competent and produce infectious viral particles. Recently, we reported several canine and feline commercial live-attenuated vaccines using feline cell lines such as Crandell Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells have been contaminated with an infectious feline ERV termed RD-114 virus. To establish a cell line for vaccine manufacture without risk of infection with ERVs, we generated RD-114 proviral knockout CRFK cells by using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs)-mediated genome editing.
As a result, the release of infectious RD-114 viral particles from RD-114 proviral knockout CRFK cells was suppressed to undetectable levels. The growth of feline panleukopenia virus, feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus-1 in RD-114 proviral knockout CRFK cells was similar to that in the parental CRFK cells. These viral stocks propagated in RD-114 proviral knockout CRFK cells and were not contaminated with infectious RD-114 viral particles.
This study suggested that RD-114 proviral knockout CRFK cells will be useful as a cell line for the manufacture of live-attenuated vaccines or biological substances with reduced risk of contamination with infectious ERVs.
Gastrointestinal and Lung Parasites Survey in Shelter Cats from Lisbon and Setúbal Districts, Portugal
1CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal
2Hospital do Gato, Lisbon, Portugal
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Cats host numerous parasites, some of which are responsible for important zoonoses. Moreover, the increasing popularity of cats as companion animals may increase the risk of transmission of these agents to humans. Nevertheless, in Portugal few studies have been conducted to address this subject. Because of this, an epidemiological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal and lung parasites among shelter cats from Lisbon and Setúbal districts, two main highly populated urban areas in Portugal.
Between July and November 2015, 260 faecal samples were randomly collected and analysed using qualitative coprological techniques: Willis flotation, natural sedimentation, faecal smear and Baermann technique. Overall, 43% (112/260) of the samples were positive for parasitic agents and 17% (44/260) showed co-infections. Protozoa and nematodes were the most prevalent groups (33.8%), followed by cestodes (1.4%). The genera/species detected were Toxocara cati with 18.1% (47/260), followed by Cystoisospora felis 16.9% (44/260), Cystoisospora rivolta 11.2% (29/260), Ancylostomatidae 10.4% (27/260), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus 5.4% (14/259), Cryptosporidium species 2.7% (7/143), Giardia species 2.7% (7/143), Taeniidae 1.2% (3/260) and Dipylidium caninum 0.4% (1/260).
These results reveal a high level of parasitism in the shelters assessed, mainly by zoonotic agents from Toxocaridae and Ancylostomatidae families, and at a lower level by Taeniidae family and Cryptosporidium/Giardia species. Shelter overcrowding, and the consequent close contact between animals, increases the likelihood of parasite transmission for parasites with direct life cycles, which may explain the results found for T cati and Cystoisospora species. The lack of funding in animal shelters, despite all the volunteer human and economical effort performed by the people involved in cat care and assistance, constitutes a real challenge in the implementation of regular prophylactic measures and disease management. The difficulties in managing these parasites contribute to the infections, compromising animal health and welfare. Further, these parasites may constitute a potential public health risk for those involved in animal care and adoption programmes.
Pulmonary Angiography with 64-Row Multidetector Computed Tomography Technology in a Cat with Heartworm Disease
1School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
2Alphavet Veterinary Clinic, Athens, Greece
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Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) using 64-row multidetector computed tomography technology was used for the evaluation of the pulmonary vessels and parenchyma in an asymptomatic, Dirofilaria immitis seropositive, 1-year-old, castrated male, domestic shorthair cat. The CTPA protocol revealed dilated and tortuous pulmonary arteries, perivascular infiltration, subpleural infarcts, arterial intraluminal filling defects and sudden cut-off vessels, more evident in the right caudal lung lobe. Reduction of bronchial lumens associated with hypoventilated lung lobes, perivascular infiltration and pulmonary thromboembolism (PT) was observed using isotropic volumetric rendering (VR) analysis. Virtual bronchoscopy revealed constriction of segmental bronchi. Necropsy and histopathology confirmed two adult heartworms in the pulmonary artery, thrombi in small pulmonary vessels and eosinophilic perivascular infiltration.
CTPA and VR are useful tools for the evaluation of pulmonary parenchyma and vascular bed in feline dirofilariasis for the detection of PT and lung lobe hypoventilation.
Efficacy of Eprinomectin for the Treatment of Cheyletiellosis in cats
Kerem Ural1, Nuran Aysul2, Deniz Alıç Ural3, Adnan Ayan2,
1Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
2Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
3Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty Farm, Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
4Akdeniz Animal Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
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Infestation with Cheyletiella species mites is medically referred to as cheyletiellosis. The responsible Cheyletiella species mites are zoonotic and contagious skin parasites that feed on the cutaneous keratin layer.
In the present study, a retrospective analysis of cats with dermatitis seen in private practice (in Antalya) or the Faculty Clinic (in Aydin) from 2011–2015 revealed a diagnosis of cheyletiellosis in eight cats.
On initial examination, clinical signs included alopecia (n = 5), scaling (dandruff) (n = 8) and pruritus (n = 8). Diagnosis of cheyletiellosis was based on microscopic examination of acetate tape impressions.
Topical eprinomectin treatment was used in all cats at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg once weekly for 4 weeks. Clinical improvement was evident in all cats. Repeated acetate tape impressions revealed absence of mites after treatment.
It is concluded that in this study eprinomectin application appeared to be an economic and effective treatment against cheyletiellosis in cats.
Comparison of Two Multidimensional Pain Scales for Assessment of Acute Postoperative Pain in Cats
School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, UK
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Two composite measure pain scales currently validated in cats (UNESP-Botucatu-MCPS and revised GCMPS-Feline) were compared using 30 client-owned, female cats. Baseline and postoperative pain scores were recorded before and after routine surgical ovariohysterectomy/castration using both scales in randomised order, with blood pressure always being recorded last. UNESP-Botucatu-MCPS scores were analysed twice, with a maximum of 30 and 24 points, the latter excluding physiological parameters (blood pressure increase and changes in food intake).
There was significant, moderate correlation between the revised GCMPS-Feline and UNESP-Botucatu-MCPS recordings in the female cohort; Spearman’s r = 0.707; P <0.0001. Correlation further improved using a modified version of the UNESP-Botucatu-MCPS, excluding physiological parameters; Spearman’s r = 0.804, P <0.0001. There was no correlation between physiological variables and remaining pain scores on either scale. Scale agreement on intervention level was moderate (P = 0.0455) but improved with the modified scale (P = 0.0006) (Figure 1).
Scatterplot of UNESP-Botucatu-MCPS (modified version, pre- and postoperative) vs rGCMPS-F scores
In summary, there is acceptable agreement between the scales, when used pre- and postoperatively in female cats, indicating clinical context might be further expanded from postoperative use only. Physiological parameters do not correlate with total scores and should not be included in feline pain assessment.
Feline Lungworms Unlock a Novel Mode of Parasite Transmission
1Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Italy
2Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy
3Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
4Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Brazil
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Snail-borne lungworms exert an enormous socioeconomic impact on the health and welfare of animals and humans. Among these parasites, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior are increasingly reported as infectious agents of the respiratory tract of felids. These lungworms share the same ecological niche and species of snail (Cornu aspersum) acting as intermediate host. Recently, we demonstrated the ability of dead or alive C aspersum to shed infective third-stage larvae (L3s) of these lungworms in the environment. These elimination pathways may represent alternative sources of infection for cats under field conditions and may affect the epidemiology of feline lungworms. However, despite this evidence, very little is known of the biology of these parasites in their intermediate hosts. Elucidating fundamental aspects of snail–parasite interactions will lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology of feline lungworms and other (phylogenetically related) species, and will also assist the identification and development of novel treatment and control strategies, in line with the principles of the One Health Initiative.
In this study we (i) assessed the potential of nematode transmission from infected to naive susceptible snails; and (ii) evaluated the survival time of A abstrusus and T brevior L3s in the environment at different temperatures (ie, 4°C and 26°C). Gastropods were experimentally infected with L3s of either A abstrusus or T brevior, or they were housed together with infected live (study 1) or dead snails (study 2). L3s of A abstrusus and T brevior were detected in experimentally infected gastropods and in naive snails co-housed with live or dead infected specimens (studies 1 and 2). The maximum survival time of L3s at 4°C and 26°C was 35 and 13 days for A abstrusus and 27 and 7 days for T brevior, respectively.
Here, we describe, for the first time, the transmission of L3s from an infected to a naive intermediate host and refer to this novel route of parasite transmission as intermediesis.
Vito Colella received the 2016 European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD)/Merial Young Scientist Award for basic research for this study (see page 757).
Single Dose Secnidazole Treatment for Giardiasis In Cats
Kerem Ural1, Nuran Aysul2, Deniz Alıç Ural3, Adnan Ayan2,
1Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
2Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
3Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty Farm, Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
4Akdeniz Animal Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
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The aim of this study was to confirm the efficacy of 30 mg/kg single dose secnidazole in the treatment of cats naturally infected with Giardia duodenalis.
Six cats at the University Clinic (Aydin) or in private clinical practice (Antalya) infected with Giardia species, of various breeds, ages and of both sexes, were enrolled. All cats exhibited diarrhoea.
A diagnosis of giardiasis was based on detection of trophozoites and/or cysts on faecal flotation and on antigen testing. Cyst counts (per gram of faeces) were performed on days 0 and 10 in all cases.
Giardia species cyst counts on day 0 ranged from 257,000–500,800, which was significantly higher than on day 10 when they ranged from 0–2400. Treatment with secnidazole reduced cyst shedding in all cases on day 10 (mean 99.98%).
In conclusion, following a single oral dose of 30 mg/kg secnidazole, by day 10 there was a significant reduction in cyst excretion, and this was accompanied by clinical recovery as defined by improved faecal scoring and consistency. Secnidazole proved a practical and economic therapy for feline giardiasis in this study.
Cutaneous Vascular Lesions in Cats; Comparing Angiomatosis with Haemangioma and Haemangiosarcoma
1Finn Pathologists, Histopathology Department, Diss, UK
2Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK
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Cutaneous angiomatosis, haemangioma and haemangiosarcoma are three histologically distinct vascular lesions that may all present clinically as raised, red–purple lesions of the skin. Angiomatosis is a non-neoplastic lesion, characterised by the development of vascular channels of varying sizes resembling capillaries, venules and/or arterioles, lined by mature endothelial cells. Angiomatosis is considered to be rare in the cat, with only a handful of cases described in the published literature and limited information regarding commonly affected sites or possible breed predilections. The aim of this study was to identify a population of cats diagnosed with cutaneous angiomatosis and to record the anatomical locations of the lesions and the signalment of affected cats. Findings were then compared with those from cats diagnosed with either a benign vascular tumour (haemangioma) or a malignant vascular neoplasm (haemangiosarcoma) of the skin.
Cats with a diagnosis of cutaneous angiomatosis, vascular hamartoma, haemangioma or haemangiosarcoma based on samples submitted to a large commercial diagnostic laboratory between 2006 and 2013 were identified by searching the laboratory database. Cases with concurrent visceral vascular lesions were excluded from the study. Signalment of the cats and the anatomical location of lesions were recorded, with the location categorised as limb, paw, oral, face, ear, body or other. The study population consisted of a total of 236 cats with cutaneous vascular lesions, including 69 (29.2%) cases of angiomatosis, 66 cases (28%) of haemangioma and 101 (42.8%) cases of haemangiosarcoma.
Haemangiosarcoma was the most common of these cutaneous vascular lesions, tending to occur in older cats compared with haemangioma and angiomatosis. Although previously described as rare, angiomatosis occurred with a similar frequency to haemangioma and presented most commonly on the limbs and paws, as well as within the oral cavity, and on parts of the face (including the eyelids) and ears. Although angiomatosis occurred in cats with a similar median age (8 years) as haemangioma, the age range was wider (1–19 years), suggesting that angiomatosis can occur at any age. There was no apparent breed predisposition.
Comparison of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and Silver Coated Foam Dressings in Open Wound Treatment in Cats – A Retrospective Study of 20 Paired Cases
1Ludwig-Maximilians University, Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Munich, Germany 2University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Hannover, Germany 3Ludwig-Maximilians University, Department for Basic Veterinary Sciences, Munich, Germany
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The aim of the study was to evaluate negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for treatment of complicated wounds in cats.
Cats (n = 20) undergoing open wound treatment were classified according to treatment method: NPWT (group A, n = 10) and polyurethane foam dressing (group B, n = 10). Matched pairs of patients were compared in terms of duration of previous treatment, time to closure and complications.
Six patients in group A and seven in group B had received previous wound treatment before presentation. Signalment, duration of previous treatment, antibiotic and antiseptic treatment and bacterial status were comparable between groups. The most frequent reason for wound development was infection (n = 6 group A, n = 5 group B), followed by trauma (n = 4 group A, n = 5 group B).
Bacterial culture results at initial debridement were available for 10 cats in group A and eight cats in group B. One patient in group A and none of the patients in group B initially tested negative. In 4/9 cats in group A and 6/8 cats in group B the identified isolates were resistant to more than three antibiotic classes. Repeated bacterial culture results during therapy were available for 10 cats in group A and four cats in group B. Two out of nine cats in group A and 3/4 in group B became negative over the course of the treatment. No statistical differences were detected between groups.
Closure was achieved in nine cats in group A and six cats in group B. Total time to closure was significantly shorter (P = 0.046) in group A (25.8 days, range 11–57 days) compared with group B (39.5 days, range 28–75 days).
NPWT-treated patients developed fewer complications than cats treated with foam dressings. In particular, the progression of fat tissue necrosis was effectively controlled under NPWT, resulting in fewer deaths in this group. However, despite a strong effect of therapy (Cramer-V 0.5) detected for inhibition of progressing infection, fever and sepsis, this difference was not significant.
Mirja Nolff received the 2016 European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD)/Merial Young Scientist Award for clinical research for this study (see page 757).
Assessment of a New High Protein– Low Carbohydrate Diet in Cats with Chronic Gastrointestinal Disease
1Virbac Nutrition, Vauvert, France
2Virbac Statistical Department, Carros, France
3Virbac Medical Department, Carros, France
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Dietary therapy plays a major role in the management of most gastrointestinal disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new dry high protein–low carbohydrate (HP–LC) diet intended for the management of chronic maldigestion–malabsorption in cats.
Forty-six client-owned cats with chronic gastrointestinal diseases were followed up for 2 months. During the first month (M1), after a 4 day diet transition, they were fed exclusively the tested diet (metabolisable energy share: protein 40%, fat 45%, carbohydrate 15%; in vivo apparent digestibility coefficients: 86% for protein and 91% for fat). During the second month (M2), they were fed again their usual dry diet. No medical management was allowed during the study. To describe the clinical improvement, the following five digestive parameters were assessed six times, at inclusion, then each week of M1, and finally at the end of M2: frequency of defecation, faeces quantity, faecal score (from 1 = dry and firm, to 5 = watery), faeces odour and frequency of flatulence. Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to compare each parameter at different times, with a significance threshold of 5%.
The tested diet resulted in significant improvements, as attested by comparison of the percentage of cats with normal digestive parameters at the different times of the study (see table).
The mean faecal score significantly improved from 3.1 ± 0.7 at inclusion to 2.3 ± 0.4 at M1 (P <0.0001), and then degraded to 2.7 ± 0.6 at M2 with the usual diet (P <0.0001); the improvement was significant within the first week (P <0.0001). After 1 month of being fed the tested diet, 72% cats were completely cured (all parameters normal), 26% were partially improved, and only 2% were unchanged.
These results confirm the clinical efficacy of the new highly digestible HP–LC diet for management and prevention of recurrence of chronic digestive troubles in cats.
Initial Development of a Novel Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument for Osteoarthritis in Cats
1NewMetrica, 196 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG, UK
2College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
3School of Mathematics and Statistics, 15 University Gardens, University of Glasgow G12 8QW, UK 4Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Sighthill Court EH11 4BN, UK
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This novel instrument was developed to comprise a generic standalone core tool along with osteoarthritis (OA)-specific items. Semi-structured interviews with 19 owners of 19 healthy cats and 15 cats with chronic conditions expected to impact health-related quality of life (HRQL) and 18 veterinary experts (specialising in shelter medicine [2], animal behaviour [2], orthopaedics [1], neurology [1], small animal general practice [4] and feline medicine [8]) identified behaviours associated with health status and words/expressions (items) most commonly used to describe them to create an item pool. Subsequently 10 vets and 48 owners evaluated item relevance and clarity for the Generic Owner Component (GOC), 21 for the OA Owner Component (OAOC) (10 vets, 11 owners) and 10 vets assessed the Vet OA Component (VOAC), and a content validity index (CVI) was calculated for each item. Items with a CVI >60% for relevance and >75% for clarity were retained or rephrased for prototype pre-testing with five previously interviewed and 13 owners of healthy/unhealthy cats not included in previous stages of development, one OA specialist, two general practitioners and two feline specialists. The resulting GOC contained 39 items grouped into five HRQL domains: general demeanour/behaviour (22), activity (6), posture (3), self-care/nutrition (3) and vocalisation (3). The OAOC consisted of 19 items relating to mobility (8), general demeanour/behaviour (6), posture (2), activity (1), self-care/nutrition (1) and toileting (1). The VOAC consisted of 17 clinical signs likely to be observed in cats with OA.
The GOC, OAOC and VOAC together form the prototype OA instrument. Field tests will (1) determine scoring algorithms for the GOC alone and in combination with the OAOC and the VOAC; (2) provide a model for combining owner and clinician responses within the OA instrument; (3) determine the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the GOC as a standalone generic instrument, and the OA instrument. Together these instruments will enable clinicians to measure the impact on HRQL of OA and other chronic diseases and their treatment, as well as provide scientifically robust outcome measures for clinical trials.
Factors Associated with Retention of Cats up to 18 Months of Age in a UK Longitudinal Study
School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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The Bristol Cats Study (BCS) is a longitudinal study of UK cats that were recruited aged 12–16 weeks between 2010 and 2013. The study investigates the health, behaviour and environment of cats through owner-reported questionnaires. Longitudinal studies are prone to drop out which, if not occurring at random, can introduce bias and must be taken into consideration when interpreting study results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific owner and cat factors were associated with drop out (defined as cats lost to follow-up, excluding deceased and missing cats) from the study between recruitment and age 18 months.
Participants completing questionnaire 1 (Q1; age 12–16 weeks) and questionnaire 4 (Q4; age 18 months) (or any subsequent questionnaire) were classified as retained. Cats that died or went missing prior to Q4 and those with unknown study participation status at Q4 were excluded from analysis. Data were obtained from Q1 on owner age, household income, highest level of qualification obtained, presence of children, household tenure, cat source, sex, breed and presence of other cats in the household. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to test for associations between these variables and study drop out.
Of 2196 kittens recruited to the BCS, 227 had unknown study participation status at 18 months, 97 were deceased and 12 were missing, leaving 1860 cats. At Q4, 1677 (90.2%) remained in the BCS and there were 183 (9.8%) drop outs, including rehomed cats (n = 30), owners who unsubscribed (n = 31), owners who ceased completing questionnaires (n = 89), owners with invalid contact details (n = 11) and 22 for unknown reasons. Multivariable analysis indicated drop out was more likely for cats with owners aged <44 years, without a degree or postgraduate qualification, with a household income of <£30,000 and/or with children in the household at Q1 (P ≤0.001). No evidence was found of significant associations between the other variables tested and the likelihood of having dropped out of the study by 18 months.
The identified owner associations can help inform researchers setting up and running longitudinal studies to identify which owners might benefit most from strategies to improve retention. This study indicates that retention in the BCS up to age 18 months has not been affected by any of the cat characteristics tested. Hence retention bias relating to the cat characteristics tested is unlikely to influence results of analyses based on BCS data from recruitment to age 18 months.
