The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and VEGF mRNA levels and malignancy degree in canine malignant mammary tumours. Thirty-five bitches presented with the complaint of mammary masses, aged 6-10 years and representing different breeds, were used. The expressions of iNOS, COX-2 and VEGF mRNA levels were significantly higher in both benign and malignant tumours than in the adjacent nonneoplastic mammary glands (P < 0.05). The iNOS, COX-2 and VEGF mRNA expression levels of grade 2 tumours were higher than those of grade 1 tumours; however, the highest expression levels were detected in grade 3 tumours. Thus, increased iNOS, COX-2 and VEGF gene mRNA levels were found to be related with the histological grade of malignancy in dogs with mammary tumours.

No abstract

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a naturally occurring contagious neoplasm of dogs located mainly on the external genitalia of both sexes. The course of vincristine chemotherapy, the most effective and practical therapy, is affected by the immune status of the host. The aim was to investigate recombinant human interferon alpha‐2a (rhIFN α‐2a) and vincristine for treatment of CTVT. A total of 21 female dogs were included. In group I (n = 9), vincristine (0.025 mg/kg, IV) was administered weekly. In group II (n = 6), dogs were injected intratumorally weekly with 1.5 million IU rhIFN α‐2a. In group III (n = 6), rhIFN α‐2a and vincristine were combined. No tumour regression was observed after three injections of rhIFN α‐2a in group II and weekly vincristine was administered. The number of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), mitotic figures and apoptotic cells were counted in subsequent incisional tumour biopsies. The Kaplan–Meier Method was used to analyse survival using complete tumour regression as the outcome and Breslow Test was used for comparison of survival curves. Differences in TILs, cell proliferation and apoptosis between groups were assessed by analysis of covariance. Complete regression was observed in all animals included. Mean duration of vincristine treatment for complete regression was shorter in group II (3.50 weeks, 95% CI, 3.06–3.94, P < 0.05) and group III (3.17 weeks, 95% CI, 2.84–3.49, P < 0.01) compared to group I (5.11 weeks, 95% CI, 4.42–5.80). Vincristine and rhIFN α‐2a combination increased TILs in CTVT biopsies compared to vincristine treatment (P = 0.017) and vincristine treatment after rhIFN α‐2a (P = 0.049). Vincristine treatment after rhIFN α‐2a (Group II; P < 0.001) and rhIFN α‐2a and vincristine combination (Group III; P < 0.001) decreased apoptosis. The results indicate that intratumoral rhIFN α‐2a treatment alone is not effective in CTVT. However, combination of rhIFN α‐2a and vincristine shortens the duration of treatment compared to vincristine therapy.

No abstract

Pigeon aviadenovirus A and Pigeon circovirus are both viruses that can cause disease in pigeons. This study reports the identification of a natural co-infection of Pigeon aviadenovirus A and Pigeon circovirus in a breeding pigeon flock in central Anatolia, Turkey. Both viruses were isolated from pooled internal organs of pigeons using primary chicken embryo kidney cell cultures (CEKC) and specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs. Both viruses were identified by PCR amplification followed by Sanger sequencing, while histopathological examination showed degenerated hepatocytes with basophilic intranuclear viral inclusions. The viruses have similar transmission characteristics and common clinical manifestations, but it is possible that coinfection may exacerabate disease. This is the first report of its kind in Turkey and is important for the protection against disease in pigeons.