To date, a 4-bp deletion in the MDR1 gene has been detected in more than ten dog breeds, as well as in mixed breed dogs, in several countries, however information regarding this mutation in dogs from Brazil is lacking. For this reason, 103 Collies, 77 Border Collies, 76 Shetland Sheepdogs, 20 Old English Sheepdogs, 55 German Shepherds, 16 Australian Shepherds, and 53 Whippets from Brazil were screened for the presence of the mutation. The heterozygous mutated genotype, MDR1 (+/−), frequency found for Collies, Australian Shepherd, and Shetland Sheepdog was 50.5% (95% CI =41.1%–59.9%), 31.3% (95% CI =8.6%–53.2%), and 15.8% (95% CI =7.7%–23.9%), respectively. Homozygous mutated genotype, MDR1 (−/−), was detected only in Collies 35.9%. The MDR1 allele mutant frequency found for Collies, Australian Shepherd, and Shetland Sheepdog was 61.2% (95% CI =54.8%–67.5%), 15.6% (95% CI =3.1%–28.2%), and 7.9% (95% CI =3.7%–12.1%), respectively. Additionally, even free of the mutant allele, the maximum mutant prevalence (MMP) in that population, with 95% CI, was 3.8%, 5.2%, 5.4%, and 13.8% for Border Collies, German Shepherds, Whippets, and Old English Sheepdogs, respectively. In this way, this information is important, not only for MDR1 genotype-based breeding programs and international exchange of breeding animals of predisposed breeds, but also for modification of drug therapy for breeds at risk.

The route used in the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can directly affect the treatment success. The transplantation of MSCs via the intrathecal (IT) route can be an important therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the IT transplantation of autologous (Auto-MSCs) and allogeneic (Allo-MSCs) bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in healthy dogs. Based on neurodisability score, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), no significant differences from the control group were observed on day 1 or day 5 after IT Auto- or Allo-MSCs transplantation ( P > 0.05). In addition, analysis of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression in the CSF revealed no significant differences ( P > 0.05) at 5 days after IT transplantation in the Auto- or Allo-MSCs group when compared to the control. Intrathecal transplantation of BM-MSCs in dogs provides a safe, easy and minimally invasive route for the use of cell-based therapeutics in central nervous system diseases.

A 6-year-old Labrador with history of hyperpnea, respiratory distress, ascites and paraparesis, presented microfilariae in the blood smear, cytology of the abdominal fluid and urine. The positive samples were confirmed by multiplex-PCR (COI gene) and sequencing, and presented 98% homology to (GenBank accession nos. KC107805.1, EU159111.1, EU163945.1, DQ358815.1, and AJ537512-1). Based on the presented results and the physiopathology of the heartworm disease, molecular techniques may be helpful and accurate in the diagnosis of the disease in vertebrates, and microfilaruria, even uncommon, should be considered on a renal failure evaluation.

Escherichia coli is the most common contaminant of the bovine uterus in the first few weeks postpartum, and one of the most important pathogens involved in uterine infections. This bacterium is characterised by diverse virulence factors (VF); however, the profile of E. coli VF in physiologic postpartum uterine contamination is not well established. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intrauterine bacteria, a set of virulence factors and phylogroups of E. coli isolates, leukogram and uterine cytology in 75 Holstein cows at 24 h (Sampling time 1) and 14 days (Sampling time 2) postpartum. Escherichia coli, α-haemolytic Streptococcus, Trueperella pyogenes, and Pasteurella multocida were the most common microorganisms isolated in pure culture, whereas E. coli and Clostridium perfringens Type A, E. coli and α-haemolytic Streptococcus, and E. coli and Proteus mirabilis were the most frequent microorganisms in mixed colonies at both studied sampling times. In the 59 E. coli isolates after 24 h (n = 35) and 14 days (n = 24) postpartum, the genes detected for VF were fimH, iucD/aer, kps, hlyA, usp, vt1 and vt2. Most E. coli strains detected in both moments of study belonged to Commensal phylogenetic groups A and B1, whereas Pathogenic groups D and B2 were identified at 24 h and 14 days postpartum respectively. All cows presented suitable immune response against the presence of bacteria in uterine lumen, observed by leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis at leukogram and a high number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in uterine cytology, in both studied moments. Thus, a complex diversity of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria is involved in uterine contamination in the early postpartum of cows, besides the predominance of E. coli. Moreover, the genes fimH, iucD/aer, hlyA, kps, usp, vt1 and vt2 play a key role in the virulence of E. coli in this period.

Canine Heartworm Disease (CHD) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. In this study, two mature adult-senior dogs from a non-endemic area to CHD presented clinical signs suggestive to the disease. The first one presented skin lesions, loss of appetite, weakness, pale mucosa membrane, and hyperthermia, whereas the second one presented severe ascites, anorexia and exercise intolerance, lateral decumbency, and marked heart murmurs. Both presented tachypnea, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and microfilaremia. Multiplex-PCR (COI gene) resulted positive to D. immitis research in both cases, confirmed by sequencing, with 98% homology to D. immitis (Gen Bank accession n.AJ537512-1). In addition, both animals have never had any prophylactic treatment to CHD, and no reports about traveling to coastal areas. This study reported two unusual cases of D. immitis infection in non-endemic area from Brazil.