Respiratory tract disease can be associated with primary or secondary bacterial infections in dogs and cats and is a common reason for use and potential misuse, improper use, and overuse of antimicrobials. There is a lack of comprehensive treatment guidelines such as those that are available for human medicine. Accordingly, the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases convened a Working Group of clinical microbiologists, pharmacologists, and internists to share experiences, examine scientific data, review clinical trials, and develop these guidelines to assist veterinarians in making antimicrobial treatment choices for use in the management of bacterial respiratory diseases in dogs and cats.

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Antimicrobial use Guidelines for Treatment of Respiratory Tract Disease in Dogs and Cats: Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases.

Canine adenoviruses (CAVs) and canine herpesvirus (CHV) are pathogens of dogs that have been known for several decades. The two distinct types of CAVs, type 1 and type 2, are responsible for infectious canine hepatitis and infectious tracheobronchitis, respectively. In the present article, the currently available literature on CAVs and CHV is reviewed, providing a meaningful update on the epidemiologic, pathogenetic, clinical, diagnostic, and prophylactic aspects of the infections caused by these important pathogens.

Canine Adenoviruses and Herpesvirus

Phytoplasmas are microorganisms associated with severe plant diseases affecting diverse agrarian activites worldwide. Since their discovery, conclusive proof of their pathogenicity is lacking due to failure to culture these organisms. This has also hindered studies on their biology, biochemistry and physiology, although significant taxonomic progress has been achieved from study of the 16S ribosomal gene and full genomic sequencing of four phytoplasma strains. The inability to fulfil Koch’s postulates severely restricts the understanding of the roles of these organisms in plant diseases and in plant/insect/phytoplasma interactions. Here we show that specific commercial media support axenic growth of phytoplasmas under defined conditions; the identity of the organisms was confirmed by PCR/RFLP analyses and sequencing of phytoplasma-specific genes. We have demonstrated for the first time that phytoplasmas, similarly to mycoplasmas, can grow independently from their host(s). This should assist reduction of the socio-economic impact of phytoplasma diseases worldwide through improved pathogen detection and consequently better management of the diseases they cause. Knowledge of mechanisms underlying the autonomous life of phytoplasmas, that are among the smallest living organisms, should also provide important information about basic mechanisms of life.

Axenic culture of plant pathogenic phytoplasmas

We present a PCR method targeting the 23S-5S internal transcribed spacer coupled with reverse line blotting that allows Rickettsia species detection and identification in a single step. The method is highly sensitive and specific in identifying Rickettsia species from both patient and environmental samples. The generic approach used allowed us to identify new pathogens.

Molecular Method for Identification of Rickettsia Species in Clinical and Environmental Samples

Infectious respiratory disease in dogs is a constant challenge because of the involvement of several pathogens and environmental factors. Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) is a new coronavirus of dogs, which is widespread in North America, Japan, and several European countries. CRCoV has been associated with respiratory disease, particularly in kenneled dog populations. The virus is genetically and antigenically distinct from enteric canine coronavirus; therefore, specific tests are required for diagnosis.

Canine respiratory coronavirus: an emerging pathogen in the canine infectious respiratory disease complex.

Canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) is a complex infection that occurs worldwide predominantly in kennelled dogs, and several bacterial and viral micro-organisms have been associated with outbreaks of CIRD. However, few studies have comprehensively examined the species of mycoplasma present in healthy dogs and those with CIRD. As part of an extensive study investigating the micro-organisms involved in CIRD, the species of mycoplasma present throughout the respiratory tract of dogs with and without CIRD were determined. Mycoplasmas were cultured from tonsillar, tracheal and bronchial lavage samples, and identified to the species level by PCR and sequencing. Mycoplasma cynos was demonstrated on the ciliated tracheal epithelium by in situ hybridization and was the only mollicute found to be associated with CIRD, but only in the lower respiratory tract. Isolation of M. cynos was correlated with an increased severity of CIRD, younger age and a longer time in the kennel.

Caren J.I Paterson

Papers

Mycoplasmas associated with canine infectious respiratory disease

Development of a polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Mycoplasma felis in domestic cats