k. gupta

Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in female dogs. An early diagnosis makes the treatment easier.

The present study aimed to assess heat shock protein D1 (HSPD1) expression in canine mammary tumors.

Canine mammary tumor (CMT) samples were collected from clinics after surgery. Expression of HSPD1 transcript in CMT and apparently healthy mammary tissues was analyzed by SYBR green based real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Further, gene encoding the immuno-dominant region of HSPD1 was cloned using the expression vector pPROEX-HTa and expressed in a prokaryotic system and recombinant HSPD1 (rHSPD1) was purified by affinity chromatography. Hyperimmune serum was raised against rHSPD1 in mice, and immunohistochemistry was standardized to assess the expression of this protein in various histotypes of canine mammary tumors.

An elevated HSPD1 mRNA expression (5.973 ± 0.862 folds) was observed in canine mammary tumors. Upon purification, a 60 kDa recombinant protein was obtained and confirmed by Western blotting. In 83.3% of healthy mammary tissues, a mild/feeble HSPD1 expression was observed whereas, a strong expression of HSPD1 was seen in 80% CMT samples.

The findings suggested that HSPD1 could be used as a molecular marker for canine mammary tumors.

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is connected to human immunosuppressive diseases, including HIV-AIDS, and may pose a zoonotic threat. MAC causes lymphadenopathy in children, respiratory infection in adults, and generalized infection in immunocompromised individuals. Infection with nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) in humans is now primarily brought on by MAC. Recently, MAC members have emerged as pathogenic organisms for animals and humans. While dogs are generally resistant to mycobacterial infections, there have been some cases of infection that result in systemic or disseminated diseases. The organisms can be transmitted to dogs through oral contact, and their faeces can be a possible source of infection for dog owners. It is important to note that this ailment is zoonotic, especially if infected pet dogs are in prolonged contact with their humans.

The study was planned to demonstrate the occurrence of MAC organisms and other Mycobacteria in dogs associated with lymphadenopathy cases with special emphasis on lymphadenitis.

A total of 123 samples (100 lymph node aspirates, 15 lymph node tissues, and 8 blood samples) from 83 dogs suspected of lymphadenitis accompanied by gastroenteritis, chronic skin infections, immunosuppression, chronic pulmonary diseases, and other chronic undiagnosed diseases were studied. The samples were processed for cytological and microscopic examination by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Following the decontamination procedure, the aspiration and lymph node tissue samples were inoculated into Middlebrook 7H11 media for up to 8 weeks. The aspirated material was also directly used for molecular detection by triplex-nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay.

A cytological study revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation of the lymph node tissue. Impression smears from lymph node tissues displayed the presence of acid-fast organisms. Out of 83 cases of dogs, 8 were found to be positive for Mycobacterium spp. Among those 8 positive cases, 3 were confirmed to belong to MAC, and 5 belonged to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB complex).

MAC and MTB are the underestimated bacteria that could be the causative agents of lymphadenitis in animals.

This article is intended to be a survey on some combinatorial topics in group theory. The bibliography at the end is neither claimed to be exhaustive, nor is it necessarily connected with a reference in the text. I include it as I see it revolves around the concepts which are discussed in the text.