Herpes Virus Infection Ends Jumping Career???

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Technology can be an important part of helping our animals. The pH monitoring system is a platform used in human medicine.

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Wireless pH Monitoring for Reflux in Dogs

The study focuses on sliding hiatal herniation (SHH) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in brachycephalic dogs, particularly French bulldogs. These conditions are common in these breeds and cause significant health issues like severe weight loss, esophagitis, and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as fluoroscopy and catheter-based pH monitoring, have limitations in accurately diagnosing and assessing GERD. 

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate acidic reflux in French bulldogs with SHH using wireless Bravo pH monitoring. A secondary objective was to assess the impact of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) surgery on acidic reflux in a subset of these dogs. Bravo pH monitoring offers continuous reflux monitoring for up to 96 hours, avoiding the discomfort and limitations of traditional catheter-based methods. 

The study found that capsule placement was successful and provided extended data collection, documenting reflux episodes without complications. Acid exposure time was higher in younger dogs and during the day. Three dogs met human criteria for GERD. BOAS surgery showed numerical improvements in acid exposure time in all four dogs that underwent the procedure, though the sample size was small. The correlation between owner-reported symptoms and capsule-detected reflux was variable, underscoring the benefit of objective tools like Bravo pH monitoring. 

While the Bravo pH capsule technology proved effective in documenting and quantifying acidic reflux, it has some limitations, such as the inability to detect weakly acidic or alkaline reflux and the requirement of anesthesia for placement. Despite these limitations, the study demonstrates that Bravo pH monitoring provides detailed and extended monitoring, beneficial for assessing GERD in dogs with SHH. The results suggest that this method could improve the diagnosis and management of GERD in brachycephalic dogs, similar to its application in human patients. 

Ullal TV, Marks SL, Yang NT, Taylor SL. Evaluating acidic gastroesophageal reflux with wireless pH monitoring in French bulldogs with sliding hiatal herniation. J Vet Intern Med. 2024; 38(3): 1475-1482. doi:10.1111/jvim.17048 

Bottom line — This could help in deciding the best management plan.

Outcomes for Neuro Herpes Cases in Horses

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is widespread among horses globally, often causing latent infections. EHV-1 can lead to equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), a severe neurological condition resulting from respiratory tract infections and viremia. Approximately 10% of infected horses show neurological symptoms during EHM outbreaks. EHV-1 has three genotypes: nonneuropathogenic (N752), neuropathogenic (D752), and a new variant (H752). The prognosis for EHM-affected horses, especially those needing sling support, is poor. Recent years have seen increased EHM outbreaks in France, the Netherlands, and the U.S. 

Sport horses are particularly at risk due to the high stress of competition environments. Studies have explored risk factors for EHM development, severity, and prognosis, but there is limited data on the long-term performance of affected horses. This study aimed to determine the relationship between EHM severity and the likelihood of horses returning to preoutbreak performance levels. 

Key findings include: 

• 68% of horses admitted with EHM were able to jump again. 

• 52.9% reached their previous performance levels. 

• Higher ataxia grades (≥3/5) and complications (urinary and vascular) significantly reduced the likelihood of full recovery. 

• Horses with ataxia grade ≥4/5 showed minimal recovery likelihood. 

Ataxia grade and complications were strong indicators of poor prognosis. The presence of bladder lesions and potential viral replication in the urinary system were noted, with further studies needed to clarify these observations. Vascular complications, such as myocarditis, were linked to poor outcomes. 

Vaccination did not improve survival or return to exercise in this study, possibly due to varied vaccine types and protocols. Despite this, reducing viral shedding through vaccination is recommended. 

The retrospective nature and specific outbreak context limit the findings, with most severely affected horses being hospitalized. The nonneuropathogenic N752 variant was predominant in this outbreak, contrasting with the expectation that the D752 variant would be more severe. Recent data suggest the N752 variant is increasingly associated with severe EHM. 

The fatality rate in this outbreak was 30.8%. Factors associated with higher fatality included prior vaccination, high ataxia grade on admission, and urinary complications. Only 52.9% of horses returned to their preoutbreak performance levels, with high ataxia grades and complications being key negative factors. 

In conclusion, EHM severity and complications significantly impact the likelihood of sport horses returning to previous performance levels. The study highlights the need for careful management and decision-making during EHM outbreaks, considering the substantial economic and welfare implications

de la Cuesta-Torrado M, Velloso Alvarez A, Neira-Egea P, Cuervo-Arango J. Long-term performance of show-jumping horses and relationship with severity of ataxia and complications associated with myeloencephalopathy caused by equine herpes virus-1. J Vet Intern Med. 2024; 38(3): 1799-1807. doi:10.1111/jvim.17070 

Bottom line — Return to function is possible in mild to moderate cases.

Impact of Inulin Fiber

This study explores the impact of dietary inulin fiber on the intestinal microbiota and its subsequent effects on the immune function of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in murine models. Inulin fiber intake was found to dysregulate the microbiota and their metabolites, particularly bile acids such as cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). These changes led to an increase in the activation of a proinflammatory subset of ILC2s (ILC2INFLAM), which produce interleukin-5 (IL-5) but not the tissue-protective amphiregulin (AREG). This activation was driven by an upregulation of IL-33 triggered by bile acids. The study demonstrates that these proinflammatory ILC2INFLAM cells contribute to eosinophilic inflammation and exacerbate intestinal damage in mouse models of inflammation. 

Furthermore, similar mechanisms appear to be relevant in human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where increased levels of bile acids and eosinophils are observed in patients compared to healthy individuals. This suggests that dietary components like inulin fiber can significantly impact inflammatory and tissue-protective responses by influencing microbiota composition and metabolite production. 

The findings underscore the complex interplay between diet, microbiota, and immune responses at barrier surfaces, highlighting the potential for dietary interventions to modulate immune functions and inflammatory diseases through microbiota-dependent mechanisms. This could have significant implications for developing precision nutrition strategies aimed at managing chronic inflammatory conditions like IBD. 

Arifuzzaman M, Won TH, Yano H, Uddin J, Emanuel ER, Hu E, Zhang W, Li TT, Jin WB, Grier A, Kashyap S; JRI Live Cell Bank; Guo CJ, Schroeder FC, Artis D. Dietary fiber is a critical determinant of pathologic ILC2 responses and intestinal inflammation. J Exp Med. 2024 May 6;221(5):e20232148. doi: 10.1084/jem.20232148. Epub 2024 Mar 20. PMID: 38506708; PMCID: PMC10955042.

Bottom line — Type of fiber might be important in some intestinal diseases.

Just putting things in perspective …