A preliminary investigation of serological tools for the detection of Onchocerca lupi infection in dogs

Onchocerca lupi is a neglected filarioid causing nodular lesions associated with acute or chronic ocular disease in dogs. Despite the recent appraisal of its zoonotic potential, human cases are increasingly reported in the Old and New Worlds. Therefore, the development of accurate tools for the rapid diagnosis of O. lupi infections in dogs is becoming a priority. In this study, we conducted a preliminary investigation aimed at evaluating the usefulness of a commercially available ELISA test for the detection of O. lupi antigens in canine sera. The potential use of this tool for larger epidemiological studies of canine onchocerciasis is discussed.     

Basal cerebral computed tomography as diagnostic tool to improve patient selection in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis

One-hundred patients were included to evaluate the role of cerebral computed tomography (CT) to improve patient selection in asymptomatic internal carotid stenosis. Symptomatic patients were assigned to group A, asymptomatic patients to group B. A cerebral CT pattern A was observed in groups A and B in 60% and 20%, respectively (P < .0001). Between A and B groups, type 6 plaques were found, respectively, in 26.7% and 7.5% of patients (P = .01); a type 5 in 51.7% and 45% (P = .32) of patients; and a type 4 in 21.7% and 47.5% of patients, respectively (P = .006). Within B group, the association of CT pattern A and histological plaque level 4, 5, and 6 was, respectively, 25% (P = .15), 50% (P = .53), and 25% (P = .16). In group B, a 7-fold risk increase in CT pattern A was found in patients with level 6 plaque. In asymptomatic patients with high-risk plaque, a basal cerebral CT scan can be used as diagnostic tool to improve patient selection for intervention.