Emergence of canine parvovirus type 2c in domestic dogs and cats from Thailand

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV‐2) is an important pathogen causing haemorrhagic enteritis in domestic dogs and wildlife worldwide. In early 2000, canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV‐2c) was first reported and subsequently became a predominant subtype circulating in Europe and the Americas. CPV‐2c has also been reported in Asia, including cases in China, India, Taiwan and Vietnam. However, CPV‐2c has never been reported in Thailand. In this study, we conducted viral enteric disease surveillance in dogs and cats in Thailand during 2016–2018. During 20 months of surveillance, 507 rectal swab samples were collected from dogs (n = 444) and cats (n = 63) with and without clinical signs. The samples were examined for parvovirus by using VP2 gene‐specific PCR for parvovirus. Our results showed that the positivity of canine parvovirus (CPV) was 29.95% and that of feline parvovirus (FPV) was 58.73%. In this study, we characterized 34 parvoviruses by VP2 gene sequencing. Moreover, two Thai‐CPV‐2 (Dog/CU‐24 and Cat/CU‐21) were characterized by whole genome sequencing. The phylogenetic results showed that Thai‐CPV‐2 had the highest nucleotide identities and clustered with Asian‐CPV‐2c but were in separate subclusters from the North American and European CPV‐2c. Similarly, whole genome analyses showed that Thai‐CPVs are closely related to Asian‐CPV‐2c, with unique amino acids at positions 297A, 324I, 370R and 426E. In summary, our results demonstrated the emergence of Asian‐CPV‐2c in dogs and cats in Thailand. Thus, the surveillance of CPV‐2 in domestic dogs and cats should be further conducted on a larger scale to determine the dynamics of predominant variants and their distributions in the country and in the Southeast Asia region.     

African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 1 on Horse Farm,Thailand, 2020

To investigate an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) on a horse farm in northeastern Thailand, we used whole-genome sequencing to detect and characterize the virus. The viruses belonged to serotype 1 and contained unique amino acids (95V,166S, 660I in virus capsid protein 2), suggesting a single virus introduction to Thailand.     

Anti-Androgenic Effects Comparison Between Cyproterone Acetate and Spironolactone in Transgender Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundSpironolactone and cyproterone acetate are commonly used in feminizing hormone therapy to achieve the goal of female range testosterone level; however, the data on the efficacy comparing between these two anti-androgens are scarce.AimTo compare the anti-androgenic effects between spironolactone and cyproterone acetate as the component of feminizing hormone therapy among transgender women population.MethodsThe study was single-blinded randomized controlled trial involved 52 transgender women from two transgender health clinics. Each participant received oral estradiol valerate 4 mg/day combined with anti-androgen, spironolactone 100 mg/day or cyproterone acetate 25 mg/day, depending on which group they were randomized to. Clinical and biochemical variables were obtained at baseline and at 12 weeks of feminizing hormone therapy.Main Outcome MeasuresThe change of testosterone level from baseline. Other changes including free testosterone, estradiol, prolactin and lipid profile after the therapy.ResultsAfter a 12 weeks of feminizing hormone therapy, the change of testosterone level in the cyproterone acetate group [558.0 ng/dL (IQR 352.0 to 783.3)] was significantly higher than the spironolactone group [226.2 ng/dL (IQR,-4.3 to 480.1)](p value <0.001). Testosterone and calculated free testosterone in the cyproterone acetate group were significantly lower than the spironolactone group. Consequently, a proportion of the participants who achieved the female range testosterone (<50 ng/dL) was significantly higher in cyproterone acetate group (90%) compared to the spironolactone group (19%). Serious adverse effects observed in cyproterone acetate users were drug-induced liver injury and asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia.Clinical ImplicationsThe data on the differences between the two anti-androgen could be benefit for the transgender health-care providers in medication selection and adverse-effects counseling.Strengths & LimitationsThe study design was randomized controlled trial and controlled the estrogen component by prescribed the same type and dose for each participant. However, the study was suffered from the confound feminizing effects from previous hormone therapy and the high drop-out rate.ConclusionFor feminizing hormone therapy, cyproterone acetate had a higher testosterone suppression efficacy than spironolactone.Burinkul S, Panyakhamlerd K, Suwan A, et al. Anti-Andorgenic Effects Comparison Between Cyproterone Acetate and Spironolactone in Transgender Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sex Med 2021;18:1299–1307.     

Genetic characterization of canine influenza A virus (H3N2) in Thailand

In January 2012, several clinical cases of dogs with flu-like symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and fever, were reported in a small-animal hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand. One influenza A virus was identified and characterized as an avian-like influenza virus H3N2. The virus was named A/canine/Thailand/CU-DC5299/12. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that the canine virus belonged to an avian Eurasian lineage and was genetically related to the canine influenza viruses H3N2 from China and Korea. This canine virus displays a unique genetic signature with two amino acid insertions in the NA protein, which is similar to the canine influenza viruses from eastern China (Zhejiang and Jiangsu). This study constitutes the first report of H3N2 canine influenza virus infection in a small-animal hospital in Thailand.