Effect of ovariohysterectomy on queen myocardial function: echocardiographic evidence

Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is one of the most common surgeries in veterinary medicine. Although this surgical method has several advantages, it can alter the function of various organs such as heart. The present study investigated the effect of OHE on cardiac functions using M-mode echocardiography. A total of 10 healthy adult domestic short-haired cats were enrolled in the current study. Fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) percentages along with cardiac output (CO) were measured through the right parasternal approach in papillary muscle level view. Moreover, the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before OHE (D0) as well as 10 (D10), 20 (D20) and 30 (D30) days after OHE. The results of this study showed that the mean FS and EF decreased on all days of the study. The FS reduction was significant between D10 and D30 and EF changes were significant between D10 and D20. The means of CO increased significantly on D0 compared to the D10. After D20, CO reduced until the end of the study. Mean concentrations of LH and FSH increased on all research days; but, the changes were significant until D20. Despite the negative effects of OHE on myocardial function, there was no significant correlation between hormonal levels and echocardiographic findings after OHE in this study.

Helicobacter genus in the intestine and liver of stray cats: the molecular, histopathological, and immunohistochemical study

OBJECTIVES

The study was designed to determine the presence of Helicobacter genus and three species of H. pylori, H. bilis, and H. canis, in the duodenum, ileum, colon, and liver of stray cats. Moreover, the histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses have been performed.

METHODS

Samples were taken from the duodenum, ileum, colon, and liver of 30 cats for molecular and histopathological evaluations. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out for the detection of the Helicobacter genus in the mentioned samples. Then, species-specific primers were used in Helicobacter-positive samples.

RESULTS

Helicobacter genus prevalence rates in the duodenum, ileum, colon, and liver samples were 50%, 60%, 50%, and 43.3%, respectively. Helicobacter pylori, H. canis, and H. bilis were isolated from at least one tissue of 18 (60%), 13 (43.3%), and 8 (26.7%) of the cats, respectively. Immunohistochemical findings confirmed the presence of bacteria in the intestinal crypt or the mucosal layer of duodenum, ileum, colon, and hepatic sinusoids.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, the concurrent infection of duodenum and liver was noticeable. Furthermore, the high prevalence of H. pylori in cats, as a well-known human pathogen, should be considered. High incidence of Helicobacter in gut and liver of Ahvaz stray cats is noticeable. According to the zoonotic importance of Helicobacter, more studies in the field of treatment and prevention are highly recommended.