The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the application of ultrasonography in diagnosis, staging and monitoring of helminthic diseases in domestic animals. Only peer reviewed papers written in English language were included in this systematic review. All papers concerning unicellular parasites, wild animals, non-domestic experimental animals, or ex vivo or in vitro applications of ultrasonography were excluded from the review. A total of 122 papers met the inclusion criteria. Among them 47% concerned nematodes, 37% cestodes, and 16% trematodes with the genus Dirofilaria, Echinococcus, and Fasciola the most represented, respectively. Helminths can be recognized in ultrasound images by their morphology, size, and location. In some cases, the parasite stages are not directly seen by ultrasound, but the lesions caused by them can be easily visualized. Ultrasound imaging is taking on an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, staging, monitoring, and control of parasitic diseases in veterinary medicine. However, it cannot replace the clinical approach and the diagnostic tests commonly used in veterinary parasitology.

Laboratory workers are exposed to the risk of acquiring infections due to the manipulation of infectious materials. The biological hazard for researchers is seven times higher when compared with hospital and public health laboratory workers. Despite the implementation of standardized practices to control infections, multiple cases of Laboratory Associated Infections (LAIs) usually go unreported. There has been a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data regarding the situation of LAIs for parasitic zoonosis and besides, the available sources are not completely updated. Since most accounts of laboratory infections are organism-specific, this study has focused on common pathogenic/zoonotic species handled at parasitological laboratories and summarising the standard biosecurity protocols for the infectious agents. The main characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba spp, Giardia duodenalis, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania spp., Echinococcus spp., Schistosoma spp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis are considered in this review in order to assess the potential risk of developing occupational infections in the workplace along with stating prevention and prophylactic measures for each species. It was concluded that the LAIs from these agents can be prevented by using personal protective measures and good laboratory practices. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the environmental resistance of cysts, oocysts and eggs, with a view to select the most suitable disinfection methods. Furthermore, it is fundamental to constantly update epidemiological data of infection acquired by laboratory workers, to develop accurate risk indicators.

Background: Hemodynamic classification of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has important clinical implications. However, only a few echocardiographic variables have been used to hemodynamically classify PH in dogs. Objective: To evaluate the echocardiographic pulmonary to left atrial ratio index (ePLAR) in dogs with PH. Animals: Forty-six dogs with intermediate to high probability of PH. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Variables were compared between dogs with precapillary PH [PrePH (n = 24)] vs postcapillary PH [PostPH (n = 22)], and with combined PH [CombPH (n = 14)] vs isolated PH [IsoPH (n = 8)] using the t-, Mann-Whitney, Pearson's Chi, or Fisher's exact test. The receiver operating characteristic curve and Youden index were used to identify the optimal ePLAR cutoff value to differentiate among the groups, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine the reliability of measurements. Results: The mean (SD) ePLAR of the PrePH was higher than that of the PostPH group [0.36 (0.13) vs 0.26 (0.09), respectively; P = .005]. The median (interquartile range) ePLAR of the CombPH was higher than that of the IsoPH subgroup [0.29 (0.24-0.38), vs 0.20 (0.16-0.23), respectively; P = .001]. The best cutoff value of ePLAR for identifying IsoPH was <0.245 [AUC at cutoff point = 0.86; sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 0.71 (0.47-0.95); specificity (95% CI) = 1 (0.76-1)]. The ICC analysis indicated a high degree of reliability. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: ePLAR can be considered a valid noninvasive variable to hemodynamically classify PH in dogs with an intermediate to high probability of PH. Assessment of ePLAR can be useful in the therapeutic management of PH in dogs.

Hepatic fasciolosis represents a major health and production concern in sheep farming. Although ultrasonography has been used to evaluate fasciolosis in ruminants, the feasibility of a rapid ultrasonographic protocol performed in standing sheep under field conditions has not been specifically described. This study aimed to provide a preliminary, descriptive evaluation of the feasibility of a fast on-farm ultrasonographic protocol for the assessment of hepatic alterations in sheep with suspected chronic fasciolosis. Sixteen Sarda sheep with Fasciola hepatica fecal eggs count >100 eggs per gram underwent clinical examination, hematological tests, and liver ultrasonography. Three sheep were slaughtered, and their livers were examined by gross pathology and histopathology. The median duration of the ultrasonographic examination was 2.5minutes per animal. Recurrent ultrasonographic features included heterogeneous parenchymal echotexture and echogenicity (87.5%), irregular diaphragmatic liver surface (68.8%), moderate to severe bile duct dilatation (50%), and thickened gallbladder walls (56%). In a subset of animals (37.5%), intraluminal structures compatible with adult flukes were visualized within the biliary tract. Pathological and histological findings in the necropsied animals were consistent with the ultrasonographic features observed in vivo. This study provides preliminary descriptive evidence that a rapid hepatic ultrasonography protocol is feasible under field conditions in standing sheep with suspected chronic fasciolosis. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the diagnostic performance and clinical utility of ultrasonography in ovine fasciolosis.

Nasal carcinomas in dogs are locally invasive neoplasms with a low metastatic rate that pose significant treatment challenges due to their location and aggressiveness. This study evaluates the safety, feasibility, and therapeutic outcomes of computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation (CT-guided RFA) in 15 dogs diagnosed with nasal adenocarcinoma. All patients underwent staging and histopathological diagnosis before treatment. CT-guided RFA achieved a significant tumor volume reduction (82.8%) and improvement in clinical signs such as nasal discharge, epistaxis, and respiratory distress, without complications. Post-RFA CT examinations demonstrated a significant decrease in Hounsfield units and tumor volume. This study has shown that CT-guided RFA is an effective cytoreductive option for minimally invasive management of nasal adenocarcinomas in dogs, particularly when traditional therapies like radiation therapy or surgery are not feasible.