Transtornos reprodutivos causados por agentes infecciosos em animais de canis comerciais da microrregião de Ribeirão Preto, estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Serum DHEA-S increases in dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia canis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Systemic lupus erythematous and clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis

Background: The prevalence of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) is increasing but data on clinical outcomes are scarce. Interestingly, data on technique failure and peritoneal-dialysis (PD)-related infections are rarer, despite SLE patients being considered at high risk for infections. The aim of our study is to compare clinical outcomes of SLE patients on PD in a large PD cohort. Methods: We conducted a nationwide prospective observational study from the BRAZPD II cohort. For this study we identified all patients on PD for greater than 90 days. Within that subset, all those with SLE as primary renal disease were matched with PD patients without SLE for comparison of clinical outcomes, namely: patient mortality, technique survival and time to first peritonitis, then were analyzed taking into account the presence of competing risks. Results: Out of a total of 9907 patients, we identified 102 SLE patients incident in PD and with more than 90 days on PD. After matching the groups consisted of 92 patients with SLE and 340 matched controls. Mean age was 46.9 +/- 16.8 years, 77.3% were females and 58.1% were Caucasians. After adjustments SLE sub-hazard distribution ratio for mortality was 1.06 (CI 95% 0.55-2.05), for technique failure was 1.01 (CI 95% 0.54-1.91) and for time to first peritonitis episode was 1.40 (CI 95% 0.92-2.11). The probability for occurrence of competing risks in all three outcomes was similar between groups. Conclusion: PD therapy was shown to be a safe and equally successful therapy for SLE patients compared to matched non-SLE patients.

Pathology of dogs in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil naturally co-infected with Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis

Different parasites that commonly occur concomitantly can influence one another, sometimes with unpredictable effects. We evaluated pathological aspects of dogs naturally co-infected with Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis. The health status of the dogs was investigated based on histopathological, hematological and biochemical analyses of 21 animals infected solely with L. infantum and 22 dogs co-infected with L. infantum and E. canis. The skin of both groups showed chronic, predominantly lymphohistioplasmacytic inflammatory reaction. The plasmacytosis in the lymphoid tissues was likely related with the hypergammaglobulinemia detected in all the dogs. The disorganization of extracellular matrix found in the reticular dermis of the inguinal region and ear, characterized by the substitution of thick collagen fibers for thin fibers, was attributed to the degree of inflammatory reaction, irrespective of the presence of parasites. In addition, the histopathological analysis revealed that twice as many dogs in the co-infected group presented Leishmania amastigotes in the ear skin than those infected solely with Leishmania, increasing the possibility of becoming infected through sand fly vectors. Our findings highlight the fact that the health of dogs infected concomitantly with L. infantum and E. canis is severely compromised due to their high levels of total plasma protein, globulins, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase, and severe anemia.

Influence of soil texture in the recovery of Toxocara canis eggs by a flotation method

In epidemiological surveys, the evaluation of soil contamination by Toxocara canis eggs requires a quick and easy method for the isolation of parasite eggs from soil samples. The efficiency of flotation methods is influenced by sample size, soil texture, degree of soil contamination, pretreatment, flotation solutions and time of flotation. This investigation was designed to evaluate the influence of soil texture in the recovery of T. canis eggs with the centrifugal flotation technique of Dada (Dada, B.J.O., 1979. A new technique for the recovery of Toxocara eggs from soil. J. Helminthol., 53: 141-144). Four types of soil (clay silt, sandy, silty clay and sand) were artificially contaminated with T. canis eggs (200 eggs per gram). Zinc sulphate (specific gravity 1.20) and sodium dichromate (specific gravity 1.35) were used as flotation solutions. Twenty replicated examinations were performed for each type of soil and flotation solution. There was a statistically significant difference in the results depending on soil type. The highest recovery percentages were observed in soils rich in sand (62.5% for sand and 38.0% for sandy soil). Differences were also observed with different flotation solutions. Sodium dichromate solution was more efficient for recovering T. canis eggs, regardless of the soil texture. © 1994.

Ehrlichia canis (Jaboticabal strain) induces the expression of TNF-alpha in leukocytes and splenocytes of experimentally infected dogs

Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis and is characterized by a systemic febrile disease of unknown pathogenesis. This study evaluated the expression of cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-10, IFN-gamma, in splenic cells and blood leukocytes during the acute phase of ehrlichiosis and after treatment with doxycycline hyclate in dogs experimentally infected with the E. canis Jaboticabal strain. The study results showed a significant expression of TNF-alpha 18 days post-inoculation, reducing by approximately 70% after treatment. There was a unique peak of expression of IL-10 and IFN-gamma 18 and 30 days post-inoculation, respectively. This study suggests that TNF-alpha plays a role in the pathogenesis of the acute phase of canine ehrlichiosis and that treatment with doxycycline hyclate reduces the systemic effects of this cytokine, possibly by reducing or eliminating parasitemia.

Comparison of the digestive efficiency of extruded diets fed to ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus)

The digestive tract of ferrets is anatomically simple, with no caecum, ileocolic valve or external differentiation between the transition of ileum and colon. The species has a short large intestine that provides minor contributions to the digestive process. Aiming to better understand the digestibility efficiency of ferrets, the present study compared the digestibility of extruded diets with different amounts of macronutrients fed to dogs, cats and ferrets. Three formulations for cat maintenance were used (values in % of DM basis): high carbohydrate (HC; nitrogen-free extract (NFE) = 54 %, protein = 31 % and fat = 8 %); moderate carbohydrate (MC; NFE = 37 %, protein = 41 % and fat = 10 %); and low carbohydrate (LC; NFE = 19 %, protein = 46 % and fat = 23 %). Apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility was determined by the method of total collection of faeces. Results were compared by ANOVA, considering the diet and species effects and their interactions. Means were compared by the Tukey's test (P < 0·05). Dogs and cats presented similar food intakes, but ferrets consumed almost two times more food (g/kg body weight). Species × diet interactions were verified for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD; P < 0·05). Ferrets presented lower DM digestibility than dogs and cats for all three diets (P < 0·05), lower NFE digestibility than dogs for the three diets and lower NFE digestibility than cats for the HC and LC diets (P < 0·05). For crude protein (CP), ferrets presented lower ATTD than dogs and cats (P < 0·05), whereas for fat, dogs and ferrets presented similar ATTD, and higher values than those presented by cats (P < 0·05). Kibble diets had a lower DM, CP and NFE digestibility when fed to ferrets compared with dogs and cats. Fat digestibility was similar between dogs and ferrets and higher than that for cats.

Chronic active disease pattern predicts early damage in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pancreatitis subtypes survey in 852 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a multicenter cohort

Pancreatitis is a rare and a life-threatening SLE manifestation in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (c-SLE). The objective of this study was to systematically classify pancreatitis in c-SLE according to the International Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis (INSPPIRE) and determine the overall prevalence, clinical features, laboratory and first episode outcomes. A multicenter cohort study in 10 Pediatric Rheumatology centers, including 852 cSLE patients. Pancreatitis was diagnosed in 22/852 (2.6%) cSLE patients. It was classified as acute pancreatitis in 20 (91%), acute recurrent pancreatitis in 2 (9%) and none of them had chronic pancreatitis. None of them had gallstones, traumatic pancreatitis or reported alcohol/tobacco use. The comparison of patients with pancreatitis (first episode) and without this complication revealed a shorter disease duration [1(0-10) vs. 4(0-23) years, p < 0.0001] and higher median of SLEDAI-2K [21(0-41) vs. 2(0-45), p < 0.0001]. The frequencies of fever (p < 0.0001), weight loss (p < 0.0001), serositis (p < 0.0001), nephritis (p < 0.0001), arterial hypertension (p < 0.0001), acute renal failure (p < 0.0001), macrophage activation syndrome (p < 0.0001) and death (p = 0.001) were also higher in patients with pancreatitis. The frequencies of intravenous methylprednisolone use (p < 0.0001) and the median of prednisone dose [55(15-60) vs. 11(1-90)mg/day, p < 0.0001] were significantly higher in patients with pancreatitis. Of note, the two patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis had two episodes, with pain-free interval of 1 and 4 years. This was the first study characterizing pancreatitis using the INSPPIRE standardized definitions in patients with cSLE showing that the predominant form is acute pancreatitis seen in association with glucocorticoid treatment and active severe disease.

Avaliação adrenocortical, tireoideana e do estresse oxidativo de cães naturalmente infectados por Ehrlichia canis

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Detecção molecular de Ehrlichia canis em cães e em órgãos de seus respectivos carrapatos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Detection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis in Brazilian marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

Ehrlichia chaffeensis was detected for the first time in blood samples from Brazilian marsh deers (Blastocerus dichotomus) captured in the marshes of Parana River in Southeast Brazil in 1998. Seven EDTA-blood samples from deers were analyzed by PCR and nested PCR for presence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia canis, Neoriickettsia risticii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma marginale. Three samples showed positive reactions for E. chaffeensis and Anaplasma marginale. None contained detectable A. phagocytophilum, E. ewingii, E. canis or Neorickettsia risticii DNA. In Brazil, the wild marsh deer may be a natural reservoir of the agents that cause human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis and ruminant erythrocytic anaplasmosis. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental acute canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: clinicopathological and immunopathological findings

Clinical signs, humoral and cellular immune responses, and microscopic and gross tissue alterations resulting from acute experimental Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs were studied. Four dogs were inoculated with E canis and four were used as uninfected controls. After a 10-14-day incubation period, infected dogs developed pyrexia up to 41 degreesC for 6-8 days. Antibody titers to E. canis antigen were demonstrable in all inoculated dogs at 30 days post-infection. Necropsy of infected animals revealed pale mucous membranes, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, edema and ascites. Microcopically, the main lesions were: lymphoreticular hyperplasia in cortical areas of lymph nodes and spleenic white pulp, periportal accumulation of mononuclear cells and centrolobular fatty degeneration of the liver. Kidneys presented with glomerulonephritis characterized by interstitial, mononuclear infiltration. Immunophenotyping of lymphocytes from lymph nodes and spleen sections displayed alterations in IgG, IgM, CD3+ and CD8+ cells population in infected dogs. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.