EFFECTS of SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION on CATTLE ANTI-RABIES HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE and LEVELS of SERUM SELENIUM and CORTISOL

This study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of selenium (Se) supplementation on cattle anti-rabies humoral immune response, serum Se concentrations and cortisol levels. Sixty uncastrated male Nelore calves from 10 to 12 months grazing on Brachiaria decumbens forage were studied. The animals were assigned to one of four groups (n = 15 each), which received non-supplemented diets (Gc) or supplemented with daily and individual Selenium ( Se) concentrations of 3.6 mg (G(3.6)), 5.4 mg (G(5.4)) or 6.4 mg (G(6.4)). The calves were immunized on day 0 with one dose of commercial liquid inactivated rabies vaccination. on days 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120, the cattle underwent the same stressing procedures used for vaccination in the corral. Cattle blood samples were collected after vaccination and stressing procedures to determine serum Se levels, rabies antibody titers and serum cortisol. Se levels were also determined in forage samples collected from the paddocks in which the cattle were held. Se concentration in B. decumbens was 0.04 mg of Se/kg dry matter. Baseline Se levels obtained on day 0 were higher in Gc than in G(5.4) and G(6.4) (P = 0.005). Serum Se levels decreased in Gc throughout the experiment (P < 0.004), increased in G(3.6) (P < 0.000) and G(5.4) (P < 0.000) and were kept high from day 60 on in group G(6.4) (P < 0.002). Rabies antibody titers did not differ among control and supplemented groups. However, 120 days after vaccination rabies antibody titers were kept above protective levels (>= 0.5 UI/mL) only in group G(3.6) (P < 0.00002), whereas they dropped in the other groups (P < 0.05). Serum cortisol levels did not differ among the experimental groups (P = 0.79), reached peak levels on day 90 and returned close to baseline levels on day 120. Se and cortisol levels were not markedly correlated. Serum cortisol and rabies antibody titers were correlated only in group G(6.4), on day 60 (R = 0.513; P = 0.05) and 120 (R = 0.644; P = 0.009). Serum Se and rabies antibody titers were correlated only in group G(6.4), on day 60 (R = -0.580; P = 0.023). In conclusion: a) the profile of Se variation is different among groups receiving different concentrations of this element; b) the supplementation dosage of 3.6 mg Se/animal/day is efficient to treat/prevent marginal Se deficiency; c) individual supplementation with daily concentrations of 3.6 mg Se enhances the maintenance of rabies antibody titers in cattle; d) individual supplementation with daily concentrations of 3.6; 5.4 and 6.4 mg Se are ineffective in reducing serum cortisol; e) repeated cattle handling in corrals stress animals that adapt to these procedures, although serum cortisol does not return to baseline levels by 120 days; and f) the stress generated by repeated management in cattle in the corral does not diminish antibody titers after vaccination against rabies.

Avaliação da vacinação anti-rábica e da suplementação com probiótico na resposta imune humoral em bovinos

This study evaluated the humoral immune response of a new rabies vaccine developed by the Instituto Butantan (potency of 3.27 UI/ml) in primovaccinated cattle and the effect of probiotic on this response. Thirty-four 15-month old Nelore cattle were randomly divided into 2 groups (17 animals/group). All the animals were vaccinated on day 0 (zero) and then animals in one group received probiotic added to a mineral mixture (GP) while the others were given only the mineral mixture (GC). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 75 and 150 for rabies neutralizing antibodies titers by seroneutralization assay on BHK21 cells (RFFIT). Protective antibody titers (>= 0.5 UI/mL) were found in 82.4% of the animals from GP and in 76.5% of the animals from GC and no statistical difference (p>0.05) between antibody titers in GP and GC was detected on days 75 and 150. It was also observed that in both groups antibody titers was decreased on day 150 (p<0.01). In conclusion, the tested rabies vaccine promotes efficient soroconversion and keeps antibody levels in primovaccinated cattle, but probiotic does not affect the humoral anti-rabies immune response.

Paracoccidioidomycosis: A comparative study of the evolutionary serologic, clinical and radiologic results for patients treated with ketoconazole or amphotericin B plus sulfonamides

A comparative study of two groups of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis was carried out with the objective of comparing the evolutionary serologic, clinical and radiologic results after 6, 12, 15 and 18 months of treatment with ketoconazole (22 patients) or amphotericin B plus sulfonamides (32 patients). The serologic data analyzed as a whole showed a tendency to sharper drops in antibody titers in the patients treated with ketoconazole. Clinically patients treated with ketoconazole fared better but the differences were not statistically significant. No statistical difference was detected between groups in terms of the results of radiologic evolution. © 1985 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers.

A comparative study of the efficiency of a pro-biotic and the anti-K99 and anti-A14 vaccines in the control of diarrhea in calves in Brazil.

A total of 99 pregnant cows were divided into eight groups submitted to the following treatments: group I (n = 29) consisted of unvaccinated cows whose calves did not receive a probiotic and was used as control. Group II (n = 10) consisted of vaccinated cows whose calves did not receive a probiotic. Groups III, IV and V (n = 10 neach) consisted of vaccinated cows whose calves received a probiotic for 5, 15 and 30 days, respectively. Groups VI, VII and VIII (n = 10 each) consisted of unvaccinated cows whose calves received a probiotic for 5, 15 and 30 days, respectively. Each animal in the vaccinated groups received two 5.0 ml vaccine doses containing pili K99 and A14 of Escherichia coli by the subcutaneous route. The probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus at the dose of 2.0 x 10(8) live cells in 250 ml milk, was administered orally. All animals were observed clinically and bacteriologically and anti-K99 and anti-A14 antibody titers were determined in serum and colostrum. Mean calf weight was measured at birth and at 30 days of age. The results showed that a combination of the vaccine with the probiotic administered for 15 and 30 days was the most efficient treatment for the control of diarrhea.

Evaluation of an indirect ELISA method for the detection of chicken antibodies against infectious bronchitis virus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Staphylococcal carriage and antibodies to toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 in Brazilian women

A study of 215 women from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Botucatu, Brazil, was conducted to reveal possible clues why toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is seldom diagnosed in Brazil. Of the 215 women, 79 were colonized with Staphylococcus aureus either in the nasal passages and/or in the vaginal area, which is comparable to the colonization of individuals in the developed countries Thirteen of the women were colonized with S. aureus that produced toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), the toxin responsible for the majority of cases of TSS. Eleven strains produced enterotoxin B, the only enterotoxin implicated in TSS, primarily in non-menstrual TSS. Enterotoxin A was produced by 15 strains and is commonly associated with the production of TSST-1, but has not been implicated in TSS. Seven strains produced enterotoxin D and one strain produced enterotoxin C, but these have not been implicated in TSS. Only 9 women used tampons which may be a major reason for the lack of menstrual TSS in Brazil, Only two of the 49 women whose sera were examined for the presence of antibodies to TSST-1 had no or very low antibody titers, the major protection against the development of TSS, both menstrual and non-menstrual TSS. This is a lower percentage than has been observed in the developed countries. Although another possibility for the lack of TSS in Brazil is the failure to recognize the disease, however, the results of this limited study indicate the importance of low usage of tampons and the high percentage of individuals with antibodies to TSST-1. The socioeconomic backgrounds of the participants were of little significance.

Utilização do método de aglutina ção direta e da reação de imunofluorescência indireta na detecção de anticorpos para Toxoplasma gondii em cavalos naturalmente infectados

Infection by Toxoplasma gondii in equines is usually not apparent, it being characterized by presence of antibody titers and tissue cysts. This study was aimed at verifying the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in equine serum by modified agglutination test (MAT) and reaction to indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). 1984 samples of serum were examined, by MAT, using whole formalin fixed tachyzoites of T.gondii as antigen. The samples reacting in the MAT test, and 150 other negative samples, chosen at random, were also tested by IFAT, utilizing anti-equine IgG. The association among the test results was verified by the McNemar test. 138 samples were positive in the MAT test, with 60 (46.38%) presenting reaction at a dilution of 1:64; 52 (37.7%) at 1:256; 19 (13.8%) at 1:1024; five (3.6%) at 1:4096; and two (1.45%) at 1:16384. Of 132 positive MAT samples, 14 were negative in the IFAT test, but the statistical analysis indicated general agreement in results of the tests. The results obtained showed agreement among the tests utilized, and the possibility of participation of equines in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to carnivorous animals, and also to humans.

Evaluation of IFA, MAT, ELISAs and immunoblotting for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs

The study evaluated the efficiency of diagnostic laboratory methods to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs. 18-mixed breed pigs were used during the experiment; these were divided into two groups, G1 (infected group, n = 10) and G2 (uninfected group, n = 8). Infection was performed with 4 × 10 4 VEG strain oocysts at day 0 by the oral route in G1 animals. All pigs were euthanized at day 60, when retina, aqueous humour, and blood samples were collected. Anti-T. gondii antibody levels were assessed in serum (s) and aqueous humour (ah) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), modified agglutination test (MAT), m-ELISA (using crude membranes from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen) and r-ELISA (using rhoptries from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen). Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) of samples from the retina were performed by using Tox4 and Tox5 primers. Antibody titers of G1 animals ranged from 128 to 1024 and from 16 to 256 in serum and aqueous humour, respectively. There were differences in the correlation coefficients between IFA(s) × IFA (ah) (r = 0.62, P = 0.05), MAT(s) × MAT (ah) (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001); however, there was no significant difference between r-ELISA(s) × r-ELISA (ah) (r = 0.14, P = 0.7). Antibodies present in serum and aqueous humour recognized similar antigens. Samples of retina were positive by PCR in 30% (3/10) of infected pigs. G2 animals remained without antibody levels and were PCR negative throughout the experiment. These results suggest that the use of a combination of tests and immunoblotting for paired aqueous humour and serum samples could improve the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the state of virus carrier of newcastle disease in budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus)

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

Infecção experimental em carcarás (Caracara plancus, Miller, J. F., 1777) com Toxoplasma gondii (amostra ME49)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Resposta sorológica de bezerras da raça Tabapuã recém-vacinadas com amostra B19 de Brucella abortus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência da resposta vacinal contra o herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) nos parâmetros reprodutivos de vacas receptoras de embrião

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Monitoração da ocorrência do Vírus Respiratório Sincicial Bovino (BRSV) em plantéis leiteiros infectados pelo Herpesvírus Bovino Tipo 1 (BoHV-1)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo de parâmetros clínicos e imunitários da vacinação contra a doença de Newcastle e sua importância epidemiológica em Agapornis (Agapornis roseicollis)

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

Estudo de parâmetros clínicos, imunitários e do proteinograma sérico da vacinação contra a doença de Newcastle em gansos-da-China (Anser cygnoides): pesquisa do estado portador do vírus e sua importância epidemiológica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)