Estudo da reatividade cruzada em amostras de soro de cães positivos para Leishmania sp., Babesia canis e Ehrlichia canis, pelo ensaio imunoenzimático indireto e pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta

To verify the presence of cross-reaction among leishmaniosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis in serological diagnostics used in human visceral leishmaniasis control programs, serum samples from leishmaniasis endemic and non-endemic areas were collected and tested by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFAT) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All serum samples from endemic areas were positive for Leishmania sp., by ELISA and IFAT, 51% positive for Babesia canis and 43% for Ehrlichia canis by IFAT. None of the serum samples from non-endemic areas were positive for Leishmania sp., by IFAT, but 67% were positive for B. canis and 78% for E. canis using the same test. When tested by ELISA for Leishmania sp., four samples from non-endemic area were positive. These dogs were then located and no clinical signs, parasites or antibody was detected in new tests for a six month period. Only one of these 4 samples was positive for B. canis by IFAT and ELISA and three for E. canis by IFAT. The results of the work suggest a co-infection in the endemic area and no serological cross-reaction among these parasites by IFAT and ELISA.

Utilização de extratos de plantas medicinais e óleo de Eucaliptus no controle in vitro de Microsporum canis

INTRODUCTION: Microsporum canis is the most common cause of canine and feline dermatophytosis and thus has an important zoonotic role. OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to determine the antifungal action of medicinal plant extracts and of eucalyptus oil against pathogenic fungus Microsporum canis. METHODS: the extracts were prepared by mixing 300 g of previously washed leaves with 450 mL of distilled water. Then the material was triturated, filtered, sterilized and conserved at 10 + 2 oC. Fifteen milliliters of sterilized medium Sabouraud dextrose (Difco) at a temperature of 55 + 1 oC was added in Petri dishes containing the extracts in one, two, three, four and five mm concentrations. The fungus was inoculated once the medium was solidified. The inoculated dishes were maintained in B.O.D. incubator at 36 ± 0,5 oC until the fungus developed in the controls. RESULTS: the extracts from Punica granatum, Mangifera indica and Eucalyptus spp reduced the growth of fungus, but the extracts from Cymgopogom nardus, Tagetes minuta, Ruta graviolens, Cyperus rotundus, Annona moricata and Calendula spp leaves and flowers boosted the growth of fungus. The other extracts and the eucalyptus oil neither show any fungicidal action nor encourage mycelium growth. CONCLUSIONS: the use of most tested extracts and eucalyptus oil is not suitable for the treatment of Microsporum canis dermatophytosis due to lack of inhibitory effects. The extracts from Cymgopogom nardus, Tagetes minuta, Ruta graviolens, Cyperus rotundus, Annona moricata and from of Calendula spp leaves and flowers help the development of the fungus making clear that phytotherapy should be properly used, otherwise it can worsen the problem. However; extracts from Mangifera indica, Punica granatum and Eucalyptus spp. can be used as fungistatic.

Rough virulent strain of Brucella ovis induces pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in reproductive tissues in experimentally infected rams

The ovine brucellosis caused by Brucella ovis has tropism for reproductive tissues but until now the mechanism of bacterial persistence is not understood. Cytokine expression profiles were studied for 8 months in rams after being experimentally infected with the rough virulent strain of B. ovis (R- B. ovis) to study the pathogenesis of B. ovis and immune mechanism possibly associated to bacteria tropism and persistence. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-γ (INF-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) cytokines were quantified by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in reproductive tissues (epididymus, testicles, ampolae, vesicular glands and bulbourethral glands), and non-reproductive (liver, spleen and kidneys) tissues at 30, 60, 120 and 240 days post infection (dpi). During the acute phase of infection at 30. dpi, the host immune response was most notable demonstrating an up-regulation of several cytokines in reproductive tissues, including the epididymus (IL-6, IL-1β and IL-1α), testicles (INF-γ and IL-12), bulbourethral glands (IL-6 and TNF-α) and ampolae (INF-γ, IL-10, IL-1β and IL-1α). During the development of infection, cytokine gene expression levels decreased, providing evidence of immunosuppression and evidence of immune evasion that favoured persistence of chronic R- B. ovis infection. During the chronic phase of R- B. ovis infection (120 and 240. dpi), cytokine production was down-regulated in the epididymus (IL-1β and IL-1α), testicles (INF-γ and IL-12), and ampolae (INF-γ, IL-10, IL-1β and IL-1α), with the exception of the bulbourethral glands (IL-6 and TNF-α) and epididymus (IL-6); in these tissues, R- B. ovis infection resulted in up-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Herein, we report cytokine expression profiles in tissues of rams experimentally infected with the rough strain of B. ovis, which are associated with bacterial persistence and macrophage activation. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Brucella ovis REO 198 natural and experimental infection in Santa Inês rams from Brazil

B. ovis pathogenicity was evaluated in experimentally inoculated and naturally infected rams. Ten animals were submitted to simultaneous conjunctival and intrapreputial inoculation with 2x109 CFU/ mL of B. ovis REO 198. After that, animals underwent physical examination and blood samples were collected for serology every week. Positive serology results started to be observed in the 3rd week, with fluctuations in titers. Clinical changes began in the 5th week after inoculation and were associated with positive serology in the acute phase of the disease. Presence of B. ovis in semen and urine culture was intermittent. Three non-inoculated animals showed natural infection. B. ovis was shed twice in semen of one serology-negative animal. The study underscored the pathogenic characteristics of B. ovis REO 198 in Santa Inês rams, as well as the importance of animals as potential sources of infection.

Increase nitric oxide and oxidative stress in dogs experimentally infected by Ehrlichia canis: Effect on the pathogenesis of the disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate nitric oxide levels, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and glutathione reductase activity in serum of dogs experimentally infected by Ehrlichia canis. Banked serum samples of dogs divided into two groups were used: negative control (n=5) and infected by E. canis (n=5). The concentration of nitrite/nitrate (NOx), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity in sera were evaluated. Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 6, 18 and 30 post-infection (PI). NOx and TBARS levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the infected group at 18 and 30 days PI, as well as AOPP levels at 30 days PI when compared to samples from control group. The GR activity was significant (P<0.05) increased in serum of dogs infected by E. canis on days 18 and 30 PI. Based on the increased levels of NOx, TBARS, AOPP and GR activity we concluded that dogs experimentally infected by E. canis develop a state of redox imbalance and that these changes might be involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Brucella ovis: InvasãO, tráfego, fatores de virulência e resposta imune

Brucellosis remains an economic problem in animals and public health. Worldwide ovine brucellosis caused by Brucella ovis is considered a major cause of infertility in sheep. The factors responsible for persistence of the agent are not known, as well as the mechanisms involved in immune defense and possibly the persistence of the agent. Brucella spp. induces moderate inflammatory response. The nature of the intracellular agent stimulates immune response of the type 1 helper T lymphocytes. Studies of the pathogenesis of ovine brucellosis are scarce. Recent developments have shown that the inflammatory response induced by moderate brucelas represent probably the result of an attempt to escape the immune response and suppression of host immune response. Were reviewed by the mechanisms described by brucelas and Brucella ovis for penetration into the host, escape of the immune response and the immune response generated by the infection.

Craniometria em cães (Canis familiaris). Aspectos em crânios mesaticéfalos

In this study, a total of 25 skulls of the adult, mongrel and mesaticephalics dogs were used. Craniometric measurements for different parts of the skull were made. Cephalic indices and ratios were calculated. Certain points and landmarks on the skull are recognized in making linear measurements and are inion, bregma, nasion, prosthion, pogonion, basion, euryon, and zygion. Skull height (41,92 mm ± 3,9), skull length (177,72 mm ± 16,22), neurocranium (96,84 mm ± 7,25), viscerocranial (79,24 mm ± 8,72), basal length (140,24 mm ± 12,21), condylobasal (149,32 mm ± 12,21), snout (69,84 mm ± 7,07), nasals (50,08 mm ± 6,77), mandibular (129,88 mm ± 16,3), and of palatal (76,84 mm ± 7,01); width of neurocranium (62,24 mm ± 3,8), and zygomatic (95,44 mm ± 7,85) were obtained. Therefore, were calculated cranial index (53,83 mm ± 3,36), neurocranium (64,48 mm ± 4,69), facial (121,06 mm ± 9,18), basal (44,64 mm ± 4,17), width of the jugular processes (41 mm ± 4,2), of occipital condyles (35,48 mm ± 3,21), and of the foramen magnum (17,48 mm ± 2,27); height of the occipital triangle (38,28 mm ± 3,35), of the foramen magnum (14,36 mm ± 1,07); length of the dorsal notch (16,1 mm ± 1,12), and foramen magnum index (83,71 mm ± 14,44). Although with some differences in measurements, no significant difference was observed between the dimensions and reported to mesaticephalic skulls.

Identificação e análise de polimorfismos no gene que codifica a Lectina ligante de Manose (MBL) na espécie Canis lúpus familiaris

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Pelvimetria radiográfica em diferentes raças de fêmeas caninas adultas (Canis familiaris-LINNAEUS, 1758)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos do meloxicam e do carprofeno administrados por diferentes vias no controle da uveíte em cães (Canis familiaris - Linnaeus, 1758)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito da suplementação de cisteína e cisteamina sobre a maturação nuclear de oócitos de fêmeas caninas (Canis familiaris) obtidos por ovariosalpingo-histerectomia durante a fase pré-ovulatória do estro

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação dos parâmetros espermáticos e caracterização do perfil bioquímico do plasma seminal de cães (Canis familiaris – LINNAEUS, 1758) com hiperplasia prostática benigna, tratados com toxina botulínica A

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

Histologia e morfometria do aparelho reprodutor de fêmeas submetidas à ovariosalpingo-histerectomia (Canis familiaris, Linnaeus, 1758)

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

Alterações clínicas, protéicas do humor aquoso, sorológicas e histopatológicas em olhos de cães (Canis familiaris) (Linnaeus, 1758), infectados experimentalmente, por via conjuntival, com Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi (Cunha & Chagas, 1937)

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Efeito da acupuntura e eletroacupuntura na contração gástrica em cães (Canis familiaris)

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ