MOLECULAR and SEROLOGICAL DETECTION of BABESIA SPP. IN NEOTROPICAL and EXOTIC CARNIVORES IN BRAZILIAN ZOOS

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

Detection of Leishmania (L.) chagasi in canine skin

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

Occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in goats and sheep in western Maranhão, Brazil

A neosporose e a toxoplasmose são doenças parasitárias que podem causar problemas reprodutivos em caprinos e ovinos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos IgG anti-Neospora caninum e anti-Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos e ovinos dos municípios de Amarante do Maranhão e Buritirana, microrregião de Imperatriz, Oeste maranhense, Nordeste do Brasil, bem como avaliar fatores associados à infecção por esses agentes etiológicos. Amostras de sangue de 110 animais (46 caprinos e 64 ovinos), provenientes de cinco propriedades, foram coletadas, e a reação de imunofluorescência indireta utilizada para o diagnóstico sorológico. Das 46 amostras de caprinos, 17,39% (n = 8) apresentaram anticorpos anti-N. caninum e 4,35% (n = 2) anti-T. gondii, enquanto das 64 amostras de ovinos, 4,69% (n = 3) e 18,75% (n = 12) apresentaram anticorpos anti-N. caninum e anti-T. gondii, respectivamente. Não houve diferença significativa, considerando-se a presença de gato e/ou cão na propriedade e assistência veterinária para ambos os agentes estudados. Entretanto, suplementação alimentar e presença de animais com problemas reprodutivos diferiram significativamente (p < 0,05) em ovinos e caprinos, respectivamente. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram que caprinos e ovinos, da região Oeste do Maranhão são expostos aos coccídios N. caninum e T. gondii. Essa é a primeira evidência desses agentes em pequenos ruminantes nessa região.

Classic and molecular study of Giardia duodenalis in children from a daycare center in the region of Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

O papel do mapeamento dúplex no diagnóstico da trombose venosa profunda assintomática dos membros inferiores

O diagnóstico da trombose venosa profunda sintomática está bem estabelecido com o uso do mapeamento dúplex, que apresenta sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 98%, para trombose venosa profunda proximal, e sensibilidade de 94% e especificidade de 75%, para distal. Na trombose venosa profunda recente e assintomática, o diagnóstico com o mapeamento dúplex ainda não está bem estabelecido, mostrando uma queda na acurácia desse método diagnóstico. Essa queda é devida ao fato de o trombo recente não ser oclusivo, apresentar a mesma ecogenicidade do sangue e uma consistência diminuída, prejudicando o teste da compressibilidade, que é o mais sensível para diagnóstico da trombose venosa profunda. Nesta revisão, serão revistos artigos publicados que avaliaram a acurácia do mapeamento dúplex no diagnóstico da trombose venosa profunda assintomática.

Kinematic analysis of Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers trotting on a treadmill

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

Canine Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors: Cellular Proliferation and KIT Expression as Prognostic Indices

Molecular assays are widely used to prognosticate canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCT). There is limited information about these prognostic assays used on MCT that arise in the subcutis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the utility of KIT immunohistochemical labeling pattern, c-KIT mutational status (presence of internal tandem duplications in exon 11), and proliferation markers-including mitotic index, Ki67, and argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNOR)-as independent prognostic markers for local recurrence and/or metastasis in canine subcutaneous MCT. A case-control design was used to analyze 60 subcutaneous MCT from 60 dogs, consisting of 24 dogs with subsequent local recurrence and 12 dogs with metastasis, as compared to dogs matched by breed, age, and sex with subcutaneous MCT that did not experience these events. Mitotic index, Ki67, the combination of Ki67 and AgNOR, and KIT cellular localization pattern were significantly associated with local recurrence and metastasis, thereby demonstrating their prognostic value for subcutaneous MCT. No internal tandem duplication mutations were detected in exon 11 of c-KIT in any tumors. Because c-KIT mutations have been demonstrated in only 20 to 30% of cutaneous MCT and primarily in tumors of higher grade, the number of subcutaneous MCT analyzed in this study may be insufficient to draw conclusions on the role c-KIT mutations in these tumors.

Measurement of thrombopoietic activity through the quantification of megakaryocytes in bone marrow cytology and reticulated platelets

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

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs from São Paulo State, Brazil

The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray dogs, and dogs with owners was investigated by fecal examinations from 271 dogs employing sedimentation, simple flotation and centrifugation-flotation methods. The centrifugation-flotation method, when compared to simple flotation or sedimentation methods was generally more accurate in the diagnosis of all intestinal parasites, but statistical differences were detected only in relation to Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. (synonym Isospora spp.). The following parasites, with their respective prevalence, were diagnosed in the fecal samples: Ancylostoma spp. (23.6%); Toxocara canis (5.5%); Trichuris vulpis (4.8%); Spirocerca lupi (1.9%); Dipylidium caninum (0.7%); Giardia spp. (12.2%); Hammondia heydorni (2.6%); Cystoisospora spp. (8.5%); and Sarcocystis spp. (2.2%). The prevalence of most parasites was similar for dogs of mixed-breed and for dogs of a defined-breed, except for Cystoisospora spp. and T canis which showed a significantly higher prevalence in mixed-breed dogs. The prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. (17.1%) was significantly lower in stray dogs than in those with an owner (31.9%) and the prevalence of Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. was higher in stray dogs (P < 0.05). No effect of season on the occurrence of the different parasite genera could be observed, except for Ancylostoma spp., for which an increase in the percentage of dogs shedding eggs was observed at the beginning of Summer with a peak occurrence during April and May (Autumn). The prevalence of Ancylostoma spp., T canis, T vulpis, Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. was higher in adult males than in adult females, but significant differences between the two groups occurred only with Giardia spp. Young animals were found to more frequently shed Nematode eggs in feces than adult animals. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of dog intestinal parasites and risk perception of zoonotic infection by dog owners in São Paulo State, Brazil

Coprological examination was used to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray and domiciled dogs from Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Risk factors for dog infection were assessed in relation to demographic, husbandry and management data. The dog owners completed a questionnaire survey on some aspects of dog parasitism such as parasite species, mechanisms of infection, awareness of zoonotic diseases and history of anthelmintic usage. Parasites were found in the faeces of 138 dogs, with an overall prevalence of 54.3%. Dogs harbouring one parasite were more common (31.4%) than those harbouring two (18.5%), three (3.2%) or four (1.2%). The following parasites and their respective frequencies were detected: Ancylostoma (37.8%), Giardia (16.9%), Toxocara canis (8.7%), Trichuris vulpis (7.1%), Dipylidium caninum (2.4%), Isospora (3.5%), Cryptosporidium (3.1%) and Sarcocystis (2.7%). Stray dogs were found more likely to be poliparasitized (P < 0.01) and presented higher prevalence of Ancylostoma, T. canis and Giardia (P < 0.01) than domiciled ones. Toxocara canis was detected more frequently in dogs with < 6 months of age (P < 0.05) and no effect of sex or breed could be observed (P > 0.05). Except for Ancylostoma, that showed a significantly higher prevalence in dogs living in a multi-dog household (P < 0.01), parasite prevalences were similar in single- and multi-dog household. The answers of dog owners to the questionnaire showed that the majority does not know the species of dog intestinal parasites, the mechanisms of transmission, the risk factors for zoonotic infections, and specific prophylactic measures. The predominance of zoonotic species in dogs in the studied region, associated with the elevated degree of misinformation of the owners, indicates that the risk of zoonotic infection by canine intestinal parasite may be high, even in one of the most developed regions of Brazil.

Leaf gas exchange and fruit yield in sweet orange trees as affected by citrus variegated chlorosis and environmental conditions

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

Caracterização fenotípica de leveduras isoladas da mucosa vaginal em mulheres adultas

OBJETIVO: caracterizar fenotipicamente leveduras isoladas do conteúdo vaginal de 223 mulheres adultas, sintomáticas (S) e assintomáticas (A) para vulvovaginite, e determinar os indicadores clínicos que possivelmente levam ao surgimento de sinais e sintomas relacionados ao acometimento da mucosa por essa patologia. MÉTODOS: inicialmente foi aplicado um questionário, com questões abertas e fechadas, sobre dados clínicos epidemiológicos. Logo, ocorreu o diagnóstico micológico com semeadura em meio Chrom Agar Candida, identificação micromorfológica e bioquímica. Métodos específicos para detecção de fatores de virulência, proteinase e fosfolipase foram empregados. A análise estatística das variáveis foi estabelecida utilizando os testes χ2 e χ2 de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Candida albicans foi a espécie mais prevalente (87%, S e 67%, A), seguida de Candida glabrata (4%, S e 17%, A). O número de mulheres que referiram adoção de anticoncepcionais foi mais alto entre as sintomáticas, 77%. Nos dois grupos estudados, em torno de 87% apresentaram ciclos menstruais regulares, 57% das mulheres eram casadas com idade entre 30 a 40 anos. em relação a práticas sexuais, houve para parte das pacientes, concomitância entre os hábitos, anal, oral e vaginal. em relação à fosfolipase, apenas Candida albicans produziu este fator de virulência em 37,5%. A proteinase foi detectada em Candida albicans, Candida glabrata e Candida parapsilosis. Esse último fator de virulência esteve associado, principalmente, a isolados de pacientes sintomáticas. CONCLUSÕES: a colonização e infecção da mucosa vaginal por levedura é real com diversas espécies de Candida presentes. No entanto, Candida albicans se destaca como espécie prevalente em mucosa vaginal de mulheres adultas. Fica evidente a emergência de espécies de Candida não albicans, algumas com resistência intrínseca aos azólicos, tais como Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, e Candida guillermondii, o que pode ser explicado pelo uso inadequado de medicamentos e tratamento empírico.

Periodontal disease characterization in dogs with normal renal function or chronic renal failure

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

Agarose gel electrophoresis of cerebrospinal fluid proteins of dogs after sample concentration using a membrane microconcentrator technique

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced in the cerebral ventricles through ultrafiltration of plasma and active transport mechanisms. Evaluation of proteins in CSF may provide important information about the production of immunoglobulins within the central nervous system as well as possible disturbances in the blood-brain barrier. Objective: the objective of this study was to measure the concentration and fractions of protein in CSF samples using a membrane microconcentrator technique followed by electrophoresis, and to compare the protein fractions obtained with those in serum. Methods: CSF samples from 3 healthy dogs and 3 dogs with canine distemper virus infection were concentrated using a membrane microconcentrator having a 0.5 to 30,000 d nominal molecular weight limit (Ultrafree, Millipore, Billerica, MA, USA). Protein concentration was determined before and after concentration. Agarose gel electrophoresis was done on concentrated CSF samples, serum, and serial dilutions of one of the CSF samples. Results: Electrophoretic bands were clearly identified in densitometer tracings in CSF samples with protein concentrations as low as 1.3 g/dL. The higher CSF protein concentration in dogs with distemper was mainly the result of increased albumin concentration. Conclusion: the microconcentrating method used in this study enables characterization of the main protein fractions in CSF by routine electrophoresis and may be useful for interpreting the underlying cause of changes in CSF protein concentrations

A comparison of one versus two appointment endodontic therapy in dogs' teeth with apical periodontitis

This study was conducted to observe the healing process in dogs' teeth with apical periodontitis after root canal treatment in one or two appointments. Premolars and anterior dogs' teeth had their root canals opened to the oral environment for 6 months before being treated. After root canal negotiation they were filled by the lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha points and Sealapex in one appointment or after a dressing with calcium hydroxide for 7 and 15 days. Six months after the treatment the animals were killed and the tissues prepared for histomorphological analysis. Scores attributed to the different histomorphological events were submitted to statistical analysis, which resulted in ranking the experimental groups from the best to the worst in the following way: (a) calcium hydroxide 14 days; (b) calcium hydroxide 7 days; and (c) one appointment. It was concluded that the use of a calcium hydroxide dressing helps to achieve better results (p < 0.01) than the treatment in one appointment.