Parasitos de importância para a caprinocultura e a ovinocultura potiguar

The goat and sheep industry shows up as an agricultural activity of great importance for the semiarid Northeast. However, the sheep and goats production is made with various difficulties. Among them, parasitic infections, particularly helminth infections of the gastrointestinal tract, the eimeriosis and toxoplasmosis; this one related to problems in reproduction. For this reason, the aim of this study is to to make a survey of the occurrence and some determinants of parasitic diseases that affect small ruminant flocks of the microregions Natal, Macaíba, Litoral Sul, Angicos, Vale do Açu and Borborema Potiguar. Thereunto, epidemiological tools were applied with producers, keepers or guardians of herds and also held collections of blood and feces of animals in eight properties located in seven municipalities of these microregions. The parasite load of the animals was determined through eggs and oocysts counting per gram of feces EPG and OPG, respectively. In addition, the recovery of infective larvae was made. Blood samples were used to measure the globular cell volume and the search for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG in sheep serum, by Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA). For categorical variables, the statistical analysis was performed using Poisson regression, with significance level of 0.05. The analysis of the instruments showed that ivermectin is the anthelmintic used in 85,71% of properties. From the total of feces samples of the sheep (n = 179), 53,07% were positive for helminth eggs and 48,04% were positive for oocysts of Eimeria. From the samples of faeces of goats (n = 133), 72,18% were positive for helminth eggs and 96,99% for oocysts of Eimeria. The lowest EPG and OPG count was observed in the micro region of Angicos. Most of the EPG count was found in the micro region Litoral Sul and the OPG count in the micro-region Borborema Potiguar. Both cases the difference was statistically significant(p- value0,000)The most prevalent helminth genus found was Haemonchus, present in 49,87% of the sheep and 80,42% of goats. The average of hematocrit ranged from 22,91 to 33,25 in sheep and from 22,62 to 28,25 in goats. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG ranged from 63,33% to 100,00%. The goats showed to be more susceptible to infections by parasites of the gastrointestinal tract than the sheep. In all the properties was observed high prevalence of infection by T. gondii, with the lowest percentages recorded in the micro regions Angicos and Borborema Potiguar.

Utilização de peptídeos sintéticos derivados de moléculas imunodominantes de Toxoplasma gondii para diagnóstico sorológico da toxoplasmose em ovinos e galinhas caipiras

Chapter I - The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects humans and generates economic losses in farm animals. When prevention fails disease refers to the diagnosis and subsequent treatment if the individual is diagnosed as positive. Therefore, the development of new accurate diagnostic tools for detecting T. gondii infection is a need in particular to determine the environmental source of infection which can result in more appropriate public health policies against different routes of infection and prevent potential damage that toxoplasmosis can cause when animals are infected. Chapter II - The domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) are considered epidemiological sentinels, still representing a major source of recombinant strains when predated by cats, it is common to find them with multiple infections. We evaluate the diagnostic potential of six synthetic peptides (SAG2Y, MIC1, M2AP, GRA10, ROP2 and ROP7) predicted in silico from tachyzoites immunodominant markers of T. gondii in samples from naturally infected chickens, comparing synthetic peptides with antigen total soluble (STAg). In general, our results demonstrated that reactivity rates and positivity for these peptides are similar to the STAg, and the ROP7 peptide and the combination of peptides MIC1+ROP2 have significant sensitivity, confirming them as potential diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in chickens. Chapter III - Sheep (Ovis aries) are commonly infected with Toxoplasma gondii due to his eating habits. Infection in pregnant sheep can have serious consequences such as embryonic death, fetal resorption, mummification, and neonatal death. One concern regarding the infection in these animals is that the meat can be a source of contamination to humans and other carnivores. Therefore perform accurate diagnosis in these animals is of fundamental importance. In the present study we evaluated the potential of new synthetic peptides as a diagnostic tool. Synthetic peptides (SAG2Y, SRS52A, MIC14, GRA4, GRA10 and GRA15) were predicted in silico from immunodominant proteins of T. gondii. We determine the levels of IgG antibodies using sera obtained from two farms in the city of Uberlândia. Analyzing the results together, the peptide combination GRA10+GRA15 (Accuracy = 0,82) showed better characteristics compared with the other mixtures. This preparation could be better analyzed with an antigenic mixture potential use in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in sheep and other species.

Enrofloxacina e toltrazuril reduzem a infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em células trofoblásticas humanas e em explantes de vilos placentários humanos de terceiro trimestre

The classical treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis is based on combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine plus folinic acid. Due to teratogenic effects and bone marrow suppression caused by pyrimethamine, the establishment of new therapeutic targets is indispensable to minimize the undesirable effects and improve the control of the infection. Previous studies demonstrated that enrofloxacin and toltrazuril were able to control the infection triggered by Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Therefore, the aim of this present study was evaluate the efficacy of enrofloxacin and toltrazuril in the control of T. gondii proliferation in human trophoblast cells (BeWo lineage) and in human villous explants from third trimester. BeWo cells and villous were treated with several concentrations of enrofloxacin, toltrazuril, sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine or association (sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine) in other to verify their viability by MTT or LDH assay, respectively. Next, BeWo cells were infected with T. gondii RH (2F1 clone) or ME49 strain, whereas villous were infected only with RH strain (2F1 clone), after, both cells and villous were treated or not with the same antibiotics and analyzed to T. gondii intracellular proliferation by beta-galactosidase assay (for RH strain) or blue toluidine staining (for ME49 strain). ELISA was performed in the supernatant to evaluate the cytokine profile. Enrofloxacin and toltrazuril did not change strongly the viability in cells and villous. Furthermore, the drugs decreased the parasite intracellular proliferation regardless T. gondii strain in BeWo cells and villous explants when compared to untreated and infected conditions. In BeWo cells infected by RH, enrofloxacin induced high levels of IL-6 low levels of MIF, while both cytokines were upregulated by enrofloxacin and toltrazuril in BeWo cells infected by ME49 strain. Additionally, in villous explantes, enrofloxacin induced high MIF production. Thus, enrofloxacin and toltrazuril were able to control the parasitism in BeWo cells and villous explants, and probably it occurs by modulation of immune response in these cells or tissues and direct action on parasite, but future experiments are necessary to verify this hypothesis.

Seawater carbonate chemistry and biological processes of zooplankton Amphiascoides atopus and Schizopera knabeni during experiments, 2010

Increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations are causing greater dissolution of CO2 into seawater, and are ultimately responsible for today's ongoing ocean acidification. We manipulated seawater acidity by addition of HCl and by increasing CO2 concentration and observed that two coastal harpacticoid copepods, Amphiascoides atopus and Schizopera knabeni were both more sensitive to increased acidity when generated by CO2. The present study indicates that copepods living in environments more prone to hypercapnia, such as mudflats where S. knabeni lives, may be less sensitive to future acidification. Ocean acidification is also expected to alter the toxicity of waterborne metals by influencing their speciation in seawater. CO2 enrichment did not affect the free-ion concentration of Cd but did increase the free-ion concentration of Cu. Antagonistic toxicities were observed between CO2 with Cd, Cu and Cu free-ion in A. atopus. This interaction could be due to a competition for H+ and metals for binding sites.

The relationship of E. coli and total coliform culture to the quantitative molecular detection of various fecal indicators, sources, and pathogens in private drinking water wells

Water remains a predominant vector for human enteric pathogens not just for developing countries but also developed nations, where numerous infectious disease outbreaks, linked to the contamination of drinking water have been documented. Private drinking water wells are a source of drinking water that is largely unstudied even though a significant percentage of the population in Ontario relies on wells as their primary water source. As there exists little to no systematic surveillance for enteric infections or outbreaks related to well water sources, these individuals may be at higher risk of waterborne infectious diseases. The relationships between various fecal indicators in the water of private drinking water wells, including E. coli, Total Coliforms (TC) and Bacteroides, and enteric pathogens, including Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella spp., and Shiga toxin producing E. coli, were studied. Convenience private well water samples collected from various regions of interest during the summer of 2014 underwent membrane filtration and culture to determine quantities of E. coli and TC colony forming units. 289 E. coli positive and 230 TC-only waters were successfully analyzed by individual qPCR assays for the aforementioned enteric pathogens. Microbial source tracking methods targeted to specific Bacteroides were used to determine the source of fecal contamination as either human or bovine. The source of fecal contamination varied by geographic region and is thought to be due to such things as differences in septic tank density and underlying geology, among others. Fecal indicators, E. coli and Bacteroides, were significantly correlated. E. coli as measured by qPCR was more strongly correlated to both total and human-specific Bacteroides genetic markers than culturable E. coli. Lastly, 1.9% of samples showed molecular evidence of contamination with enteric pathogens. Although low, this finding is significant given the limited volume of water available for testing, and suggests a potential health risk to consumers. Knowing the extent of contamination, as well as the biologic source, can better inform risk assessment and the development of potential intervention strategies for private well water in specific regions of Ontario.

Infección de transmisión vertical por Toxoplasma gondii: seguimiento de los hijos de mujeres con primoinfección en una institución de asistencia médica colectiva; 2010-2015

La toxoplasmosis congénita (TC) afecta 1 a 2 niños cada 1.000 nacimientos al año. La mayoría de los recién nacidos infectados son asintomáticos pero la ausencia de tratamiento puede determinar secuelas oftalmológicas y neurológicas. Objetivo: describir el seguimiento de los hijos de mujeres con primoinfección por Toxoplasma gondii durante el embarazo derivados a una Policlínica de Infectología de la Médica Uruguaya entre diciembre de 2010 y mayo de 2015. Material y método: se incluyeron los hijos de mujeres con primoinfección por T.gondii durante el embarazo entre el 1 de diciembre de 2010 y el 31 de mayo de 2015. Se confirmó primoinfección mediante determinación inmunoenzimática de IgG e IgM específicas, complementada por IgM por inmunofluorescencia indirecta o test de avidez de IgG según el caso. El diagnóstico de infección congénita se realizó por la presencia de IgM o títulos de IgG estables o en aumento en los primeros 9 meses de seguimiento del niño. Resultados: se diagnosticó primoinfección en 34 mujeres. La mayoría controló adecuadamente el embarazo y ninguna presentó infección por VIH, sífilis o Chagas. Se confirmó TC en 3 niños nacidos a término, con peso adecuado, hijos de mujeres con primoinfección adquirida en el tercer trimestre y tratadas con espiramicina. Uno presentó coriorretinitis, los otros fueron asintomáticos. En todos la IgM fue negativa, el diagnóstico se confirmó con curva de IgG. Todos recibieron piremetamina, sulfadiazina y ácido folínico sin efectos adversos. A la fecha continúan en tratamiento y seguimiento dos de los tres niños. Discusión y conclusión: la captación temprana de la mujer embarazada, la indicación oportuna de medidas de prevención constituyen pilares fundamentales para reducir la TC. El tratamiento oportuno y adecuado puede prevenir las secuelas.

Applications for nanomaterials in critical technologies

This thesis is devoted to the development, synthesis, properties, and applications of nano materials for critical technologies, including three areas: (1) Microbial contamination of drinking water is a serious problem of global significance. About 51% of the waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States can be attributed to contaminated ground water. Development of metal oxide nanoparticles, as viricidal materials is of technological and fundamental scientific importance. Nanoparticles with high surface areas and ultra small particle sizes have dramatically enhanced efficiency and capacity of virus inactivation, which cannot be achieved by their bulk counterparts. A series of metal oxide nanoparticles, such as iron oxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles and iron oxide-silver nanoparticles, coated on fiber substrates was developed in this research for evaluation of their viricidal activity. We also carried out XRD, TEM, SEM, XPS, surface area measurements, and zeta potential of these nanoparticles. MS2 virus inactivation experiments showed that these metal oxide nanoparticle coated fibers were extremely powerful viricidal materials. Results from this research suggest that zinc oxide nanoparticles with diameter of 3.5 nm, showing an isoelectric point (IEP) at 9.0, were well dispersed on fiberglass. These fibers offer an increase in capacity by orders of magnitude over all other materials. Compared to iron oxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles didn’t show an improvement in inactivation kinetics but inactivation capacities did increase by two orders of magnitude to 99.99%. Furthermore, zinc oxide nanoparticles have higher affinity to viruses than the iron oxide nanoparticles in presence of competing ions. The advantages of zinc oxide depend on high surface charge density, small nanoparticle sizes and capabilities of generating reactive oxygen species. The research at its present stage of development appears to offer the best avenue to remove viruses from water. Without additional chemicals and energy input, this system can be implemented by both points of use (POU) and large-scale use water treatment technology, which will have a significant impact on the water purification industry. (2) A new family of aliphatic polyester lubricants has been developed for use in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), specifically for hard disk drives that operate at high spindle speeds (>15000rpm). Our program was initiated to address current problems with spin-off of the perfluoroether (PFPE) lubricants. The new polyester lubricant appears to alleviate spin-off problems and at the same time improves the chemical and thermal stability. This new system provides a low cost alternative to PFPE along with improved adhesion to the substrates. In addition, it displays a much lower viscosity, which may be of importance to stiction related problems. The synthetic route is readily scalable in case additional interest emerges in other areas including small motors. (3) The demand for increased signal transmission speed and device density for the next generation of multilevel integrated circuits has placed stringent demands on materials performance. Currently, integration of the ultra low-k materials in dual Damascene processing requires chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) to planarize the copper. Unfortunately, none of the commercially proposed dielectric candidates display the desired mechanical and thermal properties for successful CMP. A new polydiacetylene thermosetting polymer (DEB-TEB), which displays a low dielectric constant (low-k) of 2.7, was recently developed. This novel material appears to offer the only avenue for designing an ultra low k dielectric (1.85k), which can still display the desired modulus (7.7Gpa) and hardness (2.0Gpa) sufficient to withstand the process of CMP. We focused on further characterization of the thermal properties of spin-on poly (DEB-TEB) ultra-thin film. These include the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), biaxial thermal stress, and thermal conductivity. Thus the CTE is 2.0*10-5K-1 in the perpendicular direction and 8.0*10-6 K-1 in the planar direction. The low CTE provides a better match to the Si substrate which minimizes interfacial stress and greatly enhances the reliability of the microprocessors. Initial experiments with oxygen plasma etching suggest a high probability of success for achieving vertical profiles.

Fever, Hemiparesis and Hyponatraemia in a 63-year-old. HIV, another Great Masquerader?

The authors describe the unusual case of a 63-year-old patient who was referred with fever and lethargy, and was found to be hyponatraemic. The patient subsequently developed hemiparesis, and neuroradiology showed several space-occupying brain lesions. The cause was later identified as cerebral toxoplasmosis in undiagnosed Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Avaliação transcricional de Glutationas -transferases em PEIXE-ZEBRA (Danio rerio) e alterações causadas pela exposição á Microcistina-LR

As Microcistinas são heptapeptídios cíclicos produzidos como metabólitos secundários por diferentes espécies de cianobactérias, sendo relevantes pelo seu potencial hepatotóxico. Peixes apresentam estratégias bioquímicas para detoxificar contaminantes ambientais, incluindo a ativação de enzimas de fase II de biotransformação, que incluem as isoformas de glutationa S-transferase (GST). As GST catalizam a conjugação de glutationa reduzida (GSH) com uma variedade de xenobióticos, incluindo as microcistinas. O presente estudo avaliou os níveis transcricionais de quinze isoformas de GST a fim de identificar isoformas possivelmente envolvidas na detoxificação de contaminantes ambientais como a microcistina-LR (MC-LR) em Danio rerio. A técnica de PCR em tempo real (RT-qPCR) foi utilizada para avaliação dos níveis transcricionais, permitindo análise das GST em diferentes órgãos, abundância e a ativação/repressão das isoformas de GST pela exposição à MC-LR. Foram avaliados os possíveis efeitos causados em brânquia e fígado após exposição por 24 hs às concentrações de 5 µg.L-1 e 50 µg.L-1 de MC-LR. Baseado nos scores de estabilidade para oito genes normalizadores, foram selecionados glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (g6pdh), β-actina1 e beta-2-microglobulina (b2m); b2m, alfa-tubulina 1 (tuba) e β- actin1; e tuba, b2m e g6pdh, para normalização dos níveis trancricionais de GST para distribuição órgão-específica, abundância e efeito da MC-LR em brânquia e fígado, respectivamente. A avaliação transcricional da distribuição órgão-específica revelou níveis significativos de gstal e gstk1.1 no fígado; gstp1 e gstp2 em brânquia; mgst3a, gstr1, gstm2, gstm33, gstp1, gstp2 e gstk1.1 no intestino; gstm2, gstm3 e gstal no olho e gstt1a e gsta2.1 no cérebro. Considerando os níveis de transcritos para um dado órgão, gstk1.1, gstal, gstp1 e gstt2 foram mais abundantes nos órgãos de detoxificação, tais como o fígado, brânquias e intestino, enquanto gstt1a e gsta2.1 foram mais abundantes no rim. Em brânquia, gsta2.1 e gstt1b foram reprimidas por 5 µg.L-1 de MC-LR e mgst1.1 foi reprimida em 50 µg.L-1 de MC-LR. No fígado, as isoformas gst2.2 e gstp2 foram reprimidas em ambas as concentrações, gstal foi reprimida em 5 µg.L-1, e gstt1a e gstk1.1 foram reprimidas em 50 µg.L-1 de MC-LR. As isoformas gstal, gstr1, gstp1, mgst3a, gstm1, gstm2 e gstm3 não foram alteradas pela exposição a MC-LR. Os resultados obtidos fornecem informações para a escolha de isoformas específicas de GST possivelmente envolvidas na detoxificação/toxicidade de MC-LR, a serem melhores caracterizadas ao nível protéico e também contribui para a escolha de genes normalizadores a serem utilizados em outros estudos da mesma natureza

The possible identification and introduction of metallothionein in Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)

Due to anthropogenic activities, toxic metals still represent a threat for various marine organisms. Metallothionein (MT) and cadmium concentration in gills, liver, and kidney tissues and cadmium partitioning in soluble (cytosol) and insoluble fractions of mentioned tissues of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) were determined following exposure to sub-lethal levels of waterborne cadmium (Cd) (50, 400 and 1000 μg L-1) after 1, 2, 4 and 14 days. The increases of MT from background levels in comparison to controls were 4.6-, 3-, and 2.8-fold for kidney, liver, and gills, respectively after 14 days. The matallothionein concentration in liver was in the range of 56.89-168.44 μgL-1 and for kidney and gills, 39.78-189.30 and 28.15-91.20 μgL-1, respectively. The results showed that MT level change in the kidney is time and concentration dependent. Also, cortisol measurement revealed elevation at the day 1 of exposure and that followed by MT increase in the liver. Cd concentrations in the cytosol of experimental tissues were measured and the results indicated that Cd levels in the cytosol of liver, kidney, and gills increased 240.71-, 32.05-, and 40.16-fold, respectively 14 days after exposure to 1000 μgL-1 Cd. The accumulation of Cd in cytosol of tissues is in the order of liver > gills > kidney. Spearman correlation coefficients showed the MT content in kidney is correlated with Cd concentration, the value of which is more than in liver and gills. Thus, kidney can be considered as a tissue indicator in Acipenser persicus for waterborne Cd contamination. Also, tissue metal accumulations (gills, liver, kidney and muscle) in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) were compared following exposure to sublethal levels of waterborne Cd (50, 400 and 1000 μg L-1) after periods of 1, 2, 4 and 14 days. Meanwhile, the trends of Cd concentration increase in different tissues during the exposure periods and concentrations were modelled as equations. The obtained results indicate that at the end of 4 and 14 days of exposure, total tissue cadmium concentration followed the pattern: liver> gill> kidney> muscle. Calculation of bioconcentration factor (BCF) after 14 days exposure showed that at low and high concentrations, highest BCFs were found in kidney and liver, respectively. According to the results, the accumulation capacity of muscle was the lowest at all exposure concentrations. The hematological parameters including osmolarity, total protein, cortisol and glucose of plasma were measured, too. Total protein of plasma was in the range of 416.90-1068.10 mg dl-1 plasma.Total protein decreased not significantly (P≥0.05) after exposure to Cd. Cortisol increased after 1 day exposure that followed by significant (P≤0.05) elevation of glucose. The range of cortisol was very vast and it was determined between 0.03 to 16.21 ng mL-1. The content of plasma osmolarity was in the range of 282.33-294.20 mOsmol L-1.Osmolarity of treated fish plasma showed no significant decrease (P≥0.05). Total protein in gills, liver, and kidney showed that at high concentrations of metal, protein content decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in the liver after 4 and 14 days exposure. Thus, total protein of liver and glucose of plasma can be used as general biomarkers of exposure to Cd. Also, the metallothionein and cadmium were measured in gills, kidney and liver of 8 wild Persian sturgeon caught in coast of Guilan Province. According to the results, the concentration of metallothionein was in the range of 45.87-154.66 microgram per liter with the maximum and minimum concentrations in liver and gills, respectively. The trend of cadmium concentration in cytosol of tissues was: liver> kidney> gills. The results of Spearman correlation test showed that there was a significant positive correlation between metallothionein and cadmium in cytosol of liver (r2= 0.850, p≤ 0.01). In the kidney, the correlation between cadmium and metallothionein was significantly positive (r2= 0.731, p≥ 0.05). But there was not such significant correlation in the gills (p≥ 0.05).

Caracterização transcricional dos genes CTR1 e ATP7B no peixe Poecilia vivipara: efeitos do cobre e da salinidade

Em peixes, o cobre (Cu) é absorvido a partir da água, via branquial, e pela ingestão de água e alimento, via gastrintestinal. Para evitar reações não específicas prejudiciais e suprir proteínas dependentes de Cu, existem transportadores específicos, como as proteínas de absorção de alta afinidade ao Cu (CTR1) e as Cu-ATPases (ATP7), que auxiliam na translocação intracelular do metal. No presente estudo, os genes CTR1 e ATP7B foram identificados em Poecilia vivipara e os seus transcritos foram quantificados por RT-qPCR nas brânquias, no fígado e no intestino de guarús expostos (96 h) ao Cu (0, 5, 9 e 20 µg/L) em água doce e salgada (salinidade 24). Foram identificadas novas sequências nucleotídicas dos genes CTR1 (1560 pb, completa) e ATP7B (617 pb, parcial), as quais tiveram altos valores de identidade com as descritas para Fundulus heteroclitus (CTR1=81%) e Sparus aurata (ATP7B=81%). A análise por RT-qPCR indicou níveis de transcrição para CTR1 e ATP7B em todos os tecidos analisados. Em guarús na água doce, a maior expressão da CTR1 e da ATP7B se deu no fígado. Em guarús na água salgada, a maior expressão da CTR1 ocorreu no intestino, enquanto a da ATP7B se deu no fígado e intestino. Na água doce, a exposição ao Cu aumentou o conteúdo branquial e hepático de Cu, diminuiu os transcritos de CTR1 e ATP7B nas brânquias e aumentou os transcritos destes genes no fígado, sem alterar o conteúdo corporal de Cu. Na água salgada, a exposição ao Cu aumentou o conteúdo de Cu e diminuiu o transcrito de ATP7B no intestino, sem alterar o conteúdo corporal de Cu nos P. vivipara. Estes resultados indicam que a homeostasia do Cu em P. vivipara envolve a redução da expressão do CTR1 e ATP7B nas brânquias (água doce) e intestino (água salgada) para limitar a absorção do Cu e o aumento da expressão destes genes no fígado (água doce) para facilitar o armazenamento e desintoxicação do Cu.

Cerebro-meningeal infections in HIV-infected patients: a study of 116 cases in Libreville, Gabon.

Background: Cerebro-meningeal pathology is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the aetiology is often difficult to ascertain with certainty. Objective: To describe the major suspected and identified causes of meningeal or encephalitic syndromes in HIV infection in Libreville, Gabon. Methods: A descriptive study using clinical records of patients hospitalised in the Department of Medicine in the Military Hospital of Libreville (Gabon) between January 2006 and May 2010. Clinical features were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression to evaluate association with the outcome of a clinical improvement or death. Results: The most frequent neurological symptoms were reduced level of consciousness (54.3%), headache (55.2%), motor deficit (38.7%), and convulsions (36.2%). Cerebral toxoplasmosis represented 64.7% of diagnoses, followed by cryptococcal neuromeningitis in 12.9% of cases. Tuberculoma was diagnosed in 4 cases and lymphoma in 2 cases. In 9.5% of cases, no aetiology was determined. Toxoplasmosis treatment led to clinical improvement in 69.3% of cases with suspected cerebral toxoplasmosis. Overall mortality was 39.7%. Conclusion: The diagnosis of neurological conditions in HIV positive patients is difficult, particularly in a low-resource setting. A trial of treatment for toxoplasmosis should be initiated first line with all signs of neurological pathology in a patient infected with HIV.

ATTACHMENT, GROWTH AND PERSISTENCE OF CRONOBACTER ON GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON FILTERS

Several Cronobacter outbreaks have implicated contaminated drinking water. This study assessed the impact of granular activated carbon (GAC) on the microbial quality of the water produced. A simulated water filter system was installed by filling plastic columns with sterile GAC, followed by sterile water with a dilute nutrient flowing through the column at a steady rate. Carbon columns were inoculated with Cronobacter on the surface, and the effluent monitored for Cronobacter levels. During a second phase, commercial faucet filters were distributed to households for 4-month use. Used filters were backwashed with sterile peptone water, and analyzed for Cronobacter, total aerobic plate count, coliform bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae. Cronobacter colonized the simulated GAC and grew when provided minimal levels of nutrients. Backwashed used filters used in home settings yielded presumptive Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and other waterborne bacteria. Presumptive Cronobacter strains were identified as negative through biochemical and genetic test.

Análisis de la capacidad diagnóstica de zoonosis neurológicas de tipo viral en équidos en Cundinamarca

Tesis (Médico Veterinario). -- Universidad de La Salle. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Programa de Medicina Veterinaria, 2014

Determinación de la prevalencia serológica de brucella abortus, toxoplasma gondii, sarcocystis spp y los factores de riesgo asociados en estudiantes de medicina veterinaria de la Universidad de la Salle

Tesis (Médico Veterinario). -- Universidad de La Salle. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Programa de Medicina Veterinaria, 2013