Morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular study of renal lesions in canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL)

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is an anthropozoonosis characterized by a clinically chronic progressive disease. Non lymphoid organs are also affected, especially the kidneys. Dogs with leishmaniasis usually die with renal failure despite treatment. Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in kidney tissue sections has low sensitivity for parasite identification. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are efficient methods for Leishmania sp. antigen and DNA detection in cases of low parasite burden. The present study aims to identify renal lesions of CVL and correlate them with microscopic findings determined by histochemistry, IHC and PCR. Both IHC and PCR provided similar positivity for amastigote identification, 3/20 animals (15%), thus increasing detection of the parasite in renal tissues when compared with histopathologic examination. The lesion most commonly observed with visceral leishmaniasis-positive canine kidney tissue was membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, followed by interstitial nephritis without correlation to the number of amastigotes.

Vacinas contra Leishmaniose: uma revisão

Leishmania is a protozoan belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae, obligate intracellular parasite cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. In the New and Old World several orders of wild mammals (natural reservoirs) and various species of sandflies (vectors) are involved in the transmission of leishmaniasis. The new settlements in rural areas, changes in the environment and unplanned urbanization increased human contact with vector and interaction with the animal reservoir. A simple prophylactic measure seems to be the vector control as well as disease reservoir. With the goal of raising the prophylactic measures that are being used in vector control, the reservoir of the disease and what the infrastructure accordingly. We conducted a literature review in July 2011 in the electronic databases of Bireme, Medline, CancerLit, Portal Capes, SciELO, PubMed and Medscape, the main texts on the subject. Thus, the development of a vaccine that is effective against various forms of leishmaniasis in the old and new world, it is necessary and has been recommended by WHO as a possible tool for effective eradication of the disease.

Increase of leishmanicidal and tubercular activities using steroids linked to aminoquinoline

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

Leishmanicidal activity of different parts from Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC.) Bureau (Bignoniaceae)

Infections by protozoans of the genus Leishmania are the major worldwide health problem, with high endemicity in developing countries. The drugs of choice for the treatment of leishmaniasis are the pentavalent antimonials, which exert renal and cardiac toxicity. Thus, there is a strong need for safer and more effective treatments against leishmaniasis. The present study was designated to evaluate, by a bioguided assay, the leishmanicidal activity of hidro-ethanolic extracts from different parts (leves, caule and root) of one same plant the Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC.) Bureau. Its has been used to relieve general pain, painful joints and kidney stones in Brazilian folk medicine. Nevertheless, scientific information regarding this species is scarce; there are no reports related to its possible leishmanicidal activity. The leves extract presented the best activity on promastigotes forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, when compared to the other extracts. It showed significant activity on Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Our results are promising, showing that these compounds are biologically active on Leishmania (L.) amazonensis.

Leishmanioses: estado da arte

There is no vaccine available against leishmaniasis. Drug resistance, variable efficacy, toxicity, parenteral administration, and requirement for long courses of administration are the main drawbacks of current leishmanicidal drugs. Infections by protozoans of the genus Leishmania are the major worldwide health problem, with high endemicity in developing countries. The drugs of choice for the treatment of leishmaniasis are the pentavalent antimonials, which exert renal and cardiac toxicity, thus, there is a strong need for safer and more effective treatments against leishmaniasis.

Atividades de educação em saúde sobre leishmaniose visceral para escolares

This study aimed at evaluating the knowledge on visceral leishmaniasis gained after the application of an educative project for the 6th and 7th grade students from three public schools of Birigui, SP, Brazil. A questionnaire before (Phase I) and after (Phase II) activities that comprehended one conference by a health agent, a comic contest and one crossword about VL was used to measure scholar’s knowledge. We interviewed 711 students in Phase I and 693 in Phase II. A criterion of VL knowledge was adopted as “Good”, “Medium” and “Bad” when, out of 10 questions analyzed by Item Response Theory, 10 to 8, 7 to 4, and 3 to 0 were right, respectively. We observed a statistically significant increase in the students’ knowledge level after the educational project, since the number of students with “Good” concept changed from 35.7% (Phase I) to 59.7% (Phase II). The educational activities carried out led to gains in knowledge among students suggesting that continuing education can bring good results to public health.

Leishmaniose visceral no Brasil

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is among the most important vector-borne diseases that occur in Brazil, mainly due to its zoonotic nature. It is currently present in almost all Brazilian territory, and its control is a challenge both for veterinarians and for public health officials. The etiologic agent is Leishmania infantum (syn chagasi), and the main vector in Brazil is Lutzomyia longipalpis. Of all animals identified as reservoirs of VL, the dog is considered the most important domestic reservoir. Although the disease has already been identified in cats, the epidemiological role of this animal species is still unclear. This article presents a brief review of the epidemiological situation of the disease, its mode of transmission, clinical features in dogs and cats as well as possible risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease in Brazil.

Leucograma e metabolismo oxidativo dos neutrófilos de cães com leishmaniose visceral antes e após o tratamento com Antimoniato de Meglumina e Alopurinol

Leukogram and neutrophil oxidative metabolism from dogs with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were compared before and after treatment with meglumine antimoniate (AM) and with an association of meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol (AMA). The results obtained demonstrated that neutrophils of dogs with VL do not lose their capacity of reducing NBT and that oxidative metabolism has been more active in the majority of the cases. After treatment with AM and AMA, dogs with VL presented a redution of neutrophils oxidative metabolism, suggesting that this decrease was related with the decrease in the number of parasites and a probable inhibitor effect of these drugs on neutrophils oxidative metabolism.

Caracterização espacial e epidemiológica da ocorrência de infecção por agentes de enfermidades transmissíveis em carnívoros selvagens e domésticos de uma área de Mata Atlântica e de floresta artificial no estado do Paraná

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Perfil de citocinas do padrão Th1, Th2, Th17 e o estado redox de indivíduos com leishmaniose visceral pré e pós tratamento

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização morfológica, perfil químico, atividade biológica e conservação in situ do gênero Lychnophora Mart. (Asteraceae: Vernonieae: Lychnophorinae), Brasil

Many people who live in the cerrado regions use plant species for therapeutic purposes. However, due to intensive extraction of some species, native botanical populations are at risk of disappearing or suffering a dramatic decrease, such as, for instance, individuals of the Lychnophora genus. This has 24 species distributed into the categories vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, and possibly extinct. These individuals are known in folk medicine as “arnica” and their leaves and flowers are commonly used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and healing agents. The chemical profile of the genus is characterized by the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, polyacetylenes, and caryophyllene derivatives which also have lignans with analgesic activity. Studies with Lychnophora species show significant results with regard to their biological activities against Leishmania amazonensis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Tripanosoma cruzi. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a survey of the morphology, chemical composition, and biological activity, as well as the use and current conservation status of the Lychnophora genus in Brazil.

Filmes de borracha natural com nanopartículas de prata e pontos quânticos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudos parasitológicos em cães domésticos errantes e carnívoros selvagens generalistas no Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu

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

Ocorrência da leishmaniose visceral em cães e gatos em abrigos de animais de Ilha Solteira, SP

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

Leishmaniose visceral e o sistema nervoso central: inflamação nas infecções natural canina e experimental em camundongos: Guilherme Dias de Melo. -

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