Pheno and genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus, isolated from bovine milk samples from São Paulo State, Brazil

In the present study, 87 Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from milk samples of 87 cows with mastitis in 6 different municipal districts of 2 regions of São Paulo State, Brazil, were compared pheno and genotypically. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of the strains was performed, and PCR was carried out to detect genes for a number of staphylococcal cell surface proteins, exoproteins, and 3 classes of agr genes. Nine distinct S. aureus lineages (LA-LI) were identified by PFGE. The lineages LA and LE, which accounted together for 63 strains (72.2%), were prevalent and had been collected from all of the 6 municipal districts, indicating a broad geographic distribution of these lineages; LB, LC, LD, LF, LG, LH, and LI, however, were isolated sporadically and accounted for 24 strains (27.8%). Some characteristics, like penicillin resistance and the presence of cap8 and agr class II genes, were associated with the prevalent lineages (LA and LE), and penicillin susceptibility and the presence of cna and cap5 genes were associated with sporadic lineages. According to the present results, some S. aureus lineages possess a combination of genes that confer the propensity to cause and disseminate infection, and only a limited number of clones are responsible for the cases of bovine mastitis on the various farms. © 2004 NRC Canada.

The condition factor of fishes from two river basins in São Paulo state, Southeast of Brazil

This work describes the relative condition factor of the Hypostomus strigaticeps, Astyanax altiparanae, Astyanax scabripinnis, Astyanax fasciatus, Astyanax sp1., Characidium aff. zebra, Piabina argentea, Hypostomus ancistroides, Hypostomus sp1., Parodon tortuosus, Serrapinus heterodon, and Bryconamericus sp., of the APA of São Pedro and Analândia (22°-23°S and 47°30'-48°30'W). The condition factor provides information about the physical state of the animal in the environment. In order to compare different species, the relative condition factor was used. Variations in this factor were correlated with variations through the year and with subsequent alterations in the physiological state of the fishes. The relative condition factor was shown to be efficient in indicating changes in fish condition throughout the year.

Isolation of Mycobacterium gordonae from poultry slaughterhouse water in São Paulo State, Brazil

Water samples (24 untreated water, 12 treated water and 24 served water) used in different stages of the slaughter process were examined to identify a possible source of pathogenic mycobacteria. The isolates were identified based on microscopy, morphological and biochemical features, mycolic acid analysis and molecular method - PCR-restriction-enzyme analysis. Eighteen mycobacterial strains were isolated from 60 water samples: 11 from untreated water, 5 from treated water and 2 from served water. All mycobacteria isolated were identified as Mycobacterium gordonae and showed the following PRA genotypes: III (27.8%), IV (38.9%) and V (33.3%).

Age-age correlation for early selection of rubber tree genotypes in São Paulo State, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fitoterapia no sistema de saúde pública (SUS) no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Phytotherapy is a form of familiar treatment throughout the world and recommended by the World Health Organisation to be used in all regions, especially in the poorer countries, to improve the state of health of their people. The aim of this study was to describe the use of herbal medicine as an alternative therapy in the public health system in Sao Paulo State. The fieldwork consisted in obtaining information, from all the Regional Health Authorities in the State, about which municipal health areas use this therapy and sending them a questionnaire requesting details about the application of phitotherapy: when the therapy had been adopted, which plants were used, whether the programme had been discontinued or not and if so, for what reason. The cities that use the phytotherapy are: Campinas; Canas; Guaratingueta; Herculandia; Piquete; Pindamonhangaba; Roseira e Sao Jose do Barreiro, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Lourenço da Serra, Cruzeiro e Dobrada. And the three plant more used are: Guaco (Mikania glomerate); Calendula (Calendula officinalis) e Babosa (Aloe vera) The lack of support has led some Authorities to discontinue their active in 08 programmes. Nevertheless, it is concluded that the efficacy and low cost of herbal treatments has engendered a growing interest among health professionals in placing proposals for implanting this therapy in 13 cities in the Municipal Health. Thus, there should be growing practical support for the establishment of such programmes in the future.

Serological profile of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in apparently healthy dogs of the city of Botucatu, São Paulo state, Brazil

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a coccidian protozoan of worldwide distribution. The seroprevalence in canine population can be an alternative for measuring T. gondii urban spreading. A total of 780 blood samples from dogs were collected, during the yearly anti-rabies campaign, carried out by the Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry (FMVZ), São Paulo State University, UNESP, together with the county health authorities, in August 1999. Using Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for detecting antibodies anti-T. gondii in the sera samples, we observed that 258 dogs (33.1%) were positive. The associations between the serological results and the epidemiological variables were studied. Statistically significant differences were not found regarding sex (32.2% male and 34.3% female reactors). Dogs without a defined breed showed seropositivity statistically higher than the pedigreed group. The occurrence of infection was considered higher with age.

Diversity of the ichthyofauna in the Serra do Mar State Park- Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Sáo Paulo State, Brazil

The aim of this work was to assess and compare the diversity of the ichthyofauna in three headwater rivers of Paraíba-do-Sul basin in the Serra do Mar State Park, Núcleo Santa Virgínia. A total of 1,774 specimens of 16 species of fishes belonging to 6 families were caught. Characiforms were the most abundant fish at all three sites, followed by Cyprinodontiformes, Siluriformes, and Perciformes. The Shannon index (H′), evenness (E), and the Jaccard and Morisita-Horn similarity indexes were low, indicating both low diversity and low similarity of species among the three streams. The values of these indexes should be evaluated according to the biotic and abiotic conditions in each environment. It is clear that in mountain streams of the Atlantic Forest, these low values occur because of the presence of a few abundant and many rare species.

Prevalência de tracoma cicatricial em Botucatu - Estado de São Paulo

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of cicatricial trachoma in a population-based sample at Botucatu city-Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study with randomized clustered sampling of households was conducted in the urban area of the city of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. The sample was estimated in 3000 person having been appraised 2554 patient (85,1% of the intended sample) from which 2339 had more than 10 year old at the research time. All the participants were submitted to ophthalmologic examination and the data were statistical analyzed. Results: Three cicatricial trachoma carriers were detected. So, the prevalence of this affection is Botucatu city is 0,13%, affecting mainly over 40'th and having trichiasis. Conclusion: Nevertheless the low prevalence rate of cicatricial trachoma in our region, to prevent trachoma blindness is the cicatrical form of the disease is very important to treat the trichiasis.

Frequency of rhabdiasid nematodes in wild Crotalus durissus terrificus (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Botucatu region, São Paulo State, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of rhabdiasid nematodes in recently captured Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes from São Paulo State, Brazil. Fifty snakes (34 males and 16 females) were studied and each one was evaluated for the presence of that nematode at the moment of receipt at the Institution and after 90 days of quarantine inside individual cages. Tracheopulmonary washes were examined. Snakes that died during quarantine underwent necropsy and lung examination. Analysis of the results obtained at the two evaluation times (0 and 90 days), in addition to the data obtained during necropsies, showed that 44% (18 males and 4 females) of the C. d. terrificus snakes were naturally infected by rhabdiasid nematodes. These data demonstrate the parasitism level in natural conditions and are important for the sanitary handling of these reptiles in captivity.

Environmental parameters and antimicrobial susceptibility of enterobacteriaceae isolated from estuarine waters of São Vicente, São Paulo State, Brazil

Diseases transmitted by water consists a serious public health problem and enterobacteria are the main group of microorganisms responsible for outbreaks in humans. Such pathogenic bacteria proliferate in water polluted by domestic and industrial sewage and reach the population through seawater contact. The aim of the present work was to study environmental parameters as well as to identify Enterobacteriaceae species and their antimicrobial susceptibility in water samples collected from the estuarine area of São Vicente city (São Paulo State, Brazil). Strains were identified by using traditional biochemical tests described in literature and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out using the disk diffusion method. Out of 26 samples, Escherichia coli was the most frequent species (40.1%), followed by Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Klebsiella. The most effective drugs against the tested microorganisms were gentamycin, netilmicin, ciprofloxacin and cefepime. Since these bacteria are commonly found in seashore contaminated by sewage effluents, it can be concluded that estuarine waters of São Vicente are polluted and potentially capable of causing diseases and spreading pathogenic bacteria to human communities.

Incidence and transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum in primiparous females from Bos indicus slaughtered in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

To produce an epidemiological map of neosporosis in Brazil and identify the types of transmission of this disease, the present study evaluated the occurrence of Neospora caninum in Nelore cattle (Bos indicus) in Presidente Prudent, west region of Sao Paulo state; its vertical transmission; and the early stage in which fetuses are infected. To achieve this, serum samples from 518 slaughtered pregnant heifers and their fetuses were tested by ELISA technique and fetal brain tissues subjected to PCR. One hundred and three heifers (19.88%) had antibodies to N. caninum, as well as 38 (36.8%) of fetuses from 4 months of gestation. The conventional PCR failed to detect N. caninum DNA. These findings show that neosporosis occurs in the area studied and that it may be transmitted the transplacental route, althought N. caninum had not detected in brain tissue from non-aborted fetuses. The use of nested PCR it would be applied to increase the sensitivy of test.

Functional feeding habits of Chironomidae larvae (Insecta, Diptera) in a lotic system from Midwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil

Functional feeding habits of Chironomidae larvae (Insecta, Diptera) in a lotic system from Mid-western region of São Paulo State, Brazil were analyzed. Collectors were the dominant organisms, repre-sented by genera Chironomus, Fissimentum and Cryptochironomus, following by shredders and predators.

Highlights from the I international symposium of thrombosis and anticoagulation in internal medicine, October 23-25, 2008, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The importance of thrombosis and anticoagulation in clinical practice is rooted firmly in several fundamental constructs that can be applied both broadly and globally. Awareness and the appropriate use of anticoagulant therapy remain the keys to prevention and treatment. However, to assure maximal efficacy and safety, the clinician must, according to the available evidence, choose the right drug, at the right dose, for the right patient, under the right indication, and for the right duration of time. The first International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation in Internal Medicine was a scientific program developed by clinicians for clinicians. The primary objective of the meeting was to educate, motivate and inspire internists, cardiologists and hematologists by convening national and international visionaries, thought-leaders and dedicated clinician-scientists in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This article is a focused summary of the symposium proceedings. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.

Proposição e validações de equações para estimativa da erosividade de dois municípios do estado de São Paulo

The equations and extrapolation use to localities whose characteristics of soil and climate, even if partial, distinguish the town to which they were generated, still permeate in studies to estimate the rainfall erosivity (EI 30). This work has objective to propose and validate mathematical equations to estimate the rainfall erosivity of two cities of Sao Paulo State's. The adjusted to estimate obtaining and validate data of equations of erosivity (EI 30) according to values of coefficient of rain (Rc) were obtained from pluviographic and pluviometric rainfall data, respectively, using of distinct historical rainfall series. Mutiple comparisions test and confidence intervals were performed to compare absolute average of EI 30, pluviometric data (Pp), and Rc. The correlation between EI 30 and Rc was verified by of Pearson correlation coefficient. Test of the hypothesis of equality between population variance was used to compare the equations. Pluviometrics data of historical series rainfall data different than those that the models were generated were used to validate and to assess the performance of the equations, proposed of this study and compare them with another equation already consolidated in literature. The results show that for the conditions under which the study was conducted, the simple linear equations, shown to be the most appropriate to estimate the rainfall erosivity these two cities. According to the test of the hypothesis of equality variances between populations, the equations adjusted for each city differ statistically so that the rainfall erosivity of each city must be estimated by their respective equation.