Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of propolis on Fasciola gigantica and Clostridium novyi type B infections in sheep

@#The use of natural products for disease control is a promising approach to solving the problem of drug resistance. The aim of the research reported here was to evaluate the fasciolicidal and anti-Clostridium novyi type B activities of propolis administered orally to sheep infected with Fasciola gigantica and C. novyi type B. Sheep infected with both pathogens were divided into two groups: an infected treated group and an infected non-treated group. The treatment was oral administration of 50 mg propolis extract/kg daily for 15 days. The body weight of the sheep, fecal egg counts of F. gigantica, serum levels of F. gigantica IgG, concentrations of cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17), and bacterial counts of C. novyi were evaluated. Following treatment, the sheep had increased body weight and a significant decrease in the egg count, which was reduced by 54.54% at 15 days post treatment. The level of anti- Fasciola IgG increased, whereas levels of IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17 decreased in propolistreated sheep. Treatment of sheep with propolis produced a significant reduction in fecal count of C. novyi, from 8 × 109 to 3 × 103 colony units per gram at 15 days post treatment. This research highlights the therapeutic potential of Egyptian propolis extract as a treatment against F. gigantica and C. novyi type B infections, and investigated its mode of action through its effect on some cellular and humoral responses in sheep with both infections.

Therapeutic effect of Moringa oleifera and Thymus vulgaris oils against hepatic coccidiosis in experimentally infected rabbits

@# The present study was conducted to detect the therapeutic effect of Moringa oleifera and Thymus vulgaris oils on hepatic coccidiosis in experimentally infected rabbits. Also, immunomodulatory effect of the two oils was detected. Twenty-four Newzealand rabbits were used in this study and divided into 4 groups; healthy rabbits, experimentally infected rabbits with Eimeria stiedae oocysts, and two infected treated groups (one with moringa (200 mg/kg) and the other with thyme (500 mg/kg) oils). The results showed highly significant reduction in oocysts shedding (P<0.001 and P<0.05) in the two infected and treated rabbits than the infected non-treated rabbits in almost all days post infection (PI). Thyme oil was more potent and stopped oocysts shedding earlier at the day 34 PI compared to moringa oil at the day 41 PI. Microscopically, there was a damage in the oocysts shed by treated rabbits. Macroscopically, the livers of thyme oil treated rabbits showed more enhancement with protection percentage 75% than those treated with moringa oil in which protection percentage was 55%. The highest titer of antibodies was detected in moringa oil treated rabbits. It was concluded that both moringa and thyme oils had an anti-coccidial effect with thyme oil superiority. So, thyme oil could be useful as an alternative product for the control of rabbit coccidiosis.

A manobra de Brandt & Daroff modificada na reabilitaçäo da vertigem postural / Modified Brandt & Daroff maneuver in postural vertigo rehabilitation

A vertigem é um dos sintomas mais freqüentes na otoneurologia clínica. Acomete mais de 33 por cento das pessoas em alguma época de sua vida, aflige 47 por cento dos homens e 61 por cento das mulheres com mais de 70 anos de idade. A vertigem em determinadas posições da cabeça e do corpo ou as mudanças de posições é muito comum, e ocorre diante de uma excitação anormal do labirinto.As características mais comuns dos pacientes vertiginosos são: insegurança, limitações nas atividades da vida diária, tendência ao isolamento social e ansiedade. A reabilitação vestibular é necessária para reintegrar o indivíduo ao ambiente, restabelecendo sua autoconfiança, por meio de exercícios que facilitem a compensação vestibular. Os tratamentos podem ser realizados por meio da reabilitação vestibular, medicamentos e cirurgia. No presente estudo, 22 pacientes com queixa vestibular de vertigem postural foram submetidos à avaliação otorrinolaringológica, audiométrica e vestibular, e posteriormente encaminhados para um programa de reabilitação vestibular no Setor de Equilibriometria da Disciplina de Otoneurologia da UNIFESP-EPM. Todos os pacientes foram orientados quanto aos hábitos e dietas alimentares, exercícios posturais (Manobra de Brandt & Daroff modificada) para serem realizados diariamente em casa, e comparecimento ao setor após 30 dias para reavaliação. Observou-se melhora sintomatológica relevante em mais de 80 por cento dos pacientes, tendo sido possível concluir que esta manobra foi eficaz no tratamento da vertigem postural.