PCR-based identification of Mycobacterium murphy causing Canine Leproid Granuloma Syndrome in Niterói, southeast Brazil - case report / Identificação baseada em PCR de Mycobacterium murphy causando Síndrome do Granuloma Lepróide Canino em Niterói, sudeste do Brasil ˗ Relato de Caso

Canine Leproid Granuloma Syndrome (CLGS), also known as canine leprosy, is a cutaneous nodular infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium sp.. Despite being reported worldwide, it is still quite unknown and underdiagnosed. Diagnosis may be achieved by cytopathology or histopathology of skin lesions, but identification of the infectious agent is complex, since bacterial in vitro growth is not possible, relying upon molecular techniques such as PCR to confirm Mycobacterium DNA in the sample. We report a CLGS case in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, diagnosed by cytopathology and submitted to molecular identification of the agent. PCR amplification of hsp65 gene was performed and revealed 100% genetic homology to M. murphy strain. This is the first CLGS report with molecular identification in Rio de Janeiro state, and this finding should raise awareness about CLGS as a differential diagnosis among granulomatous skin diseases in this region.(AU)

A síndrome de granuloma leproide canino (SGLC), também conhecida como lepra canina, é uma doença infecciosa cutânea nodular causada por Mycobacterium sp. Apesar de ser relatada mundialmente, ainda é bastante desconhecida e subdiagnosticada. O diagnóstico pode ser conseguido por citopatologia ou histopatologia de lesões cutâneas, mas a identificação do agente infeccioso é complexa, uma vez que o crescimento in vitro bacteriano não é possível, dependendo de técnicas moleculares como a PCR para confirmar o DNA de Mycobacterium na amostra. Relatou-se um caso da SGLC em Niterói, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, diagnosticado por citopatologia e submetido à identificação molecular do agente. Foi realizada amplificação por PCR do gene hsp65, que revelou 100% de homologia genética com a cepa M. murphy. Este é o primeiro relato da SGLC com identificação molecular no estado do Rio de Janeiro, o que mostra a importância de se acrescentar a SGLC ao diagnóstico diferencial das doenças granulomatosas de pele nessa região.(AU)

Cholesterol and phospholipids content of yolk from fertilized and unfertilized hen eggs

Three lipid-containing (granules, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and infranatant) of fertilized and unfertilized yolks were obtained from hen eggs, either from commercial sources or from Arbor acres henskept by the Pena Branca Aviario Pernambuco and utilized fresh (laid during the previous 7 days). Total cholesterol (TC) and total phospholipid (TP) levels (mg/g yolk, reported as means ñ SD) were determined. In the yolk granules (insoluble fraction) the levels of TC (2.05 ñ 0.36) and TP(0.90 ñ 0.43) of fertilized egg yolks were similar to the levels of TC (2.20 ñ 0.4) and TP (0.90 ñ 0.14) of unfertilized eggs. The levels TC in the LDL from fertilized egg yolks (8.29 ñ 1.63) were not statistically different from those in unfertilized eggs (7.31 ñ 1.50). In contrast, TC was not detected in the infranatant fraction of unfertilized egg yolks, but was present in the infranatant fraction (1.39 ñ 0.69) of fertilized eggs. The TP levels of LDL (0.73 ñ 0.23) and infranatant (0.32 ñ 0.09) fractions of fertilized egg yolks were significantly lower than the levels of TP in the LDL (1.73 ñ 0.51) and infranatant (0.79 ñ 0.59) fractions of unfertilized eggs. Consequently, the TC/TP ratio (mol/mol) increased in the LDL and infranatant fractions of fertilized egg yolks when compared to unfertilized egg yolks. TC levels were similar in the total yolks TC levels were similar in the total yolk of fertilized (10.76 ñ 1.32) and unfertilized (10.33 ñ 1.77) eggs, while the TP levels were significantly lower in the fertilized (1.92 ñ 0.17) than in unfertilized (3.43 ñ 0.97) eggs. These results suggest a transfer of TC from the LDL to the infranatant fraction and a large consumption of TP during the fertilization process