Influence of environmental enrichment on the behavior and physiology of mice infected by trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Enriched environments normally increase behavioral repertoires and diminish the expression of abnormal behaviors and stress-related physiological problems in animals. Although it has been shown that experimental animals infected with microorganisms can modify their behaviors and physiology, few studies have evaluated how environmental enrichment affects these parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on the behavior and physiology of confined mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODS: The behaviors of 20 T. cruzi-infected mice and 20 non-infected mice were recorded during three treatments: baseline, enrichment, and post-enrichment. Behavioral data were collected using scan sampling with instantaneous recording of behavior every 30s, totaling 360h. Plasma TNF, CCL2, and IL-10 levels and parasitemia were also evaluated in infected enriched/non-enriched mice. Behavioral data were evaluated by Friedman's test and physiological data by one-way ANOVA and area under the curve (AUC) analysis. RESULTS: Results showed that environmental enrichment significantly increased exploratory behaviors and diminished inactivity. The use of environmental enrichment did not diminish circulating levels of TNF and IL-10 but diminished circulating levels of CCL2 and parasitemia. CONCLUSIONS: Positive behavioral and physiological effects of environmental enrichment were observed in mice living in enriched cages. Thus, environmental enrichment improved the welfare of these animals.

Arachnidism, scorpionism and ophidism in Ouro Preto Municipality, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION This retrospective study shows the profile of arachnidism, ophidism, and scorpionism in the Ouro Preto Municipality, Brazil, from January 2007 to December 2013. METHODS The data were gathered from forms of the Epidemiological Surveillance Sector of the town's Health's Municipal Secretary. RESULTS Of the 412 envenomations, 308 were caused by spiders, 78 by scorpions, and 26 by snakes. The highest number of incidents involved people aged 20-34 years. Females were more affected than males. There were no reports of death. CONCLUSIONS The results show that envenomations caused by spiders, scorpions and snakes have decreased in recent years.

Escorpionismo em Belo Horizonte, MG: um estudo retrospectivo / Scorpionism in Belo Horizonte, MG: a retrospective study

Scorpions, especially in urban areas, due to the great demographic density and confrontation possibility, represent a risk to the public health. Tityus serrulatus is the most important species, causing the highest number of accidents. This study intended to raise epidemic data and the occurrence of scorpionism in Belo Horizonte, between 1990 and 1997. The data were gathered from the records of Hospital de Pronto Socorro JoÒo XXIII. Of the 3265 cases, most occurred in 1996, of which six were fatal accidents. With greater incidence in January, the male sex, superior members and 25-65 year-old age group were the most affected. The results constitute an important tool for the control of scorpionism, since they delimit the areas most involved and the victims' profile, enabling more efficient and durable prevention educational campaigns.