Prevalence of ERG expression and PTEN loss in a Brazilian prostate cancer cohort

PTEN is the most commonly inactivated tumor suppressor gene in primary prostate cancer (PCa) and its loss is associated with poor clinical outcomes. ERG rearrangement is a genomic alteration frequently found in PCa and its prognostic significance has yielded mixed results. Although the association of PTEN and ERG biomarkers has potential impact on clinical outcomes, studies examining the two genes simultaneously are scarce in Brazilian populations. In this study, we retrospectively examined the relationship between ERG expression and PTEN loss in 119 surgically treated prostate cancer patients from Northeastern Brazil through immunohistochemical analysis. ERG expression was found in 41.0% (48/117) of cases and the loss of PTEN detected in 38.1% (40/105) of samples. ERG-positive cases were significantly associated with lower prostate weight; ERG negatively correlated with Gleason score above 6. The lack of associations for PTEN loss alone in this cohort is counter to the literature, which shows that PTEN loss is usually associated with more aggressive disease. The overlapping of the two biomarkers revealed that samples with positive ERG expression without PTEN loss were associated with lower Gleason and lower Grade group. This study contributes with the discussion about the development of the molecular profiling of prostate cancer. The further development of similar studies could help in stratifying specific risk groups, leading to a more personalized therapeutic decision for prostate cancer treatment.

Intestinal cell migration damage induced by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains

Epithelial cell migration is an essential response to enteric pathogens such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). This study aimed to investigate the effects of EPEC infection on intestinal epithelial cell migration in vitro, as well as the involvement of type III secretion system (T3SS) and Rho GTPases. Crypt intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) were infected with EPEC strains (E2348/69, ΔescF, and the LDI001 strain isolated from a malnourished Brazilian child) and commensal E. coli HS. Wound migration and cell death assays were performed at different time-points. Transcription and expression of Rho GTPases were evaluated using real-time PCR and western blotting. Overall, EPEC E2348/69 reduced migration and increased apoptosis and necrosis levels compared to EPEC LDI001 and E. coli HS strains. Moreover, EPEC LDI001 impaired cell migration at a higher level than E. coli HS and increased necrosis after 24 hours compared to the control group. The different profiles of virulence genes between the two wild-type EPEC strains, characterized by the absence of espL and nleE genes in the LDI001, might explain the phenotypic results, playing significant roles on cell migration impairment and cell death-related events. Moreover, the type III secretion system is determinant for the inhibition of intestinal epithelial cell migration by EPEC 2348/69, as its deletion prevented the effect. Active Rac1 concentrations were increased in E2348/69 and LDI001-infected cells, while the T3SS-deficient strain did not demonstrate this activation. This study contributes with valuable insight to characterize the mechanisms involved in the impairment of intestinal cell migration induced by EPEC.

Identification of pathogens and virulence profile of Rhodococcus equi and Escherichia coli strains obtained from sand of parks

The identification of pathogens of viral (Rotavirus, Coronavirus), parasitic (Toxocara spp.) and bacterial (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Rhodococcus equi) origin shed in feces, and the virulence profile of R. equi and E. coli isolates were investigated in 200 samples of sand obtained from 40 parks, located in central region of state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using different diagnostic methods. From 200 samples analyzed, 23 (11.5%) strains of R. equi were isolated. None of the R. equi isolates showed a virulent (vapA gene) or intermediately virulent (vapB gene) profiles. Sixty-three (31.5%) strains of E. coli were identified. The following genes encoding virulence factors were identified in E. coli: eae, bfp, saa, iucD, papGI, sfa and hly. Phylogenetic classification showed that 63 E. coli isolates belonged to groups B1 (52.4%), A (25.4%) and B2 (22.2%). No E. coli serotype O157:H7 was identified. Eggs of Toxocara sp. were found in three parks and genetic material of bovine Coronavirus was identified in one sample of one park. No Salmonella spp. and Rotavirus isolates were identified in the samples of sand. The presence of R. equi, Toxocara sp, bovine Coronavirus and virulent E. coli isolates in the environment of parks indicates that the sanitary conditions of the sand should be improved in order to reduce the risks of fecal transmission of pathogens of zoonotic potential to humans in these places.

Infecção toxoplásmica causa hipertrofia da parede do cólon de frangos / Toxoplasmic infecction causes hipertrophy of the chicken colon wall

Estudaram-se os efeitos da infecção toxoplásmica sobre a morfometria da parede intestinal, a distribuição de fibras colágenas e a dinâmica de mucinas secretadas no cólon de frangos. Foram utilizados 16 frangos machos de linhagem comercial, com 26 dias de idade. As aves foram distribuídas, aleatoriamente, em três grupos (G). As do G1 não receberam inóculo e se caracterizaram como grupo-controle; nas do G2, foram inoculados cistos teciduais da cepa ME49 de Toxoplasma gondii; e nos G3, oocistos da cepa M7741 de T. gondii. Após 60 dias da inoculação, os animais foram sacrificados para coleta do cólon, o qual foi submetido à rotina de processamento histológico. Em G2 e G3, observou-se hipertrofia da parede do cólon, contudo não houve alteração na proporção do número de células caliciformes e de enterócitos presentes no epitélio intestinal.

The effects of toxoplasmosis on the intestinal wall morphometry, the distribution of collagen fibers, and the dynamic of mucins secreted in the chicken colon were analyzed. Sixteen 26-day-old male Cobb chicks (Gallus gallus) were randomly distributed into three groups (G1, G2, and G3). G1 received no inoculums and characterized the control group, G2 was inoculated with tissue cysts of ME49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii, and G3 was inoculated with oocytes of M7741 strain of T. gondii. After 60 days of inoculation, the animals were slaughtered and had their colon collected and submitted to histological processing. Transversal cuts (4μm) were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), Alcian Blue pH 2.5, Alcian Blue (AB) pH 1.0, and Azan. G2 and G3 animals showed hypertrophy of the colon wall, but the proportion between the number of goblet cells and enterocytes present in the intestinal epithelium was not altered.

Associação entre a presença de anticorpos anti-Leishmania sp. e anti-Neospora caninum em cães de Bauru, SP / Association between the presence of anti-Leishmania sp. and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dogs from Bauru, Brazil

The survey analyzed 100 samples of serum collected from dogs at the Center for Zoonoses Control of Bauru, randomly chosen. In the study, 65 percent of the samples were positive for leishmaniasis and 14 percent for neosporosis. The association between the presence of antibodies by the reaction of indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in the detection of anti-Leishmania and anti-Neospora antibodies was examined by the Fischer Exact Test (P=0.41), indicating no association between the results for Leishmania sp. and Neospora caninum (α=0.05). The absolute frequencies of the IFAT in the detection of antibodies anti-Leishmania and anti-Neospora caninum were analyzed using the Spearmann correlation coefficient for Leishmania and N. caninum titters, r=0.0975 and P=0.33, which did not indicate significant correlation between the titters for both pathogens.

Hypertrophy of NADH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons in rat jejunum after acute infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasmosis, a globally distributed feline-associated zoonosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, affects birds and mammals, including humans. This study assesses the consequences of acute T. gondii infection for NADH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons in rat jejunum. Ten male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 5) and G2 (n = 5). Animals from G2 were orally inoculated with 500 genotype III (M7741) T. gondii oocysts. Twenty-four hours after inoculation, the animals were euthanized and had their jejuna removed, through laparotomy, and measured (length and width) to calculate their areas. Intestinal segments were submitted to NADH-diaphorase histochemistry to evidence the most metabolically active subpopulation of myenteric neurons. No changes were found in body weight; intestinal length, width or area; or neuron population density. Increase of body cell area and cytoplasm and decrease of nuclear area of the myenteric neurons of infected animals were observed by morphometric analysis.

Cell-mediated immune response to Leishmania chagasi experimental infection of BALB/c immunosuppressed mice

Leishmaniasis, a zoonosis of worldwide distribution, presents a significant impact on immunosupressed patients. This study aimed to evaluate Leishmania chagasi infection in BALB/c mice immunosuppressed with dexamethasone. Spleen cells stimulated or not with L. chagasi were cultured for cytokine quantification (IFN-gama, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10) by sandwich ELISA. Parasite loads in the spleen and liver were determined by means of culture microtitration. Immunosuppressed groups showed statistically lower spleen weight and CD4-cell percentage in blood on the day of infection and produced Th1 and Th2 cytokines on other days of the study. The other infected groups, weather immunosupressed or not, also produced Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Parasite loads in the spleen and liver were not statistically different among the groups. It was concluded that L. chagasi infection was not affected by dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression, probably due the reversible effect of the treatment.

Perfil de sensibilidade e multirresistência em linhagens de Escherichia coli isoladas de infecção do trato urinário, de piometra e de fezes de cães / Sensitivity profile and multiresistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infection, pyometra and feces of dogs

Susceptibility profile and multiple drug resistance in 158 E. coli strains isolated from urinary tract infection (UTI), pyometra, and feces of dogs were studied. Norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin were the most-effective drugs (>60 percent) for E. coli strains. High rates of resistance to antimicrobials were observed in 60 percent or more of the isolated strains using sulfametoxazole/trimetoprim. Multiple drug resistance for three or more antimicrobials was observed in two (47.1 percent) strains isolated from UTI, seven (13.5 percent) from pyometra, and four (7.3 percent) from feces. From these, 17 (33.3 percent), one (1.9 percent), and three (5.5 percent), respectively, showed multiple resistance to five or more drugs.

Prevalence and risk factors for human toxoplasmosis in a rural community

Toxoplasma gondii infection may lead to important pathological questions, especially in rural areas, where several sources of infection exist. Therefore, it is important to determine risk factors in order to establish adequate prophylactic measures. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors involved in human toxoplasmosis infection in a rural community, in Eldorado, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. This community was composed of 185 farms - with 671 inhabitants - from which 20 were randomly chosen. In these farms, blood samples were collected from rural workers, who also answered a risk factor questionnaire. Serum samples were analyzed by means of direct agglutination test for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. From 73 samples collected, 79.45% were positive. None of the studied variables was significantly associated with the prevalence of the infection. However, among the individuals who reported eyesight impairments, 94.4% had anti-T. gondii antibodies, compared with 74.0% who did not report eyesight changes (p = 0.0594). Moreover, most individuals in the study (68.20%) were older than 18 years and presented 84.44% positivity, compared with 66.67% of positive individuals younger than 18 years old. We were able to conclude that a high prevalence of antibodies did not imply significant associations with the risk factors studied.(AU)

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in sera samples of mice experimentally infected

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) DNA in blood can help to diagnose the disease in its acute phase; however, it must be considered that hemoglobin, present in blood, can inhibit polymerase activity, making impracticable the detection of DNA in samples. Mice were experimentally infected via oral route with ME49 and BTU2 strains cysts and RH strain tachyzoites; polymerase chain reaction was used to detect T. gondii DNA in mice sera 18, 24, 48, 96, and 192 hours post infection (PI). Toxoplama gondii DNA was detected in only one animal infected with BTU2 strain, genotype III (isolated from a dog with neurological signs) 18 hours PI. The agent’s DNA was not detected in any sample of the other experimental groups. New studies must be carried out to verify the technique sensitivity in researches on this agent’s genetic material using sera samples of acute-phase toxoplasmosis patients, especially in cases of immunosuppression

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 percent) were positive. The associations between the serological results and the epidemiological variables were studied. Statistically significant differences were not found regarding sex (32.2 percent male and 34.3 percent female reactors). Dogs without a defined breed showed seropositivity statistically higher than the pedigreed group. The occurrence of infection was considered higher with age.

Alterações morfológicas nos órgãos genitais de cães e gatos provenientes de Vilas Rurais da região de Umuarama-PR / Morphological alterations in the genital organs of cats and dogs from Rural Villages in the Region of Umuarama-PR / Alteraciones morfológicas en los órganos genitales de perros y gatos provenientes de villas rurales de la región de umuarama ­ pr

Enfermidades nos órgãos reprodutivos de cães e gatos têm variados graus de morbidade, mortalidade e sofrem influências do histórico reprodutivo, de tratamentos farmacológicos prévios e de condições ambientais, podendo assim haver variações regionais na incidência de determinadas anormalidades reprodutivas. O objetivo deste estudo foi fazer um levantamento da incidência das alterações morfológicas nos órgãos genitais de cães e gatos provenientes de Vilas Rurais da região de Umuarama, associar a freqüência de cada alteração à espécie, sexo, uso de contraceptivo e número de partos e discutir as principais alterações encontradas. Foram examinados os órgãos reprodutivos de 208 animais, assim distribuídos: 36,06% eram cadelas, 33,65% cães, 14,90% gatas e 15,38% gatos, todos sem raça definida e idade variando de um mês a 10 anos. Dos animais examinados, 9,13% apresentaram alterações, classificadas como hiperplasia cística do endométrio (5,29%), endometrite (0,96%), retenção de placenta (0,48%), fibrose endometrial (0,48%), degeneração testicular (0,96%), hipoplasia testicular (0,48%) e hemangiossarcoma no pênis (0,48%). Ao se agruparem as alterações, não se observou associação entre freqüência de alterações e espécie (P>0,05), sendo 10,30% e 6,30% para alterações nas espécies canina e felina, respectivamente. No entanto observou-se associação (P<0,05) entre freqüência de alterações e sexo, sendo que 14,15% estavam presentes em fêmeas e 3,90% em machos. Animais velhos apresentaram maior freqüência de alterações nos órgãos genitais (P<0,05) do que animais jovens. A freqüência de alterações não se associou ao uso de contraceptivo, à presença de gestação e ao número de partos, embora se tenha observado maior número de alterações patológicas em fêmeas que já haviam parido.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present study is to determine the incidence of pathologic alterations in the genital organs of apparently healthy dogs and cats and to correlate the frequency of each alteration to species, sex, the number of parturitions and the previous use of contraceptives. A total of 208 genital organs from 145 (69.7%) dogs and 63 (30.3%) cats castrated as part of a project of birth control for animals were examined macroscopically and histologically, in selected cases. Seventy fi ve (51.7%) of the dogs were female and 70 (48.3%) were male; 31 (49.2%) of the cats were female and 32 (50.8%) were male. Their race was undefi ned and their ages varied from one month to ten years. The following alterations were diagnosed in the dogs: nine (4.3%) had cystic endometrial hyperplasia, two (0.96%) had endometritis, one (0.48%) had retained placentas, one (0.48%) had testicular degeneration and one (0.48%) dog had a hemangiosarcoma in its penis. The following pathological alterations were diagnosed in the cats: two (0.96%) had cystic endometrial hyperplasia, one (0.48%) had endometrial fi brosis, one (0.48%) had testicular degeneration and one (0.48%) cat had testicular hipoplasia. There were no differences between species for the incidence of alterations. However, females were signifi cantly more affected than males (p<0.05), where 14.15% of the sick animals were female and 3.90% were male. Older animals showed greater incidences of pathological alteration in genital organs (p<0.05). There was no association among the incidence of alterations to the previous use of contraceptive, current pregnancy or number of previous gestations.

RESUMEN: Enfermedades de los órganos reproductivos de perros y gatos tienen variados grados de morbidad, mortalidad y sufren infl uencias de la historia reproductiva, de los tratamientos farmacológicos previos y de las condiciones ambientales, pudiendo así haber variaciones regionales en la incidencia de determinadas anormalidades reproductivas. El objetivo de este estudio fue hacer una encuesta de la incidencia de alteraciones morfológicas de los órganos genitales de perros y gatos provenientes de Villas Rurales de la región de Umuarama, asociar la frecuencia de cada alteración a la especie, sexo, uso de anticonceptivos y el número de partos, discutiendo las alteraciones encontradas. Fueron examinados los órganos reproductivos de 208 animales así distribuidos: 36,06% eran perras, 33,65% perros, 14,90% gatas y 15,38% gatos, todos sin raza defi nida y edad variando de un mes hasta diez años. De los animales examinados, 9,13% presentaron alteraciones, clasifi cadas como hiperplasia cística del endometrio (5,29%), endometritis (0,96%), retención de la placenta (0,48%), fi brosis endometrial (0,48%), degeneración testicular (0,96%), hipoplasia testicular (0,48%) y hemangiosarcoma del falo (0,48%). Al agruparse las alteraciones, no se observó asociación entre frecuencia de alteraciones y especie (P>0,05), siendo 10,30% y 6,30% para alteraciones en las especies canina y felina, respectivamente. Sin embargo, se observó asociación (P<0,05) entre frecuencia de alteraciones y sexo, sendo que 14,15% estaban presentes en hembras y 3,90% en machos. Animales viejos presentaron mayor frecuencia de alteraciones en los órganos genitales (P<0,05) que los animales jóvenes. La frecuencia de alteraciones no se asoció al uso de anticonceptivo, a la presencia de preñez y al número de partos, mismo que se tenga observado mayor número de alteraciones patológicas en hembras que ya habían parido.

Fluxometria eco-power-doppler da artéria oftálmica externa em gatos (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) / Eco-power-doppler arterial flow from the external ophthalmic artery in cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) / Flujometria por ultrasonido de la arteria oftálmica externaen gatos

RESUMO: Os avanços tecnológicos dos meios diagnósticos benefi ciam a Medicina Veterinária. Para que novas tecnologias sejam utilizadas, são necessárias informações sobre os padrões normais para cada tipo de exame, o que possibilita sua utilização na rotina e destinação, adequadamente, a cada paciente. A fl uxometria ultra-sonográfi ca está começando a ser utilizada em Medicina Veterinária com fi nalidades e propósitos diversos. Para destiná-la a um fi m específi co, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo verifi car a fl uxometria ultra-sonográfi ca da artéria oftálmica externa em gatos. Para tanto, foram utilizados 20 gatos sem raça defi nida, 12 machos e 8 fêmeas, com massa corporal entre 2,0 e 4,0 kg, hígidos, provenientes da Sociedade de Amparo aos Animais de Umuarama ­ PR. Os animais foram anestesiados pela associação de tiletamina e zolazepam, administrada por via intramuscular, na dose de 6,0 mg/kg. A fl uxometria da artéria oftálmica externa foi obtida por meio do equipamento de ultra-sonografi a Toshiba Powervision ATL-HDI 3500, dotado de "eco-doppler", com transdutor setorial de 6,0 MHz, aplicado diretamente sobre a córnea. Cada olho teve o fl uxo de sua artéria aferido pelo programa do próprio aparelho, sendo tomadas três amostras. O índice de resistência vascular foi calculado com base nos valores do fl uxo sistólico e diastólico médio de cada vaso. Os valores foram tabulados e teste t de Student foi aplicado para verifi cação de diferenças entre as médias. No olho direito, obteve-se velocidade de fl uxo de 41,3 ± 14,28 cm/seg para a artéria oftálmica externa, em sístole, e 23,95 ± 11,46 cm/seg, em diástole. No olho esquerdo, 42,75 ± 12,64 cm/seg, em sístole, e 25,45 ± 9,61 cm/seg, em diástole. Não houve diferença signifi cativa entre os olhos. O índice de resistência vascular calculado foi de 0,4175 para a artéria oftálmica externa, no olho direito, e 0,4015 no olho esquerdo, sem diferença signifi cativa entre os olhos. Os resultados apontam para um mecanismo intrínseco de controle do fl uxo, controlado por fatores locais na artéria oftálmica externa, e os valores do índice de resistência denotam uma artéria de baixo fluxo

ABSTRACT: Veterinary medicine is benefi ted by technological advances in diagnosis. In order that new technologies may be used, information about normal standards for each type of examination is necessary, so that they may be used routinely and adequately prescribed for each patient. The Doppler ultrasound is beginning to be used in veterinary medicine for diverse purposes. The objective of this study is to verify the Doppler ultrasound fl ow of the external ophthalmic artery in cats. There were used 20 mixed breed cats, being 12 males and eight females, weighing from 2.0 to 4.0 kg, supplied by the Amparo aos Animais Society, an animal shelter from the city of Umuarama, State of Paraná, Brazil. The animals were anesthetized with 6.0 mg/kg of the association tiletamine plus zolazepam, given by intramuscular route. The fl ow of the external ophthalmic artery was measured through the ultrasound equipment Toshiba Powervision ATL-HDI 3500, with an echo-Doppler and a sectorial transducer of 6.0 MHz, directly applied to the cornea. Each eye had the artery fl ow surveyed by the equipment's own software, in which three samples have been taken. The vascular resistance index was calculated based on the mean values of systolic and diastolic fl ow of each vessel. The values were tabulated and Student t test was applied to verify differences between the averages. In the right eye, the value for the external ophthalmic artery fl ow was 41.30 ± 14.28 cm/sec, in systole, and 23.95 ± 11.46 cm/seg, in diastole. For the left eye, the value was 42.75 ± 12.64 cm/sec, in systole, and 25.45 ± 9.61 cm/sec, in diastole. There were no signifi cant differences between the eyes. The calculated index of vascular resistance was 0.4175 ± 0.0774 for the external ophthalmic artery in the right eye, and 0.4015 ± 0.0719 for the left eye, without signifi cant difference between the eyes. The results point out to an intrinsic mechanism of fl ow control, controlled by local factors in the external ophthalmic artery, and the resistance index values denote a low fl ow artery

RESUMEN: La medicina veterinaria se benefi cia de los adelantos tecnológicos en diagnóstico. El conocimiento de los padrones normales para cada tipo y examen es fundamental para que se puedan usar nuevas tecnologías, posibilitando su empleo rutinario yla indicación adecuada a cada paciente. El objetivo de este estudio fue verifi car la fl ujometría por ultrasonido de la arteria oftálmica externa en gatos. Se emplearon 20 gatos sin raza defi nida, 12 machos y ocho hembras, que provinieron de la Sociedad de Amparo a los Animales de la ciudad de Umuarama, Estado de Paraná, Brasil. Los animales fueron anestesiados con 6.0 mg/kg de la asociación de tiletamina y zolazepam, ministrados por vía intramuscular. El fl ujo de la arteria oftálmica externa fue mensurado por medio del equipo del ultrasonido Toshiba Powervision ATL-HDI 3500, con un eco-doppler y un transductor sectorial de 6.0 MHz, directamenteaplicado a la córnea. Cada ojo tenía el fl ujo de la arteria evaluado por el propio programa del equipo, tomándose tres muestras. El índice de resistencia vascular se calculó basado en los valores promedios de fl ujo sistólico y diastólico de cada vaso. Los valores fueron tabulados y se aplicó el teste t de Student para verifi car diferencias entre los promedios. En el ojo derecho, el valor para el fl ujo de la arteria oftálmica externa fue 41,30 ± 14.28 cm/sec, en sístole, y 23,95 ± 11,46 cm/seg, en diástole. Para el ojo izquierdo, el valor fue 42,75 ± 12,64 cm/seg, en sístole, y 25,45 ± 9,61 cm/sec, en diastole. No se observó diferencia signifi cante entre los ojos. El índice calculado de resistencia vascular fue 0,4175 ± 0,0774 para la arteria oftálmica externa en el ojo derecho, y 0.4015 ± 0.0719 para el ojo izquierdo, sin diferencia signifi cante entre los ojos. Los resultados apuntan para un mecanismo intrínseco de control de fl ujo, controlado por factores locales en la arteria oftálmica externa, y los valores del índice de resistencia denotan una arteria de bajo fl ujo

Corynebacterium bovis e os padrões de contagem de células somáticas no Brasil / The corynebacterium bovis and the somatic cell counting standards in Brazil / El Corynebacterium bovis y los paradrones celulares somáticos en brasil

Foram estudadas 60 amostras de leite de glândulas mamárias bovinas naturalmente infectadas pelo Corynebacterium bovis em estado puro, exuberante e que apresentavam pelo menos uma glândula contralateral com cultivo microbiológico negativo, provenientes de cinco propriedades leiteiras localizadas no interior do estado de São Paulo. Essas foram cultivadas em ágar sangue ovino e em agar MacConkey e submetidas à contagem eletrônica de células somáticas. Obtiveram-se medianas de contagens de células somáticas (CCS), 262 x 10³ céls/mL e 806 x 10³ céls/mL de leite, para as amostras negativas e positivas ao Corynebacterium bovis respectivamente, sendo que, em alguns casos positivos, a CCS superou 10.000.000 céls/mL de leite. Os dados obtidos no presente estudo sugerem que o Corynebacterium bovis é responsável por alterações celulares significativas no leite, podendo acarretar prejuízos aos produtores e à indústria de laticínios, na medida que se observam os padrões celulares stabelecidos pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento em vigor desde setembro de 2002.

ABSTRACT: Sixty milk samples from bovine mammary glands naturally infected by Corynebacterium bovis in pure state, which presented at least one contralateral gland with negative microbiological culture from fi ve dairy farms in the State of Sao Paulo were studied. These samples were cultivated in MacConkey agar and submitted to an electronic Somatic Cell Counting (SCC). The medians of SCC results were 262 x 103 cells/mL and 806 x 103 cells/mL from negative and positive milk samples to C. bovis respectively. In some positive samples to the agent, it was observed SCC over 10.000.000 cells/mL of milk suggesting that C. bovis may be responsible for signifi cant cell alterations in the milk, which might cause serious economic damages to the producers and to the milk industry, according to the cell standards established by Agriculture Ministry, Brazilian law from September of 2002

RESUMEN: Fueron estudiadas sesenta muestras de leche de glándulas mamarias bovinas naturalmente infectadas por el Corynebacterium bovis en cultivo puro, provenientes de cinco haciendas lecheras localizadas en el interior del estado de São Paulo. Las muestras fueron cultivadas en agar sangre ovino y en agar MacConkey, y sometidas a cómputo electrónico de células somáticas. Se obtuvo medianas de los cómputos de células somáticas, 262 x 103 céls/mL y 806 x 103 céls/mL en la leche, para las muestras negativas y positivas al Corynebacterium bovis respectivamente, siendo que en algunos casos positivos, la CCS superó 10.000.000 céls/mL de leche. Los datos obtenidos en el presente estudio sugieren que el Corynebacterium bovis es responsable por alteraciones celulares signifi cativas en la leche, pudiendo acarrear perjuicios a los productores y a la manufactura de lácteos, en la medida que se observan los moldes celulares establecidos por el Ministerio de la Agricultura, Pecuaria y Abastecimiento en vigor desde setiembre de 2002

Trypanosomatids in dogs belonging to individuals with chronic chagas'disease living in Botucatu town and surrounding region, São Paulo State, Brazil

Among domestic animals, dogs are considered to be the major reservoirs of trypanosomatids and, due to their proximity to man, the presence of these parasites in dogs is an alert to actions aiming at triatomine control. Fifty dogs (26 males and 24 females), aged from 2 months to 15 years, belonging to 30 chronic Chagas’ disease individuals from 15 different municipalities in the western region of São Paulo State, Brazil, were subjected to blood collection for the following tests: artificial xenodiagnosis, blood culture, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Forty-three (86%) out of 50 dogs were positive to at least one of the tests performed; 34 (68%) were positive to xenodiagnosis, 30 (60%) to blood culture, and 25 (50%) to PCR for T. cruzi and/or T. rangeli. Although triatomines were not detected during the intra and peridomiciliary inspections in the dog owners’ residences, the results obtained demonstrate that there is a transmission cycle whereby triatomine vector may be participating in the infection epidemiological chain

Modified E-test by the addition of EDTA-Tris and dimethyl sulfoxide on the potentiation of the effects of some antimicrobials in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from bovine mastitis

A concentração inibitória mínima-MIC em 30 estirpes de Pseudomonas aeruginosa isoladas de mastite bovina foi avaliada utilizando o E-test padrão e o método modificado, pela adição de Tris-EDTA e DMSO. Os métodos modificados apresentaram redução significativa da MIC das estirpes utilizando a gentamicina, a ciprofloxacina e a norfloxacina.

Anti-leptospirose agglutinins in equine sera, from São Paulo, Goias, and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, 1996-2001

Equine leptospirosis can present a non-symptomatic form, an acute clinical form, or even develop chronically, causing reproductive alterations, such as abortion and recurrent uveitis. Since the prevalence of leptospirosis in several countries and regions is widely reported, the objective of this study was to verify the prevailing equine leptospirosis in different regions of Brazil. Sera from 1402 blood samples from horses of different age, sex, breed, and purpose were examined. These samples came from southeastern and central west states of Brazil. The method utilized was the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), with 12 different Leptospira serovars. From the sera tested, 754 (54 percent) were positive for one (385) or more (372) serovars. These results were higher when compared to national and international levels. The most commonly found serovars were icterohaemorrhagiae (37.01 percent), suggesting exposure to rodents, castellonis (16.97 percent), and djasiman (15.19 percent). There were significant differences of reagents between sexes, and a tendency toward higher positivity with age. Distribution of sera-reagents related to aptitude showed a markedly higher value for work animals than for sporting ones. Higher rates were found for animals with undefined breed. There were no significant differences related to regional origin. As an indication of multiple exposure, significant associations were observed between the following serovars: castellonis and djasiman; castellonis and grippotyphosa; castellonis and copenhageni; castellonis and icterohaemorrhagiae; castellonis and pomona; canicola and pomona; canicola and djasiman; djasiman and copenhageni; icterohaemorrhagiae and djasiman; icterohaemorrhagiae and pyrogenes; copenhageni and pomona. These results showed the necessity of further studies on the epidemiology of this disease in equines and its relationship to human illness.

Influência da suplementaçäo de glutamina sobre o desempenho e o desenvolvimento de vilos e criptas do intestino delgado de frangos / Influence of glutamine supplementation on performance and intestinal villous and crypt development in broiler chickens

Investigou-se o efeito da suplementaçäo de glutamina na dieta sobre o consumo de raçäo, ganho de peso e conversäo alimentar e sobre a estrutura da mucosa intestinal de frangos. Foram utilizados 320 pintos de corte machos distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com dois tratamentos e quatro repetiçöes, sendo T1 suplementado com 1 por cento de L-glutamina na dieta e T2 controle. Os índices de desempenho foram analisados aos 7, 21 e 49 dias de idade das aves. Aos 7 e 14 dias de idade oito aves foram sacrificadas para colheita de fragmentos de cada porçäo do intestino delgado para avaliaçäo da morfometria intestinal em microscopia de luz em sistema analisador de imagens "Video Plan". As variáveis estudadas foram altura dos vilos, profundidade de cripta e relaçäo vilo: cripta. A adiçäo de 1 por cento de glutamina à dieta de frangos näo influenciou (P>0,05) o seu desempenho zootécnico. Entretanto, 1 por cento de glutamina na raçäo foi capaz de alterar (P<0,01) a altura do vilo, a profundidade de cripta e a relaçäo vilo:cripta no duodeno, bem como a altura de vilo do íleo de frangos no sétimo dia de idade

Habronema e Draschia: alguns dados sobre infecçöes em eqüinos, asininos e muares de alguns estados brasileiros / Habronema and Draschia: occurrences in equines, asinines and mules from some Brazilian states

Foram examinados os estômagos de 37 Equus caballus, 18 Equus asinus e 22 muares, procedentes do Estado do Maranhäo, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Minas Gerais e Goiás, para a pesquisa de espirurídeos e foram encontrados: Draschia megastoma (Rudolphi, 1819), Habronema muscae (Carter, 1861) e Habronema microstoma (Schneider, 1866). Foram consideradas as prevalências, as intensidades médias e as relaçöes Macho/Fêmea para estes parasitos, nos três hospedeiros. A análise de variância mostrou näo ocorrerem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as intensidades médias de H. muscae e H. microstoma, inclusive na comparaçäo entre os hospedeiros