Detección molecular del gen de la glicoproteína B del virus herpes felino / Molecular detection of glycoprotein B from feline herpesvirus

El virus herpes felino tipo 1 genera múltiples problemas y el gato termina con consecuencias que afectan su futura calidad de vida. Este virus está distribuido en todo el mundo y es de fácil transmisión y dado que es un patógeno latente, continúa propagándose sin control a toda la población de gatos. El diagnóstico se basa en los signos clínicos, existiendo hoy en Chile solo un método de diagnóstico de laboratorio específico, implementado para identificar el agente, que no se usa regularmente en la clínica de animales pequeños. Así, el tratamiento y diagnóstico generalmente se basan en el conocimiento y la experiencia del médico veterinario, sin dejar una confirmación real sobre qué agente está causando los síntomas. Esta investigación propuso un método de diagnóstico molecular alternativo a la detección del gen de la timidina quinasa viral, para el cual se seleccionaron gatos menores de 1 año de edad, con síntomas compatibles con una infección con el virus del herpes felino. El método de la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR) se utilizó para detectar el gen de la glicoproteína B del virus herpes felino tipo 1, seguido de la determinación del porcentaje de identidad de nucleótidos (PIN) respecto a los datos oficiales del GenBank®. De los 11 gatos estudiados, en solo uno de ellos se pudo amplificar un segmento que correspondía al gen de la glucoproteína B. El PIN resultante (>96 por ciento) confirma que la secuencia obtenida corresponde al gen de la glicoproteína B tipo 1 del virus del herpes felino y se discute la eficiencia del método implementado(AU)

The feline herpesvirus type 1, generates multiple problems and the cat ends with consequences that affect its future quality of life. This virus is distributed throughout the world and is easily transmitted and since it is a latent pathogen, it continues to spread uncontrollably to the entire cat population. The diagnosis is based on clinical signs, today there is only a specific laboratory diagnostic method implemented in Chile to identify the agent, which is not used regularly in the clinic of small animals. Thus, the treatment and diagnosis are usually based on the knowledge and experience of veterinarian without leaving a real confirmation about which agent is causing the symptoms. This research proposed a molecular diagnostic method alternative to timidine kinase detection gene, for which cats under 1 year of age were selected, with symptoms compatible with an infection with the feline herpesvirus. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used to detect the feline herpesvirus type 1 glycoprotein B gene, followed by the determination of the percentage of nucleotide identity (NIP) from official GenBank® data. Of the 11 cats studied, only one of them resulted in the amplification of a segment corresponding to the glycoprotein B gene. The resulting NIP (> 96 percent) confirms that the sequence obtained corresponds to type 1 glycoprotein B gene of feline herpesvirus and the efficiency of the method implemented is discussed(AU)

Mascotas felinas, medicina y arte / Pet cats, medicine and art

The author in this short text remembers the passing of a beloved pet cat. Cats are beautiful animals and wonderful companions. They evolved together with humans in Africa, subsequently spread over the five continents with them, and became the subject of many human cultural activities, including art, poetry and religion. Abandoned and roaming free, cats readily return to the wild, potentially acquiring many zoonotic infections. Surprisingly, feline company is increasingly used for therapy of mental and other illnesses such as cardiovascular disorders. Responsible ownership and good veterinary care of these marvelous animals under the One Health paradigm are essential to their well-being as well as to that of humans. They are an ethical and small price to pay for the affectively rewarding relationships humans have with these endearing and evocative animals.

Estudo da ocorrência de litíase renal e ureteral em gatos com doença renal crônica / Study of nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis in cats with chronic kidney disease

Investigou-se a ocorrência de nefrolitíase e/ou ureterolitíase em 72 gatos portadores de doença renal crônica (DRC), classificados predominantemente no estágio II, segundo os critérios designados pela IRIS - International Renal Interest Society. Destes pacientes, 47 (65,27por cento) apresentaram litíase renal e ou ureteral. Não houve diferença estatística entre o grupo de estudo (DRC com cálculo) e o grupo controle (DRC sem cálculo) em relação à idade (p=0,274). Apesar disso, os pacientes portadores de nefrolitíase e/ou ureterolitíase apresentaram maiores indícios de lesão renal, caracterizados por diferenças estatisticamente relevantes da densidade urinária (p=0,013) e pelo menor tamanho dos rins direito (p=0,009) e esquerdo (p=0,048). Encontrou-se similaridade entre os grupos em relação a outros parâmetros, tais como as concentrações plasmáticas de cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, fósforo, sódio, potássio e paratormônio intacto (PTHi). Os valores das concentrações séricas de ureia e bicarbonato diferiram entre os grupos, com valores de p=0,039 e p=0,037, respectivamente. Além disso, foi mensurada a pressão arterial, que se manteve inalterada na comparação entre o grupo de estudo e o grupo controle. Os resultados obtidos reforçam a necessidade de acompanhamento ultrassonográfico de todos os pacientes portadores de DRC, mesmo daqueles assintomáticos ou em estágios iniciais da doença.

Nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis were investigated by means of ultrasonography in 72 cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), predominantly classified in stage II, according to IRIS - International Renal Interest Society criteria. Of these patients, 47 (65.27 percent) had nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis. There was no statistical difference between the study group (CKD with calculi) and control group (CKD without calculi) regarding age (p=0.274). Nevertheless, patients with nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis had greater evidence of renal injury, characterized by statistically significant differences in the urinary density (p=0.013) and the smaller size of the right kidney (p=0.009) and left kidney (p=0.048), measured in the longitudinal plane. There were no difference between groups in the other parameters investigated such as plasmatic total calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations. The values of serum urea and bicarbonate differ between groups with p=0.039 and p=0.037, respectively. Furthermore, arterial blood pressure was measured, remaining unchanged between the groups. One can conclude that nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis are common findings in cats with CKD and these results reinforce the need to perform image investigation in cats with CKD even in the asymptomatic ones, or those in the early stages of the disease.

Esporotricose urbana: epidemia negligenciada no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Urban sporotrichosis: a neglected epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Na literatura científica, a esporotricose esteve associada por anos a profissionais que lidam com a terra, local onde o fungo causador habita. Recentemente, numa área urbana tem sido registrada a ocorrência relacionada à transmissão zoonótica. Este trabalho objetivou contribuir para o conhecimento sobre a esporotricose em área urbana, por intermédio da analise exploratória de sua distribuição socioespacial no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 1997 e 2007, identificando os espaços de transmissão mais intensos. Utilizando-se base de dados do Serviço de Vigilância em Saúde, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, foram realizadas análises de frequência da doença e sua distribuição espacial. No período estudado, foram registrados 1.848 casos de esporotricose, com predomínio em mulheres adultas fora do mercado de trabalho. A fonte de contaminação predominante foi ferimento causado pelo gato doméstico, o que contribuiu para a disseminação da esporotricose em área urbana. O georreferenciamento de 1.681 casos evidenciou um cinturão de transmissão ao longo da divisa entre a capital e os municípios da região metropolitana.

In the scientific literature, sporotrichosis has traditionally been associated with agricultural work, since the causative agent is found naturally in the soil. However, cases have been reported recently in an urban area, related to zoonotic transmission. The current study aimed to contribute to knowledge on sporotrichosis in an urban area through an exploratory analysis of its socio-spatial distribution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1997 to 2007, identifying the areas with the heaviest transmission. The database from the Health Surveillance Service at the Evandro Chagas Institute for Clinical Research, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, was used to estimate incidence rates and spatial distribution. During the study period, 1,848 cases of sporotrichosis were reported, predominantly in adult women not currently in the labor market. The leading source of infection was wounds caused by domestic cats, which contributed to the spread of sporotrichosis in this urban area. Georeferencing of 1,681 cases showed a transmission belt along the border between the city of Rio de Janeiro and the adjacent municipalities in the Greater Metropolitan Area.

Prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío, Colombia / Prevalence of intestinal helminths in cats in Quindío, Colombia

Introducción. Las enfermedades producidas por helmintos están ampliamente distribuidas en el mundo y muchas de ellas se consideran zoonosis. Los animales de compañía cumplen un papel trascendental en la transmisión a los humanos. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos del departamento del Quindío. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 121 gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío, de los cuales se registraron los datos de sexo, edad y condición corporal. Se recolectaron heces y se procesaron mediante las técnicas de Ritchie modificada y de Kato-Katz. Resultados. De los 121 gatos, 42,14 % (IC95%: 33,35-50,94) y 45,45 % (IC95%: 36,58-54,32) resultaron parasitados con alguna especie de helminto adulto según la presencia de huevos en sus heces, mediante las técnicas de Ritchie y de Kato-Katz, respectivamente. Toxocara cati fue el parásito más prevalente(Ritchie: 37,2 %; Kato-Katz: 43 %), seguido por Ancylostoma spp. (Ritchie: 7,43 %; Kato-Katz: 5,78 %) y Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Ritchie: 0,82 %). Sesenta y cinco (53,71 %) gatos eran hembras y 56 (46,28 %) eran machos; la prevalencia de infección fue similar en ambos sexos. Los felinos mayores de 4 años de edad presentaron mayor prevalencia de parásitos (81,8 %), seguidos por los de 1 a 4 años (48,8 %) y, por último, por los menores de un año (28,6 %). Se encontró una buena condición corporal en 77,68 % y este grupo presentó menor frecuencia de helmintos intestinales. Conclusión. La prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío fue de 43,8 %, lo que hace necesario establecer programas de vigilancia y prevención en la población humana y felina.

Introduction. Diseases caused by helminths are widely distributed in the world and many of them are considered zoonoses in which pets play a major role in transmission to humans. Objective. The prevalence of intestinal helminths was determined in cats in Quindío Province. Materials and methods. One hundred twenty-one cats were characterized --data recorded included sex, age and body condition. Fecal samples were collected and processed using the modified Ritchie and modified Kato-Katz techniques to determine the presence of intestinal helminths. Results. Of the 121 cats, 42.1%, (95% CI: 33.4-50.9) and 45.5% (95% CI: 36.6-54.3) were parasitized with at least one adult helminth species as evidenced by the presence of eggs in their fecal samples. Toxocara cati was the most prevalent parasite (Ritchie: 37.2%, Kato-Katz: 43%), followed by Ancylostoma spp. (Ritchie: 7.4%, Kato-Katz: 5.8%) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Ritchie: 0.82%). Sixty-five cats (53.7%) were females and 56 (46.3%) males; the prevalence of infection was similar in both sexes. Cats older than 4 years had the highest prevalence (81.8%) followed by those aged 1 to 4 years (48.8%) and by those under 1 year (28.6%). The majority of cats, 77.7%, were found to be in good body condition and this group had the lowest frequency of intestinal helminths with both techniques. Conclusion. The prevalence of intestinal helminths in domestic cats in Quindío was 43.8%; it is necessary to establish surveillance and prevention programs in the human and feline populations.