Fungal microbiota of the hair coat of laboratory animals / Microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório

With the refining of handling techniques for laboratory animals kept in animal rooms in which different work rules are followed,it is fundamental to evaluate the microbiota of the raising environment, as well as of the animals in this environment. It isknown that several saprobe fungi are isolated from hair and skin of experimental animals, being potentially pathogenic inspecific situations. The aim of this research was to determine the fungal microbiota on the coats of laboratory animals fromthe Central Animal Room of the University of Ceará. Samples of hair and skin of 355 healthy animals (150 rats, 150 mice, 40guinea pigs and 15 hamsters) were analyzed. Samples were collected by vigorously brushing the back of the animals andthen cultured on Sabourauds dextrose and Mycosel agar. Species identification was based on the analysis of the macroscopicappearance of colonies and microscopy features of the fungi. Development of fungi was observed in 63.95% of the animals.The most frequent fungi were: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34.7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) and Penicillium sp. (16.7%). Inconclusion, fungal microbiota on coat of these animals is diversified, and saprobe fungi occurs in a great number of experimentalanimals

Com o afinamento das técnicas de manejo de animais de laboratório mantidos em biotérios que seguem diferentes normas de trabalho, é fundamental que se avalie a microbiota dos ambientes de criação, bem como dos animais que deles fazem parte. É sabido que várias espécies fúngicas sapróbias são isoladas da pele e pelos de animais experimentais, podendo em situações específicas ser potencialmente patogênicas. A presente pesquisa objetivou conhecer a microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório do Biotério Central da UECE. Para tanto, foram analisadas amostras de pele e pelos de 355 animais clinicamente saudáveis (150 ratos, 150 camundongos, 40 cobaias e 15 hamsters). As amostras foram coletadas mediante escovação vigorosa do dorso desses animais e semeadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose e ágar Mycosel, sendo a identificação das espécies baseada na análise das características macro e microscópicas das colônias fúngicas. Houve o desenvolvimento de fungos em 63,95% dos animais. Os fungos mais incidentes foram: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34,7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) e Penicillium sp. (16,7%). Frente aos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a microbiota fúngica da pelagem desses animais é bem diversificada, ficando evidente a ocorrência de fungos sapróbios em grande número de animais experimentais

Efectos de la ingestión de una dieta con alto contenido en grasas en ratas Wistar crónicamente infectadas con Trypanosoma cruzi / The effects of ingesting a high-fat diet on Wistar rats chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Se investigan los efectos de la ingestión de una dieta con alto contenido en grasas en ratas albinas (R. norvegicus) crónicamente infectadas con Trypanosoma cruzi “Planalto”, mediante pruebas de diagnóstico sero-parasitológicas, cuantificación del Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC), detección de la Proteína C Reactiva (PCR), evaluación de los niveles de lípidos plasmáticos (colesterol total, lipoproteínas de alta densidad - HDL y triglicéridos) y presencia de depósitos lipídicos en la arteria aorta. Durante el curso de la infección chagásica, se detectaron parasitemias patentes entre los 10 y 35 días pi, con un máximo promedio de 36,68±2 trips./mm³ de sangre a los 25 días. A los 90 días pi, se evidenció ausencia de parasitemias y presencia de anticuerpos IgG anti- T. cruzi. Las ratas chagásicas (A) y las sanas (C) sometidas a la dieta rica en grasas, mostraron: diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en el IMC, en comparación con los grupos de ratas sometidas a la dieta normal (B: infectadas y D: sanas); discreta reacción de la PCR en los sueros de las ratas infectadas B; aumento significativo en los niveles de colesterol total, colesterol - HDL y triglicéridos en los grupos A y C en comparación con los grupos controles B y D (p<0,05). El estudio histológico de las arterias de ratas del grupo A, reveló importantes depósitos lipídicos ubicados en la capa muscular próximos a las capas íntima y adventicia. Estos resultados sugieren que el incremento en los niveles de lípidos plasmáticos estimulado por el proceso infeccioso, son los principales mecanismos por el cual T. cruzi podría estar influyendo en la iniciación o progresión de placas ateromatosas

The effects of ingesting a high fat diet on albino rats (R. norvegicus) chronically infected with Trypanosome cruzi “Planalto” were researched using serological and parasitological diagnostic tests, body mass index (BMI) quantification, detection of C-Protein Reactive (CPR), evaluation of the plasmatic lipid levels (total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins HDL and triglycerides) and the presence of lipidic deposits in the aorta artery. During the course of the chagasic infection, patent parasitemias were detected between the ages of 10 and 35 days post-infection (pi) with a maximum average of 36.68 ± 2 tryps/mm³ of blood at 25 days. At 90 days pi, the absence of parasitemias and the presence of IgG anti T. cruzi antibodies were in evidence. The chagasic rats in chronic phase (A) and the healthy controls (C) submitted to a high fat diet showed: 1. Significant variations (p0.05) in the BMI, in comparison with the rat groups receiving a normal diet (B: infected and D: healthy rats); 2. A discrete CRP reaction in the serum of infected rats B; 3. A significant increase was shown in the total cholesterol levels, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides for groups A and C in comparison with control groups B and D (p0.05). The histological study of rat arteries in group A revealed important lipid deposits located in the muscular layer near the intimal and adventitial layer. These results suggest that the increase in plasmatic lipid levels stimulated by the infectious process are the main mechanisms through which T. cruzi could be influencing the initiation or the progression of atheromatous plaque

Circulation of Campylobacter spp. in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) held in captivity: a longitudinal study

Campylobacteriosis is an extremely important zoonosis, circulating freely in the environment. In nonhuman primates kept in open facilities and bred for experimental purposes, the presence of Campylobacter spp. could cause severe damage to the production and interfere with the results of scientific research. In this paper, we assessed the circulation of Campylobacter spp. in a colony of clinically healthy rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) destined to research. The analysis was carried out during seven non-consecutive years. Data showed that despite several changes made in animal management along the studied years in order to control this zoonosis, reduction of bacterial charge did not occur. Significant differences among the age groups and sex were observed. Infants showed higher susceptibility than adult animals. In general males were more infected than females. Modifications adopted in the handling techniques need to be reviewed with the intent of improving the production, reducing bacterial infection of the stock and avoiding undesirable cross reactions in the research carried out with these animals. Therefore, this paper alerts professionals that work directly with captive rhesus monkeys about the risks of Campylobacter spp. infection and possible interference on the experimental procedures.

Estudo in vivo da atividade antimicótica (dermatófitos) da geléia real / Study in vivo of antimycotical activity (dermatophytes) of royal jelly

A geléia real é substância secretada pela glândula existente no encéfalo das abelhas obreiras. É popularmente conhecida como tônico energético para retardar efeitos da idade a amenizar sofrimentos das doenças crônicas. Em estudo anterior, observou-se a atividade antimicótica in vitro da geléia real contra fungos dermatófitos, sendo o objetivo do presente trabalho o estudo in vivo (modelo animal) da atividade antimicótica da geléia real contra esses dermatófitos já estudados in vitro. Os resultados mostraram significativa atividade in vivo antimicótica presente contra Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis e Microsporum gypseum, mas até a concentraçäo máxima utilizada näo atuou sobre o Trichophyton sp.

El animal de laboratorio / The laboratory animal

La utilización de animales de laboratorio para la investigación biomédica ha tenido un crecimiento importante en nuestro país en los últimos años. La clase de estos animales influyen directamente en la calidad de los trabajos científicos realizados con ellos. El presente trabajo tiene por objeto exponer un panorama general de lo que es el animal de laboratorio. Se analizan las razones de tipo científico, ético-legales y laborales que obligan a que la calidad de estos animales sea apropiada. Se describen las características microbiológicas de los animales convencionales y aquellos clasificados como libres de patógenos específicos. Además, se describen las características físicas que debe terner el albergue para animales de laboratorio. Se concluye que el animal de laboratorio es un modelo biológico de gran valor para la investigación, por lo que su producción y cuidado deben responder a estrictas normas de calidad que aseguren que su uso sea científica y éticamente aceptable

Dermatofitos en animales sanos de laboratorio / Dermatophytes in healthy laboratory's animals

Se estudiaron 399 animales sanos de dos bioterios en Säo Paulo, Brasil (perros, conejos, cobayos, ratones, hamsters y carneros) para la búsqueda de dermatofitos. El único dermatofito aislado fue T. mentagrophytes var granulare, en el 75,34% de los ratones; 20,66% de los cobayos y 2,17% de los conejos. La presencia de dermatofitos en el tegumento de los animales sanos representa un riesgo de infección para los otros animales y el hombre. Eventualmente podría también falsear resultados de experiencias biomédicas