Expanding the universe of Piroplasmids: morphological detection and phylogenetic positioning of putative novel piroplasmids in black-eared opossums (Didelphis aurita) from southeastern Brazil, with description of "South American Marsupialia Group" of Piroplasmida.

The growing proximity of wildlife to large urban niches arouses greater interest in understanding wild reservoirs in the epidemiology of diseases of importance to animal and human health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of piroplasmids in opossums rescued from the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Blood and bone marrow samples were collected from 15 Didelphis aurita and subjected to DNA extraction and PCR using primers for the 18S rRNA, cox1, cox3, and hsp70 genes of piroplasmids. Clinical and hematological evaluation of the animals was also performed. Five (33.3%) of the 15 opossums tested positive for piroplasms in the nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA, and in two animals, it was possible to observe intra-erythrocytic structures compatible with merozoites. One of the positive animals showed clinical signs of infection such as jaundice, fever, and apathy. Anemia, low level of plasma protein, leukocytosis, and regenerative erythrocyte signs were observed in positive animals. Phylogenetic analysis based on both 18S rRNA and cox-3 genes demonstrated that the piroplasmids detected in D. aurita formed a unique sub-clade, albeit related to piroplasmids previously detected in Didelphis albiventris and associated ticks from Brazil. This study proposes the novel Piroplasmida Clade, namely "South American Marsupialia Group," and reinforces the need for new clinical-epidemiological surveys to understand the dynamics of these infections in didelphids in Brazil.

Molecular detection of hemoplasmas in rescued black-eared opossums (Didelphis aurita Wied-Neuwied, 1826) from southeastern Brazil, with evidence of a novel genotype infecting marsupials.

There is a growing concern about the participation of wild hosts and reservoirs in the epidemiology of several pathogens, particularly within the context of environmental changes and the expansion of the One Health concept. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of hemoplasmas in opossums rescued from the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 15 Didelphis aurita and subjected to DNA extraction and PCR using primers for the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes. Physical examination and hematological analysis were also performed. Three out of 15 opossums tested positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. by PCR and showed hematological alterations such as anemia and leukocytosis. Clinical signs were non-specific and associated to traumatic lesions. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the hemoplasma detected was positioned between 'Ca. Mycoplasma haemodidelphis' detected in D. virginiana from North American and hemoplasmas recently detected in D. aurita from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This study indicates the existence of hemoplasma infections in D. aurita from the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, and reinforce the need for new epidemiological inquiries to clarify the participation of these in the dynamics of circulation of tick-borne pathogens.

Comparison of preoperative fluid therapy protocols associated with inhalational or total intravenous anesthesia for anesthetic procedures in dogs with sepsis.

This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate different fluid therapy protocols associated with inhalational or total intravenous anesthesia in the cardiorespiratory stability of bitches with sepsis subjected to a surgical procedure to control the infectious focus. Thirty-two bitches diagnosed with pyometra and sepsis and treated at the University Veterinary Hospital between 2018 and 2019 were recruited. After admission, diagnosis, clinical, and laboratory evaluation, patients were randomly distributed into the following groups: propofol 5 (P[5]: preoperative restrictive fluid therapy-5mL/kg/h and intravenous general anesthesia); propofol 10 (P[10]: preoperative liberal fluid therapy-10mL/kg/h and intravenous general anesthesia); and isoflurane 5 (I[5]: preoperative restrictive fluid therapy-5mL/kg/h and inhalational general anesthesia). Lactate on admission (LAC1) and release (LAC2), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), rectal temperature (RT), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and carbon dioxide extraction rate (EtCO2) were analyzed at PRE, T10, T20, T30, T40, T50, TEXT, and TDIS. Clearance of 20% of lactate occurred in 18 dogs, with the P[10] group displaying the best performance. There was no statistical difference in vasopressor requirements among the groups. Liberal fluid therapy showed greater cardiovascular stability than restrictive therapy in the perioperative period. Regarding general anesthesia, isoflurane showed greater cardiorespiratory stability than propofol during anesthetic maintenance. In conclusion, although the three proposed protocols are safe and there is no difference in their superiority, some observed changes may be relevant and considered when it is possible to individualize the therapy for the patient.

Este ensaio clínico randomizado teve a proposição de avaliar diferentes protocolos de fluidoterapia associados a anestesia inalatória ou total intravenosa, na estabilidade hemodinâmica de cadelas com sepse, submetidas a procedimento cirúrgico, para controle do foco infeccioso. Foram incluídas trinta e duas cadelas, com diagnóstico de piometra e sepse, atendidas em hospital veterinário universitário, no período de 2018 a 2019. Após admissão, diagnóstico, avaliação clínica e laboratoriais, os pacientes foram distribuídos de maneira aleatória nos grupos Propofol 5 (P[5]: fluidoterapia restritiva pré-operatória - 5mL/kg/h e anestesia geral intravenosa), Propofol 10 (P[10]: fluidoterapia liberal pré-operatória - 10mL/kg/h e anestesia geral intravenosa) e Isoflurano 5 (I[5]: fluidoterapia restritiva pré-operatória - 5mL/kg/h e anestesia geral inalatória). Foram analisados lactato na admissão (LAC1) e liberação (LAC2), frequências cardíacas (HR) e respiratória (RR), pressão arterial sistólica (SBP), temperatura retal (RT), saturação de oxigênio (SpO2) e taxa de extração de dióxido de carbono (EtCO2) nos seguintes momentos: PRE, T10, T20, T30, T40, T50, TEXT e TDIS. A depuração de 20% do lactato ocorreu em 18 cães, tendo o grupo P[10] o melhor desempenho. Não houve diferença estatística no requerimento de vasopressores entre os grupos. A fluidoterapia liberal apresentou maior estabilidade cardiovascular quando comparado com a restritiva no período perioperatório. Com relação a anestesia geral, o isoflurano apresentou maior estabilidade cardiorrespiratória que o propofol na manutenção anestésica. Nós concluímos que apesar de os três protocolos propostos serem seguros e sem diferença em superioridade entre eles, algumas alterações observadas podem ser relevantes e ponderadas quando for possível a individualização da terapêutica no paciente.