Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Amazonas State, Brazil, 2000-2011.

SETTINGS: Amazonas is facing increasing challenges in tuberculosis (TB) control, with nearly 3000 cases per year, and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) may jeopardise the TB control programme. OBJECTIVE: To assess the number of MDR-TB cases in the Amazonas and to improve estimates of the burden of TB. DESIGNS: The Brazilian National Mandatory Disease Reporting System (SINAN) and the Brazilian Epidemiological Surveillance System of Multidrug Resistance (TBMR) were searched for MDR-TB cases in the State of Amazonas from 2000 to 2011. RESULTS: Eighty-one MDR-TB cases were notified. The rates of primary MDR-TB, initial MDR-TB during the first treatment regimen and acquired MDR-TB were respectively 3.8%, 13.7% and 82.7%; 26.9% of previously treated patients had ⩾ 4 treatment cycles. The MDR-TB cases reported 263 contacts, only 35.0% of whom were examined. The cure and death rates among the 81 patients with MDR-TB were respectively 45.7% and 25.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The number of MDR-TB cases seems incompatible with the high TB prevalence in the Amazonas. Most patients were unaware of contact with TB patients. TB is endemic in the Amazonas. This highlights the need for improving resistance investigation among all TB cases.

Detecção de coinfecções por Leishmania (l) Chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e neospora caninum em cães / Detection of co-infections by Leishmania (l) Chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum in dogs

Foram investigadas coinfecções por Leishmania (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães. Formas amastigotas de Leishmania spp. foram detectadas pela análise citopatológica de linfonodos em 46.42% (39/84) dos cães. Em um cão macho, adulto, sem raça definida, proveniente de área rural e positivo para Leishmania, foram observadas formas flageladas de T. evansi em esfregaço sanguíneo. Pela imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), 5.95% (5/84) dos cães foram considerados reagentes para T. gondii, com titulação igual a 64, enquanto que 3.57% (3/84) foram reagentes para N. caninum, com título 50. Entre os animais com leishmaniose visceral, um apresentou resposta sorológica positiva para T. gondii e dois para N. caninum. Todos os cães reagentes para N. caninum eram de área rural e, o predomínio da infecção pelo T. gondii ocorreu em cães da área urbana. Um cão macho, jovem, da zona rural e soropositivo para T. gondii, apresentou mórulas de Ehrlichia spp. na citologia e reação positiva para o vírus da cinomose. Deste modo, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar a epidemiologia dessas infecções na população canina, principalmente com relação aos reservatórios de Trypanosoma spp. nas zonas rurais.(AU)

Co-infections by Leishmania (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs were investigated. Amastigotes forms of Leishmania spp. were detected by cytopathological analysis of lymph nodes in 46,42% (39/84) of dogs. In a male dog, adult, without defined breed, from rural area and positive for Leishmania, were observed flagellated forms of T. evansi in blood smear. By immunofluorescence antibody test, 5,95% (5/84) of dogs were considered reactive to T. gondii, with titer equal to or higher than 1:64, while 3,57% (3/84) were reactive to N. caninum, with titer ≥1:50. Among the animals with visceral leishmaniasis, one showed positive serological response to T. gondii and two for N. caninum. All dogs reactive to N. caninum were from rural area and the predominance of infection by T. gondii was in dogs from urban area. A young male dog from the rural area and seropositive for T. gondii showed Ehrlichia spp. morulae in the cytology and positive reaction for canine distemper virus. Thus, further studies are needed to assess the epidemiology of these infections in canine population, especially with respect to the reservoirs of Trypanosoma spp. in rural areas.(AU)

DETECTION OF CO-INFECTIONS BY Leishmania (l.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii AND Neospora caninum IN DOGS / Detecção de co-infecções por Leishmania (l.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães.

Foram investigadas coinfecções por Leishmania (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães. Formas amastigotas de Leishmania spp. foram detectadas pela análise citopatológica de linfonodos em 46.42% (39/84) dos cães. Em um cão macho, adulto, sem raça definida, proveniente de área rural e positivo para Leishmania, foram observadas formas flageladas de T. evansi em esfregaço sanguíneo. Pela imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), 5.95% (5/84) dos cães foram considerados reagentes para T. gondii, com titulação igual a 64, enquanto que 3.57% (3/84) foram reagentes para N. caninum, com título 50. Entre os animais com leishmaniose visceral, um apresentou resposta sorológica positiva para T. gondii e dois para N. caninum. Todos os cães reagentes para N. caninum eram de área rural e, o predomínio da infecção pelo T. gondii ocorreu em cães da área urbana. Um cão macho, jovem, da zona rural e soropositivo para T. gondii, apresentou mórulas de Ehrlichia spp. na citologia e reação positiva para o vírus da cinomose. Deste modo, mais estudos s&at

Detecção de coinfecções por Leishmania (l) Chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e neospora caninum em cães / Detection of co-infections by Leishmania (l) Chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum in dogs

Foram investigadas coinfecções por Leishmania (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães. Formas amastigotas de Leishmania spp. foram detectadas pela análise citopatológica de linfonodos em 46.42% (39/84) dos cães. Em um cão macho, adulto, sem raça definida, proveniente de área rural e positivo para Leishmania, foram observadas formas flageladas de T. evansi em esfregaço sanguíneo. Pela imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), 5.95% (5/84) dos cães foram considerados reagentes para T. gondii, com titulação igual a 64, enquanto que 3.57% (3/84) foram reagentes para N. caninum, com título 50. Entre os animais com leishmaniose visceral, um apresentou resposta sorológica positiva para T. gondii e dois para N. caninum. Todos os cães reagentes para N. caninum eram de área rural e, o predomínio da infecção pelo T. gondii ocorreu em cães da área urbana. Um cão macho, jovem, da zona rural e soropositivo para T. gondii, apresentou mórulas de Ehrlichia spp. na citologia e reação positiva para o vírus da cinomose. Deste modo, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar a epidemiologia dessas infecções na população canina, principalmente com relação aos reservatórios de Trypanosoma spp. nas zonas rurais.

Co-infections by Leishmania (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs were investigated. Amastigotes forms of Leishmania spp. were detected by cytopathological analysis of lymph nodes in 46,42% (39/84) of dogs. In a male dog, adult, without defined breed, from rural area and positive for Leishmania, were observed flagellated forms of T. evansi in blood smear. By immunofluorescence antibody test, 5,95% (5/84) of dogs were considered reactive to T. gondii, with titer equal to or higher than 1:64, while 3,57% (3/84) were reactive to N. caninum, with titer ≥1:50. Among the animals with visceral leishmaniasis, one showed positive serological response to T. gondii and two for N. caninum. All dogs reactive to N. caninum were from rural area and the predominance of infection by T. gondii was in dogs from urban area. A young male dog from the rural area and seropositive for T. gondii showed Ehrlichia spp. morulae in the cytology and positive reaction for canine distemper virus. Thus, further studies are needed to assess the epidemiology of these infections in canine population, especially with respect to the reservoirs of Trypanosoma spp. in rural areas.

DETECTION OF CO-INFECTIONS BY Leishmania (l.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii AND Neospora caninum IN DOGS / Detecção de co-infecções por Leishmania (l.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães

Foram investigadas coinfecções por Leishmania (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães. Formas amastigotas de Leishmania spp. foram detectadas pela análise citopatológica de linfonodos em 46.42% (39/84) dos cães. Em um cão macho, adulto, sem raça definida, proveniente de área rural e positivo para Leishmania, foram observadas formas flageladas de T. evansi em esfregaço sanguíneo. Pela imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), 5.95% (5/84) dos cães foram considerados reagentes para T. gondii, com titulação igual a 64, enquanto que 3.57% (3/84) foram reagentes para N. caninum, com título 50. Entre os animais com leishmaniose visceral, um apresentou resposta sorológica positiva para T. gondii e dois para N. caninum. Todos os cães reagentes para N. caninum eram de área rural e, o predomínio da infecção pelo T. gondii ocorreu em cães da área urbana. Um cão macho, jovem, da zona rural e soropositivo para T. gondii, apresentou mórulas de Ehrlichia spp. na citologia e reação positiva para o vírus da cinomose. Deste modo, mais estudos s&at

Histopathology of the reproductive system of male sheep experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes in reproductive system (testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate) of small male ruminants after Toxoplasma gondii infection. Eight sheep were inoculated with T. gondii: group I, four sheep (2.0 × 10(5) P-strain oocysts); group II, four sheep (1.0 × 10(6) RH-strain tachyzoites); and group III, two uninfected sheep maintained as control. Infection with T. gondii was confirmed by seroconversion (indirect fluorescent antibody test-IgG) in all the infected animals beginning on post-inoculation day (PID) 7. On PID 70, all the animals were euthanized and tissue samples (testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate) were collected and processed for histological analysis. The main changes detected were a focal mononuclear interstitial inflammatory infiltrate in the prostate and seminal vesicles; diffuse testicular degeneration associated with calcification foci and a multifocal mononuclear interstitial inflammatory infiltrate; and a mononuclear interstitial infiltrate and focal necrotic areas of the muscle fibers surrounding the seminal vesicles. The histopathological findings of this work, along with the detection of T. gondii in the examined parenchyma tissues (immunohistochemistry) and the results obtained by other authors examining different tissues, suggest that histological changes diagnosed in the reproductive system of rams infected with T. gondii are strongly suggestive of toxoplasmatic infection.

Decreased collagen types I and IV, laminin, CK-19 and α-SMA expression after bone marrow cell transplantation in rats with liver fibrosis.

Bone marrow cells have frequently been tested in animal models of liver fibrosis to assess their role in hepatic regeneration. The mononuclear fraction of bone marrow cells is of particular interest, as many studies show that these cells may be beneficial to treat hepatic fibrosis. In this study, we used the bile duct ligation model to induce hepatic fibrosis in an irreversible manner, and rats were treated with bone marrow mononuclear (BMMN) cells after fibrosis was established. Analysis of collagen types I and IV, laminin and α-SMA showed a decreased expression of these proteins in fibrotic livers after 7 days of BMMN cell injection. Moreover, cytokeratin-19 analysis showed a reduction in bile ducts in the BMMN cell-treated group. These results were accompanied by ameliorated levels of hepatic enzymes GPT (Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase), GOT (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) and alkaline phosphatase (AP). Therefore, we showed that BMMN cells decrease hepatic fibrosis by significantly reducing myofibroblast numbers and through reduction of the collagen and laminin-rich extracellular matrix of fibrotic septa and hepatic sinusoids.

Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dairy cattle, dogs, and humans from the Jauru micro-region, Mato Grosso state, Brazil.

In order to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, 2000 serum samples from female dairy cattle belonging to 50 farms in the southwest of Mato Grosso state were analyzed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT> or =64). Serum samples from 61 dogs (IFAT> or =40) and 116 humans (IFAT=40), all from the same farm, were also tested. Among these samples, 1420 (71.0%) cattle, 54 (88.5%) dogs, and 113 (97.4%) humans were seropositive for the infection. No significant differences (P> or =0.05) were observed for risk factors associated with the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in humans due to contaminated sources such as fresh milk, cheese/sausage, and contact with felines or other animals. The presence of felines can indicate the likelihood of a contaminated environment, posing a risk to the human population and other animals. The work presented herein is the first report to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in bovines from the Southwest region of the Mato Grosso state, Brazil.

Endectocide activity of a new long-action formulation containing 2.25% ivermectin+1.25% abamectin in cattle.

The present work aimed to evaluate the endectocide activity of a new injectable long-action formulation, containing ivermectin (IVM) and abamectin (ABA). In each one of the four experiments performed, the following groups were formed: group I: 2.25% IVM (450 microg/kg)+1.25% ABA (250 microg/kg), group II: 3.15% IVM (630 microg/kg) and group III: control. Eighteen bovine naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematoda were selected for anthelmintic evaluation and necropsied on posttreatment day (PTD) 14 to estimate the total parasitic burden. For the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus field trial, 30 bovine were selected by means of counts of semi-engorged R. (B.) microplus and the therapeutic and residual efficacy evaluated by tick counts on PTDs 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84 and 91. In the stall test, 15 calves were artificially infested with 5000 R. (B.) microplus (Mozzo strain) larvae three times a week and daily collections of all the engorged female ticks detached from each calf were performed until the PTD 80. Forty bovine naturally infected with Dermatobia hominis larvae were selected and the number of larvae was counted by visual and tactile inspection on PTDs 3, 7, 14, 28, 35, 49, 63, 77, 91 and 105. In this trial, a formulation containing 1% doramectin (200 microg/kg) was also used. IVM+ABA formulation and 3.15% IVM eliminated four of the eight species of nematode identified. The anthelmintic efficacy of the avermectins association against Haemonchus placei, Cooperia spatulata and C. punctata was 89.64%, 98.84% and 97.69%, while 3.15% IVM achieved 30.98%, 84.79% and 75.56%, respectively. The two formulations evaluated showed reduced acaricide action on the PTD 1 and 3, reaching high efficacy percentages from PTD 14 onward. The IVM+ABA showed efficacy above 95% in the period between PTDs 21 and 49. In the stall test, it observed no difference (P>0.05) between the two formulations regarding the R. (B.) microplus counts during the entire evaluation period. IVM+ABA reduced the number of ticks from the PTD 1 to 77 (P<0.05) and 3.15% IVM reduced (P<0.05) the tick number from PTD 4 up to PTD 80. The three endectocides showed no difference (P>0.05) regarding the number of D. hominis larvae and prevented this parasite reestablishment until PTD 105. These results indicate that the IVM+ABA association showed higher anthelmintic activity and similar efficacy against arthropods to the formulation containing 3.15% IVM.

Pharmacokinetics of a new long acting endectocide formulation containing 2.25% ivermectin and 1.25% abamectin in cattle.

The objective of this study was to determine the kinetic parameters of a new formulation that contained 2.25% ivermectin combined with 1.25% abamectin in bovine plasma. The results for 2.25% ivermectin: Cmax (37.11 ng/mL +/- 7.42), Tmax (16 days +/- 5.29), T(1/2) (44.62 days +/- 53.89), AUC (928.2 ng x day/mL +/- 153.83) and MRT (36.73 days +/- 33.64), and for 1.25% abamectin: Cmax (28.70 ng/mL +/- 9.54), Tmax (14 days +/- 4.04), T(1/2) (15.40 days +/- 11.43), AUC (618.05 ng x day/mL +/- 80.27) and MRT (20.79 days +/- 8.43) suggest that this combination of 2.25% ivermectin + 1.25% abamectin possesses properties that give this pharmaceutical formula a longer activity time than two of the commercial products tested (1% ivermectin and 1% abamectin), and showed similarity to 3.15% ivermectin.

Medicinal plants popularly used in the Brazilian Tropical Atlantic Forest.

A survey of medicinal plants used by rural and urban inhabitants of the three cities of the Tropical Atlantic Forest, Region of Vale do Ribeira, State of São Paulo, Brazil was performed by means of 200 interviews with medicinal plant users and extractors and, traditional healers. One hundred fourteen herbal remedies were recorded and the following information reported: Latin, vernacular and English names, plant part used, forms of preparation and application of the herbal remedies, medicinal or food uses, areas of plant collection, economic importance (when available) and other data.