Co-infection with arthropod-borne pathogens in domestic cats / Co-infecção por patógenos transmitidos por artrópodes em gatos domésticos

Abstract The role of several feline vector-borne pathogens (FVBP) as a cause of disease in cats has not been clearly determined. In fact, with the exception of Bartonella spp. and hemoplasmas, FVBP in cats has not been clearly determined in Brazil yet. The present study aimed at identifying, by using molecular methods, the presence of FVBP in three cats showing non-specific clinical signs and inclusions suggestive of hemoparasites in blood smears. Cytauxzoon felis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', Ehrlichia sp. closely related to Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma sp. closely related to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in blood samples from two out of three sampled cats. Both cats positive for multiple FVBP did not show hematological and biochemical abnormalities. The present work emphasizes the need for molecular confirmation of co-infection by multiple FVBP in cats presenting non-specific clinical signs and inclusions resembling hemoparasites in blood smears.

Resumo O papel de diversos patógenos felinos transmitidos por vetores (PFTV) como causa de enfermidades em gatos não tem sido claramente determinado. De fato, com exceção de Bartonella spp. e hemoplasmas, PFTV têm sido bem menos estudados no Brasil. O presente estudo objetivou investigar, utilizando métodos moleculares, a presença de PFTV em três gatos apresentando sinais clínicos inespecíficos e inclusões sugestivas de hemoparasitas em esfregaços sanguíneos. Cytauxzoon felis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', Ehrlichia sp. filogeneticamente relacionada a Ehrlichia canis, e Anaplasma sp. filogeneticamente relacionado a Anaplasma phagocytophilum foram detectados em amostras de sangue de dois dos três gatos amostrados. Os dois gatos positivos para múltiplos PFTV não apresentaram alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas. O presente trabalho enfatiza a necessidade de confirmação molecular da infecção por múltiplos PFTV em gatos apresentando sinais clínicos inespecíficos e inclusões sugestivas de hemoparasitas em esfregaços sanguíneos.

Co-infection with arthropod-borne pathogens in domestic cats.

The role of several feline vector-borne pathogens (FVBP) as a cause of disease in cats has not been clearly determined. In fact, with the exception of Bartonella spp. and hemoplasmas, FVBP in cats has not been clearly determined in Brazil yet. The present study aimed at identifying, by using molecular methods, the presence of FVBP in three cats showing non-specific clinical signs and inclusions suggestive of hemoparasites in blood smears. Cytauxzoon felis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', Ehrlichia sp. closely related to Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma sp. closely related to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in blood samples from two out of three sampled cats. Both cats positive for multiple FVBP did not show hematological and biochemical abnormalities. The present work emphasizes the need for molecular confirmation of co-infection by multiple FVBP in cats presenting non-specific clinical signs and inclusions resembling hemoparasites in blood smears.

Atividade antibacteriana e cicatrizante do óleo de buriti Mauritia flexuosa L. / Antibacterial and healing activities of buriti oil Mauritia flexuosa L.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antibacteriana in vitro e cicatrizante do óleo de buriti (M. flexuosa) em feridas realizadas em ratos (Rattus norvegicus albinus). Para a avaliação antibacteriana in vitro, foram utilizados cinco patógenos bacterianos incluindo espécies gram-positivas e espécies gram-negativas mediante o uso do método de difusão em ágar. Para a avaliação da atividade cicatrizante, foram utilizados 40 ratos da linhagem Wistar, divididos em dois grupos: o grupo I, composto por 20 ratos com feridas cutâneas, tratados com aplicação tópica do creme base com 10 por cento de óleo de buriti, e o grupo II, controle, com o mesmo número de animais que receberam a aplicação tópica do creme base. A aplicação do produto foi realizada em feridas padronizadas, circulares de 1cm de diâmetro na região dorsolombar. As avaliações clínica, morfométrica e histopatológica das feridas foram realizadas no 3°, 7°, 14° e 21° dias. Em relação à avaliação da atividade antibacteriana, os resultados mostraram que houve inibição do crescimento bacteriano em quatro dos cinco patógenos testados. Em relação à área da ferida, foi observada redução significativa da área no 14o dia e maior percentual de contração das feridas do grupo tratado em relação ao controle. No décimo quarto dia, as feridas tratadas com o óleo do buriti apresentavam aumento significativo na contagem de fibroblastos e fibras colágenas, além de completo processo de reepitelização, enquanto o grupo controle necessitava de mais tempo para resolução do processo cicatricial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity and wound healing effect of buriti oil (M. flexuosa) in rats. To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity, five species of bacteria, including both gram-negative and gram-positive, were tested by the agar diffusion method. To assess the wound healing effect, 40 rats of Wistar lineage were clustered into two groups: G1, composed by 20 rats with cutaneous wounds and treated using topic administration of basic cream containing 10 percent of buriti oil; and G2 or control group, composed by 20 rats with cutaneous wounds and treated using topic administration of basic cream without any buriti oil. The cream administration was performed on circular wounds of 1 cm area in the lumbodorsal region. Clinical, histopathologic and morphometric evaluations of the wounds were done in 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21th days. Four from five bacteria species tested had growing inhibition, which demonstrates the antimicrobial potential of buriti oil. A significant reduction on the wound area with contraction of the edges was found for G1 in the 14th day. On this same day, the wounds treated using buriti oil showed an increase in the fibroblasts and collagen fibers countings and complete reephitelialization, characteristics not demonstrated by G2.

Comparing reconstruction with ileocecal graft to jejunal interposition pouch after total gastrectomy in rats.

After total gastrectomy, the ileocecal graft may act as a reservoir and protect against reflux but give rise to transposition of the ileum and cause possible changes in bile acid metabolism and nutrition. This study compared the ileocecal graft and jejunal pouch. Male Wistar rats weighing 265 +/- 22 g were submitted to sham operation (S), ileocecal interposition graft (IIG), and jejunal pouch interposition graft (JP) after total gastrectomy. Eight weeks later, the esophagus was examined for evidence of esophagitis. Nutritional biochemistry and weight profile were documented preoperatively and 8 weeks after surgery. The oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Thirty-three rats were operated on and 30 survived for 8 weeks. Esophagitis occurred in seven JP rats. Body weight was significantly higher in IIG than in JP rats (p < .05). Normal glucose tolerance to intragastric glucose load was observed in sham and operated rats. JP rats had a significant decrease in serum albumin, glucose, transferrin, hemoglobin, iron, folate, and calcium, compared to sham (p < .05). Cobalamine was significantly lower in IIG rats than in JP rats (p < .05). In the IIG and JP groups, serum/hepatic total bile acid did not differ significantly from preoperative and sham values. In conclusion, the IIG interposition graft in rats prevented esophagitis, preserved nutrition, and did not interfere with enterohepatic total bile acid circulation.

Prevention of bacterial translocation using beta-(1-3)-D-glucan in small bowel ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of beta-(1-3)-D-glucan on 99mTc labelled Escherichia coli translocation and cytokines secretion in rats submitted to small bowel ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Five groups (n=10 each) of Wistar rats were subjected to control(C), sham(S), group IR subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R), and group I/R+glucan subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R) and injected with 2 mg/Kg intramuscular. Translocation of labelled bacteria to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung and serum was determined using radioactivity/count and colony forming units/g(CFU/g). Serum TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: CFU/g and radioactivity/count were higher in I/R than in I/R+glucan rats. In C, S and S+glucan groups, bacteria and radioactivity/count were rarely detected. The I/R+glucan rats had enhancement of IL-10 and suppressed production of serum TNFalpha, IL-1beta and, IL-6, compared to I/R untreated animals. CONCLUSION: The beta-(1-3)-D-glucan modulated the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during bowel ischemia/reperfusion, and attenuated translocation of labelled bacteria.

Prevention of bacterial translocation using beta-(1-3)-D-glucan in small bowel ischemia and reperfusion in rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of beta-(1-3)-D-glucan on 99mTc labelled Escherichia coli translocation and cytokines secretion in rats submitted to small bowel ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Five groups (n=10 each) of Wistar rats were subjected to control(C), sham(S), group IR subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R), and group I/R+glucan subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R) and injected with 2mg/Kg intramuscular. Translocation of labelled bacteria to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung and serum was determined using radioactivity/count and colony forming units/g(CFU/g). Serum TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: CFU/g and radioactivity/count were higher in I/R than in I/R+glucan rats. In C, S and S+glucan groups, bacteria and radioactivity/count were rarely detected. The I/R+glucan rats had enhancement of IL-10 and suppressed production of serum TNFalpha, IL-1beta and, IL-6, compared to I/R untreated animals. CONCLUSION: The beta-(1-3)-D-glucan modulated the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during bowel ischemia/reperfusion, and attenuated translocation of labelled bacteria.

OBJETIVO: Investigar o papel da beta-(1-3)-D-glucana na translocação de Escherichia coli marcada com 99mTc e na secreção de citocinas em ratos submetidos a isquemia e reperfusão intestinal. MÉTODOS: Cinco grupos (n=10 cada) de ratos Wistar foram denominados controle (C), sham (S), grupo IR submetido a 45 minutos de isquemia do intestino delgado e 60 minutos de reperfusão(I/R), grupo I/R+glucana com 45 minutos de isquemia e 60 minutos de reperfusão(I/R) e tratados com glucana 2mg/Kg intramuscular. Translocação de Escherichia coli marcada com 99mTc, para Linfonodos mesentéricos, fígado, baço, pulmão e soro foi avaliada usando contagem de radioatividade e de unidades formadoras de colônias/g (UFC/g) Dosagem sérica de TNFalfa, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 foi realizada pelo método ELISA. RESULTADOS: CFU/g e contagem de radioatividade foi significantemente maior nos ratos do grupo I/R do que no grupo I/R+glucana. Nos grupos C, S e S+glucana bactérias e contagem radioativa foram raramente detectadas. Os ratos do grupo I/R+glucana tiveram aumento de IL-10 sérica e significante redução da expressão de TNFalfa, IL-1beta e IL-6, quando comparados com os animais não tratados do grupo I/R. CONCLUSÃO: A beta-(1-3)-D-glucana modulou a produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e anti-inflamatórias durante a isquemia/reperfusão intestinal e contribuiu para reduzir a translocação de bactérias marcadas.

Total gastrectomy with substitution of stomach by jejunal pouch with and without duodenal passage. Study in rats.

PURPOSE: A comparison was done between the F. Paulino jejunal pouch (FP) and a jejunal pouch (JP) as esophagus-duodenum interpositional graft, for replacing the stomach after total gastrectomy. It was investigated the effect of the two procedures on esophagus histology, nutritional state and serum gastrin in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats weighing 282 +/- 17g were randomly submitted to sham operation (S), FP and JP after total gastrectomy. After eight weeks the rats were killed with overdose of anesthetic and tissue was taken from the distal esophagus for histology. Serum levels of total proteins, albumin, iron, transferring, folate, cobalamine, calcium, as well as serum gastrin were determined. Survival was considered. RESULTS: Fourty six rats were operated and thirty survived for eight weeks. Five (33.3%) died after FP and 11 (52.3%) after JP (p < 0.05). Postoperative esophagitis occurred in 6 JP rats. At 8th week, no difference was observed on body weight when compared FP and JP rats (p > 0.05). The JP rats had a significant decrease in serum albumin, glucose, transferrin, iron, folate and calcium, compared to sham (p < 0.05). Serum gastrin, iron and calcium were significantly higher in JP rats than in FP rats (p < 0.05). In FP rats, transferrin and cobalamine showed significant decrease comparing the preoperative with 8th week levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: F. Paulino pouch in rats had lower mortality than JP, and esophagitis was not detected in it. JP rats had serum gastrin, iron and calcium unaffected, possibly because of preservation of duodenal passage.

Total gastrectomy with substitution of stomach by jejunal pouch with and without duodenal passage: study in rats

OBJETIVO: Estudo comparativo foi realizado entre a bolsa jejunal de Fernando Paulino (FP) e uma bolsa jejunal (JP) interposta entre o esôfago e duodeno, para substituir o estômago após gastrectomia . Foi investigado o efeito dos dois procedimentos na histologia do esôfago, estado nutricional e gastrinemia sérica em ratos. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e seis ratos Wistar pesando 282±17g foram aleatoriamente submetidos a sham operation (S), FP e JP após gastectomia total. Decorridas 8 semanas, foi colhido sangue por punção cardíaca para dosagem de proteínas totais, albumina, ferro, transferrina, folato, cobalamina, calcio, e gastrina. Os animais receberam dose letal de anestésico e tecido do esôfago terminal foi retirado para histologia. Foi observada a mortalidade operatória dos animais. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e seis ratos foram operados e 30 sobreviveram por 8 semanas. Cinco (33,3 %) morreram após FP e 11 (52,3%) após JP (p<0.05). Esophagitis pós-operatória ocorreu em 6 ratos JP. Na 8ª semana o peso corporal foi maior nosratos submetidos a FP do que JP (p>0.05). Os ratos submetidos a JP tiveram uma diminuição significativa na albumina, glucose, transferrina, ferro, folato e cálcio, comparado com o sham (p<0.05). Os níveis de gastrina sérica, ferro e calcio mostraram-se significantemente maiores nos ratos submetidos a JP do que nos FP (p<0.05). Nos ratos FP a transferrina e a cobalamina estiveram significantemente diminuídas comparando-se os níveis do pré-operatório com a 8ª semana (p<0.05). CONCLUSÃO: A bolsa jejunal de F. Paulino, em ratos, resultou em mortalidade operatória e incidência de esofagite de refluxo menor do que a interposição de JP. A JP não afetou a dosagem sérica de gastrina, ferro e cálcio, provavelmente devido à preservação da passagem dos alimentos pelo duodeno.