Increased cytokine and nitric oxide levels in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii.

This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate (NO x ) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and NO x . Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and NO x was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of NO x were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.

Serum proteinogram, acute phase proteins and immunoglobulins in dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii.

The present study aimed to evaluate the serum proteinogram, acute phase proteins (APPs) and immunoglobulins (Igs) of dogs experimentally infected by Rangelia vitalii in the acute phases of the disease. Banked serum samples collected on days 0, 10 and 20 during a previously reported R. vitalii experimental infection were used to analyze the serum proteinogram, APPs (C-reactive protein - CRP and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein - AGP) and Igs (IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE) in the current study. Total protein and albumin level were significantly (P<0.05) decreased at day 10 PI and 20 PI in infected sera compared to the control sera. Alpha-1 globulin (day 10 PI) and gamma globulin (day 20 PI) were increased (P<0.01) in infected sera. Alpha-2 globulin (days 10 and 20 PI) and beta-2 globulin (day 10 PI) were decreased (P<0.05) in infected sera compared to control sera. Beta-1 globulin fraction did not differ statistically between sera. Serum CRP and AGP concentrations were significantly increased (P<0.05) at days 10 and 20 PI in infected sera. IgG was increased at days 10 (P<0.05) and 20 PI (P<0.01) in infected sera. Furthermore, it was also observed an increase (P<0.01) in the levels of IgM, IgA, and IgE in infected sera than control sera. We conclude that R. vitalii infection causes alterations in the proteinogram, and increases in the levels of APPs and Igs. Further studies are essentials to define the causes of these pathological changes in this disease.

Rangelia vitalii: changes in the enzymes ALT, CK and AST during the acute phase of experimental infection in dogs.

Rangelia vitalii is a protozoon that causes diseases in dogs, and anemia is the most common laboratory finding. However, few studies on the biochemical changes in dogs infected with this protozoon exist. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the biochemical changes in dogs experimentally infected with R. vitalii, during the acute phase of the infection. For this study, 12 female dogs (aged 6-12 months and weighing between 4 and 7 kg) were used, divided in two groups. Group A was composed of healthy dogs (n = 5); and group B consisted of infected animals (n = 7). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 after infection, using tubes without anticoagulant to obtain serum and analyze the biochemical parameters. An increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) on day 20 (P < 0.05) was observed. Also, increased creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were observed throughout the experimental period (P < 0.05). No changes in the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase, urea and creatinine levels were observed. Thus, is possible to conclude that experimental infection with R. vitalii in dogs causes changes to the biochemical profile, with increased ALT, AST and CK enzyme levels.

Rangelia vitalii: changes in the enzymes ALT, CK and AST during the acute phase of experimental infection in dogs / Rangelia vitalii: mudanças nas enzimas ALT, CK e AST na fase aguda da infecção experimental em cães

Rangelia vitalii is a protozoon that causes diseases in dogs, and anemia is the most common laboratory finding. However, few studies on the biochemical changes in dogs infected with this protozoon exist. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the biochemical changes in dogs experimentally infected with R. vitalii, during the acute phase of the infection. For this study, 12 female dogs (aged 6-12 months and weighing between 4 and 7 kg) were used, divided in two groups. Group A was composed of healthy dogs (n = 5); and group B consisted of infected animals (n = 7). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 after infection, using tubes without anticoagulant to obtain serum and analyze the biochemical parameters. An increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) on day 20 (P < 0.05) was observed. Also, increased creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were observed throughout the experimental period (P < 0.05). No changes in the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase, urea and creatinine levels were observed. Thus, is possible to conclude that experimental infection with R. vitalii in dogs causes changes to the biochemical profile, with increased ALT, AST and CK enzyme levels.

Rangelia vitalii é um protozoário que causa doença em cães, sendo a anemia o achado laboratorial mais frequente. No entanto, existem poucos estudos sobre as alterações bioquímicas em cães infectados com o protozoário. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo investigar as alterações bioquímicas de cães experimentalmente infectados com R. vitalii na fase aguda da infecção. Para o estudo, foram utilizados 12 cães fêmeas (com idade entre 6 a 12 meses e peso entre 4 a 7 kg), divididos em dois grupos. O grupo A (n = 5) foi composto de animais saudáveis e o grupo B (n = 7) de animais infectados. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos dias zero, dez, vinte e trinta PI, utilizando tubos sem anticoagulante para obtenção de soro e análise dos parâmetros bioquímicos. Foi observado um aumento na alanino aminotransferase (ALT) no dia 20 PI (P < 0,05) e aumento na creatinoquinase (CK) e aspartato aminotransferase (AST) em todo o período experimental (P < 0,05). Não foram observadas alterações séricas na gama-glutamiltransferase, uréia e creatinina. Portanto, é possível concluir que a infecção experimental por R. vitalii causa alterações no perfil bioquímico, com aumento na ALT, CK e AST.

Activities of ectonucleotidases and adenosine deaminase in platelets of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii.

Rangeliosis is a disease which affects dogs in Brazil, caused by a piroplasm known as Rangelia vitalii. This disease causes a lot of clinico-pathological features, including the coagulation disorders associated with bleeding. The cause of these changes has not yet been determined. Considering the association of purinergic system and hemostasis this study aimed to evaluate the activity of enzymes that hydrolyze ATP, ADP and AMP; and deamination of adenosine in platelets from dogs experimentally infected with R. vitalii. For this study, 12 healthy young dogs (females) were used, separated in two groups. Group A (n=5) were uninfected controls, and group B were experimentally infected with R. vitalii (n=7). After being inoculated with R. vitalii-infected blood, animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intra-erythrocytic forms of the parasite after five days post-inoculation (PI). Blood samples were collected to quantitate and separate platelets (Day 0, 12 and 21 PI) and to measure the enzymatic activities (Day 12 and 21 PI). The activity of NTPDase, 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) was measured in platelets. A reduction (P<0.01) in the number of platelets was observed in R. vitalii-infected blood at Days 12 and 21 PI. At Day 12 PI, a reduction (P<0.01) in the hydrolysis of ATP, ADP and AMP, and deamination of adenosine was observed in dogs infected with R. vitalii. At Day 21 PI the ADA activity remained decreased, unlike the activity of NTPDase which increased (P<0.05). Based on these results we can conclude that ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis and adenosine deamination were altered in platelets of R. vitalii-infected dogs. Considering the importance of the purinergic system in hemostasis, it is believed that those changes contribute to the coagulation disorders and bleeding observed in R. vitalii-infected dogs and discussed in this manuscript.

Thrombocytopenia and platelet activity in dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the platelet count, coagulation time and platelet activity in dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii during the acute phase of the disease. For this study, 12 young dogs (females) were used, separated in two groups. Group A (uninfected control) was composed by healthy dogs (n=5), and group B consisted of R. vitalii-infected animals (n=7). After being inoculated with R. vitalii-infected blood, animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intra-erythrocytic forms of the parasite five days post-inoculation (PI). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 PI. The material collected was placed in tubes containing EDTA for quantification of platelets, citrate anticoagulant platelet aggregation, and measuring the clotting time. Right after blood collection on days 10 and 20 PI, dogs were anesthetized for collecting bone marrow samples. A significant reduction (P<0.01) of the number of platelets was observed in R. vitalii-infected blood, when compared with uninfected dogs on days 10 and 20 PI. Additionally, macro-platelets were observed only in infected dogs. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time did not differ between infected and uninfected dogs. The megakaryocyte count increased (P<0.01) significantly in infected dogs when compared with uninfected ones on days 10 and 20 PI. Platelet aggregation decreased (P<0.01) significantly in infected dogs in comparison to the control on days 10 and 20 PI. Therefore, rangeliosis in dogs causes a severe thrombocytopenia during the acute phase of infection. This platelets reduction probably occurred due to splenic sequestration and/or immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Cão naturalmente infectado por Trypanosoma evansi em Santa Maria, RS, Brasil / Dog naturally infected by Trypanosoma evansi in Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

Descreve-se, neste trabalho, as alterações hematológicas e o proteinograma de um cão naturalmente infectado por Trypanosoma evansi. Este animal apresentou anemia normocítica normocrômica, leucopenia com linfopenia seguida por neutropenia e linfocitose; trombocitopenia; hiperproteinemia com aumento das frações beta e gama globulinas e hipoalbuminemia. Por ser este o primeiro relato de infecção por T. evansi em cães no município de Santa Maria, RS, destaca-se a sua importância epidemiológica, alertando os médicos veterinários para a existência de reservatórios do parasita na região e para a possibilidade de novos achados laboratoriais.

This paper describes the hematological alterations and proteinogram of a dog naturally infected by Trypanosoma evansi. This dog was presented with normochromic-normocytic anemia, leucopenia with lymphopenia followed for neutrophenia and lymphocitosis; and trombocitopenia. Hyperproteinemia with an increase of beta and gamma globulin fractions and hypoalbuminemia. By being the first case reported of T. evansi infection in dogs in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, the epidemiological significance of such findings will alert the veterinarians to the existence of a possible parasite's reservoir in the region warning to the possibility of new laboratory findings.

Enxerto autólogo de pele em malha, com espessura completa, na reparação de feridas carpometacarpianas de cães. Avaliação microscópica à irradiação laser AsGa / Autologous full thickness mesh skin grafts, to repair wounds in the carpametacarpal regions of dogs. Microscopic examination to laser AsGa therapy

Feridas nas extremidades dos membros freqüentemente requerem o uso de enxertos para reparação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar histologicamente os efeitos da radiação laser AsGa, em enxertos autólogos de pele, em malha, com espessura completa, na reparação de feridas cirúrgicas carpometacarpianas limpas, bilaterais em cães. A região doadora foi a parede costolateral. O tratamento laser foi realizado em 20 enxertos, no membro torácico esquerdo, imediatamente após a transplantação, perdurando por dez dias. A terapia laser AsGa modulou e acelerou a maturação do colágeno, produzindo incorporação de melhor qualidade do enxerto ao seu leito receptor quando esse foi comparado ao contra-lateral, dez e vinte dias após a enxertia.

Enxerto autólogo de pele, em malha, com espessura completa, na reparação de feridas carpometacarpianas de cães: resposta à irradiação laser AsGa / Autologous full thickness mesh skin grafts, to repair wounds in the carpametacarpal regions of dogs: influence of laser AsGa therapy

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar clinicamente os efeitos da radiaçäo laser AsGa, em enxertos autólogos de pele, em malha, com espessura completa, na reparaçäo de feridas carpometacarpianas de cäes. Para a seleçäo da amostra, escolheram-se, aleatoriamente, 20 cäes que foram separados em dois grupos nos quais foi criada ferida medindo 7,5cm² na regiäo carpometacarpiana. Nos animais do grupo I, a transposiçäo realizou-se em leito receptor fresco. Os do grupo II se diferenciaram, por a enxertia ser em leito receptor contendo tecido de granulaçäo. A regiäo doadora foi a parede costolateral. O tratamento laser AsGa foi realizado sempre no membro esquerdo, imediatamente após a transplantaçäo perdurando por dez dias (grupo I e II). O leito receptor (grupo II) foi irradiado durante 6 dias. Os resultados indicaram diferença significativa em favor dos enxertos tratados com laser AsGa quando comparados aos enxertos testemunhas, considerando as variáveis exsudaçäo, coloraçäo e edema. Isso permite concluir que enxertos irradiados exibem uma pega mais avançada no estádio inicial da enxertia