Evaluation of immunological, parasitological and molecular methods for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection before and after chemotherapy treatment with praziquantel in experimentally infected Nectomys squamipes     

Gentile R  Gonçalves MM  da Costa Neto SF  da Costa MM  Peralta RH  Peralta JM 《Veterinary parasitology》2011,180(3-4):243-249

In low endemicity areas of schistosomiasis, the recommended diagnostic method of coprological examination results in an underestimation of infection cases. Alternative diagnostic methods have been developed, such as immunodiagnostic and molecular techniques. In this study we evaluated three methods used in the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection: parasitological (Kato-Katz), immunological (ELISA) and molecular (real time PCR), and also investigated the sensitivity of each technique in the cure determination after treatment with praziquantel using the water rat Nectomys squamipes, a natural reservoir for S. mansoni, as an experimental model. Two infection laboratory experiments were carried out. The first experiment aimed to observe the evolution of the immunological response in the first moments after infection and in the first months after treatment. The second experiment aimed to compare the efficacy of the three diagnostic techniques after infection and after treatment over a more extended time period. In the first experiment, 44% of the infected animals showed IgG reactivity after two weeks of infection, and 94% were positive based on serology 30 days after infection. The serological IgG titers increased just after infection but decreased gradually after treatment. In the second experiment, 89% of the animals showed positive IgG titers 22 days after infection. Only 68% of the animals showed positive results on the coproscopic diagnostic analysis and 79% did so by qPCR, 50 days after infection. Treated animals showed negative results on coproscopy one month after treatment but remained positive by serology even 12 months after treatment, although showing a decline in immunologic reaction after treatment. By qPCR analysis, all animals showed negative results three months after treatment, except for one animal. The parasitosis can be detected by coproscopy only six weeks after infection, and by serology 14 days after infection. The qPCR was a better diagnostic method for confirming the infection cure of S. mansoni. In early infection, this method was less efficient than serology but was slightly more efficient than the Kato-Katz method. We suggest that the methods should be used in low endemic areas as follows: serology should be used in the initial diagnosis in a population with potential positive cases; subsequently, coproscopy should be used in IgG positive cases to confirm the current infection; and qPCR should be used to evaluate the infection cure after treatment and is also a very valuable tool when there are cases showing positive IgG and negative coproscopy.  相似文献   

Acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation in the brain and spinal cord of rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi     

da Silva AS  Monteiro SG  Gonçalves JF  Spanevello R  Oliveira CB  Costa MM  Jaques JA  Morsch VM  Schetinger MR  Mazzanti CM  Lopes ST 《Veterinary parasitology》2011,175(3-4):237-244

Neurological and locomotor clinical signs are described in animals infected with Trypanosoma evansi. These disturbances may be related to changes in the amount of acetylcholine (neurotransmitter) in the synaptic cleft. Therefore, changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and lipid peroxidation in brain and spinal cord of T. evansi-infected rats were investigated. Each rat was intraperitoneally infected with 10(6) trypomastigotes kept in fresh (group A; n=13) and cryopreserved blood (group B; n=13). Thirteen served as uninfected (not-infected; group C). In days 4 and 30 post-infection (PI) the rats were anesthetized and subsequently decapitated to obtain the brain and the spinal cord (between vertebrae L1 and S2). The brain was removed and dissected (cerebellum, cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus) to measure the activity of AChE and lipid peroxidation, determined by TBARS levels. To verify if T. evansi was present in the central nervous system (CNS), brain structures of three rats of each group were processed by PCR T. evansi-specific. AChE activity was significantly increased in all brain structures and decrease in spinal cord in infected rats in 4 PI (P<0.05). The levels of TBARS were decreased in the brain structures, differently from spinal cord, which showed increased lipid peroxidation in 4 PI. The AChE activity in striatum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and spinal cord reduced concomitantly with the increase of the enzyme in cerebellum of the infected rats (P<0.05), and the TBARS levels increased in cerebellum, striatum and spinal cord of infected rats compared to non-infected animals in 30 PI. The PCR was positive for T. evansi in all structures of the brain, confirming the presence of the parasite in the CNS. Based on the results, we conclude that the changes in AChE activity and lipid peroxidation in the CNS are induced by infection with T. evansi, suggesting that the parasite interferes with the cholinergic neurotransmission in this experimental condition.  相似文献   

Toxoplasma gondii diagnosis in ovine aborted fetuses and stillborns in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil     

de Moraes EP  da Costa MM  Dantas AF  da Silva JC  Mota RA 《Veterinary parasitology》2011,183(1-2):152-155

The aim of this research was to study the contribution of Toxoplasma gondii to reproductive failure using nested PCR and histopathological examination of fetuses, stillborns and placentas. We examined 245 organs of fetuses and 28 placentas from 35 abortions and stillborns from naturally occurring miscarriages in sheep in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. At necropsy, fragments of brain, cerebellum, medulla, lung, heart, spleen, liver and placenta were taken for nested PCR and histopathological tests. Pathological examination revealed macroscopic lesions, suggesting T. gondii infection in 5/35 (14.3%) of the placentas. The histopathological examination revealed no lesions characteristic of toxoplasmosis in the organs investigated. In the five placentas, lesions consistent with toxoplasmosis were observed as an inflammatory non-suppurative infiltrate, along with multiple necrosis and mineralization. Nested PCR showed three aborted fetuses and two stillborns (14.3%) to test positive for T. gondii, with DNA amplification in all organs and the placenta, especially the heart and the placenta, which are the tissues of choice. This study substantiates the theory that T. gondii is involved in miscarriages and stillbirths and in the placentas of naturally infected sheep in Brazil. Such findings have not previously been described in the national literature.  相似文献   

Human and veterinary general practice     

Burns S  D'Sa SH 《The Veterinary record》2011,169(20):534-535

  相似文献   

Frequency of blood type A, B, and AB in 515 domestic shorthair cats from the Lisbon area     

Marques C  Ferreira M  Gomes JF  Leitão N  Costa M  Serra P  Correia JH  Pomba CF 《Veterinary clinical pathology / American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology》2011,40(2):185-187

Background: The A, B, and AB feline blood types are recognized worldwide and their frequencies vary geographically and among breeds. Frequencies of feline blood types have been reported previously from northern Portugal; however, they are unknown in other parts of the country. Objectives: This 13‐year retrospective study was undertaken to determine the frequency of feline blood types in domestic shorthair (DSH) cats from the Lisbon area of central Portugal. Methods: Blood samples were obtained at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Technical University of Lisbon and its Veterinary Blood Bank and at several veterinary clinics in the Lisbon area. Blood‐typing was performed by the classical agglutination assay or using a cartridge assay. Results: The study population comprised 515 DSH cats of both sexes and various ages. Frequencies of blood types A, B, and AB were 97.5%, 2.1%, and 0.4%, respectively. Conclusion: As in other parts of the world, this study showed a clear predominance of type‐A cats in the Lisbon area of Portugal.  相似文献   

Efficacy of Staphylococcus aureus vaccines for bovine mastitis: a systematic review     

Pereira UP  Oliveira DG  Mesquita LR  Costa GM  Pereira LJ 《Veterinary microbiology》2011,148(2-4):117-124

Bovine mastitis is the main cause of economic loss in milk production worldwide and Staphylococcus aureus is the agent most frequently associated with the disease. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of vaccines for bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus and suggest the immunotherapeutic protocols that have achieved the best and/or most promising results. An electronic search was made of the PubMed and Web of Science databases in November 2009. Only studies that tested vaccines in vivo in cows were included. The experimental design, methodological quality, type of vaccine and results of the studies were analyzed. Twenty-four papers were selected for this review. In general, bacterin-toxoid vaccines, vaccines of DNA-recombinant protein and recombinant protein alone were investigated in the studies selected. This systematic review suggests that vaccines that employ new technologies (DNA and/or recombinant protein vaccines) and some long-standing bacterins have achieved good results, which supports their use in the prevention and control of bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus. However, methodological differences and in some cases, a lack of more severe scientific criteria (such as double blind protocols) hinder the assessment of the effectiveness of these vaccines.  相似文献   

Evaluation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae diagnostic tests using samples derived from experimentally infected pigs     

Costa G  Oliveira S  Torrison J  Dee S 《Veterinary microbiology》2011,148(2-4):246-251

New serological tests have recently been introduced for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae diagnosis. No information is currently available on how these tests compare regarding the detection of antibodies from subclinically infected pigs. To answer this question, 80 pigs were randomly assigned to experimental groups infected with A. pleuropneumoniae serovars 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 and a non-inoculated control group. Blood samples and oropharyngeal swabs were collected prior to infection and for 7 consecutive weeks thereafter. Serum samples were tested using the Swinecheck(?) APP ELISA and the Multi-APP ELISA (University of Montreal). All pigs were euthanized at 49 days post-inoculation. Tonsil and lung samples were cultured for isolation and tested by PCR. The Multi-APP ELISA detected seroconversion 1 week earlier than the Swinecheck(?) APP ELISA with the earliest seroconversion detected at 1 week post-infection (serovar 10) and the latest at 3 weeks post-infection (serovar 1). Seroconversion at day 49 was serovar-dependent and varied from 4 (44%) positives detected in the serovar 10 group to 9 positives (100%) detected in the serovar 15 group. Thirty-one pigs were serologically positive for A. pleuropneumoniae at 49 days post-infection and only 15 still carried A. pleuropneumoniae on their tonsils based on PCR results. No cross-reactions were observed when serum samples were cross-tested using the Swinecheck(?) APP ELISA. A. pleuropneumoniae was successfully isolated from the lung of 2 pigs that developed pleuropneumonia, but was not isolated from tonsils due to heavy contamination by the resident flora. This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the diagnostic tools currently available for detection of A. pleuropneumoniae subclinical infection.  相似文献   

Human–animal interaction,stress, and embryo production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos indicus</Emphasis> embryo donors under tropical conditions     

Macedo GG  Zúccari CE  de Abreu UG  Negrão JA  da Costa e Silva EV 《Tropical animal health and production》2011,43(6):1175-1182

This study investigated the effect of human–animal interaction (HAI) and the stress response on the quality of embryo production in superovulated Nelore (Bos indicus) cattle, under tropical conditions. Thirty-two females underwent a superovulation protocol for 5 days. Cortisol concentrations were determined in blood plasma collected on days 0, 4, and 5. Artificial insemination was performed on days 4 and 5, and nonsurgical embryo flushing on day 11. Embryo production and viability were determined. Human stimulation, animal behaviors, accidents, and handling time were recorded to assess HAI. Cattle age was negatively correlated with accidents, frequency of aversive behaviors, and negative stimuli by stockperson during transit through corral compartments to receive superovulation treatments. The factor analysis revealed two distinct groups. The first group was called stressed and had higher cortisol concentration than the nonstressed group, 16.0 ± 2.1 and 12.5 ± 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. Comparisons between these groups showed that the frequency of voice emissions by the stockperson and the number of accidents were higher in the stressed group, and also, the mean handling time was longer in the stressed group than for the nonstressed. As a result, viability rate of the embryos was 19% lower in the stressed group (P < 0.05). This indicates that intensive negative HAI is likely related to stress, which affects embryo production in a superovulation program.  相似文献   

Boophilus microplus cathepsin L-like (BmCL1) cysteine protease: specificity study using a peptide phage display library     

Clara RO  Soares TS  Torquato RJ  Lima CA  Watanabe RO  Barros NM  Carmona AK  Masuda A  Vaz IS  Tanaka AS 《Veterinary parasitology》2011,181(2-4):291-300

The tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most important bovine ectoparasites, a disease vector responsible for losses in meat and milk productions. A cysteine protease similar to cathepsin L, named BmCL1, was previously identified in R. microplus gut, suggesting a role of the enzyme in meal digestion. In this work, BmCL1 was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris system, yielding 54.8 mg/L of culture and its activity was analyzed by synthetic substrates and against a R. microplus cysteine protease inhibitor, Bmcystatin. After rBmCl1 biochemical characterization it was used in a selection of a peptide phage library to determine rBmCL1 substrate preference. Obtained sequenced clones showed that rBmCL1 has preference for Leu or Arg at P(1) position. The preference for Leu at position P(1) and the activation of BmCL1 after a Leu amino acid residue suggest possible self activation.  相似文献   

Immunological changes in canine peripheral blood leukocytes triggered by immunization with first or second generation vaccines against canine visceral leishmaniasis     

Araújo MS  de Andrade RA  Sathler-Avelar R  Magalhães CP  Carvalho AT  Andrade MC  Campolina SS  Mello MN  Vianna LR  Mayrink W  Reis AB  Malaquias LC  Rocha LM  Martins-Filho OA 《Veterinary immunology and immunopathology》2011,141(1-2):64-75

In this study, we summarized the major phenotypic/functional aspects of circulating leukocytes following canine immunization with Leishvaccine and Leishmune?. Our findings showed that Leishvaccine triggered early changes in the innate immunity (neutrophils and eosinophils) with late alterations on monocytes. Conversely, Leishmune(?) induced early phenotypic changes in both, neutrophils and monocytes. Moreover, Leishvaccine triggered mixed activation-related phenotypic changes on T-cells (CD4+ and CD8+ and B-lymphocytes, whereas Leishmune(?) promoted a selective response, mainly associated with CD8+ T-cell activation. Mixed cytokine profile (IFN-γ/IL-4) was observed in Leishvaccine immunized dogs whereas a selective pro-inflammatory pattern (IFN-γ/NO) was induced by Leishmune? vaccination. The distinct immunological profile triggered by Leishvaccine and Leishmune? may be a direct consequence of the distinct biochemical composition of these immunobiological, i.e. complex versus purified Leishmania antigen along with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) versus saponin adjuvant. Both immunobiologicals are able to activate phagocytes and CD8+ T-cells and therefore could be considered as a putative vaccines against canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL).  相似文献