PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Silva K.P.C., Mota R.A., Cunha A.P., Silva L.B.G., Leal N.C., Cavalcante Y.V.N., Teles J.A.A., Pereira M.C.C. & Freitas N.S. 2009. [Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Burkholderia mallei isolated in northeastern Brazil.] Caracterização fenotípica e molecular de amostras de Burkholderia mallei isoladas na Região Nordeste do Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(5):439-444. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil. E-mail: rinaldo.mota@hotmail.com The objective of this paper was to study the molecular performance and phenotypic characterization of Burkholderia mallei isolated from horses with clinical and serological diagnosis of glanders, originating from the Metropolitan District of Recife and Zona da Mata of Pernambuco and Alagoas. The isolation and biochemical identification of B. mallei was carried out by microbiological and molecular techniques of PCR-fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR. From the eight samples studied, four showed little phenotype variations. In the molecular tests, the samples formed 4 groups of different ribotype profiles and 4 genotype profiles. There was some association of PCR-fingerprinting with RAPD-PCR results. It was concluded that the slight biochemical variations were not associated with different molecular profiles. They also indicated that these differences show heterogeneity associated with the origin of the sample, indicating that the infection was caused by clones of different strains and that the polymorphism of DNA observed could make it

• Burkholderia mallei glanders mormo doenças de eqüdeos

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Silva K.P.C., Mota R.A., Cunha A.P., Silva L.B.G., Leal N.C., Cavalcante Y.V.N., Teles J.A.A., Pereira M.C.C. & Freitas N.S. 2009. [Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Burkholderia mallei isolated in northeastern Brazil.] Caracterização fenotípica e molecular de amostras de Burkholderia mallei isoladas na Região Nordeste do Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(5):439-444. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil. E-mail: rinaldo.mota@hotmail.com The objective of this paper was to study the molecular performance and phenotypic characterization of Burkholderia mallei isolated from horses with clinical and serological diagnosis of glanders, originating from the Metropolitan District of Recife and Zona da Mata of Pernambuco and Alagoas. The isolation and biochemical identification of B. mallei was carried out by microbiological and molecular techniques of PCR-fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR. From the eight samples studied, four showed little phenotype variations. In the molecular tests, the samples formed 4 groups of different ribotype profiles and 4 genotype profiles. There was some association of PCR-fingerprinting with RAPD-PCR results. It was concluded that the slight biochemical variations were not associated with different molecular profiles. They also indicated that these differences show heterogeneity associated with the origin of the sample, indicating that the infection was caused by clones of different strains and that the polymorphism of DNA observed could make it

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Silverio S.M., Mari R.B, Clebis N.K., Scoz J.R., Germano R.M., Major J.A.A., Bombonato P.P. & Stabille S.R. 2009. The effects of ascorbic acid supplementation in ileum myenteric neurons of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(4):295-302. Departamento de Cirurgia, Setor de Anatomia dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: remari@usp.br The exacerbation of the oxidative stress and of the polyol pathway which impair damage myenteric plexus are metabolic characteristics of diabetes. The ascorbic acid (AA) is an antioxidant and an aldose reductase inhibitor, which may act as neuroprotector. The effects of AA supplementation on the density and cellular body profile area (CP) of myenteric neurons in STZ-induced diabetes in rats were assessed. Four groups with five animals each were formed: normoglycemic (C); diabetic (D); AA-treated diabetic (DS) and AA-treated normoglycemic (CS). Dosagen of 50mg of AA were given, three times a week, for each animal (group DS and CS). Ninety days later and after euthanasia, the ileum was collected and processed for the NADPH-diaphorase technique. There were no differences (P>0.05) in the neuronal density among the groups. The CP area was lower (P<0.05) in the DS and CS groups, with a higher incidence of neurons with a CP area exceeding 200mm2 for groups C and D. The AA had no influence on the neuronal density in the ileum but had a neuroprotective effect, preventing the increase in the CP area and allowing a higher number of neurons with a CP area with less than 200mm2.

• Vitamin C diabetes intestine myenteric plexus

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Silverio S.M., Mari R.B, Clebis N.K., Scoz J.R., Germano R.M., Major J.A.A., Bombonato P.P. & Stabille S.R. 2009. The effects of ascorbic acid supplementation in ileum myenteric neurons of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(4):295-302. Departamento de Cirurgia, Setor de Anatomia dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: remari@usp.br The exacerbation of the oxidative stress and of the polyol pathway which impair damage myenteric plexus are metabolic characteristics of diabetes. The ascorbic acid (AA) is an antioxidant and an aldose reductase inhibitor, which may act as neuroprotector. The effects of AA supplementation on the density and cellular body profile area (CP) of myenteric neurons in STZ-induced diabetes in rats were assessed. Four groups with five animals each were formed: normoglycemic (C); diabetic (D); AA-treated diabetic (DS) and AA-treated normoglycemic (CS). Dosagen of 50mg of AA were given, three times a week, for each animal (group DS and CS). Ninety days later and after euthanasia, the ileum was collected and processed for the NADPH-diaphorase technique. There were no differences (P>0.05) in the neuronal density among the groups. The CP area was lower (P<0.05) in the DS and CS groups, with a higher incidence of neurons with a CP area exceeding 200mm2 for groups C and D. The AA had no influence on the neuronal density in the ileum but had a neuroprotective effect, preventing the increase in the CP area and allowing a higher number of neurons with a CP area with less than 200mm2.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Moura Junior P.C., Vieira T.H.M., Vieira S.R.C., Leão J.P.N., Leão C.E.S.,Lopes A.K.M.S., Ruiz C.R., Wafae G.C., Silva N.C. & Wafae N. 2009. [Anatomic study of coronary arteries in goats.] Estudo anatômico das artérias coronárias em caprinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(4):358-362. Laboratório de Anatomia da União Educacional do Planalto Central (Uniplac), SIGA, Área especial nº 2 Setor Leste Gama, Brasília, DF 72460-000, Brazil. E-mail: crisruiz@scamilo.edu.br The coronary arteries of the goats have been used to researches about to pharmacological actions, heart failure after connection of coronary arteries and others. Twenty-seven goat hearts, both sexes, fixed in formalin at 10% has been used in this study that analyzed the coronary arteries pattern in goats and if the same is similar to the human coronary arteries pattern. The left coronary artery is dominant and in relation to the length demonstrated average 1.15cm emitting two branches: interventricular paraconalis and circumflex. The interventricular paraconalis branch with average length 10.5cm issued branches to the both ventricles fairly, ending more frequently in the interventricular subsinuosis sulcus. The circumflex branch with average length 8.5cm issued branches to left ventricle and right atrium fairly. The left marginal branch is not constant. The right coronary artery, with average length 6.1cm issued branches to right ventricle and right atrium fairly, but the interventricular subsinuosis branch with average length 3.1cm is variable and can present one long branch, one short branch or one double branch, with the huge part for the right ventricle.

• Coronary dominance interventricular paraconalis branch interventricular subsinuosis branch

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Moura Junior P.C., Vieira T.H.M., Vieira S.R.C., Leão J.P.N., Leão C.E.S.,Lopes A.K.M.S., Ruiz C.R., Wafae G.C., Silva N.C. & Wafae N. 2009. [Anatomic study of coronary arteries in goats.] Estudo anatômico das artérias coronárias em caprinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(4):358-362. Laboratório de Anatomia da União Educacional do Planalto Central (Uniplac), SIGA, Área especial nº 2 Setor Leste Gama, Brasília, DF 72460-000, Brazil. E-mail: crisruiz@scamilo.edu.br The coronary arteries of the goats have been used to researches about to pharmacological actions, heart failure after connection of coronary arteries and others. Twenty-seven goat hearts, both sexes, fixed in formalin at 10% has been used in this study that analyzed the coronary arteries pattern in goats and if the same is similar to the human coronary arteries pattern. The left coronary artery is dominant and in relation to the length demonstrated average 1.15cm emitting two branches: interventricular paraconalis and circumflex. The interventricular paraconalis branch with average length 10.5cm issued branches to the both ventricles fairly, ending more frequently in the interventricular subsinuosis sulcus. The circumflex branch with average length 8.5cm issued branches to left ventricle and right atrium fairly. The left marginal branch is not constant. The right coronary artery, with average length 6.1cm issued branches to right ventricle and right atrium fairly, but the interventricular subsinuosis branch with average length 3.1cm is variable and can present one long branch, one short branch or one double branch, with the huge part for the right ventricle.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Nogueira V.A., França T.N. & Peixoto P.V. 2009. [Ionophore poisoning in animals.] Intoxicação por antibióticos ionóforos em animais. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):191-197. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: pfpeixoto@terra.com.br The therapeutic use of ionophores in veterinary medicine has grown in the last years, with resultant increase in the risk of poisoning in animals. Ionophores are used as food additives as coccidiostacts in several animal species and growth promoter and bloat prevention in ruminants. The most often used ionophores are monensin, lasalocid, narasin and salinomycin. There is a great variation in the susceptibility to the toxic effect of ionophores in different animal species. Poisoning can occur when the dosage is too high or when not correct doses for a certain animal species are given. Cases of poisoning have been described in sheep, swine, horses, dogs and poultry. For horses ionophores are extremely toxic. The use of ionophores is only safe when used accordingly to the instructions of the manufacturer and especially for each animal species. In this paper the most important data regarding clinical-pathological and pathogenic aspects, and also the conditions in which the poisoning may occur are critically reviewed.

• Monensin lasalocid narasin salinomycin poisoning animals

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Nogueira V.A., França T.N. & Peixoto P.V. 2009. [Ionophore poisoning in animals.] Intoxicação por antibióticos ionóforos em animais. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):191-197. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: pfpeixoto@terra.com.br The therapeutic use of ionophores in veterinary medicine has grown in the last years, with resultant increase in the risk of poisoning in animals. Ionophores are used as food additives as coccidiostacts in several animal species and growth promoter and bloat prevention in ruminants. The most often used ionophores are monensin, lasalocid, narasin and salinomycin. There is a great variation in the susceptibility to the toxic effect of ionophores in different animal species. Poisoning can occur when the dosage is too high or when not correct doses for a certain animal species are given. Cases of poisoning have been described in sheep, swine, horses, dogs and poultry. For horses ionophores are extremely toxic. The use of ionophores is only safe when used accordingly to the instructions of the manufacturer and especially for each animal species. In this paper the most important data regarding clinical-pathological and pathogenic aspects, and also the conditions in which the poisoning may occur are critically reviewed.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Câmara A.C.L., Costa N.A., Riet-Correa F., Afonso J.A.B., Dantas A.F.M., Mendonça C.L. & Souza M.I. 2009. [Spontaneous poisoning in cattle by mesquite beans, Prosopis juliflora (Leg. Mimosoideae) in Pernambuco.] Intoxicação espontânea por vagens de Prosopis juliflora (Leg. Mimosoideae) em bovinos em Pernambuco. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):233-240. Clínica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Bom Pastor s/n, Cx. Postal 152, Mundaú, Garanhuns, PE 55292-901, Brazil. E-mail: aclcamara@yahoo.com.br Three outbreaks of poisoning by Prosopis juliflora pods are reported in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil, in cattle grazing in fields invaded by the plant or ingesting mesquite beans as a concentrate food. In two farms the disease occurred sporadically. In another, 112 (9.28%) cattle out of 1206 were affected, 84 (6.96%) died due to emaciation, and 28 (2.32%) gained weight after the pods had been withdrawn from the feed. Main clinical signs were progressive weight loss, atrophy of the masseter muscles, dropped jaw, tongue protrusion, difficulties in prehending food, tilting the head during mastigation or rumination, salivation, impaired swallowing, and decreased tone of the tongue. The hematology reveals hypoproteinemia and anemia. Gross lesions were emaciation and reduction in size of the masseter muscles, which appear thinner than normal and grayish due muscular atrophy. Degeneration of neurons of the trigeminal motor nuclei, Wallerian degeneration of the trigeminal nerve roots, and muscular atrophy of the masseter muscles with substitution by fibrous tissue were observed on histologic examination. For the prevention of the poisoning is necessary to limit the amount of mesquite beans in animal nutrition. It is also necessary to develop research to determine the economic and sustainability of the use of Prosopis juliflora for animal food, human food or other uses such as charcoal, wood and fuel wood.

• Poisonous plants Prosopis juliflora Leguminosae Mimosoideae plant poisoning cattle cranial nerves impairment neuronal degeneration

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Câmara A.C.L., Costa N.A., Riet-Correa F., Afonso J.A.B., Dantas A.F.M., Mendonça C.L. & Souza M.I. 2009. [Spontaneous poisoning in cattle by mesquite beans, Prosopis juliflora (Leg. Mimosoideae) in Pernambuco.] Intoxicação espontânea por vagens de Prosopis juliflora (Leg. Mimosoideae) em bovinos em Pernambuco. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):233-240. Clínica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Bom Pastor s/n, Cx. Postal 152, Mundaú, Garanhuns, PE 55292-901, Brazil. E-mail: aclcamara@yahoo.com.br Three outbreaks of poisoning by Prosopis juliflora pods are reported in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil, in cattle grazing in fields invaded by the plant or ingesting mesquite beans as a concentrate food. In two farms the disease occurred sporadically. In another, 112 (9.28%) cattle out of 1206 were affected, 84 (6.96%) died due to emaciation, and 28 (2.32%) gained weight after the pods had been withdrawn from the feed. Main clinical signs were progressive weight loss, atrophy of the masseter muscles, dropped jaw, tongue protrusion, difficulties in prehending food, tilting the head during mastigation or rumination, salivation, impaired swallowing, and decreased tone of the tongue. The hematology reveals hypoproteinemia and anemia. Gross lesions were emaciation and reduction in size of the masseter muscles, which appear thinner than normal and grayish due muscular atrophy. Degeneration of neurons of the trigeminal motor nuclei, Wallerian degeneration of the trigeminal nerve roots, and muscular atrophy of the masseter muscles with substitution by fibrous tissue were observed on histologic examination. For the prevention of the poisoning is necessary to limit the amount of mesquite beans in animal nutrition. It is also necessary to develop research to determine the economic and sustainability of the use of Prosopis juliflora for animal food, human food or other uses such as charcoal, wood and fuel wood.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Fontana P.A., Zanuzzi C.N., Barbeito C.G., Gimeno E.J. & Portiansky E.L. 2009. Thymic atrophy in cattle poisoned with Solanum glaucophyllum. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):266-274. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. E-mail: elporti@fcv.unlp.edu.ar Solanum glaucophyllum (Sg) [= S. malacoxylon] is a calcinogenic plant inducing “Enzootic Calcinosis” in cattle. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, its main toxic principle, regulates bone and calcium metabolism and also exerts immunomodulatory effects. Thymocyte precursors from bone marrow-derived progenitor cells differentiate into mature T-cells. Differentiation of most T lymphocytes is characterized not only by the variable expression of CD4/CD8 receptor molecules and increased surface density of the T cell antigen receptor, but also by changes in the glycosylation pattern of cell surface glycolipids or glycoproteins. Thymocytes exert a feedback influence on thymic non-lymphoid cells. Sg-induced modifications on cattle thymus T-lymphocytes and on non-lymphoid cells were analysed. Heifers were divided into 5 groups (control, intoxicated with Sg during 15, 30 or 60 days, and probably recovered group). Histochemical, immunohistochemical, lectinhistochemical and morphometric techniques were used to characterize different cell populations of the experimental heifers. Sg-poisoned heifers showed a progressive cortical atrophy that was characterized using the peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin that recognizes immature thymocytes. These animals also increased the amount of non-lymphoid cells per unit area detected with the Picrosirius technique, WGA and DBA lectins, and pancytokeratin and S-100 antibodies. The thymus atrophy found in intoxicated animals resembled that of the physiological aging process. A reversal effect on these changes was observed after suppression of the intoxication. These findings suggest that Sg-intoxication induces either directly, through the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 itself, or indirectly through the hypercalcemia, the observed alteration of the thymus.

• Calcinosis; calcitriol cattle immunohistochemistry lectinhistochemistry plant poisoning Solanum glaucophyllum S. malacoxylon thymus gland

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Fontana P.A., Zanuzzi C.N., Barbeito C.G., Gimeno E.J. & Portiansky E.L. 2009. Thymic atrophy in cattle poisoned with Solanum glaucophyllum. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):266-274. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. E-mail: elporti@fcv.unlp.edu.ar Solanum glaucophyllum (Sg) [= S. malacoxylon] is a calcinogenic plant inducing “Enzootic Calcinosis” in cattle. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, its main toxic principle, regulates bone and calcium metabolism and also exerts immunomodulatory effects. Thymocyte precursors from bone marrow-derived progenitor cells differentiate into mature T-cells. Differentiation of most T lymphocytes is characterized not only by the variable expression of CD4/CD8 receptor molecules and increased surface density of the T cell antigen receptor, but also by changes in the glycosylation pattern of cell surface glycolipids or glycoproteins. Thymocytes exert a feedback influence on thymic non-lymphoid cells. Sg-induced modifications on cattle thymus T-lymphocytes and on non-lymphoid cells were analysed. Heifers were divided into 5 groups (control, intoxicated with Sg during 15, 30 or 60 days, and probably recovered group). Histochemical, immunohistochemical, lectinhistochemical and morphometric techniques were used to characterize different cell populations of the experimental heifers. Sg-poisoned heifers showed a progressive cortical atrophy that was characterized using the peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin that recognizes immature thymocytes. These animals also increased the amount of non-lymphoid cells per unit area detected with the Picrosirius technique, WGA and DBA lectins, and pancytokeratin and S-100 antibodies. The thymus atrophy found in intoxicated animals resembled that of the physiological aging process. A reversal effect on these changes was observed after suppression of the intoxication. These findings suggest that Sg-intoxication induces either directly, through the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 itself, or indirectly through the hypercalcemia, the observed alteration of the thymus.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Cunha N.C., Fonseca A.H., Rezende J., Rozental T., Favacho A.R.M., Barreira J.D., Massard C.L., Lemos E.R.S. 2009. First identification of natural infection of Rickettsia rickettsii in the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):105-108. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, more frequently, Amblyomma cajennense. The aim of this paper was to report the first molecular detection of R. rickettsii on R. sanguineus naturally infected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were collected from dogs in a rural region of Resende municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22o 30min 9.46sec S, 44o 42min 44.29sec WO), where occurred five human cases of BSF in 2006. The ticks were identified under a stereoscopic microscope and separated in pools by stages, species and sex. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®). The DNA was submitted to PCR amplification using 04 set of primers: Rr190.70p/Rr190.602n (OmpA, 532bp), BG1-21/BG2-20 (OmpB, 650bp), Tz15/Tz16 (17 kDa protein-encoding gene, 246bp) and RpCS.877p/RpCS.1258n (gltA, 381bp). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels and visualized under ultraviolet light with ethidium bromide. PCR products of the expected sizes were purified by QIAquick® and sequenced by ABI PRISM®. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited with using Bioedit® software and compared with the corresponding homologous sequences available through GenBank, using Discontiguous Mega Blast (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). It was confirmed R. rickettsii by sequencing of the material (GenBank FJ356230). The molecular characterization of R. rickettsii in the tick R. sanguineus emphasizes the role of dogs as carriers of ticks from the environment to home. Moreover, this result suggests that there is a considerable chance for active participation of R. sanguineus as one of tick species in the transmission of R. ricketsii to human being in the Brazilian territory.

• Rhipicephalus sanguineus Acari Ixodidae Rickettsia rickettsii molecular analysis Brazilian spotted fever

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Cunha N.C., Fonseca A.H., Rezende J., Rozental T., Favacho A.R.M., Barreira J.D., Massard C.L., Lemos E.R.S. 2009. First identification of natural infection of Rickettsia rickettsii in the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):105-108. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, more frequently, Amblyomma cajennense. The aim of this paper was to report the first molecular detection of R. rickettsii on R. sanguineus naturally infected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were collected from dogs in a rural region of Resende municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22o 30min 9.46sec S, 44o 42min 44.29sec WO), where occurred five human cases of BSF in 2006. The ticks were identified under a stereoscopic microscope and separated in pools by stages, species and sex. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®). The DNA was submitted to PCR amplification using 04 set of primers: Rr190.70p/Rr190.602n (OmpA, 532bp), BG1-21/BG2-20 (OmpB, 650bp), Tz15/Tz16 (17 kDa protein-encoding gene, 246bp) and RpCS.877p/RpCS.1258n (gltA, 381bp). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels and visualized under ultraviolet light with ethidium bromide. PCR products of the expected sizes were purified by QIAquick® and sequenced by ABI PRISM®. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited with using Bioedit® software and compared with the corresponding homologous sequences available through GenBank, using Discontiguous Mega Blast (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). It was confirmed R. rickettsii by sequencing of the material (GenBank FJ356230). The molecular characterization of R. rickettsii in the tick R. sanguineus emphasizes the role of dogs as carriers of ticks from the environment to home. Moreover, this result suggests that there is a considerable chance for active participation of R. sanguineus as one of tick species in the transmission of R. ricketsii to human being in the Brazilian territory.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Andrade J.N.B.M., Stopiglia A.J., Fantoni D.T., Abduch M.A. & Kahvegian M. 2009. Outflow occlusion for circulatory arrest in dogs. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):137-142. Hospital Veterinário, Universidade de Franca, Av. Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira 201, Franca, SP 14404-600, Brazil. E-mail: jamescardio@terra.com.br The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of producing circulatory arrest by occlusion of the pulmonary trunk as an alternative to the venous inflow occlusion through the left hemithorax. Eight healthy mongrel dogs were divided in two groups. Group I underwent 4 minutes of outflow occlusion and Group II was submitted to 8 minutes of circulatory arrest. Outflow occlusion was performed through left thoracotomy and pericardiotomy by passing a Rumel tourniquet around the pulmonary trunk. Physical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, blood gas analyses, hemodynamic, and oxygen transport variables were obtained before and after the procedure. The dogs from Group I did not have any clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, or hemo-dynamic abnormalities after anesthetic recover. In the Group II, only one dog survived, which had no clinical, electrocardiographic, or echocardiographic abnormalities. In this last dog, just after releasing the occlusion, it was detected increases in the following parameters: heart rate (HR), systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP; DAP; MAP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary wedge pressure (PWP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output (CO), systolic index (SI), cardiac index (CI), left and right ventricular stroke work (LVSW; RVSW), oxygen delivery index (DO2), oxygen consumption index (VO2), and oxygen extraction (O2 ext). Moreover, the oxygen content of arterial and mixed venous blood (CaO2; CvO2), and the arterial and mixed venous partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2; PvO2) were decreased 5 minutes after circulatory arrest. Outflow occlusion is a feasible surgical procedure for period of 4 minutes of circulatory arrest.

• Outflow occlusion circulatory arrest dogs

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Andrade J.N.B.M., Stopiglia A.J., Fantoni D.T., Abduch M.A. & Kahvegian M. 2009. Outflow occlusion for circulatory arrest in dogs. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):137-142. Hospital Veterinário, Universidade de Franca, Av. Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira 201, Franca, SP 14404-600, Brazil. E-mail: jamescardio@terra.com.br The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of producing circulatory arrest by occlusion of the pulmonary trunk as an alternative to the venous inflow occlusion through the left hemithorax. Eight healthy mongrel dogs were divided in two groups. Group I underwent 4 minutes of outflow occlusion and Group II was submitted to 8 minutes of circulatory arrest. Outflow occlusion was performed through left thoracotomy and pericardiotomy by passing a Rumel tourniquet around the pulmonary trunk. Physical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, blood gas analyses, hemodynamic, and oxygen transport variables were obtained before and after the procedure. The dogs from Group I did not have any clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, or hemo-dynamic abnormalities after anesthetic recover. In the Group II, only one dog survived, which had no clinical, electrocardiographic, or echocardiographic abnormalities. In this last dog, just after releasing the occlusion, it was detected increases in the following parameters: heart rate (HR), systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP; DAP; MAP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary wedge pressure (PWP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output (CO), systolic index (SI), cardiac index (CI), left and right ventricular stroke work (LVSW; RVSW), oxygen delivery index (DO2), oxygen consumption index (VO2), and oxygen extraction (O2 ext). Moreover, the oxygen content of arterial and mixed venous blood (CaO2; CvO2), and the arterial and mixed venous partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2; PvO2) were decreased 5 minutes after circulatory arrest. Outflow occlusion is a feasible surgical procedure for period of 4 minutes of circulatory arrest.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Silva E.F., Seyffert N., Jouglard S.D.D., Athanazio D.A., Dellagostin O.A. & Brod C.S. 2009. [Seroprevalence of leptospiral infection in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in a slaughterhouse of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Soroprevalência da infecção leptospiral em capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) abatidas em um frigorífico do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(8):174-176. Laboratório do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil. E-mail: efsilva@ufpel.edu.br Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are wild rodents from the American Continent with increasing importance as a commercial alternative source of meat for human consumption. Studies on seroprevalence for leptospiral infection are scarce and restricted to free living capybaras. We report detection of agglutinating antibodies against leptospires in 27% (6/22) of all animals in a slaughterhouse from Rio Grande do Sul. The highest antibody titers predicted Australis as the infecting serogroup due to reactions against a reference strain of serovar Bratislava and a canine local isolate of serovar Australis, characterized as Leptospira noguchii. The data presented in this report highlight that a considerable fraction of capybaras in captivity may behave as reservoir for pathogenic leptospires emphasizing the occupational risk of those who deal with animal farming and slaughter.

• Leptospirosis capybara serology agglutinins

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Silva E.F., Seyffert N., Jouglard S.D.D., Athanazio D.A., Dellagostin O.A. & Brod C.S. 2009. [Seroprevalence of leptospiral infection in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in a slaughterhouse of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Soroprevalência da infecção leptospiral em capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) abatidas em um frigorífico do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(8):174-176. Laboratório do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil. E-mail: efsilva@ufpel.edu.br Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are wild rodents from the American Continent with increasing importance as a commercial alternative source of meat for human consumption. Studies on seroprevalence for leptospiral infection are scarce and restricted to free living capybaras. We report detection of agglutinating antibodies against leptospires in 27% (6/22) of all animals in a slaughterhouse from Rio Grande do Sul. The highest antibody titers predicted Australis as the infecting serogroup due to reactions against a reference strain of serovar Bratislava and a canine local isolate of serovar Australis, characterized as Leptospira noguchii. The data presented in this report highlight that a considerable fraction of capybaras in captivity may behave as reservoir for pathogenic leptospires emphasizing the occupational risk of those who deal with animal farming and slaughter.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Santos T.R.B., Farias N.A.R., Cunha Filho N.A., Pappen F.G. & Vaz Junior I.S. 2009. [Studies of the management of the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Abordagem sobre o controle do carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus no sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(1):65-70. Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Cx. Postal 354, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: tsantos@ufpel.edu.br In the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, cattle become infested with Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus mainly between October and April due to the climatic conditions. In addition to knowing its life cycle, knowledge of parasite’s epidemiology is essential to establish management strategies. Epidemiological studies on resistance to acaricides in Rio Grande do Sul as well as in the rest of Brazil are scarce. Moreover, the large geographical area and the structural deficiency with respect to the use and access to databases make reliable data difficult to obtain. The present study surveyed the perception by cattle breeders in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul in regards of identification of R. (B.) microplus populations that are difficult to manage using acaricides, as well as the risk factors for the selection of resistant tick populations. Tick management data on beef cattle in 85 properties of seven municipalities were collected. The results revealed that the difficulty in tick management correlated positively with levels of education of the farm owners (up to elementary school, OR = 3.67 and p = 0.01) and with the yearly number of acaricide applications (over four, with OR = 4.05 and p= 0.006). These results also suggest that properties with more than 100 beef cattle under extensive farming conditions in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul show characteristics that may contribute to longer acaricide lifetimes as compared to other regions in the Country.

• Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus risk factors resistance acaricides South Brazil

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Santos T.R.B., Farias N.A.R., Cunha Filho N.A., Pappen F.G. & Vaz Junior I.S. 2009. [Studies of the management of the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Abordagem sobre o controle do carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus no sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(1):65-70. Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Cx. Postal 354, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: tsantos@ufpel.edu.br In the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, cattle become infested with Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus mainly between October and April due to the climatic conditions. In addition to knowing its life cycle, knowledge of parasite’s epidemiology is essential to establish management strategies. Epidemiological studies on resistance to acaricides in Rio Grande do Sul as well as in the rest of Brazil are scarce. Moreover, the large geographical area and the structural deficiency with respect to the use and access to databases make reliable data difficult to obtain. The present study surveyed the perception by cattle breeders in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul in regards of identification of R. (B.) microplus populations that are difficult to manage using acaricides, as well as the risk factors for the selection of resistant tick populations. Tick management data on beef cattle in 85 properties of seven municipalities were collected. The results revealed that the difficulty in tick management correlated positively with levels of education of the farm owners (up to elementary school, OR = 3.67 and p = 0.01) and with the yearly number of acaricide applications (over four, with OR = 4.05 and p= 0.006). These results also suggest that properties with more than 100 beef cattle under extensive farming conditions in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul show characteristics that may contribute to longer acaricide lifetimes as compared to other regions in the Country.