Daniella Matos da Silva

Serological survey of Rickettsia sp. in horses and dogs in an non-endemic area in Brazil

Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a lethal rickettsiosis in humans caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii, and is endemic in some areas of Brazil. Horses and dogs are part of the diseases life cycle and they may also serve as sentinel animals in epidemiological studies. The first human BSF case in the State of Paraná was reported in 2005. The present study was conducted in the municipality of Almirante Tamandaré, where no previous case of BSF was reported. Serum samples were collected from 71 horses and 20 dogs from nine properties in the area. Ticks were also collected from these animals. All farmers completed a questionnaire about their knowledge of BSF and animal health management. Serum samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) using R. rickettsii and R. parkeri as antigens. Ticks were analyzed by PCR for Rickettsia sp., and all of them were PCR-negative. Six horses (8.45%) and 4 dogs (20%) were identified as seropositive. Farmers were not aware of the correlation between the presence of ticks and risk of BSF. Although a non-endemic area, Almirante Tamandaré is a vulnerable environment for BSF and effective tick control measures are required.

Proteínas de fase aguda em cadelas com neoplasia mamária

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are serum proteins whose concentrations change after infectious and inflammatory disease, and cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in APPs concentration and to correlate these findings with histological classification and WBC in female dogs with mammary tumors. APPs were studied in 45 female dogs with mammary tumor distributed in the following groups: benign (n=13), malignant without tumor ulceration (n=24), and malignant with tumor ulceration (n=8). SDS-polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis was used to measure APPs concentrations (albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobinHp, α-1-acid glycoprotein and α-1-antitrypsin) and ultrasensitive assay was used to evaluate serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients with malignant mammary neoplasia plus ulceration had significant increase of CRP and Hp, and had decreased levels of albumin (P<0.05, One-Way ANOVA and Dunn Test). Positive correlation among APPs and inflammatory leukocytosis were observed (P=0.002, Fisher test). No correlation was observed between APPs and histological subtype. In conclusion, combined changes of CRP, Hp and albumin may be used as a prediagnostic tool and prognosis in dogs with mammary tumors.

Teste rápido para detecção da Proteína C-Reativa (FASTest® CRP canino) como auxílio diagnóstico de piometra em cadelas

A piometra e uma enfermidade comum em cadelas, caracterizada pela inflamacao do utero com acumulo de exsudato purulento. A avaliacao ultrassonografica abdominal e um dos principais exames utilizados para o diagnostico da doenca e o tratamento de eleicao e a ovario-histerectomia (OSH). A proteina C reativa (PCR) e uma proteina de fase aguda que apresenta concentracao serica aumentada na ocorrencia de processos inflamatorios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficacia do teste rapido para deteccao da PCR serica (FASTest® CRP canino), como auxiliar no diagnostico de piometra em cadelas com suspeita da doenca ao exame ultrassonografico. Das 25 cadelas com imagem ultrassonografica sugestiva de piometra incluidas no estudo, apenas 12 (48,0%) tiveram o diagnostico confirmado por exame histopatologico uterino realizado apos a OSH. Em todas as pacientes com o diagnostico de piometra confirmado pelo exame histologico a PCR foi positiva. O FASTest® CRP apresentou valor preditivo positivo de 92,3%, valor preditivo negativo e sensibilidade de 100,0% e 92,3% de especificidade. Logo, a acuracia do FASTest® CRP canino para diagnostico de piometra em cadelas com suspeita ao exame ultrassonografico foi de 96,0%. Conclui-se que o teste rapido para deteccao da PCR serica pode ser utilizado como exame auxiliar para o diagnostico de piometra em cadelas.