Felix Hilario Diaz Gonzalez

Hemoplasma infection in HIV-positive patient, Brazil.

Hemotrophic mycoplasmas infect a variety of mammals. Although infection in humans is rarely reported, an association with an immunocompromised state has been suggested. We report a case of a Mycoplasma haemofelis–like infection in an HIV-positive patient co-infected with Bartonella henselae.

Relationship among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function during early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows

Blood indicators are used as a tool to diagnose metabolic disorders. The present work was conducted to study the relationships among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function in high-yielding dairy cows. Two groups of Holstein cows were studied: 27 early lactation cows and 14 mid lactation cows from four different herds with similar husbandry characteristics in Galicia, Spain. Blood samples were obtained to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TG), and the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Cows in early lactation had higher levels of BHB and NEFA than mid lactation cows. High lipomobilization (NEFA > 400 µmol/L) was detected in 67% and 7% of early lactation and mid lactation cows, respectively, while subclinical ketosis (BHB > 1.2 mmol/L) was detected in 41% and 28% of the early lactation and lactation cows, respectively. TG concentrations were low in all cows suffering subclinical ketosis and in 61% of the cows with high lipomobilization. During early lactation, 30% of cows suffered hepatic lipidosis as detected by levels of AST. Compromised hepatic function was observed in early lactation cows as shown by lower concentrations of glucose, total protein, and urea.

Acute phase protein response in goats

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are important diagnostic indicators of inflammatory disturbances in animals. The objectives of the current study were to validate analytical methods for measuring haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), acid soluble glycoprotein (ASG), fibrinogen, and albumin concentrations in goats and to evaluate their response to an inflammatory stimulus in this species. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation (CVs) were in the range 0.07–9.31% and 1.83–12.68%, respectively, for all APPs and showed good precision. All assays determined APPs in a linear manner at different sample dilutions with high correlation coefficients with the exception of fibrinogen, which was measured by the heat precipitation method. Subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil induced an increase in Hp, SAA, ASG, and fibrinogen serum concentrations and a decrease in albumin concentration.

Composição do sangue e do leite em ovinos leiteiros do sul do Brasil: variações na gestação e na lactação

Dairy sheep industry has increased intensively in southern Brazil, however, without the corresponding knowledge of variations on metabolic and hematological parameters and on milk composition, with application in research and clinical activities. This work was carried out on Lacaune sheep, intensively grazed in the county of Bento Goncalves (RS), in southern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein for metabolic profiles and hematology. Samples were taken randomly from 14 sheep in each of the following periods: nonpregnant ewes; at 60, 90 and 120 of pregnancy and at 7, 30, 60 and 140 days of lactation. During the lactation period, milk samples were also taken to assay the physico-chemical composition. Milk acidity, protein and fat levels were different from reference levels in another countries. The most relevant changes on metabolic profile were noticed at the end of gestation and at the beginning of lactation. Urea values showed variation (P<0.05) during the gestation and lactation periods. The levels of glucose and fructosamine decreased and the BHB increased significantly at the end of gestation period (P<0.05). During the lactation period glucose level lowered and cholesterol level increased significantly (P<0.05). Phosphorus level lowered, specially at 30 days post parturition (P<0.05). Hematologic parameters did not show variation during the physiologic periods studied. An exception was the segmented neutrophils that increased with the advance of the gestation (P<0.05). The data presented here may help for further nutrition and metabolic studies on dairy sheep and milk quality.

Association of canine obesity with reduced serum levels of C-reactive protein

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in dogs as well as in humans. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important tool for the detection of inflammation and/or early tissue damage and is linked to obesity in humans. The objective of the present study was to determine if serum CRP levels are altered in obese dogs. Fifteen lean (control group) and 16 overweight (obese group) dogs were examined. Blood samples were collected under fasted conditions for serum determination of CRP, glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and fructosamine. Results indicated that obese dogs were insulin resistant because serum insulin and insulin/glucose ratios were higher than in lean dogs (P ≤ 0.05). Serum CRP concentrations were lower in obese dogs than in controls (P ≤ 0.001). C-reactive protein was negatively correlated with insulin/glucose ratio (R = −0.42) and cholesterol (R = −0.39; P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fructosamine were increased in the obese group compared with the control group. Based on these results, it can be postulated that CRP production is inhibited by obesity and insulin resistance in dogs.

Acute Phase Proteins in Experimentally Induced Pregnancy Toxemia in Goats

The present work aimed to study the behavior of acute phase proteins (haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, acid soluble glycoprotein, fibrinogen, and albumin) in fasting-induced pregnancy toxemia in goats and their relationship with classical indicators of this disorder such as beta-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids in the blood and decreased urine pH and ketonuria. Twelve adult Murciano–Granadina goats at the final stage of gestation were used in this experiment. Pregnancy toxemia was induced in 6 goats by fasting for 72 hr. The other 6 animals were used as control group. Ketonuria was present in 4 out of 5 fasting animals at 24 hr and in all fasting animals at 48 hr of fasting. Serum nonesterified fatty acids were significantly increased at 24, 48, and 72 hr of fasting. Beta-hydroxybutyrate and haptoglobin achieved significantly increased concentrations at 48 hr and 72 hr, respectively, remaining increased during the entire study. Serum amyloid A, acid soluble glycoprotein, fibrinogen, and albumin were not affected by fasting. In conclusion, acute phase proteins (including haptoglobin) seemed not to have an advantage over traditional markers in diagnosis of fasting-induced pregnancy toxemia in goats.

Fatores ambientais que afetam a produção e a composição do leite em rebanhos assistidos por cooperativas no Rio Grande do Sul

Neste estudo, avaliaram-se os efeitos de alguns fatores ambientais sobre a producao, a composicao quimica e a contagem de celulas somaticas do leite em rebanhos vinculados as cooperativas no Rio Grande do Sul. Foram utilizados dados de um programa de controle leiteiro durante cinco anos, totalizando 165.311 observacoes, para analisar os seguintes efeitos ambientais: ano e mes do controle leiteiro, idade ao parto, tempo em controle leiteiro e estadio da lactacao. A producao media de leite foi de 19,36 L/vaca/dia. Foi encontrada maior producao de leite em vacas de 5 a 6 anos de idade ao parto, nos primeiros 60 dias de lactacao, nos meses de inverno e em rebanhos com mais tempo em controle leiteiro. Maior numero de celulas somaticas foi relacionado a reducao na producao de leite. Houve menor teor de gordura e de proteina no leite nos primeiros 60 dias de lactacao e aumento desses componentes com o aumento no numero de celulas somaticas. A concentracao de lactose no leite diminuiu significativamente a medida que aumentaram as celulas somaticas e a idade ao parto. A contagem de celulas somaticas aumentou com a idade da vaca e a medida que avancou a lactacao. Nos meses de inverno, verificaram-se valores mais elevados de proteina, gordura e lactose, possivelmente como consequencia da alimentacao com gramineas temperadas. Os resultados revelam a importância das variacoes ambientais no estudo da composicao do leite.

Toxicity and genotoxicity evaluation of Passiflora alata Curtis (Passifloraceae)

UNLABELLED Passiflora alata is an official species of Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and its aerial parts are used as medicinal plant by local population as well as constitutes many phytomedicines commercialized in Brazil as sedative. AIMS OF STUDY To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity and genotoxicity of an aqueous spray-dried extract (PA) of Passiflora alata (2.6% flavonoids). MATERIALS AND METHODS The acute and the sub-acute toxicity was evaluated in mice and rats, respectively. Behavioural, biochemical, hematological, histological and urine parameters were considered. Genotoxicity was assessed by using micronucleus test performed in peripheral blood and bone marrow cells and comet assay in peripheral blood leukocytes. RESULTS Mice deaths were not observed up to 4800 mg/kg, p.o., single dose. Rats treated with aqueous extract at dose of 300 mg/kg, p.o., for 14 days did not present biochemical, hematological or histopathological significant alterations when compared to control group. However, these rats showed signs of irritability and did not show weight gain. In addition, mice acutely treated with extract 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg, p.o., presented DNA damage determined by comet assay in peripheral blood cells 3h after treatment. The effect of lower doses (12.5, 25 and 50mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated at 3, 6 and 24h after treating. Only PA 50mg/kg (p.o.) induced significant damage at 3 and 6h. The maximum damage induction was observed at 6h. When the animals received PA 12.5, 25 or 50mg/kg/day during 3 days (i.e., 72h treatment) DNA damage (comet and micronucleus tests) increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION In conclusion Passiflora alata presented genotoxic effect and deserves further toxicity evaluation in order to guarantee its safety for human use.

Hematological, biochemical and ruminant parameters for diagnosis of left displacement of the abomasum in dairy cows from Southern Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar indicadores hematologicos, bioquimicos e ruminais no diagnostico e tratamento do deslocamento de abomaso a esquerda (DAE) em vacas leiteiras, na Regiao do Planalto do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras de liquido ruminal, sangue e urina de 40 animais, dos quais 20 vacas com DAE e 20 vacas clinicamente sadias utilizadas como grupo controle. Os animais com DAE, quando comparados ao grupo controle, apresentaram diminuicao da producao de leite diaria, do peso corporal e do escore condicao corporal. A utilizacao de fitas reagentes para medicao do pH ruminal demonstrou-se eficaz em campo, em comparacao ao potenciometro digital. A dinâmica ruminal apresentou-se prejudicada nos animais com DAE, o que foi evidenciado pelos valores aumentados do tempo de reducao de azul de metileno. Os valores sericos de lactato, beta-hidroxibutirato, ureia, albumina, acidos graxos livres e colesterol apresentam-se como ferramentas auxiliares na caracterizacao da doenca.

Molecular detection of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys in dogs in Southern Brazil

The aims of this study were to determine the occurrence of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil; and to investigate their association with hematological abnormalities. Serum samples from 196 dogs were first tested using dot-ELISA for antibodies against Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia canis. Peripheral blood samples from 199 dogs were subjected to 16S rRNA nested PCR (nPCR) for A. platys and E. canis, followed by DNA sequencing to ensure pathogen identity. A total of 19/196 samples (9.69%) were positive for Anaplasma spp. using ELISA and 28/199 (14.07%) samples were positive for A. platys by nested PCR. All the dog samples were negative for E. canis, both in anti-E. canis antibody tests and in nested PCR. There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between A. platys-PCR positive and negative dogs and Anaplasma spp. serologically positive dogs, except for basophil counts, which were higher in nPCR-positive dogs. This is the first report showing A. platys presence in dogs in Southern Brazil. In conclusion, hematological parameters may not be sufficient to diagnose A. platys infection in dogs in Southern Brazil, probably due either to low pathogenicity or to chronic infection. On the other hand, E. canis may either have very low occurrence or be absent in dogs in Porto Alegre.