Leucio Camara Alves

Molecular detection of Anaplasma platys in a naturally-infected cat in Brazil

Following the accidental finding of inclusion bodies similar to Anaplasma platys in a stained blood smear from a cat, DNA analysis of the 16S rRNA gene was performed and 100% identity was found with different strains of A. platys. These data confirm that cats are susceptible to parasitism by A. platys.

Potencial acaricida do óleo de andiroba Carapa guianensis Aubl. sobre fêmeas adultas ingurgitadas de Anocentor nitens Neumann, 1897 e Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, 1806

Avaliou-se o potencial acaricida in vitro do oleo da semente da andiroba (Carapa guianensis) sobre femeas ingurgitadas de Anocentor nitens (n=210) e Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=140), coletadas manualmente, respectivamente, de equinos e de caes naturalmente infestados. Para o teste de imersao, empregaram-se cinco diluicoes do oleo de andiroba, 100%, 50%, 30%, 25% e 10%, em agua destilada, utilizando-se tween 80 como dispersante. No teste com A. nitens, foram usadas tres repeticoes para cada diluicao, utilizando-se 10 femeas ingurgitadas para cada tratamento. No teste com R. sanguineus, usaram-se duas repeticoes, e formaram-se, ainda, dois grupos-controle para cada especie de ixodideo, um com agua destilada e outro com tween 80 mais agua destilada. Apos os testes, as femeas foram mantidas em laboratorio sob temperatura ambiente. Observou-se mortalidade das femeas ingurgitadas e reducao de postura, neste caso, com ovos inferteis, demonstrando eficacia de 100% nas duas especies em todas as diluicoes testadas. Os dados obtidos evidenciaram a potencialidade do uso do extrato de andiroba contra A. nitens e R. sanguineus.

Susceptibility of Rhipicephalus(Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) to pyrethroids and their associations in Pernambuco, Brazil

The synthetic pyrethroids and their associations have been widely used for controlling Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The frequent use of acaricides has been inducing the development of resistance in the tick populations. The aim of this study was to assess the susceptibility of R. (B.) microplus populations to pyrethroids and their associations in the region of Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil. In addition, the level of information among farm owners regarding tick control measures was investigated. Ticks were collected directly from naturally infested dairy cattle in the region and were exposed to pyrethroids and their associations. At the same time, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied with the aim of investigating the level of information among the farmers. The results reported here indicate that R. (B.) microplus populations in the dairy region of Garanhuns show resistance to pyrethroids and their associations, except when the product is associated with piperonyl butoxide. Regarding the results from the epidemiological survey, it was seen that there is a considerable lack of information among the farmers in relation to ixodid control measures. The level of ticks resistance to acaricides varied widely across the region studied. No alternative control programs have been implemented among these farms, thus demonstrating that there is a need for more information relating to the biology and control of R. (B.) microplus.

Prevalência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) em bovinos leiteiros de propriedades rurais em três microrregiões no estado do Maranhão

The objective in the present study was to research the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum in 812 samples of blood serum of dairy cattle from farms of seven municipalities of microrregions of Itapecuru-Mirim, Middle Mearim and President Dutra, state of Maranhao, Brazil. For the calculation of sample size, it was considered a seroprevalence of 34.7% for N. caninum, with a maximum error of 9.5% and a confidence interval of 95%. To detect antibodies, it was used the technique of Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFI), with the cut-off of 1:200, using as antigen, tachyzoites strain NC-1, maintained in cell culture in the Laboratory of Diagnosis of Parasitism of the Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine of the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. Of the total samples, it was obtained a prevalence of 50.74%. The titles ranged from 1:200 to 1:6400, distributed as follows: 108 (26.21%) serum samples showed title of 1:200; 132 (32.04%) 1:400; 94 (22.81%) 1:800; 46 (11.16%) of 1:1600; 23 (5.58%) of 1:3200 and nine (2.18%) with titers of 1:6400. Among the microrregioes the Itapecuru-Mirim showed the lowest percentage of animals seropositive (20.69%) and President Dutra the largest (47.66%). It was observed higher prevalence of seropositives in females (46.80%) than in males (52.46%). There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) for the microrregions variables, sex and age. Concluded that the dairy cattle of the regions studied are exposed to infection by N. caninum.

Structural and optical properties of Zn0.9Mn0.1O/ZnO core-shell nanowires designed by pulsed laser deposition

Core-shell ZnO/ZnMnO nanowires on a-Al2O3 and GaN (buffer layer)/Si (111) substrates were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition using a Au catalyst. Two ZnO targets with a Mn content of 10% were sintered at 1150 and 550 °C in order to achieve the domination in them of paramagnetic MnO2 and ferromagnetic Mn2O3 phases, respectively. Cluster mechanism of laser ablation as a source of possible incorporation of secondary phases to the wire shell is discussed. Raman spectroscopy under excitation by an Ar+ laser revealed a broad peak related to the Mn-induced disorder and a redshift in the A1-LO phonon. Resonant Raman measurements revealed an increase in the multiphonon scattering caused by disorder in ZnO upon doping by Mn. Besides the UV emission, a vibronic green emission band assisted by a ∼71 meV LO phonon is also observed in the photoluminescence spectra. Core-shell structures with smooth shells show a high exciton to green band intensity ratio (∼10) even at room temperature.

Surface studies of SiC/SiCf composites exposed to relevant fusion reactor conditions

SiC/SiC f ceramic composites are interesting materials for applications in fusion technology due to their high performance and low activation characteristics. Combining microbeam RBS and proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) with XPS and x-ray diffraction techniques, we study the structural changes that occurred in SiC/SiC f composites exposed to Li silicate and Li titanate breeder materials in fusion-relevant conditions. After 216 h of exposure at 800 °C the RBS spectra show the surface oxidation in all composites. Diffusion of Li and Ti into the composites was also observed. After 1000 h, the oxide layer extends for several micrometres. Microbeam analyses show the presence of titanium-rich precipitates in the samples exposed to the Li 2 TiO 3 ceramic breeder, together with some iron contamination. The x-ray diffraction spectra reveal the formation of SiO 2 and some Li-rich phases. These findings are supported by the results of the XPS measurements.

Cálculo da CI50 (concentração inibitória média) e CL50 (concentração letal média) do óleo da semente de andiroba (Carapa guianensis, Aubl.) sobre Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1887), Anocentor nitens (Neumann, 1897) e Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

The average inhibitory concentration (CI50) and average lethal concentration (CL50) of oil obtained from the seeds of Carapa guianensis aubl were determined on oviposition and larval viability of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1887), Anocentor nitens (Neumann, 1897) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae). For the oviposition treatment, 10 engorged females were used at 5 different dilutions (20%, 10%, 5%, 2.5% and 1.25%). The control group of females was immersed in distilled water. Three replicates were used for each dilution. For the larval viability treatment 100 larvae ranging from 14 to 21 days of age were used at 6 dilutions (20%, 10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1.25 and 0.75%), using deionized water and Tween 80 as a dispersant. Two control groups were used, one with deionized water only and another with Tween 80 and deionized water. CI50 of 4.332, 4.850, 4.903 and CL50 of 5,228; 5,362 and 5,698 R. (B.) microplus, A. nitens and R. sanguineus were observed for oviposition and larvae respectively. The lowest concentration at which maximum effectiveness of C. guianensis oil was obtained was 10%. In conclusion this oil is toxic for these ticks and may be an alternative acaricide for tick control.

Avaliação in vitro dos efeitos do óleo da semente de Carapa guianensis Aubl. sobre larvas de nematóides gastrintestinais de caprinos e ovinos

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro action of Carapa guianensis (Andiroba) seed oil on the cultivation of larvae from gastrointestinal nematodes of goats and sheep. Five andiroba oil dilutions (100, 50, 30, 25, and 10%) were assayed, with three replicates per treatment, using Tween 80 as surfactant. Three control groups were formed: a negative control (distilled water), another negative control (distilled water + Tween 80) and a positive control (Doramectin). The activity of andiroba on the eggs from gastrointestinal nematodes was obtained by calculating larva reduction percentages per gram of feces. In goats, a highly effective reduction in the total number of larvae was detected for treatments 100, 50 and 30%, with null means for all nematode genera. In sheep, a highly effective reduction in the total number of larvae was observed for all treatments, with null means for treatments 100, 50 and 30%. Such results indicate that Carapa guianensis (Andiroba) seed oil has in vitro activity against larvae from gastrointestinal nematodes of goats and sheep.

Leishmania (infantum) chagasi in canine urinary sediment.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is difficult to diagnosis, mainly due to the presence of asymptomatic animals, the diversity of clinical symptoms and the difficulty in obtaining diagnostic evidence of high sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of this study was to diagnose CVL in urinary sediment of 70 dogs of different breeds, sexes and ages from the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Piauí and Zoonosis Control Center of Teresina, Brazil. The serological tests were TR DPP® for CVL and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for CVL, parasitological exams of bone marrow and lymph nodes and urine sediment cultures. Leishmania was detected in the bone marrow and/or lymph node of 61.0% of the animals (43/70), and urine sediment culture was positive in 9.30% (4/43) of these animals. In the serological exams, 70.0% (49/70) were reactive using the DPP and 78.2% (55/70) were reactive using ELISA. The goal of this study was to diagnose the presence of L. (infantum) chagasi in a culture of urinary sediment.