Rafael Fagnani

Listeria monocytogenes: Occurrence in beef and identification of the main contamination points in processing plants.

This study aimed to establish the occurrence of Listeria spp., especially L. monocytogenes and its main serotypes, in beef and processing plants. A total of 443 samples were obtained from equipment, installations and products from 11 meat processing establishments from Paraná state, Brazil. All samples were analyzed using USDA methodology for Listeria spp. detection, followed by species identification. The occurrence of Listeria spp. in the samples was 38.1% of which 51.4% were from equipment, 35.4% from installations and 30.2% from products. The identified species were: L. monocytogenes (12.6%), L. innocua (78.4%), L. seeligeri (1.2%), L. welshimeri (7.2%) and L. grayi (0.6%). The identified serotypes of L. monocytogenes were 1/2a and 4b. The results demonstrate the significance of equipment and installations as sources of contamination by Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in the processing of beef and meat products.

Natural infection by endoparasites among free-living wild animals

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of occurrence and variety of intestinal parasites among free-living wild animals. Fecal samples from wild mammals and birds at rehabilitation centers in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo were analyzed by sedimentation and flotation-centrifugation methods. Parasite eggs, oocysts, cysts and/or trophozoites were found in 71% of the samples. Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were detected in fecal samples from oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus) and scaly-headed parrots (Pionus maximiliani). Giardia cysts were identified in the feces of a gray brocket (Mazama gouazoubira). Among the most common parasites found, there were eggs from Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina and Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and from Cestoda. Several Enterobius sp. eggs were found in the feces of red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus). It can be concluded from this study that despite the small number of samples, the diversity of parasites found was noteworthy. Additional information about parasite endofauna in wild animals is needed, since their presence might suggest that there could be proximity to and interactions with domestic animals and/or humans. In addition, further studies on parasites from free-living wild animals are of prime importance for understanding the intensity of anthropic changes in wild environments.

Difusão de boas práticas e caracterização de propriedades leiteiras

The aim was to characterize the dairy production of Parana state central region, Brazil, and also evaluate the good manufacturing practices training program to improve the microbiologic quality of milk. Small milk farms were the most common found, manual milking process and low level of technification. Milks TBC averages were compared before and after the training program, with signi-ficant drop (p<0.05) of about 60 %. When milks TBC averages of the farmers that received the training program were compared with the farmers that did not received it, a difference was also observed (p<0.05).

Blood Pressure, Serum Glucose, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides in Dogs with Different Body Scores

The objective of this research was to determine the frequency for the occurrence of MS in dogs, using the criteria determined, and to correlate the criteria of dogs that would characterize the MS with different body condition score (BCS). 271 dogs with different body scores were studied, with 101 dogs with BCS 4-5; 101 dogs with BCS 6-7; and 69 dogs with BCS 8-9. Among the dogs studied, 62 (22,87%) had two or more inclusion criteria for MS. Of these, 28 had BCS 6-7, while 34 dogs had BCS 8-9. Therefore, 27,72% of overweight dogs had inclusion criteria for MS and 49,27% of obese ones had two or more inclusion criteria for MS. When only overweight and obese dogs were considered as a total population, it was observed that 36,47% got inclusion criteria for the MS. No dog with BCS 4-5 showed two or more inclusion criteria for MS. The metabolic syndrome, according to the parameters for inclusion defined in the literature, was observed in 22,87% of the animals studied and in 36% of dogs overweight or obese. Furthermore, MS was most common in obese (49%) compared to overweight dogs (27%).

FUNÇÃO TIREOIDIANA DE CÃES COM LEISHMANIOSE VISCERAL

Several non-thyroid factors such as age, breed, concomitant diseases and use of certain drugs might influence the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs. Changes in the concentrations of thyroid hormones due to non-thyroid illnesses are named euthyroid sick syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of visceral leishmaniasis on thyroid function in dogs without clinical signs of hypothyroidism, with or without azotemia. Positive animals for leishmaniasis were divided into six groups (absence or presence of hypoalbuminemia, normal or increased creatinine, normal or increased urea). The effect on these groups was evaluated on the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (TT4) and free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations. Dogs that were positive for leishmaniasis, by ELISA test, presented thyroid-stimulating hormone serum concentrations greater than seronegative animals, while total thyroxine and free thyroxine in dogs with leishmanisis were lower (P≤0.01) when compared to healthy dogs. However, the results were within the values for euthyroid animals. In seropositive dogs for leishmaniasis, TT4 showed statistically significant difference (P≤0.04) in the group with hypoalbuminemia compared to the group with normoalbuminemia, respectively, 1,01ug/ dL and 1.4 g/dL. Based on this study, we could conclude that positive dogs for visceral leishmaniasis have not presented euthyroid sick syndrome, although when compared to healthy dogs, FT4 and TT4 were reduced and TSH increased.

Computerized electrocardiography in American pit bull terrier dogs

Electrocardiography (ECG) is an essential examination for evaluation of patient with heart disease is great importance the diagnosis of arrhythmias. The examination can determine source f rhythm and frequency depolarization heart, providing information in clinical status myocardium, since deflections P-QRS-T tracing can be altered by disease or physiological factor. With advancement of computer technology, computerized electrocardiography has been used in human medicine as auxiliary diagnostic method and currently is being increasingly used in veterinary medicine. The objectives this study were to study e computerized electrocardiographic parameters in dogs breed American Pit Bull Terrier, comparing them with patterns species. In present study, we evaluated electrocardiographic examinations 42 dogs the breed American Pit Bull clinically healthy, 22 males and 20 females, aged between 1 and 6 years. Sinus rhythm was observed in 57% of dogs showed sinus rhythm and only 26% were wandering pacemaker. The electrocardiographic values obtained from these dogs computerized ECG were within the normal range of species, except the duration of the P wave which had longer than 0.04 seconds in 24% of dogs. We conclude that the dogs of the breed American Pit Bull Terrier have the same electrocardiographic values obtained in other breeds by the computerized method, except for the increase in P-wave duration.

Metabolic Parameters in Obese Dogs Undergoing to the Diet with Calorie Restriction

Currently, canine obesity is a worldwide problem and is based on the excessive deposit of fat tissue, which plays an important role as a store of energy and endocrine organ. This study aimed to compare the values of systolic blood pressure, serum chemistry profile and glucose metabolism in eight obese dogs without endocrine diseases before and after 16 weeks of a weight loss program. A statistical difference was noticed in the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, glucose, cholesterol and insulin, before and after the program. Besides, there was a statistical difference between the moments in systolic blood pressure, body weight and body condition scale. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of a diet rich in fiber and protein is suitable for performing weight loss and obese dogs undergoing a weight loss program presented a significant reduction in blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin, blood cholesterol, serum activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase.

Field findings about milk ethanol stability: a first report of interrelationship between α-lactalbumin and lactose

BACKGROUND Milk ethanol stability is not only associated with microbiological acidification, but is a phenomenon with many variables that influence the balance of soluble salts, mainly calcium ion activity. On this basis, we wanted to find out more about milk ethanol stability by studying its relationship with milk protein fractions and others major components. The influence of milk composition on ethanol stability was assessed through a predictive model comprising 180 individual raw milk samples. An additional model was used to assess the ethanol stability status as a response to the proteins fractions quantified by electrophoresis. RESULTS Of the total samples, 68% were classified as stable and 32% as unstable to alcohol. Milk ethanol instability increased at low values of lactose content and high values of ash percentage. α-Lactalbumin (α-La) was also associated with ethanol stability, and the higher the α-La percentage the lower were the chances of ethanol instability. CONCLUSION The lower values of α-La in unstable milk samples might be related to lower content of lactose, as α-La promotes lactose synthesis, a key component for the osmotic balance of milk and thus its ethanol stability. This is the first field report linking ethanol stability indirectly with α-La.

Milk adulteration with acidified rennet whey: a limitation for caseinomacropeptide detection by high-performance liquid chromatography: Acidified milk whey restrains HPLC detection of whey added to milk

BACKGROUND High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is widely employed to determine the caseinomacropeptide (CMP) index and to detect milk tampering with rennet whey. Prior to HPLC analysis, CMP is subject to a trichloracetic acid isolation, causing further soluble proteins in the sample to precipitate. On this basis, we aimed to determine whether rennet whey acidification could adversely affect the HPLC sensitivity with respect to detecting this peptide. RESULTS As hypothesized, the CMP index from milk with added acidified rennet whey was, on average, half that quantified from milk with added rennet whey. Moreover, the quantum satis of acidified whey added to milk sufficient to demonstrate a HPLC CMP > 30 mg L-1 was 94% greater than that required for this threshold to be reached with rennet whey. CONCLUSION Milk tampering with acidified rennet whey may limit the analytical sensitivity of the reversed-phase HPLC employed for the screening of CMP and, ultimately, disguise the fraudulent addition of whey to milk.

Canine hypoparathyroidism: case report

Primary hypoparathyroidism is an uncommon endocrinopathy in dogs, resulting from absolute or relative deficiency in the secretion of parathormone (PTH). The dog presented signs of hypocalcemia, including muscular spasms, tetany and cramps, evolving to tonic-clonic seizures and fever. Emergency therapy for hypocalcemia included glucose physiological solution at 0.45% and calcium gluconate administered intravenously. Diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and a decrease in parathormone (PTH).