Rosária Regina Tesoni de Barros Richartz

Occurrence of antibodies against Neospora caninum and/or Toxoplasma gondii in dogs with neurological signs

This study aimed to evaluate occurrences of antibodies against Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dogs with neurological signs. Blood samples from 147 dogs were collected: 127 from owned dogs (attended at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná (HV-UFPR) and at private veterinary clinics in the city of Curitiba), and 20 from stray dogs found in Curitibas metropolitan region. The dogs presented one or more of the following neurological signs: seizures, paresis or paralysis, ataxia, behavioral abnormalities, sensory and somatic disorders and chorioretinitis. The samples were analyzed by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), at a cutoff dilution of 1:50. Out of the 147 samples obtained, 17 (11.56%) were seropositive for N. caninum, 31 (21.08%) for T. gondii and four (2.72%) for both protozoa. Serum titration on the positive animals showed that 54.83% (17/31) and 41.18% (7/17) had titers ≥ 1:200 against T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. A significant difference in seropositivity for T. gondii (P = 0.021; OR = 2.87; CI = 1.1 > 2.8 > 7.4) was observed between owned dogs (18.11%) and stray dogs (40%). Inclusion of serological tests for neosporosis and toxoplasmosis is recommended in diagnosing neurological diseases in dogs.

Primary culture of hepatic cells from Metynnis roosevelti (Pisces, Teleostei, Characidae)

A fim de obter culturas celulares e monocamada de celulas hepaticas do peixe subtropical Metynnis roosevelti, foram comparadas tres metodologias: dissociacao celular enzimatica com tripsina versene 0,25%; utilizacao do soro fetal bovino; e soro homologo, obtido por meio da puncao da veia caudal, de exemplares adultos da mesma especie de peixe. O meio de cultura utilizado foi F10-199 acrescido de L-glutamina 2 mM, insulina 10 µg/mL, fibronectina 50 µg/mL; e antibioticos. A dissociacao celular enzimatica apresentou maior eficiencia na adesao e confluencia da monocamada celular em comparacao a outras metodologias utilizadas.