Stella de Faria Valle

Identification, occurrence and clinical findings of canine hemoplasmas in southern Brazil.

Hemoplasmas are ubiquitous pleomorphic and epicellular bacteria detected in erythrocytes in several species. In Brazil, studies on hemoplasmas have not included information on occurrence, clinical signs, and risk factors in dogs. This paper investigates the occurrence of hemoplasmas in dogs, focusing on risk factors and clinical status. Conventional PCR for the four types of canine hemoplasmas was performed in 331 blood samples collected from dogs clinically treated at a teaching veterinary hospital. Of all samples, 17/331 (5.1%) were positive for Mycoplasma haemocanis and 6/331 (1.8%) were positive for a Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum-like organism. Risk factors included the presence of vectors, old age, dog bite wounds, and neoplastic diseases. In the multivariate analysis, a 4.40 odds ratio in dogs with vector-borne diseases indicated risk for hemoplasmosis. There was correlation between hemoplasma infection and neoplastic disease, suggesting that neoplastic conditions are a risk factor for hemoplasma infection in dogs.

Mineral deficiencies in beef cattle from southern Brazil

Os minerais sao de grande importância no metabolismo dos bovinos, tendo impacto no desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo dos animais. Atualmente ha poucos relatos no Rio Grande do Sul com relacao ao diagnostico de deficiencias minerais mediante a analise de fluidos biologicos em animais a campo. A regiao da Depressao Central do Rio Grande do Sul e caracterizada pela producao extensiva de gado de corte em campo nativo com manejo precario da suplementacao mineral, apresentando baixos niveis de alguns minerais nas pastagens. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi diagnosticar possiveis deficiencias minerais em vacas de corte na regiao da Depressao Central mediante a dosagem de indicadores minerais em fluidos biologicos e na pastagem. Foram determinadas concentracoes de fosforo, calcio, cobre, zinco, glutation peroxidase (como indicador de selenio) e tiroxina (como indicador de iodo) no sangue, sodio e potassio na saliva e sodio, e calcio, fosforo, potassio, zinco, cobre, sodio e ferro na pastagem. Foram estudadas quatro propriedades em Cachoeira do Sul, em quatro momentos do ciclo reprodutivo: periodo de servico (inseminacao artificial), periodo de repasse de touros, final da gestacao e inicio da lactacao, num total de 112 animais. O perfil mineral indicou deficiencia marginal de fosforo, cobre, iodo e selenio. O calcio serico apresentou-se diminuido, possivelmente relacionado com o baixo conteudo de proteina na pastagem. Os periodos mais afetados foram o final da gestacao e o inicio da lactacao indicando que essas categorias de producao tem maior exigencias metabolicas.

OralAcute and Repeated-Doses Toxicity Study of Valepotriates from Valeriana glechomifolia (Meyer) in Mice

BACKGROUNDnSpecies of Valeriana show sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are associated with valepotriates. However, data about toxicity and safety of these compounds are still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of a valepotriate-enriched fraction (VAL) from Valeriana glechomifolia Meyer based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines 423 and 407.nnnMETHODSnIn the acute study, CF1 mice were treated with a single dose of VAL (2000 mg/kg, p.o.) and observed for 14 days. In the repeated dose study, CF1 mice received single daily doses of VAL (30, 150 or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle for 28 days. These doses were chosen based on previous results by our group and according to Guideline 407- OECD.nnnRESULTSnThe acute study allowed to classify VAL in the hazard category 5. The repeat-dose study has shown that VAL 300 mg/kg delayed weight gain and reduced food consumption in the first week, probably due to transient sedative effects. The other doses had no effect on animals ponderal evolution. At the end of the treatment, all groups had equal body weight and food consumption. None of the doses altered any behavioral, urinary, biochemical, hematological, anatomic or histological parameters.nnnCONCLUSIONnA valepotriate-enriched fraction from Valeriana glechomifolia presents relatively low oral acute toxicity and does not induce evident toxicity after oral repeated treatment (at least up to 300 mg/kg) in mice.

Hematologic variation values of captive red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) in South Brazil

Background: Reference hematological values for chelonians are uncommon, especially those that take account of seasonal variations. While there exists controversy over how climate influences hematological values in different reptile species, the identification of this influence would help with the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of diseases that affect these species, often kept as pets. Chelonians are ectotherms and, therefore, intrinsic and extrinsic factors may affect physiological and hematological values, affecting the interpretation of clinical information on these species. The aims of this study were to assess the hematological values of captive red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) and to check their variation according to the cold and warmer seasons of the year. Materials, Methods &Results: Blood samples were collected from nine red-footed tortoises (C. carbonaria) of indeterminate sex and different ages, bred in captivity without control over environmental variables during one year, one each season (summer, fall, winter and spring). A total of 36 samples were considered to study. The colder seasons were collapsed together into one group that holds winter and fall (colds) and the months whit warmer weather spring and summer were grouped as a class called (warm). The complete blood count was performed manually, and medians, maximum values, and minimum values were obtained from the animals in each season of the year. The samples were grouped in “cold” and “warm” classes as above. Repeated measures ANOVA were used in order to compare the influence of climate variation on hematologic variables. For this mater Bonferroni’s test was employed as post-hoc analysis. As results, the erythrocytes total count, hemoglobin value, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, absolute numbers of heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and total plasma proteins varied significantly (P < 0.05) between colder and warmer seasons. Erythrocyte values yielded significantly higher values in warmer seasons than in the other seasons. The seasonality was verified in erythrocytes total count (P < 0.001), hemoglobin value (P < 0.001), hematocrit values (P < 0.001) and differential white blood cell count (P < 0.001). Discussion: The hematological alterations detected in C. carbonaria were similar observed in similar studies in reptiles species and due to the distinct method and management used and different species, it was not possible to compare the statistical results. In previously studies, as a C. carbonaria, the hematological variations between climatic seasons were identified in other reptile species due particular ectothermic metabolism. The variation in total WBC count produced by seasons of the year had already been described in snakes, such as in South American rattlesnakes and in tropical snakes. Changes in metabolic activity may be influence in TPP values in reptiles when season of the year is included as a variable. In hibernating species, the variation in TPP values is attributed to hibernating behavior when the lower food intake led to a decrease in plasma protein levels. In the case of C. carbonaria, which does not hibernate, other variables could influence the difference between seasons. All hematological changes observed in studied animals confirm the influence of climate between cold and hot months, given the peculiar metabolism of chelonians. The results point out the importance is to consider the seasonal climate variations in the interpretation of hematological values of C. carbonaria under uncontrolled environmental conditions.