EVALUATION OF MODIFIED AGGLUTINATION TEST AND ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY IN DETECTION OF Toxoplasma gondii ANTIBODY IN HUMAN SERA

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis of high prevalence around the world, leading to serious congenital alterations and in immune compromised individuals. Its diagnosis is based in the detection of serum antibodies. This work aimed to compare serum antibody to Toxoplasma gondii detection by ELISA for IgG antibodies, and the MAT with the results of IFAT. From 73 samples examined by IgG-IFAT, 53 (72.6%) were positive, IgG-ELISA 55 (75.4%) and MAT, 58 (79.4%).  No significative differences among results of tests are found. MAT shows high sensibility (100%) and lower specificity (75%), there were not false-negative results, but showed false-positives (25%). ELISA showed sensibility of 98.1% and specificity of 85,0%, false-negative rate of 1.9% and false-positive rate of 15.0%. MAT performance, when compared with IFAT, suggests the utilization of this method in diagnostic and epidemiological preliminary tests, besides ELISA has been used as a confirmatory test, for its specificity

EDITORIAL

Editoria

FREQUENCY AND RISK FACTORS FOR INFECTION BY Neospora caninum IN DAIRY FARMS OF UMUARAMA, PR, BRAZIL

Serum samples collected from dairy cattle and dogs in 15 farms in Umuarama, PR, were analyzed for the presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. From 309 cows examined, 63 (20.4%) were positive, with titers ranging from 100 (23.8%) to 1,600 (11.1%). Three (6.1%) of 49 dogs analyzed were positive. Multivariate analysis of epidemiological factors revealed that production of food on the farm, absence of artificial insemination and access of domestic and wild animals to the facilities or to cattle feed showed significant association with positive serology in cows

INCLUSION OF PROPOLIS IN RABBIT DIETS AND SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS

This experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating different levels of powder propolis in rabbit diets and their effect on semen characteristics. A total of 36 New Zealand White male rabbits were used, randomly distributed into six groups, corresponding to six propolis levels (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 g propolis/kg of ration). Semen was collected twice a week, using an artificial vagina. Semen volume, progressive spermatic motility, spermatic vigor, spermatic concentration and spermatic morphology were analyzed. General linear models were used for statistical analysis. The inclusion of powder propolis in the diet increased normal spermatozoa percentage and reduced spermatozoa abnormalities. The powder propolis did not affect the progressive spermatic motility, spermatic vigor or spermatic concentration. The values were considered normal for rabbits. However, a small reduction in semen volume was observed, without any negative effect on the other semen characteristics evaluated. Thus, it is possible to observe better semen quality with the inclusion of 1.25 g powder propolis/kg in the diet for reproducer rabbits

SCIENCE LITERACY: THE POINT OF VIEW OF STUDENT INTO UNDERSTANDING THE INTERNAL ANATOMY OF SELECTED VERTEBRATES

How do people develop understandings of what is inside certain vertebrates including themselves? This study based on a quantitative investigation looks at students understandings of internal structures of a rat, a fish, a bird and themselves. A cross-sectional approach was used involving a total of 696 students in southern Brazil from seven different age groups (ranging from four years old to first year Biology undergraduates). Students were asked to draw what they thought were inside the specimens above. Data analysis was carried out following a scoring protocol and entered into SPSS. Gender differences were not statistically significant, whoever, it shows the extent to which student understanding increases with age and the degree to which students know more about some organs and organ systems than others. Educational implications and aspects of science literacy are discussed

EDITORIAL

Editoria

A new concept of Brazilian Jurisdiction in the 21th century

The change in the posture of the jurisdiction in the 21th century has consequently allowed a rethinking a rethinking of its concept as well as a rethinking of concept of lawsuit. The narrow connection between the jurisdiction and the protection of the Fundamental Rights and Social Inclusion describes the new concept of jurisdiction

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF Brunfelsia uniflora LEAF EXTRACT

Finding bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity from natural sources has been a challenge., mainly due to the increase in microbial resistance. This study aimed at prospecting the main classes of secondary metabolites and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Brunfelsia uniflora leaf extract. The ethanolic extract was obtained by dynamic maceration with solvent, and the antioxidant activity was analyzed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans by broth microdilution method. The phytochemical analysis of B. uniflora leaf extract showed the presence of saponins, tannins and alkaloids. The extract presented minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.5 mg/mL for E. coli. The 1.49 mg/mL extract concentration inhibited 50% of free radicals in the DPPH solution at 60 µM. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of this plant extract were the basis of studies to develop applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries