Screening for canine coronavirus, canine influenza virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in dogs during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic

Background and Aim: Although most cases of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are in humans, there is scientific evidence to suggest that the virus can also infect dogs and cats. This study investigated the circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), canine coronavirus (CCV), and canine influenza virus (CIV) in domiciled and/or stray dogs from different locations in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: In total, 86 dogs living in homes, on the streets, or in shelters in the cities of Taiobeiras, Salinas, Araçuaí, and Almenara were randomly selected for this study. The COVID Ag Detect® Self-Test was used to detect SARS-CoV-2. The ACCUVET CCV AG TEST – CANINE CORONAVIROSIS® was used to detect CCV, whereas canine influenza was detected using the ACCUVET CIV AG TEST – INFLUENZA CANINA®. All collected data were mapped using QGIS 3.28.1 for spatial data analysis and the identification of disease distribution patterns. Descriptive analysis of the collected data, prevalence calculations, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals, when possible, was performed. Results: Of the 86 animals tested, only one dog tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using the rapid test for viral antigen detection. No animals tested positive for CIV. Canine coronavirus was detected in almost half of the animals tested in Almenara. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 had a low prevalence (1.16%), versus 15.62% for CCV. Although the results were not significant, the age and breed of animals appeared to be associated with the occurrence of CCV. The results indicated that younger animals were 2.375-fold more likely to be infected. Likewise, purebred animals were more likely to contract the disease (OR = 1.944). Conclusion: The results indicate the need to maintain preventive measures against CCV, canine influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 in dogs. More studies are needed to better elucidate the panorama of these diseases in dogs, mainly in underdeveloped and developing countries

Toxicological studies in poultry consuming fumonisin from corn contaminated with Brazilian Amazonian flora

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides produces fumonisins (FB1 and FB2), characterized by being the most frequently produced molecular forms and with greater toxicity. Fumonisin contamination is responsible for substantial losses during the meat production chain, so the safe levels of these compounds must be determined. The study was directed to establish safe levels of FB1 in poultry production; for this purpose, were used COBB 500® birds on experimental lots of infected corn during the 2015/2016 season in Brazil. The experimental group included 160 animals, divided into two groups: The T1 without fumonisin in the diet (control); and the T2 group in which corn was contaminated with 2.78 μg/g of fumonisin FB1. Histopathological effects of liver, heart, and small intestine, and zootechnical parameters were measured in birds treated. We found that there were no significant differences between the birds treated and untreated after 21 days of exposure to each treatment; F-values > P-values (P<0,05) for feed intake and weekly weight gain. Taken together, our data showed that the concentration evaluated is safe in poultry and will contribute to the design of future clinical studies

Toxicidade aguda dos extratos hidroalcoólicos das folhas de alecrim-pimenta, aroeira e barbatimão e do farelo da casca de pequi administrados por via intraperitoneal Acute toxicity of leaf hydroalcoholic extracts of Lippia sidoides, Myracroduon urundeuva, Stryphnodendron adstringens and of Caryocar brasilliense administered by intraperitoneal route

O estudo objetivou realizar ensaio toxicológico pré-clínico inicial para investigar a toxicidade das folhas de alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham.), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.) e barbatimão [Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville] e do farelo da casca de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), por meio da determinação da dose letal 50% (DL50). Na investigação da DL50, foram utilizados grupos de camundongos Swiss de mesmo sexo (n=150, sendo 30 animais por tratamento) inoculados, por via intraperitoneal, com diluições seriadas do extrato hidroalcoólico das folhas de alecrim, aroeira e barbatimão e do farelo da casca de pequi. Após a inoculação, os animais foram observados por um período de 14 dias, para determinar a quantidade de mortos, doentes e sobreviventes. O estudo toxicológico pré-clínico agudo demonstrou, em camundongos por via intraperitoneal, toxicidade igual a 0,31mg mL-1 DL50 mL-1 para todas as plantas, exceto para o barbatimão, que apresentou toxicidade igual a 0,25mg mL-1. Pesquisas devem ser realizadas visando a obter dados de toxicidade das plantas em outras vias para assegurar o uso em saúde humana e animal.This study aimed to conductpre-clinical toxicology testing to investigate the toxicity of Lippia sidoides Cham., Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All., Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville and Caryocar brasiliense Camb., by determining the 50% (LDL50) lethal dose. In the investigation of the LD50, groups of Swiss mice of the same sex were used (n=150; 30 animals per plant and all inoculated intraperitoneally with serial dilutions of the aqueous fraction obtained from the leaves of plants. After inoculation, the animals were observed along a period of 14 days in order to observe the dead, sick and survivors rate. In mice inoculated intraperitoneally, the acute pre-clinical toxicology testing demonstrated toxicity equal to 0,31mg mL-1 LD50 mL-1 for all plants. The exception was for Stryphnodendron adstringens, which presented toxicity equal to a 0,25mg mL-1DL50 mL-1 and values expressed in terms of dilution. Research should be conducted to obtain data on toxicity of the plants in other ways to ensure the use in human and animal health. Therefore, the studied plants should be used with caution. They present a relatively mild toxic potential, but it may be harmful to users if they are not properly utilized

Characterization of the Primary Sludge from Pharmaceutical Industry Effluents and Final Disposition

The generation of large volumes of waste by industrial processes has become an object of study because of the necessity to characterize the composition of residues in order to suggest appropriate treatments and to minimize adverse environmental impacts. We performed analyses of total fixed and volatile solids, moisture, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). We found high organic matter content. We also measured physicochemical characteristics, including corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Sewage sludge showed levels of chloride and sodium above the maximum allowed limits. These data suggest the potential for anaerobic digestion as a treatment option for sewage sludge and for its use as a biofertilizer