The Politicization of the European Union

What are the consequences of EU politicization for the EU and European societies? This book shifts the analytical focus from EU politicization processes to their empirical and normative research on the effects of politicization on public opinion, public discourses, policymaking and European integration

The Politicization of the European Union

What are the consequences of EU politicization for the EU and European societies? This book shifts the analytical focus from EU politicization processes to their empirical and normative research on the effects of politicization on public opinion, public discourses, policymaking and European integration

Etiology and epidemiology of seasonal allergic dermatitis in sheep in southern of Rio Grande do Sul

A seasonal dermatitis was studied in a Hampshire Down flock in a farm at the minicipality of Capão do Leão, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Frequency and seasonal distribution of the disease, breed, sex and age of affected sheep, and clinical signs, macroscopic pathology and distribution of the lesions were obtained by visiting the farm. Histological lesions were studied in skin biopsies of affected sheep. Biting insects were collected weekly between 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., from January to April of 2005 to identify the etiological agent of disease. Data about temperature, humidity and wind speed in the region where the disease occurs were obtained in the agro climatologic Station of Pelotas Federal University. The prevalence of disease during the study period was 40% and the age of affected animals was variable. The disease occurs between December and March, but some animals stayed with lesions during the whole year. Clinical signs were characterized by pruritus and skin lesions in the ears, around the eyes, and ventral abdomen. Erythema and papules were observed in acute cases. In chronic cases, the skin was thicken, exsudative, crusty and alopecic, frequently with secondary infections. Histological lesions of affected sheep were characterized by perivascular eosinofilic dermatitis. Hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and intraepidermal pustules were observed in chronic lesions. Anopheles albitarsis and Culicoides insignis were captured during the observation period. Sheep showed pruritus mainly during de Culicoides bites. The mean minimum and maximum temperature in the period were 17ºC e 28ºC, respectively, and the mean speed wind was 12,84km/h. Both insects were caught when they approached the sheep bait 30minutes after sunset. Intradermal tests performed with de antigens of the insect extracts showed hypersensitivity reaction to C.insignis antigens. Based on the results it was suggested that the disease occurs as a consequence of an immediate hypersensitivity caused by C. insignis bite.Sem bolsaDermatite alérgica estacional foi estudada em um rebanho de ovinos Hampshire Down em um estabelecimento no município de Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul. A epidemiologia, sinais clínicos e lesões macroscópicas foram observadas no estabelecimento verificando-se a época de ocorrência da enfermidade, a idade e sexo dos animais afetados e localização das lesões. A patologia microscópica foi estudada em biopsias de pele de ovinos afetados. Para a verificação da etiologia, insetos foram capturados com aspiradores entomológicos, semanalmente, das 16h00minh às 09h00minh, entre os meses de janeiro a abril de 2005. Os dados relativos à temperatura média, umidade relativa do ar e velocidade média dos ventos na região de ocorrência da doença foram obtidos na Estação Agro-climatológica da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. A prevalência da doença no período estudado foi de 40% e animais de qualquer idade e ambos os sexos foram afetados. A enfermidade ocorreu principalmente entre dezembro e março e alguns animais permaneceram com lesões durante todo o ano. Os sinais clínicos eram de inquietação e prurido e as lesões ocorriam principalmente nas orelhas, ao redor dos olhos e na região ventral do abdômen, caracterizando-se pela presença de eritema e pápulas, nos casos agudos, e espessamento da pele com rachaduras, exsudação, formação de crostas, e alopecia, nos casos crônicos; esses freqüentemente apresentavam infecções secundárias. As lesões histológicas eram principalmente de dermatite eosinofílica perivascular, observando-se, também, hiperqueratose, acantose e presença de pústulas sub corneais ou intra-epidérmicas nos casos crônicos. Os insetos capturados no período de estudo da doença foram identificados como Anopheles albitarsis e Culicoides insignis. Durante a captura observou-se que os animais apresentavam prurido intenso quando picados por Culicoides, mas não por Anopheles. As temperaturas média mínima e máxima no período, foram de 17ºC e 28ºC, respectivamente, e a velocidade média dos ventos foi de 12,84km/h. Ambas as espécies de insetos capturados têm hábitos noturnos aproximando-se dos animais para hematofagia em torno de 30min após o ocaso do sol.Testes intradérmicos realizados com antígenos obtidos a partir desses dípteros revelaram reação de hipersensibilidade aos antígenos de C. insignis. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a enfermidade estudada ocorre em conseqüência de hipersensibilidade imediata causada pela picada desse díptero

Evaluation of the effect of Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi, Saccharomyces boulardii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in sheep infected by gastrointestinal nematodes

The gastrointestinal parasitic infections caused by nematodes is one of most detrimental causes that impaired the sheep production, whereas the Haemonchus contortus have a role due to its pathogeny and prevalence. The methods of control are based on the use of anthelmintics, which can lead the resistence of nematodes. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the effect of Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi (Bc), Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) and S. cerevisiae (Sc) probiotics in lambs infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. In the Experiment 1; thirty two Texel breed lambs, aging 4 to 5 months, were randomized allocated into 4 experimental groups; Group 1 (n=8) that received Bc, 2) Group 2 (n=8), that received Sb, Group 3 (n=8); that received Sc. All groups treated with probiotics received the concentration of 1x106 CFU gr-1. The Group 4 did not receive any treatment. The animals were fed with probiotics individually once a Day during 56 days. Seven days after the beginning of the experiment, the animals were infected with H. contortus. Blood samples were collected weekly in order to evaluate hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. The gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by RT PCR. On Day 49, after the infection, all animals were killed in order to recover the parasites and to evaluate histologically The abomasum. In Experiment 2, twenty Ideal breed lambs, with 4 to 5 months old, were fed with 1x106 UFC gr-1 of Sc and kept in two paddocks naturally contaminated with nematodes during one year. The worm burden, packed cell volume, gain of weigh and body condition score were measured. In the Experiment 1 the Sc group differ from the others groups (P < 0.05) on the worm burden and eosinophil counting on the abomasal mucosa. The levels of IL-4 showed an increase of 15 times in the animals treated with Sc and Sb. In the experiment 2, there was a significant reduction on the number of H. contortus recovered from abomasum (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. These results suggest that the treatment with Saccharomyces cerevisiae probiotic interferes with the immune response and reduces the worm burden of nematodes, being an alternative to improve the methods of control of nematodes.A nematodiose gastrintestinal é um dos principais fatores limitantes a produção de ovinos, destacando-se por sua patogenia e prevalência o Haemonchus contortus. As medidas de controle baseiam-se no uso de anti-helmínticos, aos quais os nematódeos apresentam graves problemas de resistência. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito dos probióticos Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi (Bc), Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) e S. cerevisiae (Sc) em ovinos infectados por nematódeos gastrintestinais, dois experimentos foram delineados. Experimento I- utilizaram-se quatro grupos de oito ovinos machos, da raça Texel, de quatro a cinco meses de idade. O grupo 1 recebeu Bc, o grupo 2 Sb, o grupo 3 Sc, todos na concentração de 1x106 UFC gr-1 por dia e o grupo 4 Controle C, sem probiótico. Os probióticos foram administrados individualmente, por via oral, uma vez ao dia, durante 56 dias do experimento. Sete dias após o início da administração dos probióticos, os animais foram infectados por via oral com H. contortus. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas semanalmente, para avaliações hematológicas, bioquímica e imunológica. Os níveis de expressão gênica através das citocinas pró-inflamatórias foram verificados por RT-PCR. No 49º dia após a infecção todos os animais foram eutanasiados para recuperação dos parasitos e avaliação histológica do abomaso. O Experimento II- foi composto por dois grupos de 20 cordeiros machos, da raça Ideal, de quatro a cinco meses de idade; grupo I os cordeiros receberam 1x106 UFC gr-1 de Sc e o grupo controle somente ração. Os grupos foram mantidos individualizados em piquetes naturalmente contaminados por nematódeos gastrintestinais, durante um ano. Foram medidos os aspectos referentes à carga parasitária, volume globular, ganho de peso e condição corporal. Dentre os resultados obtidos no Experimento I, demonstrou-se que a carga parasitária e contagem de eosinófilos na mucosa abomasal mostraram diferenças significativas entre o grupo Sc e demais grupos (p<0,05). Os níveis de expressão da citocina IL-4 tiveram um aumento superior a 15x nos animais suplementados com Sc e Sb em relação ao grupo controle. No experimento II, houve redução significativa do número de H. contortus recuperados, semelhante ao experimento I (p<0,01). Os resultados demonstram que o probiótico a base de S. cerevisiae interfere na resposta imune e reduz a carga parasitária em ovinos, constituindo uma alternativa para ser associada a outros métodos de controle dos nematódeos, nesta espécie animal

Feline Demodicosis by Demodex cati

Background: Feline demodicosis is considered an uncommon dermatopathy in cats that is mainly caused by the mite Demodex cati, but in few cases D. gatoi may be involved. Although the clinical aspects and pathogeny of feline demodicosis are not completely understood, its clinical expression is believed to be associated with the presence of primary immunosuppressive agents. Thus, the aim of this study is to report the diagnosis and treatment of an infested cat by D. cati, associated with mixed intestinal parasitic infection. Case: An approximately 1-year-old male short hair cat which was grown in a rural area was presented at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Pampa (Unipampa) in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul. The cat had alopecia, itching, excoriations on neck and head, and softened feces as clinical signs. Performed skin scrapings revealed eggs, larvae and adult forms of D. cati. In order to fnd possible immunosuppressive agents, exams for detection of feline immunodefciency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were also performed. They revealed, however, negative results for FIV and FeLV infections. Moreover, coproparasitologic analysis revealed the presence of the intestinal parasites Trichuris sp., Ancylostoma sp., and Spirometra mansonoides. Thus, it was decided to proceed the treatment utilizing 0.2 mg/kg of moxidectin subcutaneously every four days and weekly shower with antiseptic shampoo containing 0.15% triclosan. In addition, it was prescribed oral doses of febendazol (50 mg/kg/day) for four days. After 20 days of treatment, the skin lesions had decreased signifcantly and the skin scrapings were negative for D. cati. In this way, the showers with 0.15% triclosan was suspended. Nevertheless, the treatment with moxidectin was maintained for more fours weeks until totalclinical healing was achieved with hair growth and absence of skin lesions. Furthermore, after the treatment with febendazol the animal feces had reached a normal consistency and new coproparasitologic analysis revealed negative results for the presence of intestinal parasites. Discussion: The diagnosis of Demodex cati was based on clinical history, physical examination (alopecia, excoriation in the head and neck) and microscopic visualization of the mite in skin scrapings. The treatment used with moxidectin, acaricidal quite safe and effective, widely used in treatment of canine demodicosis, but no reports about the use in cats. The mite D. cati is considered normal resident of cat’s skin, and the pathogenesis of demodicosis is still unknown. It is known that the playback exacerbated mite can present with skin lesions is commonly associated with immunosuppression states. The presence of three different intestinal parasites (Spirometra mansonoides, Trichuris sp., and Ancylostoma sp.) might have been essential for an immunosuppressive status of the cat and clinical development of demodicosis. Thus, this report supports the hypothesis that a primary immunosuppressive agent is necessary for clinical development of feline demodicosis. Nevertheless, further researches are necessary in order to determine the prevalence of feline demodicosis and correlate the presence of cestodes and development of this disease. In addition, this report highlights the therapeutic success utilizing na association of moxidectin and topic treatment with the treatment of possible immunosuppressive agents.Keywords: dermatopathy, imunossuppression, cat, therap

Frequency of geohelminths in public squares in Pelotas, RS, Brazil Frequência de geohelmintos em praças públicas de Pelotas, RS, Brasil

The frequency of parasitic contamination of public areas in the municipality of Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was studied between June 2010 and May 2011, when soil samples were collected from eight city squares. Out of 400 samples submitted to centrifugal floatation technique in solution of sodium dichromate with density of 1.35, 176 (44%) proved positive for at least one parasite; 29 (16.5%) samples were multi-infested. The results showed that there was a significant soil contamination rate in all the parks included in the study. The positivity rate was higher for hookworms eggs (13.5%) and Toxocara eggs (8.8%); Trichuris, Ascaris and Capillaria eggs were also detected. This study shows the risks to which the population is exposed in relation to zoonotic geohelminths, and suggests that sanitation and health education measures should be implemented in the municipality.<br>A frequ&#234;ncia de contamina&#231;&#227;o parasit&#225;ria de &#225;reas p&#250;blicas de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foi avaliada entre junho de 2010 e maio de 2011, com coletas mensais de amostras de solo de oito pra&#231;as. Das 400 amostras submetidas &#224; t&#233;cnica de centr&#237;fugo-flutua&#231;&#227;o em solu&#231;&#227;o de dicromato de s&#243;dio com densidade de 1,35, 176 (44%) apresentaram pelo menos uma forma parasit&#225;ria e, das amostras positivas, 29 (16,5%) estavam poliparasitadas. Os resultados demonstraram relevante &#237;ndice de contamina&#231;&#227;o do solo em todas as pra&#231;as avaliadas, com maiores &#237;ndices de positividade para ovos de ancilostom&#237;deos (13,5%) e ovos de Toxocara (8,8%), sendo tamb&#233;m identificados ovos de Trichuris, Ascaris e Capillaria. O estudo demonstrou a contamina&#231;&#227;o ambiental de pra&#231;as p&#250;blicas e os riscos a que a popula&#231;&#227;o est&#225; exposta em rela&#231;&#227;o a doen&#231;as causadas por geoparasitos zoon&#243;ticos e sugere que medidas de saneamento e educa&#231;&#227;o em sa&#250;de devem ser implementadas no munic&#237;pio

Remoção manual de Rhipicephalusmicroplus (Acari: Ixodidae) em bovinos, comouma alternativa ao uso de carrapaticidas em pequenos rebanhos / Manual removal of Rhipicephalusmicroplus (Acari: Ixodidae) in cattle, as an alternative to the use of carrapaticides in small flakes

O carrapato bovino é o ectoparasito que causa maiores prejuízos à bovinocultura, tanto com gastos de produtos químicos para seu controle, como vetor de doenças como a tristeza parasitária bovina. A remoção manual de carrapatos é uma alternativa que pode ser utilizada em pequenos rebanhos bovinos e também em atividades agroecológicas. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a viabilidade da remoção manual de teleógenas num rebanho bovino, constituído de 40 animais, ao longo de 31 meses. Semanalmente no rebanho e duas vezes por semana nos animais em lactação, eram removidas as teleógenas, como alternativa ao controle químico. Ao longo do tempo desse estudo foi observado uma redução significativa do uso de carrapaticidas para controle do ectoparasito.

Presence of eggs of Toxocara spp. and hookworms in a student environment in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Environmental contamination by parasite forms was studied on a university campus in the municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Soil samples were analyzed using the modified Caldwell &amp; Caldwell technique to identify parasite forms. Nematode eggs were detected in 62% of the samples. Among the parasites detected, eggs of Toxocara spp. and Ancylostomatidae were the most prevalent parasites in the studied area throughout the study period. The results demonstrated that there is significant environmental contamination, thereby representing a risk of zoonotic infection for humans frequenting the study area

Helmintos do cachorro do campo, Pseudalopex gymnocercus (Fischer, 1814) e do cachorro do mato, Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766) no sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil Helminths of Pampas fox Pseudalopex gymnocercus (Fischer, 1814) and of Crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766) in the Southern of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Quarenta canídeos selvagens foram capturados por "live trap" nos municípios de Pedro Osório e Pelotas, sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul e transportados para o Laboratório de Parasitologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Após serem necropsiados, segmentos do intestino, respiratório, urinário e fígado foram separados e examinados. Os crânios dos animais foram usados para identificação taxonômica. Dos 40 animais capturados, 22 (55%) foram Pseudalopex gymnocercus e 18 (45%) Cerdocyon thous. Os nematóides mais prevalentes foram: Ancylostoma caninum (45,4 em P. gymnocercus e 22,2% em C. thous), Molineus felineus (9,9 em P. gymnocercus e 5,6% em C. thous), Strongyloides sp. (22,7 em P. gymnocercus e 16,7% em C. thous), Trichuris sp. (13,6 em P. gymnocercus e 11,1% em C. thous), e Capillaria hepatica (13,6 em P. gymnocercus e 5,5 % em C. thous). Os trematódeos observados foram: Alaria alata (50,0% em C. thous e 36,4 em P. gymnocercus), e Asthemia heterolecithodes em 5,6% dos C. thous. Cestóides foram identificados como Spirometra sp. (61,1% em C. thous e 54,5 em P. gymnocercus), Diphyllobothriidae (81,8 em P. gymnocercus e 77,8% em C. thous), e Acantocephala do gênero Centrorhynchus foi observado somente em 5,6% dos C. thous. Estes resultados indicaram a helmintofauna de canídeos selvagens nas áreas estudadas.Forty wild canids were captured by live trap at Municipalities of Pedro Osorio and Pelotas in Southern of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and they were transported to the Parasitology Laboratory at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas. After they were posted, segments of intestinal, respiratory and urinary tracts and liver were separated and examined. Animal skulls were used for taxonomic identification. Of forty wild animals trapped, 22 (55%) were Pseudalopex gymnocercus and 22 (55%) Cerdocyon thous. The most prevalent nematodes were: Ancylostoma caninum (45.4 in P. gymnocercus and 22.2% in C. thous), Molineus felineus (9.9 in P. gymnocercus and 5.6% in C. thous), Strongyloides sp. (22.7 in P. gymnocercus and 16.7% in C. thous), Trichuris sp. (13.6 in P. gymnocercus and 11.1% in C. thous), and Capillaria hepatica (13.6 in P. gymnocercus and 5.5 % in C. thous). The trematodes observed were: Alaria alata (36.4 in P. gymnocercus and 50.0% in C. thous), and Asthemia heterolecithodes in 5.6% C. thous. Cestodes were identified as Spirometra sp. (61.1 % in C. thous and 54.5 in P. gymnocercus), Diphyllobothriidae, (81.8 in P. gymnocercus and 77.8 % in C. thous) and an Acantocephala of the genus Centrorhynchus was also observed in 5.6% of C. thous only. These results indicated the helminths fauna in wild canids from the studied area