Detection of double-stranded RNA viruses in fecal samples of dogs with gastroenteritis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Detecção de vírus com genoma de RNA fita dupla em fezes de cães com gastrenterite no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Colheram-se 163 amostras fecais no período de 1995 a 2001 para investigar a ocorrência da infecção por parvovírus e rotavírus em cães com gastrenterite utilizando-se a técnica de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida. Em três amostras observou-se a presença do genoma bisegmentado similar ao perfil eletroforético dos picobirnavírus (PBV) e em uma, três segmentos de RNA dupla fita, característico de picotrirnavírus. Das amostras positivas para PBV, duas foram obtidas de filhotes e uma foi positiva para parvovírus canino. Este é o primeiro relato da detecção de vírus com genoma bisegmentado em cães com diarréia no Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Comparison of three laboratorial tests for diagnosis of canine parvovirus infection

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rapid tests currently used for canine parvovirus (CPV) diagnosis: hemagglutination test (HA), enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 112 fecal samples collected from diarrheic puppies up to one year of age were tested. The EIA was able to detect CPV antigen in 44 samples. By HA, 32 samples tested highly positive with titers >128, eight tested weakly positive (titers 32 and 64) and 72 were negative (titers <16). Using PCR, 57 samples were found positive including 13 EIA-negative and 19 HA-negative samples. The best correlation was observed between EIA and PCR (88.4%). These tests were able to detect all types of CPV, including CPV-2c. Considering that 23%-33% of dogs presenting enteritis did not show infection by EIA nor HA, negative results from the antigen detection tests should be confirmed through molecular methods

Human pulmonary dirofilariasis: a review

The authors presented a detailed summary of the geographical distribution, clinical and pathological aspects of human pulmonary dirofilariasis. Although benign, this zoonosis, of which Dirofilaria immitis is the major etiological agent, represents a medical problem since it produces symptoms which may be confused with neoplasia and thus may subject patients to unnecessary thoracic surgery. Of 229 cases cited in the literature, only 17 were reported in Brazil, despite the existence of highly favorable conditions for the transmission of this infection in man. Thus it may well be that this parasitic infection remains underdiagnosed. Finally, the importance of a differential diagnosis between dirofilariasis and pulmonary neoplasia is emphasized in cases where there is a solitary subpleural nodule ("coin lesion") present. In addition, the development and improvement of modern immunological diagnostic techniques are essential to distinguish this benign disease from other pathological conditions and thus avoid unneccessary surgery. These techniques may reveal the true prevalence of this parasitic infection in our environment