Forma heterozigota da anomalia de Pelger-Huët em cão

Background: The Pelger-Huët anomaly is a congenital alteration in segmented neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil morphology consisting of nuclear hypo-segmentation. It presents in two ways: the homozygote (very rare) presenting granulocytes with rounded nuclei and dense chromatin, where nuclei with more than two lobes are not found; and in the heterozygote form which presents leukocytes with bi-lobulated nuclei, yet leukocytes that seem immature can also be found. Diagnosis is important for preventing WBC interpretation errors. The objective of this study is to report a case of the heterozygote form of Perger-Huët anomaly in an Australian Shepherd bit.Case: A 6-year-old Australian Shepherd bitch, weighing 28 kg, was received to perform tartar cleaning at the Veterinary Hospital (HV) of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), in Umuarama in Paraná State. In the anamnesis, the owner reported that the animal was healthy, vaccinated, and had not made use of medications recently. Upon physical examination, the animal was overweight, with adequate hydration, alert consciousness level, no exo-parasites present, rectal temperature of 39.3°C (37.5 to 39.2), heart rate of 96 beats per min (60 to 120 beats per min), breathing (18 to 36 movements per min), a two second capillary perfusion time, strong and regular pulse, hyperemic oral mucosa, and otherwise, a normal-colored and popliteal reactive left lymph. Semiological evaluation presented no alteration. Due to the tartar cleaning procedure, a hemogram was requested. Blood smear analysis from the first blood workup showed a large increase in the number of hypo-segmented leukocytes, with a pattern of mature chromatin, in the form of bands and meta-myelocytes, characterizing a deviation to the left, all of which did not correspond to the patient’s clinical presentation. In addition, other cells in the granulocytic lineage, such as eosinophils, also presented hypo-segmentation. Since the dog was healthy, the Pelger-Huët anomaly was suspected. To confirm, the hemogram was repeated at 12 days and a bone marrow collection was performed; the same pattern of morphological alterations in leukocytes was observed both in the peripheral blood and the bone marrow, compatible with the Pelger-Huët anomaly.Discussion: In order to arrive at an APH diagnosis, hypo-segmentation of granulocytes in the blood smear must be found and compared with the clinical results that the animal presents; associating any use of medication, serious infections, myeloid leukemia, and metastatic tumors in the bone marrow that might result in acquired hypo-segmentation; also known as pseudo Pelger-Huët anomaly. It is also necessary to evaluate family members for confirmation. Diagnosis is based on persistent nuclear hypo-segmentation of granulocytes, a clinically healthy animal, absence of medication use, and analysis of the bone marrow. It was not possible to determine a hereditary origin; for not having access to the animal’s family, but earlier studies have shown that the incidence of this anomaly is high in the Australian Shepherd race. Generally, the Perger-Huët anomaly is a hematological finding that must be differentiated from other forms of hypo-segmentation. Because of its hereditary origin, it is appropriate that the owner limits the animal’s reproductive interactions to avoid the risk of offspring inheriting the homozygote, which leads to death. The clinical pathologist should be aware of the patient’s history to diagnose and differentiate true from pseudo Pelger-Huët anomaly. Direct blood smear microscopy is essential, because automated hematological analysis alone will not detect such changes

Paracoccidioidomicose subaguda progressiva: tratamento de um doente com anfotericina B e nutrição parenteral

Os Autores descrevem um caso de paracoccidioidomicose subaguda progressiva, com quadro clínico sugestivo de síndrome de má absorção, em que o doente não se beneficiara apenas com o tratamento antifúngico convencional. Ao se introduzir como medida auxiliar a nutrição parenteral houve evidente melhora clínica e laboratorial. Desta maneira os Autores propõe o uso associado da nutrição parenteral no tratamento de doentes com esta forma clínica de paracoccidioidomicose.The Authors describe a case subacute progressive paracoccidioidomycosis with a clinical picture suggesting a malabsorption syndrome whereby the patients did not benefit from conventional antifungal treatment. Clear improvement shown by clinical signs and laboratory tests occurred when parenteral feeding was introduced as a supporting measure. Thus, the Authors propose the use of parenteral feeding in association with conventional treatment for the treatment of patients with this clinical form of paracoccidioidomycosis

SEROPREVALENCE OF CHAGASIC INFECTION IN YOUNG INDIVIDUALS IN A BLOOD CENTER IN THE STATE OF SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

SUMMARY This study aimed at estimating the number of cases of non-negative serological reactions to Chagas disease in blood donors at the Blood Center of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2003 to 2010 and at relating them to their cities of origin. Five hundred and seventy-four non-negative results for Chagas disease were evaluated. Of these, 371 (64.8%) were reagent, and 203 (35.4%) were inconclusive. The prevalence of Chagas disease in blood donors was 0.05%. There were, on average, 72 cases/year, and a prevalence of males was observed (64.8%). Forty-three (7.49%) individuals were 18 to 30 years old; 92 (16.02%) were 31 to 40; 147 (25.61%) 41 to 50, and 292 (50.87%) were older than 50 years. It was observed that 29.3% of females with reagent serology were at their fertile age (18 and 45 years). The majority of donors were originally from cities in the southwestern and central regions of São Paulo, but individuals from other states contributed with 20%. The provenance of most donors was the city of Botucatu/SP, followed by the city of Taquarituba/SP. Therefore, the profile of donors at this blood center favors the occurrence of a larger number of non-negative serological reactions. Although there has been a significant reduction in the number of new cases/year for this disease, it is still a public-health problem, and results suggest the need for new epidemiological assessments in the studied region.RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar o número de casos de reações sorológicas não-negativas para doença de Chagas em doadores de sangue do Hemocentro de Botucatu, São Paulo - Brasil de 2003 a 2010 e, relaciona-las com as suas cidades de origem. Quinhentos e setenta e quatro reações sorológicas não-negativas para doença de Chagas foram avaliados. Destes, 371 eram reagentes (64,8%), e 203 inconclusivos (35,4%). A prevalência da doença de Chagas nos doadores de sangue foi de 0,05%. Houve, em média, 72 casos/ano, e uma prevalência do sexo masculino foi observada (64,8%). Quarenta e três indivíduos (7,49%) tinham entre 18 e 30 anos, 92 (16,02%) de 31 a 40; 147 (25,61%) 41 a 50, e 292 (50,87%) tinham mais de 50 anos. Observou-se que 29.3% das mulheres com sorologia reagente estavam em idade fértil (18 e 45 anos). A maioria dos doadores eram naturais de cidades das regiões sudoeste e central da cidade de São Paulo, mas os indivíduos de outros estados contribuíram com 20%. A procedência da maioria dos doadores era a cidade de Botucatu/SP, seguido pela cidade de Taquarituba/SP. Portanto, o perfil de doadores de sangue neste hemocentro favorece a ocorrência de um número maior de reações sorológicas não-negativas. Embora tenha havido uma redução significativa no número de casos novos/ano para esta doença, ainda é um problema de saúde pública, e os resultados sugerem a necessidade de novas avaliações epidemiológicas na região estudada

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Impact of chagas disease in human evolution:the challenges continue

Chagas disease affects 8 to 10 million people worldwide and, although most of them live in Latin America, there has been an increase in cases occurring in countries of Europe and North America although most of them live in Latin America. This study aims to describe the epidemiological situation in the present as well as government and research centers actions, particularly the study group of Chagas disease of the School of Medicine of Botucatu (FMB/UNESP)/Brazil