Canine distemper virus, atypical toxoplasma gondii, and neospora caninum co-infection, in a dog with neurological signs from Argentina

The occurrence of combined infections by Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Canine distemper virus (CDV) in domestic dogs and wildlife animals has not been frequently reported, and the histopathological findings were not exhaustively described. The objective of this study was to report a co-infection of CDV, T. gondii and N. caninum in a dog with neurological signs, as well as the molecular characterization of the protozoa involved. A young street dog was rescued with neurological clinical signs and died spontaneously. A complete necropsy was performed. Tissues were collected and fixed for histopathological evaluation. Additionally, sections of the central nervous system (CNS) and heart were assayed by immunohistochemistry (IHQ) for T. gondii and N. caninum. Sample of brain tissue was analyzed by PCR and nPCR-RFLP for T. gondii genotyping. Spleen was used for detection of CDV by RT-PCR. Gross lesions were not observed, with the exception of the lung. Microscopically, a severe necrosuppurative meningoencephalitis with vasculitis, tachyzoites and bradyzoites of T. gondii and N. caninum were found. Demyelination was also evident, associated with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies within astrocytes. CDV was PCR positive while both parasites were presented PCR and IHQ positive results. Molecular characterization of T. gondii was reported as atypical #14 (likely). To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetical identification of T. gondii obtained from the brain of a naturally infected dog in Argentina. The results emphasize the importance of different techniques as diagnostic tools to enhance the detection of causative agents in cases of fatal encephalitis.Fil: Postma, Gabriela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Dellarupe, Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Epizootiología y Salud Pública. Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología; ArgentinaFil: Streitenberger, Nicolás. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Patología. Cátedra de Patología Especial Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Bratanich, Ana Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Venturini, María Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Epizootiología y Salud Pública. Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología; ArgentinaFil: Minatel, Leonardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

Efecto fisiológico y genotóxico de la deficiencia de cobre inducida por Molibdeno en bovinos

Molybdenosis is a disease caused by the depressing effect of molybdenumn (Mo) on the physiological availability of Cu. The present study was carried out in order to analyze the ability of Mo to cause damage on the DNA integrity and changes in membrane fatty acids by oxidative damage. Holstein male calves were fed a Mo-supplemented diet for 9 months. Variables evaluated were plasma Cu concentration, erythrocyte Cu content and SOD activity, comet assay and analysis of the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes. The statistical design was a completely randomized with one single factor and two replications. Copper plasma concentration, erythrocyte copper concentration and Cu/Zn SOD activity were analyzed using the t test. Chi-square test was used to compare the number of cells with DNA damage and one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test (p£0.05) for fatty acid composition and lipid peroxidation. Results showed that Mo in the diet induced a depletion of hepatic Cu storage, a decrease of Cu plasma and erythrocyte levels, a fall in Cu/Zn-SOD activity, changes in membrane fatty acids composition and DNA damage. These results are in agreement with the three phases model of copper deficiency and validate the occurrence of molybdenosis or secondary hypocuprosis. Further studies will be necessary to explore the mechanisms involved in the DNA damage and to distinguish primary molybdenum toxicosis from the molybdenum-induced copper deficiency.La molibdenosis es una enfermedad causada por el efecto depresivo del molibdeno (Mo) en la disponibilidad fisioló- gica del Cu. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para analizar la capacidad del Mo para causar daño en la integridad del ADN y cambios en los ácidos grasos de la membrana a causa de daño oxidativo. Se alimentaron becerros machos Holstein con una dieta suplementada con Mo durante 9 meses. Las variables evaluadas fueron la concentración de Cu en el plasma, el contenido de Cu en eritrocitos y la actividad SOD, un ensayo cometa y el análisis de la composición de ácidos grasos de las membranas de eritrocitos. El diseño estadístico fue completamente al azar con un solo factor y dos réplicas. Se analizaron la concentración de cobre en el plasma, la concentración de cobre en eritrocitos y la actividad Cu/Zn-SOD con la prueba de t. Se utilizó la prueba de Chi cuadrado para comparar el número de células con daño del ADN y el análisis de varianza en un sentido y la prueba de Tukey (p£0.05) para la composición de ácidos grasos y la peroxidación de lípidos. Los resultados mostraron que el Mo en la dieta indujo una reducción en el almacenaje hepático de Cu, una disminución de los niveles de Cu en el plasma y eritrocitos, una caída en la actividad Cu/Zn-SOD, cambios en la composición de ácidos grasos de la membrana y daño del ADN. Estos resultados coinciden con el modelo de tres fases de deficiencia del cobre y validan la ocurrencia de molibdenosis o hipocuprosis secundaria. Serán necesarios más estudios para explorar los mecanismos involucrados en el daño del ADN y distinguir la toxicosis primaria por molibdeno a partir de la deficiencia de cobre inducida por el mismo.Fil: Picco, Sebastian Julio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ingeniero Fernando Noel Dulout"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Cs.basicas. Catedra de Fisiologia; ArgentinaFil: Ponzzinibio, M. Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ingeniero Fernando Noel Dulout"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Mattioli, Guillermo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Cs.basicas. Catedra de Fisiologia; ArgentinaFil: Rosa, Diana. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Cs.basicas. Catedra de Fisiologia; ArgentinaFil: Minatel, Leonardo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Fazzio, Luis Emilio. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Cs.basicas. Catedra de Fisiologia; ArgentinaFil: Seoane, Analia Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ingeniero Fernando Noel Dulout"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

Characterization of low weight gain in calves with hypocuprosis

Una de las consecuencias productivas más graves de la hipocuprosis bovina es la menor ganancia diaria de peso (< GDP) en terneros. Su diagnóstico se realiza empleando valores de riesgo de indicadores indirectos. Estos indicadores presentan una gran variabilidad que posiblemente se deba a que están absorbiendo la variabilidad individual en el grupo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar a los animales que están perdiendo peso dentro del grupo con baja performance, con el fin de establecer valores de riesgo más ajustados. Se realizaron cinco ensayos de suplementación hasta la aparición de < GDP. Todos los animales con < GDP (n: 150) se analizaron en conjunto por rangos de GDP. Se diferenciaron sólo dos subgrupos con GDP mayores y menores de 400 gr. Esto sugiere que en los grupos afectados se combinan terneros con alta y baja performance. Estos últimos representan apenas el 16 % del total y presentan concentraciones de Cu en plasma, sangre entera y glóbulos rojos menores de 15, 30 y 60 μg/dl respectivamente, y un porcentaje de hematocrito menor del 35 %. Los valores hallados ayudan a mejorar el valor diagnóstico de los indicadores de riesgo y ayudan a explicar su variabilidad.The low average daily gain (&lt; ADG) is one of the most serious consequences of hypocuprosis in calves. Diagnosis are made using risk values of indirect markers. These markers present a wide variations, which probably occurs because they absorb the individual variations within the group. The aim of this study was characterize the animals with &lt; ADG within the low performance group, in order to find more accurate risk values. Five supplementation trials were done until &lt; ADG occur. All animals with &lt; ADG (n: 150) were analyzed for ADG ranges. Two subgroups with ADG higher and lower than 400 gr were differentiated. It suggest that the affected group combined calves with high and low performance. The last represents just 16 % of total animals, and they had plasma, whole blood and red cell copper concentrations lower than 15, 30 and 60 μg/dl respectively, and PCV lower than 35 %. These results improve the diagnostic values of risk markers and also they help to explain their variability.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Primer reporte de feohifomicosis producida por Phialophora americana en un gato doméstico

Las feohifomicosis comprenden un grupo heterogéneo de micosis que pueden afectar a seres humanos, plantas y animales. Dentro de los géneros involucrados con mayor frecuencia en felinos se encuentra Phialophora, generalmente asociado a algún tipo de inmunocompromiso. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el primer reporte de feohifomicosis en un gato doméstico de Argentina. Se presentó a la consulta un felino, macho castrado, raza común europea, de 10 años, oriundo de Quilmes, Argentina, con una tumoración de 5 cm de diámetro en plano nasal, ligeramente pigmentada y con una pequeña ulceración de más de un año de evolución. En el borde inferior de la cola se constató una lesión alopécica, de 3cm de diámetro, escamosa e hiperpigmentada. El paciente se encontraba bajo tratamiento inmunosupresor con corticoides por una duodenitis linfoplasmocitaria. Se descartaron enfermedades retrovirales felinas.Trabajo publicado en Cagliada, Maria del Pilar Lilia y Galosi, Cecilia Mónica (comps.). I Congreso de Microbiología Veterinaria. Libro de resúmenes. La Plata: Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, 2021.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Effects of copper parenteral supplementation during the last gestational period of cows in a Cu deficient area

En una zona con incidencia endémica de hipocuprosis se evaluó el efecto terapéutico de la suplementación parenteral con Cu en vacas con carencia moderada y severa durante su último tercio de gestación. El grupo suplementado (n = 20) recibió 125 mg de edetato de Cu, mientras que el grupo control permaneció sin suplementación (n = 20). Se evaluaron las cupremias de las madres antes de la suplementación, al parto y cuando los terneros promediaban los tres meses de edad. Los terneros provenientes de ambos grupos se identificaron y pesaron al nacimiento y se sangraron a los tres meses para evaluar su estatus de Cu. Cuando se suplementaron madres con carencia moderada (ensayo A), las cupremias resultaron normales al parto pero descendieron a valores de deficiencia severa a los tres meses (< 30 ug/dl). En ese momento los terneros de madres suplementadas presentaron mayores concentraciones de Cu en plasma y glóbulos rojos, pero igualmente eran indicativas de carencia severa debido al agotamiento de sus reservas hepáticas. Cuando se suplementaron madres con carencia severa (ensayo B) los terneros ya no se diferenciaban por su estatus de Cu a los tres meses de edad. En ambos ensayos los terneros nacieron y crecieron hasta los tres meses sin diferenciarse por su peso, pero sus estatus de Cu indicaron la existencia de un riesgo clínico y productivo importante en una zona donde la primera suplementación se realiza al destete, con 6 a 7 meses de edad. Se concluye que la suplementación de las madres con 125 mg de Cu en el último tercio de la gestación puede resultar insuficiente en la protección de los terneros, especialmente si éstos no son suplementados durante su período de cría.In an endemically Cu deficient area, the effects of parenteral Cu supplementation during last third of the gestation were evaluated in cows with moderate and severe Cu deficiency. Supplemented group (n = 20) was injected with 125 mg of Cu edetate, another group (n = 20) remained without supplementation as control. Copper plasma level was measured in cows before supplementation, at calving and when calves were three months old. Calves were identified and weighted at calving, and blood samples were taken at three months old to evaluate their Cu status. When moderate deficient cows were supplemented (assay A), they had normal Cu plasma levels at calving, but returned to severe deficiency (Cu–plasma < 30 ug/dl) when calves were three months old. At that moment, calves from supplemented mothers had higher concentrations of Cu in plasma and red cells, although they were indicative of severe deficiency due to liver storage depletion. When severe deficient cows were injected (assay B), the Cu status of calves could not be differentiated between groups. In both assays, calves were born and grown until three months old without showing differences in body weight, although their Cu status indicated important clinical and productive risks in an area where the first Cu supplementation occurs at weaning, when calves are 6–7 months old. It is concluded that 125 mg Cu supplementation in cows during the last third of the gestation may be insufficient in calves’ protection, in particular if calves do not receive Cu supplementation during the breeding period.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Valor diagnóstico dos parâmetros de cobre para prever o crescimento de bezerros lactantes em pastagem nativas na Argentina

A study was conducted to evaluate the predictive diagnostic value of different copper (Cu) parameters as indicators of average daily gain (ADG) in growing calves. The effects in calves of cow Cu supplementation in the last one-third gestation period were also evaluated. Five supplementation trials, with a total of 300 calves, were carried out. Two groups of 30 calves were randomly assigned to each trial, one group was parenterally supplemented (SG) and the other was not supplemented (NSG). Trials began when calves were three-month-old and ended at weaning time. At each sampling calves were weighed and blood was taken to determine Cu concentrations in plasma, Whole Blood (WB), Red Cells (RC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Liver samples from six animals of each group were taken both at the beginning and at the end of the trial. In two trials the mothers of the SG received Cu supplementation at the last one- third gestation period. Four of the five trials exhibited low ADG in the NSGs. In these groups, plasma Cu concentration decreased rapidly before low ADG was detected, which occurred with values remaining below 25μg/dl. The decrease of RC Cu concentration was considerably slow. WB showed an intermediate position. PCV in the SGs was higher than in the NSGs in all trials. Cow supplementation was insufficient to generate a liver storage able to last after calves reached the 3 months of age. These data could be useful to predict the risk of low ADG in grazing calves.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Teste Cutâneo na Avaliação do Paciente com Rinite Alérgica e sua Relação com o Estado Nutricional

A rinite alérgica é uma inflamação da membrana do nariz causada por reações de hipersensibilidade, apresentando-se como a doença crônica mais comum em seres humanos e, normalmente, surgindo na infância ou na juventude. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a prevalência da positividade em teste cutâneo para aeroalérgenos e sua relação com o estado nutricional de indivíduos moradores do assentamento em Bueno de Andrada. Foram avaliados 40 pacientes com sintomas nasais sugestivos de processo alérgico no assentamento do distrito Bueno de Andrade, localizado em Araraquara – SP através do teste de puntura para pesquisa de aeroalérgenos e avaliação antropométrica para obter o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) de cada indivíduo. Observou-se a poeira doméstica e o ácaro como principais aeroalérgenos identificados em, respectivamente, 36.8% e 25.1%. Observamos 38.1% de indivíduos com alergia a tabaco, uma mistura de epitélio de animais e flores. A determinação do padrão de sensibilização da população em uma determinada região é importante, pois possibilita a adoção de medidas direcionadas que irão reduzir o contato com os aeroalérgenos mais freqüentes e, conseqüentemente, as manifestações alérgicas

Fatal canine encephalitozoonosis in Latin America, first report

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate, intracellular microsporidian organism capable of establish infection in a wide variety of animals. In carnivores it may cause a sporadic, severe disease in the first few months of life, which usually culminates with the death of the animal. The objective of this study was to report a natural fatal case of encephalitozoonosis in a puppy from Argentina. Clinical signs included reduced appetite, depression, vocalizing, weight loss, weakness, convulsions and recumbency. No significant gross lesions were noticed at necropsy. Microscopically, severe, diffuse, lymphocytic encephalitis was seen. Large cytoplasmic vacuoles containing spores, morphologically compatible with E. cuniculi, were present within endothelial cells of brain and kidney, in renal tubular epithelium and hepatocytes. Encephalitozoon cuniculi DNA was detected by PCR in the kidney. Antibody titers to E. cuniculi in serum from the surviving puppies and the dam were ≥ 1:200. This report contributes to our understanding of neurologic disease in puppies. Encephalitozoonosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of fatal encephalitis in puppies.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Organic Plant Biostimulants and Fruit Quality—A Review

Plant biostimulants have been increasingly used in agriculture. Plant biostimulants have been mostly investigated regarding their stress attenuation and only a few reports have brought information on their effects on fruit quality, which is related to appearance, chemical and physical attributes. Due to their organic nature, they have a sustainable appeal, attending the demand of consumers worried about the beneficial effects of healthier foods. This review turns evident the little information available on this matter. As fruits have differentiated metabolism, from pollination to harvest and after-harvesting, it is suggested that further research should focus separately on each stage. Thus, research should aim at quality formation, when the fruits are still attached to the plant, and shelf life extension, after harvesting