Tecnologias celulares avançadas: desafios biotecnológicos e regulatórios

The average life expectancy of humans has been steadily increasing. However, it is undeniable that, in addition to living longer, one wants to live with quality. In this scenario, the prospect of using cells as tools has become an important and profitable focus of worldwide research.A expectativa de vida média dos seres humanos vem aumentando progressivamente. Contudo, é fato inegável que, além de viver mais, se quer viver com qualidade de vida. Neste cenário, as perspectivas do uso de células como ferramentas tornaram-se um foco importante e profícuo da pesquisa mundial

Atualização sobre a epidemiologia de Dirofilaria immitis na América do Sul e no México: revisão de literatura

Dirofilaria immitis é um nematoide de ampla distribuição geográfica, que ocorre com maior frequência em áreas quentes e úmidas do planeta. O primeiro registro de sua ocorrência na América do Sul foi realizado em 1878, no Brasil. Naquela época os registros eram poucos e raramente de fácil obtenção, razão pela qual reuni-los facilitará a recuperação da memória ao longo dos anos. Quatro bases de dados (Scopus, MEDLINE, LILACS e PubMed) foram estudadas utilizando-se as palavras-chave “Dirofilaria” ou “heartworm”, os nomes dos países da América do Sul e o México. Nenhum registro foi encontrado para quatro países (Bolívia, Equador, Guiana Francesa e Uruguai) e para outros três (Suriname, Guiana e Paraguai) os registros eram antigos. Apenas o Chile é o território onde houve estudos registrados com ausência do parasita. Os outros países (México, Peru, Colômbia, Venezuela, Argentina e Brasil) apresentam registros com frequência variável no tempo ou no espaço. Assim, as informações reunidas indicam que infecções por D. immitis ocorrem na maior parte da América do Sul e no México e que os médicos veterinários devem instituir programas preventivos para garantir cuidados médicos de qualidade aos pacientes e para proteger a saúde destes e de suas famílias.Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856; Raillet & Henry 1911) is a parasite that is widely disseminated around the globe, with a higher prevalence in warm, humid climates. The first report of its occurrence in South America is from 1878 in Brazil. At that time, reports were scarce and difficult to retrieve – therefore, gathering them will facilitate record-keeping over time. Four databases were searched (Scopus, MEDLINE, LILACS, and PubMed) and the search keywords were “Dirofilaria” or “heartworm” and the countries’ names. Four countries lacked reports (Bolivia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Uruguay) and other three (Suriname, Guyana, and Paraguay) had only old reports. Chile was the only country in which studies were conducted over time, and no infected dogs were registered. For the other six countries (Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil), reports showed that the infection frequency varied over time and with the surveyed area. Therefore, the information indicates that D. immitis is established, and veterinarians must institute preventive programs to optimally care for their patients and protect the health of their families

Soroprevalência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii (Nicole & Manceaux, 1909) e a infecção por retrovírus em população urbana de gatos domésticos (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) no Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cats, as definitive host, play an important role in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. This study aimed to establish the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulins G and M, and determine the frequency of oocysts in the feces of the domestic cat population in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We also aimed to study the association between T. gondii infection and age, sex, breed, lifestyle, diet and retroviral infection. A total of 108 cats were included in the study and fecal samples of 54 of those cats were obtained. Only 5.6% of the cats were seropositive for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulins using the indirect hemagglutination test. None of the 54 cats presented oocysts in their fecal samples. Although not statistically significant, males, mixed-breed, free-roaming and cats aged two years and older were found to be more exposed. Age, lifestyle and the use of litter boxes were found to play an important role as risk factors. Anemia and retroviral infections were independent of T. gondii infection. No antibodies were detected in the majority of cats (94.4%), indicating that those cats had never been exposed to the parasite and, therefore, once infected, they could present the risk of shedding large numbers of oocysts into the environment.Os gatos, como hospedeiros definitivos, apresentam um papel fundamental na transmissão do Toxoplasma gondii. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo determinar a presença de imunoglobulinas G e M anti-T. gondii, e a frequência de oocistos nas fezes de uma população de gatos domésticos do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Objetivou-se ainda estudar a associação da infecção por T. gondii com a idade, sexo, raça, estilo de vida, dieta e infecção por retrovírus. Um total de 108 gatos foi incluído no estudo e 54 amostras de fezes foram obtidas desses animais. Somente 5,6% dos gatos foram sororreagentes para T. gondii, utilizando-se o teste de hemaglutinação indireta. Nenhum dos 54 gatos apresentou oocistos em suas amostras fecais. Embora sem comprovação estatística, machos, sem raça definida, com acesso livre às ruas e gatos com mais de dois anos de idade tenderam a ser mais expostos ao parasito. Idade, estilo de vida e uso de caixa de areia foram considerados importantes fatores de risco. Anemia e infecção por retrovírus não apresentaram relação com infecção por T. gondii. Não foram detectados anticorpos na maioria dos gatos (94,4%), indicando que esses gatos nunca foram expostos ao parasito e que, se infectados, poderão eliminar grande número de oocistos no ambiente

Condições sanitárias de uma colônia urbana de gatos (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) em um jardim zoológico do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The colony of urban stray cats living in the Rio de Janeiro zoological garden was studied in order to develop a population and health control program. As many cats as possible were captured during two months (47 animals) and were classified according to gender, age, weight and coat markings. They were submitted to a general health evaluation, examined for the presence of ectoparasites and sent to a surgical neutering program. All animals had a blood sample drawn for CBC, platelet count, heartworm and retroviruses detection. Capillary blood smears were made for hemoparasites detection. Coat marking and colors were tabby (59.7%), followed by solid black (17%); torbie (10.6%); bicolor (10.6%) and harlequin (2.1%). The only ectoparasites found were fleas, which infested 28% of the animals. The hemoparasites found were Haemobartonella felis (38%) and piroplasmas that could not be differentiated between Cytauxzoon spp. and Babesia spp. (47%). No cat was found infected by Dirofilaria immitis or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), although FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) antibodies could be detected (21%). There was no correlation between hemoparasites and FIV infections. The estimated total cat population (mark-recapture method) was 59; 68% female and 32% male, suggesting that a neutering program is in fact needed.As condições sanitárias e composição populacional de uma colônia de gatos urbanos, errantes, habitantes do zoológico do Rio de Janeiro foram estudadas, objetivando-se um programa de controle populacional e sanitário. Capturou-se o maior número de indivíduos possível durante dois meses (47 animais). Os animais capturados foram examinados quanto ao gênero, idade, peso, pelagem, inspeção geral e presença de ectoparasitas e eram encaminhados a um programa de esterilização cirúrgica. Cada animal teve uma amostra de sangue colhida para realização de hemograma completo, plaquetometria, pesquisa de hemoparasitas e de retrovírus. As marcações e cores de pelagem encontradas foram "tabby" (70%), preta (17%); bicolor (11%) e arlequim (2%). A presença de pulgas foi observada em 28% dos animais. Os hemoparasitas encontrados foram Haemobartonella felis (38%) e piroplasmas indistinguíveis entre Cytauxzoon spp. e Babesia spp. (47%). Nenhum dos gatos foi encontrado com antigenemia de Dirofilaria immitis ou do vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV), embora anticorpos contra o vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) tenham sido detectados (21%). Não houve correlação entre infecção por FIV e hemoparasitas. A população total estimada (método de captura-recaptura) foi de 59 gatos, sendo 68% fêmeas e 32% machos. Os resultados sugerem que um programa de esterilização cirúrgica é de fato necessário

Infecção pelo Parvovírus Canino em filhotes com gastrenterite em Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil de 1995 a 1997

Amostras fecais de cães com gastrenterite, até 6 meses de idade, foram testadas para a presença do parvovírus canino (CPV-2) pela reação de hemaglutinação (HA) e confirmadas pela reação de inibição da hemaglutinação (HI). Quarenta das 79 amostras, recebidas no período de abril de 1995 a junho de 1997, foram consideradas positivas. Aproximadamente 70% destas amostras foram obtidas de animais entre 2 e 4 meses de idade, época em que o risco de contraírem a infecção pelo CPV-2 é alto apesar da vacinação. Nenhuma variação sazonal da infecção pelo parvovírus canino pôde ser observada, e um estudo retrospectivo realizado na PolVet - UFF mostrou que em um período de 6 anos (1991-97), casos de gastrenterite ocorreram durante todos os anos em Niterói, sem uma sazonalidade definida.Fecal samples from puppies with gastroenteritis less than 7 months old were examined for canine parvovirus infection (CPV-2) by hemagglutination (HA) and subsequent hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests. Forty of the 79 samples collected from April 1995 to June 1997 were found to be positive. About 70% of these samples were from 2 to 4 months old puppies, age in which they are at increased risk of developing CPV-2 infection, despite of vaccination. No seasonal distribution of canine parvovirus cases was found and it was supported by the results of a retrospective study realized at PolVet-UFF, which showed that gastroenteritis cases occurred throughout the year, for a six-year period (1991-97) in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro

Updated canine infection rates for Dirofilaria immitis in areas of Brazil previously identified as having a high incidence of heartworm-infected dogs

Background\ud Canine heartworm infections were frequently diagnosed in Brazil before the new millennium. After the year 2000, the frequency of diagnosis showed a sharp decline; however, a few years later, new evidence indicated that the parasite was still present and that canine infection rates seemed to be increasing. Therefore, an updated survey of canine heartworm prevalence was conducted in several locations in south, southeast, and northeast Brazil.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud Dogs from 15 locations having previously reported a high prevalence of heartworm infection were included in the survey according to defined criteria, including the absence of treatment with a macrocyclic lactone for at least 1 year. Blood samples from 1531 dogs were evaluated by an in-clinic immunochromatography test kit (Witness® Heartworm, Zoetis, USA) for detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. At each location, epidemiologic data, including physical characteristics and clinical signs reported by owners or observed by veterinarians, were recorded on prepared forms for tabulation of results by location, clinical signs, and physical characteristics.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud The overall prevalence of canine heartworm infection was 23.1%, with evidence of heartworm-infected dogs detected in all 15 locations studied. There was a tendency for higher prevalence rates in environmentally protected areas, despite some locations having less-than-ideal environmental temperatures for survival of vector mosquitoes. Among physical characteristics, it was noted that dogs with predominantly white hair coats and residing in areas with a high (≥20%) prevalence of heartworm were less likely to have heartworm infection detected by a commercial heartworm antigen test kit than were dogs with other coat colors. In general, dogs older than 2 years were more frequently positive for D. immitis antigen than were younger dogs. Clinical signs of heartworm infections were rare or owners were unable to detect them, and could not be used for reliable prediction of the presence of heartworm.\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud These results indicate that the prevalence of D. immitis has increased in these areas of Brazil over the past few years. Small animal practitioners in these areas should include routine screening tests for heartworm infections in every dog’s annual evaluation protocol and make sure to have uninfected dogs on prevention.Zoeti

Genetics of randomly bred cats support the cradle of cat domestication being in the Near East

Cat domestication likely initiated as a symbiotic relationship between wildcats (Felis silvestris subspecies) and the peoples of developing agrarian societies in the Fertile Crescent. As humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers to farmers ~12,000 years ago, bold wildcats likely capitalized on increased prey density (i.e., rodents). Humans benefited from the cats’ predation on these vermin. To refine the site(s) of cat domestication, over 1000 random-bred cats of primarily Eurasian descent were genotyped for single-nucleotide variants and short tandem repeats. The overall cat population structure suggested a single worldwide population with significant isolation by the distance of peripheral subpopulations. The cat population heterozygosity decreased as genetic distance from the proposed cat progenitor’s (F.s. lybica) natural habitat increased. Domestic cat origins are focused in the eastern Mediterranean Basin, spreading to nearby islands, and southernly via the Levantine coast into the Nile Valley. Cat population diversity supports the migration patterns of humans and other symbiotic species