Diagnóstico molecular da infecção por hemoplasmas em gatos domésticos naturalmente infectados da cidade de Belém, Pará

Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' e 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' são os agentes causadores da micoplasmose felina, que podem causar anemia aguda ou crônica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a ocorrência de hemoplasmas em gatos domésticos de Belém, Pará. Para isso, 201 gatos foram divididos em três grupos: Grupo A foi composto por 101 gatos de rua capturados pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, o grupo B foi composto por 62 gatos domiciliados e saudáveis e o grupo C foi composto por 38 gatos domiciliados que apresentavam alguma afecção clínica. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue para a realização de Reação em Cadeia pela Polimerase (PCR) para detectar o DNA destes agentes, os quais foram sequenciados e alinhados. A análise estatística foi realizada para detectar a associação entre a infecção, o sexo dos animais e os grupos experimentais. O DNA de pelo menos uma das espécies de hemoplasmas pesquisados foi detectado em 19,9% (40/201) das amostras, sendo o DNA de 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' encontrado em 7,96% (16/201) das amostras, M. haemofelis em 1,49% (3/201) das amostras, enquanto que o DNA de 'Candidatus M. turicensis' foi detectado em 12,93% (26/201) das amostras. O DNA destes três agentes foi detectado em gatos dos grupos A e C, enquanto que no grupo B foi detectado apenas 'Candidatus M. turicensis' e 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' Foi detectada a influência do sexo sobre a infecção hemoplasmas apenas entre 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' e machos. Estes resultados mostraram que os hemoplasmas circulam entre os gatos domésticos em Belém e 'Candidatus M. turicensis' e 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' foram mais comuns do que M. haemofelis, especialmente em gatos vadios

Development and assessment of a latex agglutination test based on recombinant MSP5 to detect antibodies against Anaplasma marginale in cattle

The recombinant protein MSP5 has been established as an important antigen for serological diagnosis of Anaplasma marginale by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, due to the high cost of specialized equipment, this technique is not accessible to all laboratories, especially in developing countries in areas where the disease is endemic. The present study describes the standardization of a latex agglutination test (LAT) to detect antibodies against A. marginale based on recombinant MSP5. Compared with indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA), the relative sensitivity and specificity of the LAT were 95.21% and 91.86% respectively, with an almost perfect agreement between tests (kappa index = 0.863). These results can be considered important for the serological diagnosis of A. marginale, as they indicate that the test represents a rapid and low cost alternative to ELISA

Psychosocial adaptation under adverse experiences: A study on the role of empathy with adolescents from vulnerable contexts in Brazil.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that affect children and adolescents, increasing the risk for negative outcomes in several developmental domains. The literature suggests that ACEs affect boys and girls differently, and that protective factors such as social and emotional skills may favor resilience processes and promote Psychosocial Adjustment. The present study aimed to verify gender differences in relation to ACEs and Empathy, and to identify whether the effect of ACEs on Psychosocial Adjustment is moderated by Empathy. A total of 1229 boys and girls aged 14 to 17 years from public schools in regions considered to be of high social vulnerability in two cities of Brazil participated in this study. Comparisons between genders were carried out using a logistic regression model. We then fitted multiple regression models predicting Psychosocial Adjustment, where ACEs, Empathy, and an interaction term between ACEs and Empathy were employed as independent variables, controlled by gender. Logistic regression analysis showed that girls experience ACEs more often than boys (d = 0.26, p = 0.02; d = 0.36; p < 0.001), and score higher on the Empathy scale (d = 0.43, p < 0.001). The genders do not differ in Community Violence Exposure nor Psychosocial Adjustment levels. Interaction analysis showed that Empathy moderates the effect of ACEs on adolescents' level of Psychosocial Adjustment. In the context of close relationships, Empathy may counteract the effect of ACEs, while in cases involving domestic violence and/or psychological abuse, it may amplify the impact of ACEs. The results show the relevance of considering gender specificities and that the role played by Empathy is more complex and needs further investigation. We emphasize that programs and policies aiming to prevent ACEs and their harmful effects should consider its types, in addition to the diversity and the specificities of the target population. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Frequency of monocytes subsets.

<p>(A) Representative gates of flow cytometry for classification of subsets. (B) Frequency of each monocyte subsets in normal-weight (NW; n = 9) and childhood obesity (CO; n = 11). Graphs shown median with interquartile range. Significant differences (p<0.05) in the charts are identified by asterisks and connecting lines.</p

Evaluation of expression of recognition and activation molecules in monocytes and their subsets.

<p>(A) Expression of recognition molecules was determined by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). (B) Expression of activation molecules was determined by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). The groups evaluated were normal-weight (NW; n = 9) and childhood obesity (CO; n = 11). Significant differences (p<0.05) between monocytes subsets, intragroup, are identified by asterisks and connecting lines. Letters represent statistical differences (p<0.05) between the same subset for comparison intergroup. Graphs shown median with interquartile range.</p

Evaluation of cytokine expression in monocytes and their subsets.

<p>(A) Perceptual of classical monocytes expressing each cytokine. (B) Perceptual of intermediate monocytes expressing each cytokine. (C) Perceptual of non-classical monocytes expressing each cytokine. Graphs show median with interquartile range. Significant differences (p<0.05) are identified by asterisks. (D) Radar graph represent perceptual of each monocytes subsets expressing cytokine. The groups evaluated were normal-weight (NW; n = 9; dispersion points) and childhood obesity (CO; n = 11; bars).</p

Heatmap for correlations between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules.

<p>Representative heatmap of correlation between recognition/activation molecules and clinical parameters for classical (A), intermediate (B) and non-classical monocytes (C). Representative heatmap of correlation between cytokines and clinical parameters for classical (D), intermediate (E) and non-classical monocytes (F). The groups evaluated were normal-weight (NW; n = 9) and childhood obesity (CO; n = 11).</p