Detecção do herpes vírus felino tipo 1 (HVF-1) pela técnica de PCR em tempo real e sua associação com sinais oculares em uma poipulação de gatos domésticos

This study aimed to detect feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) in the conjunctival fragments of a cat population by PCR real-time. In addition, we sought to associate these results to ocular signs observed in these animals. For this, we used 70 cats that lived in direct contact, from a residence from Araçatuba, SP. By means of real-time PCR, DNA was detected FHV-1 in 78.1% (25/32) of cats with at least one ocular sign and 26.3% (10/38) of asymptomatic patients, a total prevalence 50% (35/70) in the sample. In animals with signs of conjunctivitis in 60% (21/35) cats were positive at least one of these signals and none of the 40% (14/35) remaining. In cats with signs of keratitis in 49% (17/35) were positive from at least one of the signals and none of the 51% (18/35) remaining. We have detected the presence of FHV-1 at all (17/100%) cats with corneal epithelial defect. There was a significant association between the presence of at least one eye sign, at least a sign of conjunctivitis and keratitis with PCR results. For each ocular sign, only the corneal epithelial defect and blepharospasm were significantly associated with these outcomes and also were associated with each other, suggesting that, in cats with signs of keratitis, corneal epithelial defect may be a factor influencing the emergence of blepharospasm. The high prevalence of ocular infection by FHV-1 found in animals with ocular signs suggested as a possible causative agent of these injuriesO presente estudo buscou detectar o herpesvirus felino tipo 1 (HVF-1) em fragmentos de conjuntiva de uma população de gatos pela técnica de PCR em tempo real. Além disso, procurou-se associar estes resultados aos sinais oculares verificados nestes animais. Para isso, foram utilizados 70 gatos, que conviviam em contato direto, provenientes de uma residência da cidade de Araçatuba, SP. Por meio de PCR em tempo real, foi detectado DNA de HVF-1 em 78,1% (25/32) dos gatos com ao menos um sinal ocular e em 26,3% (10/38) dos assintomáticos, totalizando uma prevalência de 50% (35/70) na amostra global. Nos animais com sinais de conjuntivite, em 60% (21/35) dos gatos positivos havia ao menos um destes sinais e nenhum destes nos 40% (14/35) restantes. Nos gatos com sinais de ceratite, em 49% (17/35) dos positivos havia ao menos um destes sinais e nenhum deste nos 51% (18/35) restantes. Foi detectada a presença de HVF-1 em todos (17/100%) os gatos com defeito epitelial corneal. Houve associação significativa entre a presença de ao menos um sinal ocular, ao menos um sinal de conjuntivite e de ceratite com os resultados do PCR. Em relação a cada sinal ocular, somente o defeito epitelial corneal e o blefarospasmo tiveram associação significativa com estes resultados e também estavam associados entre si, sugerindo que, nos gatos com sinais de ceratoconjuntivite, o defeito epitelial corneal pode ser um fator de influência ao surgimento do blefarospasmo. A elevada prevalência da infecção ocular por HVF-1 encontrada nos animais com sinais oculares sugere o agente como possível causador destas lesõesFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Alterações eletromiográficas e histopatológicas da musculatura de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania infantum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the electromyographic and histopathological changes in skeletal muscles of dogs naturally infected by L. infantum. Twenty five mixed breed adult dogs with parasitological, molecular and serological diagnosis were selected. The evaluated muscles were: triceps brachial, extensor carpi radialis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius. One dog had locomotor clinical signs with hind limbs paresis associated with severe muscle atrophy. Twenty-three (92%) had some type of muscular change, and in 22 (88%) such changes were directly identified by electromyography. Even without any clinical signs of the disease, 10 (40%) dogs had electromyographic and histopathological changes. Leishmania antigens were detected in muscles of four (16%) dogs. The electromyographic evaluation indicated the occurrence of chronic polymyositis in 13 (52%) dogs, the presence of both acute and chronic muscle inflammation four (16%), acute myopathy in two (8%) and absence of electromyographic abnormalities in three (12%) dogs. The most frequently observed histopathological changes were degeneration and necrosis of myofibers and inflammatory infiltration observed in 12 (48%) dogs. Other changes were decreased diameter of muscle fibers in 15 (60%) and peri or endomysial fibrosis in 14 (56%) animals. The changes observed in the present study showed that even in the absence of clinical signs, most dogs infected by Leishmania infantum have chronic polymyositis