Screening for canine coronavirus, canine influenza virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in dogs during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic

Background and Aim: Although most cases of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are in humans, there is scientific evidence to suggest that the virus can also infect dogs and cats. This study investigated the circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), canine coronavirus (CCV), and canine influenza virus (CIV) in domiciled and/or stray dogs from different locations in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: In total, 86 dogs living in homes, on the streets, or in shelters in the cities of Taiobeiras, Salinas, Araçuaí, and Almenara were randomly selected for this study. The COVID Ag Detect® Self-Test was used to detect SARS-CoV-2. The ACCUVET CCV AG TEST – CANINE CORONAVIROSIS® was used to detect CCV, whereas canine influenza was detected using the ACCUVET CIV AG TEST – INFLUENZA CANINA®. All collected data were mapped using QGIS 3.28.1 for spatial data analysis and the identification of disease distribution patterns. Descriptive analysis of the collected data, prevalence calculations, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals, when possible, was performed. Results: Of the 86 animals tested, only one dog tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using the rapid test for viral antigen detection. No animals tested positive for CIV. Canine coronavirus was detected in almost half of the animals tested in Almenara. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 had a low prevalence (1.16%), versus 15.62% for CCV. Although the results were not significant, the age and breed of animals appeared to be associated with the occurrence of CCV. The results indicated that younger animals were 2.375-fold more likely to be infected. Likewise, purebred animals were more likely to contract the disease (OR = 1.944). Conclusion: The results indicate the need to maintain preventive measures against CCV, canine influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 in dogs. More studies are needed to better elucidate the panorama of these diseases in dogs, mainly in underdeveloped and developing countries

Toxicological studies in poultry consuming fumonisin from corn contaminated with Brazilian Amazonian flora

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides produces fumonisins (FB1 and FB2), characterized by being the most frequently produced molecular forms and with greater toxicity. Fumonisin contamination is responsible for substantial losses during the meat production chain, so the safe levels of these compounds must be determined. The study was directed to establish safe levels of FB1 in poultry production; for this purpose, were used COBB 500® birds on experimental lots of infected corn during the 2015/2016 season in Brazil. The experimental group included 160 animals, divided into two groups: The T1 without fumonisin in the diet (control); and the T2 group in which corn was contaminated with 2.78 μg/g of fumonisin FB1. Histopathological effects of liver, heart, and small intestine, and zootechnical parameters were measured in birds treated. We found that there were no significant differences between the birds treated and untreated after 21 days of exposure to each treatment; F-values > P-values (P<0,05) for feed intake and weekly weight gain. Taken together, our data showed that the concentration evaluated is safe in poultry and will contribute to the design of future clinical studies

Métodos in vitro para controle de qualidade de vacinas clostridiais

Exportado OPUSMade available in DSpace on 2019-08-13T15:16:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_eliane.pdf: 658343 bytes, checksum: 1d6bf2449be67d1abf5b845bacc351dc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2Baseado em questionamentos sobre variabilidade dos resultados de testes que envolvem animais e, sobretudo, por razões éticas, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar e padronizar o teste ELISA, para ser utilizado no controle de qualidade de vacinas contra enterotoxemia, em comparação ao teste de soro neutralização em camundongo. Utilizaram-se vacinas experimentais, as quais foram avaliadas por métodos in vivo, empregando-se o teste de soro neutralização em camundongo e in vitro, utilizando-se ELISA. Soros de coelhos e carneiros imunizados foram utilizados no desenvolvimento do trabalho. A titulação de antitoxina epsilon nos soros dos animais foi realizada, a partir de uma curva padrão, estabelecida previamente. Os reagentes utilizados foram devidamente padronizados para um valor de absorbância próximo de 1, numa faixa de 0 a 2 em comprimento de onda 492 nm. Os resultados obtidos apontaram para a ausência de correlação (R < 1%), entre o ELISA e a soroneutralização em camundongos, para a titulação de antitoxina epsilon, presente em soro de coelhos imunizados com vacinas polivalentes e monovalentes contraClostridium perfringens tipo D. O coeficiente de variação intraplaca variou de 1,87 a 4,35%, para as vacinas polivalentes e de 0,11 a 6,61%, para as vacinas monovalentes. Os valores dos coeficientes de variação interplaca foram também pouco expressivos, não atingindo 2%, indicando alta homogeneidade nos resultados. Utilizando-se soro de carneiro, obteve-se coeficiente de correlação maior que 99%, confirmando relatos da literatura de que há similaridade entre o ELISA e soroneutralização em camundongo. Os coeficientes de variação inter e intraplaca se mostraram relativamente baixos, com valores variando entre 1,35 e 9,691 e de 1,44 a 7,29, respectivamente. Baseado no exposto, conclui-se que a metodologia in vitro, ELISA, é apropriada e indicada para a avaliação de potência de vacinas clostridiais, apenas quando se utiliza a porcentagem de inibição para calcular o título deantitoxina epsilon, a fim de reduzir a discrepância de resultados. Dessaforma, pode ser utilizada pelas empresas produtoras de vacinas e órgãos regulatórios como uma alternativa ao teste de soroneutralização, para a determinação de potência de vacinas, após ser submetida a um processo de validação adequado.Due to discussions about variability of the results of tests involving animals, and especially due to ethics matter, this study was carried out aiming at assessing and standardizing ELISA test so that it can be used in the quality control of vaccines against enterotoxemia comparing it to serum neutralization test in mice. Experimental vaccines were used; they were evaluated through in vivo method by utilizing serum neutralization test in mice, and in vitro through the use of ELISA test. Immunized rabbit and sheep serum were used along the development of the study. The titration of the epsilon antitoxin was performed from a curve pattern previously established, and the used reactants were properly standardized to an absorbance value around 1, at an espectrofometric range from 0 to 2 at a wavelength 492 nm. The results indicated a lack of correlation (r < 1%) between ELISA and the serum neutralization in mice for a titration of epsilon antitoxin present in the serum of rabbits immunized with polyvalent and monovalent vaccines against Clostridium perfringens type D. Intraplate variation ratio ranged from 1.87 to 4.35% for polyvalent vaccines, and from 0.11 to 6.61% for monovalent vaccines. Intraplaque variation ratios were also little expressive less than2% what indicates high homogeneity of the results. When using sheepserum, the correlation ratio was higher than 99%; this is according to literature review that reports similarity between ELISA and serum neutralization in mice. Inter and intraplate variation ratios were relatively low, varying from 1.35 to 9.961, and from 1.44 to 7.29 respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the ELISA in vitro method is appropriate and indicated to assess clostridial vaccine potency only when using the percentage of inhibition to calculate the titration degree of epsilon antitoxin in order to reduce discrepancy in the results. Therefore, it may be used by vaccine industries and by regulator agencies as an alternative to serum neutralization tests that determine vaccine potency after it is subjected to an adequate validation process

Atividade antimicrobiana de extratos hidroalcoolicos das folhas de alecrim- pimenta, aroeira, barbatimão, erva baleeira e do farelo da casca de pequi Antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from rosemary, peppertree, barbatimão and erva baleeira leaves and from pequi peel meal

Avaliou-se o perfil fitoquímico de extratos hidroalcoólicos padrão (EAPs), obtidos a partir das folhas de alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva), barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens), erva baleeira (Cordia verbenacea) e do farelo da casca do fruto do pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) e a atividade antimicrobiana de diferentes concentrações desses EAPs contra Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. Após coleta e identificação, as folhas das plantas e cascas do pequi foram usadas para preparação dos EAPs e submetidas a rastreamento fitoquímico. A atividade antimicrobiana dos EAPs em diferentes diluições (200, 300, 400 e 500mg mL-1) foi testada pela técnica de difusão em ágar. O rastreamento fitoquímico detectou componentes com potencial antimicrobiano em todos os EAPs. Nos testes de difusão em ágar, os extratos de aroeira (&#8805;200mg mL-1), barbatimão (&#8805;300mg mL-1) e erva-baleeira (&#8805;400mg mL-1) inibiram o crescimento de S. aureus, mas não de E. coli. Os EAPs não mostraram atividade sobre E.coli, todavia as folhas de aroeira, barbatimão e erva-baleeira evidenciaram potencial para inibir o crescimento de S. aureus. O uso das folhas e cascas dessas espécies vegetais pode constituir-se numa alternativa sustentável, viável e acessível para tratamento antimicrobiano.<br>This study evaluated the phytochemical profile of standardized hydroalcoholic extracts (EAPs) obtained from leafs of rosemary (Lippia sidoides), peppertree (Myracrodruon urundeuva), barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens), erva baleeira (Cordia verbenacea) and from the meal of pequi fruit peel (Caryocar brasiliense) and the activity of different levels of these EAPs against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. After collection and identification of the species, plant leaves and pequi peel were separated to prepare the EAPs. The EAPs underwent phytochemical screening. The antimicrobial activity of the EAPs at different dilutions (200, 300, 400 and 500mg mL-1) was tested using the disk diffusion method. The phytochemical screening detected components with antimicrobial potential in the EAPs tested. The disk diffusion test showed that peppertree (&#8805;200mg mL-1), barbatimão (&#8805;300mg mL-1) and erva-baleeira (&#8805;400mg mL-1) extracts inhibited S. aureus growth, but not E. coli development. The EAPs did not affect E. coli development, but the leaves from peppertree, barbatimão and erva-baleeira exhibited potential to inhibit S. aureus growth. The leaves and bark of the studied plants may consist in a sustainable, affordable and feasible alternative to treat microbial infections

Growth conditions of clostridium perfringens type B for production of toxins used to obtain veterinary vaccines

The diseases caused for Clostridium perfringens are generically called enterotoxemias because toxins produced in the intestine may be absorbed into the general circulation. C. perfringens type B, grown in batch fermentation, produced toxins used to obtain veterinary vaccines. Glucose in concentrations of 1.4–111.1 mM was used to define the culture medium. The minimum concentration for a satisfactory production of vaccines against clostridial diseases was 55.6 mM. Best results were brought forth by meat and casein peptones, both in the concentration 5.0 g l^−1 in combination with glucose and a culture pH maintained at 6.5 throughout the fermentation process. The production of lactic, acetic and propionic organic acids was observed. Ethanol was the metabolite produced in the highest concentration when cultures maintained steady pH of 6.5 with exception of cultures with initial glucose concentration of 1.4 mM, where the highest production was of propionic acid. Maximal cell concentration and the highest toxin title concomitantly low yield coefficient to organic acids and ethanol were obtained using basal medium containing 111.1 mM glucose under a controlled pH culture (pH) 6.5 in batch fermentations of C. perfringens type B. These data contribute to improve process for industrial toxin production allowing better condition to produce a toxoid vaccine

Toxicidade aguda dos extratos hidroalcoólicos das folhas de alecrim-pimenta, aroeira e barbatimão e do farelo da casca de pequi administrados por via intraperitoneal Acute toxicity of leaf hydroalcoholic extracts of Lippia sidoides, Myracroduon urundeuva, Stryphnodendron adstringens and of Caryocar brasilliense administered by intraperitoneal route

O estudo objetivou realizar ensaio toxicológico pré-clínico inicial para investigar a toxicidade das folhas de alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham.), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.) e barbatimão [Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville] e do farelo da casca de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), por meio da determinação da dose letal 50% (DL50). Na investigação da DL50, foram utilizados grupos de camundongos Swiss de mesmo sexo (n=150, sendo 30 animais por tratamento) inoculados, por via intraperitoneal, com diluições seriadas do extrato hidroalcoólico das folhas de alecrim, aroeira e barbatimão e do farelo da casca de pequi. Após a inoculação, os animais foram observados por um período de 14 dias, para determinar a quantidade de mortos, doentes e sobreviventes. O estudo toxicológico pré-clínico agudo demonstrou, em camundongos por via intraperitoneal, toxicidade igual a 0,31mg mL-1 DL50 mL-1 para todas as plantas, exceto para o barbatimão, que apresentou toxicidade igual a 0,25mg mL-1. Pesquisas devem ser realizadas visando a obter dados de toxicidade das plantas em outras vias para assegurar o uso em saúde humana e animal.This study aimed to conductpre-clinical toxicology testing to investigate the toxicity of Lippia sidoides Cham., Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All., Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville and Caryocar brasiliense Camb., by determining the 50% (LDL50) lethal dose. In the investigation of the LD50, groups of Swiss mice of the same sex were used (n=150; 30 animals per plant and all inoculated intraperitoneally with serial dilutions of the aqueous fraction obtained from the leaves of plants. After inoculation, the animals were observed along a period of 14 days in order to observe the dead, sick and survivors rate. In mice inoculated intraperitoneally, the acute pre-clinical toxicology testing demonstrated toxicity equal to 0,31mg mL-1 LD50 mL-1 for all plants. The exception was for Stryphnodendron adstringens, which presented toxicity equal to a 0,25mg mL-1DL50 mL-1 and values expressed in terms of dilution. Research should be conducted to obtain data on toxicity of the plants in other ways to ensure the use in human and animal health. Therefore, the studied plants should be used with caution. They present a relatively mild toxic potential, but it may be harmful to users if they are not properly utilized

Characterization of the Primary Sludge from Pharmaceutical Industry Effluents and Final Disposition

The generation of large volumes of waste by industrial processes has become an object of study because of the necessity to characterize the composition of residues in order to suggest appropriate treatments and to minimize adverse environmental impacts. We performed analyses of total fixed and volatile solids, moisture, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). We found high organic matter content. We also measured physicochemical characteristics, including corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Sewage sludge showed levels of chloride and sodium above the maximum allowed limits. These data suggest the potential for anaerobic digestion as a treatment option for sewage sludge and for its use as a biofertilizer