Intoxication in dogs and cats by human food : what do not provide for animals?

As intoxicações em cães e gatos por alimentos humanos provêm do desconhecimento dos perigos que alguns alimentos podem representar e, ainda, pela falta de prudência por parte dos proprietários. Chocolates, doces, abacates, uvas e passas são alguns dos alimentos com risco em potencial de intoxicação, os quais podem levar cães e gatos à morte. Em geral, sinais clínicos de intoxicação alimentar são inespecíficos e incluem vômitos, diarreias, tremores, apatia e depressão, além de outras apresentações clínicas, de acordo com o componente tóxico presente no alimento ingerido. A fim de orientar os riscos alimentares na dieta de animais, esta revisão objetivou abordar os aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos dos alimentos com maiores ocorrências de intoxicação em caninos e felinos.Cases of intoxication in dogs and cats by human food comes from lack of knowledge of the dangers that some foods may represent and also by the lack of prudence by the owners. Chocolates, candies, avocados, grapes and raisins are some of the foods with potential risk intoxication, which can cause death in dogs and cats. In general, clinical signs of food intoxication are nonspecific and include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, apathy and depression, as well as other clinical presentations in accordance with the toxic component present in ingested food. In order to target food hazards in the diet of animals, this review aimed to describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects of food with higher occurrences of intoxication in dogs and cats

Anti-Sporothrix brasiliensis activity of different pyrazinoic acid prodrugs: a repurposing evaluation

From drug repurposing studies, this work aimed to evaluate the activity of different pyrazinoic acid (POA) derivatives against Sporothrix brasiliensis. The POA esters were prepared and characterized as previously reported by classical esterification reactions, with good to excellent yields. Sporothrix brasiliensis isolates from cats (n=6) and standard strains of S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii were used to assess the antifungal activity of the POA derivatives through broth microdilution assay (CLSI M38-A2). Among the tested compounds, molecules 3 and 4 showed fungistatic and fungicidal activities against all Sporothrix spp. strains, and the obtained MIC and MFC values ranged from 2.12 to 4.24 mg/mL and from 1.29 to 5.15 mg/mL, respectively. Compound 2 and 5 were active as in vitro inhibitors of fungal growth, but showed weak fungicidal activity, while molecules 1 and POA itself were inactive. The results suggest the activity of POA derivatives against Sporothrix spp. may be dependent on the lipophilicity. In addition, the antifungal susceptibility of the isolates to itraconazole was performed, showing that two Sporothrix isolates from cats were itraconazole-resistant. Compounds 3 and 4 were also active against these itraconazole-resistant isolates, indicating a possible alternative route to the standard mode of action of itraconazole

Antifungal resistance on Sporothrix species : an overview

Introduction The treatment of human and animal sporotrichosis is often performed with antifungal agents; however, the emergence of antifungal-resistant strains of Sporothrix species has been reported. We aimed to discuss the ability of Sporothrix species in developing resistance to the conventional antifungals and mechanisms for this. Methodology Published data on databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar) were investigated using a combination of keywords from 2008 to 2019 by the StArt tool. Results The minimal inhibitory concentrations values based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) from eight references were classified according to the epidemiological cutoff values in wild-type or non-wild-type strains. In this way, nonwild- type S. schenckii and, mainly, S. brasiliensis isolates were recognized on itraconazole, amphotericin B, terbinafine, and voriconazole, which are strains that deserve more attention toward antifungal control, with a probable risk of mutation to antifungal resistance. Among the few reviewed studied on antifungal resistance, the melanin production capacity (DHN-melanin, L-DOPA melanin, and pyomelanin), the low genetic diversity due to the abnormal number of chromosomes, and the mutation in cytochrome P450 are some of the factors for developing resistance mechanism. Conclusions The emergence of Sporothrix species with in vitro antifungal resistance was evidenced and the possible mechanisms for resistance development may be due to the melanin production capacity, genetic diversity and mutations in cytochrome P450. Further studies should be carried out targeting gene expression for the development of antifungal resistance on Sporothrix species in order to prospect new therapeutic targets for human and veterinary use

Anti- Sporothrix spp. activity of medicinal plants

Cases of sporotrichosis in humans and animals without satisfactory clinical response have increased, a warning sign of strains resistant to conventional antifungal agents. The urgent search for alternative therapies was an incentive for research on medicinal plants with anti-Sporothrix spp. properties. A bibliographic survey was performed based on scientific papers about in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of essential oils and extracts of plants in differents solvents against the fungal of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. The study methodology consisted of a literature review in Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed, Bireme and Springer link with papers from 1986 to 2015. We found 141 species of plants that were investigated, of which 100 species were concentrated in 39 botanical families that had confirmed anti-Sporothrix activity. Combretaceae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae represented the botanical families with the greatest number of plants species with antifungal potential, using different methodologies. However, there are few studies with medicinal plants in experimental infection in animals that prove their activity in the treatment of sporotrichosis. It reinforces the need for further research related to standardization of in vitro methodologies and in vivo studies related to safety and to toxicity potential of these plants with anti-Sporothrix spp. activity.Casos de esporotricose em humanos e animais sem resposta clínica satisfatória têm aumentado, sinal de alarme para o surgimento de cepas resistentes aos antifúngicos convencionais. A urgente busca por alternativas terapêuticas tem incentivado as pesquisas em plantas medicinais com atividade anti-Sporothrix spp. Um levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado com base em artigos científicos sobre a atividade antifúngica in vitro e in vivo de óleos essenciais e extratos de plantas preparados em diferentes solventes contra o complexo Sporothrix schenckii. A metodologia do estudo consistiu em uma revisão bibliográfica em Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed, Bireme e Springer link com artigos desde 1986 até 2015. Foram encontradas 141 espécies de plantas já investigadas, das quais 100 espécies concentradas em 39 famílias botânicas apresentaram atividade anti-Sporothrix spp. confirmada. Combretaceae, Asteraceae e Lamiaceae representaram as famílias botânicas com maior número de espécies vegetais com potencial antifúngico, empregando diferentes metodologias. Entretanto, há poucos estudos com plantas medicinais em infecção experimental animal comprovando sua atividade no tratamento da esporotricose. Reforça-se a necessidade de mais pesquisas relacionadas à padronização de metodologias in vitro e a estudos in vivo relacionados à segurança e potencial tóxico dessas plantas com atividade anti-Sporothrix spp

Anti-Sporothrix spp. activity of medicinal plants

Cases of sporotrichosis in humans and animals without satisfactory clinical response have increased, a warning sign of strains resistant to conventional antifungal agents. The urgent search for alternative therapies was an incentive for research on medicinal plants with anti-Sporothrix spp. properties. A bibliographic survey was performed based on scientific papers about in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of essential oils and extracts of plants in differents solvents against the fungal of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. The study methodology consisted of a literature review in Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed, Bireme and Springer link with papers from 1986 to 2015. We found 141 species of plants that were investigated, of which 100 species were concentrated in 39 botanical families that had confirmed anti-Sporothrix activity. Combretaceae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae represented the botanical families with the greatest number of plants species with antifungal potential, using different methodologies. However, there are few studies with medicinal plants in experimental infection in animals that prove their activity in the treatment of sporotrichosis. It reinforces the need for further research related to standardization of in vitro methodologies and in vivo studies related to safety and to toxicity potential of these plants with anti-Sporothrix spp. activity.Casos de esporotricose em humanos e animais sem resposta clínica satisfatória têm aumentado, sinal de alarme para o surgimento de cepas resistentes aos antifúngicos convencionais. A urgente busca por alternativas terapêuticas tem incentivado as pesquisas em plantas medicinais com atividade anti-Sporothrix spp. Um levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado com base em artigos científicos sobre a atividade antifúngica in vitro e in vivo de óleos essenciais e extratos de plantas preparados em diferentes solventes contra o complexo Sporothrix schenckii. A metodologia do estudo consistiu em uma revisão bibliográfica em Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed, Bireme e Springer link com artigos desde 1986 até 2015. Foram encontradas 141 espécies de plantas já investigadas, das quais 100 espécies concentradas em 39 famílias botânicas apresentaram atividade anti-Sporothrix spp. confirmada. Combretaceae, Asteraceae e Lamiaceae representaram as famílias botânicas com maior número de espécies vegetais com potencial antifúngico, empregando diferentes metodologias. Entretanto, há poucos estudos com plantas medicinais em infecção experimental animal comprovando sua atividade no tratamento da esporotricose. Reforçase a necessidade de mais pesquisas relacionadas à padronização de metodologias in vitro e a estudos in vivo relacionados à segurança e potencial tóxico dessas plantas com atividade anti Sporothrix spp

Efeitos dos óleos essenciais de Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. e Origanum vulgare Linn. de diferentes origens em Sporothrix brasiliensis e complexo Sporothrix schenckii

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) and Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) are known to have antimicrobial properties, but studies on sporotrichosis are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-Sporothrix spp. activity of essential oils from commercial products and oils extracted from aerial parts of these plants and analyze their chemical constituents. S. schenckii complex and S. brasiliensis (n: 25) isolated from humans, cats, dogs, and environmental soil were tested through M27-A3 guidelines of CLSI with modification for phytotherapics. The essential oils of R. officinalis L. were similar for MIC50 and MFC50 ≤2.25mg/mL for extracted oil; and 4.5mg/mL and 9mg/mL, respectively, for commercial oil. Both products showed MIC90 of 18mg/mL and MFC90 of 36mg/mL. In O. vulgare L., the extracted oil had better activity with MIC50 and MFC50 ≤2.25mg/mL, and MIC90 and MFC90 of 4.5mg/mL, whereas the commercial oil showed MIC50 and MFC50 of 9mg/mL and MIC90 18mg/mL, respectively, and MFC90 of 36mg/mL. Through gas chromatography (CG/FID), thymol and α-terpinene were majority for extracted oil of O. vulgare L., and carvacrol and γ-terpinene made up the majority of the commercial oil. Both essential oils of R. officinalis L. showed 1,8-cineole and α-pinene as major. The fungal isolates were susceptible to all tested essential oils, including in itraconazole-resistant S. brasiliensis isolates. The extracted and commercial oils of the plants presented in vitro anti-Sporothrix spp. activity, and they are promising for treatment of sporotrichosis, including in cases refractory to itraconazole. More studies should be performed about toxicity and in vivo efficacy for its safe use.Rosmarinus officinalis L. (alecrim) e Origanum vulgare L. (orégano) são conhecidos pelas propriedades antimicrobianas, entretanto seus estudos na esporotricose são escassos. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a atividade anti-Sporothrix spp. de óleos extraídos e comerciais dessas plantas e analisar seus constituintes químicos. Isolados do complexo S. schenckii e S. brasiliensis (n: 25) de humanos, gatos, cães e solo, foram testados pela diretriz M27-A3 do CLSI com modificações para fitoterápicos. Os óleos de R. officinalis L. foram similares com CIM50 e CFM50 ≤2.25mg/mL para extraído; e 4.5mg/mL e 9mg/mL, respectivamente, para comercial. Ambos os produtos demonstraram CIM90 de 18mg/mL e CFM90 de 36mg/mL. Em O. vulgare L., o óleo extraído apresentou melhor atividade com CIM50 e CFM50≤2.25mg/mL e CIM90 e CFM90 de 4.5mg/mL, ao passo que o óleo comercial mostrou CIM50 e CFM50 de 9mg/mL; e CIM90 de 18mg/mL e CFM90 de 36mg/mL. Por meio da cromatografia gasosa (CG/FID), timol e α-terpineno foram majoritários para o óleo extraído de O. vulgare L., e carvacrol e γ-terpineno para o comercial. Ambos os óleos de R. officinalis L. apresentaram 1,8-cineol e α-pineno como prevalentes. Os isolados foram sensíveis a todos os óleos essenciais testados, inclusive S. brasiliensis, resistentes ao itraconazol. Os óleos extraídos e comerciais de R. officinalis L. e O. vulgare L. apresentaram atividade anti-Sporothrix spp. in vitro e são promissores para o tratamento da esporotricose, inclusive em casos refratários ao itraconazol. Mais estudos devem ser realizados sobre toxicidade e eficácia in vivo para seu uso seguro

Cytotoxicity and anti-Sporothrix brasiliensis activity of the Origanum majorana Linn. oil

The study aimed to evaluate the anti-Sporothrix sp. activity of the essential oil of Origanummajorana Linn. (marjoram), its chemical analysis, and its cytotoxic activity. A total of 18fungal isolates of Sporothrix brasiliensis (n: 17) from humans, dogs and cats, and a standardstrain of Sporothrix schenckii (n: 1) were tested using the broth microdilution technique (Clin-ical and Laboratory Standard Institute – CLSI M27-A3) and the results were expressed inminimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC). TheMIC50and MIC90of itraconazole against S. brasiliensis were 2 g/mL and 8 g/mL, respectively,and the MFC50and MFC90were 2 g/mL and >16 g/mL, respectively, with three S. brasilien-sis isolates resistant to antifungal. S. schenckii was sensitive at MIC of 1 g/mL and MFC of8 g/mL. For the oil of O. majorana L., all isolates were susceptible to MIC of ≤2.25–9 mg/mLand MFC of ≤2.25–18 mg/mL. The MIC50and MIC90were ≤2.25 mg/mL and 4.5 mg/mL, respec-tively, and the MFC50/90values were twice more than the MIC. Twenty-two compounds wereidentified by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (CG-FID) and 1,8-cineoleand 4-terpineol were the majority. Through the colorimetric (MTT) assay, the toxicity wasobserved in 70–80% of VERO cells between 0.078 and 5 mg/mL. For the first time, the studydemonstrated the satisfactory in vitro anti-Sporothrix sp. activity of marjoram oil and furtherstudies are needed to ensure its safe and effective use

Epidermal Renewal after Treatment of Primary Canine Hypothyroidism using Levothyroxine

Background: Primary canine hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder that causes imbalances in the hypothalamus-pituitarythyroid axis, is a common cause of endocrine dermatoses, which frequently presents with opaque dry brittle hair. Tissue changes are also visible, such as myxedema, hyperkeratosis, epidermal atrophy, alopecia, and others. This paper describes the skin changes caused by primary hypothyroidism in a female dog before and after treatment with levothyroxine.Case: This case study involved a 7-year-old Dalmatian bitch with a history of weight gain and changes such as rough dry brittle hair. For about a year, the dog also had also presented symmetrical erythematous and alopecia skin lesions in the regions of the hind limbs, lower back and tail, progressive lethargy and fatigue after exercise. A hemogram showed mild normocytic and normochromic regenerative anemia, as well as mild leukopenia and neutropenia. Biochemical tests revealed increased levels of creatinine, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Skin biopsy revealed the presence of comedones in the epidermis and acanthosis and trichilemmal keratinization. Hormonal tests revealed high TSH and low free T4 and total T4 levels. A cervical ultrasound scan showed changes in the thyroid glands, with hypoechoic parenchyma, in addition to increased size of the right lobe, suggesting thyroiditis. Based on these exams, the patient was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism, and treatment with levothyroxine was instituted.Discussion: Around 90% of dogs with hypothyroidism show a decrease in total T4 and about 65-75% of them show an increase in TSH levels. In endocrinopathy, there is a decrease in the expression of T3 receptors in the keratinocytes and genes responsible for epidermal renewal. Also, molecules that affect epidermal differentiation bind to intracellular receptors belonging to the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily. In this study, however, the application of the minimum levothyroxine dose restored the normal epidermal pattern for the species and the remaining parameters returned to normal. The hormone T3 acts in the differentiation of keratinocytes, a fact that, although not yet proven, is believed to be indirect and mediated by the epidermal growth factor or by the expression of the genes responsible for the renewal of the epidermis. Besides, some effects on the epidermis caused by deficiency of thyroid hormones may be due to secondary vitamin A deficiency, which is necessary for epithelial differentiation and binding epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the cell. Still, there is a theory that sex hormones also affect the differentiation of the epidermis, as studies show that deficiency causes effects similar to those caused by hypothyroidism. Some studies indicate the investigation of the relationship between secondary vitamin D deficiency and the increased cellularity of the epidermis of the spayed hypothyroid female rats. Additionally, the mechanism of the formation of hyperkeratosis in hypothyroidism is not yet elucidated. T3 is known to regulate keratingene expression and perhaps also epidermal maturation, epithelial cycle, and normal keratin synthesis. The single treatment with levothyroxine in the female dog was effective in promoting the restoration of gene expression to T3 in keratinocytes.Keywords: dermatopathies, endocrinopathies, hypothyroidism, levothyroxine, synthetic hormone

Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma in Dogs: Surgical Treatment with Real-Time Video-thermometry

Introdução :  Uma neoplasia pulmonar é uma proliferação anormal de células no tecido pulmonar, podendo ser classificada como primária, secundária ou metastática e multissistêmica. No entanto, uma neoplasia primária é rara em canídeos. Além disso, as neoplasias podem ser classificadas de acordo com seu comportamento biológico como malignas ou benignas. Os tumores malignos são mais prevalentes. O diagnóstico pode ser difícil devido a sintomas inespecíficos, tendo em vista que alguns pacientes afetados não apresentam nenhum sintoma; assim, um real da doença pode permanecer sem diagnóstico em certas ocasiões.Portanto, objetivamos relatar um caso de sucesso inédito de cirurgia de lobectomia pulmonar em cães com auxílio de videotermometria infravermelha, que mostrada como imagens em tempo real durante o procedimento cirúrgico.Caso : Um cão macho de 10 anos, mestiço com Cocker Spaniel, foi atendido com história de letargia, embotamento, perda progressiva de peso, tosse e dificuldade respiratória. Avaliação à gravidade dos sinais clínicos e ao exame clínico fisiológico normal, foram solicitados exames complementares, como radiografia da região cervical e torácica, tomografia computadorizada de sangue e toracoabdominal (TCT). Os resultados dos exames obtiveram a presença de massa nodular no lobo pulmonar direito caudal que ocasionava desvio lateral para hemitórax esquerdo da silhueta cardíaca. A paciente foi submetida a um procedimento cirúrgico com abordagem pela região torácica, na altura do sétimo espaço intercostal, sendo realizada lobectomia total. Durante todo o procedimento cirúrgico,A videotermometria em tempo real por meio da estação MART (Atividade Metabólica em Tempo Real FLIR SC325®) foi utilizada para determinar a viabilidade dos tecidos adjacentes por meio de diferenças de temperatura medidas em graus Celsius. O fragmento cirúrgico contendo o lobo pulmonar caudal direto e a massa foi encaminhado ao setor de patologia para avaliação anatomopatológica. Abundante proliferação epitelial papilar foi visualizada ao microscópio, apresentando áreas de necrose e infiltrado polimorfonuclear inflamatório. O nódulo foi diagnosticado como adenocarcinoma papilar de pulmão. O fragmento cirúrgico contendo o lobo pulmonar caudal direto e a massa foi encaminhado ao setor de patologia para avaliação anatomopatológica. Abundante proliferação epitelial papilar foi visualizada ao microscópio, apresentando áreas de necrose e infiltrado polimorfonuclear inflamatório. O nódulo foi diagnosticado como adenocarcinoma papilar de pulmão. O fragmento cirúrgico contendo o lobo pulmonar caudal direto e a massa foi encaminhado ao setor de patologia para avaliação anatomopatológica. Abundante proliferação epitelial papilar foi visualizada ao microscópio, apresentando áreas de necrose e infiltrado polimorfonuclear inflamatório. O nódulo foi diagnosticado como adenocarcinoma papilar de pulmão.Discussão :Os adenocarcinomas consistem em estruturas glandulares papilares, acinares, sólidas ou mistas. Podem originar-se das vias aéreas, glândulas brônquicas ou região broncoalveolar e, freqüentemente, apresentam crescimento invasivo apresentando formato rudimentar e irregular. Os sinais clínicos são inespecíficos, incluindo intolerância a exercícios, tosse não produtiva, sinais respiratórios crônicos como taquipneia ou dispneia, apetite reduzido, perda de peso, letargia, dor à palpação torácica, hemotórax, pneumotórax e derrame pleural. O diagnóstico é concluído por meio de exames de diagnóstico por imagem, sendo a radiografia de tórax o mais importante, seguida da ressonância magnética e da tomografia computadorizada. Além disso, o exame histopatológico é essencial para determinar um diagnóstico definitivo. O tratamento de escolha para os nódulos de adenocarcinoma é a excisão cirúrgica da massa tumoral. Contudo, o tipo de abordagem cirúrgica é determinado por diferentes fatores, como tamanho, localização e envolvimento de estruturas adjacentes. A ablação de massas pulmonares pode ser realizada por meio de lobectomias parciais ou totais. No entanto, a lobectomia parcial é mais frequentemente realizada em massas não neoplásicas ou para obtenção de material para biópsia, enquanto a lobectomia total é recomendada para a remoção de uma neoplasia maligna.O prognóstico é sempre cauteloso, tendo um desfecho mais favorável nas massas de menor diâmetro sem o envolvimento de estruturas adjacentes

Análises químicas e citotóxicas de três variedades de própolis brasileiras (própolis verde, própolis jataí e própolis marrom) e sua atividade in vitro anti-Sporothrix brasiliensis

In this study, we described the antifungal activity of three Brazilian propolis extracts: brown, green and from jataí bees against Sporothrix brasiliensis. The extracts were obtained from ethanolic extraction and their chemical composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The cellular toxicity was measured in MDBK (Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney) cells and quantified by the MTT assay (3- (4,5 dimethylthiazol-2yl -2,5-diphenyl-2H bromine tetrazolato). For antifungal activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined by broth microdilution. The results showed that cell toxicity was not observed at lower concentrations (0.097 to 0.39μg/ml) for all extracts in comparison to cell control. Among the chemical compounds identified, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid and rutin were quantified. In antifungal activity, green and jataí did not exhibit activity against the isolates (MIC and MFC greater than 0.78mg/ml). However, all isolates of S. brasiliensis were sensitive to brown propolis (MIC of 0.09 to 0.78mg/ml), including the standard strain (P<0.001). Among the Brazilian propolis studied, the brown propolis showed activity against the S. brasiliensis isolates and more studies should be undertaken in order to evaluate its promising use in the treatment of sporotrichosis.Neste estudo, descreveu-se a atividade antifúngica de três extratos de própolis brasileiras: marrom, verde e de abelhas jataí (Tetragonisca angustula), contra Sporothrix brasiliensis. Os extratos foram obtidos de extração etanólica, e a sua composição química foi determinada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, acoplada à espectrometria de massa. A toxicidade celular foi medida em células MDBK (Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney), avaliada por observação microscópica e quantificada pelo ensaio MTT (3- (4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-ilo -2,5-difenil-2H bromo tetrazolato). Para a atividade antifúngica, determinou-se a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e a concentração fungicida mínima (CFM) por meio de microdiluição em caldo. Os resultados mostraram que a toxicidade celular não foi observada em concentrações menores (0,097 a 0,39μg/ml). Entre os compostos químicos identificados, foram quantificados o ácido cafeico, ácido p-cumárico, ácido clorogênico, ácido ferúlico e a rutina. Na atividade antifúngica, as própolis verde e jataí não apresentaram atividade contra os isolados (CIM e CFM maior que 0,78mg/ml), porém todos os isolados de S. brasiliensis foram sensíveis à própolis marrom (CIM de 0,09 a 0,78mg/ml), incluindo a cepa padrão (P<0,001). Entre as própolis brasileiras estudadas, a marrom mostrou atividade contra S. brasiliensis, e mais estudos devem ser realizados para avaliar seu uso promissor no tratamento da esporotricose