Efecto del extracto de hidro-metanol del tallo de Anacardium occidentale sobre la hematología y la bioquímica del suero en gallos jóvenes

El objetivo de este estudio es investigar los efectos de dosis graduales de extracto de hidro-metanol del tallo de Anacardium occidentale (MSEAO) administradas por vía oral sobre la hematología y bioquímica del suero de polluelos. Cuarenta pollos de 8 semanas de edad fueron asignados al azar en cuatro grupos (1, 2, 3 y 4) de diez pollos cada grupo. Los grupos 1, 2 y 3 recibieron 3000, 1500 y 500 mg/kg de peso corporal de MSEAO, respectivamente, mientras que a los pollos del grupo de control [grupo 4] se les dio agua de beber como placebo. Se tomaron muestras de sangre de todos los pollos a las 0 y 48 horas después del tratamiento. Se evaluó la hematología y la bioquímica del suero siguiendo procedimientos estándares. Los resultados mostraron que la mayoría de parámetros hematológicos en los grupos tratados no difirieron significativamente con respecto al grupo de control. Los resultados de la bioquímica del suero mostraron que la actividad de la alanina aminotransferasa en el suero (ALT) en los grupos 1 y 2 fue significativamente inferior (P \u3c 0.05) a la de los grupos 3 y 4. Los niveles de ácido úrico en el suero en los pollos de los grupos 1 y 2 fueron significativamente inferiores (P \u3c 0.05) a los del grupo de control, mientras que los niveles de creatinina de los pollos en los grupos de tratamiento fueron significativamente inferiores (P\u3c 0.05) a los de los pollos del grupo de control. Se concluyó que el MSEAO, como se usó en este estudio, produjo cambios significativos en los conteos de heterófilos, en las actividades de ALT y ALP del suero y en los niveles de ácido úrico, creatinina y calcio

Comparative efficacy of diaminazine aceturate and isomethamidium chloride in rabbits experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

The comparative efficacy of diaminazine aceturate (DA) and isomethamedium chloride (IC) was investigated in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cunisculus). A total of eighteen rabbits were used for the study. The rabbits were divided into six groups of three each. All the rabbits in groups B – F were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei, while those in group A served as the negative control (uninfected and untreated group). Group B contained the infected and untreated (positive control group), Group C rabbits were infected and treated with DA at 3.5 mg/kg, Group D were infected and treated with DA 7 mg/kg, Group E contained the infected and treated with 3.5 mg/kg of DA combined with 1.0 mg/kg of IC and Group F contained the infected and treated with 7 mg/kg of DA combined with 1.0 mg/kg of IC. The weekly rectal temperature, body weight gain, packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration (HbC), total leucocyte count (TLC), differential leucocyte count (DLC), clinical signs and survivability and rate of parasite clearance were used to assess the efficacy of the drugs and drug combinations. The parasites cleared from groups E and F 24 hours post treatment, while in group D, it was 48 hours post treatment. The rabbits in group C and group B died within 13 – 19 and 50 – 52 days post infection (PI), respectively. Relapse was recorded in all the rabbits treated only wit DA. There was significant (p<0.05) reductions in weight, PCV, erythrocyte count, HbC and TLC. The significant (p<0.05) increase in temperature following infection were reversed by the treatments, this reversal however, was faster and lasted longer in the combined treatment groups (E and especially F) than in the single treatment group. The results of this study suggest that the combined treatments of DA and IC produced better therapeutic effect than DA only.Keywords: Parasitaemia, Trypanosomiasis, Rabbits, Diaminazine aceturate, Isomethamedium chlorid

Eficacia comparativa de diferentes regímenes quimioterapéuticos en el tratamiento de la Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) en cabras enanas de África occidental

Se determinó la eficacia comparativa de diferentes regímenes quimioterapéuticos en el tratamiento de la infección clínica natural con la Peste de los pequeños rumiantes (PPR) en cabras enanas de África occidental (WAD). Se usaron veinte cabras WAD machos, distribuidos en cinco grupos, de cuatro cabras cada uno. El Grupo 1 fue el grupo de terapia combinada, tratado con Aciclovir, Oxitetraciclina e Ivermectina, El Grupo 2 fue tratado con Aciclovir solamente. El Grupo 3 fue tratado con Ivermectina solamente. El Grupo 4 fue tratado con Oxitetraciclina solamente y el Grupo 5 no recibió tratamiento. Se observaron signos clínicos como secreciones nasales y oculares, emaciación, anorexia, pirexia, lesiones orales ulcerativas, dificultad respiratoria y diarrea en estas cabras durante su periodo de aclimatación. La lesión post-mórtem más notable que se observó fueron las manchas descontinuas de congestión (como las rayas de la cebra) en la mucosa del colon y del recto. Los parámetros fisiológicos (temperatura, frecuencia del pulso, ritmo cardiaco y frecuencia respiratoria) se midieron diariamente. Se observó que había un aumento significativo en la temperatura por encima de lo normal en el grupo sin tratamiento, lo que sugirió pirexia. También se observó que el grupo de terapia combinada mostró una cifra de mortalidad menor y, por ende, allí hubo una mejor eficacia en comparación con los otros agentes quimioterapéuticos usados solo

Comparison of virulence factors and susceptibility profiles of Malassezia furfur from pityriasis versicolor patients and bloodstream infections of preterm infants

: In spite of the increasing medical interest in Malassezia yeasts, the virulence factors of Malassezia furfur causing bloodstream infections (BSI) were never investigated. Therefore, phospholipase (Pz), lipase (Lz), hemolysin (Hz), biofilm production, and in vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles were evaluated in M. furfur strains, isolated from both pityriasis versicolor (PV) patients (n = 18; Group 1) or from preterm infants BSI (n = 21; Group 2). All the test stains exhibited Pz activity, whereas 92.3% and 97.4% of strains exhibited Lz and Hz activities, respectively. Pz, Lz, and Hz activities were higher (i.e., lower values) within Group 1 strains (i.e., 0.48, 0.40, and 0.77) than those within Group 2 (i.e., 0.54, 0.54, and 0.81). The biofilm production was higher within Malassezia isolates from Group 2 (0.95 ± 0.3) than from Group 1 (0.72 ± 0.4). Itraconazole and posaconazole were the most active drugs against M. furfur, followed by amphotericin B and fluconazole. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values varied according to the origin of M. furfur strains being statistically lower in M. furfur from Group 1 than from Group 2. This study suggests that M. furfur strains produce hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm when causing PV and BSI. Data show that the phospholipase activity, biofilm production, and a reduced antifungal susceptibility profile might favor M. furfur BSI, whereas lipase and hemolytic activities might display a synergic role in skin infection

Part 1: Understanding the role of Malassezia spp. in skin disorders: Malassezia yeasts as commensal or pathogenic organisms of human and animal skin

Introduction: Malassezia spp. are a group of lipid-dependent basidiomycetes yeasts acting as commensal organisms of the human and animal skin. However, under some not well-defined circumstances, these yeasts may switch to opportunistic pathogens triggering a number of skin disorders with different clinical presentations. The genus comprises of 18 lipid-dependent species with a variable distribution in the hosts and pathologies thus suggesting a host- and microbe-specific interactions.Area covered: This review highlighted and discussed the most recent literature regarding the genus Malassezia as a commensal or pathogenic organisms highlighting Malassezia-associated skin disorders in humans and animals and their antifungal susceptibility profile. A literature search of Malassezia associated skin disorders was performed via PubMed and Google scholar (up to May 2023), using the different keywords mainly associated with Malassezia skin disorders and Malassezia antifungal resistance.Expert opinion: Malassezia yeasts are part of the skin mycobiota and their life cycle is strictly associated with the environment in which they live. The biochemical, physiological, or immunological condition of the host skin selects Malassezia spp. or genotypes able to survive in a specific environment by changing their metabolisms, thus producing virulence factors or metabolites which can cause skin disorders with different clinical presentations

Pathomorphology and aerobic bacteria associated with pneumonia in small ruminants slaughtered at the Nsukka abattoir

Pneumonia occurs in all ages of sheep and goats, in all breeds, in every country of the world causing heavy economic losses. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pneumonia and aerobic bacteria flora associated with it in small ruminants slaughtered at the Nsukka abattoir. Pneumonic lung of small ruminants were examined for gross lesions. Lung samples were collected and processed using standard protocols for histopathological and bacteriological examinations. Lung samples from 342 goats and 40 sheep were examined. A total of 116(30.36 %) lungs had various types of pneumonia. Two major types of pneumonia were observed during histopathological examination; bronchopneumonia 64(55.17 %) and interstitial pneumonia 52(44.82 %). Out of the 116 pneumonic lungs collected over a six months period, 98 were caprine lungs and 18 were ovine lungs. Aerobic bacteria isolated from the pneumonic lungs were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mannheimia haemolytica, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Pasteurella multocida respectively. There was no significant seasonal, species and breed associations (p>0.05) between pneumonic lesions observed and the associated aerobic bacteria.Keywords: Small ruminants, Pneumonia, Interstitial pneumonia, Bronchopneumonia, Aerobic bacteria flor

Part 2: Understanding the role of Malassezia spp. in skin disorders: pathogenesis of Malassezia associated skin infections

IntroductionMalassezia is a major component of the skin microbiome, a lipophilic symbiotic organism of the mammalian skin, which can switch to opportunistic pathogens triggering multiple dermatological disorders in humans and animals. This phenomenon is favored by endogenous and exogenous host predisposing factors, which may switch Malassezia from a commensal to a pathogenic phenotype.Area coveredThis review summarizes and discusses the most recent literature on the pathogenesis of Malassezia yeasts, which ultimately results in skin disorders with different clinical presentation. A literature search of Malassezia pathogenesis was performed via PubMed and Google scholar (up to May 2023), using the following keywords: Pathogenesis and Malassezia;host risk factors and Malassezia, Malassezia and skin disorders; Malassezia and virulence factors: Malassezia and metabolite production; Immunology and Malassezia.Expert opinionMalassezia yeasts can maintain skin homeostasis being part of the cutaneous mycobiota; however, when the environmental or host conditions change, these yeasts are endowed with a remarkable plasticity and adaptation by modifying their metabolism and thus contributing to the appearance or aggravation of human and animal skin disorders

A Lethal Case of Disseminated Cladosporium allicinum Infection in a Captive African Bullfrog

Cladosporium infections have a poor prognosis in animals, most likely due to a lack of knowledge about diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we described a case of a lethal Cladosporium allicinum infection in a captive bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) in Europe. One adult male bullfrog was referred with clinical signs of lethargy and a cutaneous nodule. Fungal infection was suspected on cytology and confirmed by histology and cultural isolation. The mold was identified by molecular methods using partial sequencing of the TEF1 gene and the ITS region of rDNA. Climbazole an tifungal treatment was started but the frog died after 30 days, and necropsy was done. Pigmented hyphae and structures consistent with muriform bodies were found on a background of diffuse gran ulomatous inflammation at cytological and histopathological examinations. Fungal culture revealed the presence of pigmented fungi identified as Cladosporium allicinum only by partial sequencing of the TEF1 gene. A focally extensive granuloma with intralesional hyphae and muriform bodies effacing 1 the architecture of head, liver, kidneys, lungs, and large intestine were retrieved after necropsy. This study is the first Italian report of the occurrence of lethal C. allicinum infection in a frog and highlights the role of this Cladosporium sp. in chromoblastomycosi

Important Mycosis of Wildlife: Emphasis on Etiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Pathology—A Review: PART 2

Wild animals are an important component of the ecosystem, and play a major role in it. However, in recent years, there has been an astronomical increase in the incidence of wildlife mycotic diseases leading to wildlife extermination. It is important to note that most of these mycotic diseases are zoonotic, and since there is a lot of attention given to zoonosis of a bacterial or viral origin in recent times, it is important to look into the mycotic diseases which may have zoonotic potential. Previously, the authors expatiated on some major wildlife mycotic diseases. In this review, we shed light on the etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathogenicity, macroscopic and microscopic pathology, and hematological and serum biochemical findings of dermatophytosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, and sporotrichosis, which are very important mycoses of wildlife