Response activity of alveolar macrophages in pulmonary dysfunction caused by Leptospira infection

Leptopspirosis is a syndrome with different clinical manifestations including the most severe and often fatal forms of pulmonary disease of unknown etiology. Pulmonary injury during the inflammatory process has been associated with the excessive number of alveolar macrophages (AMs) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated in the lungs and with the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates and other inflammatory mediators. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the cellular immune response of AMs or inflammatory cells of hamsters during leptospirosis. The activity of AMs was determined by measuring nitric oxide (NO) and protein production as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Pulmonary activity during infection was monitored by measuring pH, pressure of oxygen (PaO2), and pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in blood samples. Cellular immune response and its role in the genesis of leptospirosis have been incriminated as the main causes of tissue and pulmonary injuries, which consequently lead to the pulmonary dysfunction in severe cases of leptospirosis. The present results show a low production of NO in both supernatant of alveolar macrophage culture and BAL. In the latter, protein production was high and constant, especially during acute infection. Total and differential cell count values were 2.5X10(6) on day 4; 7.3X10(6) on day 21; and 2.3X10(6) on day 28 after infection, with lymphocytes (84.04%) predominating over neutrophils (11.88%) and monocytes (4.07%). Arterial blood gas analysis showed pulmonary compromising along with the infectious process, as observed in parameter values (mean±SD) evidenced in the infected versus control group: PaO2 (60.47mmHg±8.7 vs. 90.09mmHg±9.18), PaCO2 (57.01mmHg±7.87 vs. 47.39mmHg±4.5) and pH (7.39±0.03 vs. 6.8±1.3). Results indicated that Leptospira infection in hamsters is a good experimental model to study leptospirosis. However, some of the immune parameters showed variations which might be associated with the animal species.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)São Paulo State University FOA Microbiology LaboratoryFederal University of São Paulo Division of Geriatric and Gerontology Inflammatory Mediators LaboratoryUNESP FOA Department of Clinics, Surgery and Animal ReproductionUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Parasitological and Infectious DiseasesUNIFESP, Division of Geriatric and Gerontology Inflammatory Mediators LaboratoryUNIFESP, Department of Parasitological and Infectious DiseasesSciEL

Glicemia, proteinograma e perfil de alguns componentes bioquímicos séricos de cabras da raça Bôer no pós-parto

The objective was to test the hypothesis that there is variation of some protein components, biochemical and glucose from the blood of goats in the postpartum period. ElevenBôer goats were used to evaluate the serum following variables: total protein (TP), albumin, α-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin, immunoglobulin G (IgG), aspartate (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatinine, urea and glucose. These components were determined in moments zero (immediately after delivery), two, seven, 15, 30 and 75 days postpartum. The β-globulin, IgG, creatinine and urea from the goats did not show significant variations, the blood glucose at time zero was greater than the baseline values due to physiological stimulation of glycogenesis determined by the increase of cortisol in delivery. The blood constituents of goats showed variations in the period to 75 days postpartum as a result physiological causes related to delivery and postpartum.Objetivou-se testar a hipótese de que ocorre variação de alguns componentes proteicos, bioquímicos e glicêmicos do sangue de cabras no período pós-parto. Utilizaram-se 11 cabras para avaliar as seguintes variáveis séricas: proteína total (PT), albumina, α-globulina, β-globulina, γ-globulina, imunoglobulina G (IgG), aspartatoaminotransferase (AST), fosfatase alcalina (FA), gamaglutamiltransferase (GGT), creatinina,ureia e glicemia. Esses componentes foram determinados nos momentos zero (imediatamente após o parto), dois, sete, 15, 30 e 75 dias pós-parto. A β-globulina, IgG, creatinina e uréia das cabras não apresentaram variações significativas; a glicemia no momento zero foi maior que os valores basais fisiológicos devido ao estímulo da glicogênese determinado pelo aumento de cortisol no parto. Os constituintes sanguíneos das cabras evidenciaram variações no período até 75 dias pós-parto em consequência de causas fisiológicas ligadas ao parto e puerpério

Proteinograma sérico de bezerros recém-nascidos alimentados com colostro de vacas com mastite

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum protein concentration in newborns fed with colostrum derived from healthy cows (n = 10), cows with subclinical mastitis (n = 10) and cows with clinical mastitis (n = 10). 30 Holstein cows were assigned to their respective groups according to macroscopic examination of colostral secretion, somatic cell count, CMT and presence of bacteria in colostrum samples. Blood samples of the calves were collected immediately after birth, at 24 and 48 hours after ingestion of colostrum. The total protein was measured by the biuret method and the concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), transferrin, albumin and haptoglobin was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). No differences were observed amongst groups in the concentrations of albumin, total protein and IgA. In animals from cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis haptoglobin concentrations were higher than those of healthy animals. The concentrations of IgG and transferrin were significantly lower in calves from cows with mastitis. We concluded that the ingestion of colostrum from infected and uninfected glands from cows with mastitis (GII e GIII) is unlikely to be an important contributor to the high rate of failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulins in calves.O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de avaliar o proteinograma sérico de bezerros alimentados com colostro oriundo de vacas sadias (n = 10), com mastite assintomática (n = 10 ) e mastite clínica (n =10 ). As vacas foram alocadas em seus respectivos grupos de acordo com o exame macroscópico da secreção colostral, contagem de células somáticas, CMT e isolamento microbiano. As amostras de sangue dos conceptos foram colhidas logo após o nascimento, 24 e 48 horas após a ingestão do colostro dos quartos infectados e dos sadios. Foi avaliada a concentração de proteína total pelo método do biureto e as concentrações de imunoglobulina A (IgA), imunoglobulina G (IgG), transferrina, albumina e haptoglobina por meio da eletrofoerese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE). Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos nas concentrações de albumina, proteína total e IgA. Os bezerros alimentados com colostro de vacas com mastite assintomática e clínica apresentaram teores de haptoglobina superiores aos animais sadios. As concentrações de IgG e transferrina foram significativamente inferiores nos bezerros tratados com colostro de vacas com mastite clínica. Concluiu-se que a ingestão de colostro de quartos sadios e infectados de vacas que pariram com mastite (GII e GIII) não resulta em falha de transferência da imunidade passiva

Aspectos clínico-laboratorias e inflamatórios da injeção intraperitoneal de lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) em equinos: efeitos da lidocaína

A endotoxemia é a maior causa de mortalidade em eqüinos. O desencadeamento da endotoxemia clínica nos eqüinos é freqüente em decorrência da elevada sensibilidade desta espécie aos lipopolissacarídeos (LPS) da membrana externa de bactérias Gram-negativas liberados para a circulação durante o processo de choque séptico. Em resposta a esta agressão, o organismo libera substâncias pró-inflamatórias, as citocinas, na corrente circulatória. Dentre estas, o fator de necrose tumoral (TNF) tem sido implicado como a principal citocina no desencadeamento do quadro endotoxêmico dos eqüinos, sendo encontrados níveis elevados desta citocina, tanto séricos como peritoneais, em eqüinos com cólica. Os anestésicos locais, com o grupamento amídico em sua estrutura molecular, têm exibido ação inibitória sobre a resposta inflamatória por bloqueio da resposta funcional da atividade dos polimorfonucleares na liberação das citocinas. A lidocaína tem sido utilizada com sucesso, como anestésico local, na prevenção da vasoconstrição mesentérica durante o choque endotóxico em cães, assegurando proteção a esta agressão e demonstrando ser efetiva no tratamento de processos inflamatórios localizados no intestino delgado quando aplicada topicamente na serosa, ou na forma de bolus seguida de infusão contínua para o tratamento do ileus adinâmico. O principal objetivo deste ensaio foi estudar os efeitos da infusão contínua de lidocaína, sobre a resposta clínica, laboratorial e na resposta inflamatória, avaliados através da produção do TNF alfa, antes e após a injeção intraperitoneal de LPS em eqüinos, e avaliar a segurança desta dose de lidocaína neste modelo experimental. Com base nos achados clínicos e laboratoriais deste estudo, concluiu-se que a utilização da lidocaína após a administração do LPS foi mais efetiva na inibição da produção...Endotoxemia is the major cause of mortality in horses. The onset of signs of endotoxemia in horses occurs frequently due to their sensitivity to the release of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the outer membranes of gram negative bacteria during the septic shock. In response, the host releases proinflammatory cytokines into the bloodstream. Tumor necrosis factor-a is an important cytokine released during the onset of endotoxemia and increased levels of TNF can be found in peritoneal fluid as in serum of colicky horses. Amide local anaesthetics have shown to inhibit polymorphonuclear release of cytokines. Lidocaine has also been shown to be an effective method for treating small intestine inflammatory conditions when injected as an intravenous bolus followed by continuous infusion or acting as a prokinetic drug during postoperative ileus. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of lidocaine continuous infusion on clinical, laboratory responses and inflammatory response, in terms of TNF-alpha activity, before and after intraperitoneal injection of lypopolisaccharides in horses. Based on the clinical and laboratory findings in this study, we concluded that lidocaine administered after LPS was more effective in inhibiting TNF-alpha activity, although it was not able to avoid the increasing of inflammatory cells in the peritoneal fluid

Eritrograma e medição dos eritrócitos de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) em São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brasil

Ostriches' erythrocytic parameters help on the diagnosis of specific pathologies and serve as basic knowledge for studies in comparative avian pathology. To obtain reference values of erythrocyte indices for ostriches (Struthio camelus) raised in a commercial system in Brazil and verify if there are differences between gender and age groups, 240 healthy from both sexes animals were bled. Heparinized blood samples were analyzed using standard techniques to determine the red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values, besides the red cell morphometry analysis using a computer software that calculates the greater and the smaller diameters of the erythrocytes. Prior to data analysis, ostriches were divided into three different age groups: from four to 13 months, from 13 to 23 months and from 23 to 30 months the. Younger ostriches presented lower erythrocyte indices than the older ones. The age group effect was only significant in females for the erythrocyte, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC variables. The female ostriches presented PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC values significantly higher than males in some age groups. It was observed that the erythrocytes of the female ostriches are more elongated and larger than males. It was concluded that erythrocytic parameters of ostriches in São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brazil are influenced by gender and age, highlighting the importance of consider besides these factors also the geoclimatic conditions to an adequate interpretation of the erythrogram.Os parâmetros eritrocitários de avestruzes auxiliam no diagnóstico de afecções específicas, além de servir como conhecimento básico no estudo de patologia comparativa das aves. Para obtenção de valores de referência dos índices eritrocitários de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) criados em um sistema comercial no Brasil e verificar se existem diferenças relativas ao sexo e faixas etárias, foram colhidas amostras sanguíneas de 240 animais saudáveis e de ambos os sexos. Amostras sanguíneas heparinizadas foram analisadas utilizando técnicas-padrão para determinar a contagem de eritrócitos, concentração de hemoglobina, hematócrito, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM) além da análise morfométrica dos eritrócitos utilizando um programa de computador que calcula os diâmetros maior e menor dos eritrócitos. Para a análise dos dados os avestruzes foram divididos em três diferentes faixas etárias: de quatro a 13 meses; de 13 a 23 meses e de 23 a 30 meses. De modo geral, avestruzes jovens apresentaram índices eritrocitários inferiores aos dos animais mais velhos. Diferenças relativas à idade só foram significativamente relevantes em fêmeas para os valores de eritrócitos, hemoglobina, VCM, HCM e CHCM. As avestruzes fêmeas apresentaram valores de hematócrito, VCM, HCM e CHCM significantemente maiores que os machos em algumas faixas etárias. Os eritrócitos de avestruzes fêmeas são mais compridos e largos do que os de machos. Pode-se concluir que os parâmetros eritrocitários de avestruzes em São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brasil estão sob influência do sexo e da idade, ressaltando a importância de considerar além desses fatores, também as condições geoclimáticas para uma interpretação adequada do eritrograma

IL-6 and TNF-alpha production during active canine visceral leishmaniasis

We investigated the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) during canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) to gain a better understanding of the role of such multi-functional cytokines in parasite resistance. IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were measured by capture ELISA in sera from 8 healthy dogs from a non-endemic area (control group) and in sera from 16 dogs from Aracatuba, SP, Brazil, an area endemic for leishmaniosis. The dogs from the endemic area were selected by positive ELISA serology against total Leishmania chagasi antigen, positive spleen imprints for Leishmania, and the presence of at least three clinical signs associated with active visceral leishmaniasis (fever, dermatitis, lymphoadenopathy, onychogryphosis, weight loss, cachexia, locomotory difficulty, conjunctivitis, epistaxis, hepatosplenomegaly, edema, and apathy).Enhanced systemic IL-6 production was found in sera from dogs with the active disease compared to healthy dogs (t-test, P < 0.05). In contrast, TNF-alpha did not differ between the two groups studied. There was no correlation between IL-6 production and anti-leishmanial antibody titers in the sera. Our findings suggest that IL-6 is a good marker of active disease during leishmaniasis, and that other cytokines may be involved in the hypergammaglobulinemia characteristic of canine visceral leishmaniasis. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V

Fisiologia da termorregulação e estresse térmico em ovinos lanados

The introduction of wool sheep in warm temperature regions of Brazil has also raised concerns regarding the warm stress and its consequent decrease in animal production. The understanding of the physiology of thermal balance in sheep, as well as the consequences of this phenomenon, should be studied in order to improve animal thermal comfort in association with the production and reproduction indices of these animals. The majority of available research findings related to thermal balance in sheep is derived from countries with temperate climates and therefore might be different from those performed in our climate conditions. This essay presents a literature review that intends to discuss this theme.O ingresso dos ovinos lanados em regiões quentes do Brasil trouxe também a preocupação com o estresse calórico e consequente queda na produção animal. A compreensão da fisiologia do equilíbro térmico ovino, assim como as consequências desse fenômeno, devem ser estudadas a fim de promover um conforto térmico associado aos índices de produção e reprodução destes animais. Os casos estudados sobre o assunto são em sua maioria oriundos de países com clima temperado e, por isso, os resultados podem ou não apresentar semelhança. Esta revisão de literatura apresenta e discute o tema

Cytokine and antibody production during murine leptospirosis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the kinetics of humoral and cellular responses during leptospirosis. We observed that the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was associated with antibody production and bacterial recovery, and the compromising of both TNF-α and IL-6 in the immunopathogenesis of leptospirosis during an experimental infection of BALB/c mice inoculated with Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola was verified. Results showed higher levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the initial phase of infection, in which the greatest bacterial clearance was observed. However, when the bacterial recovery was compared with the kinetics of the production of antibodies, the results revealed a kinetics proportionally inverted to antibody production. This fact may be related to some inhibitory factor which could be responsible for the selective suppression of the cellular immune response. We concluded that during leptospirosis there was a greater mobilization of the cellular immune response activity, mainly in the initial phase of the infectious process, for posterior involvement of the humoral response, and that both TNF-α and IL-6 could be associated with the immunopathogenesis of the disease