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Palmer JPS, Gazêta GS, André MR, Fialho PA, Corrêa LL, Damasceno JAL, Israel CB, Pereira RR, da Silva Barbosa A. Piroplasmid Infections Among Domestic Dogs in the Mountain City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1172-1191. [PMID: 38602588 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00843-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to analyze the frequency of the piroplasmids in blood from dogs and ticks recovered from these animals in Teresópolis city, located in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. In addition to the clinical and hematological profile. METHODS A total of 400 dogs attended in a veterinary clinic in this city between 2020 and 2021 were included. The blood was collected from the dogs, along with ticks and information on these dogs was obtained through a questionnaire applied to the owners. Thin-smear analyses and complete blood counts were performed. All forms characteristic of piroplasmids were measured and classified morphologically. The blood was also subjected to PCR assays based on the genes 18S rRNA and hsp70. In addition, the ixodid ticks were classified morphologically and subjected to PCR for piroplasmids research. The amplified products were sent for gene sequencing. RESULTS Piroplasmids were detected in 2.3% of the dogs. The variables statistically associated with infections in these animals were hemorrhage/bleeding, jaundice, anisocytosis, activated monocytes and macroplatelets (p ≤ 0.05). Piriform, ring-shaped, oval and aberrant structures were viewed in erythrocytes, neutrophils and monocytes, with lengths greater than and less than 2.5 µm. The nine positive samples from these dogs were characterized as due to Rangelia vitalii. However, one sequence from B. vogeli was detected in a single adult specimen of R. sanguineus. CONCLUSION Although circulation of two species of piroplasmids potentially infective for domestic dogs has been observed in the mountain city of Rio de Janeiro, infection due to R. vitalii was mostly seen in the dogs of the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedro Siqueira Palmer
- Parasite Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24210-130, Brazil
- National Reference Laboratory on Vectors of Rickettsioses, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foudation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Salles Gazêta
- National Reference Laboratory on Vectors of Rickettsioses, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foudation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Priscila Alves Fialho
- Parasite Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24210-130, Brazil
| | - Laís Lisboa Corrêa
- Parasite Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24210-130, Brazil
| | | | - Carolina Bistritschan Israel
- Clinic School of Veterinary Medicine Luiz Cataldi de Souza, Serra Dos Órgãos University Center, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, 25976-345, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rempto Pereira
- Clinic School of Veterinary Medicine Luiz Cataldi de Souza, Serra Dos Órgãos University Center, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, 25976-345, Brazil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Parasite Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24210-130, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil.
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França RT, Pillat MM, da Silva CB, Schafer AS, Dornelles GL, Costa MM, Chaves RO, de Andrade CM, Erhardt MM, Antoziazzi AQ, Ulrich H, da Silva AS, Lopes STDA. Surface immunoglobulins of erythrocytes and platelets in dogs naturally infected by Rangelia vitalii. Microb Pathog 2018; 121:245-251. [PMID: 29800698 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Rangelia vitalii is a protozoan of the Babesiidae family that parasitizes domestic and wild dogs in South American countries. The main laboratory findings in blood samples from animals infected by R. vitalii are anemia and thrombocytopenia. The aim of this study was to detect IgM and IgG immunoglobulins on the surface of red blood cells and platelets, as well as to determine the percentage of reticulated platelets and reticulocytes in dogs naturally infected by R. vitalii. Blood samples from twenty dogs seen at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) were divided into two groups: the diseased group consisted of blood samples from 10 animals with the diagnosis of rangeliosis, and the healthy group (control) consisted of samples from 10 healthy animals. All diseased dogs showed normocytic normochromic anemia but showed no differences (p > 0.05) in reticulocyte counts compared to healthy dogs. Moreover, IgM and IgG immunoglobulins were detected on the surface of the plasma membrane of red blood cells from both groups, but the amounts did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Thrombocytopenia in infected animals was classified as severe. The percentage of reticulated platelets was higher (p < 0.001) in diseased dogs than in healthy animals. Diseased animals showed more IgM immunoglobulins bound to the surface of platelets than did the healthy group (p < 0.001). However, the amount of IgG bound to the surface of platelets was not different between groups. In conclusion, we showed that R. vitalii caused immune-mediated thrombocytopenia since IgM immunoglobulins were found on the surface of platelets of diseased dogs. We suggest that the binding of immunoglobulins on platelet surfaces contributes to early destruction of these cells and, consequently, alterations in hemostasis. An increase in reticulated platelets was noted in response to thrombocytopenia, indicating active thrombopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Micheli Mainardi Pillat
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Márcio Machado Costa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Baldissera MD, Souza CF, Verdi CM, Vizzotto BS, Santos RCV, Baldisserotto B. Aeromonas caviae alters the activities of ecto-enzymes that hydrolyze adenine nucleotides in fish thrombocytes. Microb Pathog 2017; 115:64-67. [PMID: 29253595 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
It is recognized that the purinergic system, through the activities of ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase), ecto-5'-nucleotidase (E-5'-nucleotidase), and ecto-adenosine deaminase (E-ADA), is involved in the regulation and modulation of the physiological and pathological events linked to hemostasis. This occurs due to the role of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in the activation and recruitment of platelets, and the role of adenosine (Ado) in the inhibition of platelet activation. Thus, here we aimed to evaluate whether Aeromonas caviae infection impairs the ecto-enzymes of the purinergic system in fish thrombocytes and the involvement of this system in the hemorrhagic septicemia. The total number of fish thrombocytes decreased in infected animals compared to uninfected animals. Regarding the ecto-enzymes of the purinergic system, the E-NTPDase and E-5'-nucleotidase activities increased in infected animals compared to uninfected animals, while the E-ADA activity decreased. These findings show that adenine nucleotide hydrolysis is modified in the thrombocytes of fish experimentally infected with A. caviae, which impairs the coagulation process due the excessive hydrolysis of ADP, a molecule linked with activation and recruitment of thrombocytes at the site of vascular injury, and augmentation on Ado levels, a molecule linked with inhibitory effects on platelet activation and aggregation. In summary, the purinergic system might contribute to the occurrence of hemorrhagic frames in fish infected with A. caviae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus D Baldissera
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
| | - Carine F Souza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Camila M Verdi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruno S Vizzotto
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Roberto C V Santos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Bernardo Baldisserotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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Lemos TD, Toma HK, Assad RQ, Silva AVD, Corrêa RGB, Almosny NRP. Clinical and hematological evaluation of Rangelia vitalii-naturally infected dogs in southeastern Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2017; 26:307-313. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612017040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Rangelia vitalii, a tick-borne piroplasm that infects dogs, has been recently molecularly characterized in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Studies on molecular characterization of these piroplasms in different Brazilian regions are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and hematological changes in dogs caused by R. vitalii in the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Blood samples from 36 dogs were evaluated for piroplasms and hematological disorders using light microscopy and molecular analysis. Blood samples from all the animals included in this study were confirmed to be positive for R. vitalii through genetic sequencing. Clinical signspresented by 24 of the 36 dogs of the study were evaluated during appointments or hospitalization within private practice. The most frequent clinical disorders in these dogs that were naturally infected with R. vitalii were fever, spontaneous cutaneous bleeding and diarrhea. Normochromic non-regenerative anemia and thrombocytopenia were the most common hematological disorders in these R. vitalii-positive dogs and therefore should be considered in hematological evaluations on suspected cases.
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do Carmo GM, Doleski PH, de Sá MF, Grando TH, Bottari NB, Leal DBR, Gressler LT, Mendes RE, Stefani LM, Monteiro SG, Da Silva AS. Purinergic ecto-enzymes participate in the thromboregulation in acute in mice infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Cell Biochem 2017; 432:1-6. [PMID: 28285362 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-017-2992-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Coagulation disorders have been described in Chagas disease with thrombocytopenia as an important event. Several mechanisms may be related to this pathogenesis, such as enzymes of the purinergic system, purine, and receptors involved in the regulation and modulation of physiological events related to hemostasis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the activities of E-NTPDase, E-5'nucleotidase, and ecto-adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) in platelets of mice experimentally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. Twelve female mice were used, divided into two groups (n = 6): uninfected and infected. Mice of infected group were intraperitoneally inoculated with 104 trypomastigotes of T. cruzi (strain Y). On day 12 post-infection (PI), blood samples were collected for quantitation and separation of platelets. A significant reduction in the number of platelets of infected mice (P < 0.05) was observed. The activities of E-NTPDase (ATP and ADP substrates), E-5'nucleotidase, and E-ADA in platelets increased significantly (P < 0.05) in mice infected by T. cruzi compared with uninfected animals. A negative correlation (P < 0.01)was observed between the number of platelets and ATP hydrolysis (r = -0.64), and ADP hydrolysis (r = -0.69) by E-NTPDase. Therefore, there is a response from the purinergic system activating ecto-enzymes in platelets of mice T. cruzi infected, as a compensatory effect of thrombocytopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme M do Carmo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Doleski
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariângela F de Sá
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Thirssa H Grando
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Nathieli B Bottari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Daniela B R Leal
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas T Gressler
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Ricardo E Mendes
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, Brazil
| | - Lenita M Stefani
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Chapecó, Brazil
| | - Silvia G Monteiro
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Aleksandro S Da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil. .,Department of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Chapecó, Brazil.
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Fracasso M, Da Silva AS, Baldissera MD, Bottari NB, Gabriel ME, Piva MM, Stedille FA, Christ R, Rhoden LA, Henker LC, Moresch VM, Schetinger MRC, Mendes RE. Activities of ectonucleotidases and adenosine deaminase in platelets of cattle experimentally infected by Fasciola hepatica. Exp Parasitol 2017; 176:16-20. [PMID: 28242355 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The enzymatic activities of NTPDase, 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) are important in regulating the concentration of adenine nucleotides, molecules known to be involved on platelet aggregation. Fasciolosis causes coagulation disorders that have not been completely elucidated. Taking into consideration the association between the purinergic system and hemostasis, this study aimed to evaluate the enzymatic activities of NTPDase (hydrolyze ATP and ADP), 5'-nucleotidase (hydrolyze AMP) and ADA (deamination of adenosine) in platelets from cattle experimentally infected by Fasciola hepatica on days 20, 40, 60 and 80 post-infection (PI). For this study, 10 healthy Friesian steers were separated into two groups: the group A (n = 5) was used as uninfected control, and the group B was composed of steers experimentally infected by F. hepatica (n = 5). The number of platelets did not differ between groups in the periods evaluated. Reduction of NTPDase (p < 0.05) hydrolysing ATP (days 20, 40 and 60 PI), and ADP (days 40, 60 and 80 PI), and on 5'-nucleotidase hydrolyzing AMP (days 40 and 60 PI) was observed. A reduction (p < 0.05) in ADA activity on day 20 PI, as well as an increase (p < 0.05) in ADA activity on days 40 and 60 PI was observed when compared to the control. Based on these results, we can conclude that ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis and adenosine deamination were altered in platelets of cattle infected by F. hepatica. Considering the importance of the purinergic system in hemostasis, it is believed that those changes may contribute to the coagulation impairment observed in acute fasciolosis described in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Fracasso
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Aleksandro S Da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Department of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brazil.
| | - Matheus D Baldissera
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Nathieli B Bottari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Mateus E Gabriel
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, SC, Brazil
| | - Manoela M Piva
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, SC, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Stedille
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, SC, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Christ
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, SC, Brazil
| | - Leandro A Rhoden
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, SC, Brazil
| | - Luan C Henker
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, SC, Brazil
| | - Vera M Moresch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Rosa C Schetinger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Ricardo E Mendes
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Concórdia, SC, Brazil.
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Eiras DF, Craviotto MB, Baneth G, Moré G. First report of Rangelia vitalii infection (canine rangeliosis) in Argentina. Parasitol Int 2014; 63:729-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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França RT, Da Silva AS, Loretti AP, Mazzanti CM, Lopes ST. Canine rangeliosis due to Rangelia vitalii: From first report in Brazil in 1910 to current day – A review. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:466-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2013] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Da Silva AS, França RT, Costa MM, Paim FC, Pimentel VC, Schmatz R, Jaques JA, Schetinger MRC, Mazzanti CM, Tonin AA, Monteiro SG, Lopes STA. Adenosine levels in serum and adenosine deaminase activity in blood cells of dogs infected by Rangelia vitalii. J Parasitol 2013; 99:1125-8. [PMID: 23777319 DOI: 10.1645/13-176.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecto-adenosinedeaminase (E-ADA) plays an important role in the production and differentiation of blood cells as well as in the control of extracellular adenosine levels. Infectious diseases can influence the synthesis of new cells or cause cell destruction, as occurs in canine rangeliosis, which results in anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and/or leukopenia. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate E-ADA activity in sera, erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and adenosine levels in sera samples of dogs infected by Rangelia vitalii. Twelve animals were divided into 2 groups: noninfected (n = 5) and infected by R. vitalii (n = 7). Animals were infected with 2 ml of blood containing the parasite, and parasitemia was estimated daily for 20 days by microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears. Blood collection was performed on days 0, 10, and 20 post-infection (PI) in order to evaluate the evolution of the disease. The blood collected was used to assess the activity of E-ADA. We observed an increase of E-ADA activity in sera (day 20 PI) and erythrocytes (days 10 and 20 PI) in the infected group (P < 0.05). E-ADA activity in lymphocytes was decreased on day 10, when the parasitemia was high, and increased after 20 days, when the number of circulating parasites was low. HPLC measured adenosine levels in the serum and found a reduction on days 10 and 20 PI. In conclusion, our results showed that E-ADA activity was altered in sera, lymphocytes, and erythrocytes of dogs experimentally infected by R. vitalii as well as the serum concentration of adenosine. These alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of anemia and immune response in infected dogs.
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Paim FC, Da Silva AS, Paim CBV, França RT, Costa MM, Duarte MMMF, Sangoi MB, Moresco RN, Monteiro SG, Lopes STA. Increased cytokine and nitric oxide levels in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2013; 51:133-7. [PMID: 23467990 PMCID: PMC3587743 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.1.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Revised: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and NOx. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and NOx was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of NOx were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine C Paim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Analysis-LACVet, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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