RENAL HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS

Visceral leishmaniasis affects various organs including the kidneys; which can lead to renal failure and death. In order to verify this renal involvement, material was evaluated from 100 dogs naturally infected and with serological diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Inflammatory changes were present in 25.3% of the tubules, in 67.0% of interstitium and in 52.0% of glomeruli. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the presence of glomerulonephritis in symptomatic and oligosymptomatic dogs. The membranous and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis were the most frequent, both with 18.0% frequency, followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with 14.0%. Changes such as cylindruria, tubular and fibrosis hypertrophy, periglomerular inflammatory infiltrate, and multifocal and diffuse peritubular inflammatory infiltrate were observed. The findings are consistent with those of other authors indicating that renal involvement is common in CVL and the standards of membranous and membranoploriferative glomerulonephritis, as well as the tubulointerstitial involvement, are frequent.

Profile and geographic distribution of reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 2002 to 2009

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to describe the profile and geographic distribution of reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the City of Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, from 2002 to 2009. METHODS: Human data were collected from the Brazilian National Information System for Notifiable Diseases. Canine cases and entomological data were obtained from the Information Service for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis Control/Campo Grande, MS. RESULTS: A total of 951 records from 2002 to 2009 were investigated. The number of reported cases of VL in males was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that in females. The higher frequency observed among males was associated with age (p < 0.0001), which increased in individuals aged 40 years and older. The overall fatality rate was 7.4%. Entomological surveys conducted in 2006, 2007, and 2009 showed the insect vector Lutzomyia longipalpis to be present in all urban regions of the county. CONCLUSIONS: VL cases in humans and dogs, as well as in vectors, occurs in all urban regions of Campo Grande. Despite not observing tendencies of increase or reduction in the incidence of the disease due to aging, the major incidence in men is higher in those aged 40 years or above.

Study of the proteins in the defatted flour and protein concentrate of baru nuts (Dipteryx alata Vog)

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) is an abundant legume in the Brazilian Savanna. Its nuts can be exploited sustainably using its protein and lipid fractions. This study aimed to analyze the proteins of the nuts present in the defatted flour and protein concentrate in terms of their functional properties, the profile of their fractions, and the in vitro digestibility. The flour was defatted with hexane and extracted at the pH of higher protein solubility to obtain the protein concentrate. The electrophoretic profile of the protein fractions was evaluated in SDS-PAGE gel. The functional properties of the proteins indicate the possibility of their use in various foods, like soybeans providing water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, emulsifying properties, and foamability. Globulins, followed by the albumins, are the major fractions of the flour and protein concentrate, respectively. Digestibility was greater for the concentrate than for the defatted flour.

Thermal properties of defatted meal, concentrate, and protein isolate of baru nuts (Dipteryx alata Vog.)

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.), a species of legume found in the Brazilian savannas, was investigated in this study for the composition of its flesh and seed. Thermal analyses, Thermogravimetry (TG), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the proteins in defatted meal, concentrate, and protein isolate. The protein concentrate was extracted at pH 10, followed by a precipitation at the isoelectric point to obtain the isolate that was spray dried. The thermogravimetric curves were obtained under a nitrogen atmosphere with a 100 mL/minutes flow. The initial, final and peak temperatures and mass loss were analyzed. Within the performed temperature ranges studied, the defatted meal and concentrate presented four steps of mass loss, while the isolate showed only two steps. The protein content of defatted meal from Baru nuts was higher than that of the isolate. On the other hand, there was a reduction in enthalpy, which suggests that the process applied to obtain the baru concentrate and isolate led to protein denaturation.

Resistência anti-helmíntica de nematóides gastrintestinais em ovinos, Mato Grosso do Sul

Entre os métodos de controle da verminose gastrintestinal em ovinos, a utilização de produtos químicos é o mais empregado. Porém, o uso indiscriminado e continuado desses produtos tem selecionado populações de helmintos resistentes aos anti-helmínticos, fenômeno relatado no mundo todo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar as espécies de parasitos gastrintestinais e diagnosticar a situação da resistência anti-helmíntica em ovinos no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Foram realizados testes de redução na contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) em rebanhos de dezesseis propriedades rurais; as sete formulações utilizadas continham as seguintes bases farmacológicas: Albendazol, Ivermectina, Levamisole, Triclorfon, Moxidectina, Closantel e uma contendo as três primeiras associadas. As espécies identificadas nas necropsias, em ovinos adultos, foram: Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Cooperia curticei, C. punctata, C. pectinata e Oesophagostomum columbianum; em ordem de prevalência. As formulações contendo Albendazol e Ivermectina não apresentaram eficácia na redução de OPG nos rebanhos testados, com médias de redução de 0,7 e -19,6%, respectivamente. Closantel apresentou eficácia média de 6,7%; Levamisole, Moxidectina e Triclorfon de 28,7, 26,8 e 65%, respectivamente; a associação das três bases (Albendazol, Ivermectina e Levamisole), uma média de eficácia de 55,8%. As percentagens médias de larvas infectantes recuperadas nas coproculturas, tanto no pré como no pós-tratamento, foram semelhantes; indicando que a resistência às bases testadas está presente em todas as espécies citadas, em maior ou menor intensidade. Os dois gêneros predominantemente resistentes são Haemonchus sp., com 86,9%; seguido por Trichostrongylus sp., com média de 47,5%; Strongyloides sp. 33,6%; Oesophagostomum, sp. 21,4% e Cooperia sp. 19,7%.

[Characterization of tuberculosis among HIV/AIDS patients at a referral center in Mato Grosso do Sul]

Tuberculosis was investigated regarding its clinical presentation, treatment outcome and sociodemographic profile among HIV patients attended at a referral center in Mato Grosso do Sul, in 2003-2005. Sixty-six medical files on patients over 14 years of age and data from the Brazilian National Information System for Notifiable Diseases relating to tuberculosis and from the Mortality Information System were analyzed. Most of the patients were male, white, of low schooling level and from urban areas. Increased extrapulmonary clinical presentation was found and it correlated with the degree of immunological competence. The main reasons for ceasing treatment were cure (reached after longer-than-expected follow-up) and death (of six patients at the beginning of the tuberculosis treatment). Information gaps were found in the tuberculosis notification records and medical files. The study revealed the need for early diagnosis of tuberculosis among HIV-positive patients, improvements in medical records and follow-up beyond the recommended duration, because of changes to the clinical evolution of tuberculosis in cases of comorbidity with HIV.

Mortalidade infantil e evitabilidade em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, 2000 a 2002

Este estudo retrospectivo caracteriza o perfil epidemiológico da mortalidade infantil em 16 municípios sul-mato-grossenses em 2000-2002 e avalia seu grau de evitabilidade, utilizando a Classificação Internacional de Doenças, 10ª Revisão (CID-10) e a Lista de Causas de Morte Evitáveis por Intervenções no Âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil. Dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) revelaram óbitos por causas perinatais em 54,3% dos 1.537 casos; anomalias congênitas em 14,9%; doenças infecciosas e parasitárias em 9,4% e doenças do aparelho respiratório em 7%. As mortes evitáveis e reduzíveis perfizeram 73,1%, na maior parte (69,5%) decorrendo de inadequada atenção à mulher na gestação e parto e ao recém-nascido. Outras causas relacionaram-se à imunoprevenção (0,7%), ações de diagnóstico e tratamento (10,4%) e promoção à saúde (11,2%). As mortes por causas não claramente evitáveis totalizaram 24,3%. Os resultados reforçam a relevância da monitorização de agravos materno-infantis para redução da mortalidade infantil, principalmente em menores de sete dias.

Efeito booster na prova tuberculínica em um hospital universitário de Mato Grosso do Sul

A triagem tuberculínica tem por objetivo realizar o rastreio da infecção tuberculosa. Uma retestagem em uma a três semanas tem sido recomendada quando a prova tuberculínica for < 10 mm na 1ª dose para averiguar a ocorrência do efeito booster. Quando a prova tuberculínica for < 10 mm na 1ª dose e, uma a três semanas depois, na 2ª dose, ocorrer uma enduração > 10 mm com aumento de pelo menos 6 mm em relação à primeira dose, tem-se, então, o efeito booster. Este estudo teve como sujeitos os profissionais de saúde de um hospital universitário e foi realizado na cidade de Campo Grande-MS com o objetivo de estimar a taxa de efeito booster. Dentre os 194 participantes, 65 (33,5%) foram reatores fortes ao PPD na primeira testagem e 129 foram reatores fracos ou não-reatores. Estes foram submetidos a uma segunda testagem, na qual, em 10 (7,8%) observou-se o efeito booster. A prevalência da infecção tuberculosa, avaliada em dois tempos, foi de 38,7%. Conclui-se que identificar o efeito booster na triagem tuberculínica é importante sob pena de obter-se taxas subestimadas de infecção tuberculosa. Útil também no acompanhamento da infecção recente e na avaliação segura da viragem tuberculínica, reduzindo a probabilidade de falsos negativos, que de outra forma seriam erroneamente interpretados como profissionais recém-infectados.

Identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from the Central Public Health Laboratory from Mato Grosso do Sul and analysis of clinical relevance

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated at the Central Public Health Laboratory from Mato Grosso do Sul in 2003 and 2004 were identified by conventional phenotypic methods (TI) and by PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis (PRA) using the hsp65 gene as target (PRA-hsp65). With 15 of the 32 analysed isolates, results of both methods were concordant, being 8 Mycobacterium avium, 3 M. fortutium, 1 M. kansasii, 1 M. flavescens, 1 M. peregrinum and 1 Nocardia brasiliensis. TI of 12 isolates was inconclusive. Novel PRA-hsp65 patterns were observed with 11 isolates. Medical data were evaluated for inference of clinical relevance of these isolates.

Comportamento de Lutzomyia longipalpis, vetor principal da leishmaniose visceral americana, em Campo Grande, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul

O município de Campo Grande, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, apresenta ocorrência de casos humanos e caninos de leishmaniose visceral desde 2002 e é classificado como área com transmissão intensa. O estudo foi realizado no período de maio de 2003 a abril de 2005, em parceria com a Fundação Nacional de Saúde e a Secretaria de Saúde do Estado, com o objetivo de conhecer o comportamento e a sazonalidade da espécie Lutzomyia longipalpis. As capturas foram realizadas com armadilhas luminosas, tipo CDC, em doze estações distribuídas na zona urbana. As estações com maior densidade situam-se na parte sul da cidade e a abundância relativa aumentou durante, ou logo após, as precipitações pluviométricas. Nos meses frios e secos a quantidade foi reduzida e a abundância relativa foi maior no peridomicílio. A borrifação com alphacypermetrina, em intervalos de quatro meses, contribuiu para a diminuição do vetor em três das quatro estações borrifadas e, das oito que não sofreram intervenção química, cinco tiveram aumento.

The effect of the control of endo- and ectoparasites on weight gains in crossbred cattle (Bos taurus taurus × Bos taurus indicus) in the central region of Brazil

Endo- and ectoparasite infections are among the most important causes of disease and production losses in beef cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. Nevertheless, most treatments are given without epidemiological information and without evaluating their effect on the development of the animals. In this work we present the results of a study of the effect of treatments against endo- and ectoparasites in crossbred steers, during three cycles of field trials in the Brazilian Cerrado region. Three anthelmintic treatments during the winter and three acaricidal treatments during the spring/summer provided significant additional weight gain in three and two experimental trials, respectively. In the trials, steers treated for gastrointestinal nematodes gained a mean of 33 kg more and those treated for ectoparasites had additional mean weight gains of 13 kg compared with non-treated steers.

[Rabies virus antibody titers in dogs in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, during the anti-rabies campaign, 2003]

To assess the immune response in dogs attended during the 2003 anti-rabies animal vaccination campaign, 333 serum samples collected at different vaccination posts were analyzed. It was found that 51.1% of the animals did not have protective titers. No correlation was found between vaccine application or multiple vaccinations and higher immune titers.

Análise da profilaxia da raiva humana em Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, em 2002

A instituição de um tratamento adequado, a rapidez na observação do animal e no repasse de informações dão qualidade à vigilância epidemiológica em caso de agressão animal. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar a vigilância da raiva e a utilização de um sistema informatizado nesse processo. Foram avaliados 4.168 acidentes com animais. As lesões foram consideradas graves em 65,9% das agressões. Os cães foram responsáveis por 87,6% destas, os gatos por 10,5% e os morcegos por 0,6%. Foram analisados dois locais de registro dos tratamentos. De acordo com a ficha anti-rábica, 41,9% dos tratamentos indicados estavam corretos; nos casos com resultado negativo da observação, 7,4% tiveram um tratamento adequado. De acordo com o programa de vacinação, 42,2% dos tratamentos indicados estavam corretos; nos casos com resultado negativo da observação, 3,2% tiveram um tratamento adequado. Concluiu-se que deve haver uma melhora na indicação e no registro dos tratamentos, bem como na busca dos faltosos, para que ocorra uma melhora na qualidade do serviço oferecido e evite-se um incidente mais grave com uma pessoa vítima de agressão animal.

[Situation of endemic pemphigus foliaceus in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, 1990-1999]

307 cases were examined to characterize epidemiological aspects of endemic pemphigus foliaceus. The disease was predominantly identified in rural workers between 10 and 42 years old. Incidence was higher in the December, January, February, March and May (average: 30.7 cases/year). Our findings identified a corridor, coinciding with the state watershed.

Retrospective study of a pioneer antenatal screening program with 8,477 pregnant women in Brazil

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To analyze the results of a statewide screening program inaugurated in 2002 in Mato Grosso do Sul,

METHODS

Retrospective audit of the screening results of 8,477 pregnant women for 11 diseases in 19 tests. Local health centers of the Brazilian Unified System of Health/State Program of Pregnant Protection (SUS/PEPG) and central reference processing laboratories, both in and out of state were involved. Pregnant women were referred to the program by medical staff principally at local health centers, between November 2002 and February 2003. Primary screening with filter-paper blood samples was carried out with positives being resampled and sera appropriately tested.

RESULTS

The detailed test results are given below; the most frequent diseases serodiagnosed were hepatitis B, syphilis, HIV and Chagas' disease. One case of maternal phenylketonouria (PKU) was encountered.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of 11 diseases of importance for mothers and their offspring provides an epidemiological profile of Brazil, but must be matched by opportunities to elaborate new control strategies and improve health care during pregnancy.

Lutzomyia aldafalcaoae sp. n. a new species of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

A new sand fly species, Lutzomia aldafalcaoae is described from males collected in Vila Trindade, an urban district in Aquidauana county, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in October 1996. Taxonomic remarks and a description of the new species is presented.

Effect of stocking rates and anthelminthic treatments on weight gains in weaned Nellore cattle on improved pasture in the Brazilian cerrado

The results are presented of 6 years of field trials with weaned Nellore cattle on improved pasture in the midwest of Brazil, using 2 stocking rates and 4 anthelminthic treatment regimes. The most profitable regime included treatments in May, June and September, which yielded an additional 41 and 42 kg of liveweight on the 2 stocking rates. No significant additional gains were obtained by treating during the rainy season, or by treating animals more than 24 months of age. The higher stocking rate (1.8 AU/ha) proved excessive on the improved pasture which deteriorated during the 6 year experimental period, yielding suboptimal liveweight gains.

Efficacy of doramectin against field nematode infections of cattle in Latin America

Two studies were conducted, one in Argentina and one in Brazil, to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of doramectin administered subcutaneously at a dose rate of 200 micrograms kg-1 (1 ml per 50 kg) to cattle harboring mixed field infections of gastrointestinal nematodes. In each trial, 20 heifers were randomly allocated to a control or treated group of ten animals each, on the basis of fecal egg counts. Animals in the treated and control groups received an injection of doramectin or saline in the lateral midline of the neck. From 14 to 18 days post-treatment an equal number of animals from each group were slaughtered every day and the worm burdens of doramectin-treated animals were compared with those of non-treated controls. The efficacy of doramectin was at least 99.9% against adult stages of Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus placei, Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus similis, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia pectinata, Cooperia spatulata, Cooperia surnabada (Cooperia mcmasteri), Oesophagostomum radiatum and Dictyocaulus viviparus. Efficacy against Nematodirus helvetianus was 97.9% while efficacy against Trichuris discolor was 92.3%. Activity against inhibited larval forms of Ostertagia ostertagi, H. placei, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Trichostrongylus axei, was at least 99.9%.

Populations of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) on purebred Nellore, Ibage and Nellore X European crossbreds in the Brazilian savanna

Studies on purebred Nellore cattle and their crosses with Fleckvieh, Chianina, Charolais and the Ibagé breed (5/8 Aberdeen Angus, 3/8 Nellore) during 39 months in the field gave mean daily counts for engorging female ticks of 3.3, 25.2, 22.2, 21.0 and 59.7 per animal respectively. Annual fluctuations were similar in all groups; with the exception of the purebred Nellore mean counts are at levels considered dangerous for the stability of enzootic tick fever.

Helminth parasites of beef cattle in the cerrado region of Brazil

The results are presented of a ten-year research programme on the helminth parasites of beef cattle raised in the extensive cerrado region of central-east Brazil. The most important helminths are Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp. (80% H. similis), Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum. Both production and infection are dominated by the alternation of rainy and dry seasons. Attempts to develop and implement control measures and their limitations are discussed.

Trials with rafoxanide. 8. Efficacy of an injectable solution against trematodes and nematodes in cattle

Four experiments are described in which the efficacy of an experimental 5% injectable solution of rafoxanide was evaluated against various adult and immature helminths in cattle. Subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 3 mg/kg live mass resulted in the following reductions in mean worm burdens: adult Fasciola hepatica, 82,6%; adult Fasciola gigantica, 99,8% immature Paramphistomum microbothrium, 10,1% adult Haemonchus placei, 99,6%, third stage H. placei, 73,7%; adult Bunostomum phlebotomum, 99,8%; adult Oesophagostomum radiatum, 99,9%; and fourth stage O. radiatum, 76,9%. At 5 mg/kg live mass, rafoxanide solution was 97,5% and 99,2% effective against 8-week old F. gigantica and third stage H. placei respectively and at 7,5 mg/kg, 92,4% against 6-week old F. gigantica.

Live mass gains and wool production of merino sheep: three treatment programmes for parasite control

A trial is described comparing the live mass gains and wool production of three groups of Merino sheep treated either at four-weekly intervals, strategically or not at all for the control of helminths and Oestrus ovis during a 19 month period. The group treated at four-weekly intervals had the greatest gain in masass was not greater than that of the group treated strategically. At both shearings the four-weekly treated group produced more wool than did the strategically treated group. The latter group produced more wool in total than did the untreated group. The seasonal incidence of nematodes, cestodes and Oestrus ovis on the trial farm was determined by the slaughter of tracer lambs at regular intervals.