Systemic leukopenia, evaluation of laminar leukocyte infiltration and laminar lesions in horses with naturally occurring colic syndrome.

The present study was aimed at identifying laminar lesions and leukocyte infiltration in hoof laminar tissue of horses with colic syndrome and its correlation with the total leukocyte count before death. Six healthy horses were used as control group (CG), and eighteen horses with lethal gastrointestinal disease were divided into two groups: leukopenic group (LG) with seven leukopenic horses, and non-leukopenic group (NLG) with 11 horses with total leukocyte count within reference range for the species. Leukocyte infiltration was examined by immunohistochemistry. Laminar lesions were observed in both LG and NLG, with no differences in severity between them. LG showed increase of the leukocyte infiltration in the hoof laminar tissue, when compared to CG and NLG. Horses with severe colic syndrome (LG and NLG) developed intense laminar lesions without clinical signs of laminitis, with increased leukocyte infiltration. However, the LG demonstrated an even higher increase of leukocyte infiltration compared to both CG and NLG.

Serological and molecular survey of Leptospira spp. among cart horses from an endemic area of human leptospirosis in Curitiba, southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Cart horses are a re-emerging population employed to carry recyclable material in cities. METHODS: Sixty-two horses were sampled in an endemic area of human leptospirosis. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed. RESULTS: A seropositivity of 75.8% with serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae in 80.8% of the horses was observed. Blood and urine were qPCR negative. MAT showed positive correlations with rainfall (p = 0.02) and flooding (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Although horses may be constantly exposed to Leptospira spp. in the environment mostly because of rainfall and flooding, no leptospiremia or leptospiruria were observed in this study.

Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii, the agent for toxoplasmosis, has worldwide distribution. Horses normally play a secondary role in its life cycle, but movement around urban areas, feeding on grass and the increasing use of carthorses for gathering recyclable material in some urban areas of Brazil may increase their exposure to T. gondii infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, PR. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (titers ≥ 64). Seventeen (17.0%) of the 100 horses sampled were seropositive. There were no statistical differences in relation to sex (p = 0.28) or age (p = 0.15). Our findings suggest that carthorses are exposed to T. gondii infections and that no associations with age or sex exist.

Seroepidemiological survey of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses from a rural and from urban areas of Paraná State, southern Brazil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroepidemiological data of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses from a rural settlement and carthorses from urban areas of Paraná State, southern Brazil. A total of 198 horses, including 32 from the rural settlement and 166 carthorses from Colombo (n=48), Pinhais (n=76), Londrina (n=24), and Curitiba city (n=18) was sampled and tested using a commercial competitive inhibition ELISA (cELISA) test. Out of the 198 horses, 193 (97.5%) were seropositive for at least one piroplasm species. Antibodies to T. equi were detected in 155/198 horses (78.3%), antibodies to B. caballi were detected in 137/198 horses (69.2%), and antibodies to both were detected in 99/198 (50.0%) horses. Horses living in the rural settlement and Colombo were more likely to be seropositive to T. equi than those in Curitiba (p<0.05). Horses older than 5 years were more likely to be seropositive for T. equi than those younger than 5 years (p<0.05). No significant association was found between gender or the presence of ticks and seropositivity to T. equi (p>0.05). In conclusion, the high seroprevalences to B. caballi and T. equi observed in this study emphasize that active surveillance programs are critical for monitoring animal health status, particularly because carthorses may act as urban disseminators of these piroplasms.

Detection of Neospora sp. antibodies in cart horses from urban areas of Curitiba, Southern Brazil.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite which affects dogs as definitive hosts and several mammalian species as intermediate hosts mainly causing abortions and central nervous system disorders. The reemerging population of cart horses for carrying recycling material in urban areas of major cities in Brazil may have an impact on disease spreading, and these animals may be used as sentinels for environmental surveillance. Thus, the present study investigated the frequency of Neospora sp. antibodies in cart horses from Curitiba and surrounding areas, Paraná State, Southern Brazil. IgG antibodies against Neospora sp. were detected using indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and titers equal to or higher than 1:50 were considered reactive. Of all samples, 14/97 (14.4%) were positive: 2/29 (6.9%) were younger than 5; 5/26 (19.2%) between 6 and 9; and 6/31 (19.4%) older than 10 years of age. One of the 11 animals with unknown age was positive (9.1%). Cart horses are likely to be more exposed to dog feces and to Neospora sp. oocyst contamination in urban settings and a lower frequency of disease in dogs may have a negative impact on horse infection risk in these areas.

An update on equine laminitis / Atualização sobre laminite equina

ABSTRACT: Laminitis is a severe podal affection, which pathophysiology remains partially renowned. Ischemic, enzymatic, metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms are connected to the development of laminar lesions. However, few therapeutic measures are effective to prevent or control the severity of acute laminitis and its prodromal stage, which often determines serious complications such as rotation and/or sinking of the distal phalanx and even the loss of hoof. The purpose of this study is to compile the actual knowledge in respect to the pathophysiology and treatment of equine laminitis.

RESUMO: A laminite é uma grave afecção podal, que permanece com fisiopatogenia parcialmente conhecida. Sabe-se que mecanismos isquêmicos, enzimáticos, metabólicos e inflamatórios estão envolvidos no desenvolvimento das lesões laminares. No entanto, poucas medidas terapêuticas são eficazes para prevenir ou controlar a gravidade da laminite nas fases prodrômica e aguda, o que frequentemente determina sérias complicações como rotação ou afundamento da falange distal e até mesmo perda do estojo córneo. O objetivo deste trabalho é compilar os mais atuais conhecimentos sobre a fisiopatologia e tratamento da laminite em equinos.

Brazilian spotted fever in cart horses in a non-endemic area in Southern Brazil.

Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is an often fatal zoonosis caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. The disease is generally transmitted to humans by Amblyomma spp. ticks. Serological evidence of past infection by R. rickettsii has been reported in horses, but the pathogenicity of R. rickettsii in horses remains unknown. Cart horses are still widely used in urban and urban fringe areas in Brazil, and these animals may constitute suitable sentinels for BSF human in these areas, for example, in Sao Jose dos Pinhais, where the first BSF human case in the state of Parana was diagnosed. Serum samples were randomly obtained from 75 cart horses between April 2005 and June 2006 and were tested by means of the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for antibodies against rickettsia of the spotted fever group. A total of 9.33% of the animals were considered positive, with titers ranging from 64 to 1,024. These results indicate the presence of the agent in such areas, although at low rates.

SEROLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR SURVEY OF Leptospira spp. AMONG CART HORSES FROM AN ENDEMIC AREA OF HUMAN LEPTOSPIROSIS IN CURITIBA, SOUTHERN BRAZIL / Inquérito sorológico e molecular de Leptospira spp. em cavalos carroceiros de área endêmica para leptospirose humana em Curitiba, Sul do Brasil

Introduction: Cart horses are a re-emerging population employed to carry recyclable material in cities. Methods: Sixty-two horses were sampled in an endemic area of human leptospirosis. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed. Results: A seropositivity of 75.8% with serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae in 80.8% of the horses was observed. Blood and urine were qPCR negative. MAT showed positive correlations with rainfall (p = 0.02) and flooding (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Although horses may be constantly exposed to Leptospira spp. in the environment mostly because of rainfall and flooding, no leptospiremia or leptospiruria were observed in this study.

Introdução: Cavalos carroceiros são uma população reemergente empregada para transportar materiais recicláveis em cidades. Métodos: Em área endêmica para leptospirose humana foram amostrados 62 cavalos. Soroaglutinação microscópica e reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real foram empregadas. Resultados: Observou-se soropositividade em 75,8% com sorovar Icterohaemorrhagiae em 80,8% cavalos. Amostras de sangue e urina foram negativas no qPCR. Observou-se correlação positiva entre SAM e pluviosidade (p = 0,02) e alagamentos (p = 0,03). Conclusão: Embora cavalos possam estar constantemente expostos a Leptospira spp. no ambiente, principalmente por chuvas e inundações, leptospiremia e leptospiruria não foram encontradas neste estudo.

[Parasitological prevalence of cart-horses in Curitiba, Paraná]. / Prevalência parasitológica de cavalos de carroceiros em Curitiba, Paraná.

The carthorses are used as an alternative for people of low income for collecting recyclable material. However, these horses are managed without proper assistance, suffering several problems, among them the parasites. In this study we used 41 animals, their body condition score and other parameters were analyzed and parasite egg count was performed from fecal samples. It was determined the absence of eggs on 12% and parasite infection in 88%. Strongylids were found in all contaminated animals, often associated with oocysts or Parascaris equorum. This condition may be due to poor nutritional management and unreasonable work load that these animals are submitted. There is an urgent need for improvements in the management of health and parasites control programs to these animals.

Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil / Detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em cavalos carroceiros da região metropolitana de Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil

Toxoplasma gondii, the agent for toxoplasmosis, has worldwide distribution. Horses normally play a secondary role in its life cycle, but movement around urban areas, feeding on grass and the increasing use of carthorses for gathering recyclable material in some urban areas of Brazil may increase their exposure to T. gondii infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, PR. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (titers ≥ 64). Seventeen (17.0%) of the 100 horses sampled were seropositive. There were no statistical differences in relation to sex (p = 0.28) or age (p = 0.15). Our findings suggest that carthorses are exposed to T. gondii infections and that no associations with age or sex exist.

Toxoplasma gondii, agente da toxoplasmose, tem distribuição mundial. Geralmente cavalos desempenham papel secundário no ciclo de vida do T. gondii. Entretanto, a circulação em meio urbano, a alimentação com gramíneas e o aumento no uso de cavalos carroceiros para recolhimento de material reciclável em algumas áreas urbanas do Brasil podem aumentar a exposição desses cavalos ao T. gondii. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a frequência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii em cavalos carroceiros da região metropolitana de Curitiba, PR. Os anticorpos da classe IgG contra T. gondii foram detectados pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) (títulos ≥ 64). Dezessete (17%) dos 100 cavalos avaliados foram positivos e não houve diferença entre sexos (p = 0,28) ou idade (p = 0,15). Esses achados sugerem que cavalos carroceiros estão expostos a infecções por T. gondii, não existindo associação com a idade ou o sexo dos animais.

Linfoma multicêntrico em cavalo: relato de caso

Neoplasias hemolinfáticas em cavalos são relativamente incomuns, porém o linfoma é o mais frequente, sendo relatado desdea fase neonatal a animais com idade avançada. O linfoma em cavalos é uma doença que apresenta diferenças entre indivíduosincluindo sinais clínicos, curso da doença, resultados laboratoriais e achados patológicos. Os sinais clínicos variam de acordocom a localização da neoplasia, porém os mais comuns são depressão, perda de peso progressiva e linfadenopatia, podem estarassociados com edema ventral, angústia respiratória, febre, anemia, cólica branda ou diarréia. Os linfomas são classificadosanatomicamente em generalizado ou multicêntrico, alimentar ou intestinal, mediastinal ou tímica e cutânea. Podem ocorrersíndromes paraneoplásicas e geralmente é realizada a eutanásia devido à debilidade em que o animal se encontra. Este estudo éum relato de caso sobre um cavalo macho encaminhado para o Setor de Grandes Animais do Hospital Veterinário da UniversidadeFederal do Paraná com histórico e sinais de pneumonia, anorexia e emagrecimento progressivo. Ao exame físico foram observadasalterações clínicas como taquicardia, taquipnéia, linfadenopatia de linfonodos submandibular e pré-escapulares e edema ventral;o perfil hematológico mostrou hiperfibrinogenemia, neutrofilia e linfopenia e a biópsia aspirativa dos linfonodos alterados não foiconclusiva, porém sugestivo a li

Detection of Neospora sp. antibodies in cart horses from urban areas of Curitiba, Southern Brazil / Detecção de anticorpos anti-Neospora sp. em cavalos de carroceiros de áreas urbanas de Curitiba, Sul do Brasil

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite which affects dogs as definitive hosts and several mammalian species as intermediate hosts mainly causing abortions and central nervous system disorders. The reemerging population of cart horses for carrying recycling material in urban areas of major cities in Brazil may have an impact on disease spreading, and these animals may be used as sentinels for environmental surveillance. Thus, the present study investigated the frequency of Neospora sp. antibodies in cart horses from Curitiba and surrounding areas, Paraná State, Southern Brazil. IgG antibodies against Neospora sp. were detected using indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and titers equal to or higher than 1:50 were considered reactive. Of all samples, 14/97 (14.4%) were positive: 2/29 (6.9%) were younger than 5; 5/26 (19.2%) between 6 and 9; and 6/31 (19.4%) older than 10 years of age. One of the 11 animals with unknown age was positive (9.1%). Cart horses are likely to be more exposed to dog feces and to Neospora sp. oocyst contamination in urban settings and a lower frequency of disease in dogs may have a negative impact on horse infection risk in these areas.

Neospora caninum é um protozoário parasita que afeta cães como hospedeiros definitivos e diversos mamíferos como hospedeiros intermediários, envolvido em abortos e distúrbios do sistema nervoso central. A população reemergente de cavalos de carroceiros utilizados para transportar material reciclável em áreas urbanas de grandes cidades brasileiras na disseminação de doenças, e estes animais podem ser utilizados como sentinelas para vigilância ambiental. Deste modo, no presente estudo foi investigada a frequência de anticorpos anti-Neospora sp. em cavalos de carroceiros da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba, Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil. Anticorpos da classe IgG anti-Neospora sp. foram detectados utilizando a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), e títulos maiores ou iguais a 1:50 foram considerados reagentes. Do total de amostras testadas, 14/97 (14,4%) foram positivas: 2/29 (6,9%) tinham menos do que 5,5/26 (19,2%) entre 6 and 9, e 6/31 (19,4%) mais de 10 anos de idade. Um dos 11 animais positivos não tinha a idade conhecida (9,1%). Como cavalos de carroceiros possivelmente estejam mais expostos a oocistos de Neospora sp. em ambientes urbanos, uma baixa freqüência da doença em cães pode ter impacto negativo no risco de infecção de cavalos nestas áreas.

Determinação da taxa metabólica basal em cutias, Dasyprocta azarae, por calorimetria indireta / Determination of the basal metabolic rate in agoutis, Dasyprocta azarae, by indirect calorimetry

A melhor ferramenta para comparação fisiológica entre organismos diferentes é a taxa metabólica basal, inter-relação fundamental que existe entre todos os seres vivos. Mensurações diretas das concentrações de oxigênio e dióxido de carbono, pela análise do ar inspirado e expirado, podem ser usadas para a mensuração de taxa metabólica. Este trabalho foi executado com o propósito de aferir as taxas metabólicas basal e específica, e reexaminar o escalonamento do metabolismo basal em cutias (Dasyprocta azarae). Foram utilizadas 34 cutias (D. azarae) adultas sadias, sendo 9 machos não castrados, 9 machos castrados e 16 fêmeas, pertencentes ao plantel do Criadouro Científico do Museu de História Natural Capão da Imbuia, Curitiba, PR. Os animais passaram por jejum prévio de 6 horas e foram acondicionados em caixas especiais, com temperatura ambiente controlada (22,0±1,0ºC), sendo então submetidos à aferição da taxa metabólica basal, por calorimetria indireta. Empregou-se o monitor metabólico Deltatrac®II, (Datex Ohmeda, Finlândia) usualmente indicado para a mensuração da produção de dióxido de carbono (VCO2) e do consumo de oxigênio (VO2) em seres humanos, por meio da mensuração das variações na concentração de VCO2 e de VO2, com uma precisão de 0,01 por cento. Após a aferição da taxa metabólica basal, foi calculada a taxa metabólica específica, e efetuada a análise dos dados por estatística indutiva. Os testes de hipóteses para comparação entre amostras indicaram que a taxa metabólica específica de machos não castrados é maior que a de fêmeas e machos castrados (5 por cento de significância), e que a taxa metabólica específica de fêmeas e machos castrados é equivalente (1 por cento de significância). Constatou-se ainda, com a análise da correlação de pontos experimentais, que outra variável que não o tamanho corporal afeta a taxa metabólica dos machos não castrados (1 por cento de significância), o que indica a necessidade de novos estudos sobre...

The best way to compare different organisms is the basal metabolic rate, a fundamental interrelation existent among all living beings. Direct measures of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations by evaluation of inspired and expired air can be used to measure metabolic rate. So, this research was done in order to measure basal and specific metabolic rates in agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae), and reexamine the scaling of basal metabolism in this species. There were used 34 adult healthy agoutis (9 non-castrated males, 9 castrated males, and 16 females), that belong to the wild animal scientific breeding facility of the Natural History Museum of the Curitiba city, State of Paraná, Brazil. After a six-hour fasting the animals were placed in special boxes under controlled temperature (22.0±1.0ºC), and submitted to measuring of the basal metabolic rate, by indirect calorimetry. It was used the Deltatrac®II metabolic monitor, usually indicated to measure carbon dioxide production (VCO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) in human beings, by measuring variations in the concentration of VCO2 and of VO2, with a precision of 0.01 percent. The specific metabolic rate was calculated after determination of the basal metabolic rate and the obtained data were analyzed by inductive statistics. The hypotheses tests for comparison among samples indicated that the specific metabolic rate is higher in non-castrated males than in females and castrated males (significance of 5 percent), and that the specific metabolic rate of females and castrated males are equivalent (significance of 1 percent). In addition, analysis of the correlation of experimental points indicates that another variable beyond body size affects the metabolic rate of non-castrated males (significance of 1 percent), and therefore new studies on the metabolism of Dasyprocta azarae are required.

Brazilian spotted fever in cart horses in a non-endemic area in Southern Brazil / Febre maculosa brasileira em cavalo de carroceiro em área não-endêmica no Sul do Brasil

Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is an often fatal zoonosis caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. The disease is generally transmitted to humans by Amblyomma spp. ticks. Serological evidence of past infection by R. rickettsii has been reported in horses, but the pathogenicity of R. rickettsii in horses remains unknown. Cart horses are still widely used in urban and urban fringe areas in Brazil, and these animals may constitute suitable sentinels for BSF human in these areas, for example, in Sao Jose dos Pinhais, where the first BSF human case in the state of Parana was diagnosed. Serum samples were randomly obtained from 75 cart horses between April 2005 and June 2006 and were tested by means of the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for antibodies against rickettsia of the spotted fever group. A total of 9.33 percent of the animals were considered positive, with titers ranging from 64 to 1,024. These results indicate the presence of the agent in such areas, although at low rates.

A febre maculosa brasileira (FMB) é uma zoonose, muitas vezes fatal, causada pela bactéria intracelular obrigatória Rickettsia rickettsii. A doença é transmitida para humanos pelo carrapato Amblyomma spp. Sorologia positiva por R. rickettsii foi relatada em cavalos, entretanto a patogenia de R. rickettsii em cavalos é desconhecida. Cavalos de carroceiros ainda são largamente utilizados em áreas urbanas e peri-urbanas no Brasil e estes animais podem representar sentinelas ideais para FMB nestas áreas, como exemplo, São José dos Pinhais, onde o primeiro caso humano de FMB foi descrita no Paraná. Amostras de soro foram obtidas aleatoriamente de 75 cavalos de carroceiros entre abril de 2005 e junho de 2006 e testados pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) com anticorpos contra riquétsias do grupo da febre maculosa. Um total de 9,33 por cento dos animais foi considerado positivo, com títulos entre 64 e 1.024. Estes resultados indicam a presença do agente na área de estudo, embora em nível reduzido.