AFFINITY OF BRAZILIAN WILD MAMMAL IMMUNOGLOBULINS TO BACTERIAL PROTEINS A AND G.

Staphylococcal A and streptococcal G proteins are widely used in immunoassays when specific immunological reagents are unavailable, such as for wild animals. The affinity of bacterial proteins A and G to the immunoglobulins of seven Brazilian mammals were tested, including black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata, n = 5), golden-bellied capuchin (Sapajus xanthosternos, n = 13), woolly mouse opossum (Micoureus demerarae, n = 6), long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, n = 5), collared anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla, n = 5), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis, n = 6), and vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus, n = 5). Blood samples were collected from animals that were rescued in peri-urban rainforest fragments. Sera pools of each species were tested by ELISA to determine the intensity of each bacterial protein affinity to the immunoglobulins. When comparing the affinity to both proteins, immunoglobulins from D. rotundus, S. xanthosternos, and T. tetradactyla presented a higher affinity to protein G, whereas a higher affinity to protein A was found for immunoglobulins of C. penicillata and L. pardalis. The only species that presented a very low affinity to both bacterial proteins was M. demerarae. This study can be used as a reference for further studies on the development of sensitive and specific immunodiagnostic assays to be used for the monitoring of the health of these wild mammals.

P22 protein complex in the serodiagnosis of animal tuberculosis: Antigenic stability and cross-reactivity with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection.

The P22 ELISA was recently developed for the serodiagnosis of animal tuberculosis. Herein, the stability of the P22 antigen in different presentations and storage conditions, and the cross-reactivity with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in small ruminants were evaluated. For the stability assay, serum samples from cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, badgers, and wild boar were used in the P22 ELISA. The cross-reactivity analysis used sera from sheep and goats with caseous lymphadenitis (CLA). Differences in the immune recognition of P22 were found when the antigen was stored at 40 °C, but without altering the negative or positive status of each sample. P22 ELISA presented 5.71 % cross-reactivity when CLA-positive sheep were evaluated, but no cross-reaction was observed among CLA-positive goat serum samples. This study showed that the P22 protein complex is stable under different formulations and temperatures, and that the assay presents a low cross-reactivity with CLA.

Hematology and Clinical Biochemistry Profiles in Antillean Manatee Trichechus manatus manatus from Different Types of Captivity and Free Living in Northeast Brazil.

The Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus can be found along the northern and northeastern coasts of Brazil. Previous studies on the clinical biochemistry of these animals were conducted in North America and the Caribbean, whereas little is known regarding these parameters in South American manatee populations. Accordingly, the objective of the present study was to examine the hematology and clinical biochemistry of Antillean manatees of different sexes and from different environments in northeast Brazil. Whole-blood and serum samples were obtained from healthy individuals. The hemogram analysis was performed and the levels of blood biochemical components were determined using an automated platform. The only statistically significant difference observed in the hemogram was a higher number of heterophils in manatees that were screened during the dry season of the year. Clinical biochemistry profiling revealed that free-ranging manatees presented lower levels of creatinine. Albumin was detected in higher concentrations in animals from rehabilitation captivity, and amylase presented higher levels in manatees that were kept in acclimation captivity. Free-ranging manatees showed higher serum aspartate aminotransferase levels than manatees in rehabilitation captivity. These results can aid veterinarians and conservation professionals in the development of better captive management procedures and in the clinical approach to manatees.

Leptospira interrogans in wild Boa constrictor snakes from Northeast Brazil peri­urban rainforest fragments.

Leptospirosis, a disease that occurs worldwide, especially in tropical regions, is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira and affects mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Boa constrictor snakes are commonly found in Atlantic rainforest fragments in peri­urban areas, which indicates a greater possibility of the contact of these animals with humans residing there. Therefore, the aim of this work was to detect Leptospira spp infection through molecular assays in wild B. constrictor snakes rescued in peri­urban areas and verify seroreactivity, by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), as well as the most common serogroups. Among the 46 samples tested, 7 (15.21%) were positive according to PCR and confirmed as Leptospira interrogans through secY gene sequencing. In MAT, 37 (80.43%) of the 46 samples were classified as reactive. Panama was the serogroup with the highest occurrence. The results showed the presence of Leptospira spp DNA in asymptomatic snakes rescued in rainforest fragments located in peri­urban areas and support further investigations on the influence of these animals in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in tropical peri­urban areas.

Propolis: types, composition, biological activities, and veterinary product patent prospecting.

Propolis is a resinous substance composed of a mixture of different plant parts and molecules secreted by bees. Chemically, it is defined as a complex matrix containing biologically active molecules with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. It is widely employed in cosmetic formulations and pharmaceutical products and is one of the most widely used natural products. However, the effects and strength of these biological activities depend on the chemical profile and composition of each propolis type. This composition is associated with the diversity of local flora, the place and period of collection, and the genetics of the bees. In this context, the objective of this review was to investigate the biological, chemical, and microbiological properties of propolis. A technological prospection was also performed on patents for products designed to be used in animal health. Our investigation shows that the literature contains diverse studies dedicated to comparing and describing the composition and therapeutic properties of propolis. These studies demonstrate the potential biological use of propolis in veterinary medicine, showing the applications of propolis extracts in different formulations. However, there are a low number of propolis-based veterinary products with a registered patent. Thus, the development of products based on propolis is a promising market to be exploited. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Affinity of Staphylococcal a and Streptococcal G Proteins to West Indian Manatee ( Trichechus manatus manatus) Immunoglobulins.

The West Indian manatee ( Trichechus manatus manatus), a subspecies that inhabits coastal areas of Central and South America, has been listed as a vulnerable species because of the rapid decline in its population. Commercially available immunologic reagents specific for sirenians are lacking, limiting the development of sensitive immunodiagnostic assays. We observed the affinity of the microbial proteins A and G to T. m. manatus immunoglobulins. Manatee serum pools were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the affinity intensity followed by western blotting to confirm the specific binding of proteins A and G to immunoglobulins. The ELISA demonstrated maximum affinity of both proteins until the serum dilution of 1:12,800, with a similar affinity for both proteins. Because both A and G proteins exhibited affinity to manatee immunoglobulins, they can be used to develop sensitive immunodiagnostic assays for this species, contributing to manatee conversation procedures.

TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI AND LEISHMANIA SP. INFECTION IN WILDLIFE FROM URBAN RAINFOREST FRAGMENTS IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL.

: Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania sp. are important protozoan parasites for humans and animals in the Americas, causing Chagas disease and cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. These vector-borne diseases affect permanent and transient populations in developing tropical countries that exhibit favorable conditions for the perpetuation of the parasite cycle. Our objective was to investigate the occurrence of infection with these parasites in wild animals from urban rainforest fragments in the city of Salvador, the largest city in the northeast region of Brazil. Sixty-five wild animals were captured, clinically examined, and sampled for parasite detection by PCR and culture. Ten different mammalian genera were identified, being 58% (38/65) marsupials. The prevalence of T. cruzi and Leishmania sp. infections was 13% and 43%, respectively. Both parasites were detected by PCR in 11% (7/65), three of which were also double infected as determined by culture. Among the 28 animals found infected with at least one parasite (43%, 28/65), 68% (19/28) were marsupials, two specimens were Callithrix sp. (7%), and one was Trinomys sp. (3%). Most infected animals (89%) had no clinical signs of disease. We found that healthy free-living animals from urban rainforest fragments harbored pathogenic trypanosomatids and should be included in epidemiology studies of diseases in big cities in tropical countries, as these cities grow and engulf rainforest remnants.