Lactococcus lactis carrying the pValac DNA expression vector coding for IL-10 reduces inflammation in a murine model of experimental colitis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are intestinal disorders characterized by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Interleukin-10 is one of the most important anti-inflammatory cytokines involved in the intestinal immune system and because of its role in downregulating inflammatory cascades, its potential for IBD therapy is under study. We previously presented the development of an invasive strain of Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) producing Fibronectin Binding Protein A (FnBPA) which was capable of delivering, directly to host cells, a eukaryotic DNA expression vector coding for IL-10 of Mus musculus (pValac:il-10) and diminish inflammation in a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced mouse model of intestinal inflammation. As a new therapeutic strategy against IBD, the aim of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of two L. lactis strains (the same invasive strain evaluated previously and the wild-type strain) carrying the therapeutic pValac:il-10 plasmid in the prevention of inflammation in a dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced mouse model. RESULTS: Results obtained showed that not only delivery of the pValac:il-10 plasmid by the invasive strain L. lactis MG1363 FnBPA+, but also by the wild-type strain L. lactis MG1363, was effective at diminishing intestinal inflammation (lower inflammation scores and higher IL-10 levels in the intestinal tissues, accompanied by decrease of IL-6) in the DSS-induced IBD mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of both L. lactis strains carrying the pValac:il-10 plasmid was effective at diminishing inflammation in this murine model of experimental colitis, showing their potential for therapeutic intervention of IBD.

[Species, dynamics and population composition of phthirapteran in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus L.) in São Luis Island, State of Maranhão]. / Espécies, sítios de localização, dinâmica e estrutura de populações de malófagos em galinhas caipiras (Gallus gallus L.) criadas na Ilha de São Luis, MA.

The objective of this work was to identify the phthirapteran species, to determine the prevalence according to the anatomical region of the body and to know the dynamics and composition of the population of these ectoparasites in free-range chicken in São Luis Island, state of Maranhão. Inspection was performed in 40 chickens and feathers were collected from the head, neck, wing, thigh, dorsal and ventral regions and cloacae. The phthirapteran species identified were: Menopon gallinae L., Menacanthus stramineus Nitzsch, Menacanthus pallidulus Neumann, Menacanthus cornutus Schommer (Menoponidae), and Lipeurus caponis L., Goniodes dissimilis Denny and Goniocotes gallinae De Geer (Philopteridae). L. caponis was collected from all regions sampled, including the head, which was the least infested region. The dorsum was the most infested, especially in the dry period of the year and where the greater parasitic diversity was observed, the wing and the head were the least infested regions. Considering the dynamics and the composition of the population the phthirapteran presented a prevalence of 85% of the sampled chickens, the mean intensity of infestation was 45.3 varying from <1 to 453. The egg stage was superior to the others life stages followed by nymphs and female adults, independent of the phthirapteran species.

Espécies, sítios de localização, dinâmica e estrutura de populações de malófagos em galinhas caipiras (Gallus gallus L) criadas na Ilha de São Luis, MA / Species, dynamics and population composition of phthirapteran in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus L) in São Luis Island, State of Maranhão

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as espécies de phthirápteros, estimar a prevalência de acordo com a região anatômica amostrada e conhecer a dinâmica e estrutura da população destes ectoparasitos em galinhas caipiras criadas na ilha de São Luís, MA. Realizou-se inspeção de 40 aves. Tufos de penas foram coletados de cada região do corpo, a saber: cabeça, pescoço, asa, coxa, região dorsal, região ventral e cloaca. As espécies de phthirápteros identificadas foram: Menopon gallinae L., Menacanthus stramineus Nitzsch, Menacanthus pallidulus Neumann e Menacanthus cornutus Schommer (Menoponidae), e Lipeurus caponis L., Goniodes dissimilis Denny e Goniocotes gallinae De Geer (Philopteridae). L. caponis foi coletada de todas as áreas, inclusive da cabeça, região anatômica menos infestada. A região do dorso foi a mais infestada, especialmente no período seco, e onde se detectou a maior diversidade parasitária, a asa e a cabeça foram as menos infestadas. Quanto à dinâmica e estrutura da população, os piolhos apresentaram prevalência de 85 por cento das aves examinadas, a intensidade média de infestação foi de 45,3 tendo uma variação de <1 a 453 phthirápteros nas aves examinadas. O estágio de ovo foi superior aos demais estágios de desenvolvimento de vida, seguido de ninfas e adultos fêmeas, independente da espécie de piolho.

The objective of this work was to identify the phthirapteran species, to determine the prevalence according to the anatomical region of the body and to know the dynamics and composition of the population of these ectoparasites in free-range chicken in São Luis Island, state of Maranhão. Inspection was performed in 40 chickens and feathers were collected from the head, neck, wing, thigh, dorsal and ventral regions and cloacae. The phthirapteran species identified were: Menopon gallinae L., Menacanthus stramineus Nitzsch, Menacanthus pallidulus Neumann, Menacanthus cornutus Schommer (Menoponidae), and Lipeurus caponis L., Goniodes dissimilis Denny and Goniocotes gallinae De Geer (Philopteridae). L. caponis was collected from all regions sampled, including the head, which was the least infested region. The dorsum was the most infested, especially in the dry period of the year and where the greater parasitic diversity was observed, the wing and the head were the least infested regions. Considering the dynamics and the composition of the population the phthirapteran presented a prevalence of 85 percent of the sampled chickens, the mean intensity of infestation was 45.3 varying from <1 to 453. The egg stage was superior to the others life stages followed by nymphs and female adults, independent of the phthirapteran species.

Uso de extrato de nim no controle de acaríase por Myobia musculi Schranck (Acari: Miobidae) e Myocoptes musculinus Koch (Acari: Listrophoridae) em camundongos (Mus musculus var. albina L.) / Use of neem extract in the control of acariasis by Myobia musculi Schranck (Acari: Miobidae) and Myocoptes musculinus Koch (Acari: Listrophoridae) in mice (Mus musculus var. albina L.)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a ação acaricida do extrato de nim sobre a forma de pomada, no tratamento da acaríase em camundongos (Mus musculus var. albina L.) naturalmente infestados por Myobia musculi Schrank e Myocoptes musculinus Koch. Foram selecionados 20 animais parasitados e distribuídos em quatro grupos: controle (vaselina), nim a 5 por cento, 10 por cento e 20 por cento. Os animais foram submetidos ao tratamento a cada 48h e mantidos confinados em gaiolas, com alimento e água ad libitum e acompanhados diariamente ao longo de 24 dias. Houve redução significativa do número médio de ácaros recuperados a partir de 96h na concentração de nim a 20 por cento, em comparação com as demais concentrações (P < 0,05). A partir das 120h da aplicação, as concentrações de 10 por cento e 20 por cento também apresentaram resultados significativos quando comparados com o grupo controle (P < 0,05 e P < 0,01; respectivamente). A partir de 168h, os animais tratados com as concentrações de 10 por cento e 20 por cento mostraram resultados significativos (P < 0,01) em comparação com o controle e os ácaros não foram mais observados. Após 216h da aplicação, a pelagem estava totalmente recuperada e os animais permaneceram livres da infestação, nas concentrações de 10 por cento e 20 por cento (P < 0,01). A pomada de nim apresentou atividade acaricida nas concentrações de 10 por cento e 20 por cento em camundongo quando aplicada topicamente, além de mostrar boa atividade flogística, cicatrizante e não desenvolver efeitos colaterais.

[Use of neem extract in the control of acariasis by Myobia musculi Schranck (Acari: Miobidae) and Myocoptes musculinus Koch (Acari: Listrophoridae) in mice (Mus musculus var. albina L.)]. / Uso de extrato de nim no controle de acaríase por Myobia musculi Schranck (Acari: Miobidae) e Myocoptes musculinus Koch (Acari: Listrophoridae) em camundongos (Mus musculus var. albina L.).

The objective of this work was to evaluate the acaricide action of neem extract formulated as a pomatum in the treatment of acariasis in mice (Mus musculus var. albina L.) naturally infected by Myobia musculi Schranck and Myocoptes musculinus Koch. Twenty parasitized animals were chosen and distributed in four groups: control (vaseline), 5%, 10% and 20% of neem. The animals were treated at 48h intervals and maintained in cages with food and water ad libitum and accompanied daily for 24 days. There was a decrease in the mean number of mites recovered after 96h with 5% of neem when compared to de others concentrations (P < 0.05). From 120h on, the concentrations of 10% and 20% were also efficient and differed statistically from the control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; respectively). From 168h on, the animals treated with neem concentrations of 10% and 20% showed significant results (P < 0.01). The animals exhibit signs of hair recuperation and the mites were not observed anymore. After 216h, the hair was completely recovered and the animals remained free of the infestation in the concentrations of 10% and 20%. The neem pomatum showed acaricide action in the concentrations of 10% and 20% for mice and when used as a topical remedy, had good phlogistic and cicatrizing activity and showed no side effects.