PESQUISA DE Mycoplasma spp EM AMOSTRAS DE LEITE DE VACAS MASTÍTICAS / RESEARCH FOR Mycoplasma spp IN MILK SAMPLES FROM MASTITIC COWS

Diversas espécies de micoplasmas são responsáveis por casos e surtos de mastite em rebanhos leiteiros de todo o mundo. No Brasil, o primeiro relato de mastite por micoplasma deu-se apenas em 1996 e ainda pouco se sabe sobre sua importância nos casos nacionais dessa afecção. Os micoplasmas são agentes altamente contagiosos, sendo que o seu controle depende da detecção e da posterior eliminação da vaca acometida. Neste estudo, que foi realizado na região centro-oeste do Estado de São Paulo, 101 e 121 amostras de secreção láctea provenientes, respectivamente, de vacas com mastite aguda e de casos subclínicos foram inoculadas em meio Hayflick modificado. Todas as amostras de leite foram submetidas à análise molecular, por meio da técnica de PCR, para o primer genérico de Mycoplasma. As amostras foram negativas para micoplasma no meio de Hayflick modificado e na técnica de PCR. KEY-WORDS: Mastite. Micoplasma. PCR.

Many species of mycoplasmas account for cases and outbreaks of mastitis in dairy herds worldwide. Mastitis due to mycoplasma in Brazil was first reported only in 1996, and its real importance in the national cases of the disease is unknown. Mycoplasmas are highly contagious agents and its control depends on sick cow detection and slaughtering. In this study, which was carried out in mid-western region of São Paulo State, Brazil, 101 and 121 samples of lacteal secretion derived from acute clinical mastitic cows and subclinical cases, respectively, were inoculated in modified Hayflick mediums. Also, all the samples underwent a molecular analysis by PCR technique with Mycoplasma genus specific primers. All samples were negative for Mycoplasma in the Hayflick modified medium, as well as in the PCR.KEY-WORDS: Mastitis. Mycoplasma. PCR.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in sera samples of mice experimentally infected

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) DNA in blood can help to diagnose the disease in its acute phase; however, it must be considered that hemoglobin, present in blood, can inhibit polymerase activity, making impracticable the detection of DNA in samples. Mice were experimentally infected via oral route with ME49 and BTU2 strains cysts and RH strain tachyzoites; polymerase chain reaction was used to detect T. gondii DNA in mice sera 18, 24, 48, 96, and 192 hours post infection (PI). Toxoplama gondii DNA was detected in only one animal infected with BTU2 strain, genotype III (isolated from a dog with neurological signs) 18 hours PI. The agent's DNA was not detected in any sample of the other experimental groups. New studies must be carried out to verify the technique sensitivity in researches on this agent's genetic material using sera samples of acute-phase toxoplasmosis patients, especially in cases of immunosuppression.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in sera samples of mice experimentally infected

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) DNA in blood can help to diagnose the disease in its acute phase; however, it must be considered that hemoglobin, present in blood, can inhibit polymerase activity, making impracticable the detection of DNA in samples. Mice were experimentally infected via oral route with ME49 and BTU2 strains cysts and RH strain tachyzoites; polymerase chain reaction was used to detect T. gondii DNA in mice sera 18, 24, 48, 96, and 192 hours post infection (PI). Toxoplama gondii DNA was detected in only one animal infected with BTU2 strain, genotype III (isolated from a dog with neurological signs) 18 hours PI. The agent's DNA was not detected in any sample of the other experimental groups. New studies must be carried out to verify the technique sensitivity in researches on this agent's genetic material using sera samples of acute-phase toxoplasmosis patients, especially in cases of immunosuppression.

Serological profile of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in apparently healthy dogs of the city of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a coccidian protozoan of worldwide distribution. The seroprevalence in canine population can be an alternative for measuring T. gondii urban spreading. A total of 780 blood samples from dogs were collected, during the yearly anti-rabies campaign, carried out by the Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry (FMVZ), São Paulo State University, UNESP, together with the county health authorities, in August 1999. Using Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for detecting antibodies anti-T. gondii in the sera samples, we observed that 258 dogs (33.1%) were positive. The associations between the serological results and the epidemiological variables were studied. Statistically significant differences were not found regarding sex (32.2% male and 34.3% female reactors). Dogs without a defined breed showed seropositivity statistically higher than the pedigreed group. The occurrence of infection was considered higher with age.

Rabies in the big fruit-esting bat Artibeus lituratus from Botucatu, Southeastern Brazil

Rabies is a viral disease of mammals transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. A frugivorous adult male bat, Artibeus lituratus, family Phyllostomidae, was diagnosed as positive to rabies by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and mouse inoculation test (MIT) of the bat's brain, both performed at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry - FMVZ, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. The animal collided with the window of a commercial establishment in the urban area during the day. With regard to DIF, a high amount of Negri bodies of several sizes was observed in the brain. The spleen and right kidney presented some Negri bodies too. In relation to MIT, the mice presented paralysis in the 7th day, and died in the day after with several characteristic small bodies. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), followed by hemi-nested RT-PCR (hnRT-PCR) resulted in an amplification of fragments from the bat's brain viral RNA, 432bp in RT-PCR, and 274bp in hnRT-PCR, confirming the diagnosis. Therefore, the hnRT-PCR and DIF have good sensitivity and specificity, providing and confirming the diagnosis of the clinical samples in a short period of time.

Vigilância epidemiológica da raiva na região de botucatu-sp: importância dos quirópteros na manutenção do vírus na natureza

A rabies epidemiological surveillance was performed in Botucatu and in its neighboring municipalities in São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil, from 1992 to 2000. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of bats as the vehicle of rabies virus in rural zones. We verified a low positive rate of irus isolation (0.2%) and a great diversity of bat species, with predominance of insectivorous bats. Pipes underneath highways presented the better refuge conditions. Controlling the Desmodus rotundus bat population is mandatory to avoid spreading rabies virus, therefore controlling rabies in animal populations and reducing the risk for human beings. KEY-WORDS: Epidemiology. Bats. Surveillance. Rabies. Zoonosis.

No período compreendido entre 1992 e 2000 realizaram-se atividades de vigilância epidemiológica, no município de Botucatu, SP, e limítrofes, principalmente na zona rural, avaliando o papel dos quirópteros na veiculação do vírus da raiva. Constatou-se baixa positividade para o seu isolamento (0,2%) e grande diversidade de espécies de morcegos, com predominância dos insetívoros. Os locais que ofereciam melhores condições de refúgio foram as tubulações sob rodovias (bueiros). Considera-se relevante o controle da população de Desmodus rotundus para se evitar a disseminação do vírus rábico, objetivando o controle da raiva em populações animais e redução de risco para a população humana.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Epidemiologia. Quirópteros. Vigilância. Raiva. Zoonoses.

VIGILÂNCIA EPIDEMIOLÓGICA DA RAIVA NA REGIÃO DE BOTUCATU-SP: IMPORTÂNCIA DOS QUIRÓPTEROS NA MANUTENÇÃO DO VÍRUS NA NATUREZA.

A rabies epidemiological surveillance was performed in Botucatu and in its neighboring municipalities in São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil, from 1992 to 2000. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of bats as the vehicle of rabies virus in rural zones. We verified a low positive rate of irus isolation (0.2%) and a great diversity of bat species, with predominance of insectivorous bats. Pipes underneath highways presented the better refuge conditions. Controlling the Desmodus rotundus bat population is mandatory to avoid spreading rabies virus, therefore controlling rabies in animal populations and reducing the risk for human beings. KEY-WORDS: Epidemiology. Bats. Surveillance. Rabies. Zoonosis.

No período compreendido entre 1992 e 2000 realizaram-se atividades de vigilância epidemiológica, no município de Botucatu, SP, e limítrofes, principalmente na zona rural, avaliando o papel dos quirópteros na veiculação do vírus da raiva. Constatou-se baixa positividade para o seu isolamento (0,2%) e grande diversidade de espécies de morcegos, com predominância dos insetívoros. Os locais que ofereciam melhores condições de refúgio foram as tubulações sob rodovias (bueiros). Considera-se relevante o controle da população de Desmodus rotundus para se evitar a disseminação do vírus rábico, objetivando o controle da raiva em populações animais e redução de risco para a população humana.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Epidemiologia. Quirópteros. Vigilância. Raiva. Zoonoses.

PESQUISA DE Mycoplasma spp EM AMOSTRAS DE LEITE DE VACAS MASTÍTICAS / RESEARCH FOR Mycoplasma spp IN MILK SAMPLES FROM MASTITIC COWS.

Diversas espécies de micoplasmas são responsáveis por casos e surtos de mastite em rebanhos leiteiros de todo o mundo. No Brasil, o primeiro relato de mastite por micoplasma deu-se apenas em 1996 e ainda pouco se sabe sobre sua importância nos casos nacionais dessa afecção. Os micoplasmas são agentes altamente contagiosos, sendo que o seu controle depende da detecção e da posterior eliminação da vaca acometida. Neste estudo, que foi realizado na região centro-oeste do Estado de São Paulo, 101 e 121 amostras de secreção láctea provenientes, respectivamente, de vacas com mastite aguda e de casos subclínicos foram inoculadas em meio Hayflick modificado. Todas as amostras de leite foram submetidas à análise molecular, por meio da técnica de PCR, para o primer genérico de Mycoplasma. As amostras foram negativas para micoplasma no meio de Hayflick modificado e na técnica de PCR. KEY-WORDS: Mastite. Micoplasma. PCR.

Many species of mycoplasmas account for cases and outbreaks of mastitis in dairy herds worldwide. Mastitis due to mycoplasma in Brazil was first reported only in 1996, and its real importance in the national cases of the disease is unknown. Mycoplasmas are highly contagious agents and its control depends on sick cow detection and slaughtering. In this study, which was carried out in mid-western region of São Paulo State, Brazil, 101 and 121 samples of lacteal secretion derived from acute clinical mastitic cows and subclinical cases, respectively, were inoculated in modified Hayflick mediums. Also, all the samples underwent a molecular analysis by PCR technique with Mycoplasma genus specific primers. All samples were negative for Mycoplasma in the Hayflick modified medium, as well as in the PCR.KEY-WORDS: Mastitis. Mycoplasma. PCR.