In vitro effects of Blepharocalyx salicifolius (H.B.K.) O. Berg on the viability of Echinococcus ortleppi protoscoleces.

Scolicidal agents are important in the treatment of cystic echinococcosis. This study evaluated the scolicidal activity of the plant Blepharocalyx salicifolius (H.B.K.) Berg against Echinococcus ortleppi protoscoleces. The parasite species was identified by amplifying a fragment of the gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX 1). B. salicifolius crude extract at concentrations of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/mL was analyzed at different times (5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min). N-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions (100 and 200 mg/ mL) were also analyzed at 5, 10, 15 and 30 min. Both fractions showed 100% scolicidal activity at the concentration of 200 mg/mL at 5 min. Gallic acid, identified as the major compound of the ethyl acetate fraction- was responsible for the observed scolicidal activity. The results showed that crude extract and fractions of B. salicifolius have scolicidal effect against E. ortleppi protoscoleces.

Possibilidade da transmissão congênita de Toxoplasma gondii em ovinos através de seguimento sorológico no município de Rosário do Sul, RS, Brasil / Possibility of Toxoplasma gondii congenital transmission in sheeps by serological follow-up in Rosario do Sul county, RS, Brazil

No presente trabalho, descrevem-se os resultados da detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii (IgG e IgM) em amostras seqüenciais de soro de cordeiros recém-nascidos e de suas mães, sem aparentes sinais clínicos da infecção. Os anticorpos IgG foram quantificados pelos testes de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) e hemaglutinação indireta (HAI). Os anticorpos IgM foram detectados pelo método de hemaglutinação indireta 2-mercaptoetanol (HAI/ 2-ME), utilizando "kits" comerciais. Foram considerados reagentes títulos maiores ou iguais a 16, na hemaglutinação, e 20 na imunofluorescência. Coletou-se soro de 247 ovelhas e cordeiros e, após três meses, somente dos cordeiros (n=120). Do total de animais, 175 eram de uma propriedade e 72, de outra propriedade, ambas localizadas na zona rural do município de Rosário do Sul, RS, Brasil. Em 22 cordeiros (18,3 por cento), do total analisado, que apresentaram títulos na primeira coleta, houve decréscimo ou negativação da resposta imunológica indicando transferência passiva de anticorpos. Apenas quatro animais (3,3 por cento), cujas mães indicavam infecção recente, apresentaram títulos crescentes de IgG da primeira para a segunda coleta, sugerindo a possibilidade de transmissão congênita de T. gondii.

The present study describes the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) in sequential serum samples from lambs and their mothers, without clinical signs. IgG antibodies were quantified by indirect imunofluorescence (IFI) and indirect hemaglutination (HAI). IgM was detected using HAI 2- mercaptoethanol, by commercial kits. Titers higher than 16 for hemaglutination and 20 for imunofluorescence were considered positive. 247 sera samples were analysed and, after a three months interval, more 120 sera samples from their lambs were studied. There were 175 sheeps in one property and 72 sheeps in the other, both situated in the rural area of Rosário do Sul county, RS, Brazil. Through sero logical analysis were detected 22 lambs (18.3 percent) who showed titers in the first test, which declined and also negativated the imunological response in the second test, denot ing antibodies passive transference.Only at four lambs (3.3 percent), whose mothers presented early infection, IgG titers increased from first to second test, suggesting possible congenital transmission of T. gondii.