Títulos de anticorpos anti-herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) de bezerras em três rebanhos leiteiros do estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Antibodies titers against bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) from calves on three dairy farms in São Paulo State, Brazil

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os títulos de anticorpos de bezerras de zero a doze meses de idade, em três propriedades de baixa, média e alta prevalência de BoHV-1. Os soros colhidos periodicamente foram analisados e titulados pelo teste de vírus-neutralização. Em rebanho de baixa prevalência de BoHV-1, não existiu diferença nos títulos de anticorpos colostrais entre filhas de vacas vacinadas e não vacinadas contra o BoHV-1. Em rebanhos de média e alta prevalência de BoHV-1, os títulos de anticorpos foram mais elevados nas bezerras nascidas de vacas positivas e vacinadas contra BoHV-1. A avaliação zootécnica demonstrou que quando as bezerras são manejadas corretamente e mantidas com cuidados de higiene sanitária e alimentação balanceada, não sofrem infecção em quaisquer circunstâncias de prevalência de BoHV-1. Assim, o manejo é fundamental quando se tem por objetivo controlar e/ou erradicar o BoHV-1 do rebanho.

This study aimed to evaluate the antibody titers of calves from zero to twelve months in three properties, with low, medium and high prevalence of BoHV-1. Sera were collected periodically, analyzed and titrated by virus neutralization test. In herd with low BoHV-1 prevalence, there was not difference in antibody titers from colostrum in calves born from cows vaccinated or not against BoHV-1. In herds with medium and high BoHV-1 prevalence, antibody titers were greater in calves born from cows positive and vaccinated against BoHV-1. The zootechnical evaluation showed that calves well-managed in relation to hygiene and quality of feed do not get infected in any type of BoHV-1 situation prevalence. Thus, the management is essential when it aims to control or eradicate the BoHV-1 from the herd.

TÍTULOS DE ANTICORPOS ANTI-HERPESVÍRUS BOVINO TIPO 1 (BoHV-1) DE BEZERRAS EM TRÊS REBANHOS LEITEIROS DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO, BRASIL

O herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) é um importante agente infeccioso dos bovinos responsável por expressivas perdas econômicas. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os títulos de anticorpos de bezerras nascidas e criadas, durante doze meses, em três propriedades, apresentando baixa, média e alta prevalência de BoHV-1, onde foram adotadas medidas de manejo sanitário. Os soros colhidos periodicamente foram analisados e titulados pelo teste de vírus-neutralização. Os resultados mostraram que em relação à vacinação das vacas e transferência da imunidade passiva, em rebanhos de baixa prevalência de BoHV-1, não existiram diferenças nos títulos de anticorpos colostrais entre filhas de vacas vacinadas e não vacinadas contra o BoHV-1. Entretanto, em rebanhos de média e alta prevalência de BoHV-1, os títulos de anticorpos maternos foram mais elevados nas bezerras nascidas de vacas positivas e vacinadas contra BoHV-1. Com relação à avaliação zootécnica e sanitária, foi observado que quando as bezerras são manejadas corretamente, mantidas com cuidados de higiene veterinária e alimentação balanceada, não sofrem infecção em quaisquer circunstâncias de prevalência de BoHV-1, ou seja, independentemente do rebanho apresentar baixa, média ou alta prevalência para este vírus, o manejo constitui uma ferramenta fundamental quando se tem por objetivo controlar e/ou erradicar o BoHV-

TÍTULOS DE ANTICORPOS ANTI-HERPESVÍRUS BOVINO TIPO 1 (BoHV-1) DE BEZERRAS EM TRÊS REBANHOS LEITEIROS DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO, BRASIL

O herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) é um importante agente infeccioso dos bovinos responsável por expressivas perdas econômicas. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os títulos de anticorpos de bezerras nascidas e criadas, durante doze meses, em três propriedades, apresentando baixa, média e alta prevalência de BoHV-1, onde foram adotadas medidas de manejo sanitário. Os soros colhidos periodicamente foram analisados e titulados pelo teste de vírus-neutralização. Os resultados mostraram que em relação à vacinação das vacas e transferência da imunidade passiva, em rebanhos de baixa prevalência de BoHV-1, não existiram diferenças nos títulos de anticorpos colostrais entre filhas de vacas vacinadas e não vacinadas contra o BoHV-1. Entretanto, em rebanhos de média e alta prevalência de BoHV-1, os títulos de anticorpos maternos foram mais elevados nas bezerras nascidas de vacas positivas e vacinadas contra BoHV-1. Com relação à avaliação zootécnica e sanitária, foi observado que quando as bezerras são manejadas corretamente, mantidas com cuidados de higiene veterinária e alimentação balanceada, não sofrem infecção em quaisquer circunstâncias de prevalência de BoHV-1, ou seja, independentemente do rebanho apresentar baixa, média ou alta prevalência para este vírus, o manejo constitui uma ferramenta fundamental quando se tem por objetivo controlar e/ou erradicar o BoHV-

[Low incidence of hip fractures among the elderly in Guadeloupe: a spared Caribbean island population]. / Faible incidence des fractures de l'extrémité supérieure du fémur chez les patients de plus de 60 ans dans les îles de Guadeloupe.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of hip fractures among the elderly population in Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean archipelago with 440,000 inhabitants who present two rarely associated characteristics: 90% of the population is of African descent and life expectancy is similar to that of European populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the recent census report, we established that in 2002, 61,000 persons aged 60 years or more (27,000 men and 34,000 women) lived in Guadeloupe. All new cases of hip fracture among the population aged 60 years or more were recorded in 2002, 2003, and 2004 in the seven islands that compose Guadeloupe. For each case, we noted patient age and gender, type of hip fracture, and treatment administered. We excluded open and pathologic fractures. Overall and age-specific incidence of hip fractures were determined and compared with rates reported for other countries. RESULTS: Three hundred and two new cases of hip fracture were recorded from 2002 to 2005 in 211 women (70%) and 91 men (30%). The age of patients was 82 years on average (range 60-102). There were 134 neck fractures and 168 intertrochanteric fractures which were treated by osteosynthesis for 193 and arthroplasty for 108. Only one orthopedic treatment was noted. The incidence of hip fracture for people aged over 60 years was 16.9/10,000; for the population aged 65 years or more, it was 22.2/10,000. DISCUSSION: Osteoporotic fracture is a pandemic problem. Incidence is increasing worldwide. Our findings demonstrate that Guadeloupeans are spared from this pathology. This population offers an interesting field for research into the causal mechanisms of osteoporotic fractures and potential means of prevention or screening. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hip fractures among the elderly population in Guadeloupe is the lowest recorded in the world. We suggest that an environmental and genetic study in this spared population could provide interesting insight into the cause of hip fractures and appropriate means of prevention and screening among the elderly. The geographic and environmental characteristics of Guadeloupe make this area a unique zone of research and should enable new insight into the genetic and environmental factors involved in hip fractures.

Mediterranean leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients: epidemiological, clinical, and diagnostic features of 22 cases.

Twenty-two Italian HIV-infected patients developed leishmaniasis, clinically manifested as visceral (13 cases), cutaneous (2 cases) and disseminated disease (7 cases). Twenty were males and two females (mean age: 32.8 years) with a mean CD4+ cell count of 46.8/microliter at diagnosis; risk factors were intravenous drug use (17 patients) and sexual behaviour (two bisexual, two homosexual, one heterosexual). All but one patient lived or travelled in hypoendemic Italian regions and other Mediterranean countries. Apart from the two patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, the clinico-pathological and biological spectrum of the infection was often atypical, especially in patients with disseminated disease. The diagnosis was routinely made by direct recovery of parasites in biological specimens, mainly in bone marrow aspirate, whereas serology was negative or borderline in most of the patients. Among 17 in vitro isolates, Leishmania infantum was the only species involved with previously undescribed isoenzyme patterns in two cases. Treatment with antimonials and other drugs showed only temporary clinical improvement in some patients. Relapses were the rule. Leishmaniasis confirms itself as an opportunistic infection in HIV-positive persons. Secondary chemoprophylaxis should be considered in cases of relapsing disease.

PIP: The majority of the 850 HIV-associated Leishmania infections reported worldwide involve men and women from Mediterranean countries, particularly Spain, Italy, and France. This article describes a retrospectively identified series of 22 patients (20 men and 2 women) from northern Italy's Lombardy region with HIV/Leishmania coinfection in the period 1989-97. At leishmania diagnosis, the mean CD4+ lymphocyte count was 46.8/mcl and 21 patients had been previously diagnosed with an AIDS-defining illness. Intravenous drug use was the HIV risk factor in 17 patients; an additional 4 were bisexual or homosexual. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was made by direct recovery of parasites in biologic specimens, mainly in bone marrow aspirate. Serology was generally negative or borderline due to the frequent occurrence of humoral immunity imbalances. Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia were present in all but 1 patient. Leishmaniasis was clinically manifested as visceral in 13 cases, cutaneous in 2 cases, and disseminated disease in 7 cases. The clinicopathologic and biologic spectrum of infection tended to be atypical, especially in patients with disseminated disease. Leishmania infantum was the only species involved in 17 in vitro isolates; 2 cases exhibited previously undescribed isoenzyme patterns. Treatment with antimonials and other drugs produced, at best, only temporary clinical improvement. Relapses were the rule during follow-up in all but the 2 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Inclusion of Leishmania spp. among the infectious agents of AIDS-defining diseases is recommended.