Parâmetros sanguíneos de potros da raça Crioula / Blood parameters of crioulo breed horse

Com o propósito de estabelecer valores de hematócrito, proteínas plasmáticas totais, fibrinogênio, creatina quinase , aspartato transferase e lactato em potros da raça Crioula, do nascimento até os dois anos, utilizaram-se amostras sanguíneas de 85 animais, divididos pela estratificação etária: Grupo 1 (G1) Até 15 dias de vida (n=70); grupo 2 (G2), entre 16 dias até um mês (n=67); grupo 3 (G3), entre 1 e 3 meses (n=75); grupo 4 (G4), entre 3 e 6 meses (n=64); grupo 5 (G5), entre 6 e 9 meses (n=59); grupo 6 (G6), entre 9 e 18 meses (n=39); e grupo 7 (G7), entre 18 meses até 2 anos (n=17). Foi realizado estudo estatístico entre os grupos pela análise de variância unidirecional (one-wayANOVA), complementada pelo teste de Tukey. Para comparação das médias entre os sexos utilizou-se o teste t de Student. O hematócrito foi significativamente mais elevado até os 90 dias e nas fêmeas do G7. Para proteínas plasmáticas totais, notou-se aumento significativo nos grupos 3, 4, 6 e 7. Os valores de fibrinogênio foram maiores no G1. A CK apresentou maior concentração no G5 e a AST no G7. A AST assumiu valores semelhantes dos 30 dias até os 2 anos. A concentração de lactato foi mais elevada no G3. Conclui-se que na interpretação dos exames laboratoriais de potros da raça crioula, o gênero não interfere significativamente nos resultados, porém a idade deve ser considerada devido à ocorrência de variações relevantes. Recomenda-se que para interpretação sejam consultadas tabelas específicas para cada análise.

Plasma levels of hematocrit, total plasma protein, fibrinogen, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate transferase, and lactate were analyzed in blood samples of 85 Crioula breed foals, from birth to two years of age. The animals were divided into age groups: G1 (up to 15 days of age; n=70), G2 (from 16 days to one month of age; n=67), G3 (between one and three months of age; n=75), G4 (between three and six months of age; n=64), G5 (between six and nine months of age; n=59), G6 (between nine and 18 months of age; n=39), and G7 (between 18 months and two years of age; n=17). These groups were statistically analyzed by one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test. Male and female means were compared by Student’s t-test. Hematocrit levels were significantly higher up to 90 days of age and in G7 females. Total plasma proteins increased significantly in groups 3, 4, 6, and 7. The highest fibrinogen levels were found in G1. Yet for creatine phosphokinase, the highest concentrations were detected in G5, whereas those of aspartate aminotransferase in G7. The levels of this enzyme remained similar from 30 days to two years of age. Lactate concentrations were higher in G3. We concluded that the sex of the animal had no significant effect on laboratory test interpretations. By contrast, the age of the animal should be considered since relevant variations were observed with time. Nevertheless, specific tables for each analysis should be consulted for interpretation of results.

Blood parameters of crioulo breed horse / Parâmetros sanguíneos de potros da raça Crioula

Plasma levels of hematocrit, total plasma protein, fibrinogen, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate transferase, and lactate were analyzed in blood samples of 85 Crioula breed foals, from birth to two years of age. The animals were divided into age groups: G1 (up to 15 days of age; n=70), G2 (from 16 days to one month of age; n=67), G3 (between one and three months of age; n=75), G4 (between three and six months of age; n=64), G5 (between six and nine months of age; n=59), G6 (between nine and 18 months of age; n=39), and G7 (between 18 months and two years of age; n=17). These groups were statistically analyzed by one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. Male and female means were compared by Student's t-test. Hematocrit levels were significantly higher up to 90 days of age and in G7 females. Total plasma proteins increased significantly in groups 3, 4, 6, and 7. The highest fibrinogen levels were found in G1. Yet for creatine phosphokinase, the highest concentrations were detected in G5, whereas those of aspartate aminotransferase in G7. The levels of this enzyme remained similar from 30 days to two years of age. Lactate concentrations were higher in G3. We concluded that the sex of the animal had no significant effect on laboratory test interpretations. By contrast, the age of the animal should be considered since relevant variations were observed with time. Nevertheless, specific tables for each analysis should be consulted for interpretation of results.

Com o propósito de estabelecer valores de hematócrito, proteínas plasmáticas totais, fibrinogênio, creatina quinase , aspartato transferase e lactato em potros da raça Crioula, do nascimento até os dois anos, utilizaram-se amostras sanguíneas de 85 animais, divididos pela estratificação etária: Grupo 1 (G1) Até 15 dias de vida (n=70); grupo 2 (G2), entre 16 dias até um mês (n=67); grupo 3 (G3), entre 1 e 3 meses (n=75); grupo 4 (G4), entre 3 e 6 meses (n=64); grupo 5 (G5), entre 6 e 9 meses (n=59); grupo 6 (G6), entre 9 e 18 meses (n=39); e grupo 7 (G7), entre 18 meses até 2 anos (n=17). Foi realizado estudo estatístico entre os grupos pela análise de variância unidirecional (one-wayANOVA), complementada pelo teste de Tukey. Para comparação das médias entre os sexos utilizou-se o teste t de Student. O hematócrito foi significativamente mais elevado até os 90 dias e nas fêmeas do G7. Para proteínas plasmáticas totais, notou-se aumento significativo nos grupos 3, 4, 6 e 7. Os valores de fibrinogênio foram maiores no G1. A CK apresentou maior concentração no G5 e a AST no G7. A AST assumiu valores semelhantes dos 30 dias até os 2 anos. A concentração de lactato foi mais elevada no G3. Conclui-se que na interpretação dos exames laboratoriais de potros da raça crioula, o gênero não interfere significativamente nos resultados, porém a idade deve ser considerada devido à ocorrência de variações relevantes. Recomenda-se que para interpretação sejam consultadas tabelas específicas para cada análise.

Molecular detection of Leishmania spp. in Brazilian cross-border south region mammalian hosts.

Visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic zoonotic disease identified especially in developing territories. Brazil's northeast, southeast and midwest have been endemic for several years; currently, the infection is spreading to the south. Dogs are the main reservoirs; however, other mammal species have also been infected. Herein, we have identified the infecting Leishmania species in dogs and horses from the south of Brazil, a new outbreak of the infection. Blood samples were collected in the urban area of Uruguaiana city. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Out of 123 samples, 25 of them (14 dogs and 11 horses) were positive for Leishmania spp. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the kDNA in positive samples was similar to four species previously reported: L. infantum/L. chagasi, L. donovani, L. major. Despite kDNA minicircles regions are very useful due to high sensitivity to Leishmania spp. DNA detection, the sequence polymorphism among minicircles can be an obstacle to interspecific differentiation. Our results suggest that these strains are circulating in Brazil south region cross-border and indicate the susceptibility of new outbreak for visceral leishmaniasis infection in horses domiciled in endemic region for canine and human visceral leishmaniasis.

Assessment of Leishmania infantum infection in equine populations in a canine visceral leishmaniosis transmission area.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniosis, zoonosis that produces significant public health impacts, is caused by Leishmania infantum. Canines are the main domestic reservoir and, besides humans, other species of mammals could be infected when living in endemic areas. In this study, we detected equine Leishmania infantum infections in a canine visceral leishmaniosis transmission area and evaluated the clinical, haematological, biochemical and oxidative stress disorders. This study was conducted in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, south of Brazil. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 124 animals (98 horses and 26 dogs) of both genders and several breeds after they underwent general and dermatologic examinations. RESULTS: Twenty five Leishmania infantum infected animals (20.16%), 14 horses and 11 dogs were detected by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification of kinetoplast DNA regions with 96% homology to Leishmania infantum (GenBank Accession No. L 19877.1). The clinical and haematological alterations of infected equines were skin lesions, nodules, lymphadenopathy, decreased levels in red blood cells and haematocrit (p < 0.05) and increase in urea serum concentration (p < 0.05), while CVL presented a decrease in red blood cells counts (p < 0.05), increase in lymphocytes (p < 0.05), and decrease in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress markers of plasma protein carbonyl and plasma lipid peroxidation were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in both species. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this has been the first leishmaniosis equine survey performed in south of Brazil, caused by Leishmania infantum that were able to initially identify haematological and biochemical changes in the species, even in asymptomatic animals. We present evidence supporting those findings of haematological and biochemical changes could be related to infection. Surprisingly, the clinical manifestations of equine infection were similar to those found in canine visceral leishmaniosis. The equine population could be play an important role in the cycle of leishmaniosis in south Brazil and consequently indicates a great risk of public health. This evaluation of infected animals is important to establish the clinical and laboratory parameters involved in the disease progression.

Arthrographic Study of the Communication between the Tarsal Joints in Crioulo Horses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess an arthrographic technique based on the access to the equine tarsus via distal intertarsal and on the existence and frequency of communication between distal and tarsocrural joints in the tarsus of Crioulo horses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty Crioulo horses of both sexes from 3 to 8 years old were included in the experiment. Animals with radiographic signs of tarsal osteoarthritis and joint space loss were excluded from the experiment. Contrast was injected in the distal intertarsal joint and radiographs were taken at two different times - Time 0 (after contrast application) and Time 1 (45 seconds after) to detect any communication between tarsal joints. The recorded results were analysed through chi-squared test. RESULTS: Thirty out of three hundred tarsi were excluded from the experiment since the radiographic images showed loss of the distal intertarsal joint space. Positive contrast was injected in distal intertarsal joint of 70/100 tarsi. There was not any contrast overflow in the 30/70 assessed tarsi. Contrast diffused to the tarsometatarsal joint in 32/70 of the assessed tarsi and reached tarsocrural joints in 8/70 tarsi. The adopted arthrographic technique was effective in data collection and evaluation; however, 52/70 of tarsi showed contrast overflow to the bursa of the cunean tendon. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The communication between tarsocrural and distal tarsal joints in Crioulo horses was significantly higher, and this finding emphasizes the importance of performing contrasted arthrography before getting to a final diagnostic and defining therapeutic procedures.