Occurrence of zoonotic enteric parasites in fecal samples from dogs in shelters, parks, squares and public roads, and the dog guardians' perception of zoonoses as for the risk to public health in the city of Guarapuava, Paraná, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of zoonotic enteroparasites in the feces of dogs from public shelters, squares, parks, and public roads in the city of Guarapuava, Paraná, Brazil, and to evaluate the perception of dog guardians regarding zoonoses and their risk to public health. Fecal samples were collected, coproparasitological examinations were performed to detect zoonotic enteroparasites, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Questionnaires were given to guardians who walked their dogs in parks, squares, and public roads, as to assess their perception of zoonoses. A total of 333 samples were collected, of these 75, 123, and 135 of them were from public shelters, squares and parks, and public roads, respectively. One or more parasites were identified in 166 (50 %) samples, of which 58/75 (77 %) were from public shelters, 50/123 (41 %) from squares and parks, and 58/135 (43 %) from public roads. The parasites detected included Ancylostoma spp., Giardia spp., Trichuris spp., Toxocara spp., and Cystoisospora spp., with Ancylostoma spp. having the highest occurrence. PCR was performed on 161 samples for convenience due to financial limitations, because only a portion of the study was funded by the municipal government, of which 15.6 % were positive for Giardia spp., and all were negative for Cryptosporidium spp. In total, 246 guardians were interviewed, of which 36 % said they did not collect their animals' feces during walks, 20 % did not use anti-helminthics on their dogs, and 23 % did not know which diseases could be transmitted by feces. Therefore, we conclude that there is a high infection rate of parasites with zoonotic potential in public places, showing the need to raise awareness among guardians about the diseases transmitted by dog feces, correct vermifugation and the importance of collecting feces in public places.

Peripubertal soy isoflavone consumption leads to subclinical hypothyroidism in male Wistar rats.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during critical windows of development may lead to functional abnormalities in adulthood. Isoflavones are a flavonoid group of phytoestrogens that are recognized by their estrogenic activity and are highly abundant in soybean. Since the thyroid gland presents estrogen receptors and infants, toddlers and teenagers may consume isoflavones from soy-based infant formula and beverages as alternatives to animal milk, we propose to investigate the potential effects of relevant concentrations of soy isoflavones in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) thyroid axis using peripubertal male rats as an experimental model. Thirty-two 23-day-old male rats were exposed to 0.5, 5, or 50 mg of soy isoflavones/kg from weaning to 60 days of age, when they were euthanized, and the tissues were collected to evaluate the mRNA expression of genes involved in the regulation of the HP thyroid axis and dosages of thyroid hormones (THs). Serum TSH concentrations were increased, while alterations were not observed in serum concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine. Regarding mRNA gene expression, Mct-8 was increased in the hypothalamus, Mct-8, Thra1, and Thrb2 were decreased in the pituitary, and Nis and Pds were reduced in the thyroid. In the heart, Mct8 and Thrb2 were increased, and Thra1 was decreased. In the liver, Mct8, Thra1, and Thrb2 were decreased. These results suggest that the consumption of relevant doses of soy isoflavones during the peripubertal period in males may induce subclinical hypothyroidism, with alterations in the regulation of the HP thyroid axis, modulation of TH synthesis, and peripheral alterations in TH target organs.

Molecular detection of vector borne pathogens in anemic and thrombocytopenic dogs in southern Brazil / Detecção molecular de patógenos transmitidos por vetores em cães anemicos e trombocitopenicos no Sul do Brasil

Abstract Arthropod-borne pathogens are medically important because of their ability to cause diseases in their hosts. The purpose of this study was to detect the occurrence of Ehrlichia spp., piroplasmids and Hepatozoon spp. in dogs with anemia and thrombocytopenia in southern Brazil. EDTA-whole blood was collected from 75 domestic dogs presenting anemia or/and thrombocytopenia from Guarapuava, state of Paraná, Brazil. DNA samples were subjected to conventional PCR assays for Ehrlichia spp. (dsb), piroplasmids (18S rRNA) and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Among the 75 dogs, one (1.33%) was positive for Hepatozoon sp. and six (8%) were positive for piroplasmids in 18S rRNA cPCR assays. None of the dogs showed positive results in Ehrlichia spp.-cPCR targeting dsb gene. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that three piroplasm sequences were clustered with Rangellia vitalii, while one sequence was grouped with B. vogeli. The only sequence obtained from Hepatozoon spp.-PCR protocol was pooled with H. canis. Therefore, there is urgent need for differential molecular diagnosis of the two piroplasm species cited as etiological agents in clinical cases of canine hemoparasitic diseases, given the higher pathogenic potential of R. vitalii than of B. vogeli.

Resumo Agentes transmitidos por artrópodes têm grande importância na medicina veterinária devido à sua capacidade de causar doenças graves em seus hospedeiros. O presente estudo objetivou investigar a ocorrência de três patógenos transmitidos por vetores, Ehrlichia canis, Rangelia vitalii e Hepatozoon canis, em cães na região sul do Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue total de 75 cães domésticos que apresentavam anemia e/ou trombocitopenia, em Guarapuava, Paraná, Brasil. As amostras de DNA foram submetidas à técnica de PCR convencional para E. canis (dsb), piroplasmídeos (18S rRNA) e Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA), seguida de sequenciamento e análises filogenéticas. Das 75 amostras, uma (1,33%) foi positiva para Hepatozoon spp. e seis (8%) foram positivas para Babesia spp. Nenhuma amostra mostrou resultados positivos para Ehrlichia spp. utilizando a detecção pelo gene dsb. As análises filogenéticas revelaram que três sequências obtidas foram agrupadas no mesmo clado que R. vitalii , enquanto uma foi agrupada juntamente com B. vogeli. A única sequência obtida pelo protocolo de PCR para Hepatozoon spp. foi agrupada juntamente com H. canis. Assim, é justificada necessidade de diferenciação das espécies de piroplasmas, através do diagnóstico molecular, como agentes etiológicos nos casos clínicos de hemoparasitose canina, considerando o potencial patogênico de R. vitalii quando comparado à B. vogeli.

Molecular detection of vector borne pathogens in anemic and thrombocytopenic dogs in southern Brazil.

Arthropod-borne pathogens are medically important because of their ability to cause diseases in their hosts. The purpose of this study was to detect the occurrence of Ehrlichia spp., piroplasmids and Hepatozoon spp. in dogs with anemia and thrombocytopenia in southern Brazil. EDTA-whole blood was collected from 75 domestic dogs presenting anemia or/and thrombocytopenia from Guarapuava, state of Paraná, Brazil. DNA samples were subjected to conventional PCR assays for Ehrlichia spp. (dsb), piroplasmids (18S rRNA) and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Among the 75 dogs, one (1.33%) was positive for Hepatozoon sp. and six (8%) were positive for piroplasmids in 18S rRNA cPCR assays. None of the dogs showed positive results in Ehrlichia spp.-cPCR targeting dsb gene. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that three piroplasm sequences were clustered with Rangellia vitalii, while one sequence was grouped with B. vogeli. The only sequence obtained from Hepatozoon spp.-PCR protocol was pooled with H. canis. Therefore, there is urgent need for differential molecular diagnosis of the two piroplasm species cited as etiological agents in clinical cases of canine hemoparasitic diseases, given the higher pathogenic potential of R. vitalii than of B. vogeli.

Seroprevalence rates of antibodies against Theileria equi in team roping horses from central-western region of Paraná.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Theileria equi in horses from central western region of Paraná state, Brazil. The presence of antibodies IgG against T. equi was determined in serum samples obtained from 400 team roping horses of the district of Guarapuava by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that 242 (61%) animals were positive which demonstrates that equine piroplasmosis is widespread and therefore it might be a contributing factor for the irregular performance among athletes horses in the region studied. No association regarding age and sex were observed (p>0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a serological survey on equine piroplasmosis in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Seroprevalence rates of antibodies against Theileria equi in team roping horses from central-western region of Paraná / Soroprevalência de anticorpos contra Theileria equi em equinos atletas da região centro-oeste do Paraná

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Theileria equi in horses from central western region of Paraná state, Brazil. The presence of antibodies IgG against T. equi was determined in serum samples obtained from 400 team roping horses of the district of Guarapuava by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that 242 (61%) animals were positive which demonstrates that equine piroplasmosis is widespread and therefore it might be a contributing factor for the irregular performance among athletes horses in the region studied. No association regarding age and sex were observed (p>0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a serological survey on equine piroplasmosis in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de Theileria equi em equinos da região centro-oeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. A presença de anticorpos IgG contra T. equi foi determinada em amostras de soro obtidas a partir de 400 cavalos atletas do distrito de Guarapuava pelo ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Os resultados mostraram que 242 (61%) animais foram positivos, o que demonstra que a piroplasmose equina apresenta ampla distribuição e, portanto, poderá contribuir para a performace irregular de cavalos que participam de eventos desportivos na região. Não foi observada associação com a idade ou sexo dos equinos (p>0,05). Pelo que se sabe, este é o primeiro relato de levantamento sorológico sobre piroplasmose equina no Estado do Paraná, Brasil.

Isolation and characterization of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys conoides.

The spread of organic farming and the development of resistance to anthelmintics by parasites, especially in small ruminants, have necessitated the search for alternative methods of nematode control. Biological control using nematophagous fungi is one option; however, few studies have been conducted with native strains. The present study was divided into two phases. In the first phase, we aimed to isolate, identify, and assess the in vitro predatory activity of nematophagous fungi that had been isolated on Trichostrongylidae third-instar larvae. In the second phase, the isolate with superior predatory activity in vitro was molecularly characterized, and its morphological plasticity was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on Haemonchus third-instar larvae. Of the 56 soil samples from different regions of Paraná State, Brazil, 57 fungal strains were recovered, of which four exhibited predatory activity. Two pure isolates were obtained: the CED and LIN strains. After demonstrating 96.35 % predatory activity for the CED strain, this strain was selected and characterized using molecular criteria by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer and was identified as Arthrobotrys conoides (GenBank ID: JN191309). Morphological patterns in this strain during the interaction between the fungus and the nematode were revealed by SEM, in which two extensions of the infection bulb that was used to pierce the nematode's cuticle were clearly visible.

Efeito residual do nitrogênio na cultura do milho no sistema de produção integração lavoura-pecuária / Residual effect of nitrogen in the maize production in crop livestock integration

O nitrogênio (N) é um dos nutrientes exigidos em grandes quantidades pelas plantas. Sua aplicação na pastagem, em integração lavoura-pecuária, pode proporcionar alta produtividade animal no inverno e vegetal no verão. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito residual da aplicação de N na pastagem, com e sem pastejo, sobre a cultura do milho. O experimento foi realizado em Guarapuava (PR) na safra 2007/08, em delineamento de blocos casualizados com parcelas subsubdivididas. A parcela principal consistiu dos tratamentos com N no inverno (N-TI = 0, 75, 150 e 225kg ha-1 de N) em pastagem de aveia branca (Avena sativa L.) e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), na subparcela com (CP) e sem pastejo (SP) de ovinos e, nas subsubparcelas N no verão (N-TV = 0; 75; 150; 225 e 300kg ha-1 de N). A semeadura do híbrido 30F53 ocorreu no dia 24/10/07. As variáveis avaliadas foram fitomassa seca da pastagem, produtividade, número de fileiras, grãos por fileira, grãos por espiga e massa de mil grãos. A fitomassa seca CP e SP teve resposta quadrática para as dose de N-TI. A produtividade de grãos, assim como o número de fileiras e grãos por espiga não foram afetados pelo pastejo. Houve resposta quadrática na produtividade de grãos em função do aumento das doses de N-TI e N-TV.

The nitrogen is an element required in large quantities by plants. Its application in the pasture, in crop-livestock integration, would provoke high animal productivity in winter and high vegetal productivity in summer. This study aimed to evaluate the residual effect of nitrogen application in the pasture, with and without grazing sheep, under maize culture. The experiment was conducted in Guarapuava (PR) in the 2007/08 season in a randomized block design with split plots. The main parcel consisted of treatments with N in winter (N-TI = 0, 75, 150 e 225kg ha-1 de N) in pasture of white oat (Avena sativa L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), in subparcel with (CP) and without grazing (SP) sheep and, in subsubparcels N in summer (N-TV=0; 75; 150; 225 e 300kg ha-1 de N). The sowing of hybrid 30F53 occurred on 10/24/07. The variables evaluated were: pasture dry mass, productivity, numbers of rows, grains per rows, grains per spike and grain thousand mass. The dry mass plant CP and SP had quadratic response to the level of N-TI and N-TV. The productivity of grains, as well as the number of rows and grains per spike, was not affected by grazing. There was quadratic response in productivity of grains, due to the increase of nitrogen levels N-TI and N-TV.

Componentes de rendimento e características da carne e carcaça de novilhos confinados sob efeito do tamanho de partícula e da altura de colheita das plantas de milho na ensilagem / Yield composition and characteristics of meat and carcass of steers confineds on effect of particle size and cutting height of corn plant for silage

O experimento foi conduzido no Núcleo de Produção Animal (NUPRAN) da Universidade Estadual do Centro Oeste do Paraná (UNICENTRO) com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do tamanho de partícula (pequena: entre 0,2 e 0,6cm ou grande: entre 1,0 e 2,0cm) e da altura de corte das plantas de milho para ensilagem (baixa: 15cm, ou alta: 39cm), sobre os componentes de rendimento e as características da carne e carcaça de novilhos terminados em confinamento, constituindo-se os tratamentos: T1 - silagem de partícula pequena com altura de corte baixa; T2 - silagem de partícula grande com altura de corte baixa; T3 - silagem de partícula pequena com altura de corte alta; e T4 - silagem de partícula grande com altura de corte alta. Não houve interação significativa (P>0,05) entre altura de colheita e tamanho de partícula para os parâmetros relativos aos componentes de rendimento e às características da carne e carcaça. Silagens de partícula pequena na dieta alimentar de bovinos confinados proporcionaram maior (P<0,05) rendimento de carcaça e menores perdas no resfriamento, apesar de as demais características de carcaça mostrarem-se similares às silagens de partícula grande. A elevação da altura de colheita das plantas de milho de 15 para 39cm durante a ensilagem não gerou alterações (P>0,05) nas características da carcaça, na qualidade da carne e nos componentes de rendimento da carcaça na produção de novilhos de corte confinados.

The experiment was conducted at the Núcleo de Produção Animal (NUPRAN) of Universidade Estadual do Centro Oeste do Paraná (UNICENTRO). The experiment was aimed at evaluating the composition of yield and characteristics of meat and carcass on effect of particle sizes (small: between 0.2 and 0.6cm or large: between 1.0 and 2.0cm) and cutting heights (low cut: 15cm or high cut: 39cm) of the corn plant. The treatments were: T1 - small particle size with low cut height; T2 - large particle size with low cut height; T3 - small particle size with high cut height; and T4 - large particle size with high cut height. No signification interaction (P>.05) was observed between cutting height and particle size for composition of income and characteristics of meat and carcass. Small particle silages in diet for confined cattle production presented higher (P_<.05) dressing percentage and small refreshing losses in spite of others carcass characteristics were similar to larger particle size. The cutting height of corn plant for silage from 15 to 39cm didn't no affect (P>.05) the yield composition and characteristics of meat and carcass of steers confined.