Cryptic diversity in a gastrointestinal acanthocephalan of New World primates from Costa Rica.

Prosthenorchis elegans is a worm of the family Archiacanthocephala that infects non-human primates in the Americas, producing an intestinal pathology that may compromise the life of its hosts. Squirrel monkeys, Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus, were found with P. elegans in Costa Rica. Histopathological analysis revealed a severe pyogranulomatous response composed by macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Morphological worm analyses revealed 36 hooks in the proboscis distributed in six rows; and total body, hook and lemnisci length were compatible to the original descriptions of P. elegans. In addition, phylogenetic, haplotype network and genetic distance analyses were done on cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, cox1, sequences obtained from the collected specimens. Sequences obtained herein clustered separately with high posterior probabilities in a Bayesian Inference tree and showed 8.12% nucleotide differences when compared to P. elegans from Colombia. This high divergence was confirmed in the TCS network that separated Colombian and Costa Rican sequences by 32 mutational steps, a genetic distance PCA which separated sequences from both geographical locations by 89.5% and an FST value of 0.655, indicating the presence of cryptic diversity in P. elegans. Additional studies from specimens collected from other definitive hosts and geographical locations are required to better understand the biodiversity of this species.

Detection of Rickettsia spp. in ticks of wildlife fauna from Costa Rica: First report of Rickettsia rhipicephali in Central America.

In the past two decades, new species of Rickettsia have been detected and described worldwide, some of them considered pathogenic for humans. Although Costa Rica is considered a biodiversity hotspot, the knowledge about rickettsiae in sylvatic ecosystems and wild animals is scarce. The aim of this preliminary study was to detect and identify species of Rickettsia in ticks collected from wild animals in Costa Rica. A total 119 ticks were collected from 16 animal host species belonging to diverse vertebrate families (Didelphidae, Procyonidae, Felidae, Choloepodidae, Bradypodidae, Myrmecophagidae, Tayassuidae, Tapiridae, Phyllostomidae, Bufonidae, Geoemydidae, Boidae, Colubridae), and they were grouped into 43 pools to detect the presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA by PCR targeting the gltA gene. In positive pools, amplicons of the ompA, sca5 (ompB), and/or htrA genes were also amplified to identify the species present. The identification of some ticks was also confirmed by molecular methods. Four species of Rickettsia were detected in eight (19%) tick pools: Rickettsia amblyommatis in four pools of Amblyomma geayi (host: Caluromys derbianus) and one pool of Amblyomma cf. parvum (host: Nasua narica), Rickettsia rhipicephali in one pool of Dermacentor latus (host: Tayassu pecari), 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi' in one pool of Amblyomma sp. nymphs (host: Boa constrictor), and Rickettsia sp. genotype IbR/CRC in one pool of Ixodes cf. boliviensis (host: Puma concolor). This is the first molecular detection of R. rhipicephali in Central America, and of 'Candidatus R. colombianensi' in Costa Rica. Results show that diverse wild animals and their ticks are associated with several species of rickettsiae in Costa Rica, which may come in contact with humans and other domestic animals in sylvatic environments.

Fasciola hepatica co-infection enhances Th1 immune response in the adventitial layer of non-fertile Echinococcus granulosus cysts.

Cystic echinococcosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. In intermediary hosts, two types of echinococcal cysts can be found: fertile, which produce protoscoleces, the infective form of the parasite to dogs; and infertile, that do not present protoscoleces and therefore are not able to continue with the parasite life cycle. The adventitial layer, the local immune response against the cyst, plays an important role in cyst fertility. Grazing cattle can often feature Fasciola hepatica co-infection, a parasite known to modulate the host systemic immune response. In this work the cellular Th1/Th2 immune profiles were evaluated in the adventitial layer of fertile and non-fertile cysts with and without co-infection with Fasciola hepatica. Measuring with immunohistochemistry and qPCR in adventitial layer, we report that non-fertile cysts present higher levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ (P < 0.0001) and TNF-α (P < 0.05)), and fertile cysts have higher levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 (P < 0.001)). Co-infection with Fasciola hepatica is associated with a decrease in the expression of IL-4 (P < 0.05) and an increase in the expression of IFN-γ (P < 0.0001) in the adventitial layer of fertile cysts. Non-fertile cysts were associated with higher levels of Th1 cytokines in the adventitial layer, with IFN-γ expression enhanced by F. hepatica co-infection (P < 0.0001), confirming that polyparasitism should be considered in the treatment and control of naturally infected cattle.

Cattle co-infection of Echinococcus granulosus and Fasciola hepatica results in a different systemic cytokine profile than single parasite infection.

E. granulosus is a cestode that causes Cystic Echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic disease with worldwide presence. The immune response generated by the host against the metacestode induces a permissive Th2 response, as opposed to pro-inflammatory Th1 response. In this view, mixed Th2 and regulatory responses allow parasite survival. Overall, larval Echinococcus infections induce strong regulatory responses. Fasciola hepatica, another common helminth parasite, represents a major infection in cattle. Co-infection with different parasite species in the same host, polyparasitism, is a common occurrence involving E. granulosus and F. hepatica in cattle. 'While it is known that infection with F. hepatica also triggers a polarized Th2/Treg immune response, little is reported regarding effects on the systemic immune response of this example of polyparasitism. F. hepatica also triggers immune responses polarized to the Th2/ Treg spectrum. Serum samples from 107 animals were analyzed, and were divided according to their infection status and Echinococcal cysts fertility. Cytokines were measured utilizing a Milliplex Magnetic Bead Panel to detect IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-18. Cattle infected only with F. hepatica had the highest concentration of every cytokine analyzed, with both 4.24 and 3.34-fold increases in IL-10 and IL-4, respectively, compared to control animals, followed by E. granulosus and F. hepatica co-infected animals with two-fold increase in IL-10 and IL-4, compared to control animals, suggesting that E. granulosus co-infection dampens the cattle Th2/Treg immune response against F. hepatica. When considering Echinococcal cyst fertility and systemic cytokine concentrations, fertile cysts had higher IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-18 concentrations, while infertile cysts had higher IL-10 concentrations. These results show that E. granulosus co-infection lowers Th1 and Th2 cytokine serological concentration when compared to F. hepatica infection alone. E. granulosus infections show no difference in IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-18 levels compared with control animals, highlighting the immune evasion mechanisms of this cestode.

Lymphocyte Populations in the Adventitial Layer of Hydatid Cysts in Cattle: Relationship With Cyst Fertility Status and Fasciola Hepatica Co-Infection.

Cystic echinococcosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Two types of hydatid cysts occur in intermediate hosts: fertile cysts that generate protoscoleces from the germinal layer of the cyst, and infertile cysts that do not produce protoscoleces and are unable to continue the life cycle of the parasite. The adventitial layer, a host-derived fibrous capsule surrounding the hydatid cyst, is suggested to play an important role in local immune regulation during infection and in fertility of the cysts. Fasciola hepatica, another important parasite of cattle, induces a characteristic Th2-like immune response that could modulate the immune response against E. granulosus. Natural co-infection of both parasites is common in cattle, but no reports describe the local immune response against E. granulosus with F. hepatica infection in the same host. This study analyzed the number and distribution of T and B cells in the adventitial layer of liver and lung cysts and the relationship with cyst fertility and F. hepatica co-infection. T lymphocytes were the predominant cell type in the adventitial layer of infertile hydatid cysts and were more numerous in infertile hydatid cysts. B lymphocyte numbers were not associated with hydatid cyst fertility. Mast cells were infrequent in the adventitial layer. The number of T and B cells was not associated with F. hepatica co-infection. The present study contributes to the understanding of local immune responses in bovine cystic echinococcosis.

Spatial Distribution of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccoidea) in the Root System of Pruned and Non-pruned Coffea arabica Trees.

Root mealybugs are important pests of coffee in many parts of the world. Despite the importance of these insects very little is known about their biology, ecology, and coffee susceptibility at different developmental stages. This study determined the effects of coffee tree pruning on root biomass, the number and within-plant spatial distribution of root-associated mealybugs, and weed-mealybug associations near coffee root systems. We made destructive root sampling of pruned and non-pruned coffee trees every 3 mo during the first-year post-pruning. In each sampling, we quantified coffee root biomass, and the number and spatial distribution of mealybug genera. Mealybugs feeding on weed roots were sampled every 2 wk for the duration of 10 wk. We identified the mealybug genera Puto Signoret (Hemiptera: Putoidae), Dysmicoccus Ferris (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), Ripersiella Tinsley (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae), Rhizoecus Künckel (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae), and Geococcus Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with coffee roots. Species from Puto and Ripersiella were the most abundant representing 91% of the total mealybugs found in non-pruned trees, and 75% of the ones found in pruned trees. Coffee tree pruning reduced root biomass by 60% and mealybug numbers during the first 9 mo post-pruning. Mealybugs associated with a variety of weeds growing near coffee roots increased their number during the first 6 wk after coffee pruning. Our results suggest that coffee tree pruning causes a high percentage of root death, which correlates with a decrease of root-associated mealybugs that probably migrate to weed roots. This study provides basic information for designing mealybug control strategies in pruned coffee trees. Las cochinillas de las raíces son plagas importantes del café en varias partes del mundo. A pesar de la importancia de estos insectos se conoce muy poco sobre su biologia, ecología y sobre la susceptibilidad de plantas de café en diferentes etapas de desarrrollo. Este estudio determinó el efecto de la poda de árboles de café en la biomasa de raíces, el número y la distribución espacial in-planta de cochinillas asociadas a las raíces, y asociaciones de cochinillas con arvenses en el plato de los árboles de café. Se realizaron muestreos destructivos de raíces en árboles de café podados y no podados cada tres meses durante el primer año después de la poda. Las cochinillas alimentándose de raíces de arvenses fueron muestreadas cada dos semanas durante diez semanas. En cada muestreo se cuantificó la biomasa de raíces de café, se identificó el género de cochinillas, su cantidad y su distribución espacial. Se identificaron los géneros de cochinillas Puto Signoret (Hemiptera: Putoidae), Dysmicoccus Ferris (Hemiptera: Pseudoccocidae), Ripersiella Tinsley (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae), Rhizoecus Künckel (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae), y Geococcus Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) asociados a raíces de café. Especies de Puto y Ripersiella fueron las más abundantes representando el 91% del total de cochinillas encontradas en árboles no podados y el 75% de aquellas encontradas en árboles podados. La poda de árboles de café redujo la biomasa de raíces en un 60% y el número de cochinillas durante los primeros nueve meses después de la poda. Las cochinillas asociadas a varias especies de arvenses presentes en los platos de los árboles de café incrementaron su número durante las primeras seis semanas después de la poda de los árboles. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que la poda de árboles de café causa una alta muerte de raíces, lo cual se correlaciona con una reducción en las cochinillas quienes probablemente migran hacia las raíces de las arvenses. Este estudio proporciona información básica para el diseño de estrategias de control de cochinillas en árboles de café podados.

New insights of the local immune response against both fertile and infertile hydatid cysts.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis is caused by the metacestode of the zoonotic flatworm Echinococcus granulosus. Within the viscera of the intermediate host, the metacestode grows as a unilocular cyst known as hydatid cyst. This cyst is comprised of two layers of parasite origin: germinal and laminated layers, and one of host origin: the adventitial layer, that encapsulates the parasite. This adventitial layer is composed of collagen fibers, epithelioid cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes. To establish itself inside the host, the germinal layer produces the laminated layer, and to continue its life cycle, generates protoscoleces. Some cysts are unable to produce protoscoleces, and are defined as infertile cysts. The molecular mechanisms involved in cyst fertility are not clear, however, the host immune response could play a crucial role. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We collected hydatid cysts from both liver and lungs of slaughtered cattle, and histological sections of fertile, infertile and small hydatid cysts were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. A common feature observed in infertile cysts was the disorganization of the laminated layer by the infiltration of host immune cells. These infiltrating cells eventually destroy parts of laminated layer. Immunohistochemical analysis of both parasite and host antigens, identify these cells as cattle macrophages and are present inside the cysts associated to germinal layer. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report that indicates to cell from immune system present in adventitial layer of infertile bovine hydatid cysts could disrupt the laminated layer, infiltrating and probably causing the infertility of cyst.

Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst location is modified by Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Natural parasite infection occurs in wild and domestics animals with more than one parasite species at the same time, generating an infection called polyparasitism. Cystic echinococcosis reports are usually based only on infection with Echinoccocus granulosus leaving aside other internal parasitoses that could modulate both the immune response and pathogenesis of the natural infection. Fasciola hepatica is another cosmopolitan parasite in ruminants with a similar distribution to E. granulosus in different parts of the world, but no information of the effect of co-infection with E. granulosus has been described. The aims of this report were to establish E. granulosus prevalence and explore the association of F. hepatica co-infection and natural E. granulosus infections in cattle. RESULTS: From 1725 animals, the prevalence of E. granulosus and F. hepatica was 21.16 and 51.3%, respectively. Considering both infections, older cattle (> 4 years) presented higher prevalence compared to younger animals. In E. granulosus-infected cattle, 5.21% had fertile cysts, 71.78% infertile cysts, and in 23.01% cysts were smaller than 1 cm in diameter. Considering cyst location, 39.72% had lungs cysts, 24.72% had liver cysts and 36.94% had cysts in both organs. Cyst location significantly differed between age groups: 44.68% of younger animals had cysts only in the lungs, while older animals presented hydatid cyst in the lungs and liver simultaneously (44.15%). With E. granulosus infection alone, 30.26% of cysts were found in the lungs, 31.79% in the liver and 37.95% in both organs. Regarding the co-infection of E. granulosus with F. hepatica, the proportion was significantly different (P < 0.05) with most animals having cysts only in the lungs (49.41%) and a lower level of liver infection (15.88%). Analyzing organ cyst distribution and F. hepatica absence/presence ratio within each cyst type, small cysts showed the highest difference in ratio. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report indicating that F. hepatica co-infection in cattle could be affecting the instate of hydatid cysts in the liver, displacing toward lung localization, suggesting an antagonistic relationship.

First description of Echinococcus ortleppi and cystic echinococcosis infection status in Chile.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a parasitic disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), is a worldwide zoonotic infection. Although endemic in Chile, information on the molecular characteristics of CE in livestock remains scarce. Therefore we aimed to describe the status of infection with E. granulosus s.l. in cattle from central Chile and also to contribute to the study of the molecular epidemiology of this parasite. According to our results, the prevalence of CE is 18.84% in cattle, similar to previous reports from Chile, suggesting that the prevalence in Santiago Metropolitan area has not changed in the last 30 years. Most of the cysts were found only in lungs (51%), followed by concurrent infection in liver and lungs (30%), and only liver (19%). Molecular characterization of the genetic diversity and population structure of E. granulosus s.l. from cattle in central Chile was performed using a section of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial gene. E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) (G1-G3 genotypes) was confirmed by RFLP-PCR to be the dominant species affecting cattle (284 samples/290 samples); we also report for the first time in Chile the presence of E. ortleppi (G5 genotype) (2 samples/61 samples). The Chilean E. granulosus s.s. parsimony network displayed 1 main haplotype. Additional studies using isolates from many locations across Chile and different intermediate hosts will provide more data on the molecular structure of E. granulosus s.s. within this region. Likewise, investigations of the importance of E. ortleppi in human infection in Chile deserve future attention.

Examining the Role of Transmission of Chelonid Alphaherpesvirus 5.

Marine turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a devastating neoplastic disease characterized by single or multiple cutaneous and visceral fibrovascular tumors. Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) has been identified as the most likely etiologic agent. From 2010 to 2013, the presence of ChHV5 DNA was determined in apparently normal skin, tumors and swab samples (ocular, nasal and cloacal) collected from 114 olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and 101 green (Chelonia mydas) turtles, with and without FP tumors, on the Pacific coasts of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. For nesting olive ridley turtles from Costa Rica without FP, 13.5% were found to be positive for ChHV5 DNA in at least one sample, while in Nicaragua, all olive ridley turtles had FP tumors, and 77.5% tested positive for ChHV5 DNA. For green turtles without FP, 19.8% were found to be positive for ChHV5 DNA in at least one of the samples. In turtles without FP tumors, ChHV5 DNA was detected more readily in skin biopsies than swabs. Juvenile green turtles caught at the foraging site had a higher prevalence of ChHV5 DNA than adults. The presence of ChHV5 DNA in swabs suggests a possible route of viral transmission through viral secretion and excretion via corporal fluids.

The white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) is a naturally susceptible definitive host for the zoonotic nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis in Costa Rica.

Angiostrongylus costaricensis (Strongylida, Angiostrongylidae) is a roundworm of rodents, which may cause a severe or fatal zoonosis in several countries of the Americas. A single report indicated that the white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), acts as a potential free-ranging wildlife reservoir. Here we investigated the prevalence and features of A. costaricensis infection in two procyonid species, the white-nosed coati and the raccoon (Procyon lotor) from Costa Rica to better understand their possible role in the epidemiology of this zoonotic infection. Eighteen of 32 (56.2%) white-nosed coatis collected between July 2010 and March 2016 were infected with A. costaricensis but none of 97 raccoons from the same localities were diagnosed with this infection. First-stage larvae of A. costaricensis were obtained from feces of 17 fresh white-nosed coati carcasses by Baermann technique. Parasite identity was confirmed by morphology, histology and molecular characterization of target genes. These data demonstrate that the white-nosed coati is a naturally susceptible definitive host for A. costaricensis in Costa Rica contrary to findings in the raccoon.

The trochlear pre-ossification center: a normal developmental stage and potential pitfall on MR images.

BACKGROUND: The hypertrophic changes that occur in the cartilage of an epiphysis prior to the onset of ossification are known as the pre-ossification center. Awareness of the appearance of the pre-ossification center on MR images is important to avoid confusing normal developmental changes with pathology. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the trochlear pre-ossification center on MR imaging and examine age and gender differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed MR images from 61 children. The trochleas were categorized into three types on the basis of signal intensity (SI). Trochlear types were compared to age and gender. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the ages of boys and girls. Type 1 trochleas showed homogeneous SI on all pulse sequences. Type 2 trochleas demonstrated a focus of high SI in the epiphyseal cartilage on fat-suppressed water-sensitive sequences, with high or intermediate SI on gradient-echo images (pre-ossification center). Type 3 trochleas showed low SI on fat-suppressed water-sensitive sequences and gradient-echo images. Thirty-seven trochleas were described as type 1, sixteen as type 2 and eight as type 3. ANOVAs confirmed a statistically significant difference in the age of children with type 3 trochleas and those with types 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). Spearman rank correlations determined a positive relationship between trochlear type and age of the children (r = 0.53). CONCLUSION: Development-related changes in the trochlea follow a predictable pattern. The signal characteristics of the pre-ossification center likely reflect normal chondrocyte hypertrophy and an increase in free water in the matrix.

Taking the stress out of evaluating stress injuries in children.

Pediatric stress injuries result from a mismatch between (a) the burden of activity on growing bone and cartilage and (b) their intrinsic biomechanical properties. Although the presentation of stress injuries varies with the specific physical activity and the site of injury, in children it varies primarily with the degree of skeletal maturation. During the past several years, there has been a substantial increase in the incidence of pediatric stress injuries. The differential diagnosis of a stress injury in a child or adolescent can be challenging because the injury sometimes can appear aggressive at imaging assessment. Awareness of the spectrum of imaging features of stress injuries can help the radiologist to reach the correct diagnosis and prevent unnecessary anxiety. This review depicts the range of stress injuries in children and adolescents in various anatomic locations, with emphasis on their appearances at magnetic resonance imaging.

Serological detection of viral infections in captive wild cats from costa rica.

Serum samples from a total of 44 wildcats, 28 margays (Leopardus wiedii), 10 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), four jaguaroundis (Herpailurus yaguaroundi), one oncilla (Leopardus tigrina), and one jaguar (Panthera onca) were obtained between January 2001 and August 2002 from the Profelis Centre for rehabilitation of wild felids, located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica. Forty three samples were tested for antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and p27 antigen of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), 42 samples for antibodies against feline parvovirus (FPV), and 30 for antibodies against feline calicivirus (FCV). None of the samples contained detectable antibodies against FIV or p27 antigen of FeLV, all samples contained antibodies against FPV, and one sample contained antibodies against FCV.

Chromobacterium violaceum Infection in a free-ranging howler monkey in Costa Rica.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a gram-negative saprobe bacterium that is a rare opportunistic pathogen in mammals. There are numerous reports in humans including fatalities, but no record exists in free-ranging nonhuman primates. Here we report an infection by C. violaceum in a wild adult male howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) captured at Ballena Marine National Park, in southwestern Costa Rica. The individual had severe skin lesions over its extremities; gross findings included multiple skin ulcers, white foci in liver, and lymphoid hyperplasia. Histologic results included deep dermatitis with presence of necrotic epithelial cells where clusters of coccoid-shaped bacteria were detected. In the liver, numerous neutrophils forming microabscesses, telangiectasia, and focal necrotic areas were observed. Necrotic liver tissue sampled for bacteriologic culture resulted in the isolation of C. violaceum. We could not ascertain the source or mechanism of infection in this case, although infection through skin microabrasions is suspected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for this pathogen in a wild, nonhuman primate. This report also draws attention to this infectious agent as a potential emerging wildlife disease and consideration should be paid by regional veterinary and epidemiologic vigilance services.

Femoral head deformation and repair following induction of ischemic necrosis: a histologic and magnetic resonance imaging study in the piglet.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic necrosis of the femoral head can be induced surgically in the piglet. We used this model to assess femoral head deformation and repair in vivo by sequential magnetic resonance imaging and by correlating end-stage findings with histologic assessments. METHODS: Ischemic necrosis of the femoral head was induced in ten three-week-old piglets by tying a silk ligature around the base of the femoral neck (intracapsular) and cutting the ligamentum teres. We used magnetic resonance imaging with the piglets under general anesthesia to study the hips at forty-eight hours and at one, two, four, and eight weeks. Measurements on magnetic resonance images in the midcoronal plane of the involved and control sides at each time documented the femoral head height, femoral head width, superior surface cartilage height, and femoral neck-shaft angle. Histologic assessments were done at the time of killing. RESULTS: Complete ischemia of the femoral head was identified in all involved femora by magnetic resonance imaging at forty-eight hours. Revascularization began at the periphery of the femoral head as early as one week and was underway in all by two weeks. At eight weeks, magnetic resonance imaging and histologic analysis showed deformation of the femoral head and variable tissue deposition. Tissue responses included (1) vascularized fibroblastic ingrowth with tissue resorption and cartilage, intramembranous bone, and mixed fibro-osseous or fibro-cartilaginous tissue synthesis and (2) resumption of endochondral bone growth. At eight weeks, the mean femoral head measurements (and standard error of the mean) for the control compared with the ligated femora were 10.4 +/- 0.4 and 4.8 +/- 0.4 mm, respectively, for height; 26.7 +/- 0.8 and 31.2 +/- 0.8 mm for diameter; 1.1 +/- 0.1 and 2.3 +/- 0.1 mm for cartilage thickness; and 151 degrees +/- 2 degrees and 135 degrees +/- 2 degrees for the femoral neck-shaft angle. Repeated-measures mixed-model analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects of ligation in each parameter (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging allows for the assessment of individual hips at sequential time periods to follow deformation and repair. There was a variable tissue response, and histologic assessment at the time of killing was shown to correlate with the evolving and varying magnetic resonance imaging signal intensities. Femoral head height on the ischemic side from one week onward was always less than the initial control value and continually decreased with time, indicating collapse as well as slowed growth. Increased femoral head width occurred relatively late (four to eight weeks), indicating cartilage model overgrowth concentrated at the periphery.

Maduración in vitro de ovocitos de gatas tratadas con hormona folículo estimulante (FSH) / In Vitro Maturation of Cat Oocytes Obtained From Females Treated with Follicle Stimulating Hormone

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del tratamiento con hormona folículo estimulante (FSH) sobre la calidad y potencial de maduración in vitro (MIV) de ovocitos de gata. Veintiún gatas adultas fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a grupos de estudio. Grupo FSH (n = 9) 5 mg NIH/día de Foltropin-V por 4 días vía subcutánea y Grupo Control (n = 12) 1 mL de suero fisiológico por 4 días vía subcutánea. Los ovarios fueron obtenidos quirúrgicamente y transportados al laboratorio dentro de las 4 horas subsiguientes a 37°C. Los complejos cumulus-ovocito (CCOs) fueron obtenidos por rebanado ovárico, seleccionándose por criterios morfológicos aquellos considerados aptos para MIV. Se utilizó como medio de maduración TCM-199, BSA (0,4%), FSH (1µL/mL), LH (1µL/mL), 17beta estradiol (1µg/mL), gentamicina (50 µg/mL) y piruvato (0,2 mM). El cultivo se realizó durante 24 horas a 38,5°C con 5% de CO2. Posteriormente los ovocitos fueron denudados, fijados y teñidos para evaluar la maduración, considerándose maduros aquellos en metafase II. Se recuperaron en promedio por hembra 10,6 ± 3,6 y 7,1 ± 2,8 CCOs aptos para MIV en los grupos FSH y Control respectivamente (P <= 0,05). Se recuperó un 25,6% de CCOs aptos para MIV en el grupo FSH y 17% en el grupo Control (P <= 0,05). La tasa de MIV para el grupo FSH fue de un 73,6% versus 49,4% en el grupo Control (P <= 0,05). Se concluye que el tratamiento con FSH aumenta el número de CCOs aptos para MIV y que estos presentarían un mayor potencial de maduración.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) treatment on quality and in vitro maturation potential of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) recovered from domestic cats. Twenty-one mature cats were randomly assigned to two groups, FSH (n=9) and Control (n=12). Cats in FSH group were treated with 5 mg of Folltropin-V subcutaneously every 24 hours, for 4 consecutive days. Cats in Control group received 1 mL of sterile saline solution every 24 hours for 4 days. Ovaries were obtained surgically 24 hours after the end of the gonadotrophic treatment. Ovaries were then transported to the laboratory at 37°C within 4 hours after surgery. COCs were recovered by slicing, and classified according to morphological features. Maturation medium was based on TCM-199, and supplemented with 0.4% BSA, 1µL/mL FSH, 1µL/mL LH y 1µg/mL of 17ß oestradiol, 50 µg/mL gentamicin, 0.20 mM sodium pyruvate. The maturation period was of 24 hours under 38.5°C, 5% CO2 and saturated humidity. After this period oocytes were denuded, fixed and stained to asses their maturational status. Oocytes were considered mature when it was observed the presence of metaphase II plate and the expulsion of the first polar body. An average of 10.6 ± 3.6 and 7.1 ± 2.8 excellent and good quality COCs were recovered from cats in FSH and Control group respectively (P <= 0.05). Twenty five point six percent (25.6%) and 17% of recovered COCs from FSH and Control group respectively were classified as excellent or good (P <= 0.05). In vitro maturation rate was of 73.6% and 49.4% for the FSH group and the control group respectively (P <= 0.05). It can be concluded that FSH treatment increases the number of excellent and good quality oocytes obtained from cats and that these oocytes present a higher in vitro maturation potencial.

Descripción de nueve especies sudamericanas del género Neralsia Cameron, con carena escutelar baja ( Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae ) / Description of nine South American species of the genus Neralsia cameron, with low scutellar Carina ( Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae )

En este estudio se describen un total de nueve especies del género Neralsia para sudamérica: N. desantisi Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., N. equilatera Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., N. hermafrodita Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., N. marioi Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., N. moisesi Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., N. obelix Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., N. parafossulata Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., N. pseudoneralsia Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp. y N. rauli Jiménez & Pujade-Villar n. sp., todas ellas tienen en común presentar la carena que separa las fosetas escutelares baja. Por otro lado, otras seis especies conocidas del género Neralsia presentan el mismo carácter morfológico escutelar: N. albipennis (Kieffer), N. bogotensis (Kieffer), N. flavidipennis (Kieffer), N. fossulata (Kieffer), N. pilosa (Borgmeier) and N. striaticeps (Kieffer). Se indican los caracteres morfológicos que diferencian todas las especies mencionadas.