Molecular characterization of Babesia vogeli in dogs from Belém, northern Brazil.

Babesiosis is an infectious hemolytic disease that occurs worldwide, and is caused by a protozoan of the Babesia genus (Apicomplexa). Little is known about this genus; therefore, this study conducted a molecular characterization of Babesia spp in naturally infected dogs in northern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 172 dogs from metropolitan Belém, and screened for Babesia spp using semi-nested polymerase chain reactions. Subsequently, 18S rDNA gene fragments were amplified and sequenced. Alignments of the 27 nucleotide sequences returned fragments measuring 1023 bp in size, which did not include any polymorphic sites (100% identity). This genotype was very similar to the 18S rDNA gene in B. vogeli. This study provides an important molecular characterization of the parasite responsible for canine babesiosis in naturally infected dogs in metropolitan Belém. In addition, the 18S rDNA gene in B. vogeli may represent the most common genotype occurring in South America.

Adição de óleo de palma na dieta sobre a lipidemia e a qualidade do sêmen de bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis) / Addition of palm oil to diet on serum lipid profile and seminal quality of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

O estudo visou investigar o efeito da suplementação dietética com óleo de palma sobre o perfil sérico lipídico e as características seminais de touros bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis), bem como suas correlações. Doze touros foram alocados no Grupo CONT (n=5) ou Grupo ÓLEO (n=7) e receberam alimentação isoproteica composta por silagem de milho e concentrado (milho triturado, farelo de trigo e ureia), com proporção volumoso/concentrado de 50%, durante 130 dias (Períodos 1 e 2). Diferencialmente, óleo de palma foi adicionado ao concentrado (2% MS) do Grupo ÓLEO. Sêmen e sangue foram colhidos quinzenalmente. Houve aumento nas concentrações séricas de colesterol, HDL e lipídios totais nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO, enquanto o período influenciou nas taxas de colesterol, LDL, lipídios totais e VLDL (P<0,05). Houve decréscimo no turbilhonamento e discreta redução na integridade de membranas nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO (P<0,05). Correlações significativas foram encontradas entre triglicerídeos e defeitos menores (r=-0,412; P=0,006), LDL e defeitos totais (r=-0,333; P=0,030), lipídios totais e defeitos menores (r=-0.366; P= 0,017), lipídios totais e defeitos totais (r=-0.309; P= 0,046), e VLDL e viabilidade espermática (r=0,381; P=0,012), apontando efeitos positivos da maior lipidemia na morfologia e na viabilidade espermática. O uso de óleo de palma alterou o perfil lipídico sérico, mas não favoreceu per se os parâmetros seminais relacionados com o potencial de fertilidade dos touros.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with palm oil on serum lipid profile, the seminal characteristics of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and the correlations between them. Twelve bulls were divided into Group CONT (n = 5) or Group OIL (n = 7). Animals in both groups were fed with isoproteic diets composed of corn silage and concentrated (ground corn, wheat bran and urea), with 50% forage/concentrate ratio, during 130 days (Periods 1 and 2). Palm oil (2%DM) was added to diet offered to Group OIL. Semen and blood samples were collected every two weeks. Increased serum levels of cholesterol, HDL and total lipids were observed for Group OIL, while the period influenced on cholesterol, LDL, total lipids and VLDL (P<0,05). Treatment decreased gross motility (P<0.05) and slightly reduced sperm membrane integrity (P<0.05) in animals of Group OIL. There were significant correlations between triglycerides and minor defects (r=-0.412, P=0.006), LDL and total defects (r=-0.333, P=0.030), total lipids and minor defects (r=-0.366, P=0.017), VLDL and spermatic viability (r=0.381, P=0.012), and total lipids and totals defects (r=-0.309, P=0.046), highlighting positive effects of higher lipid serum levels on sperm morphology and viability. The incorporation of palm oil in the diet altered the serum lipid profile, but it showed no positive effect on seminal parameters related to the potential of bull fertility.

Genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis in Brazil.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is a highly prevalent disease in Brazil, where the genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis remains undefined. In this study, we used the TRP36 gene to examine the genetic diversity of E. canis strains from naturally infected dogs residing in five distinct geographic regions in Brazil. E. canis DNA was detected in 82/126 (65%) dogs by dsb-specific PCR and E. canis was isolated in cell culture from 13 dogs. Sequences obtained from dsb genes amplified from the isolates were identical to the US E. canis strain. An extended molecular characterization based on the TRP36 gene identified two major genogroups based on differences among eight isolates. Isolates with tandem repeat amino acid sequence (TEDSVSAPA) identical to the previously reported TRP36 sequence were found in the midwest, northeast and southeast regions of Brazil, and classified into the US genogroup. A novel Brazilian genotype with a different tandem repeat sequence (ASVVPEAE) was also identified in midwest, northern and southern regions. Similarity in the N-terminal sequence of a US genogroup member with the Brazilian genogroup suggested that genomic recombination between the two genogroups may have occurred. Other subtypes within the Brazilian genogroup were also identified using C-terminal amino acid divergence. We identified two distinct major Brazilian genogroups and several subtypes based on analysis of TRP36, and such information will be useful for further genotyping and possible associations with disease severity, understanding of the genetic and antigenic variability of E. canis, and for developing strain-specific vaccines and diagnostic methods based on TRP36.

Spider envenoming of dog - case report

This report refers to a female Pinscher treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Botucatu School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry (FMVZ)-Säo Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, 14 hours after a suspected spider envenoming. The animal showed spastic limbs, dyspnea, salivation, hypothermia, muscular fasciculation, non-responsive mydriasis, and claudication of the right hindlimb. The spider was later identified by the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals-CEVAP/UNESP, Botucatu as Phoneutria nigriventer. The treatment with potent analgesic was efficient.