New insights on the phylogeography of Hepatozoon canis in Brazil.

This study aimed to molecularly characterize the Hepatozoon spp. infecting domestic and wild dogs in Brazil. A total of 22 whole blood samples tested positive for Hepatozoon spp., and five samples were sequenced for the 18S rDNA gene from H. canis after PCR amplification with four primer sets. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference showed that the three H. canis isolates from domestic dogs were not monophyletic; however, they were more closely related to each other than to other H. canis sequences. The isolate from the hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) was phylogenetically more distant. Two haplotype networks were constructed, identifying 10 haplotypes of H. canis in Brazil, with H10 constituting the largest group. It contains nine isolates, including three from domestic dogs. The H5 haplotype grouped the sequence of L. vetulus with two additional sequences from hosts Tapirus terrestris and L. vetulus, representing the sole haplotype with wild hosts. Bayesian analysis suggested the possible existence of two genetic groups of H. canis in Brazil, indicating gene flow of this agent within the country. These findings contribute valuable insights for a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular diversity of Hepatozoon spp. in Brazil and may help in the development of effective control measures.

miR-20a is upregulated in serum from domestic feline with PKD1 mutation.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), also known as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetically heterogeneous condition characterized by cysts in renal parenchyma. It is the most prevalent inherited disease of domestic cats. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or ncRNA) are short, noncoding, single-stranded RNAs that may induce PKD cytogenesis by affecting numerous targets genes as well as by directly regulating PKD gene expression. We compared the relative expression profile of miR-20a, -192, -365, -15b-5p, and -16-5p from plasma and serum samples of nine domestic cats with PKD1 mutation, detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a control group (n = 10). Blood samples from cats with PKD1 mutation provide similar concentrations of microRNAs either from plasma or serum. Serum miR-20a is upregulated in PKD group with p < 0.005; Roc curve analysis showed an AUC of 90,1% with a cut-off value sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 100%. This data provides important information regarding renal miRNA expression in peripheral blood sampling.

Eurytrema coelomaticum natural infection in small ruminants: a neglected condition.

Pancreatic eurytrematosis (PE) is an under diagnosed and neglected parasitosis in goats and sheep in the Americas. Clinical and pathological features of PE are not well defined in small ruminants worldwide. Natural cases of PE in small ruminants were detected in the Federal District, Brazil. A survey of necropsy records, including epidemiological and clinicopathological data, in goats and sheep was conducted. Most cases of PE occurred during the rainy season in adult females, with an incidence of 12.9% in goats and 0.8% in sheep. Clinical signs varied from asymptomatic infections to anorexia, lethargy, weakness, marked weight loss and death in some goats. Overall, most cases of PE in goats and sheep were incidental necropsy findings with minor pancreatic lesions. Three goats, however, showed severe chronic pancreatitis, dilation of major pancreatic ducts with numerous trematodes present and marked abdominal fat necrosis. Morphological and molecular characterization of flukes detected Eurytrema coelomaticum. Our findings shed light on the prevalence of E. coelomaticum infections in small ruminants in the region and highlight the possibility of severe and lethal cases in goats. PE must be further investigated in small ruminant populations in relevant livestock production regions of the Americas.

Refractometry as an alternative to the biuret method for measuring total serum proteins in Podocnemis expansa (Podocnemididae) and Phrynops geoffroanus (Chelidae) / Refratometria como alternativa ao método do biureto para mensuração de proteínas séricas totais em Podocnemis expansa e Phrynops geoffroanus (Podocnemididae, Chelidae)

Total serum protein is a significant indicator of health condition in animals. The aim of this study was to analyze the precision of the portable refractometer in determining the concentration of total serum proteins in Podocnemis expansa and Phrynops geoffroanus. A total of 26 animals were used. The blood samples were collected from the supraoccipital sinus and stored in tubes without anticoagulant. Total serum protein was determined using both the biuret reaction and refractometry. The total serum protein mean concentration (g dL-1) with biuret method and refractometry for P. expansa were 3.16 and 3.2; and for P. geoffroanus were 3.56 and 2.72, respectively. These results indicate that total serum protein values can be determined with precision in P. expansa and P. geoffroanus using a portable refractometer.

A proteína sérica total é um indicador significativo do estado de saúde em animais. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a precisão do refratômetro portátil para determinar a concentração de proteínas séricas totais em Podocnemis expansa e Phrynops geoffroanus. Foram utilizados um total de 26 animais. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas por punção do seio supraoccipital e armazenadas em tubos sem anticoagulante. A concentração de proteína sérica total foi determinada utilizando tanto a reação de biureto como um refratômetro portátil. A média da proteína sérica total (g dL-1) pela reação de biureto e pela refratometria para P. expansa foram de 3,16 e 3,2; e para P. geoffroanus foram de 3,56 e 2,72, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicam que os valores de proteínas séricas totais podem ser determinados com precisão em P. expansa e P. geoffroanus usando o refratômetro portátil.