The susceptibility of domestic cats (Felis catus) to experimental infection with Leishmania braziliensis.

Over the last few years, several cases of feline leishmaniasis (FL) with cutaneous and visceral forms have been reported around the world. Nonetheless, the real susceptibility of cats to infection with Leishmania spp. and the outcome of leishmaniasis in these animals are poorly understood. Experimental studies on feline models will contribute to the knowledge of natural FL. Thus, in order to determine the susceptibility of domestic cats (Felis catus) to experimental infection with Leishmania braziliensis, 13 stray cats were infected with 10(7) promastigotes by the intradermal route in the ear and nose simultaneously and followed up for 72 weeks. Soon after infection, the earliest indication of a lesion was a papule on the ear at 2 weeks post-infection (w.p.i.). The emergence of satellite papules around the primary lesion was observed about 4 w.p.i. Two weeks later these papules coalesced and formed a huge and irregular nodule. Thereafter, there was lesion dissemination to the external and marginal surface of the ipsilateral ear, and later to the contralateral ear. At 10 w.p.i., some nodules became ulcerated. Nose lesions presented a similar evolution. At both sites, the largest lesion sizes occurred at 10 w.p.i. and started to decrease 15 days later. Ear and nose nodules healed at 32 and 40 w.p.i., respectively. Specific L. braziliensis IgG antibody titers (optical density> or = 0.01 as positive result) were detected as early as 2 w.p.i. (0.09 +/- 0.02) in only three animals (23%), and all cats had positive titers at 20 w.p.i. (0.34 +/- 0.06). Only three animals (38%) continued to show positive serology at 72 w.p.i. (0.08 +/- 0.02). Up to that time, none of the cats had lesion recurrence. In a feline model of cutaneous leishmaniasis, it seems that there is no correlation between active lesions and positive serology. The implications of these data are discussed.

Gravidade da paralisia cerebral e desempenho funcional / Severity of cerebral palsy and functional performance

A paralisia cerebral (PC) e um disturbio do movimento e da postura que resulta de lesao cerebral nao-progressiva ocorrida no periodo inicial do desenvolvimento infantil, podendo apresentar sintomatologia variada, que caracteriza a gravidade do comprometimento neuromotor. Embora a literaturae disponibilize evidencias sobre a gravidade do comprometimento neuromotor desse grupo clinico, informacoes msobre a manifestcao sobre as diferentes categorias de gravidade na capacidade e na independencia da crianca para realizar atividades do seu cotidiano nao estao bem documentadas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o impacto da gravidade neuromotora ao perfil funcional das criancas portadoras de PC. Trinta e seis criancas portadoras de paralisia cerebral com niveis de compxrometimento neuromotor leve, moderado ou grave classificados pelo GMFCS foram avaliadas pelo teste PEDI, que informa sobre as habilidades funcionais e a independencia da crianca nas areas de autocuidado, mobilidade e funcao social

Aspects of the granulomatous reaction in the liver of mice infected and reinfected with two different geographical strains of schistosoma mansoni

In this study, which was undertaken in relation to the histopathologic behavior of two different strains (LE - Belo Horizonte, MG and SJ - Sao José dos Campos, SP) in infections and reinfections (homologous or heterologous) with Schistosoma mansoni, the authors confirmed a more accentuated pathogenicity of the SJ strain. All the reinfections showed the presence of typical granulomas of the acute phase, when performed either with the same strain (homologous) or with a different strain (heterologous) of the parasite of the primo infection. The possible mechanisms responsible for reactivation of the immunopathologic response in reinfections are discussed.

Influence of gender and age on performance of rats in the elevated plus maze apparatus.

We have compared the performance of male and female Wistar rats at different ages (45, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days) in the elevated plus-maze test, a reliable animal model of anxiety. Up to 60 days of age, rats of both sexes exhibited a high number of entries and of time spent on open arms (50% or above). At 120 days of age or more, rats of both sexes characteristically exhibited a reduction in the number of entries and of the time spent on open arms (below 50%). Within the range of 60 and 120 days there are statistically significant sex differences. At 90 days of age male rats showed a marked switch in their performance in the apparatus, reaching levels of the latter stage, whereas in females it happened around 120 days. These results suggest an ontogenetic difference in rats that accounts for at least two distinct performances for rats placed in an elevated plus-maze. Gender effects were found in a certain range, suggesting caution on interpreting data obtained in rats within 60 and 120 days old. Also, the results obtained highlight the importance of carefully controlling animal age in studies using the elevated plus-maze.