Scopulariopsis brevicaulis fungal outbreak in laboratory rats

This study describes an outbreak of alopecia in laboratory rats caused by the saprophytic fungi Scopulariopsis brevicaulis in a Brazilian lab animal facility. Initially, lesions were identified only in females during the lactation period, which showed circumscribed areas with alopecia without pruritus extensively at the abdomen and the medial side of the thighs. Later during the course of the infection, skin lesions affected both genders reaching about 10% of the colony. Skin scrapings, hair, and environmental samples from the facility were sent for analysis. The cultures were carried out in Sabouraud agar and over seven days fast-growing colonies varying in color from white to brown were observed. Micromorphology showed mycelium and characteristic ringworms of the fungus S. brevicaulis. There is a similar report of an outbreak of this fungus in Turkey. To date, this is the first report in the literature of the fungus S. brevicaulis causing disease in laboratory rats in Brazil.

A fatal pneumonia due to coinfection of Pseudomonas putida and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in a laboratory beagle dog

Background: Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) is widely distributed in the environment, and sometimes caused nosocomialinfections in human beings, but no case of infection has been reported in beagle dogs. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius(S. pseudintermedius) is a natural cutaneous bacterium in dogs and occasionally causes purulent infections of the skin yetrarely causes pneumonia. Both bacteria are opportunistic pathogens. Dogs, even well-controlled laboratory beagle dogs,maybe infected by the bacterium in certain conditions like this report. In order to provide information and give suggestionto veterinarians involved in dogs study, a complete profile of the coinfection was drawn in this report.Case: It is presented a case of an 8-month-old beagle dog, weighing 6 kg that suffered from coinfection of P. putida andS. pseudintermedius during a treatment of chemotherapy. The animal was confirmed as normal by appearance, physicalexamination and laboratory tests before arrival according to the applicable guidelines. After 14-day acclimation period, theanimal was administrated with a tyrosinase inhibitor once daily via oral gavage. From Day 8, coughing, decreased activity, hyporeflexia, squinting, shortness of breath (abdominal breathing), and discharge around the nose as well as cracklesin the lung and rapid heart rate were noted. Since the poor conditions progressed quickly and have not been improved bytreatment of ceftriaxone and dexamethasone. On Day 9, the animal was euthanized for humanitarian reasons. To define thepathogen, hilar lymph node and thoracic swab were collected for bacteria isolation and purification in special mediums,and at last characterized by Gram staining and 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis and positive PCR-restriction fragmentlength polymorphism. In clinical pathological examination, an increase in WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes...(AU)

A fatal pneumonia due to coinfection of Pseudomonas putida and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in a laboratory beagle dog

Background: Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) is widely distributed in the environment, and sometimes caused nosocomialinfections in human beings, but no case of infection has been reported in beagle dogs. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius(S. pseudintermedius) is a natural cutaneous bacterium in dogs and occasionally causes purulent infections of the skin yetrarely causes pneumonia. Both bacteria are opportunistic pathogens. Dogs, even well-controlled laboratory beagle dogs,maybe infected by the bacterium in certain conditions like this report. In order to provide information and give suggestionto veterinarians involved in dogs study, a complete profile of the coinfection was drawn in this report.Case: It is presented a case of an 8-month-old beagle dog, weighing 6 kg that suffered from coinfection of P. putida andS. pseudintermedius during a treatment of chemotherapy. The animal was confirmed as normal by appearance, physicalexamination and laboratory tests before arrival according to the applicable guidelines. After 14-day acclimation period, theanimal was administrated with a tyrosinase inhibitor once daily via oral gavage. From Day 8, coughing, decreased activity, hyporeflexia, squinting, shortness of breath (abdominal breathing), and discharge around the nose as well as cracklesin the lung and rapid heart rate were noted. Since the poor conditions progressed quickly and have not been improved bytreatment of ceftriaxone and dexamethasone. On Day 9, the animal was euthanized for humanitarian reasons. To define thepathogen, hilar lymph node and thoracic swab were collected for bacteria isolation and purification in special mediums,and at last characterized by Gram staining and 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis and positive PCR-restriction fragmentlength polymorphism. In clinical pathological examination, an increase in WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes...

Microbiological contaminations of laboratory mice and rats in conventional facilities in Argentina.

Routine microbiological monitoring of rodent colonies in animal facilities is essential to evaluate the health status of the animals used in research studies. In the present study, animals were examined for the presence of selected microbial infections. In order to determine the contamination rates of mice and rats in Argentina, animals from 102 conventional facilities were monitored from 2012 to 2016. The most frequent bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus spp. The common parasites identified were Syphacia spp. and Tritrichomonas spp. Serological assays demonstrated the highest prevalence for Mouse hepatitis virus in mice and Sialodacryoadenitis virus in rats. The results indicate that there is a high incidence of infections, so it is suggested that an efficient management system and effective sanitary barriers should be implemented in conventional facilities in Argentina in order to improve sanitary standards.

Establishment of an environmental microbiological monitoring program in a mice barrier facility.

Rodents used in biomedical research are maintained behind barriers to exclude microbial contaminants. Several check points have to be monitored to eliminate the potential of introducing adventitious agents into the facility. Microbiological monitoring of a mouse facility environment enables to evaluate the efficiency of sanitization and cleaning procedures, air quality, and technician good practices. At our SPF mouse facility, we implemented an environmental microbiological monitoring program based in sedimentation and swabbing, inexpensive and easy to use methods. The aim of this work was to evaluate the results and the efficiency of the monitoring program after seven years. The median for bacteria and fungi counts in the SPF sampled areas was ≤2 CFU/2 h for settle plates and <1 CFU per swabbing plate, satisfying the requirements for grade C of the EU-GMP, with some modifications. The environmental monitoring program was useful to detect early warning of problems and enabled us to define a safe range of microbiological counts. In addition, SPF status defined for our mice was maintained throughout this study, confirmed by our HM program. This work could encourage directors and technicians of other mouse facilities in Latin America and rest of the world to implement this kind of program.

Monitoramento sanitário de colônia de camundongos BALB/c mantidos em biotério convencional / Health monitoring of the BALB/c mice colony kept in a conventional animal facility

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o estado sanitário da colônia de camundongos BALB/c e as condições ambientais do Biotério do Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, através de exames parasitológicos e microbiológicos. Utilizando-se meios de cultura enriquecidos e seletivos, procurou-se identificar agentes potencialmente patogênicos para os animais e zoonóticos, a partir de pele, pelos, trato respiratório e entérico dos animais, além da microbiota fúngica ambiental. Pesquisou-se a presença de Mycoplasma sp. e Bordetella sp. em traqueia e fungos em pele e pelos, além de exames parasitológicos e pesquisa de Salmonella spp. e enterobactérias em amostras de conteúdo do ceco dos animais. Para monitoramento do ambiente, coletaram-se amostras de diferentes locais do interior do biotério. Após macro e microcultivo fúngicos, foram identificados Cladosporium sp., Acremonium sp., Aspergillus sp., Curvularia sp. e Trichophyton mentagrophytes. O exame micológico de pele e pelos resultou negativo para 100% das amostras. Não foi observado crescimento de patógenos respiratórios, nem de Salmonella spp. As bactérias isoladas são constituintes da microbiota entérica normal de animais em condições convencionais: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella spp., Providencia stuart, Pseudomonas putida. O exame parasitológico demonstrou a presença de Strongyloides stercoralis, Syphacia obvelata, Aspiculuris tetraptera e Ancylostoma sp.. O trabalho realizado demonstrou grande valor diagnóstico, tanto para avaliação da saúde dos animais de laboratório, como para uma análise qualitativa da microbiota fúngica ambiental, devendo ser implantado como rotina no biotério.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the health status and environmental conditions of the colony of BALB/c mice maintained in an Animal Facility of the Lauro de Souza Lima Institute. Parasitological and microbiological tests with enriched and selective culture media were used to identify zoonotic and potentially pathogenic agents from skin, hair, respiratory and enteric tracts of the animals and fungal flora of the environment. This study proposed to verify colonization of Mycoplasma sp. and Bordetella sp. in trachea, fungi in skin and hair, as well as perform parasitological examination, Salmonella spp. and enterobacteria isolation from cecum of sampled animals. In addition serum of animals were tested against different viral and bacterial antigens and against Toxoplasma gondii antigen.For environmental monitoring samples were collected from different locations. After macro and microculture, the fungi identified were Cladosporium sp. Acremonium sp., Aspergillus sp., Curvularia sp. and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Mycological examination of the skin was negative for 100% of the samples. There was no growth of respiratory pathogens or Salmonella spp. The bacteria isolated in the present study consist of the normal enteric microbiota of animals in conventional conditions: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella spp. Providencia stuart and Pseudomonas putida. The parasitological examination showed the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis, Syphacia obvelata, Aspiculuris tetraptera and Ancylostoma sp. Serology resulted negative for all tested antigens. The techniques used in this work showed to be valuable for diagnostic purpose, to assess the health of laboratory animals, as well as for qualitative analysis of environmental fungal microbiota, thus it should be implemented as a routine in the animal house.

Fungal microbiota of the hair coat of laboratory animals / Microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório

With the refining of handling techniques for laboratory animals kept in animal rooms in which different work rules are followed,it is fundamental to evaluate the microbiota of the raising environment, as well as of the animals in this environment. It isknown that several saprobe fungi are isolated from hair and skin of experimental animals, being potentially pathogenic inspecific situations. The aim of this research was to determine the fungal microbiota on the coats of laboratory animals fromthe Central Animal Room of the University of Ceará. Samples of hair and skin of 355 healthy animals (150 rats, 150 mice, 40guinea pigs and 15 hamsters) were analyzed. Samples were collected by vigorously brushing the back of the animals andthen cultured on Sabourauds dextrose and Mycosel agar. Species identification was based on the analysis of the macroscopicappearance of colonies and microscopy features of the fungi. Development of fungi was observed in 63.95% of the animals.The most frequent fungi were: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34.7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) and Penicillium sp. (16.7%). Inconclusion, fungal microbiota on coat of these animals is diversified, and saprobe fungi occurs in a great number of experimentalanimals(AU)

Com o afinamento das técnicas de manejo de animais de laboratório mantidos em biotérios que seguem diferentes normas de trabalho, é fundamental que se avalie a microbiota dos ambientes de criação, bem como dos animais que deles fazem parte. É sabido que várias espécies fúngicas sapróbias são isoladas da pele e pelos de animais experimentais, podendo em situações específicas ser potencialmente patogênicas. A presente pesquisa objetivou conhecer a microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório do Biotério Central da UECE. Para tanto, foram analisadas amostras de pele e pelos de 355 animais clinicamente saudáveis (150 ratos, 150 camundongos, 40 cobaias e 15 hamsters). As amostras foram coletadas mediante escovação vigorosa do dorso desses animais e semeadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose e ágar Mycosel, sendo a identificação das espécies baseada na análise das características macro e microscópicas das colônias fúngicas. Houve o desenvolvimento de fungos em 63,95% dos animais. Os fungos mais incidentes foram: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34,7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) e Penicillium sp. (16,7%). Frente aos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a microbiota fúngica da pelagem desses animais é bem diversificada, ficando evidente a ocorrência de fungos sapróbios em grande número de animais experimentais(AU)

Fungal microbiota of the hair coat of laboratory animals / Microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório

With the refining of handling techniques for laboratory animals kept in animal rooms in which different work rules are followed,it is fundamental to evaluate the microbiota of the raising environment, as well as of the animals in this environment. It isknown that several saprobe fungi are isolated from hair and skin of experimental animals, being potentially pathogenic inspecific situations. The aim of this research was to determine the fungal microbiota on the coats of laboratory animals fromthe Central Animal Room of the University of Ceará. Samples of hair and skin of 355 healthy animals (150 rats, 150 mice, 40guinea pigs and 15 hamsters) were analyzed. Samples were collected by vigorously brushing the back of the animals andthen cultured on Sabourauds dextrose and Mycosel agar. Species identification was based on the analysis of the macroscopicappearance of colonies and microscopy features of the fungi. Development of fungi was observed in 63.95% of the animals.The most frequent fungi were: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34.7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) and Penicillium sp. (16.7%). Inconclusion, fungal microbiota on coat of these animals is diversified, and saprobe fungi occurs in a great number of experimentalanimals

Com o afinamento das técnicas de manejo de animais de laboratório mantidos em biotérios que seguem diferentes normas de trabalho, é fundamental que se avalie a microbiota dos ambientes de criação, bem como dos animais que deles fazem parte. É sabido que várias espécies fúngicas sapróbias são isoladas da pele e pelos de animais experimentais, podendo em situações específicas ser potencialmente patogênicas. A presente pesquisa objetivou conhecer a microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório do Biotério Central da UECE. Para tanto, foram analisadas amostras de pele e pelos de 355 animais clinicamente saudáveis (150 ratos, 150 camundongos, 40 cobaias e 15 hamsters). As amostras foram coletadas mediante escovação vigorosa do dorso desses animais e semeadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose e ágar Mycosel, sendo a identificação das espécies baseada na análise das características macro e microscópicas das colônias fúngicas. Houve o desenvolvimento de fungos em 63,95% dos animais. Os fungos mais incidentes foram: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34,7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) e Penicillium sp. (16,7%). Frente aos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a microbiota fúngica da pelagem desses animais é bem diversificada, ficando evidente a ocorrência de fungos sapróbios em grande número de animais experimentais

Efectos de la ingestión de una dieta con alto contenido en grasas en ratas Wistar crónicamente infectadas con Trypanosoma cruzi / The effects of ingesting a high-fat diet on Wistar rats chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Se investigan los efectos de la ingestión de una dieta con alto contenido en grasas en ratas albinas (R. norvegicus) crónicamente infectadas con Trypanosoma cruzi “Planalto”, mediante pruebas de diagnóstico sero-parasitológicas, cuantificación del Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC), detección de la Proteína C Reactiva (PCR), evaluación de los niveles de lípidos plasmáticos (colesterol total, lipoproteínas de alta densidad - HDL y triglicéridos) y presencia de depósitos lipídicos en la arteria aorta. Durante el curso de la infección chagásica, se detectaron parasitemias patentes entre los 10 y 35 días pi, con un máximo promedio de 36,68±2 trips./mm³ de sangre a los 25 días. A los 90 días pi, se evidenció ausencia de parasitemias y presencia de anticuerpos IgG anti- T. cruzi. Las ratas chagásicas (A) y las sanas (C) sometidas a la dieta rica en grasas, mostraron: diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en el IMC, en comparación con los grupos de ratas sometidas a la dieta normal (B: infectadas y D: sanas); discreta reacción de la PCR en los sueros de las ratas infectadas B; aumento significativo en los niveles de colesterol total, colesterol - HDL y triglicéridos en los grupos A y C en comparación con los grupos controles B y D (p<0,05). El estudio histológico de las arterias de ratas del grupo A, reveló importantes depósitos lipídicos ubicados en la capa muscular próximos a las capas íntima y adventicia. Estos resultados sugieren que el incremento en los niveles de lípidos plasmáticos estimulado por el proceso infeccioso, son los principales mecanismos por el cual T. cruzi podría estar influyendo en la iniciación o progresión de placas ateromatosas

The effects of ingesting a high fat diet on albino rats (R. norvegicus) chronically infected with Trypanosome cruzi “Planalto” were researched using serological and parasitological diagnostic tests, body mass index (BMI) quantification, detection of C-Protein Reactive (CPR), evaluation of the plasmatic lipid levels (total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins HDL and triglycerides) and the presence of lipidic deposits in the aorta artery. During the course of the chagasic infection, patent parasitemias were detected between the ages of 10 and 35 days post-infection (pi) with a maximum average of 36.68 ± 2 tryps/mm³ of blood at 25 days. At 90 days pi, the absence of parasitemias and the presence of IgG anti T. cruzi antibodies were in evidence. The chagasic rats in chronic phase (A) and the healthy controls (C) submitted to a high fat diet showed: 1. Significant variations (p0.05) in the BMI, in comparison with the rat groups receiving a normal diet (B: infected and D: healthy rats); 2. A discrete CRP reaction in the serum of infected rats B; 3. A significant increase was shown in the total cholesterol levels, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides for groups A and C in comparison with control groups B and D (p0.05). The histological study of rat arteries in group A revealed important lipid deposits located in the muscular layer near the intimal and adventitial layer. These results suggest that the increase in plasmatic lipid levels stimulated by the infectious process are the main mechanisms through which T. cruzi could be influencing the initiation or the progression of atheromatous plaque

Detection of Mycoplasma pulmonis in laboratory rats and technicians.

Five species of mycoplasma are associated with several rat diseases. Mycoplasma pulmonis is the most important and most studied, possibly causing disease in rats and undermining the validity of laboratory experiments. M. pulmonis was isolated in 144/240 laboratory rats and identified by PCR in 155/240. This species was also detected in 12 human individuals (technicians of a laboratory animal house hold) in contact with these rats. The results were confirmed by sequencing of DNA products. Mycoplasma species are host specific; however, M. pulmonis was identified in humans, suggesting a case of unspecific colonization. Statistical analysis shows a greater risk for M. pulmonis colonizing individuals who are exposed to infected rats in animal facilities than individuals who do not. The detection of M. pulmonis in humans indicates a new status for this mollicute mycoplasmas in animal-holding facilities.

Circulation of Campylobacter spp. in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) held in captivity: a longitudinal study.

Campylobacteriosis is an extremely important zoonosis, circulating freely in the environment. In nonhuman primates kept in open facilities and bred for experimental purposes, the presence of Campylobacter spp. could cause severe damage to the production and interfere with the results of scientific research. In this paper, we assessed the circulation of Campylobacter spp. in a colony of clinically healthy rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) destined to research. The analysis was carried out during seven non-consecutive years. Data showed that despite several changes made in animal management along the studied years in order to control this zoonosis, reduction of bacterial charge did not occur. Significant differences among the age groups and sex were observed. Infants showed higher susceptibility than adult animals. In general males were more infected than females. Modifications adopted in the handling techniques need to be reviewed with the intent of improving the production, reducing bacterial infection of the stock and avoiding undesirable cross reactions in the research carried out with these animals. Therefore, this paper alerts professionals that work directly with captive rhesus monkeys about the risks of Campylobacter spp. infection and possible interference on the experimental procedures.

Circulation of Campylobacter spp. in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) held in captivity: a longitudinal study

Campylobacteriosis is an extremely important zoonosis, circulating freely in the environment. In nonhuman primates kept in open facilities and bred for experimental purposes, the presence of Campylobacter spp. could cause severe damage to the production and interfere with the results of scientific research. In this paper, we assessed the circulation of Campylobacter spp. in a colony of clinically healthy rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) destined to research. The analysis was carried out during seven non-consecutive years. Data showed that despite several changes made in animal management along the studied years in order to control this zoonosis, reduction of bacterial charge did not occur. Significant differences among the age groups and sex were observed. Infants showed higher susceptibility than adult animals. In general males were more infected than females. Modifications adopted in the handling techniques need to be reviewed with the intent of improving the production, reducing bacterial infection of the stock and avoiding undesirable cross reactions in the research carried out with these animals. Therefore, this paper alerts professionals that work directly with captive rhesus monkeys about the risks of Campylobacter spp. infection and possible interference on the experimental procedures.