Relationship between testicular lesion and hormone levels in male rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between testicular lesions and hormone levels in rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. For that, the measurement of reproductive hormones, histopathology and biomarkers of cellular injury were carried out in twenty-four animals, which were divided into two groups with 12 animals each. Group A was the negative control, or uninfected, while group B was composed by animals infected with T. evansi. Both groups were divided again into two other subgroups (n=6), from which serum and testicular fragments were collected on days 5 (A1 and B1) and 15 (A2 and B2) post-infection (PI). The morphological analysis showed increased alterations of head and tail of sperm in infected rats when compared with those of the control group. A significant reduction (P<0.01) in the levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and estradiol, associated with an increase in cortisol, was observed in serum of group B when compared with negative control. Additionally, NOx, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were enhanced in testicles, indicating the occurrence of cellular lesion. On histopathology, it was possible to observe testicular degeneration, among other disorders in infected animals. Therefore, based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the experimental infection with T. evansi caused changes in the levels of the main hormones of male rats associated with cellular injury.

Diphenyl diselenide and sodium selenite associated with chemotherapy in experimental toxoplasmosis: influence on oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers and cytokine modulation.

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to assess the effect of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (ST) supplemented with diphenyl diselenide and sodium selenite in experimental toxoplasmosis, on oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers and cytokine levels. Eighty-four BALB/c mice were divided in seven groups: group A (negative control), and groups B to G (infected). Blood and liver samples were collected on days 4 and 20 post infection (p.i.). Levels of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactive substances and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were assessed in liver samples. Both biomarkers were significantly increased in infected groups on day 4 p.i., while they were reduced on day 20 p.i., compared with group A. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity significantly (P<0·01) increased on day 4 p.i., in group G, compared with group A. INF-γ was significantly increased (P<0·001) in both periods, day 4 (groups B, C, F and G) and 20 p.i. (groups C, F and G). IL-10 significantly reduced (P<0·001) on day 4 p.i. in group B; however, in the same period, it was increased (P<0·001) in groups C and G, compared with group A. On day 20 p.i., IL-10 increased (P<0·001) in groups F and G. Therefore, our results highlighted that these forms of selenium, associated with the chemotherapy, were able to reduce lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, providing a beneficial immunological balance between the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities in lymphocytes associated with the immune response of rats experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

An investigation of E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities in lymphocytes from rats experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii was carried out in this study. For this purpose, twenty four adult male Wistar rats were divided in two groups/four subgroups (A1 and A2; B1 and B2-6 animal/each group), with "A" as uninfected and "B" inoculated with T. gondii (RH strain). Sampling was performed on days 5 and 10 post-infection (p.i.), with evaluation of hemogram, immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) and activity of E-NTPDase and E-ADA in lymphocytes. Enzymes essays showed ATP hydrolysis increased on days 5 (P<0.05) and 10 (P<0.01) p.i., as well as an increase of ADP hydrolysis on day 10 (P<0.01) p.i. E-ADA activity on lymphocytes was also increased in both evaluated periods (P<0.01). Based on E-NTPDase and E-ADA increased activities observed on lymphocytes, it is possible to suggest their involvement in an anti-inflammatory response, consisting of a modulatory response, preventing excessive tissue damage caused by the infection with Toxoplasma gondii.

Serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone in female rats experimentally infected by Trypanosoma evansi.

The goal of this study was to evaluate reproductive hormones in sera samples of female rats experimentally infected by Trypanosoma evansi during different phases of the estrous cycle. For that, 64 animals were divided into two groups: 24 rats for the control group (uninfected), and 40 animals were infected by T. evansi. These groups were divided into subgroups according to the time of infection (days 5 and 15 post-infection; PI) and the phase of the estrous cycle (proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus). Serum was collected at days 5 and 15 PI and the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone and estradiol were assessed by enzyme immunoassay technique. The concentration of nitrite/nitrate (NOx), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in ovaries and uteruses in these same periods. Infected females showed significant decrease (P<0.05) of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone in different periods and phases of the estrous cycle when compared to uninfected rats. In addition, it was observed an increase in the concentration of NOx, AOPP, and TBARS in the ovaries, which is indicative of cell damage. Therefore, our experimental study showed that T. evansi infection in female rats may cause changes in LH, FSH, estradiol, and progesterone levels regardless of the time of infection or phase of the estrous cycle.

Susceptibility of Brazilian isolates of Trypanosoma evansi to suramin sodium: test in experimentally infected mice.

This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of Brazilian isolates of Trypanosoma evansi to suramin sodium. For this purpose, three isolates of T. evansi (LPV-2005, LPV-2009 and LPV-2010) and seventy mice were used, with the animals divided in 10 groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J) with seven animals each group. Mice of groups A, B, and C were infected with LPV-2005; Groups D, E and F with LPV-2009 and the groups G, H and I with LPV-2010. The group J was composed by healthy mice or uninfected. The parasitemia was monitored daily through blood smear, and the treatment of all groups was performed three days post-infection (PI), when all mice showed increased parasitemia. Groups A, D and G represented the positives controls, while groups B, E and H received a single dose of suramin sodium at 10 mgkg(-1) intramuscularly. Groups C, F and I were treated with three doses of suramin sodium at 10 mgkg(-1), respecting an interval of 24 h between each dose. Negative blood smears from all animals were obtained 24 h after treatment (AT), status maintained until the end of the experiment (50 days PI). The specific PCR for T. evansi was carried out from blood, showing negative results AT. Therefore, this study showed that a single dose of suramin sodium at 10 mgkg(-1) has the same efficacy of three doses, as recommended by the therapeutic literature. Furthermore, we observed that Brazilian isolates did not show resistance to the drug.

Case report: Feline infection by Lagochilascaris sp. in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Lagochilascariosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the nematode Lagochilascaris sp., with the northern of Brazil representing 81.2% of all reports of the disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to report the first occurrence of feline lagochilascariosis in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern of Brazil. It was diagnosed through coproparasitologic exam and laboratorial identification of the nematodes.

Deep impact of ultrasound in the intensive care unit: the "ICU-sound" protocol.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound can influence the diagnosis and impact the treatment plan in critical patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether, without encountering major environment- or patient-related limitations, ultrasound examination under a critical care ultrasonography protocol can be performed to detect occult anomalies, to prompt urgent changes in therapy or induce further testing or interventions, and to confirm or modify diagnosis. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients admitted to a general intensive care unit were assessed under a critical care ultrasonography protocol, and the data were analyzed prospectively. Systematic ultrasound examination of the optic nerve, thorax, heart, abdomen, and venous system was performed at the bedside. RESULTS: Environmental conditions hampered the examination slightly in 101/125 patients (80.8%), moderately in 20/125 patients (16%), and strongly in 4/125 patients (3.2%). Ultrasonographic findings modified the admitting diagnosis in 32/125 patients (25.6%), confirmed it in 73/125 patients (58.4%), were not effective in confirming or modifying it in 17/125 patients (13.6%), and missed it in 3/125 patients (2.4%). Ultrasonographic findings prompted further testing in 23/125 patients (18.4%), led to changes in medical therapy in 22/125 patients (17.6%), and to invasive procedures in 27/125 patients (21.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients consecutively admitted to an intensive care unit, ultrasound examination revealed a high prevalence of unsuspected clinical abnormalities, with the highest number of new ultrasound abnormalities detected in patients with septic shock. As part of rapid global assessment of the patient on admission, our ultrasound protocol holds potential for improving healthcare quality.

Trypanosoma evansi: hematologic changes in experimentally infected cats.

This study aimed at evaluating hemogram and erythropoietic changes in cats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Thirteen adult female non-breeding Felix catus were separated into two groups: seven animals were infected with 10(8) trypomastigotes each, and six animals were used as negative controls. Animals were kept in air-conditioned rooms and blood smears were performed daily for 49 days. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at days 0, 7, 21, 35 and 49 and stored in blood-collecting tubes containing anticoagulant. Bone marrow was collected from the proximal epiphysis of the right femur at days 14 and 42 post-inoculation (PI). Total erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin showed statistical differences among groups from the seventh day PI onwards (P<0.05). The mean corpuscular volume and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration remained normal, characterizing a normocytic-normochromic anemia. Reticulocyte count increased in the infected group from the 21st day onwards, but remained near normal values suggesting a mild regenerative anemia. Moreover, the myeloid:erythroid ratio significantly reduced at day 42 PI, evidencing a bone marrow hematopoietic response. Based on these results we conclude that cats infected with T. evansi have normocytic, normochromic, regenerative anemia.

Primeiro registro de parasitismo por Giardia sp. em Leopardus geoffroyi (gato-do-mato-grande) mantido em cativeiro / First record of parasitism by giardia sp. in leopardus geoffroyi (geoffroy’s cat) kept in captivity

Este estudo visou registrar o parasitismo por Giardia sp. em gatos-do-mato-grande (L. geoffroyi), mantidos em cativeiro na região sul do Brasil. Foram analisadas amostras de fezes de dois gatos do mato, machos, sendo um adulto e outro jovem. As amostras foram armazenadas sob refrigeração até serem processadas em laboratório, através do método de centrífugo-flutuação, com sulfato de zinco. No exame de fezes de ambos os animais, observou-se infecção por cistos do gênero Giardia, no entanto, os felinos não apresentaram sinais clínicos decorrentes da enfermidade.

This study aimed to register the parasitism by Giardia sp. in Geoffroy’s cats (L. geoffroyi) kept in captivity in the Southern region of Brazil. Fecal samples from one adult and one young male Geoffroy’s cat were collected. Samples were maintained refrigerated until being processed in laboratory through the zinc sulphate centrifugal-flotation method. Assay of feces from both animals showed infection by cysts of Giardia, although the felines did not present any clinical signs associated to the disease.

Este estudio tuvo por objeto observar el parasitismo por Giardia sp. en gato montés (L. geoffroyi) mantenidos en cautiverio en la región sur de Brasil. Fueron analizadas muestras de heces de dos gatos de esta especie, machos, siendo un adulto y otro joven. Las muestras fueron almacenadas bajo refrigeración hasta que fuesen procesadas en laboratorio, a través del método de centrifugo-flotación con sulfato de zinc. En el examen de heces de ambos los animales se observó infección por quistos del género Giardia sp, sin embargo, los felinos no presentaron señales clínicos en virtud de la enfermedad.