Development and validation of a Portuguese version of Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 (ObsQoR-10-Portuguese).

BACKGROUND: We aimed to develop and validate a Portuguese version of the Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 (ObsQoR-10-Portuguese) patient-reported outcome measure and evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS: After ethical approval, we recruited term pregnant women undergoing uncomplicated elective cesarean delivery in a single Brazilian institution. Women were invited to complete the translated ObsQoR-10-Portuguese and EuroQoL (EQ-5D) questionnaires (including a global health visual analog scale [GHVAS]) at 24 h (±6 h) following delivery, and a subset of women an hour later. We assessed validity and reliability of ObsQoR-10-Portuguese. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen enrolled women completed the surveys at 24 h and 29 women at 25 h (100% response rate). VALIDITY: (i) convergent validity: ObsQoR-10-Portuguese correlated moderately with EuroQoL score (r = -0.587) and GHVAS score (r = 0.568) at 24 h. (ii) Discriminant validity: ObsQoR-10 discriminated well between good versus poor recovery (GHVAS score ≥ 70 versus < 70; difference in mean scores 14.2; p < 0.001). (iii) Hypothesis testing: 24-h ObsQoR-10-Portuguese scores correlated with gestational age (r = 0.191; p = 0.043). (iv) Cross-cultural validity: differential item functioning analysis suggested bias in 2 items. Reliability: (i) internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82 and inter-item correlation = 0.31). (ii) Split-half reliability was very good (Spearman-Brown Prophesy Reliability Estimate = 0.80). (iii) Test re-test reliability was excellent (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.87). (iv) Floor and ceiling effects: < 5% women scored either 0 or 100 (lowest and highest scores, respectively). CONCLUSION: ObsQoR-10-Portuguese is valid and reliable, and should be considered for use in Portuguese-speaking women to assess their quality of inpatient recovery following cesarean delivery.

Antibodies against Leptospira spp. in bovine serum samples from several Brazilian states analyzed in the period from 2007 to 2015 / [Anticorpos contra Leptospira spp. em amostra de soro bovino de diversos estados brasileiros analisados no período entre 2007 e 2015]

Bovine leptospirosis assumes great economic importance since it affects several production aspects. Therefore, knowledge about the occurrence and distribution of this disease is fundamental to adopt the correct prevention measures. The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in 24,483 bovine serum samples received between 2007 to 2015 from 21 Brazilian states. Of these, 8,643 (35.3%) were reagents in the microscopic agglutination test to one or more serovars of Leptospira spp. The most frequent serovars were Wolffi (61.47%), Tarassovi (9.62%) and Pomona (7.20%). Hardjo serovar presented a prevalence of 6.27%. Among the 21 states analyzed, the State of Pernambuco had the highest frequency with 88.24% and the State of São Paulo was the origin of the largest number of analyzed samples (13,838), with a frequency of 31.54% of reagents. The results demonstrate a high exposure to several serovars of Leptospira spp. in bovine species in Brazilian states, showing the importance of adopting prophylactic measures in order to reduce the risk of infection in this specie.(AU)

Com o objetivo de avaliar a frequência de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp., foram analisadas 24.483 amostras de soro sanguíneo bovino, provenientes de 21 estados brasileiros, recebidas no período de 2007 a 2015. Destas, 8.643 (35,3%) foram reagentes no teste de soroaglutinação microscópica a uma ou mais sorovariedades de Leptospira spp., e as sorovariedades com maior frequência foram Wolffi (61,47%), Tarassovi (9,62%) e Pomona (7,20%). A sorovariedade Hardjo apresentou prevalência de 6,27%. Entre os 21 estados analisados, o estado de Pernambuco apresentou a maior frequência, com 88,24%, e o estado de São Paulo foi a origem do maior número de amostras para análise, 13.838, com frequência de 31,54% de reagentes.(AU)

Antibodies against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and influenza virus and their relationships with risk factors, clinical signs and lung lesions in pig farms with one-site production systems in Brazil.

A study was conducted on 21 pig herds using one-site production system in the southeast region of Brazil to assess the relationships among serological results for primary pathogens involved in respiratory diseases (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, App; Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mhyo; and swine influenza virus, SIV), cough index, pneumonia index, pleuritis and herd characteristics. The prevalence of antibodies against Mhyo and SIV increased throughout the raising phases, with the highest prevalence in slaughtered pigs (> 40%), while pigs in 65% (14/21) of nurseries demonstrated marked seroprevalence of App that decreased until the day of slaughter. Pleuritis and pulmonary consolidations were recorded in 9.0 and 72.4%, respectively, of the 908 evaluated lungs. Histopathological analysis of the lung lesions revealed suppurative bronchopneumonia in almost half of the lungs (48.9%). Regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors associated with the cough index; pleuritis; pulmonary consolidation; and App, Mhyo and SIV serological results. All-in-all-out management in nursery buildings reduced the seroprevalence of Mhyo in herds. App seroprevalence was associated with pleuritis, and the presence of cough episodes in growing pigs was associated with SIV seropositivity in nursery pigs.

Performance of microbiological, serological, molecular, and modified seminal plasma methods in the diagnosis of Brucella abortus in semen and serum of bovine bulls.

Brucellosis remains as a major infectious disease of domestic animals and is considered a re-emerging zoonosis in several countries. B. abortus infections in bulls are related to reproductive tract infections, although infected animals show transient serological titers or nonreactor status. Thus, diagnosis of bovine brucellosis based exclusively on serological tests probably underestimates B. abortus infections in bulls. In this scenario, three hundred thirty-five serum samples from reproductively mature bovine bulls were subjected simultaneously to standard serodiagnosis using the rose Bengal test (RBT), 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), complement fixation (CFT), and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA). Furthermore, conventional semen plasma agglutination (SPA) and modified 2-ME, FC and, FPA were carried out in all bulls replaing serum by seminal plasma. Semen from all bulls was also analyzed for sperm viability, microbiological culture in Farrell media, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Only eight (2.38%) semen samples were considered improper for reproduction services (necrospermia and azoospermia), although none of these animals was positive in any of the diagnosis methods used. Five bulls (1.49%) were simultaneously positive in conventional RBT, 2-ME, SPA, modified 2-ME, microbiological culture in Farrell media, and in PCR for B. abortus strain 19. Two (1.67%) bulls were positive in PCR for B. abortus field strains and negative in all other tests, although semen was considered viable to reproduction service. The identification of B. abortus B19 strain in serum and semen of bulls occurred probably due to improper vaccination of males or infection by B19 strain shedding by vaccinated females that could to contaminated environment of farms. In addition, detection of B. abortus field strains only using PCR in bulls without sperm viability abnormalities indicate the need for including molecular methods to improve diagnosis of the disease in bovine bulls.

Brucella spp. in equines slaughtered in the south region of Brazil / Anticorpos contra Brucella spp. em equídeos da região Sul do Brasil abatidos em matadouro-frigorífico

Bacteria of the genus Brucella are widespread in many countries. These microorganisms can infect humans and many wild and domestic animal species. These bacteria have zoonotic potential, and can cause economic and public health problems since they can be transmitted by direct contact with sick animals, through consumption of contaminated milk, raw meat and its derivatives (Soares et al., 2015). Brucellosis is considered a chronic evolving disease, unusual in horses, predominantly caused by Brucella abortus. However, it is not characterized by reproductive disorders in horses, but primarily by abscess in the cervical region, bursa, tendons, and joints. Transmission is likely to occur via ingestion of contaminated water and pastures, especially in areas endemic for bovine brucellosis (Ribeiro et al., 2008). The slaughterhouse is a strategic point for obtaining information about the animal and animal products, edible or not. This study investigated the presence of anti-Brucella spp. immunoglobulins in the serum samples from horses slaughtered in a slaughterhouse in southern Brazil, to estimate the frequency of Brucella spp. antibodies and determine the spatial distribution of the cases.(AU)

Objetivou-se investigar a presença de imunoglobulinas anti-Brucella spp. em amostras de soros sanguíneos de equídeos abatidos em matadouro-frigorífico, sob Serviço de Inspeção Federal, localizado na região Sul do Brasil. Utilizaram-se 767 amostras de sangue de equídeos adultos abatidos no período de abril a maio de 2013. Os animais foram provenientes de 45 municípios dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina e Paraná. Para diagnóstico, foram utilizados os testes do antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT), sendo os resultados positivos confirmados pelos testes de polarização fluorescente (TPF), reação de fixação de complemento (RFC) e 2-mercaptoetanol (2-ME). Foram sororreagentes no AAT 65 (8,47%) animais. Destes, apenas dois (3,07%) foram positivos também na RFC e três (4,62%) animais foram positivos no TPF. Apesar da baixa frequência de animais positivos para Brucella spp., pode-se afirmar que a infecção em equinos está presente na área estudada, o que é demonstrado pela presença de animais sororreatores. No âmbito da saúde animal, pública e ocupacional, sugere-se a atenção a essa doença, visando diminuir o risco de infecção.(AU)

A comparison of two agar gel immunodiffusion methods and a complement fixation test for serologic diagnosis of Brucella ovis infection in experimentally infected rams / Comparação entre dois métodos de imunodifusão em gel de Agar e um método de fixação de complemento para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por Brucella ovis em carneiros experimentalmente infectados

A infecção por Brucella ovis é considerada uma das principais causas de epididimite e infertilidade em carneiros, resultando em falhas reprodutivas e perdas econômicas significativas em rebanhos ovinos ao redor do mundo. O estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar três testes sorológicos disponíveis para o diagnóstico da brucelose ovina por B. ovis, utilizando 181 soros ovinos. Amostras de soro provenientes de carneiros experimentalmente infectados foram coletadas ao longo de 192 dias pós-infecção (n=117) e durante o período pré-infecção (n=9). Adicionalmente, amostras de soro foram obtidas de ovinos provenientes de um rebanho livre para B. ovis (n=55). As técnicas de imunodifusão em gel de agar (IDGA), utilizando dois antígenos disponíveis comercialmente, e de fixação de complemento foram comparadas (FC). Foram obtidos resultados de sensibilidade especificidade semelhantes para ambos os métodos de IDGA e ainda, a técnica de IDGA foi mais eficiente do que a da FC para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por B. ovis.

Estudo comparativo entre os testes adotados pelo PNCEBT para o diagnóstico sorológico da brucelose em bovinos / Comparative study of serological tests for bovine brucellosis diagnosis adopted by the Brazilian Program for animal brucellosis and tuberculosis control and eradication

Avaliaram-se comparativamente as provas do antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT), a combinação das provas de soroaglutinação lenta e 2-mercaptoetanol (2-ME) e a reação de fixação de complemento (RFC), provas preconizadas pelo Programa Nacional de Controle e Erradicação de Brucelose Tuberculose (PNCEBT). Para tanto, foram alisadas 1.061 amostras de soros bovinos. Os dados foram analisados pelo indicador kappa, adotando-se como ponto de corte o título 25 no 2-ME e 4 na RFC. Constatou-se sensibilidade relativa de 99,6%, 98,8% e 91,1%, respectivamente, para o AAT, a 2-ME e a RFC, e especificidade relativa de 83,9%, 96,2% e 100,0%. A comparação entre os testes adotados pelo programa apontou concordância boa entre o teste de triagem (AAT) e os testes confirmatórios (kappa: 2-ME = 0,80; e RFC = 0,73) e concordância ótima quando os testes confirmatórios foram comparados entre si (kappa = 0,86). No entanto foram encontrados soros com título elevado em um dos testes confirmatórios e resultado negativo no outro, o que reforça a ideia de que o diagnóstico sorológico da brucelose é mais confiável quando obtido por meio dos resultados de vários testes.

Serum samples from 1,061 bovine were analyzed by serological diagnostic techniques adopted by the Brazilian Program for Animal Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Control and Eradication in order to compare, as a screening test, the rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and as confirmatory tests, the 2-mercaptoethanol plus standard tube agglutination test (2-ME), and the complement fixation test (CFT). Relative sensitivity of 99.6%, 98.8% and 91.1% were observed, respectively, for RBPT, 2-ME and CFT, and relative specificity of 83.9%, 96.2% and 100.0%. The agreement between tests was analyzed by the kappa statistic (2-ME cut-off = titer 25, and CFT cutoff = titer 4). RBPT showed a substantial agreement (kappa: 2-ME = 0.80; and RFC = 0.73) with the confirmatory tests, and excellent agreement between the confirmatory tests (kappa = 0.86) was observed. However sera with a negative result in one of the confirmatory tests and a high titer in the other were observed, reinforcing that the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis is more reliable when based on the results of several tests.

Ineffective erythropoiesis in beta-thalassemia major is due to apoptosis at the polychromatophilic normoblast stage.

Beta-thalassemia major is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis, although it is difficult to define the dynamics of this process from the static information revealed by analysis of bone marrow (BM) aspirates. We aimed to study the kinetics of sequential erythroid differentiation in beta-thalassemia major. We isolated the progenitor cells (CD34(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-) cells) from BM of thalassemia major patients and studied in vitro erythropoiesis. This is the first report of an in vitro study in human beta-thalassemia major from purified BM CD34(+) progenitor cells, using erythroid culture conditions, which allow unilineage differentiation to mature enucleated red blood cells. In contrast to normal donors, a high proportion of BM CD34(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-) progenitors from beta-thalassemia major coexpressed the late erythroid lineage-specific protein glycophorin A and generated a higher proportion of erythroid colonies. However, despite the marked increase in erythroid clonogenicity of the progenitor population, erythroid cultures initiated from beta-thalassemia major BM CD34(+) cells expanded 10- to 20-fold less than from normal BM. There were less viable cells during differentiation, specifically after the polychromatophilic normoblast stage. There was a progressive increase in the apoptotic erythroid progeny with differentiation, and apoptosis occurred predominantly at the polychromatophilic normoblast stage. In thalassemia major, BM progenitor cells show increased erythroid clonogenicity, increased expression of late erythroid lineage-specific proteins, and accelerated erythroid differentiation. However, despite the apparent increased erythroid commitment, ineffective erythropoiesis occurs due to apoptosis at the polychromatophil stage. Identification of the differentiation stage at which apoptosis occurs will permit further studies of the underlying mechanisms and target therapeutic strategies to improve red cell production.

Serosurvey for antibodies against Brucella abortus and Leptospira interrogans in pampas deer from Brazil.

A survey for antibodies against Brucella abortus, and Leptospira interrogans was conducted on 17 pampas deer (Ozotocerus bezoarticus) from Pantanal Matogrossense (State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) and on 24 pampas deer from Parque Nacional de Emas (State of Goiás, Brazil). Antibodies against B. abortus were detected by plate agglutination, rose Bengal, and complement fixation tests; antibodies against Leptospira interrogans were detected by the microscopic agglutination test. All sera were negative for B. abortus antibodies and all deer sera from Parque Nacional de Emas were negative for L. interrogans antibodies. Four (24%) of 17 sera from Pantanal Matogrossense were positive for L. interrogans serovar (n = 2) hardjo, wolffi (n = 1) and mini (n = 1). While these diseases do not appear to be of major importance to the health status of Pampas deer, it appears that deer are reservoir for leptospirosis in one of the study areas.

Sensitivity and specificity of a competitive enzyme immunnoassay in the serodiagnosis of bovine brucellosis

O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a sensibilidade e a especificidade de um teste imunoenzimático competitivo, empregando como conjugado os anticorpos monoclonais BM-38 e BM-40, no diagnóstico sorológico da brucelose bovina. Foram examinados 74 soros de bovinos dos quais havia sido isolada Brucella abortus e 2.118 soros de bovinos procedentes de rebanhos livres de brucelose e que apresentaram resultado negativo quando submetidos ao teste Rosa Bengala. O teste imunoenzimático competitivo, usando qualquer dos dois conjugados, foi capaz de revelar a presença de anticorpos contra o lipopolissacáride bacteriano em todos os soros de bovinos infectados, o que resulta em uma sensibilidade de 100 por cento. A especificidade do teste usando o conjugado BM-38 foi de 98,82 por cento e usando o conjugado BM-40, foi de 99,95 por cento. Estes resultados indicam que o teste imunoenzimático competitivo, principalmente ao se empregar o conjugado BM-40, consiste em um método bastante útil para ser usado como teste confirmatório no diagnóstico sorológico da brucelose bovina

A competition enzyme immunoassay for brucellosis diagnosis.

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) conjugated with horseradish peroxidase were used independently in a competitive enzyme immunoassay (cEIA) to detect Brucella specific antibodies in 1120 sera from Brucella-free cattle, 61 from cattle known to be infected with B. abortus, and 207 sera from vaccinated calves. The results were compared to those obtained in the complement fixation test (CFT). The cEIA with both MAbs proved to be more sensitive than the CFT because no false-negative results were obtained. In addition, discrimination between sera from infected and vaccinated animals was more evident.

Comparative study of four saprophytic leptospira strains as screening antigens in the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The profitability of four saprophytic leptospira strains (Buenos Aires, Patoc 1, Rufino and São Paulo) as polyvalent antigen in the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis in water buffaloes was studied by the microscopic agglutination test. From 104 examined sera tested against 16 pathogenic leptospira serotypes, 52 were positives and 52 were negatives. The results led to the conclusion that from four studied strains, Buenos Aires strain showed the best results when utilized in screening tests for the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis in water buffaloes. The other three strains showed a good specificity but their sensibilities were poor and therefore should not be recommended for diagnosing water buffalo leptospirosis.

Serological diagnosis of brucellosis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): comparison among complement fixation, serum agglutination and rose bengal plate test.

The results of a comparative study among complement fixation (CFT), plate agglutination (PAT), tube agglutination (TAT) and Rose Bengal plate tests ( RBPT ) to the serodiagnosis of brucellosis in Indian buffaloes are reported. Sera from 212 buffaloes unvaccinated against brucellosis were examined and the CFT was able to reveal significant titres in sera with low agglutinating titres. From 109 sera which did not show agglutination titres in the PAT, four showed complement fixing titre greater than 1 in 200. All the positive sera to the RBPT gave complement fixing titre equal to or greater than 1 in 20. In sera that showed negative result to the RBPT the CFT was able to reveal relatively high titres. From 131 sera negative to the RBPT five showed complement fixing titres greater than 1 in 60.

Comparative study among complement fixation, serum agglutination and Rose Bengal Plate tests in the serodiagnosis of bovine brucellosis.

The complement fixation test (CFT) based on the 50 per cent hemolytic end point technique was applied to the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in a comparative study involving the plate agglutination test (PAT), the tube agglutination test (TAT) and the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT). Among 180 bovine sera that were examined the CFT was able to reveal significant titres in sera that gave low agglutinating titres. Some sera with agglutinating titres between 1 in 50 and 1 in 100 did not given a titre in the CFT. The results show that the CFT is useful for bovine brucellosis diagnosis and may be used after sera screening with PAT and RBPT.

Analise quantitativa de tres provas sorologicas utilizadas no diagnostico da brucelose bovina: comparacao entre animais nao vacinados e animais vacinados com B. abortus amostra B19. / Quantitative analysis of three serological tests utilized in the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis: comparison between unvaccinated cattle and Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccinated cattle

Avaliacao de correlacao (associacao) entre os resultados obtidos por provas de soro-aglutinacao rapida em placa (SAR), fixacao do complemento (RFC) tecnica 50% de hemolise e antigeno acidificado tamponado (PAAT). Foram utilizados 119 soros sanguineos de bovinos nao vacinados contra a brucelose e pertencentes a um rebanho naturalmente infectado e 100 soros de bovinos vacinados com B. abortus amostra B19.A analise estatistica, pela obtencao do coeficiente de correlacao e da equacao da reta entre escores, revela que nao ha concordancia perfeita entre as tres provas analisadas, sendo que a concordnacia foi menor no grupo de animais vacinados. Entre os animais naturalmente infectados, os titulos fixadores de complemento foram mais altos que os observados entre os animais vacinados

Comparative study among complement fixation, serum agglutination and Rose Bengal plate tests in the serodiagnosis of bovine brucellosis.

The complement fixation test (CFT) based on the 50 per cent hemolytic end point technique was applied to the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in a comparative study involving the plate agglutination test (PAT), the tube agglutination test (TAT) and the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT). Among 180 bovine sera that were examined the CFT was able to reveal significant titres in sera that gave low agglutinating titres. Some sera with agglutinating titres between 1 in 50 and 1 in 100 did not give a titre in the CFT. The results show that the CFT is useful for bovine brucellosis diagnosis and may be used after sera screening with PAT and RBPT.