Sertraline associated with gold nanoparticles reduce cellular toxicity and induce sex-specific responses in behavior and neuroinflammation biomarkers in a mouse model of anxiety.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sertraline associated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in vitro cell viability and in vivo behavior and inflammatory biomarkers in a mouse model of anxiety. Sertraline associated with AuNPs were synthesized and characterized. For the in vitro study, NIH3T3 and HT-22 cells were treated with different doses of sertraline, AuNPs, and sertraline + AuNPs and their viability was evaluated using the MTT assay. For the in vivo study, pregnant Swiss mice were administered a single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the ninth day of gestation. The female and male offspring were divided into five treatment groups on PND 60 and administered chronic treatment for 28 days. The animals were subjected to behavioral testing and were subsequently euthanized. Their brains were collected and analyzed for inflammatory biomarkers. Sertraline associated with AuNPs exhibited significant changes in surface characteristics and increased diameters. Different doses of sertraline + AuNPs showed higher cell viability in NIH3T3 and HT-22 cells compared with sertraline alone. The offspring of LPS-treated dams exhibited anxiety-like behavior and neuroinflammatory biomarker changes during adulthood, which were ameliorated via sertraline + AuNPs treatment. The treatment response was sex-dependent and brain region-specific. These results suggest that AuNPs, which demonstrate potential to bind to other molecules, low toxicity, and reduced inflammation, can be synergistically used with sertraline to improve drug efficacy and safety by decreasing neuroinflammation and sertraline toxicity.

Parasitos em trutas-arco-íris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) criadas em sistema intensivo na região serrana de Santa Catarina, Brasil / [Parasites in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) raised in an intensive system in the mountain region of Santa Catarina, Brazil]

With the aim to determine the prevalence and mean parasite intensity in Oncorhynchus mykiss, 120 specimens were analyzed between April and September 2018. The cavity analysis was done by visual inspection, scraping of mucus, and extraction of the branchial arches. In the evisceration process, the intestine, the liver, and the kidney were separated, while the musculature was analyzed using the "candling table" method. All the collected material was preserved in 10% buffered formaldehyde and sent to the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, of the Center for Agroveterinary Sciences (CAV) of the University of the State of Santa Catarina (UDESC) for making the slides and identifying the parasites. Parasites were detected only in the analysis of the scraping of body mucus. Only specimens of the genus Trichodina were identified, in 34 of the 120 fish analyzed, in two collections, resulting in a prevalence of 28.33%. In total, 144 specimens of Trichodina were observed. The overall mean intensity was of 4.24 parasites in each fish analyzed. Characteristic lesions of infection by protozoa were not identified. This is the first report of the occurrence of Trichodina spp. in O. mykiss bred in an intensive system in Brazil, with low rates of parasitic infection in the mountain region of Santa Catarina.(AU)

Toxoplasma gondii in milk of naturally infected dairy ewes on west mesoregion of Santa Catarina state, Brazil / Toxoplasma gondii em leite de ovelhas leiteiras naturalmente infectadas na mesorregião oeste de Santa Catarina, Brasil

This study aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii in the milk of dairy sheep in the Western mesorregion of state of Santa Catarina by bioassay (22 milk samples from eight ewes seropositive; IFA ≥256) and PCR [for the detection of agent in the brains of mice inoculated on bioassay and directly from milk (108 samples from 42 seropositive ewes (IFA, ≥64) in different lactation periods)]. T. gondii DNA was detected in mice brains inoculated with milk from eight sheep (a sample of the 45th day of lactation and seven in the collection of 90th day) and directly from the milk in samples of the second collection (90 days) in five animals. Taking into account both assays, from a total of 42 ewes in lactation and seropositive for T. gondii, 30.95% (13/42) of the animals presented evidences of T. gondii presence in milk. Positive PCR samples were sequenced and the results confirmed ≥97% identity with the membrane antigen P22 gene of T. gondii. The results showed that T. gondii is present in the milk of sheep, representing a possible source of infection to humans through the consumption of milk "in natura" and/or derivatives, besides the possibility of lactogenic transmission to lambs.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar Toxoplasma gondii no leite de ovinos leiteiros na mesorregião oeste de Santa Catarina, por meio do bioensaio (22 amostras de leite de oito ovelhas soropositivas para T. gondii - RIFI ≥256) e PCR [nos cérebros de camundongos inoculados no bioensaio e diretamente do leite (108 amostras de 42 ovelhas soropositivas (RIFI ≥64) em diferentes períodos de lactação)]. DNA de T. gondii foi detectado no cérebro de camundongos inoculados com leite das oito ovelhas (uma amostra do dia 45 e sete do dia 90 de lactação) e diretamente do leite em amostras da segunda coleta (90 dias de lactação), em cinco animais. Considerando os resultados de ambos os ensaios, de 42 ovelhas em lactação e soropositivas para T. gondii, 30,95% (13/42) dos animais apresentaram evidências da presença do parasito no leite. As amostras positivas na PCR foram sequenciadas e os resultados confirmaram ≥97% de identidade com o antígeno de membrana gene P22 de T. gondii. Os resultados mostraram que o T. gondii está presente no leite de ovelhas, o que representa uma possível fonte de infecção para os seres humanos, por meio do consumo de leite in natura e/ou de derivados, além da possibilidade de transmissão lactogênica aos cordeiros.(AU)

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from naturally infected Gallus domesticus in Santa Catarina state, Brazil / Genotipagem de Toxoplasma gondii isolados de Gallus domesticus naturalmente infectados no estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis that can infect warm-blooded animals including birds and humans, and chickens are considered to be indicators of environmental contamination. In Brazil, Toxoplasma gondii has a non-clonal population structure composed of three lineages (I, II, and III), presenting high recombination, and resulting in wide genetic diversity. This study aimed to genetically characterize T. gondii isolates from naturally infected chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil region. Sera from 133 free-range chickens were analyzed by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Brain and heart from 30 positive animals, based on IFA (≥ 1:64), were used to isolate the parasite using a mouse bioassay. Strain genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP using 12 genetic markers (SAG1, 5´-3´SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3). The results were classified according to the genotypes based on the ToxoDB (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Of 133 chicken sera analyzed, 84 (63.16%) were positive, with antibody titers ranging from 16 to 1024. Eleven isolates were obtained from mouse bioassay (Ck3, Ck32, Ck35, Ck56, Ck63, Ck89, Ck102, Ck103, Ck125, Ck127, and Ck128). Genotyping revealed six genotypes; three were classified as #26, #53, and #120, and three (NEO1, NEO2, and NEO3) were had not been previously described. No clonal lineages of type I, II, or III were identified. The present study confirms the high genetic diversity of T. gondii in Brazil.(AU)

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose de ampla distribuição, que acomete animais homeotérmicos, incluindo as aves e o ser humano. Galinhas podem ser consideradas indicadoras de contaminação ambiental. No Brasil, Toxoplasma gondii não apresenta estrutura populacional clonal (I, II e III), ocorrendo alta frequência de recombinação, o que resulta na grande diversidade genética observada. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar geneticamente T. gondii de galinhas (Gallus domesticus) naturalmente infectadas do estado de Santa Catarina. Soros de 133 aves criadas extensivamente foram analisados pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) para detecção de anticorpos IgG contra T. gondii. Para o isolamento do parasito (bioensaio em camundongos), foram utilizados coração e cérebro de 30 aves que apresentaram títulos maiores que 64 na RIFI. Os isolados obtidos foram submetidos à caracterização genotípica por meio da RFLP-PCR utilizando 12 marcadores genéticos (SAG1, 5'-3'SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico e CS3). Os resultados obtidos foram classificados de acordo com os genótipos presentes no ToxoDB (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Das 133 amostras de soros de galinha analisadas, 84 (63,16%) foram positivas, com títulos de anticorpos variando de 16 a 1024. No bioensaio, foram obtidos 11 isolados (Ck 3, Ck 32, Ck 35, Ck 56, Ck 63, Ck 89, Ck 102, Ck 103, Ck 125, Ck127 e Ck 128). A análise genotípica revelou a presença de seis genótipos, três dos quais classificados como #26, #53 e #120, e três, NEO1, NEO2 e NEO3, não descritos anteriormente. Nenhuma linhagem clonal I, II ou III foi encontrada. O presente trabalho confirma a ampla diversidade genética do parasito observada no Brasil.(AU)

Serum levels of nitric oxide and protein oxidation in goats seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum.

The aim of this study was to assess and analyze the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in serum of goats naturally infected by Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, or concomitantly infected by these two parasites. Thus, it was measured NOx and AOPP levels in twenty (n=20) sera samples of goats seronegative for T. gondii and N. caninum [negative control group (A)]; while the positive groups were composed by sera of infected animals, twelve (n=12) seropositive for N. caninum [group B]; eighteen (n=18) positive for T. gondii [group C]; and thirteen (n=13) seropositive for N. caninum and T. gondii [group D]. As results, it was observed that animals seropositive for N. caninum and T. gondii (Groups B to D) showed higher serum levels of NOx (P<0.001; F=9.5), when compared with seronegative animals. Additionally, it was observed a positive correlation between NOx levels and antibodies titrations for N. caninum (P<0.01; r=0.68) and T. gondii (P<0.05; r=0.56). AOPP levels were increase in groups C and D (P>0.05). Interestingly, group B did not show increase in AOPP, what led us to hypothesize that the major protein damage is linked to T. gondii infection. Therefore, our results showed an increased in NOx levels, which was probably related to the immune response, since it is an important inflammatory mediator; and AOPP were increased in groups where there was seropositivity for T. gondii, but not for the group composed only by animals seropositive for N. caninum, allowing us to suggest higher protein damage in toxoplasmosis.

Avaliação da eficácia do fipronil em Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus em tratamentos consecutivos / Evaluating the effectiveness of fipronil in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in consecutive treatments

A realização deste trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia do fipronil em Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, durante e após 14 tratamentos, no período de dezembro de 2006 a abril de 2009. O experimento foi realizado em uma propriedade rural do município de Lages, SC, utilizando-se 20 bovinos mestiços charolês mantidos em campo nativo, naturalmente infestados com R. (B.) microplus. A cada 14 dias, foram realizadas contagens das fêmeas de carrapato, maior ou igual a 4,5mm. Os animais foram tratados com fipronil 1mg/kg via pour on, quando a média do número de carrapatos foi igual ou superior a 40 fêmeas. Ao final do experimento, para análise da eficácia do fipronil 1%, foi realizado o teste de estábulo, utilizando 10 animais infestados com larvas provenientes de teleóginas coletadas de bovinos da propriedade. Os animais foram randomizados, de acordo com a produção inicial de teleóginas, estabelecendo-se dois grupos: controle (n=5) e tratado (n=5). A redução da média do número de fêmeas de R. (B.) microplus nas contagens após tratamentos foi de 100% nos três primeiros, com um leve declínio até o sexto tratamento. No sétimo tratamento a redução foi de 91,3%. Ao final do experimento a eficácia do fipronil 1%, avaliada pelo teste de estábulo, na redução do número de teleóginas, foi de 79,3%. A porcentagem média de inibição de reprodução calculada foi de 22,47%. Concluiu-se que, após seis tratamentos com fipronil, média de um a cada 2,7 meses, o princípio ativo deve ser substituído e que, após 14 tratamentos, o R. (B.) microplus adquiriu resistência parcial a esse carrapaticida.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fipronil in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus during and after 14 treatments from December 2006 to April 2009. The experiment was performed on a rural property in the city of Lages/SC, using 20 crossbred Charolais cattle maintained on open pasture naturally infected with R. (B.) microplus. Every 14 days, tick counts of the females greater than or equal to 4.5mm were conducted. When tick counts averaged 40 females or more the animals were treated with applications of a 1% applied to the dorsal formulation of fipronil 1mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, barn testing was performed on 10 animals infested with larvae of the Engorging females collected from the cattle on the property, for analysis of the effectiveness of 1% fipronil. The animals were randomized according to the initial production of Engorging females, establishing five animals in the control group and five in the treated group. The reduction in the average number of females of R. (B.) microplus was 100% during the first three treatments, with a slight decline up to the sixth treatment. On the seventh treatment the reduction was 91.3%. At the end of the experiment the effectiveness of 1% fipronil for reducing the number of ticks was 79.3%, assessed by the barn testing. The average percentage of inhibition of reproduction was calculated at 22.47%. It was concluded that after six treatments with fipronil, with an average of one treatment every 2.7 months, there must be a change in the active ingredient and that after 14 treatments R. (B.) microplus acquired partial resistance to this acaricide.

Antibodies against rickettsiae from spotted fever groups in horses from two mesoregions in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil / Anticorpos contra rickettsias do grupo da febre maculosa em equinos de duas mesorregiões de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Bacteria of the Rickettsia genus are agents of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF), a zoonotic disease which is difficult to diagnose, evolves quickly and can result in death. Antibodies against Rickettsia spp. in horses were studied, by means of Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFAT ≥64), in 150 blood samples taken from animals in two Santa Catarina mesoregions (Planalto Serrano and Vale do Itajaí). The overall occurrence of Rickettsia spp. antibodies in horses was 18.66%, with cross-reactivity occurring in all positive samples for at least two of the species tested. Separately, according to the species, 25 (16.66%) samples were positive for R. rickettsii, 15 (10%) for R. parkeri, 22 (14.66%) for R. amblyommii, 23 (15.33%) for R. rhipicephali, 16 (10.66%) for R. bellii and 19 (12.66%) for R. felis. Only two animals resulted in a conclusive serodiagnosis, one for R. bellii and the other for R. rickettsii, at maximum dilutions of 1:4096 and 1:512, respectively. The occurrence of antibodies against Rickettsia spp. in horses from two mesoregions in the state of Santa Catarina indicates the movement of BSF agents in these sentinel animals and confirms the importance of studying spotted fever in the state of Santa Catarina.

Bactérias do gênero Rickettsia são agentes da Febre Maculosa Brasileira (FMB), uma doença zoonótica, de difícil diagnóstico, rápida evolução e que pode levar o indivíduo à morte. Anticorpos contra Rickettsia spp. em equinos foram pesquisados, por meio da Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI≥64), em 150 amostras de sangue colhidas de animais em duas mesorregiões de Santa Catarina (Planalto Serrano e Vale do Itajaí). A ocorrência de anticorpos contra Rickettsia spp. observada em equinos de duas mesorregiões de Santa Catarina foi de 18,66%, ocorrendo reações cruzadas em todas as amostras positivas para, no mínimo, duas das espécies testadas. Isoladamente, de acordo com as espécies, 25 (16,66%) amostras foram positivas para R. rickettsii, 15 (10%) para R. parkeri, 22 (14,66%) para R. amblyommii, 23 (15,33%) para R. rhipicephali, 16 (10,66%) para R. bellii e 19 (12,66%) para R. felis. Somente dois animais resultaram em um sorodiagnóstico conclusivo, um para Rickettsia bellii e outro para R. rickettsii, nas diluições máximas de 1:4096 e 1:512, respectivamente. A ocorrência de anticorpos contra Rickettsia spp. em equinos de duas mesorregiões de Santa Catarina indica a circulação de agentes da FMB nestes animais sentinela e ratificam a importância do estudo da febre maculosa no estado de Santa Catarina.

Anticorpos contra neospora caninum e fatores de risco em cães de Lages e Balneário Camboriú, SC / Neospora caninum antibodies and risk factors in dogs from Lages and Balneário Camboriú, SC

Identificaram-se os fatores de risco e a ocorrência de anticorpos contra Neospora caninum em cães das cidades de Lages e Balneário Camboriú, SC. Amostras de soro de 400 cães domiciliados (200 de cada município) foram processadas para a detecção de anticorpos contra N. caninum pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta. Informações acerca dos fatores de risco foram obtidas por meio de questionário. Dos 400 cães, 49 (12,3 por cento) apresentaram anticorpos contra N. caninum. Em Lages, 26 (13 por cento) foram positivos para N. caninume; em Balneário Camboriú, 23 (11,5 por cento). Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas entre as ocorrências de anticorpos contra N. caninum (P= 0,647) nas duas cidades. Das variáveis analisadas, somente idade apresentou associação (P=0.020, odds ratio= 2.557, IC 95 por cento, 1.16-5.64) com a freqüência de cães reagentes ao N. caninum. Dentre os animais positivos, 41 (83,7 por cento) eram adultos, indicando ocorrência de infecção pós-natal do agente.

Ocorrência de Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772) e A. ovale (Kock, 1844) (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitando Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940 (Primates: Atelidae) na região norte do estado de Santa Catarina / Ocurrence of Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772) and A. ovale (Kock, 1844) (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940 (Primates: Atelidae) in the north of Santa Catarina state, Brazil

The authors confirm the presence of one female and two males of Amblyomma aureolatum and five females and one male of A. ovale parasitizing southern brown howler monkeys in the municipalities of Indaial, Blumenau, Garuva, and Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina State, Brazil.