Evaluación de tres PCR cuantitativas para la detección de leptospiras patógenas en animales domésticos en Nicaragua / Evaluation of three qPCR for the detection of pathogenic leptospires in domestic animals in Nicaragua

Resumen: Introducción. En Nicaragua es necesario estandarizar pruebas moleculares como la PCR en tiempo real (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, qPCR) que mejoren el diagnóstico de leptospirosis en humanos y animales. Objetivo. Evaluar tres qPCR para la detección de leptospiras patógenas en animales domésticos de Nicaragua. Materiales y métodos. Se diseñaron cebadores para la amplificación del gen LipL32 en SYBR Green (SYBR Green-A) y TaqMan, y en otros descritos previamente (SYBR Green-B). Las secuencias de 12 cepas obtenidas de la base de datos del National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) se alinearon para la búsqueda de sondas y cebadores. La sensibilidad analítica se determinó calculando el equivalente genómico detectable, se utilizaron 18 cepas de referencia para la sensibilidad diagnóstica y 28 controles negativos para la especificidad. Los métodos se aplicaron en 129 muestras de orina de animales domésticos. Resultados. En SYBR Green-A se obtuvo un límite de detección de cuatro equivalentes genómicos; en TaqMan, la sensibilidad fue del 94,4 % (IC95% 81,1-100,0). Con SYBR Green-A, se obtuvo una sensibilidad del 77,8 % (IC95% 55,8-99,8), en tanto que con SYBR Green-B fue del 61,1 % (IC95% 35,8-86,4). En las tres pruebas se logró una especificidad del 100 % (IC95% 98,2-100,0). El 26,4 % de las muestras de animales domésticos fueron positivas con SYBR Green-A y el 6,2 % con SYBR Green-B. Conclusiones. El SYBR Green-A presentó un límite de detección bajo, en tanto que las tres técnicas evaluadas mostraron alta especificidad, en tanto que la TaqMan tuvo la mayor sensibilidad.

Abstract: Introduction: Molecular biology diagnostic methods such as real-time PCR should be used in Nicaragua to improve the diagnosis of leptospirosis in humans and animals. Objective: To evaluate three qPCR methods for pathogenic Leptospira detection in domestic animals. Materials and methods: Real-time PCR primers were designed for the amplification of specific regions from the Lip 32 gene of Leptospira in SYBER Green (SYBER Green-A) and TaqMan, as well in SYBER Green-B as previously published. The sequences of 12 strains obtained from the database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) were aligned to select probes and primers. The analytical sensitivity was determined by calculating the detectable genomic equivalent while 18 pathogenic references strains and 28 negative controls were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of each one of the three sets in 129 urine samples of domestic animals. Results: The detection limit of four genomic equivalents per reaction was obtained from SYBR Green-A. The specificities were 94.4% (95% CI: 81.1-100.0) for TaqMan, 77.8% (95% CI: 55.8-99.8) for SYBR Green-A, while for SYBR Green-B it was 61.1% (95% CI: 35.886.4). In the three tests, we obtained a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 98.2-100.0). In the field samples, 26.4% were positive with SYBR Green-A and 6.1% with SYBR Green-B. Conclusion: SYBR Green-A presented the lowest detection limit while the three techniques under evaluation showed high specificity while TaqMan was the most sensitive.

Thoracic dog bite wounds in cats: a retrospective study of 22 cases (2005-2015).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe a series of cats suffering from thoracic dog bite wounds, in order to detail the clinical, radiographic and surgical findings, and evaluate outcomes and factors associated with mortality. METHODS: The medical records of cats with thoracic dog bite wounds presenting to a single institution between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Data relating to clinical presentation, wound depth and management, radiographic findings, surgical findings and mortality were collected. Wound depth was defined as no external wound, superficial, deep or penetrating, and wound management was defined as conservative, exploratory or thoracic exploration. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test, the Mann-Whitney U-test and the χ2 test. RESULTS: Twenty-two cats were included, of which two were euthanased on presentation. In cats where wound depth could be assessed (21/22), six had no external wounds, four had superficial wounds, three had deep wounds and eight suffered penetrating wounds. Sixteen cats also suffered wounds elsewhere, most commonly to the abdomen. Neither an abdominal wound nor abdominal surgery were associated with mortality. Pneumothorax was the most common radiographic finding (11/18). Individual radiographic lesions were not significantly associated with respiratory pattern, presence of pseudo-flail, need for thoracotomy or lung lobectomy, or survival. The presence of ⩾3 radiographic lesions was associated with the presence of a penetrating wound (P = 0.025) and with having thoracic exploration (P = 0.025). Local exploration was performed in 7/20 cats, while 8/20 underwent thoracic exploration. Wound management type was not significantly associated with mortality. Overall mortality rate was 27%. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Presence of ⩾3 radiographic lesions should raise suspicion of a penetrating injury and may be suggestive of injury requiring a greater level of intervention. The treating veterinarian should have a high index of suspicion for penetrating injury and be prepared in case thoracic exploratory surgery is necessary, particularly in the presence of pseudo-flail chest, pneumothorax or ⩾3 radiographic lesions.

Tratamento de lesões faciais por mordedura de animal: relato de casos / Treatment of Facial Injuries by Animal Bite: Case reports

As agressões físicas provocadas por animais domésticos estão entre os tipos mais comuns de traumatismos aos quais o homem está exposto. Os traumatismos acometem, principalmente, crianças e representam uma importante causa de morbidade nas unidades de emergência. O risco de infecção após a mordedura é determinado pelos cuidados locais, localização da lesão, fatores inerentes ao indivíduo, tipo de lesão e animal agressor. Os ferimentos resultantes pela mordedura desses animais ocasionam infecções, que podem gerar necrose e destruição celular, concluindo com um quadro infeccioso grave, que, mesmo após a cura, pode resultar em sequelas estéticas e prejuízos funcionais importantes. Não há um consenso na literatura em relação ao tratamento dessas lesões, principalmente no que se refere à sutura primária e à profilaxia de doenças infectocontagiosas originadas a partir do contato da mucosa oral desses animais com a ferida. A avaliação clínica minuciosa é primordial, e, a partir dela, a definição do tratamento mais adequado para cada caso específico é fundamental para a diminuição do risco de infecções mais graves e, consequentemente, o sucesso do tratamento desses pacientes. O presente estudo relata casos de crianças, vítimas de mordedura animal, atendidas pelo Serviço de Cirurgia e Traumatologia Buco Maxilo Facial do Hospital Regional de Picuí-PB, tratados por reparo primário e antibioticoterapia profilática, em que o resultado do tratamento foi considerado satisfatório com ausência de infecção. O profissional assistente deve estar apto a reconhecer, diagnosticar e tratar situações como essas relatadas, seguindo um protocolo de atendimento de acordo com a experiência clínica para se obter êxito em cada caso... (AU)

Physical injuries caused by domestic animals are amongthemost common typesof injuries towhichmanisexposed. Injuriesaffectmainly children andrepresentanimportant cause of morbidity in emergencyunits. Riskofinfectionafterbitingisdeterminedby local care, lesionlocation, individual factors, typeofinjuryand animal abuser. Contamination of wounds by bite of these animals cause infections that can cause necrosis and cell destruction, leading to a serious infectious condition even after curing may remain aesthetic consequences and significant functional impairment. There is no consensus in the literature about treatment of these injuries, especially about primary suture and prophylaxis of infectious diseases originating from the contact of the oral mucosa of these animals with the wound. Clinical detailed exam evaluation is paramount and therefrom determination of most appropriate treatment for each individual case are critical to reducing the risk of severe infections, and therefore, the successful treatment of these patients. This study reports cases of children, victims of animal bites attended by Oral and Maxillofacial Service of Hospital Regional de Picui, Paraiba, Brazil, treated by primary repair and prophylactic antibiotic therapy, in which treatment outcome was satisfactory without signs of infection.Surgeon must beabletorecognize, diagnose andtreatsituation slike these reported by following a careprotocol in accordance with clinical experiencetosucceed in each case... (AU)

Animais exóticos domesticados com potencial zoonótico - revisão da literatura / Exotic domesticated animals with zoonotic potential - review

As zoonoses são definidas como doenças transmissíveis entre os animais e o homem, com ampla distribuição mundial. São responsáveis por 75% das doenças infecciosas emergentes, sendo transmitidas por animais domésticos exóticos ou por espécies silvestres. Este artigo teve como objetivo revisar a literatura referente às zoonoses associadas aos animais exóticos domesticados com potencial risco de afetar a saúde dos seres humanos e discutir o papel delas na saúde pública. A revisão bibliográfica foi realizada pelo acesso à Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, utilizando as seguintes bases de dados: LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE,Cochrane, SciELO e Portal de Periódicos CAPES. Os resultados foram organizados em quadros. Destaca-se a importância de conhecer tais doenças para que sejam incluídas na hipótese diagnóstica de profissionais da saúde, assim como pesquisa dos antecedentes epidemiológicos do paciente, visando ao seu possível contato com animais no ambiente domiciliar.

Zoonoses are defined as diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans, with worldwide distribution. They account for 75% of emerging infectious diseases, being transmitted by exotic pets or wild species. This article aims to review the literature related to exotic pets-associated zoonoses with potential to affect human beings health, and discuss their role in public health. The literature review was performed by access to Virtual Health Library, using the following databases:LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE, Cochrane, SciELO and CAPES website. The results were organized in charts. Knowledge of these diseases is important because they can be included in health professionals' diagnosis hypothesis; an investigation of the epidemiological history of the patient to search for possible contact with animals in the home environment is also important

Acidentes domiciliares por forças mecânicas animadas na população infantojuvenil / Home accidents due to exposure to animate mechanical forces amongst children and youth population / Accidentes domiciliarios debido a fuerzas mecánicas animadas en la población infanto-juvenil

Acidentes por mordeduras humanas, de animais e picadas de insetos em ambiente domiciliar são importantes causas de atendimentos hospitalares na população infantojuvenil (0-24 anos). Conhecer as circunstâncias que envolvem esses acidentes é essencial para traçar as medidas preventivas e intervenções. OBJETIVO: analisar o perfil de acidentes domiciliares causados por forças mecânicas animadas na população infantojuvenil, atendida por serviço público de referência em urgência e emergência, durante o ano de 2013. MÉTODO: estudo epidemiológico de corte transversal com coleta retrospectiva de dados e análise quantitativa. Foram analisadas as fichas de pronto-atendimento decorrentes de acidentes domiciliares por forças mecânicas animadas na população de zero a 24 anos durante o ano de 2013, atendidas por um hospital público de referência em urgência e emergência. Os dados foram digitados no programa EPIINFO e para análise foram utilizadas estatísticas simples e bivariadas. RESULTADOS: predomínio do sexo masculino (63,6%) e faixa etária de 1-9 anos (64,6%). A mordedura de cão representou 63,9% dos atendimentos. Entre crianças de 1-4 anos as lesões concentraram-se no segmento encefálico (62,5%) e entre 15-24 anos nos membros superiores. Houve alta em 97,0% dos atendimentos. CONCLUSÃO: evidenciou-se a importância de medidas preventivas para acidentes com forças animadas de forma que eliminem os riscos e torne o ambiente domiciliar seguro para o desenvolvimento de crianças, adolescentes e jovens.

Human, animal and insect bite accidents in the home are a major cause of hospital attendance amongst children and adolescents (0-24 years). Inorder to delineate preventive measures and interventions it is necessary to identify the circumstances surrounding such accidents. Objective: Toassess home accidents due to exposure to animate mechanical forces amongst children and youth population cared for at the emergency care unitof a public reference hospital during 2013. Method: Cross-sectional epidemiological study with retrospective data collection and quantitative analysis.The researchers analysed records of home accidents due to exposure to animate mechanical forces in the population aged 0-24 years throughout2013. The participants had been cared for at the emergency care unit of a public reference hospital. Data were entered in EPI program and analysedthrough simple and bivariate statistics. Results: most participants were male (63.6%), aged 1 to 9 (64.6%). Dog bites were observed in 63.9% of the cases. Head injuries were more common among children aged 1 to 4, whereas injuries to upper limbs were recorded mostly amongst those aged 15 to24 (62.5%). Hospital discharge happened in 97.0% of the cases. Conclusion: the researchers recommend preventive measures addressing this type ofaccidents in order to reduce the risks and ensure a safe home environment for the development of children and adolescents.

Las mordeduras humanas accidentales, de animales y las picaduras de insectos en el ambiente domiciliario son importantes causas de atenciónhospitalaria entre niños y adolescentes (0-24 años). Es esencial conocer las circunstancias en las cuales suceden tales accidentes para poderadoptar medidas preventivas y trazar las intervenciones necesarias. Este estudio busca evaluar el perfil de los accidentes domiciliarios causadospor fuerzas mecánicas animadas en la población infantojuvenil, atendidos por servicios públicos de referencia en emergencias durante 2013.Estudio epidemiológico de corte transversal con recogida de datos retrospectiva y análisis cuantitativa. Se consideraron las anotaciones del 2013 de un servicio público de emergencias referentes a dichos accidentes en la población mencionada. Los datos fueron introducidos en el programaEPIINFO y para su análisis se emplearon las estadísticas simples y bivariadas. Los resultados indicaron predominio masculino (63,6%) y de edadentre 1-9 años (64,6%). Las mordeduras de perros representaron un 63,9% de los casos. Entre los niños de 1 y 4 años las lesiones se concentraronen el segmento encefálico (el 62,5%) y entre los 15 y 24 años en los miembros superiores. En el 97.0% de los casos los pacientes tuvieron alta hospitalaria. Es evidente la importancia de las medidas preventivas para accidentes de fuerzas animadas con miras a eliminar los riesgos y aque el hogar sea un ambiente seguro para el desarrollo de niños y adolescentes.

Toxoplasmosis ocular: Presentación de dos casos / Ocular toxoplasmosis: Presentation of a case

La toxoplasmosis ocular es la causa más frecuente de uveítis posterior de etiología conocida, caracterizada por recurrencias que conllevan a una pérdida significativa de la visión. La manifestación ocular más frecuente es la coriorretinitis, tanto en una primoinfección como en la recidiva de una forma congénita. Se presentan dos casos que acuden a la consulta de oftalmología de la clínica José Martí Ballenita, en Ecuador, por pérdida brusca de visión. A los mismos se les diagnosticó esta enfermedad. El desempeño del oftalmólogo en el diagnóstico precoz de la misma es de vital importancia, para la aplicación de la terapia, tipo de droga a utilizar y duración del tratamiento de forma individualizada con las drogas de elección, y lograr así una consecuente rehabilitación visual.

The ocular toxoplasmosis is the most frequent cause of posterior uveitis of identified etiology, characterized for recurrences leading to a significant loss of vision. The most frequent ocular manifestation is the chorioretinitis, in a first infection and also in recidivism of a congenital form. We present two cases assisting the ophthalmologic consultation of the clinic José Martí Ballenita, in Ecuador, because of an abrupt loss of vision. The diagnosis of both cases was this disease. It is very important the performance of the ophthalmologist in the precocious diagnosis of the ocular toxoplasmosis, to begging the therapy, determine the kind of drugs to use and the continuation of the treatment with the chosen drugs in an individualized form, reaching that way a consequent visual rehabilitation.

Prevalence of wheeze among preschool children in Basra governonate, southern Iraq

A community-based survey was carried out in Basra governorate, Iraq, to estimate the prevalence of wheeze among children under 5 years old and to identify possible risk factors. It was found that 15.8% of the 424 preschool children enrolled in the study had a history of wheeze. More wheezy children lived in the city [16.3%] than in the rural area [15.0%]. Family history of asthma in first-degree relatives was significantly associated with wheeze [44.8% of children with wheeze versus 15.1% without wheeze]. Other household factors-parents' low educational level, formula or supplemental feeding as a baby, overcrowding, smoking at home, pet ownership and using kerosene-were associated with wheeze, but the results were not statistically significant. The role of environmental factors and feeding patterns needs to be further evaluated

An epidemiological profile of brucellosis in Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia

All 137 brucellosis cases occurring in Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia in 1997 were studied retrospectively. Brucella agglutination titre of > or = 1/80, or rising titre plus history of typical signs and symptoms were considered evidence of infection. The incidence rate was 34/100,000, mean age 33.8 +/- 13.9 years [range: 3-72 years] and male:female ratio 1.8:1. There were 63.5% of cases rurally resident, 58.4% kept animals at home or elsewhere, 27.0% worked with animals and/or on farms, and 88.3% reported a history of raw milk ingestion. The most common infecting agents were Brucella melitensis, B. abortus and B. suis. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly were detected in 25.5% and 22.6% of cases respectively

Investigation on Campylobacter carrier state of bile and intestinal content of domestic animals and fowls / 第三军医大学学报

The Campylobacter carrier rate of the bile was 23. 64%,14. 29%,7. 14%,6. 64%,5.88%, 5.55% and 3. 63% in the quails, cats, dogs, pigs, chickens, ducks and oxen respectively. The survival time of Campylobacter in the bile in vitro ranged from 4 to 7 weeks. The Campylobacter carrier rate of the intestinal content was higher than that of the bile in all the domestic animals and fowls. It is believed that the domestic animals and fowls may be an important source of Campylobacter infection in human beings according to our findings.