Vaccination with Formulation of Nanoparticles Loaded with Leishmania amazonensis Antigens Confers Protection against Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in Hamster

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania infantum for which dogs are the main reservoirs. A vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) could be an important tool in the control of human and CVL by reducing the infection pressure of L. infantum. Despite the CVL vaccine available on the market, the Brazilian Ministry of Health did not implement the use of it in their control programs. In this sense, there is an urgent need to develop more efficient vaccines. In this study, the association between two polymeric nanoformulations, (poly (D, L-lactic) acid (PLA) polymer) loading Leishmania amazonensis antigens, was evaluated as a potential immunobiological agent against VL using golden hamsters as an experimental model. The results indicated that no significant adverse reactions were observed in animals vaccinated with LAPSmP. LAPSmP presented similar levels of total anti-Leishmania IgG as compared to LAPSmG. The LAPSmP and LAPSmG groups showed an intense reduction in liver and spleen parasitic load by qPCR. The LAPSmP and LAPSmG vaccines showed exceptional results, indicating that they may be promising candidates as a VL vaccine.

Nanoformulations with Leishmania braziliensis Antigens Triggered Controlled Parasite Burden in Vaccinated Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) against Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a widespread vector-borne disease in Brazil, with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum as the primary etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Dogs are considered the main reservoir of this parasite, whose treatment in Brazil is restricted to the use of veterinary medicines, which do not promote a parasitological cure. Therefore, efficient vaccine development is the best approach to Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) control. With this in mind, this study used hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) as an experimental model in an anti-Leishmania preclinical vaccine trial to evaluate the safety, antigenicity, humoral response, and effects on tissue parasite load. Two novel formulations of nanoparticles made from poly(D, L-lactic) acid (PLA) polymer loading Leishmania braziliensis crude antigen (LB) exhibiting two different particle sizes were utilized: LBPSmG (570 nm) and LBPSmP (388 nm). The results showed that the nanoparticles were safe and harmless to hamsters and were antigenic with the induction in LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmG groups of total anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies 30 days after challenge, which persists 200 days in LBSap and LBPSmP. At the same time, a less pronounced hepatosplenomegaly in LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmP was found when compared to control groups, as well as a less pronounced inflammatory infiltrate and granuloma formation in the spleen. Furthermore, significant reductions of 84%, 81%, and 90% were observed in spleen parasite burden accessed by qPCR in the LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmP groups, respectively. In this way, LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmP formulations showed better results in vaccinated and L. infantum-challenged animals in further reducing parasitic load in the spleen and attenuating lesions in liver and splenic tissues. This results in safe, harmless nanoformulation vaccines with significant immunogenic and infection control potential. In addition, animals vaccinated with LBPSmP had an overall reduction in parasite burden in the spleen, indicating that a smaller nanoparticle could be more efficient in targeting antigen-presenting cells.

Hipoplasia testicular em Mugil curema / Testicular hypoplasia in Mugil curema

Mugil curema valenciennes, 1836 (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) é um peixe cosmopolita e é conhecido popularmente como parati no Sudeste e Sul do Brasil e como tainha no Nordeste, sendo encontrado em mar aberto e em estuários. Esta espécie não expressa dimorfismo sexual entre machos e fêmeas externamente. Machos e as fêmeas possuem um par de gônadas (testículos e ovários, respectivamente), as quais são alongadas, fusiformes e simétricas. Este trabalho descreve a ocorrência de hipoplasia testicular em um peixe da espécie Mugil curema, procedente da Baía da Babitonga, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Foi identificada hipoplasia testicular unilateral, a qual macroscopicamente, estava diminuído de volume e, microscopicamente, apresentava atividade espermatogênica ausente e redução do número de espermatozoides. Não foi possível determinar os fatores que possam ter contribuído para o desenvolvimento de tal alteração reprodutiva. Porém, como a espécie animal pode ter suas características de vida e reprodutiva influenciadas pela ação antrópica, é importante um estudo contínuo da vida dos peixes nesse ambiente. Existem poucos estudos direcionados à espécie, principalmente aos aspectos reprodutivos. Desta forma, este relato contribuirá para elevar o histórico de informações a respeito desta espécie na região.

Mugil curema valenciennes, 1836 (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) is a cosmopolitan fish popularly known as parati in Southeast and South Brazil and as mullet in Northeast, being found in the open sea and estuaries. This species does not express sexual dimorphism between males and females externally. Males and females have a pair of gonads (testes and ovaries, respectively), which are elongated, fusiform, and symmetrical. This paper describes the occurrence of testicular hypoplasia in a fish of the species Mugil curema, from Babitonga Bay, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Unilateral testicular hypoplasia was identified, which macroscopically showed a decrease in testis volume and, microscopically, the absence of spermatogenic action and a reduction in the number of spermatozoa. It was not possible to determine the factors that may have contributed to the development of such reproductive alteration. However, as the living and reproductive traits of this animal species may be influenced by anthropic action, a continuous study of its life in this environment is important. There are few studies directed at this species, mainly on its reproductive aspects. Thus, this report will contribute to raising the information historic about this species in the region.

Blood parameters and hepatic histopathology of broilers fed rations supplemented with essential oils

This study aimed to evaluate the hematological profile, hepatic function, and histopathology of mixed-sex broilers fed rations supplemented with microencapsulated essential oils from Cymbopogon flexuosus (lemon grass) and Lippia rotundifolia (chá-de-pedestre). One hundred and fifty Cobb chicks were housed in cages from 1 to 42 days of age in a completely randomized design, with six replicates with five chickens in each of five treatments (150 total chicks): basal diet without antibiotic growth promoter (negative control), diet with enramicina and salinomycin (positive control), diet with lemon grass essential oil, diet with L. rotundifolia essential oil, and diet with a mixture of lemon grass and L. rotundifolia essential oils. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly lower in untreated broilers (negative control group). Gender was not associated with erythrogram values, but aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST) was higher in females. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was higher in chicks in the group that received rations with lemon grass oil. Broilers that received L. rotundifolia oil developed more hepatic lesions, although no effect of sex was observed related to the lesion score. Biliary hyperplasia and fibroplasias were observed in all groups, with higher histopathology scores in broilers that received diets containing L. rotundifolia oil. Mixed-sex broilers fed rations supplemented with lemon grass and L. rotundifolia essential oils have normal complete blood counts and unspecific hepatic lesions and are characterized by lipidosis, hyperplasia of the bile ducts, and fibroplasia.(AU)

Systemic infection by Spencermartinsiella sp in a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) / Infecção sistêmica por Spencermartinsiella sp em um crocodilo do Nilo (Crocodylus niloticus)

A male adult crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was diagnosed with systemic yeast infection. Histologically, there were extensive areas of necrosis in the lung, which were associated with a diffuse severe lympho-plasmo-histiocytic inflammatory infiltrate, with numerous multinucleated giant cells, and myriads of intralesional pseudo-hyphae and yeast like organisms within distended foveolae. Necrotic foci were also observed in the mucosa of the digestive tract, trachea, tunica intima of arteries, liver, and heart, with a marked inflammatory lympho-histiocytic infiltrate, with large numbers of epithelioid macrophages and giant cells, and intralesional and intravascular pseudo-hyphae and yeast-like organisms. Oval yeast structures with 4 to 6 m in diameter and 5 to 8 m thick paralleled-wall pseudo-hyphae were observed in PAS or GMS stained sections. PCR with DNA template extracted from paraffin embedded tissues amplified the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene, which was sequenced and found to be identical to sequences of a new species, isolated from rotting wood in Brazil, of the genus Spencermartinsiella, which its closest relative is Spencermartinsiella cellulosicola.(AU)

Um crocodilo macho adulto (Crocodylus niloticus) foi diagnosticado com infecção fúngica sustêmica. Histologicamente, havia extensas áreas de necrose no pulmão, que estavam associadas com infiltrado inflamatório linfo-plasmo-histiocitário, com numerosas células gigantes multinucleadas e miríade de pseudo-hifas e organismos leveduriformes intralesionais, dentro de favéolas distendidas. Focos necróticos também foram observados na mucosa do trato digestório, traquéia, túnica íntima de artérias, fígado e coração, com acentuado infiltrado inflamatório linfo-histiocitário, com grande número de macrófagos epitelioides e células gigantes e hifas e organismos leveduriformes intralesionais e intravasculares. Cortes corados por PAS e GMS evidenciaram estruturas leveduriformes ovais com 4 a 6 μm de diâmetro e pseudo-hifas de paredes espessas e paralelas com 5 a 8 μm. PCR realizado com DNA extraído de material parafinizado amplificou os domínios D1/D2 da subunidade maior do gene rRNA, cuja sequencia foi idêntica a sequências de uma nova espécie, isolada no Brasil de madeira em decomposição, do gênero Spencermartinsiella, cuja espécie mais próxima é Spencermartinsiella cellulosicola.(AU)

Systemic infection by Spencermartinsiella sp in a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) / Infecção sistêmica por Spencermartinsiella sp em um crocodilo do Nilo (Crocodylus niloticus)

A male adult crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was diagnosed with systemic yeast infection. Histologically, there were extensive areas of necrosis in the lung, which were associated with a diffuse severe lympho-plasmo-histiocytic inflammatory infiltrate, with numerous multinucleated giant cells, and myriads of intralesional pseudo-hyphae and yeast like organisms within distended foveolae. Necrotic foci were also observed in the mucosa of the digestive tract, trachea, tunica intima of arteries, liver, and heart, with a marked inflammatory lympho-histiocytic infiltrate, with large numbers of epithelioid macrophages and giant cells, and intralesional and intravascular pseudo-hyphae and yeast-like organisms. Oval yeast structures with 4 to 6 m in diameter and 5 to 8 m thick paralleled-wall pseudo-hyphae were observed in PAS or GMS stained sections. PCR with DNA template extracted from paraffin embedded tissues amplified the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene, which was sequenced and found to be identical to sequences of a new species, isolated from rotting wood in Brazil, of the genus Spencermartinsiella, which its closest relative is Spencermartinsiella cellulosicola.

Um crocodilo macho adulto (Crocodylus niloticus) foi diagnosticado com infecção fúngica sustêmica. Histologicamente, havia extensas áreas de necrose no pulmão, que estavam associadas com infiltrado inflamatório linfo-plasmo-histiocitário, com numerosas células gigantes multinucleadas e miríade de pseudo-hifas e organismos leveduriformes intralesionais, dentro de favéolas distendidas. Focos necróticos também foram observados na mucosa do trato digestório, traquéia, túnica íntima de artérias, fígado e coração, com acentuado infiltrado inflamatório linfo-histiocitário, com grande número de macrófagos epitelioides e células gigantes e hifas e organismos leveduriformes intralesionais e intravasculares. Cortes corados por PAS e GMS evidenciaram estruturas leveduriformes ovais com 4 a 6 μm de diâmetro e pseudo-hifas de paredes espessas e paralelas com 5 a 8 μm. PCR realizado com DNA extraído de material parafinizado amplificou os domínios D1/D2 da subunidade maior do gene rRNA, cuja sequencia foi idêntica a sequências de uma nova espécie, isolada no Brasil de madeira em decomposição, do gênero Spencermartinsiella, cuja espécie mais próxima é Spencermartinsiella cellulosicola.

Systemic infection by Spencermartinsiella sp. in a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) / Infecção sistêmica por Spencermartinsiella sp. em um crocodilo do Nilo (Crocodylus niloticus)

A male adult crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was diagnosed with systemic yeast infection. Histologically, there were extensive areas of necrosis in the lung, which were associated with a diffuse severe lympho-plasmo-histiocytic inflammatory infiltrate, with numerous multinucleated giant cells, and myriads of intralesional pseudo-hyphae and yeast like organisms within distended foveolae. Necrotic foci were also observed in the mucosa of the digestive tract, trachea, tunica intima of arteries, liver, and heart, with a marked inflammatory lympho-histiocytic infiltrate, with large numbers of epithelioid macrophages and giant cells, and intralesional and intravascular pseudo-hyphae and yeast-like organisms. Oval yeast structures with 4 to 6 µm in diameter and 5 to 8 µm thick paralleled-wall pseudo-hyphae were observed in PAS or GMS stained sections. PCR with DNA template extracted from paraffin embedded tissues amplified the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene, which was sequenced and found to be identical to sequences of a new species, isolated from rotting wood in Brazil, of the genus Spencermartinsiella, which its closest relative is Spencermartinsiella cellulosicola.(AU)

Um crocodilo macho adulto (Crocodylus niloticus) foi diagnosticado com infecção fúngica sustêmica. Histologicamente, havia extensas áreas de necrose no pulmão, que estavam associadas com infiltrado inflamatório linfo-plasmo-histiocitário, com numerosas células gigantes multinucleadas e miríade de pseudo-hifas e organismos leveduriformes intralesionais, dentro de favéolas distendidas. Focos necróticos também foram observados na mucosa do trato digestório, traquéia, túnica íntima de artérias, fígado e coração, com acentuado infiltrado inflamatório linfo-histiocitário, com grande número de macrófagos epitelioides e células gigantes e hifas e organismos leveduriformes intralesionais e intravasculares. Cortes corados por PAS e GMS evidenciaram estruturas leveduriformes ovais com 4 a 6 µm de diâmetro e pseudo-hifas de paredes espessas e paralelas com 5 a 8 µm. PCR realizado com DNA extraído de material parafinizado amplificou os domínios D1/D2 da subunidade maior do gene rRNA, cuja sequencia foi idêntica a sequências de uma nova espécie, isolada no Brasil de madeira em decomposição, do gênero Spencermartinsiella, cuja espécie mais próxima é Spencermartinsiella cellulosicola.(AU)