Pathogenic characterization in mice of Neospora caninum isolates obtained from asymptomatic calves.

In this study, we characterized 8 new isolates obtained from healthy but congenitally infected calves using a BALB/c mouse model. Neospora caninum-infected mice survived without exhibiting any clinical signs of disease. Nevertheless, differences among isolates in parasite organ distribution, parasite burden and the severity of histopathological lesions were determined. Mice infected with the Nc-Spain 5H, Nc-Spain 7 and Nc-Spain 9 isolates showed higher parasite burdens and more severe brain lesions during the late phase of infection compared to mice infected with the Nc-Spain 2H, Nc-Spain 3H or Nc-Spain 6 isolates. Furthermore, differences in the immunoglobulin IgG1 and IgG2a isotype kinetics induced by these isolates were observed, with a more rapid IgG2a response seen in mice infected with the Nc-Spain 2H and Nc-Spain 3H isolates. These results confirm the intra-species variability of N. caninum pathogenicity.

Effects of re-infection with Neospora caninum in bulls on parasite detection in semen and blood and immunological responses.

Three bulls with experimentally induced primary infection with Neospora caninum were re-infected intravenously with 10(8) live N. caninum tachyzoites of the NC-1 isolate at 300 days post-infection to investigate the presence of N. caninum in semen and blood, and the associated immune responses. In parallel, three bulls with experimentally induced primary infection with N. caninum and three non-infected bulls were also monitored. Re-infected and infected bulls showed an intermittent presence of N. caninum DNA in semen with a parasite load ranging from 0.1 to 15.6 (mean 4.4) and 0.1 to 11.1 (mean 4.1) parasites/ml, respectively. Re-infected bulls showed significant and persistent serum-specific IgM and IgG antibody responses. Specific IgG levels were detected in seminal plasma of all infected bulls, but the magnitude of the response was significantly higher in re-infected rather than in chronically infected animals. The mean specific IFN-gamma levels in re-infected bulls were significantly increased as early as 3 and 7 days after experimental infection when compared to bulls in other groups. This study showed that the intermittent presence and parasite load of N. caninum in the semen of re-infected bulls is very similar to that reported in chronically infected animals. The protozoa could not be isolated from BALB/c nu/nu mice inoculated with PCR-positive semen samples and inseminated heifers with pooled semen samples did not show seroconversion. Plasma IFN-gamma level seems to be a good indicator of a recent N. caninum infection.

Experimental neosporosis in bulls: parasite detection in semen and blood and specific antibody and interferon-gamma responses.

AIM: To investigate the presence of Neospora caninum in semen and blood, and the development of specific antibody and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses in experimentally infected bulls. METHODS: Eight bulls were intravenously infected with 10(8) live N. caninum tachyzoites of NC-1 isolate. The presence of N. caninum in semen and blood was assessed using a nested-PCR procedure. PCR-positive semen samples were bioassayed using a BALB/c nu/nu mouse model. Specific anti-N. caninum antibody and IFN-gamma responses were also examined. In parallel, eight seronegative bulls were studied as non-infected controls. All bulls were monitored for 26 weeks. RESULTS: All eight experimentally infected bulls showed N. caninum DNA in their semen and/or blood samples at some time during the course of the study. Parasite load in semen ranged from 0.1 to 14.5 parasites/ml (mean 6.0). N. caninum could not be detected in BALB/c nu/nu mice inoculated with PCR-positive semen samples. A significant increase in mean serum specific IgM antibody response to N. caninum was detected between 10 and 28 days post-infection (p.i.). Serum specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 antibody levels in experimentally infected bulls were significantly different after 21, 10, and 14 days p.i. as compared to controls, respectively. Specific anti-N. caninum IgG were detected in seminal plasma from infected bulls and values obtained were different from controls after 25 days p.i. Mean specific IFN-gamma responses in experimentally infected bulls were significantly higher than controls 3 days p.i. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report the presence of N. caninum DNA in the semen and blood of experimentally infected bulls. Our observations indicate an intermittent presence of N. caninum in low numbers in semen and associated with chronic stage of the infection. This study is also the first to report the detection of anti-N. caninum IgG in seminal plasma of experimentally infected bulls.

Intrauterine Neospora caninum inoculation of heifers and cows using contaminated semen with different numbers of tachyzoites.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential of different Neospora caninum tachyzoite doses to infect heifers (experiment 1) and cows (experiment 2) when administered in utero by artificial insemination via contaminated semen. METHODS: In experiment 1, five groups of 5, 7, 8, 9, and 5 cyclic heifers were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated with semen containing 0 (A, controls), 10(2) (B), 5 x 10(3) (C), 5 x 10(4) (D), and 5 x 10(5) (E) live N. caninum NC-1 isolate-tachyzoites, respectively. Experimental infection was followed for 100 days. Parasitaemia and specific serum IgG, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses were studied. In experiment 2, four groups of 9, 10, 9, and 9 adult multiparous cows with confirmed infertility problems of diverse aethiology were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated with semen containing 0 (a, controls), 10(2) (b), 5 x 10(3) (c), and 5 x 10(5) (d) live N. caninum NC-1 isolate-tachyzoites, respectively. Experimental infection was followed for 63 days. Parasitaemia and specific serum IgG responses were studied. RESULTS: In experiment 1, parasitaemia was detected in 1, 2, and 3 heifers from groups B, C, and D, respectively, between 9 and 23 days after insemination. Persistent specific serum antibody responses were detected in 2 and 3 heifers from groups D and E, respectively. Transient specific serum antibody responses were detected in 2, 1 and 1 heifers from groups C, D, and E, respectively. In addition, 1 heifer from group B showed a serum-specific antibody level higher than cut off value at 21 days post-insemination. Heifers seroconverted between 23 and 47 days after insemination. Specific IFN-gamma levels were detected in 1, 4, 6, and 3 heifers from groups B, C, D, and E, respectively, between 9 and 55 days after insemination. Pregnancy rate in the control group (60%) was higher than those observed in inoculated heifers (0-42.9%). Pregnancy rates in inoculated heifers were lower when the tachyzoite dose was increased (B 42.9%, C 12.5%, D 11.1%, and E 0%). In experiment 2, no Neospora DNA in blood nor specific serum IgG to N. caninum were detected in any of the cows studied, except in one cow inoculated with 5 x 10(5) tachyzoites (group d) which showed a relative index x100 (RIPC) values of 9.4, 18.9, and 18.1 at 42, 56, and 63 days after insemination, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the intrauterine infection via contaminated semen using 5 x 10(4) and 5 x 10(5) tachyzoites caused persistent serum-specific antibody responses in some heifers. On the basis of serological data, a dose-response effect was also observed. In addition, N. caninum would be a probable cause of early foetal death in inoculated heifers. In contrast, results obtained in a similar experiment with cows showing confirmed infertility indicate that higher doses, such as of 5 x 10(5) tachyzoites, were necessary to induce seroconversion in at least one animal.

Neospora caninum infection in breeder bulls: seroprevalence and comparison of serological methods used for diagnosis.

AIMS: To investigate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in breeder bulls. In addition, the level of agreement of serological methods used was evaluated. METHODS: A total of 285 bulls of different ages and breeds raised for reproductive purposes in Spain were sampled for serum antibody activity to N. caninum. Sera were tested using three validated assays: the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and two commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 13.7% of bulls sampled by at least one of the three validated serological assays. The seroprevalence of neosporosis oscillated between 11.2 and 13.3% depending on the serological technique used. No significant associations (P > 0.05) were observed between N. caninum infection and bull breed or age. The serum antibody levels were predominantly low and close to threshold levels in all positive samples. A very good agreement was found among the serological methods used. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first seroprevalence study of bovine neosporosis in breeder bulls and results showed a moderate presence of N. caninum chronic infections.

[Vegetarian diet in glutaric aciduria type I]. / Dieta vegetariana en aciduria glutárica tipo I.

Glutaric aciduria type I is an autosomal recessive metabolic disease (1 case/30,000) characterized by a progressive dystonic-diakinetic syndrome in children. Pathologic examination reveals striatal degeneration of the caudate and putamen nucleus and biochemical analysis shows glutaryl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Values of glutaric and -hydroxyglutaric acids in urine are usually increased. Currently, the disease is considered untreatable since there are usually irreversible lesions in the central nervous system at diagnosis. However, treatment can be provided to pre-symptomatic children and usually to the siblings of patients with this diagnosis. We present the case of a 23-month-old boy, with macrocephaly and minimal neurologic manifestations at diagnosis, which were attributed to his semivegetarian diet. A dietary regimen and vitamin supplementation halted and even improved symptomatic progression of the disease. We conclude that amino and organic acids in urine should be investigated in all children with progressive macrocephaly of unknown etiology to rule out glutaric aciduria type I.

Protocolos de estimulación ovárica en inseminación artificial según el patrón utilizado de glicosilación de la hormona folículo estimulante / The impact of different ovarian stimulating protocols in artificial insemination based on the glycosylation pattern of the follicle stimulating hormone

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: los estudios clínicos que comparan diferentes protocolos de estimulación ovárica no son concluyentes. Nuestro estudio compara tres protocolos según el patrón de glicosilación de la hormona folículo estimulante (FHS) que imita el ciclo natural para inseminación artificial. OBJETIVO: proponer un protocolo de estimulación ovárica secuencial con FSH urinaria (isoforma ácida) seguido de FSH recombinante (isoforma menos ácida) y evaluar su efectividad respecto de los esquemas tradicionales de estimulación con FSH recombinante (FSHr) y FSH urinaria (FSHu). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio de cohortes, retrospectivo, efectuado entre mayo de 2012 y mayo 2015 en parejas infértiles en protocolo de inseminación artificial. El grupo de estudio se dividió en tres: 1) FSHr, 2) FSHhp y 3) estimulación sequencial: FSHhp + FSHr. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizaron χ2, ANOVA o test Mann-Whitney. Los resultados se reportan con límite de significación de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: se estudiaron 178 parejas infértiles en protocolo de inseminación artificial y se efectuaron 299 ciclos de estimulación ovárica con inseminación artificial; grupo 1) 99 con FSHr, 2)100 con FSHhp y 3) 100 con estimulación sequencial: FSHhp + FSHr. Los resultados gestacionales fueron mayores en el grupo FSHu y secuencial. En el análisis costo-efectividad se observó menor tasa con el esquema secuencial en comparación con los otros dos. Al comparar los tres protocolos según los intentos previos de inseminación, en la serie con intentos previos, se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en βHCG y gestación al comparar FSHr versus secuencial. El protocolo FSHr fue menos efectivo que los otros dos tratamientos. CONCLUSIONES: se planteó la estimulación ovárica controlada con protocolo secuencial en pacientes que recibirían inseminación artificial y, aunque no se encontraron diferencias significativas, sí se observó una tendencia en la que tanto la dosis como los días de estimulación requerida son menores con este protocolo que con los clásicos con FSHr o FSHu.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Earlier trials comparing different ovarian stimulating protocols in assisted reproduction found no significant differences in the results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of three different stimulation protocols based on the glycosylation pattern of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in an intrauterine insemination (IUI) program. The stimulating protocols are: human FSH (acidic isoform), recombinant FSH (less acidic isoform) and combined urinary and recombinant FSH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cohort study, retrospective, conducted between May 2012 and May 2015 in infertile couples in protocol of artificial insemination. The study group was divided into three: 1) FSHr, 2) FSHhp and 3) sequential pacing: FSHhp + FSHr. For statistical analysis, χ2, ANOVA or Mann-Whitney test were used. The results are reported with a significance limit of p < 0.05. RESULTS: 178 infertile couples were studied in an artificial insemination protocol and 299 cycles of ovarian stimulation were performed with artificial insemination; Group 1) 99 with FSHr, 2) 100 with FSHhp and 3) 100 with sequential stimulation: FSHhp + FSHr. CONCLUSION: In this study, controlled ovarian stimulation with sequential protocol was considered in patients who would receive artificial insemination and, although no significant differences were found, a trend was observed in which both the dose and the days of stimulation required are lower with this protocol than with the classics with FSHr or FSHu.

Quilotórax bilateral secundario a fractura vertebral / Bilateral chylothorax secondary to vertebral fracture

No disponible

Síndrome del nervio auriculotemporal en niños secundario a un parto instrumentado con fórceps / Auriculotemporal nerve syndrome in children secondary to a forceps delivery

No disponible

No disponible

Dieta vegetariana en aciduria glutárica tipo I / Vegetarian diet in glutaric aciduria type I

La aciduria glutárica tipo I es una enfermedad neurometabólica, de herencia autosómico recesiva (1 caso/ 30.000), caracterizada por discinesia y distonía progresiva en niños, patológicamente por degeneración estriatal, en particular de los núcleos caudado y putamen, y bioquímicamente por deficiencia en tejidos de glutaril-CoA deshidrogenasa, con cifras usualmente elevadas de ácidos glutárico y betahidroxiglutárico en orina. Actualmente no se considera una enfermedad tratable, puesto que al diagnóstico del paciente suele haber lesiones irreversibles en sistema nervioso central, beneficiándose del tratamiento los niños presintomáticos y, en general, los hermanos de otros pacientes ya diagnosticados. Se presenta un niño de 23 meses con macrocefalia y mínimas manifestaciones neurológicas al diagnóstico, atribuidas a que el niño seguía una dieta semivegetariana. El establecimiento dietético y suplementos vitamínicos ha detenido e incluso mejorado la progresión sintomática de la enfermedad. Se concluye que a todo niño con macrocefalia progresiva de etiología no filiada se le debe realizar estudio de aminoácidos y ácidos orgánicos en orina para descartar aciduria glutárica tipo I (AU)

Hepatitis colestásica como manifestación inicial de escarlatina / Cholestatic hepatitis as initial manifestation of scarlet fever

No disponible