PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

Colodel E.M., Seitz A.L., Schmitz M., Borba M.R., Raymundo D.L. & Driemeier D. 2004. [Poisoning by Erythroxylum deciduum (Erythroxylaceae) in sheep.] Intoxicação por Erythroxylum deciduum (Erythroxylaceae) em ovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(3):165-168. Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Depto Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Cx. Postal 15094, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E- mail: moleta@terra.com.br. The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of natural poisoning caused by Erythroxylum deciduum fruits in sheep are reported. The outbreak occurred from January to March of 2004, in Lagoa Vermelha county, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The poisoning was experimentally reproduced by oral administration of E. deciduum fruits to 5 sheep.Three of them developed neurological signs and died. Poisoning was caused with a single dose of 60g/kg or when the dosage was fractioned into at least 4 doses of 17 g/kg given every 12 hours. The main clinical signs in natural and experimentally poisoned sheep were ataxia, hyperexcitability and muscular tremors which where more pronounced when the animals were moved. At the final stage, dyspnea with abdominal breathing and cyanosis was observed. The most significant alterations found at necropsy were pronounced edema, lung congestion and presence of the fruits or seeds of E. deciduum in the ruminal content of all animals. Histologically, except edema and pulmonary congestion, there were no other significant changes observed.

• Poisonous plants plant poisoning experimental plant poisoning Erythroxylum deciduum Erythroxylaceae sheep.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Colodel E.M., Seitz A.L., Schmitz M., Borba M.R., Raymundo D.L. & Driemeier D. 2004. [Poisoning by Erythroxylum deciduum (Erythroxylaceae) in sheep.] Intoxicação por Erythroxylum deciduum (Erythroxylaceae) em ovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(3):165-168. Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Depto Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Cx. Postal 15094, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E- mail: moleta@terra.com.br. The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of natural poisoning caused by Erythroxylum deciduum fruits in sheep are reported. The outbreak occurred from January to March of 2004, in Lagoa Vermelha county, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The poisoning was experimentally reproduced by oral administration of E. deciduum fruits to 5 sheep.Three of them developed neurological signs and died. Poisoning was caused with a single dose of 60g/kg or when the dosage was fractioned into at least 4 doses of 17 g/kg given every 12 hours. The main clinical signs in natural and experimentally poisoned sheep were ataxia, hyperexcitability and muscular tremors which where more pronounced when the animals were moved. At the final stage, dyspnea with abdominal breathing and cyanosis was observed. The most significant alterations found at necropsy were pronounced edema, lung congestion and presence of the fruits or seeds of E. deciduum in the ruminal content of all animals. Histologically, except edema and pulmonary congestion, there were no other significant changes observed.

Abstract in English:

Rech R.R, Fighera R.A., Oliveira F.N. & Barros C.S.L. 2004. [Granulomatous meningoencephalitis in cattle grazing vetch (Vicia spp).] Meningoencefalite granulomatosa em bovinos em pastoreio de ervilhaca (Vicia spp). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(3): 169-172. Depto Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: claudioslbarros@uol.com.br Granulomatous meningoencephalitis was observed in 7 out of 8 adult dairy cows affected by vetch-associated systemic granulomatous disease, although there was no neurological signs associated with the condition. The cellular inflammatory infiltrates were located in the leptomeninges and as perivascular cuffings within the brain and consisted of epithelioid macrophages, lymphocytes, plasm cells and eosinophils. These inflammatory changes varied from mild to severe from animal to animal and among different brain regions of the same animal. Perivascular cuffings were usually more marked than the leptomeningeal infiltrates. Affected brain regions, in decreasing order of intensity, included diencephalon through the level of massa intermedia, mesencephalon at the level of rostral colliculi, pons and cerebellar peduncles, medulla at the level of obex, frontal lobe at the level of the genu of the corpus callosum, and cerebellum. The character and the distribution of the inflammatory changes are emphasized regarding the differential diagnosis with other diseases and lesions of the bovine central nervous system in the context of the Brazilian surveillance program for bovine spongiform encephalopath.

• Diseases of cattle diseases of the central nervous system meningoencephalitis plant poisoning Vicia spp pathology.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Rech R.R, Fighera R.A., Oliveira F.N. & Barros C.S.L. 2004. [Granulomatous meningoencephalitis in cattle grazing vetch (Vicia spp).] Meningoencefalite granulomatosa em bovinos em pastoreio de ervilhaca (Vicia spp). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(3): 169-172. Depto Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: claudioslbarros@uol.com.br Granulomatous meningoencephalitis was observed in 7 out of 8 adult dairy cows affected by vetch-associated systemic granulomatous disease, although there was no neurological signs associated with the condition. The cellular inflammatory infiltrates were located in the leptomeninges and as perivascular cuffings within the brain and consisted of epithelioid macrophages, lymphocytes, plasm cells and eosinophils. These inflammatory changes varied from mild to severe from animal to animal and among different brain regions of the same animal. Perivascular cuffings were usually more marked than the leptomeningeal infiltrates. Affected brain regions, in decreasing order of intensity, included diencephalon through the level of massa intermedia, mesencephalon at the level of rostral colliculi, pons and cerebellar peduncles, medulla at the level of obex, frontal lobe at the level of the genu of the corpus callosum, and cerebellum. The character and the distribution of the inflammatory changes are emphasized regarding the differential diagnosis with other diseases and lesions of the bovine central nervous system in the context of the Brazilian surveillance program for bovine spongiform encephalopath.

Abstract in English:

Lázaro N.S., Tibana A., Rodrigues D.P., Reis E.M.F., Quintaes B.R. & Hofer E. 2004. Antimicrobial resistance and R-plasmid in Salmonella spp from swine and abattoir environments. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):57-60. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: nslazaro@aol.com Salmonella serovars isolated from swine are of particular interest not only because of the pathogenic potential for this animal species, but also due to its relevance with regard to public health. On basis of the profile of resistance to antimicrobials, 13 Salmonella strains were selected which belonged to the serovars Muenster (7), Derby (4), Typhimurium (1), and Braenderup (1). They were isolated from healthy swine as well as from the abattoir environment in the state of Rio de Janeiro. All strains of Salmonella were subjected to bacterial conjugation, and the E. coli K12 Nalr Lac+ F standard strain was used as receptor, with the purpose to verify the ability to transfer the resistance marks. Gene transfer phenomenon was detected in seven strains, and except Salmonella Typhimurium which transconjugated to Sm, Tc and Su, the remaining ones were characterized by transferring mark Su only. By plasmidial analysis of strains used and their respective transconjugants, 63 Kb plasmid was found, which was probably related to S. Typhimurium resistance.

• Salmonella swine antimicrobial resistance R-plasmid.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Lázaro N.S., Tibana A., Rodrigues D.P., Reis E.M.F., Quintaes B.R. & Hofer E. 2004. Antimicrobial resistance and R-plasmid in Salmonella spp from swine and abattoir environments. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):57-60. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: nslazaro@aol.com Salmonella serovars isolated from swine are of particular interest not only because of the pathogenic potential for this animal species, but also due to its relevance with regard to public health. On basis of the profile of resistance to antimicrobials, 13 Salmonella strains were selected which belonged to the serovars Muenster (7), Derby (4), Typhimurium (1), and Braenderup (1). They were isolated from healthy swine as well as from the abattoir environment in the state of Rio de Janeiro. All strains of Salmonella were subjected to bacterial conjugation, and the E. coli K12 Nalr Lac+ F standard strain was used as receptor, with the purpose to verify the ability to transfer the resistance marks. Gene transfer phenomenon was detected in seven strains, and except Salmonella Typhimurium which transconjugated to Sm, Tc and Su, the remaining ones were characterized by transferring mark Su only. By plasmidial analysis of strains used and their respective transconjugants, 63 Kb plasmid was found, which was probably related to S. Typhimurium resistance.

Abstract in English:

Oliveira A., Fonseca A.H., Ishikawa M.M. & Yoshinari N.H. 2004. [Cinetic growth of Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetaceae) in different culture media.] Cinética do crescimento de Borrelia burgdorferi em diferentes meios de cultivo. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):61-64. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The cinetic of growth of Borrelia burgdorferi was studied during a 3-month period, using the following 8 culture media: (1) rabbit serum BSK, (2) swine serum BSK, (3) swine serum BSK+5 fluorouracil, (4) PMR, (5) CTB, (6) Dubos, (7) Brucella broth and (8) BHI. All media were prepared aseptically and were maintained in culture tubes of 10 ml capacity. For each medium, the inoculum was standardized to contain initially 102 spirochetes for each 0.1 ml of culture. The growth was monitorized by counting the total number of spirochetes in 0.1ml of medium in a dark field microscope, using a 10x30 mm cover slip. For the first 12 days, counting was done each 24 hours, and afterwards once a week during 14 weeks. There occurred growth of B. burgdorferi in all tested media, with the best performance of three of them: BSK with rabbit serum, BSK swine serum + 5 fluorouracil, and CTB medium. Growth of B. burgdorferi was seen from the 4th week on, reaching its maximum within 8-12 weeks, depleting the culture medium after this time. Cystic forms of B. burgdorferi were observed with all tested media.

• Culture medium Borrelia burgdorferi borreliosis Spirochaetaceae bacteria cultivation cinetic growth cystic forms.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Oliveira A., Fonseca A.H., Ishikawa M.M. & Yoshinari N.H. 2004. [Cinetic growth of Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetaceae) in different culture media.] Cinética do crescimento de Borrelia burgdorferi em diferentes meios de cultivo. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):61-64. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The cinetic of growth of Borrelia burgdorferi was studied during a 3-month period, using the following 8 culture media: (1) rabbit serum BSK, (2) swine serum BSK, (3) swine serum BSK+5 fluorouracil, (4) PMR, (5) CTB, (6) Dubos, (7) Brucella broth and (8) BHI. All media were prepared aseptically and were maintained in culture tubes of 10 ml capacity. For each medium, the inoculum was standardized to contain initially 102 spirochetes for each 0.1 ml of culture. The growth was monitorized by counting the total number of spirochetes in 0.1ml of medium in a dark field microscope, using a 10x30 mm cover slip. For the first 12 days, counting was done each 24 hours, and afterwards once a week during 14 weeks. There occurred growth of B. burgdorferi in all tested media, with the best performance of three of them: BSK with rabbit serum, BSK swine serum + 5 fluorouracil, and CTB medium. Growth of B. burgdorferi was seen from the 4th week on, reaching its maximum within 8-12 weeks, depleting the culture medium after this time. Cystic forms of B. burgdorferi were observed with all tested media.

Abstract in English:

Lázaro N.S., Tibana A., Reis E.M.F., Rodrigues D.P., Quintaes B.R. & Hofer E. 2004. [Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and plasmid profile in Salmonella Muenster isolated from swine and abattoir environment, Brazil.] Padrão de susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos e perfil plasmidial em Salmonella Muenster isoladas de suínos e do ambiente de abatedouros. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):65-70. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Inst.Veterinária, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: nslazaro@aol.com Thirty-eight strains of Salmonella Muenster, isolated from swine and the abattoir environment, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 1991 to February 1992, were analyzed for the presence of plasmids. The strains were selected according to their profile regarding the antimicrobials: streptomycin, tetracycline, sulphonamide and sulfametoxazole-trimethoprim. Thirteen strains were resistant to one or several antimicrobials, 18 with intermediate degree and seven were sensitive. Plasmids varying in size from 1.2 Kb to 42 Kb were detected in 37 (97.36%) of the 38 samples, corresponding to 11 different profiles (P1- P11), varying from 1 to 6 plasmids per model. The number and plasmids diversity was greater than the resistance marks for strains. The plasmid of 2.85 Kb was the most frequent, being present in 83.78% of the 37 strains; only the one of 7.5 Kb was detected at the two slaughterhouses. There was no parallelism between resistance pattern and plasmidial profile, and a same antibiotype was found in several plasmidial profiles. The results of the present investigation, allowed us to conclude that the plasmid characterization is an useful and simple tool for the epidemiological typing of this sorovar.

• Salmonella Muenster swine antimicrobial resistance plasmids.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Lázaro N.S., Tibana A., Reis E.M.F., Rodrigues D.P., Quintaes B.R. & Hofer E. 2004. [Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and plasmid profile in Salmonella Muenster isolated from swine and abattoir environment, Brazil.] Padrão de susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos e perfil plasmidial em Salmonella Muenster isoladas de suínos e do ambiente de abatedouros. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):65-70. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Inst.Veterinária, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: nslazaro@aol.com Thirty-eight strains of Salmonella Muenster, isolated from swine and the abattoir environment, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 1991 to February 1992, were analyzed for the presence of plasmids. The strains were selected according to their profile regarding the antimicrobials: streptomycin, tetracycline, sulphonamide and sulfametoxazole-trimethoprim. Thirteen strains were resistant to one or several antimicrobials, 18 with intermediate degree and seven were sensitive. Plasmids varying in size from 1.2 Kb to 42 Kb were detected in 37 (97.36%) of the 38 samples, corresponding to 11 different profiles (P1- P11), varying from 1 to 6 plasmids per model. The number and plasmids diversity was greater than the resistance marks for strains. The plasmid of 2.85 Kb was the most frequent, being present in 83.78% of the 37 strains; only the one of 7.5 Kb was detected at the two slaughterhouses. There was no parallelism between resistance pattern and plasmidial profile, and a same antibiotype was found in several plasmidial profiles. The results of the present investigation, allowed us to conclude that the plasmid characterization is an useful and simple tool for the epidemiological typing of this sorovar.

Abstract in English:

Lemos E.R.S., D'Andrea P.S., Bonvicino C. R., Famadas K. M., Padula P., Cavalcanti A.A. & Schatzmayr H.G. 2004. Evidence of hantavirus infection in wild rodents captured in a rural area of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):71-73. Depto Virologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, 5º andar, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil. E-mail: elemos@ioc.fiocruz.br Hantaviruses are the etiological agents of the Hantavirus Cardio-Pulmonary Syndrome, a serious rodent-borne disease in Brazil. In order to investigate the occurrence of hantavirus infection in wild rodents, a survey was conducted in three different suburban areas of the municipality of Pedreira, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Of the 145 wild animals captured belonging to 12 different species identified by morphology and karyological analysis, 107 were rodents of the following species: Akodon montensis, Bolomys lasiurus, Calomys tener, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oligoryzomys flavescens, and Myocastor coypus. Blood samples from these rodents were assayed for the presence of antibodies against hantavirus by IgG ELISA using Andes recombinant nucleocapsid antigen. Antibody reactive to Andes virus was found in two different species, O. nigripes and O. flavescens. These results indicate a potential risk for hantavirus transmission to humans in this area, where reservoir rodents are present in peridomestic settings.

• Hantavirus rodent survey Pedreira São Paulo Brazil.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Lemos E.R.S., D'Andrea P.S., Bonvicino C. R., Famadas K. M., Padula P., Cavalcanti A.A. & Schatzmayr H.G. 2004. Evidence of hantavirus infection in wild rodents captured in a rural area of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):71-73. Depto Virologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, 5º andar, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil. E-mail: elemos@ioc.fiocruz.br Hantaviruses are the etiological agents of the Hantavirus Cardio-Pulmonary Syndrome, a serious rodent-borne disease in Brazil. In order to investigate the occurrence of hantavirus infection in wild rodents, a survey was conducted in three different suburban areas of the municipality of Pedreira, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Of the 145 wild animals captured belonging to 12 different species identified by morphology and karyological analysis, 107 were rodents of the following species: Akodon montensis, Bolomys lasiurus, Calomys tener, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oligoryzomys flavescens, and Myocastor coypus. Blood samples from these rodents were assayed for the presence of antibodies against hantavirus by IgG ELISA using Andes recombinant nucleocapsid antigen. Antibody reactive to Andes virus was found in two different species, O. nigripes and O. flavescens. These results indicate a potential risk for hantavirus transmission to humans in this area, where reservoir rodents are present in peridomestic settings.

Abstract in English:

Tokarnia C.H., Barbosa J.D., Oliveira C.M.C., Brito M.F., Oliveira R.B. & Barbas L.A. 2004. [Comparative epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of poisoning by Arrabidaea bilabiata (Bignoniaceae) in buffalo and cattle.] Aspectos epidemiológicos e clínico-patológicos comparados da intoxicação por Arrabidaea bilabiata (Bignoniaceae) em búfalos e bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):74-79. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Km 47, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: tokarnia@ufrrj.br Experiments showed that the clinical and pathological pictures were essentially the same, but the buffalo was at least twice more resistant than the bovine to the toxic effect of Arrabidaea bilabiata (Sprague) Sandw. It was also shown that the young leaves are twice (October, end of the dry season) or one and a half (May, end of the rainy season) more toxic than the mature leaves, and that the plant is more toxic in October. These data indicate that the smaller incidence of poisoning by plants of the group that causes sudden death in buffaloes in the Amazon Region is, in part, due to the greater resistance of this animal species to the toxic action of the plant. Also important seems to be the coincidence of the preferential habitat of the buffalo (flooded areas) with the habitat of A. bilabiata, less toxic than Palicourea marcgravii St.Hil. which is a plant of the non-flooded areas, the preferential habitat of cattle.

• Plant poisoning Arrabidaea bilabiata Bignoniaceae toxicity buffalo cattle.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Tokarnia C.H., Barbosa J.D., Oliveira C.M.C., Brito M.F., Oliveira R.B. & Barbas L.A. 2004. [Comparative epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of poisoning by Arrabidaea bilabiata (Bignoniaceae) in buffalo and cattle.] Aspectos epidemiológicos e clínico-patológicos comparados da intoxicação por Arrabidaea bilabiata (Bignoniaceae) em búfalos e bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):74-79. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Km 47, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: tokarnia@ufrrj.br Experiments showed that the clinical and pathological pictures were essentially the same, but the buffalo was at least twice more resistant than the bovine to the toxic effect of Arrabidaea bilabiata (Sprague) Sandw. It was also shown that the young leaves are twice (October, end of the dry season) or one and a half (May, end of the rainy season) more toxic than the mature leaves, and that the plant is more toxic in October. These data indicate that the smaller incidence of poisoning by plants of the group that causes sudden death in buffaloes in the Amazon Region is, in part, due to the greater resistance of this animal species to the toxic action of the plant. Also important seems to be the coincidence of the preferential habitat of the buffalo (flooded areas) with the habitat of A. bilabiata, less toxic than Palicourea marcgravii St.Hil. which is a plant of the non-flooded areas, the preferential habitat of cattle.

Abstract in English:

Beltrão N., Furian T.Q., Leão J.A., Pereira R.A., Moraes L.B. & Canal C.W. 2004. [Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chickens in Brazil.] Detecção do vírus da laringotraqueíte das galinhas no Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):85-88. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária (CDPA), Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: nilzaneb@hotmail.com A study was carried out in search for evidences of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) infections in some Brazilian chicken flocks. Tracheal tissues and swabs were collected from 10 different flocks of layers and broilers displaying respiratory signs of disease. Samples were processes for virus isolation in embryonated eggs and the membranes examined by histopathology. In addition, specimens were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three flocks had ILTV positive chickens by virus isolation and PCR. These results confirm the occurrence of ILTV in chickens in Brazil.

• Infectious laryngotracheitis virus PCR virus isolation avian pathology.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Beltrão N., Furian T.Q., Leão J.A., Pereira R.A., Moraes L.B. & Canal C.W. 2004. [Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chickens in Brazil.] Detecção do vírus da laringotraqueíte das galinhas no Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):85-88. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária (CDPA), Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: nilzaneb@hotmail.com A study was carried out in search for evidences of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) infections in some Brazilian chicken flocks. Tracheal tissues and swabs were collected from 10 different flocks of layers and broilers displaying respiratory signs of disease. Samples were processes for virus isolation in embryonated eggs and the membranes examined by histopathology. In addition, specimens were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three flocks had ILTV positive chickens by virus isolation and PCR. These results confirm the occurrence of ILTV in chickens in Brazil.

Abstract in English:

Portiansky E.L., Quiroga M.A., Machuca M.A. & Perfumo C.J. 2004. Mycoplasma suis in naturally infected pigs: an ultrastructural and morphometric study. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(1):1-5. Instituto de Patología, Faculdad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, C.C. 296, (1900) La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: elporti@fcv.unlp.edu.ar Swine eperythrozoonosis is a haemotrophic disease caused by Eperythrozoon suis, actually called Mycoplasma suis, an extracellular bacterial organism that apparently adheres to pig erythrocyte membrane, inducing its deformation and damage. Since little is known about the ultrastructural and morphometrical aspects of this microorganism, the present work aimed to deal with these issues. The ultrastructural study revealed the presence of structures corresponding to tubules disseminated throughout the soma of M. suis. A variable separation between the microorganism membrane and that of the erythrocyte was also observed. The structural and positional attitude of M. suis could allow speculation about its mechanism of action.

• Eperythrozoonosis Mycoplasma suis ultrastructure morphometry pathogenesis.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Portiansky E.L., Quiroga M.A., Machuca M.A. & Perfumo C.J. 2004. Mycoplasma suis in naturally infected pigs: an ultrastructural and morphometric study. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(1):1-5. Instituto de Patología, Faculdad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, C.C. 296, (1900) La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: elporti@fcv.unlp.edu.ar Swine eperythrozoonosis is a haemotrophic disease caused by Eperythrozoon suis, actually called Mycoplasma suis, an extracellular bacterial organism that apparently adheres to pig erythrocyte membrane, inducing its deformation and damage. Since little is known about the ultrastructural and morphometrical aspects of this microorganism, the present work aimed to deal with these issues. The ultrastructural study revealed the presence of structures corresponding to tubules disseminated throughout the soma of M. suis. A variable separation between the microorganism membrane and that of the erythrocyte was also observed. The structural and positional attitude of M. suis could allow speculation about its mechanism of action.

Abstract in English:

Rossetti C.A., Vansco B.N., Pini, N & Carfagnini J.C. 2004. Comparison of three diagnostic techniques for the detection of leptospires in the kidneys of wild house mice (Mus musculus). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(1):6-10. Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CNIA) del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 25 (1712) Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: crossetti@cicv.inta.gov.ar Forty-one wild house mice (Mus musculus) were trapped in an urban area, near railways, in Santa Fe city, Argentina. Both kidneys from each mouse were removed for bacteriological and histological examination. One kidney was inoculated into Fletcher semi-solid medium and isolates were serologically typed. The other kidney was microscopically examined after hematoxylin-eosin, silver impregnation and immunohistochemical stains. Leptospires, all of them belonging to the Ballum serogroup, were isolated from 16 (39%) out of 41 samples. The presence of the agent was recorded in 18 (44%) and in 19 (46%) out of 41 silver impregnated and immunohistochemically stained samples respectively. Additionally, leptospires were detected in high number on the apical surface of epithelial cells and in the lumen of medullary tubules and they were less frequently seen on the apical surface of epithelial cells or in the lumen of the cortical tubules, which represents an unusual finding in carrier animals. Microscopic lesions consisting of focal mononuclear interstitial nephritis, glomerular shrinkage and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells were observed in 13 of 19 infected and in 10 of 22 non-infected mice; differences in presence of lesions between infected and non-infected animals were not statistically significant (P=0,14). The three techniques, culture, silver impregnation and immunohistochemistry, had a high agreement (k³0.85) and no significant differences between them were detected (P>0.05). In addition, an unusual location of leptospires in kidneys of carrier animals was reported, but a relationship between lesions and presence of leptospires could not be established.

• Leptospires diagnostic techniques Mus musculus lesions.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Rossetti C.A., Vansco B.N., Pini, N & Carfagnini J.C. 2004. Comparison of three diagnostic techniques for the detection of leptospires in the kidneys of wild house mice (Mus musculus). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(1):6-10. Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CNIA) del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 25 (1712) Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: crossetti@cicv.inta.gov.ar Forty-one wild house mice (Mus musculus) were trapped in an urban area, near railways, in Santa Fe city, Argentina. Both kidneys from each mouse were removed for bacteriological and histological examination. One kidney was inoculated into Fletcher semi-solid medium and isolates were serologically typed. The other kidney was microscopically examined after hematoxylin-eosin, silver impregnation and immunohistochemical stains. Leptospires, all of them belonging to the Ballum serogroup, were isolated from 16 (39%) out of 41 samples. The presence of the agent was recorded in 18 (44%) and in 19 (46%) out of 41 silver impregnated and immunohistochemically stained samples respectively. Additionally, leptospires were detected in high number on the apical surface of epithelial cells and in the lumen of medullary tubules and they were less frequently seen on the apical surface of epithelial cells or in the lumen of the cortical tubules, which represents an unusual finding in carrier animals. Microscopic lesions consisting of focal mononuclear interstitial nephritis, glomerular shrinkage and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells were observed in 13 of 19 infected and in 10 of 22 non-infected mice; differences in presence of lesions between infected and non-infected animals were not statistically significant (P=0,14). The three techniques, culture, silver impregnation and immunohistochemistry, had a high agreement (k³0.85) and no significant differences between them were detected (P>0.05). In addition, an unusual location of leptospires in kidneys of carrier animals was reported, but a relationship between lesions and presence of leptospires could not be established.