The aims of this work were to formulate a cryopreserved vaccine for the prevention of anaplasmosis and to evaluate its immunogenic activity. A monovalent vaccine of 2.5x107 bovine erythrocytes infected with Anaplasma centrale in a dose of 0.5 ml, cryopreserved in glicerol, was used. Twenty calves were selected, ranging from 4 to 10 months-old, free of anaplasmosis, from an establishment located in the Province of Corrientes, Argentina. The batch was divided into two groups, one received the cryopreserved vaccine and the other was not vaccinated (control group). Serum samples were taken at 0, 30 and 60 days after vaccination (dav), and immunity induced by the vaccine was evaluated by ELISA (enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay). At 15-30-45 and 60 dav, blood samples were analyzed from 3 calves of each group for the identification and differentiation of Anaplasma sp by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ELISA was negative for the 20 calves analyzed on the day of vaccination; at 30 dav two calves of the vaccinated group were positive while the calves of the control group were negative. At 60 dav, 80% of the calves in the vaccinated group were positive to ELISA and two animals in the control group were suspect. PCR revealed the presence of A. centrale at 60 dav, not only in the three calves of the vaccinated group but also in three animals of the control group. The latter could be attributed to horizontal transmission by iatrogenesis or through vectors. A. marginale was not identified. The lack of detection of specific antibodies at 60 dav in two vaccinated calves, not analyzed by PCR, could correspond to a longer incubation period, and later controls should have been performed. It is concluded that the cryopreserved monovalent vaccine of A. centrale confers an adequate immunity for the prophylaxis of anaplasmosis in calves, thus being a valid alternative for those establishments of tick-free zones. Absence of A. marginale as well as horizontal transmission of the vaccine strain were confirmed

El objetivo de este trabajo fue formular una vacuna criopreservada para la prevención de la anaplasmosis y evaluar su actividad inmunogénica. Se utilizó una vacuna monovalente de 2,5x107 eritrocitos bovinos infectados con Anaplasma centrale, criopreservada en glicerol en dosis de 0,5 ml. Para ello se seleccionaron 20 terneros entre 4-10 meses de edad, libres de anaplasmosis, de un establecimiento ubicado en la Provincia de Corrientes, Argentina. El lote fue dividido en dos grupos iguales, uno recibió la vacuna criopreservada y el otro se utilizó como grupo control sin vacunación. Se tomaron muestras de suero a los 0, 30 y 60 días post-vacunación (dpv) y se evaluó la inmunidad inducida por la vacuna mediante ensayo por inmunoabsorción ligado a enzimas (ELISA) en suero. A los 15-30-45 y 60 dpv se analizaron muestras de sangre de 3 terneros de cada grupo para la identificación y diferenciación de Anaplasma sp mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). ELISA resultó negativa para los 20 terneros analizados en el día de la vacunación; a los 30 dpv dos terneros del grupo vacunado resultaron positivos mientras que los terneros del grupo control fueron negativos. A los 60 dpv el 80% de los terneros del grupo vacunado fue positivo al ELISA y dos animales del grupo control resultaron sospechosos. La PCR reveló la presencia de A. centrale a los 60 dpv no solo en los tres terneros del grupo vacunado sino también en los tres del grupo control, hecho que podría atribuirse a la transmisión horizontal por iatrogenia o a través de vectores. A. marginale no fue identificado. La falta de detección de anticuerpos específicos a los 60 dpv en dos terneros vacunados, no analizados por PCR, podría responder a un período de incubación más prolongado, y hubiera requerido un control posterior. Se concluye que la vacuna monovalente de A. centrale criopreservada confirió una inmunidad adecuada para la profilaxis de la anaplasmosis en terneros, resultando una alternativa válida para establecimientos de zonas libres de garrapatas. Se confirmó la ausencia de A. marginale en el rodeo analizado y la transmisión horizontal de la cepa vacunal.

Ivermectin (IVM) is a compound insoluble in water and easily soluble in organic solvents. Its distribution in the body is good and oral absorption is variable, this condition is a limitation of its bioavailability. The solubility and release of IVM can be improved by using self-emulsifying vehicles such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poloxamers. Aims of this work were to develop effective, safe formulations for the control of horse gastrointestinal parasites and to evaluate their clinical efficacy. We worked with 33 horses, some were pure breed while others were half-breed Silla Argentino, with 4-5 body condition and a fair to good general condition. On day 0 stool samples were collected and treatment with the formulations under study were administered. On days 3, 30 and 60 stool samples were collected to determine the reduction in eggs per gram of feces (EPG). The initial stool test was positive for roundworms and negative for tapeworms, the EPG ranged from 20 to 1690. After deworming, no adverse effects were observed in animals, demonstrating this the safeness of excipients used in our preparations. Both formulations were effective in reducing egg count, but in different ways. We conclude that both treatments were successful, however treatment 2 proved to be a more suitable sustained release system of the active ingredient.

La ivermectina (IVM) es un compuesto prácticamente insoluble en agua y fácilmente soluble en solventes orgánicos. Su distribución en el organismo es buena pero la absorción oral es variable, siendo ésta una condición limitante de la biodisponibilidad. La solubilidad y la liberación de estos compuestos se puede mejorar usando vehículos que posean propiedades autoemulsionantes como la carboximetilcelulosa sódica (CMCNa) y los poloxámeros (P407). El objetivo del presente trabajo fue desarrollar formulaciones eficaces y seguras con CMCNa y P407 para el control de parásitos gastrointestinales en equinos y evaluar su eficacia clínica. Se trabajó con 33 equinos, algunos puros y otros mestizos de la raza Silla Argentino, con condición corporal 4-5 y aspecto general regular a bueno. Se extrajeron muestras de materia fecal, el día 0 y posteriormente se administraron los tratamientos antiparasitarios antes mencionados. Para determinar la eficacia de los productos se tomaron nuevas muestras los días 3, 30 y 60, efectuándose el test de reducción de conteo de huevos por gramo de materia fecal (HPG). Los resultados del primer muestreo fueron positivos a nematodes y negativo a cestodes; el recuento HPG osciló entre 20 y 1690. Luego de los tratamientos no se observaron efectos adversos en los animales, lo cual significa que los excipientes utilizados son seguros. Ambas formulaciones fueron efectivas en la reducción del conteo de huevos, pero de manera diferente. Se concluye que ambos tratamientos fueron eficaces, aunque P407 resultó más adecuado como sistema de liberación sostenida del principio activo.

Colorações anômalas ocorrem em muitos vertebrados tropicais. Entretanto, estas são consideradas raras em populações selvagens, havendo poucos registros para a maioria dos táxons. Reportam-se, neste estudo, dois novos casos de coloração anômala em mamíferos. Além disso, por meio de uma extensa revisão bibliográfica, foram compilados os casos publicados sobre coloração anômala em mamíferos neotropicais entre 1950 e 2010. Cada registro foi classificado como albinismo, leucismo, piebaldismo ou, eventualmente, como coloração indeterminada. Como resultados, reportou-se o registro de um espécime leucístico de gambá (Didelphis sp.) no sul do Brasil e de um espécime de lobo-marinho sul-americano (Arctocephalus australis) com piebaldismo no norte do Uruguai. Também foram analisados 31 artigos científicos, resultando em 23 registros de albinismo, 12 de leucismo, 71 de piebaldismo e 92 registros classificados como de pigmentação indeterminada. A coloração anômala aparentemente é rara em pequenos mamíferos terrestres, mas é muito mais comum em cetáceos e microquirópteros. Dos 198 registros encontrados, 149 ocorreram em cetáceos e 30 em morcegos. No caso dos cetáceos, este resultado sugere que machos e fêmeas com este padrão anômalo de pigmentação são reprodutivamente exitosos e, consequentemente, sua frequência está aumentando nas populações naturais. Com relação aos morcegos, este fenômeno pode estar relacionado ao fato de estes animais orientarem-se primariamente por meio de ecolocalização e seus refúgios oferecerem proteção contra luz e predação. É possível que a coloração anômala ocorra mais frequentemente em outras ordens de mamíferos neotropicais, as quais não foram formalmente reportadas. Desta forma, mostra-se importante encorajar os pesquisadores a publicar estes eventos em vida selvagem para um melhor entendimento deste fenômeno, que tem influência significativa na sobrevivência destes organismos.

Anomalous colourations occur in many tropical vertebrates. However, they are considered rare in wild populations, with very few records for the majority of animal taxa. We report two new cases of anomalous colouration in mammals. Additionally, we compiled all published cases about anomalous pigmentation registered in Neotropical mammals, throughout a comprehensive review of peer reviewed articles between 1950 and 2010. Every record was classified as albinism, leucism, piebaldism or eventually as undetermined pigmentation. As results, we report the new record of a leucistic specimen of opossum (Didelphis sp.) in southern Brazil, as well as a specimen of South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) with piebaldism in Uruguay. We also found 31 scientific articles resulting in 23 records of albinism, 12 of leucism, 71 of piebaldism and 92 records classified as undetermined pigmentation. Anomalous colouration is apparently rare in small terrestrial mammals, but it is much more common in cetaceans and michrochiropterans. Out of these 198 records, 149 occurred in cetaceans and 30 in bats. The results related to cetaceans suggest that males and females with anomolous pigmentation are reproductively successful and as a consequence their frequencies are becoming higher in natural populations. In bats, this result can be related to the fact these animals orient themselves primarily through echolocation, and their refuges provide protection against light and predation. It is possible that anomalous colouration occurs more frequently in other Neotropical mammal orders, which were not formally reported. Therefore, we encourage researchers to publish these events in order to better understand this phenomenon that has a significant influence on animal survival.