An outbreak of dermatophylosis (Dermatophilus congolensis) in cattle from the Puna region at Jujuy province, is described. The disease was present in a native creole bovine herd during the rainy season (summer). The affected animals presented symmetrical and non-pruritic proliferative exudative dermatitis with crust formation, affecting the interdigital space of the four limbs, and severe and locally extensive form in the hind limbs and in the interior of the nostrils. The diagnosis was performed based on the clinical presentation and the identification of the causative agent in smears obtained from crust material as well as the epidemiological characteristics, considering that both climatic factors and management conditions favored the presentation of the disease.

Se describe un brote de dermatofilosis (Dermatophilus congolensis) en bovinos de la puna de Jujuy. El cuadro se presentó en un rodeo bovino criollo nativo, durante la estación lluviosa en el verano climático de la región. Los animales afectados presentaron dermatitis exudativa proliferativa no pruriginosa con formación de costras, afectando el espacio interdigital de los cuatro miembros, y en forma severa y localmente extensiva en los miembros posteriores y el interior de las fosas nasales. El diagnóstico se realizó en base a la presentación clínica, la identificación del agente causal en frotis obtenido del material dérmico, y las características epidemiológicas, considerando que los factores climáticos y las condiciones de manejo favorecieron la presentación de la enfermedad.

Extracts of nine species of plants traditionally used in Colombia for the treatment of a variety of diseases were tested in vitro for their potential antitumor (cytotoxicity) and antiherpetic activity. MTT (Tetrazolium blue) and Neutral Red colorimetric assays were used to evaluate the reduction of viability of cell cultures in presence and absence of the extracts. MTT was also used to evaluate the effects of the extracts on the lytic activity of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) and the 50% inhibitory concentration of the viral effect (EC50) for each extract were calculated by linear regression analysis. Extracts from Annona muricata, A. cherimolia and Rollinia membranacea, known for their cytotoxicity were used as positive controls. Likewise, acyclovir and heparin were used as positive controls of antiherpetic activity. Methanolic extract from Annona sp. on HEp-2 cells presented a CC50 value at 72 hr of 49.6x103mg/ml. Neither of the other extracts examined showed a significant cytotoxicity. The aqueous extract from Beta vulgaris, the ethanol extract from Callisia grasilis and the methanol extract Annona sp. showed some antiherpetic activity with acceptable therapeutic indexes (the ratio of CC50 to EC50). These species are good candidates for further activity-monitored fractionation to identify active principles.