Resumo Rangelia vitalii infecta eritrócitos, leucócitos e células endoteliais de cães. O presente estudo objetivou relatar a detecção molecular confirmada por sequenciamento de R. vitalii no estado do Paraná e descrever as alterações clínicas, hematológicas e bioquímicas dos cães infectados. Três cães doentes da região metropolitana de Curitiba, PR, Brasil, foram submetidos a exame físico e exames laboratoriais que incluíram hematologia, bioquímica, reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e sequenciamento genético. Os sinais clínicos incluíram apatia, anorexia e hemorragia. Piroplasmas intra-eritrocíticos e extracelulares foram encontrados em esfregaços de sangue periférico dos três cães. As amostras de sangue destes animais foram positivas para Babesia sp. pela PCR baseada no gene 18S rRNA. Os produtos de PCR dos três cães foram sequenciados e a análise de BLAST mostrou que as seqüências geradas por PCR eram altamente homólogas com as de R. vitalii previamente relatadas. Os achados hematológicos incluíram anemia grave, desvio de neutrófilos à esquerda regenerativo e trombocitopenia. Os níveis de uréia no soro aumentaram nos três cães, e os níveis de bilirrubina direta foram elevados em um cão.

Abstract Rangelia vitalii infects erythrocytes, leukocytes and endothelial cells of dogs. The present study aimed to report the molecular detection confirmed by sequencing of R. vitalii in the state of Paraná, as well as describe the clinical, hematological and biochemical alterations of the infected dogs. Three sick dogs from the metropolitan area of Curitiba, PR, Brazil, underwent a physical exam, and laboratory tests included hematology, biochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gene sequencing. Clinical signs included apathy, anorexia, and hemorrhage. Intra-erythrocytic and extracellular piroplasms were found on peripheral blood smears from all three dogs. Blood samples from these animals were positive for Babesia sp. by PCR targeting 18S rRNA. PCR products from all three dogs were sequenced, and BLAST analysis showed that the PCR-generated sequences were highly homologous with those of R. vitalii previously reported. Hematologic findings included severe anemia, shift of neutrophils to the regenerative left, and thrombocytopenia. Serum urea levels were increased in all three dogs, and direct bilirubin levels were elevated in one dog.

Resumo: A laminite em equinos pode estar associada à lesão em múltiplos órgãos secundária a sepse. Foram utilizados 21 cavalos com afecções gastrintestinais, sendo sete com endotoxemia e isquemia intestinal induzidos experimentalmente, e 14 cavalos com síndrome cólica de origem natural. Amostras teciduais de pulmão, rim, fígado, coração, cérebro e cerebelo e de tecido laminar do casco foram coletadas para avaliação de lesão histopatológica e estresse oxidativo, pela imunomarcação de nitrotirosina e superóxido dismutase (SOD2). Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo sem lesão oxidativa (NOLG), com sete cavalos com fraca imunomarcação em pulmão, fígado e rim, e grupo lesão oxidativa (OLG), contendo 14 cavalos com imunomarcação indicando estresse oxidativo em múltiplos órgãos. Os cavalos do grupo OLG apresentaram aumento de lesões laminares e imunomarcação para SOD2 em múltiplos órgãos, quando comparados ao NOLG. Não houve diferença sobre a imunomarcação laminar para nitrotirosina e SOD2 entre os grupos experimentais. Conclui-se que o estresse oxidativo sistêmico está associado ao desenvolvimento de lesões laminares, e que o tecido laminar não responde ao estresse oxidativo com aumento de SOD como ocorre nos outros órgãos.

Abstract: Laminitis in horses can be associated with lesions in multiple organs secondary to sepsis. Twenty-one horses suffering from gastrointestinal disorders were used in the experiment; 7 horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia and intestinal ischaemia, and 14 horses suffering from naturally occurring colic syndrome. Tissue samples of lungs, liver, heart, brain, cerebellum and hoof laminar tissue were collected for histopathological and oxidative stress evaluation using nitrotyrosine and superoxide dismutase (SOD2) immunostaining. The horses were divided into two groups: the non-oxidative lesions group (NOLG), with 7 horses showing weak immunostaining in lungs, liver and kidney, and the oxidative lesions group (OLG), with 14 horses showing immunostaining indicating systemic oxidative stress in multiple organs. The horses from OLG showed increase of laminar lesions and SOD2 immunostaining in multiple organs when compared to the horses from the NOLG. No differences were found ln regard to laminar immunostaining by nitrotyrosine and SOD2 between experimental groups. It was concluded that systemic oxidative stress can be associated with the development of laminar lesions, and that the laminar tissue does not respond to oxidative stress with increase of SOD as occurs in other organs.

Resumo O Diabetes mellitus (DM) ocorre com frequência em cães, sendo a glicemia o teste laboratorial de confirmação. O diagnóstico e monitoramento em pessoas são realizados pelas concentrações de hemoglobina glicada e frutosamina. O objetivo deste estudo foi diagnosticar a DM em 19 cães, com avaliação das concentrações da glicose sérica, hemoglobina glicada e frutosamina. Seis cães com DM e em tratamento com insulina foram acompanhados por um período de doze meses, com as mesmas avaliações hematológicas, até o óbito (três cães) ou controle glicêmico (três cães). Observouse aumento dos valores de glicose, hemoglobina glicada e frutosamina em todos os cães com DM, e valores de hemoglobina glicada e glicose superiores nos animais não sobreviventes, na última avaliação realizada. Estes resultados apontam para a importância da avaliação de hemoglobina glicada e frutosamina em cães com diabetes e para diagnóstico e controle da efetividade do tratamento.

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) commonly occurs in dogs, and the laboratorial confirmation is carried out by glycemia test. The diagnosis and monitoring in humans is made by glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine concentrations. The objective of this study was to diagnose DM in 19 dogs, by evaluating seric glucose, glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine concentrations. Six dogs with DM and treated with insulin were assisted during a twelve-month period, by means of the same blood analysis, until the death (three dogs) or glycemic control (three dogs). Glucose, glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine increased in all dogs with DM, and dogs that did not survive presented higher glycated hemoglobin and seric glucose values than those that survived at the last evaluation. The results showed the importance of evaluating glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine in dogs with DM to diagnose and control treatment effectiveness.

Alcoholic liver disease is characterized by a wide spectrum of liver damage, which increases when ethanol is associated with high-fat diets (HFD). This work aimed to establish a model of alcoholic hepatic steatosis (AHS) by using a combination of 10% ethanol and sunflower seeds as the source of HFD. Male rats received water or 10% ethanol and regular chow diet and/or HFD, which consisted of sunflower seeds. The food consumption, liquid intake and body weight of the rats were monitored for 30 days. After this period, blood was collected for biochemical evaluation, and liver samples were collected for histological, mitochondrial enzyme activity and oxidative stress analyses. Our results indicated that the combination of 10% ethanol and HFD induced micro- and macrosteatosis and hepatocyte tumefaction, decreased the levels of reduced glutathione and glutathione S-transferase activity and increased the level of lipoperoxidation and superoxide dismutase activity. The mitochondrial oxidation of NADH and succinate were partially inhibited. Complexes I and II were the main inhibition sites. Hepatic steatosis was successfully induced after 4 weeks of the diet, and the liver function was modified. The combination of 10% ethanol and sunflower seeds as an HFD produced an inexpensive model to study AHS in rats.

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a influência do colostro nos parâmetros bioquímicos séricos em cordeiros recém-nascidos. Foram colhidas amostras sanguíneas de 28 cordeiros, determinando-se os indicadores proteicos, energéticos, de função renal, bilirrubinas e as enzimas aspartato aminotransferase (AST), gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT) e creatina quinase (CK), nos momentos pré e pós-colostro. Os dados foram analisados comparando-se a variabilidade dos parâmetros entre os dois momentos. Houve elevação (P<0,001) das concentrações de proteínas totais, em resposta ao forte aumento (P<0,01) dos teores de globulinas totais e ao leve decréscimo (P<0,05) da concentração de albumina, após a ingestão colostral. Também foram observados maiores valores de bilirrubinas total e direta (P<0,001), e variação dos metabólitos renais, com elevação dos níveis de ureia (P<0,01) concomitante à redução dos valores de creatinina (P<0,001), no momento pós-colostro. Houve aumento (P<0,001) da glicemia, de colesterol total e triglicerídeos, bem como das atividades enzimáticas (P<0,001) de AST e GGT, entre os momentos avaliados. Conclui-se que a dinâmica do perfil bioquímico em cordeiros recém-nascidos sofre o efeito da ingestão de colostro e da adaptação das funções fisiológicas à vida extra-uterina. Os valores dos parâmetros variam marcadamente no período pós-natal, sendo recomendável a utilização de valores de referência próprios para esta fase.

This study aimed to verify the influence of colostrum in serum biochemical parameters in newborn lambs. Blood samples were taken of 28 lambs, determining the protein, energy and kidney function indicators, bilirrubins and the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and creatine kinase (CK), in pre and post-colostrum moments. The data were analyzed comparing the variability of the parameters between the two moments. There was an elevation (P<0.001) in total protein concentrations, in response to substantial increase (P<0.01) in total globulin levels, and a slight decrease (P<0.05) in albumin concentration, after colostral intake. We also observed higher values of total and conjugated bilirubins (P<0.001), and variation of kidney metabolites, with an elevation of urea levels (P<0.01) concomitant to decrease of creatinine values (P<0.001) in the post-colostrum moment. There was an increase (P<0.001) in glycemia, total cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as of the enzymatic activities (P<0.001) of AST and GGT, between the moments evaluated. In conclusion, the dynamics of biochemical profile in newborn lambs suffers the effect of colostrum intake and of adaptations of physiological functions to extrauterine life. The parameters values vary markedly in the postnatal period, being recommended to use proper reference values for this phase.

As proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) apresentam concentrações séricas alteradas mediante processos infecciosos, inflamatórios e neoplásicos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar as variações séricas das PFA em cadelas portadoras de neoplasia mamária, comparando com a avaliação histológica e leucograma. As PFA foram avaliadas em 45 cadelas com tumor de mama, distribuídas nos grupos neoplasia benigna (n=13), maligna não ulcerada (n=24) e maligna ulcerada (n=8). O grupo controle foi composto por 20 cadelas saudáveis. Foram realizados o teste de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE) para identificar as PFA (albumina, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, haptoglobina Hp, α-1 antitripsina e α-1 glicoproteina ácida) e o teste ultrassensível para proteína C reativa (PCR). As pacientes com neoplasia mamária maligna ulcerada apresentaram elevações sérica para PCR e Hp e redução da albumina (P<0,05, One-Way ANOVA e Teste de Dunn). Nessas pacientes, foi observada correlação positiva entre o leucograma inflamatório e o aumento das PFA (P=0,002, Teste de Fisher) e não foram observadas correlações entre as PFA e os subtipos histológicos. Conclui-se que avaliações conjuntas da PCR, Hp e albumina podem ser utilizadas como ferramenta de auxílio diagnóstico e prognóstico em cadelas com neoplasia mamária.

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are serum proteins whose concentrations change after infectious and inflammatory disease, and cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in APPs concentration and to correlate these findings with histological classification and WBC in female dogs with mammary tumors. APPs were studied in 45 female dogs with mammary tumor distributed in the following groups: benign (n=13), malignant without tumor ulceration (n=24), and malignant with tumor ulceration (n=8). SDS-polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis was used to measure APPs concentrations (albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobinHp, α-1-acid glycoprotein and α-1-antitrypsin) and ultrasensitive assay was used to evaluate serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients with malignant mammary neoplasia plus ulceration had significant increase of CRP and Hp, and had decreased levels of albumin (P<0.05, One-Way ANOVA and Dunn Test). Positive correlation among APPs and inflammatory leukocytosis were observed (P=0.002, Fisher test). No correlation was observed between APPs and histological subtype. In conclusion, combined changes of CRP, Hp and albumin may be used as a prediagnostic tool and prognosis in dogs with mammary tumors.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of early weaning and concentrate supplementation on performance and metabolic profile of lambs in four production systems on pasture: suckling lambs not supplemented until slaughter; suckling lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding until slaughter; early weaned lambs not supplemented until slaughter; early weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate until slaughter. Performance was assessed by average daily gain (ADG) and body condition score (BCS) measurements. Metabolic profile was delineated by measuring serum albumin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose and aspartate aminotransferase. Weaning reduced ADG by 92 g/d and the ADG for weaned and suckling lambs were 113 g/d and 205 g/d, respectively. Supplementation increased ADG by 117 g/d and the ADG was 99 g/d for non-supplemented and 216 g/d for supplemented lambs. Body weight and BCS at the end of trial were lower in weaned and non-supplemented animals (20.7 kg and 1.5 points), and higher in those on creep feeding (35.3 kg and 3.3 points). Weaning decreased serum levels of albumin, cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase. Supplementation increased serum albumin and decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase. Serum urea was not affected by weaning or supplementation and remained high during the trial. Serum creatinine and glucose were lower in weaned and non-supplemented lambs. Early weaning generates unsuitable metabolic profile and low performance and may not be recommended as single strategy to produce lambs on pasture. Concentrate supplementation has similar response to suckling on the performance and metabolic profile of animals, and may be considered an efficient strategy to improve the nutritional status of early weaned lambs.