The present study aimed to detect BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 latent infections in Uruguayan beef cattle. Trigeminal ganglia (TG) were collected from 62 cattle heads in a slaughterhouse. Viral genomes were detected by a type-differential nested PCR (nPCR) targeting the UL44 gene of BoHV-1 and BoHV-5. Viral DNA was detected in 64.5% (40/62) of the animals. Thirty cattle heads (48.4%) contained only BoHV-1 DNA, whereas nine (14.5%) contained DNA of both BoHV-1 and BoHV-5. One cattle head (1.6%) contained BoHV-5 DNA only. Detection of neutralising antibodies was performed on sera of the examined cattle heads by a standard serum neutralization test. Neutralising antibodies were detected in 16 of the viral DNA-carrying animals, corresponding to 40% of the samples from which viral genomes were identified. The type-specific genomic prevalence was substantially different from that reported in a similar study carried out in Brazil and may be associated to the predominant European type of breeds farmed in Uruguay, as opposed to Brazilian cattle which is often crossbred (Bos Taurus x Bos indicus). Therefore, despite both BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 do circulate in Uruguay and sometimes both viruses can co-infect cattle, BoHV-5 infections seem less frequent than BoHV-1 infections.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo detectar la presencia de BoHV-1 y BoHV-5 en infecciones latentes de ganado vacuno en el Uruguay. Se analizaron 62 muestras de ganglios trigéminos (TG) de cabezas de bovinos colectados en un frigorífico. Utilizando un tipo diferencial de PCR (nPCR) focalizando en el gen UL44 de BoHV-1 y BoHV-5 se detectaron los diferentes genomas virales. ADN viral fue detectado en 64,5% (40/62) de los animales. Treinta muestras (48,4%) contenían solo el ADN de BoHV-1, mientras que nueve (14,5%) contenían ADN de ambos BoHV-1 y BoHV-5. Una sola muestra (1,6%) contenía apenas ADN de BoHV-5. La detección de anticuerpos neutralizantes se realizó en los sueros mediante la técnica de seroneutralización in vitro. Anticuerpos neutralizantes fueron encontrados en 16 de los animales portadores de ADN viral, lo que corresponde a 40% de las muestras con genoma viral identificado. La prevalencia genómica específica del tipo viral fue sustancialmente diferente de la que se informó en un estudio similar llevado a cabo en Brasil y puede estar asociada con el tipo de razas europeas predominante criadas en Uruguay, en contrapartida a los bovinos brasileños que son cruzados (Bos taurus x Bos indicus). Sin embargo, y a pesar de que tanto BoHV-1 y BoHV-5 pueden ser causas de coinfecciones ocasionales en Uruguay, BoHV-5 mostró una significativa menor prevalencia comparado con BoHV-1.

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) is the etiological agent of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR). Depending on the genotype, it produces a wide variety of clinical syndromes, such as conjunctivitis, abortion and balanoposthitis. Vaccination against BoHV-1 is a common practice, so in order to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals, many BoHV-1 proteins were studied to develop marked vaccines. VP22, the major tegument protein codified by UL49 gene, is a non essential protein for virus multiplication, but induces a relevant immune response in the host. Therefore the variability of the gene UL49 of three BoHV-1 Uruguayan isolates (Uy1999, Uy2002 and Uy2004), was analyzed. Recombinant VP22 was expressed in a prokaryotic system and was recognized by sera of BoHV-1 immunized rabbits by Western blot analysis. Uy1999 (BoHV-1.1), Uy2002 and Uy2004 (BoHV-1.2), have 93.8%, 95% and 88.2% nucleotide similarity to the international Los Angeles BoHV-1.1 reference strain. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Uy1999 is grouped with BoHV-1.1 strains, while Uy2002 and Uy2004 isolates are grouped distant from other BoHV-1.1. The use of VP22 deleted vaccines and a serological technique able to detect antibodies against it, is an excellent alternative to be used in bovine vaccination programmes.

Herpesvirus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) es el agente responsable de la Rinotraqueitis Infecciosa Bovina (IBR) y de un amplia variedad de síndromes, como conjuntivitis, aborto y balanopostitis, según el genotipo que se encuentre presente. La vacunación contra BoHV-1 es una tarea de rutina en el manejo de ganado, por lo tanto se han estudiado varias proteínas de BoHV-1 con el objetivo de desarrollar vacunas marcadas que permitan la diferenciación entre animales vacunados e infectados. VP22 es la proteína principal del tegumento del virus y es codificada por el gen UL49. No es esencial para el ciclo de replicación viral pero induce una respuesta inmune significativa en el huésped. Por consiguiente se analizó la variabilidad del gen UL49 en tres aislamientos uruguayos de BoHV-1 (Uy1999, Uy2002 y Uy2004), se expresó una VP22 recombinante que fue reconocida por sueros de conejos inmunizados con BoHV-1 mediante su análisis por Western Blot. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que Uy1999 (BoHV-1.1), Uy2002 y Uy2004 (BoHV-1.2), tienen 93.8%, 95% y 88.2% de similitud en la secuencia de nucleótidos al compararlos con la cepa de referencia internacional Los Ángeles BoHV-1.1. El análisis filogenético mostró que Uy1999 está agrupado con cepas BoHV-1.1, mientras que Uy2002 y Uy2004 están agrupadas distantes de los otros BoHV-1.1. El uso conjunto de vacunas a las cuales se les ha eliminado VP22 y de técnicas capaces de detectar anticuerpos contra la proteína eliminada es una excelente alternativa a usar en los programas de vacunación bovina.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is a leading cause of diarrhea in puppies in several parts of the world. In this study CPV-2 was detected and recovered from puppies showing clinical disease from Montevideo, Uruguay. Samples were processed and used to infect CRFK and MDCK cells in order to isolate the virus. Out of twelve, two samples were positive for CPV-2. A genomic region of 583 bp was amplified and the molecular characterization was performed by sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Two isolated viruses (UY1 and UY2) were CPV-2c-like viruses. The comparison between the cytophatic effect (CPE) of CPV-2 (vaccinal virus) and CPV-2c (isolated virus) on primary canine cells cultures and on CRFK line cells, demonstrated that CPV-2c is less citopathogenic in CRFK than in primary cultures. Our study represents the first report on isolation and characterization of canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) in cell cultures from South American dogs.

OBJETIVO: O Rio Grande do Sul apresenta significativos coeficientes de mortalidade ao câncer de esôfago, com diferenças importantes nas microregiões, sugerindo a ação de fatores de riscos externos. Este estudo tem como objetivo mostrar a relação do câncer de esôfago com o hábito de fumar, ingerir álcool e mate. CASUÍSTICA E METODOLOGIA: Foram entrevistados 55 pacientes com câncer de esôfago e 110 pacientes controles, sem evidências de tumor à endoscopia. RESULTADOS: Não foram observadas diferenças em relação ao sexo e idade entre casos e controles (p>0,05). Entre os casos foram verificados mais freqüentemente a presença de indivíduos cuja profissão estava ligada à atividade agrícola (RC 3,3; 95 % IC 0,9-11,2), pai com antecedente de câncer (RC 6,9; 95 % IC 1,9-25,6), fumantes e ex-fumantes (RC 2,5; 95 % IC 1,1-5,9), tomadores e ex-tomadores de bebidas alcoólicas (RC 5,3; 95 % IC 2,6-11,0), tomadores e ex-tomadores de mate (RC 3,6; 95 % IC 1,3-9,8). Outras variáveis mais freqüentes entre os casos de câncer de esôfago: fumantes > 20 anos, entre os tipos de álcool o uso de cachaça, ingestão de álcool diariamente, ingestão de mate diariamente e o hábito de adicionar sal nos alimentos. CONCLUSÕES: Fumo, álcool, mate, agricultores e antecedentes de pai com câncer foram significativamente mais freqüentes entre os casos de câncer de esôfago em relação aos controles. Mate foi significativo, independente da quantidade ingerida/dia.

BACKGROUND: Rio Grande do Sul, a State in southern Brazil, shows high mortality rates for esophageal cancer. Important geographical variations suggest external factors in the etiology. OBJECTIVE: The relationship between smoking, alcohol and "maté" to esophageal cancer. METHOD: 55 patients with esophageal cancer were interviewed, soon after the endoscopy, about risk factors; 110 patients who did not showed esophageal tumor in the endoscopy were the controls. RESULTS: among the patients with esophageal cancer there were more farmer-workers (OD 3.3; 95% CI 0.9-11.2), father with antecedent cancer (OD 6.9; 95% CI 1.9-25.6), smoking and ex-smoking (OD 2.5; 95 % CI 1.1-5.9), drinkers and ex- of alcohol (OD 5.3; 95% CI 2.6-11.0), drinkers and ex- of "maté" (OD 3.6; 95 % CI 1.3-9.8). Others variables more frequent in the cases were: smoking for > 20 years; kind of alcohol (spirits), drinking alcohol every day, drinking "maté" every day and adding salt to food. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking, alcohol, "maté", farmer-workers and antecedent of father with cancer were significantly more frequent in the cases of esophageal cancer than in the controls.

A hemolinfa de Panstrongylus megistus mostrou uma atividade lectínica natural para eritrócitos de vários vertebrados e não mostrou especificidade para os diversos tipos de eritrócitos testados (humano ABO, pato, coelho,c amundongo,carneiro, galinha e boi). Com relação aos eritrócitos humanos a atividade lectínica foi similar nos tipos A+, B+ e AB+ enquanto a atividade mais alta foi observada no tipo O+. O título de aglutinação entre eritrócitos animais não mostrou diferença apreciável, excluindo eritrócitos de boi, que apresentaram o título mmais baixo. A determinação da concentração mínima de inibição foi realizada com eritrócitos humanos O+. A aglutinação foi inibida por vários carboidratos (ramnose, D-dalactose, rafinose, D-lactose e D-fucose). A ramnose foi o inibidor mais potente (0,78 mM). Os resultados sugerem a presença de mais de uma lectina na hemolinfa de P. megistus.

The haemolymph of Panstrongylus megistus showed a natural lectin activity for a wide range of vertebrate erythocytes. Agglutination was observed against all vertebrate erythrocytes tested (human ABO, duck, rabbit, mouse, sheep, chicken and cow). Cow erythrocytes showed the lowest titre. Concerning human erythrocytes, the lectin activity was similar in the types A+,B+ and AB+ while the highest activity was observed in the type O+. Determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations was carried out with human erythrocytes type O+. Agglutination was inhibited by several carbohydrates (rhamnose. D-galatose, raffinose, D-lactose and D-fucose). Rhamnose wasreported as the strongest inhibitor (0.78mM). The results suggest the presence of more than one lection in the haemolymph of P. megistus.