SUMMARY Thirty-eight dogs naturally affected by visceral leishmaniasis were recruited in Araçatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil - an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis. The animals were distributed into one of two groups, according to their clinical and laboratory features, as either symptomatic or asymptomatic dogs. Correlations between clinical features and inflammatory patterns, cellular immune responses, and parasitism in the macroscopically uninjured skin of the ear were investigated. Histological skin patterns were similar in both groups, and were generally characterized by a mild to intense inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis, mainly consisting of mononuclear cells. There was no difference in the number of parasites in the skin (amastigotes/mm²) between the two groups. Concerning the characterization of the cellular immune response, the number of positive inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS+) cells was higher in the dermis of symptomatic than in asymptomatic dogs (p = 0.0368). A positive correlation between parasite density and macrophages density (p = 0.031), CD4+ T-cells (p = 0.015), and CD8+ T-cells (p = 0.023) was observed. Furthermore, a positive correlation between density of iNOS+ cells and CD3+ T-cells (p = 0.005), CD4+ T-cells (p = 0.001), and CD8+ T-cells (p = 0.0001) was also found. The results showed the existence of a non-specific chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis of dogs affected by visceral leishmaniasis, characterized by the presence of activated macrophages and T-lymphocytes, associated to cutaneous parasitism, independent of clinical status.

Abstract Ants are social insects with species of medical interest, such as the fi re ants (Solenopsis sp.). The sting causes inflammation, vesicles and sterile pustules, which may cause allergic phenomena and even anaphylactic shock. We describe a patient who suffered a large number of stings and an episode of syncope with fall in blood pressure and complete regression of symptoms after resuscitation and medication for anaphylaxis. Considering the clinical manifestations and images of wheals and blisters on the patient’s feet at the time of syncope, this report should serve as a warning for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition and even for counseling and prevention regarding patients exposed to this risk.

As dermatofitoses dos carnívoros domésticos são infecções fúngicas superficiais, causadas habitualmente por dois gêneros fúngicos: Microsporum sp e Trichophyton sp. Trata-se de uma antropozoonose, com importância na saúde pública. Objetivou-se comparar a eficácia da griseofulvina e da terbinafina na terapia das dermatofitoses. Trinta e cinco animais forma reunidos em três grupos de protocolos de terapia. A griseofulvina (50 mg/kg/dia) foi eficaz em 100% dos casos, sem acarretar efeitos colaterais, com média de tempo para cura de 41 dias. Já a terbinafina na dose de cinco mg kg-1 dia-1 apresentou eficácia de 81,8%, sem induzir efeitos colaterais e com êxito terapêutico em 21 dias. A dose de 20mg kg-1 dia-1 demonstrou a mesma eficácia que a dose de 5mg kg-1 dia-1, porém com efeitos colaterais observados em 16,6% dos animais tratados, com tempo médio para cura de 33 dias. Conclui-se que a terbinafina é uma boa alternativa terapêutica, porém a griseofulvina ainda se constitui na droga de eleição para o tratamento das dermatofitoses de caninos e felinos.

Dermatophytoses in domestic carnivores are superficial infections caused mainly by two genera of fungi: Microsporum spp and Trichophyton spp. This disease is an anthropozoonosis important for public health. The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of griseofulvin and terbinafine in the therapy of dermatophytosis. Thirty five animals were included in three protocols of treatment. Griseofulvin (50mg kg-1 day-1) was effective in 100% of the cases, with no side effects. The average time for cure was 41 days. Terbinafine used at a dosage of 5mg kg-1 day-1 showed an efficacy of 81.3%. No side effects were observed and the average time for cure was 21 days. The same efficacy using a dosage of 20mg kg-1 day-1 of terbinafine was observed, although side effects were seen in 16.6% of the animals treated with an average time for cure of 33 days. The present study demonstrated that terbinafine is a good therapeutic alternative, although griseofulvin is still the first choice drug for the treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats.

Os métodos de dosagem hormonal por técnicas não-radioativas apresentam inúmeras vantagens sobre os que utilizam radioisótopos como marcadores de hormônios ou anticorpos. Dentre tais vantagens, incluem-se maior meia-vida útil dos reagentes por maior estabilidade dos compenentes, inexistência de riscos de contaminação radioativa, tanto pessoal quanto ambiental. Para avaliar a aplicação destes novos métodos na prática da endocrinologia clínica de pequenos animais, comparamos o método de radioimunoensaio (RIE) aos métodos alternativos fluoroimunoensaio (FIE) e enzimaimunoensaio (EIE) na avaliação da função adrenal canina. Para tanto, padronizaram-se os níveis de cortisol em cães normais (n=50) e em cães com hiperadrenocorticismo (n=12), sob condições basais e oito horas após supressão com dexametasona (DEX) (0,01mg/kg IV). Os valores do grupo de animais controle compreendidos entre os percentis 5 a 95 foram estabelecidos como normais. Os valores de cortisol basal foram de 0,20 a 2,35mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> para FIE, 0,65 a 4,64mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> para RIE e de 0,30 a 5,39mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> para EIE. Após supressão com DEX, os valores do grupo controle foram <0,87mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> para FIE, <0,80mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> para RIE e 0,30mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> para EIE. Nos cães com hipercortisolismo, os valores de média e desvio padrão dos níveis de cortisol em condições basais e pós-supressão com DEX foram de 2,71 ± 0,41mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> e 1,73 ± 1,15mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> (FIE), 7,05 ± 2,85mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> e 4,93 ± 2,26mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> (EIE), e 4,80 ± 1,43mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> e 3,52 ± 1,08mig/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> (RIE), respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos pelos três métodos (RIE, FIE, EIE) foram comparados, de forma a se averiguar a sua confiabilidade para o diagnóstico do hiperadrenocorticismo endógeno, no que tange às suas características de sensibilidade e especificidade. Desta forma, na avaliação da função adrenal, os métodos de EIE e RIE apresentam desempenhos semelhantes, considerados ideais (ambos com 100% de sensibilidade e especificidade). Concluiu-se que o método de EIE, para avaliação da função adrenal, mostrou-se tão adequado quanto o tradicional método de RIE para as determinações de cortisol.

Non-radiometric immunoassays offer many advantages over radiometric assays, such as higher stability of kit compounds and absence of potential hazardous effects for users and environment. The comparison of cortisol measurements by fluoroimmunoassay (FIA) and fluorometric enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) with radioimmunoassay (RIA) in adrenal function evaluation of normal (n=50) and hypercortisolemic dogs (n=12) was proposed. Serum concentrations of cortisol were measured in basal conditions and 8 hours after dexamethasone (DEX) suppression (0.01mg/kg/IV). All our reference values were based on the 5th and 95th percentile. The values for basal cortisol of healthy dogs were 0.20 to 2.35mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> for FIA, 0.30 to 5.39mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> for FEIA, and 0.65 to 4.64mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> for RIA. After DEX suppression the values were <0.87mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif">, <0.30mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> and < 0.80mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> for FIA, FEIA and RIA, respectively. In hypercortisolemic dogs, the values of cortisol (mean ± SD) in basal and post-DEX conditions were 2.71 + 0.41mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> and 1.73 + 1.15mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> for FIA, 7.05 + 2.85mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> and 4.93 + 2.26mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> for FEIA, and 4.80 + 1.43mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> and 3.52 + 1.08mug/d<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v32n2/a12img01.gif"> for RIA. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the normal and the hypercortisolemic groups (Kruskal-Wallis test) were observed in the three methods, and between basal and post-DEX values (Wilcoxon test) using RIA and FEIA methods but not with FIA. Cortisol determinations by FEIA and RIA methods at DEX suppression test showed 100% of sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs. The results demonstrate that serum cortisol concentrations measurements by FEIA is a suitable alternative to the traditional RIA method for adrenal function evaluation in dogs.

Cinqüenta felinos hígidos, adultos - vinte e seis machos e vinte e quatro fêmeas - sem definição racial, com distintas idades, reunidos em dois grupos (GRUPO 1- animais domiciliados e GRUPO 2 - animais que rendados) de vinte e cinco animais cada. Após anamnese e prévia sedação, os gatos foram submetidos a exame físico e à otoscopia, comprovando-se a ausência de lesões meatais e timpânicas, com cureta de Buck e wragatoas estéreis, foi colhido material meatal, que foi então submetido a exames bacteriológico e micológico. No Grupo 1, foi evidenciado presença de Otodectes cynotis (4% das amostras), em 72% dos casos de bolores e leveduras (Cladosporium sp 66,6%, Malassezia sp 40%, Penicillium sp 33%, Aspergillus sp 33,3%, Rhodotorula sp 20,0%, Mycelia sp 13,3% e Alternaria sp, Aureobasidium sp, Ryzopus sp, Trichosporon sp, todos com 6,6%) e, finalmente, em 64% da amostragem, bactérias dos gêneros Staphylococcus spp (81,2%), Pseudomonas sp (12,5%), Klebsiella sp (12,5%), Acinetobacter sp, Bacilos difteróides, Enterobacter sp, Lactobacillus spp (todos com 6,2%). No Grupo 2, o Otodectes sp foi identificado em 36% das amostras, em 96% daquelas isolaram-se fungos dos gêneros: Malassezia sp - 54,1%, Aspergillus e Penicillium sp, ambos com 33,3%, Microsporum sp - 29,1%, Cladosporium sp - 16,6%, Trichoderma sp - 12,5%, Alternaria e Phoma sp, ambos com 8,3% e Epicoccum sp, Neurospora sp. Mycelia sp, Rhodotorula sp, todos com 4,1% e, por fim, em 20 das 25 amostras (80%) isolaram-se pelo menos uma cepa bacteriana (Staphylococcus spp 75%, Klebsiella sp 20,8%, Bacilos difteróides 12,5%, Pseudomonas sp, 8,3%) e Acinetobacter sp, Enterobacter sp e Escherichia sp, todos com 4,1% cada um em cultivo monoespecífico ou em associação.

The study aimed to find out the frequency of microrganisms in the external ear canal in healthy cats. Fifty adult male (26) and female (24) short hair cats were utilized for the purpose, and they were divided according to living enviroment (Group l - indoor and Group 2 - outdoor). All animals were submitted to sedation prior to physical and otoscopic examinations in order to confirm to be healthy. Samples were obtained from ear canal by use of Buck curetes and sterile cotton sticks for microbiological investigation. In cats of Group 1, Otodects cynotis were observed in 4%. In 72% of the animals yeasts and molds were found (Cladosporium sp 66.6%, Malassezia sp 40%, Penicillium sp 33%, Aspergillus sp 33.3%, Rhodotorula sp 20%, Mycelia sp 13.3%, and 6.6% for Alternaria sp, Aureobasidium sp, Ryzopus sp and Trichosporon sp), finally, m 64% of the samples, was detected Staphylococcus spp (81.2%), Pseudomonas sp (12.5%), Klebsiella sp (12.5%), and 6,2% for Acinetobacter sp. Bacilos difteroides, Enterobacter sp, Lactobacillus spp. In Group 2, O. cynotis was isolated in 36% of cats, and in 96% of the animals wasfound Malassezia sp (54.1%), Aspergillus sp (33.3%), Penicillium (33.3%), Microsporum sp (29.1%), Cladosporium sp (16.6%), Trichoderma sp (12.5%) Alternaria sp (8.3%), Phoma sp (8.3%), Epicoccum sp (4.1%), Neurospora sp (4.1%), Mycelia sp (4.3%), Rhodotorula sp (4.1%). In 20 out of 25 (80%), at least one bacterial microrganism was isolated (Staphylococcus sp 75%, Klebsiela sp 20.8%, Bacilos difteroides 12.5%, Pseudomonas sp 8.3%, and 4.1% for Acynetobacter sp, Enterobacter and Escherichia sp).

De 134 soros de felinos domésticos examinados pela prova de soroaglutinação lenta em tubos, 4 (3%) foram positivos para Brucella canis, todos com título igual a 100. Não se obteve êxito na tentativa de isolamento de Brucella canis através de hemocultura desses animais.

Of the 134 feline sera tested by tube agglutination test, 4 (3%) were positive for Brucella canis antibodies, all with titer 100. It was not possible to isolate Brucella canis by blood culture in the case of these animals.

De 134 soros de felinos domésticos examinados pela prova de soroaglutinação lenta em tubos, 4 (3%) foram positivos para Brucella canis, todos com título igual a 100. Não se obteve êxito na tentativa de isolamento de Brucella canis através de hemocultura desses animais.

Of the 134 feline sera tested by tube agglutination test, 4 (3%) were positive for Brucella canis antibodies, all with titer 100. It was not possible to isolate Brucella canis by blood culture in the case of these animals.

Determinou-se a prevalência de toxoplasmose ovina em soros de 100 animais, provenientes de Uruguaiana, RS e abatidos em Bragança Paulista, SP, Brasil, através de reação de Sabin-Feldman (RSF). Considerando-se animais positivos aqueles com títulos > ou = 16, obtiveram-se 39% de soro-reagentes, com títulos e percentuais de soropositividade correspondentes a: 16 (66,7%), 64 (23%), 256 (2,6%), 1024 (5,1) e 4000 (2,6%).

The sera from 100 ovines from Uruguaiana (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), slaughtered in Bragança Paulista (S. Paulo, Brazil), were examined for the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the Sabin-Feldman dye test. Considering positive those sera with titer > or = 16, the prevalence of this zoonosis was 39% with titers and percentages of seropositivity of: 16 (66.7%), 64 (23%), 256 (2.6%), 1024 (5.1%) and 4000 (2.6%).

Determinou-se a prevalência de toxoplasmose ovina em soros de 100 animais, provenientes de Uruguaiana, RS e abatidos em Bragança Paulista, SP, Brasil, através de reação de Sabin-Feldman (RSF). Considerando-se animais positivos aqueles com títulos > ou = 16, obtiveram-se 39% de soro-reagentes, com títulos e percentuais de soropositividade correspondentes a: 16 (66,7%), 64 (23%), 256 (2,6%), 1024 (5,1) e 4000 (2,6%).

The sera from 100 ovines from Uruguaiana (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), slaughtered in Bragança Paulista (S. Paulo, Brazil), were examined for the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the Sabin-Feldman dye test. Considering positive those sera with titer > or = 16, the prevalence of this zoonosis was 39% with titers and percentages of seropositivity of: 16 (66.7%), 64 (23%), 256 (2.6%), 1024 (5.1%) and 4000 (2.6%).