RESUMO: A esporotricose é uma micose subcutânea de evolução subaguda a crônica, causada pelo fungo dimórfico e geofílico Sporothrix schenckii. A transmissão zoonótica vem recebendo destaque, tendo os felinos domésticos um importante papel epidemiológico na doença. Este trabalho pesquisa teve como objetivo diagnosticar casos de esporotricose em felinos domésticos atendidos no município de Campos dos Goytacazes/RJ, bem como correlacionar os casos positivos com os sinais clínicos observados nos mesmos, assim como fatores de risco tais quais sexo, animais castrados ou não, dentre outras características. Foram utilizados 100 felinos domésticos, portadores de lesões cutâneas suspeitas de esporotricose, os quais passaram por avaliação clínica minuciosa e preenchimento de fichas individuais. As lesões foram então selecionadas para coleta de material em suabes estéreis e posterior análise laboratorial, através da citologia e cultura fúngica. Dos 100 animais analisados, 66 (66%) foram positivos para Sporothrix spp., sendo 46 (69,6%) machos não castrados, 15 (22,7%) fêmeas não castradas, 4 (6,06%) fêmeas castradas e 1 (1,5%) macho castrado, os quais 89,3% tinham acesso à rua. Quanto à topografia lesional e estado clínico dos animais, 43 (65,2%) apresentavam lesões focais e 23 (34,8%) lesões disseminadas, onde 21 (31,8%) vieram à óbito ou foram submetidos a eutanásia por opção do tutor. Com os resultados dos exames foi possível a adequada prescrição do protocolo terapêutico e acompanhamento de 40 animais (60,6%), e nos casos dos felinos encaminhados (7,5%), foi reportado ao médico veterinário responsável o respectivo diagnóstico para que este escolhesse sua conduta terapêutica.

ABSTRACT: Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis of subacute to chronic evolution, caused by the dimorphic and geophilic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. The zoonotic transmission has been highlighted, with domestic cats having an important epidemiological role in the disease. This research aimed to diagnose cases of sporotrichosis in domestic cats treated in the city of Campos dos Goytacazes/RJ, as well as to correlate the positive cases with the clinical signs observed in them, as well as risk factors such as sex, castrated animals or not, among other characteristics. One hundred domestic felines were used, with skin lesions suspected of sporotrichosis, which underwent a thorough clinical evaluation and completion of individual files. The lesions were then selected for material collection in sterile swabs and subsequent laboratory analysis, through cytology and fungal culture. Of the 100 animals analyzed, 66 (66%) were positive for Sporothrix spp., Being 46 (69.6%) uncastrated males, 15 (22.7%) uncastrated females, 4 (6.06%) females castrated and 1 (1.5%) castrated male, 89.3% of whom had access to the street. Concerning the lesion topography and clinical status of the animals, 43 (65.2%) had focal lesions and 23 (34.8%) disseminated lesions, where 21 (31.8%) died or were submitted to euthanasia at the option of tutor. With the results of the exams, it was possible to adequately prescribe the therapeutic protocol and follow up of 40 animals (60.6%), and in the cases of the cats referred (7.5%), the respective veterinarian was informed of the respective diagnosis so that this To choose their therapeutic behavior.

Both the study of Brazilian wild mammal fauna and the conditions that foster the preservation of endangered species, such as Brazilian Maned-wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), in wild life are of extreme importance. In order to study the resistance profile of microbiota bacterial colonizing Brazilian Maned-wolf, this work investigated samples from eight male captive and free roaming animals originating from different Brazilian geographical regions. Samples for microbiological purposes were collected with swabs and kept in appropriate transport medium. Using routine microbiological techniques, the isolated bacteria were tested toward antimicrobial drugs by the agar disk diffusion method. Results showed that all samples from wild animals were sensitive toward all drugs tested. Conversely, the resistance profile of bacteria isolated from captive animals varied among strains and animal body site location. Escherichia coli samples from prepuce, anus and ear showed multi-resistance toward at least four drugs, especially against erythromycin and tetracycline, followed by Proteus mirabilis and P. vulgaris strains isolated from anus and ear. Among Gram-positive bacteria, strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci showed multi-resistance mainly toward erythromycin and amoxicillin. The work discusses these findings and suggests that profile of multi-resistance bacteria from captive subjects may be attributed to direct contact with human or through lifestyle factors such as feeding, predation or contact of animals with urban animals such as birds, rodents, and insects from surrounding environments.

Ostrich raising around the world have some key factors and farming profit depend largely on information and ability of farmers to rear these animals. Non fertilized eggs from ostriches are discharged in the reproduction season. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are microorganisms involved in animal and human diseases. In order to optimize the use of sub products of ostrich raising, non fertilized eggs of four selected birds were utilized for development of polyclonal IgY antibodies. The birds were immunized (200ug/animal) with purified recombinant staphylococcal enterotoxin C (recSEC) and synthetic recRAP, both derived from S. aureus, and recBFPA and recEspB involved in E. coli pathogenicity, diluted in FCA injected in the braquial muscle. Two subsequent immunization steps with 21 days intervals were repeated in 0,85% saline in FIA. Blood and eggs samples were collected before and after immunization steps. Egg yolk immunoglobulins were purified by precipitation with 19% sodium sulfate and 20% ammonium sulphate methodologies. Purified IgY 50µL aliquots were incubated in 850µL BHI broth containing 50µL inoculums of five strains of S. aureus and five strains of E.coli during four hours at 37ºC. Growth inhibition was evaluated followed by photometry reading (DO550nm). Egg yolk IgY preparation from hiperimmunized birds contained antibodies that inhibited significantly (p<0,05) growth of strains tested. Potential use of ostrich IgY polyclonal antibodies as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool is proposed for diseased animals.

Staphylococci bacteria are involved in many human and animal infections and development of alternative antimicrobial drugs against pathogenic bacteria is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry. This study investigated the in vitro effect of Rauvolfia grandiflora methanol extract (root bark fraction) (RGE) on the density of ATCC strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and a clinical enterotoxin-producer, S. aureus bovine strain. The alkaloid, isoreserpiline, obtained from dichloromethane extract of R. grandiflora was ineffective against the strains tested. After incubation of staphylococci strains in the presence of 1.2 mg.mL-1 RGE, a significant inhibition of cell growth was observed using both spectrophotometry and ELISA assays. Twelve drugs were evaluated for their antimicrobial effects on culture RGE-treated cells using the disk diffusion method. Penicillin resistant strains became sensitive to the drug after RGE treatment. Furthermore, enterotoxin production by RGE-treated S. aureus was evaluated using a standardized ELISA method. Although staphylococcal LSA 88 bovine strain cells remained viable after exposure to the extract, enterotoxin production was precluded in 20% after RGE treatment. Significant interference in staphylococci cell density, drug sensitivity and enterotoxin secretion was observed after treatment. The study highlights the necessity to find new methods of disease prevention and new antibiotic therapies against staphylococcal infections.

Pitiose é causada por Pythium insidiosum e a doença foi descrita em equinos no Norte e Noroeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A doença foi descrita em bovinos, ovelhas, humanos e cavalos em diferentes estados e regiões do país. Este trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de anticorpos policlonais, IgY e IgG, em galinha e coelho, respectivamente, contra proteínas extraídas de kunkers e hifas de P. insidiosum de cavalos doentes. As proteínas foram reconhecidas por anticorpos de galinha, coelho e cavalos contra as bandas majoritárias de 27 e 34 KDa em imunodifusão e Western blot tituladas por ELISA. Os anticorpos IgY desenvolvidos pela primeira vez contra cepas brasileiras de P. insidiosum podem representar um valioso instrumento na detecção de antígenos de patógenos e contribuem para novos estudos baseados na imunoterapia e no entendimento sobre esta doença em áreas endêmicas no Rio de Janeiro e em todo o país.

Pythiosis is caused by Pythium insidiosum and the occurrence of disease in horses was described in the North and Northwest State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The disease was described in cattle, sheep, humans, and horses in different states and regions across the country. This paper describes the development of IgY and IgG polyclonal antibodies, in chicken and rabbits, respectively against proteins extracted from kunkers and hyphae of P. insidiosum from affected horses. The proteins were recognized by chicken, rabbit and horse antibodies by immunodiffusion and Western blot against majority bands of 27 and 43 KDa, and titrated by ELISA. The antibodies IgY developed by the first time against Brazilian strains of P. insidiosum may represent a valuable tool in the detection of antigens of the pathogen and contribute to further studies aimed at immunotherapy and knowledge about this disease in endemic areas in Rio de Janeiro and in Brazil.

Do extrato hexânico da madeira de Swartzia apetala Raddi var. glabra foram isolados um estilbeno (1), uma flavanona (2), um pterocarpano (3), um triterpeno (4) e uma mistura de esteróides (5 a 7). O extrato bruto e as substâncias isoladas foram submetidas à avaliação do potencial antifúngico usando nove cepas padrão ATCC do gênero Candida. Entre as substâncias testadas apenas o triterpeno (4) e a mistura de esteróides (5 a 7) não apresentaram atividade. As estruturas das substâncias foram determinadas através da análise dos espectros de CG/EM, e RMN (1D e 2D) e comparação com dados da literatura.

From the hexanic extract of the stem from Swartzia apetala Raddi var. glabra were isolated one stilbene (1), one flavanone (2), one pterocarpan (3), one triterpene (4) and a mixture of three steroids (5 to 7). The crude extract and the compounds isolated were submitted to evaluation of the antifungal activity against nine yeast standard ATCC of the Candida genus. Among the compounds only the triterpene (4) and the mixture of steroids (5 to 7) showed no activity. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectral data analysis of GC/MS and ¹H and 13C NMR (1D and 2D experiments), as well as comparison with literature values.

A presença de bactérias resistentes a antimicrobianos e carreadas por formigas isoladas em hospitais foi investigada em Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ. Três instituições de saúde foram visitadas nos períodos de 2001 a 2002 e amostras foram coletadas em áreas de cuidados médicos consideradas críticas baseando-se em critérios de maior risco para a aquisição de infecções por pacientes hospitalizados. Quatro espécies de formigas foram identificadas, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius)(63,1%), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille)(21,1%), Monomorium pharaonis (L.)(10,5%) e Solenopsis saevissima (S. Smith)(5,3%) como carreadoras de 21 morfoespécies de bactérias. Os testes de identificação bacteriana e de perfil de resistência antimicrobiana foram realizados por meio de kits padronizados e avaliados por método automatizado. Entre as bactérias isoladas, algumas foram consideradas multirresistentes, incluindo o gênero Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Gemella, e Klebsiella. Para análise antimicrobiana do gênero Enterobacter foi utilizado o método padrão de difusão em disco. Os resultados sugerem que existem riscos para pacientes que procuram por assistência de saúde nos hospitais estudados e a ocorrência de bactérias emergentes em hospitais carreadas por formigas devem ser consideradas.

The presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and carried by ants isolated from hospitals was investigated in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil. Three health institutions were visited from 2001 to 2002 and samples were collected within critical areas of medical care based on criteria of greater risk of patient hospital acquired-infection. Four ant species were identified, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius)(63.1%), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille)(21.1%), Monomorium pharaonis (L.)(10.5%), and Solenopsis saevissima (S. Smith)(5.3%) carrying 21 species of bacteria. The tests for bacteria species identification and antimicrobial-resistance profile were carried out by using standardized kits and evaluated by automated equipment. Among the bacteria isolates, some were considered multiresistant isolates, including genera Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Gemella, and Klebsiella. For Enterobacter antibacterial analysis the disk diffusion standard method was used. The results suggest that there are risks for patients which seek for health assistance in the hospitals studied, and the presence of emerging bacteria isolates in hospital carried by ants must be considered.

Quinhentas e cinqüenta e cinco amostras de leite, provenientes de 362 vacas com mastite subclínica em diferentes propriedades rurais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, de 1995 a 1997, foram submetidas ao teste "Califórnia Mastitis Test" (CMT). 39,7% das amostras foram positivas, das quais foram isoladas 128 cepas de Staphylococcus aureus. Todas as cepas isoladas foram positivas para o gene da coagulase utilizando a técnica de PCR, todavia, resultados de coagulase através das técnicas em tubo e "coagulase slide test" foram variáveis. Após a amplificação do gen de coagulase através da técnica de PCR utilizando iniciadores específicos para o referido gen, fragmentos com diferentes pesos moleculares foram vistos através de análise em gel de agarose, sugerindo a ocorrência de polimorfismo genético. O estudo também sugere a ocorrência de diferentes cepas da bactéria atuando nos rebanhos leiteiros causando mastite bovina.

Contamination of fresh milk with Staphylococcus aureus was assessed comparatively through routine phenotypic (coagulase tube test and coagulase slide test) and genotypic (PCR) screening of 128 S. aureus strains isolated from 555 milk samples. These samples were collected from 362 cows with subclinical mastitis, hosted in different dairy herds at various locations of the Northern and Northeastern rural areas of the State of Rio de Janeiro, 39.7% of which were CMT-positive. All S. aureus isolates tested positive for the presence of the coagulase gene by PCR and the isolates could be grouped into four distinct classes according to the size of the PCR product. The strains also yielded variable results when assayed with coagulase test. Taken together, these data indicate the existence of extensive polymorphism at the coagulase gene locus in the genus Staphylococcus and exemplifies the extent of molecular and phenotypic heterogeneity associated with the strains circulating in rural herds.