Abstract INTRODUCTION: Favorable responses in American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) patients to treatment with 5 mg Sbv/kg/day meglumine antimoniate (MA) has been reported in Rio de Janeiro, but little is known regarding the therapeutic response to low doses in patients from other locations. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted to compare the therapeutic response to 5 mg Sbv/kg/day MA treatment among 36 patients who acquired ATL in Brazilian states other than Rio de Janeiro (OS group) and 72 patients from Rio de Janeiro (RJ group). RESULTS: One course of 5 mg Sbv/kg/day MA cured 72.8% of 81 cutaneous (CL) and 66.6% of 27 mucosal (ML) leishmaniasis-infected patients: 70% in the CL/RJ group, 81% in the CL/OS group, 50% in the ML/RJ group, and 80% in the ML/OS group. After up to two additional treatment courses at the same dose, 88.9% and 85.2% of the CL and ML patients were cured, respectively. Adverse events were observed in 40% of patients in the CL/RJ group, 57% of the CL/OS group, 58% of the ML/RJ group, and 80% of the ML/OS group. No significant differences were observed in the cure rates or adverse effects between the RJ and OS groups. No patients required permanent discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ATL acquired in both RJ and OS may respond to low-dose MA. While high-dose MA should remain the standard treatment for ATL, low-dose MA might be preferred when toxicity is a primary concern.

ABSTRACT This work aimed to investigate the relationship between echogenicity, testicular biometry, and accessory gland biometry and evaluate the echogenicity pattern of these structures in Santa Ines rams. Fifty-four healthy Santa Ines sheep were classified into three age groups: group 1 - 3 to 5 months (pre-pubertal); group 2 - 7 to 11 months (pubertal); and group 3 - 13 to 28 months (sexually mature). The averages of testicular biometry and bulbourethral gland biometry were different among age groups. The testicular parenchyma was homogeneous with low echogenicity (pre-pubertal group) and medium echogenicity (pubertal and sexually mature groups), suggesting that testicular echogenicity can be a helpful tool to identify the start of puberty. The accessory glands were heterogeneous with low echogenicity in all age groups. Correlations were high between weight, biometry of testis and of bulbourethral gland and echogenicity of the accessory glands, indicating that sexually mature rams with higher body development have larger testicles and larger glands. We recommend the use of testicular biometry as a complementary evaluation of the reproductive efficiency of Santa Ines rams. The average values of echogenicity and the biometry of accessory glands are important parameters to assist the selection of breeding rams.

RESUMO: Bacillus tem sido amplamente estudado e usado para o controle de pragas e doenças. O protocolo adaptado proposto por POLANCZYK (2004) mostrou-se mais eficiente do que o da Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHO, 1985) para isolar cepas edáficas de Bacillus. No entanto, não foi avaliado quanto ao isolamento de estirpes endofíticas, que são muito menos abundantes na natureza e mais difíceis de isolar. Este estudo teve como objetivos comparar dois procedimentos metodológicos para o isolamento de Bacillus, o estabelecido pela OMS (WHO, 1985) e o de POLANCZYK (2004), quanto a sua eficiência para o isolamento de estirpes endofitas e edáficas de Bacillus originárias do interior do tecido radicular de cana-de-açúcar, bem como de amostras de solos associados, coletada de 11 locais; e comparar a densidade de bactérias em ambos os ambientes. As cepas endofíticas e edáficas de Bacillus foram isoladas por ambos os procedimentos. No entanto, o protocolo de isolamento realizado por POLANCZYK (2004) demonstrou-se mais eficiente por gerar maior número de unidades de formação de colônias (CFU) por grama de solo e raiz, indicando que esse procedimento é mais útil, especialmente para isolamento de estirpes endofíticas de Bacillus, que são muito menos abundantes na natureza do que as cepas edáficas, sendo, portanto, mais difíceis de serem isoladas. Usando o protocolo de POLANCZYK (2004), as cepas de Bacillus foram isoladas de todas as amostras de raízes (endofíticas) e de solo (edáficas) de todos os 11 campos, sugerindo que a raiz da planta pode ser outra fonte importante de isolamento de Bacillus além do solo. As densidades mais altas de Bacillus foram isoladas do ambiente edáfico em comparação com o ambiente endofítico, com diferenças significativas quando isoladas pelo método de POLANCZYK (2004).

ABSTRACT: Bacillus has been widely studied and used for the control of pests and diseases. The adapted protocol proposed by POLANCZYK (2004) proved to be more efficient than the one by the World Health Organization (WHO, 1985) to isolate edaphic strains of Bacillus. However, it has not been assessed for isolation of endophytic strains, which are much less abundant in the nature and more difficult to be isolated. This study aimed to compare two methodological procedures for isolation of Bacillus, established by the WHO (1985) and by POLANCZYK (2004), regarding their efficiency for isolation of endophytics and edaphics Bacillus strains from inside the root tissue of sugarcane, as well as from the associated soil sample, collected from 11 locations; and to compare the density of bacteria in both environments. Endophytic and edaphic strains of Bacillus were isolated by both procedures. However, the isolation protocol performed by POLANCZYK (2004) made more efficient by having a greater number of colony forming units (CFU) per gram of soil and root indicating that this procedure is more useful, especially for isolation of endophytic strains of Bacillus, which are much less abundant in the nature than edaphic strains, being therefore more difficult to be isolated. Using the Polanczyk protocol (2004), Bacillus strains were recovered from all roots (endophytic) and soil (edaphic) samples of all the 11 fields, suggesting that the plant root may be another important source for isolation of Bacillus besides the soil. Higher densities of Bacillus were isolated from the edaphic environment compared with the endophytic environment, with significant differences when isolated by Polanczyk method (2004).

Introduction During a diagnostic evaluation of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL), two of seventeen dogs were found to be co-infected by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Methods Specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR (RFLP-PCR) assays were performed. Results PCR assays for Leishmania subgenus identification followed by RFLP-PCR analysis in biopsies from cutaneous lesions and the spleen confirmed the presence of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in those fragments. Conclusions This report reinforces the importance of using serological and molecular techniques in the epidemiological surveillance of canine populations in endemic areas in which both diseases are known to co-exist. In such cases, a reassessment of the control measures is required.

As leveduras são organismos comensais da pele, trato genital e gastrointestinal, e de outras mucosas de mamíferos. O gênero Candida vem sendo isolado freqüentemente de animais domésticos e silvestres. O isolamento de Candida spp da mucosa vaginal de mulheres é freqüente, porém na espécie canina são escassos os estudos referentes à microbiota fúngica vaginal, especialmente do gênero candida, não se tendo conhecimento de sua relação com o ciclo reprodutivo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo isolar leveduras do gênero Candida em fêmeas caninas hígidas e identificar as espécies isoladas, relacionando-as com as diferentes fases do ciclo estral. Foram analisadas 224 amostras obtidas da mucosa vaginal de 14 fêmeas caninas. Candida spp foi observada em 83 (37%) amostras, destas, nove (42,9%) foram obtidas no proestro, 14 (43,8%) no estro, 31 (62%) no diestro, 24 (21,1%) no anestro e cinco (71,4%) de gestantes. Nas amostras caracterizadas, C. parapsilosis foi a espécie isolada com maior freqüência (21,7%), seguida de C. guillermondii (8,4%), C. kefir (6%) e C. albicans (4,8%). Com base neste estudo pode-se concluir que Candida spp faz parte da microbiota vaginal de fêmeas caninas hígidas, e que o isolamento é influenciado pelo ciclo reprodutivo.

Yeasts are commensal organisms found in the skin, genital and gastrointestinal tracts, and other mucosa in mammalians. Candida spp has been frequently isolated from domestic and sylvan animals. Yeast isolation from vaginal mucus is frequent in women, especially of Candida genus. In canine females, however, studies about vaginal fungal microbiota are rare and the connection with estrous cycle is unknown. The purpose of this study was to isolate yeast 5 of Candida genus from healthy canine females and identify the isolated species, establishing their connection with estrous cycle phases. Two hundred twenty-four samples taken from vaginal mucus of 14 canine females were analyzed in this study. Candida spp was observed in 83 (37%) from these samples; nine samples were taken in proestrus, 14 in oestrus, 31 in dioestrus, 24 in anoestrus and five samples were obtained during pregnancy. Candida parapsilosis the most frequently isolated specie (21.7%), followed by C. guillermondii (8.4%), C. kefir (6%) and C. albicans (4.8%). We concluded that Candida spp is a commion component of healthy canine females' vaginal microbiota, and isolation varies according to the estrous cycle phase.

No município de Paracambi, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, foi realizado um inquérito epidemiológico sobre a leishmaniose tegumentar americana na população canina residente em áreas endêmicas rural e semiurbana. Foram cadastrados 179 cães e 138 (77,1%) foram examinados, segundo seus aspectos clínicos e desenvolvimento de hipersensibilidade tardia ao antígeno Imunoleish® e respostas sorológicas à reação de imunofluorescência indireta e ao ensaio imunoenzimático. Dos 9 (6,5.%) animais portadores de lesões/cicatrizes suspeitas, 66,7% foram causadas por Leishmania sp; 44,4% produziram infecção em hamsters e apresentaram crescimento em meio de cultura, compatíveis com o comportamento de Leishmania do complexo braziliensis. A caracterização molecular (análises isoenzimáticas e do perfil de restrição do KDNA) identificou 2 amostras como similares à Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. A prevalência da infecção canina observada através do teste cutâneo, RIFI e ELISA foi, respectivamente, 10,1%, 16,7% e 27,8%. A presença das formas clínica/subclínica da LTA na população canina associada à infecção humana sugere que o cão pode atuar como possível fonte de infecção, assim como na disseminação da doença.

In the district of Paracambi, State of Rio de Janeiro an epidemiological survey for American tegumentary leishmaniasis in canine population was carried out in endemic localities. A total of 179 dogs was registered and 138 (77.1%) examined for their clinical aspects, development of delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) with Imunoleish® antigen and serological responses by indirect immunofluorescent reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In 9 (6.5%) dogs with active cutaneous lesions or suspect scars, 66.7% were caused by Leishmania sp; 44.4% produced infection in hamsters and showed growth in culture media, which was considered to be compatible with the species of Leishmania braziliensis complex. The molecular characterization (isoenzyme and KDNA restriction profiles) defined two strains with similar profiles for L. (Viannia) braziliensis. The prevalence of canine infection estimated by the cutaneous test, IFR and ELISA was 10.1%, 16.7% and 27.8%, respectively. The presence of clinical / sub-clinical form of ATL in canine population associated with human infections suggested that the dog can act as source of infection as well as for dissemination of the disease.

No presente artigo os autores relatam caso de uma criança de 1 ano e 07 meses proveniente do estado de Minas Gerais com leishmaniose visceral causada por Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis e co-infecção HIV. A mãe e o pai da criança de 22 e 27 anos de idade respectivamente também HIV positivo. A criança foi internada no Centro Geral de Pediatria em Belo Horizonte com febre alta, fadiga, perda de peso e aumento de fígado e baço. Foi realizado teste de imunofluorescência indireta para Leishmania e detectado título de 1:320. Este resultado foi confirmado com o encontro de amastigotas em aspirado de medula óssea e o crescimento de promastigotas em meios de cultura. Os parasitos foram identificados como Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis utilizando PCR com primer específico para o complexo L. braziliensis, e primer genérico seguido de hibridização. Terapia específica para leishmaniose (antimonial de Glucantime) foi administrado por via intravenosa.

The current article reports the case of a 19-month-old-girl, from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, with visceral leishmaniasis, by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection. The child's mother and father, aged 22 and 27 years old, respectively, were both HIV positive. The child was admitted to the General Pediatric Center, in Belo Horizonte, presenting high fever, fatigue, weight loss and enlargement of liver and spleen. Indirect immunofluorescent test revealed a titer of 1:320 for Leishmania. Such result was confirmed by the presence of amastigotes in bone marrow aspirate samples and culture of promastigote forms. Parasites were identified as being Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis through PCR, using a L. braziliensis complex primer and a generic primer, followed by hibridization. Specific leishmaniasis therapy (Glucantime<FONT FACE=Symbol>Ò</FONT> antimonial) was intravenously administered.

A flagellte trypanosomatid was isolated in culture from the digestive tract of the mosquito Culex saltanensis Dyar, 1928. It grows exuberantly in liver infusion in the form of epimastigotes and choanomastigotes typical of the genus Crithidia. The trypanosomatid was compared to C. deanei, C. fasciculata, C. luciliae, C. oncopelti and C. guilhermei. The techniques used for comparison were electron transmission microscopy, isoenzymes and kDNA restriction profiles. No endosymbionts were found at electron microscopy. Results for the biochemical methods employd indicate that the trypanosomatid isolated from C. saltanensis is a new species of Crithidia. The name C. ricardoi sp. n. is proposed for thes new species.

A new parasite species of Leishmania is described, L. (Leishmania) forattinii sp. n., which was isolated from a pooled triturate of liver and spleen of a opossum (Didelphis marsupialis aurita) and from skin samples from a rodent (Proechmys iheringi denigratus), captured in primary forest on the Atlantic Cost of Brazil. Our results on the basis of biological and molecular criteria indicate that this taxonomically distinct parasite ias a new species of the L. mexicana complex, but closely related to L. (L.) aristidesi Laison & shaw, 1979, as revelated by phenetic and phylogenetic numerical analyses of the enzyme data. L. forattinii was clearly distinguishable from other Leishmania species of the genus usisng enzyme electrophoresis, monoclonal antibodies, molecular karyotypes, analysis of restriction enzyme digestion patterns of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), as well as the use of kDNA hybridization procedures.