Abstract The fractionation of apitoxin (bee venom) by means of a commercial 10 kDa ultrafiltration membrane was investigated aiming at the removal of phospholipase A2, the main allergenic substance. The feed content was varied from 1 to 50 g apitoxin/L, in deionized water, and caused changes in membrane flux and rejection, due to concentration polarization. The increase in pressure difference and stirring rate improved the flux through the membrane. The best result was achieved for 1 g apitoxin/L in feed stream, with a pressure difference of 220 kPa, and 750 rpm, with a permeate flux of 103 kg/m2h. The use of ultrafiltration was efficient to improve the permeate safety since biological tests revealed that the remaining enzyme lost its ability to catalyze the hydrolysis of phospholipids.

RESUMO: Imuno-istoquímica padronizada para avaliar o diagnóstico etiológico de mionecrose por agentes do gênero Clostridium foi utilizada em 38 tecidos formalizados de ruminantes com suspeita clínica e macroscópica, além de histopatologia compatível com carbúnculo sintomático ou gangrena gasosa. O diagnóstico de mionecrose foi confirmado em 37 das 38 (97,4%) amostras avaliadas. Clostridium chauvoei e Clostridium perfringens tipo A foram os únicos agentes encontrados sozinhos, sendo detectados em dez (26,3%) e seis (15,8%) amostras, respectivamente. Os outros casos foram causados por combinações de dois ou mais agentes, sendo que C. perfringens type A foi detectado em dez (29,9%) dessas amostras. Baseado nos resultados obtidos, sugere-se que vacinas polivalentes contendo C. perfringens seriam mais adequadas para prevenção de mionecrose causada por clostrídios.

ABSTRACT: A standardized immunochemistry method for the diagnosis of clostridial myonecrosis was applied to 38 formalized tissue samples from ruminants with clinical and post mortem history suggestive of blackleg or gas gangrene. The diagnosis of clostridial myonecrosis was confirmed in 37 out of 38 (97.4%) samples tested. Clostridium chauvoei and Clostridium perfringens type A were the most common agents found alone, being detected in ten (26.3%) and six (15.8%) samples, respectively. The other cases showed an association of two or three clostridia, with C. perfringens type A detected in 11 (29%) cases. Based on the findings of the present study, polyvalent vaccines against clostridial infections of animals incorporating C. perfringens would be more adequate for preventative purposes in the endemic areas.