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Silva AF, Frazão-Teixeira E, Oliveira FCR, Fonseca ABM, Ferreira AMR. Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of sheep slaughtered for human consumption in a highly endemic area for toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 29:100688. [PMID: 35256116 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects warm-blooded animals, including humans, and the ingestion of undercooked meat of infected animals is an important source of infection. We investigated the presence of T. gondii by PCR and histopathology in tissues of 25 seropositive sheep slaughtered for human consumption in Rio de Janeiro and assessed the suitability of different tissues for molecular detection of the parasite. The animals were first screened for T. gondii antibodies by MAT (Modified Agglutination Test), and tissues of seropositive sheep (brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and diaphragm) were subjected to molecular and histological examination. A nested-PCR targeting the P43 gene of T. gondii was performed, and kappa Coefficient was used to assess PCR results among tissues. DNA of the parasite was detected in 60 % (9 of 15) of the animals. and tissue pairs of lungs/heart, lungs/diaphragm or heart/diaphragm had substantial agreement with the global status of the animals. The combination between these three tissues leads to an almost perfect agreement with global status results. Sheep slaughtered for human consumption in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are infected with T. gondii, and pairs of fragments of lungs and heart, lungs and diaphragm or heart and diaphragm could be used for molecular identification of T. gondii in sheep with substantial agreement with the global status of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - E Frazão-Teixeira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-361, Brazil / Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil
| | - F C R Oliveira
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - A B M Fonseca
- Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - A M R Ferreira
- Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica Veterinária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Pinto PS, Barbosa C, Ferreira AMR, Lilenbaum W. Short communication: Uterine leptospiral infection is strongly associated to strains of serogroup Sejroe on experimentally infected hamsters. Microb Pathog 2020; 142:104030. [PMID: 32027974 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Leptospira infection is influenced by the host species and the bacterial strain involved. Important differences on their tissue distribution are referred, also depending on the host and the studied strain. Considering tissue distribution of leptospires the majority of the studies focus on a single strain, or strains from the same serogroup with different inoculation doses. Nevertheless, none had associated different serogroups with their tissue distribution. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the hypothesis that tissue distribution of Leptospira spp. on experimentally infected hamsters may vary according to the strain serogroup. Females of Golden Syrian hamsters were used for the experimental infection with Leptospira isolates (n = 13) belonging to serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 8) and Sejroe (n = 5). PCRs were conducted in renal, hepatic and uterine tissue. Seven out of the thirteen studied hamsters presented acute clinical signs and were euthanized before the 21° day p.i. (strains VF237, VF52, U81, UFF-SG001, UFF-G19, UFF-B15, L1-130), while the others presented a subclinical infection. Regarding to the PCR results it was possible to observe that, all but one strain (UFF-SG001), which was detected on all the studied tissues, presented some differences on their tissue distribution. All strains could be detected on at least one tissue and a significant association was observed for the occurrence of the strains of serogroup Sejroe in uterus (p = 0.044). The results of the present study indicate that strains of serogroup Sejroe are strongly associated to uterine infection on experimentally infected hamsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Pinto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, 101 Prof. Hernani Mello Street, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - C Barbosa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, 101 Prof. Hernani Mello Street, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - A M R Ferreira
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Federal University, Brazil
| | - W Lilenbaum
- Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, 101 Prof. Hernani Mello Street, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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3
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Maués T, El-Jaick KB, Costa FB, Freitas PVS, Moreira AS, Castro L, Ferreira MLG, Ferreira AMR. Could polymorphisms in ABCB1 gene represent a genetic risk factor for the development of mammary tumors in dogs? Vet J 2019; 248:58-63. [PMID: 31113564 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The ABCB1 gene encodes the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) which regulates distribution and bioavailability of many endogenous and exogenous substrates, acting as a cellular mechanism of protection against these substances. Some studies have shown evidence that P-gp is related to carcinogenesis. In this study, we performed PCR and direct sequencing of ABCB1 exons 9 and 26 in 47 tissue DNA samples from canine mammary tumors. A statistically significant correlation between distinct canine breeds and the frequency of ABCB1 polymorphisms (c.985T > A and c.3442A > G SNP in ABCB1exons 9 and 26, respectively) was observed (P = 0.0015). In contrast, the TNM clinical staging, age, histological type and grade, as well as other histopathological characteristics, did not present statistically significant difference in relation to one or both SNP found in exons 9 and 26. These findings raise questions about the role of the canine ABCB1 polymorphisms in the development of mammary tumors, since the Poodle breed, which is the most common dog breed affected by mammary tumors in Brazil, presented the highest frequency of these variants. Notwithstanding, additional studies comprising a number of samples expressing the ABCB1 gene from healthy dogs, with advanced age and from different breeds, will be necessary to confirm the association of ABCB1polymorphisms and the development of mammary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Maués
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary, UFF, Av. Alm. Ary Parreiras, 507, Icaraí, 24220-000, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - K B El-Jaick
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, UNIRIO, R. Frei Caneca, 94, Centro, 20211-010, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - F B Costa
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary School, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Sala 312, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - P V S Freitas
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, UNIRIO, R. Frei Caneca, 94, Centro, 20211-010, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - A S Moreira
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics, RPT01A DNA Sequencing Platforms, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - L Castro
- National Institute of Infectology, Pharmacogenetics Research Laboratory, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - M L G Ferreira
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary, UFF, Av. Alm. Ary Parreiras, 507, Icaraí, 24220-000, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - A M R Ferreira
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary, UFF, Av. Alm. Ary Parreiras, 507, Icaraí, 24220-000, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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Cosendey RIJ, de Oliveira FCR, Frazão-Teixeira E, de Souza GN, Brandão FZ, Ferreira AMR, Lilenbaum W. Seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from the rapidly expanding flock of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2018; 14:59-62. [PMID: 31014738 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Neosporosis is primarily a disease of cattle and dogs, but Neospora caninum has been linked to abortion and neonatal mortality in sheep. Since the economic, clinical and epidemiological importance of the infection in sheep remains uncertain, this work investigated the seroprevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and associated factors in the rapidly expanding flock of Rio de Janeiro state. Blood samples from 388 sheep of 12 farms were collected and sera tested by a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Seroprevalence at the animal-level was of 6.2% (24/388) and, at the herd-level, 50% (6/12) of the studied farms had at least one seropositive animal. Multivariate analysis detected that occasional veterinary assistance (P < 0.05) was significantly associated to higher seroprevalence, which is also associated to age (P < 0.001) and gender (P < 0.0001). Farmers' investments should focus on making technical assistance more frequent and future studies should assess the association of veterinary assistance with anti-N. caninum antibodies in sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- R I J Cosendey
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Niterói, RJ 24210-130, Brazil
| | - F C R de Oliveira
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil
| | - E Frazão-Teixeira
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-361, Brazil.
| | - G N de Souza
- EMBRAPA Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG 36038-330, Brazil
| | - F Z Brandão
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Patologia Clínica e Reprodução, Niterói, RJ 24230-340, Brazil
| | - A M R Ferreira
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Patologia Clínica e Reprodução, Niterói, RJ 24230-340, Brazil
| | - W Lilenbaum
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Niterói, RJ 24210-130, Brazil
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Maués T, El-Jaick KB, Costa FB, Araujo GEF, Soares MVG, Moreira AS, Ferreira MLG, Ferreira AMR. Common germline haplotypes and genotypes identified in BRCA2
exon 11 of dogs with mammary tumours and histopathological analyses. Vet Comp Oncol 2018; 16:379-384. [DOI: 10.1111/vco.12389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Maués
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary; Universidade Federal Fluminense; Niterói Brazil
| | - K. B. El-Jaick
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology; Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - F. B. Costa
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary School; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - G. E. F. Araujo
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology; Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - M. V. G. Soares
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology; Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - A. S. Moreira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics; RPT01A DNA Sequencing Platforms; Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - M. L. G. Ferreira
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary; Universidade Federal Fluminense; Niterói Brazil
| | - A. M. R. Ferreira
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary; Universidade Federal Fluminense; Niterói Brazil
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Young SB, Pires ARC, Boaventura GT, Ferreira AMR, Martinho JMSG, Galhardo MA. Effect of ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning on liver regeneration in prepubertal rats. Transplant Proc 2015; 46:1867-71. [PMID: 25131056 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2014.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver regeneration has great importance for transplantation, especially in children; however, it has not been studied sufficiently in development animals. Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a problem, and strategies such as ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning are not well defined regarding regeneration. OBJECTIVE This study sought to evaluate liver regeneration with modulation by ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning in prepubertal rats subjected to total ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS Thirty-five 5-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into groups of 7 animals each: control group (SHAM), 70% hepatectomy (HEP), total ischemia 30 minutes before hepatectomy (IR), ischemic preconditioning 10/10 minutes before ischemia (PRE), and two 30/30-second ischemic postconditioning cycles after ischemia and hepatectomy (POS). All animals were subjected to 24-hour reperfusion. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity were measured to evaluate liver damage, and histological analysis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and regenerated mass liver were used to evaluate liver regeneration. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in conditioned groups than in the IR group. Regarding mitotic index, IR > control group and HEP (P < .05), PRE and POS were not significantly different from IR, and POS > HEP (P < .05). PCNA analysis showed that IR > HEP (P < .01), PRE < IR (P < .01), and no significant differences were observed between POS and IR groups. No significant differences in regenerated mass liver were observed between conditioned groups and HEP. CONCLUSIONS Ischemic postconditioning prevented ischemic injury, promoted greater liver regeneration, and should be further investigated as an alternative better than ischemic preconditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Young
- Medical Sciences Post-Graduation Program, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil
| | - A R C Pires
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil
| | - G T Boaventura
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil
| | - A M R Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil
| | - J M S G Martinho
- Department of General Surgery, and Medical Sciences Post-Graduation Program, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil
| | - M A Galhardo
- Department of General Surgery, Souza Marques School of Medicine, and Medical Sciences Post-Graduation Program, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil.
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Pereira AV, Pereira SA, Gremião IDF, Campos MP, Ferreira AMR. Comparison of acetate tape impression with squeezing versus skin scraping for the diagnosis of canine demodicosis. Aust Vet J 2012; 90:448-50. [PMID: 23106326 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2012.00994.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study compared the sensitivity of acetate tape impression and skin squeezing with that of deep skin scraping for the diagnosis of demodicosis in dogs. Demodex canis was detected in 100% of acetate tape impressions obtained after skin squeezing and in 90% of deep skin scrapings. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the techniques in the total number of mites detected. Acetate tape impression with skin squeezing was found to be more sensitive than deep skin scraping and is an alternative diagnostic method for canine demodicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Pereira
- Laboratory of Clinical Research on Dermatozoonosis in Domestic Animals, Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Av Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Abstract
A 2-day-old poodle puppy was seen to have hypoplastic and arthrogrypotic hindlimbs and no tail. Palpation revealed an absence of lumbar and sacral vertebrae. At necropsy examination, the colon had a blind ending at the umbilical area, there were no urinary system organs, the spinal cord ended at the thoracic level and no genital system organs were found except for a structure similar to a rudimentary penis. The pelvis was abnormal with no articulation with the spine. This congenital anomaly was consistent with perosomus elumbis, a rare condition of unknown aetiology with few reported cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C B Amaral
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29500-000 Alegre, ES, Brazil.
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Leme LRP, Schubach TMP, Santos IB, Figueiredo FB, Pereira SA, Reis RS, Mello MFV, Ferreira AMR, Quintella LP, Schubach AO. Mycological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage in cats with respiratory signs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mycoses 2007; 50:210-4. [PMID: 17472619 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2007.01358.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-three cats with respiratory signs who had domiciliary contact with cats with sporotrichosis were studied. Sneezing was the predominant extracutaneous sign. Twelve cats had no skin lesions and 11 had ulcerated skin lesions. Mycological culture of material obtained from the nasal cavity, oral cavity, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and skin lesions, when present, was performed for all cats. In the case of autopsy, lung fragments were cultured. Sporothrix schenckii was isolated from four of the 12 cats without skin lesions: BAL (one cat) and oral and/or nasal cavity (three cats). The latter three animals developed nasal and distant skin lesions within the following 2-4 weeks. The cat with S. schenckii isolated from BAL did not develop skin lesions or lower respiratory tract symptoms during the 6 months of follow-up. S. schenckii was isolated from one or more biological samples of all 11 cats with skin lesions: oral cavity (five), nasal cavity (eight), BAL fluid (four), skin lesions (eight), and blood culture (one). No yeast-like structures were observed upon BAL cytology in any of the 23 cats. The results suggest that S. schenckii can cause infection of skin contiguous to the natural facial orifices through colonisation of the mucosal surfaces of the upper airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R P Leme
- Serviço de Zoonoses, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas - Fundaçã Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Lilenbaum W, Varges R, Moraes IA, Ferreira AMR, Pissinatti A. Leptospiral antibodies in captive lion tamarins (Leontopithecus sp) in Brazil. Vet J 2005; 169:462-4. [PMID: 15848790 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Serum samples from 73 lion tamarins of three species living at the Centro de Primatologia do Rio de Janeiro were tested for antibodies against serovars of Leptospira interrogans by microscopic agglutination test. Antibodies were detected in serum samples of 15% of tested samples. Seroreactivity prevalence was lower than that described in other non-human primates and could be explained by the arboreal behaviour of these animals. Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most common serogroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Lilenbaum
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil.
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Abstract
This study was designed to identify the distribution of type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin with an avidin-biotin method in sections of equine endometrial samples, fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in paraffin wax. Thirty endometrial biopsies were collected at three different stages of the oestrous cycle. The basement membrane of luminal epithelium reacted positively with antibody against type IV collagen. Both type IV collagen and laminin were found in the basement membranes of endometrial glands, and fibronectin occurred diffusely in the interstitial tissue. Blood vessels expressed all of the extracellular matrix components studied. No differences in the distribution of extracellular matrix components were found at the different stages of sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D Mansour
- Departamento de Patologia, Curso de Pós-Graduação em Patologia, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Centro de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Paes-de-Almeida EC, Ferreira AMR, Labarthe NV, Caldas MLR, McCall JW. Kidney ultrastructural lesions in dogs experimentally infected with Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856). Vet Parasitol 2003; 113:157-68. [PMID: 12695040 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(03)00020-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Kidneys of 16 beagles with experimentally induced heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infections and 4 heartworm-nai;ve dogs were studied by light and electron microscopy. The infections were induced either by subcutaneous injection of infective larvae or by the transplantation of adult parasites, and infection periods varied from 111 to 818 days and 365 to 923 days, respectively. One control group of heartworm-naïve dogs and four groups of heartworm-infected dogs, which were divided according to the type and the length of infection, were used. In the infected dogs, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), the presence of dense deposits in the GBM, and foot process effacement were the most frequent lesions observed. In some dogs, electron dense deposits were seen in the GBM and the mesangium and/or enlargement of the mesangial matrix could be characterized. The longer the infection period, the thicker the GBM and the more common the occurrence of foot process effacement. In general, these alterations were more evident in animals that had been infected for more than 1 year, had high microfilaremia, and had 14 or more parasites in the main pulmonary artery and its branches. The presence of dense deposits suggests that the pathogenesis of kidney disease in dirofilariasis is associated with deposits of immune complexes in the membrane. The finding of ultrastructural changes in dogs with early prepatent infections suggests that immature heartworms, as well as microfilariae and possibly adult worms, contribute to the glomerulonephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Paes-de-Almeida
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Rua Marquês do Paraná, 303, HUAP, 4th Floor, Centro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 24030-210, Brazil.
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