No abstract

Graphical abstract

Lice infestations are commonly seen in buffaloes, causing damage directly to the animal, i.e., itching, skin lesions, and anemia. In addition, these insects can also be vectors for infectious diseases. The present study describes an outbreak of lice in buffaloes as well as evidence for Haematopinus tuberculatus acting as a vector of anaplasmosis. Lice and blood were collected from 4 young buffaloes (2- to 4-mo-old) and a molecular analysis for the presence of Anaplasma marginale was conducted. DNA of A. marginale was detected in the blood of all 4 animals. Twelve lice were collected and separated in 4 groups, with 3 insects each, to comprise a pool of samples. After DNA extraction and molecular analysis, a positive PCR for A. marginale was found in all pooled samples. These results identify sucking lice as potential vectors of anaplasmosis. However, additional studies are necessary to fully evaluate the vector potential of H. tuberculatus for A. maginale transmission.

The effects of Toxoplasma gondii during embryonic development have not been explored despite the predilection of this parasite for neurons and glial cells. Here, we investigated the activation of the purinergic system and proinflammatory responses during congenital infection by T. gondii. Moreover, neuroprotective and neuromodulatory properties of resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenolic natural compound, were studied in infected neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs). For this study, NPCs were isolated from the telencephalon of infected mouse embryos and subjected to neurosphere culture in the presence of EGF and FGF2. ATP hydrolysis and adenosine deamination by adenosine deaminase activity were altered in conditions of T. gondii infection. P2X7 and adenosine A 2A receptor expression rates were augmented in infected NPCs together with an increase of proinflammatory (INF-γ and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine gene expression. Our results confirm that RSV counteracted T. gondiipromoted effects on enzymes hydrolyzing extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides and also upregulated P2X7 and A 2A receptor expression and activity, modulating INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 cytokine production, which plays an integral role in the immune response against T. gondii.

This study aimed to develop and test the in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of diminazene aceturate encapsulated into liposomes (L-DMZ) on Trypanosoma evansi. To validate the in vitro tests with L-DMZ, the efficacy of a commercial formulation of diminazene aceturate (C-DMZ) was also assessed. The tests were carried out in culture medium for T. evansi, at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 μg mL(-1) of L-DMZ and C-DMZ. A dose-dependent effect was observed for both formulations (L-DMZ and C-DMZ), with the highest dose-dependent mortality of trypomastigotes being observed at 1 and 3 h after the onset of tests with L-DMZ. The results of in vivo tests showed the same effects in the animals treated with L-DMZ and C-DMZ in single doses of 3.5 mg kg(-1) and for 5 consecutive days (3.5 mg kg(-1) day(-1)). It was possible to conclude that T. evansi showed greater in vitro susceptibility to L-DMZ when compared with C-DMZ. In vivo tests suggest that treatment with the L-DMZ and C-DMZ showed similar efficacy in vivo. The potential of the formulation developed in this study was clearly demonstrated, as it increased the efficacy of the treatment against trypanosomosis, but more studies are needed to increase the effectiveness in vivo.

No abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of protected fat from palm oil on body weight and milk production and composition of lactating Lacaune ewes. Four treatments (0, 20, 40, and 60 g kg −1 as fed) of protected fat from palm oil were used to feed nine animals in each group. Isoproteic and isoenergetic diets were formulated and adjusted for each animal after milk weighing. Corn silage was used as roughage on the same proportion of concentrated to feed all animals. Milk samples were collected weekly for chemical analyses up to the seventh week of the lactation period and every other week after that until the end of the lactation period (182 days). Increased levels of protected fat in the diet of lactating ewes resulted in lower body weight gain and poor animal body condition. The production peak showed differences and was higher in the treatment of 40 g kg −1 of palm oil, but milk production during lactation was higher in animals that received 60 g kg −1 of protected fat supplementation. Animals fed 60 g kg −1 of protected fat showed the highest milk yield. We observed a positive linear effect on milk fat content, whereas the effect on milk protein, lactose, and nonfat solids was linearly negative after dairy sheep fed protected fat from palm oil. There were no changes in the amount (kg) of milk fat, protein, lactose, total solids, and nonfat solids in any of the treatments. Therefore, protected fat from palm oil is efficient to increase milk production and fat content.

No abstract