Introduction: Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a zoonotic disease with different clinical manifestations. Parasitism often occurs in bone marrow, but changes have been observed in peripheral blood and serum biochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi. Methods: Eighty-five adult dogs of both sexes and various weights and ages from the Zoonosis Control Center of Fortaleza (CCZ) were used, selected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and considered positive with IFA titers greater than 1:40 and by visualizing amastigotes of Leishmania chagasi in smears obtained by bone marrow aspiration. The dogs (n = 85) were grouped according to clinical signs: negative (CN = 7), subclinical (CS = 10), and clinical (CC = 68). Blood samples were collected for determination of hematological and biochemical serum values. The experimental protocol was approved by the CEUA/UECE. Results: The most frequent clinical signs were cachexia (77.9%), keratitis (61.8%), and lymphadenopathy (55.9%), and 86.8% of the animals showed more than one clinical sign characteristic of CVL. In CC were observed reductions in red blood cells (63%), hematocrit (72%), and hemoglobin (62%), as well as leukocytosis (33%), neutropenia (28%), thrombocytopenia (50%), uremia (45%), hyperproteinemia (53%, p<0.05), hypergammaglobulinemia (62%, p<0.01), and hypoalbuminemia (58%). Conclusions: Animals with the clinical form of the disease demonstrate hematological and biochemical changes consistent with anemia, uremia, hyperproteinemia, and hyperglobulinemia, which present themselves as strong clinical markers of visceral leishmaniasis associated with the signs previously reported. Keywords: Dogs. Canine visceral leishmanisis. Biomarkers. Anemia. Uremia. Hyperglobulinemia. RESUMO Introdução:A leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) é uma zoonose com diferentes manifestações clínicas. O parasitismo ocorre frequentemente na medula óssea e têm sido relatadas alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas. Objetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros clínicos, hematológicos e bioquímicos de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania chagasi. Métodos: Utilizaram-se 85 cães adultos, ambos os sexos, peso e idade variados, oriundos do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Fortaleza, selecionados pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), sendo considerados positivos os animais com títulos de RIFI ≥ 1:40 e pelo exame parasitológico das formas amastigotas de Leishmania chagasi em esfregaços de medula óssea. Os cães foram agrupados conforme os sinais clínicos associados à doença: negativos (CN=7); subclínicos (CS=10) e clínicos (CC=68). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para determinação dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos séricos. O protocolo experimental foi aprovado pelo CEUA/UECE, protocolo n° 08622833-1. Resultados: Os sinais clínicos mais frequentes foram caquexia (77,9%), ceratoconjuntivite (61,8%) e linfadenopatia (55,9%), sendo que 86, 8% dos animais aprese...

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This research investigated the profile of anti-Leishmania antibodies in different clinical forms of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Naturally infected dogs were divided into two groups: subclinical dogs (SD, n=10) and clinical dogs (CD, n=68). Non-infected dogs (ND, n=7) comprised the negative control group. The humoral response was evaluated by the profile of total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgM, IgA and IgE, determined by ELISA. Infected animals showed increased levels of total IgG, IgA and IgE in addition to IgG1 and IgG2 in groups SD and CD, when compared with group ND. Furthermore, it was observed that IgG2 and IgM were correlated with symptomatology, while total IgG, IgG1 and IgA were negatively correlated and IgE showed no correlation. It follows that serum levels of IgG2 anti-Leishmania are correlated with typical clinical signs of disease. Furthermore the determination of specific anti-Leishmania antibodies could be an important tool in monitoring CVL clinical picture.

The consumption of fruit has increased in the last 20 years, along with the growing recognition of its nutritional and protective values. Many of the benefits of a diet rich in fruit are attributed to the presence of different bioactive substances, such as vitamins, carotenoids and phenolic compounds. Flavanoids, a class of phenolic compounds, present particular antioxidant activity and thus provide protection against cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Research suggests that an increased intake of plant foods is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic disease. There is currently a great deal of interest in the study of antioxidants, in particular due to the discovery of the damaging effects of free radicals to the body. Thus, this review aims to address the beneficial effects of the antioxidants present in fruits, on the neutralization of reactive species and the reduction of any damage they may cause.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the long-term clinical outcomes and quality of life of cats having undergone perineal urethrostomy (PU) or prepubic urethrostomy (PPU). Methods This clinical study followed 28 cats (PU, n = 22; PPU, n = 6) that underwent a urethrostomy, with a minimum of 1 year postoperative follow-up. Medical records, pet owner surveys and urologic laboratory tests were used for assessment. Urologic laboratory tests included serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), serum creatinine, urinalysis, urine specific gravity (USG), urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio and urine culture. Results The main indications for urethrostomy were multiple catheterizations and PU stricture. The overall complication rates of PU and PPU were 31.8% and 83.3%, respectively. Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and urine scald dermatitis was less frequent in PU than in PPU cats (UTI 22.7% vs 66.6%; dermatitis 4.5% vs 83.3%). Bacteriuria was present in 77.2% and 100% of PU and PPU cats, respectively. Owner satisfaction rates were excellent in 81.8% of PU and 33.3% of PPU cases. Conclusions and relevance A proportion of cats that underwent urethrostomy showed bacteriuria, recurrent UTIs and increased levels of SDMA. PPU is important as a salvage procedure; however, it should be limited to cases in which standard techniques for PU cannot be performed, owing to the potential for recurrent complications and lower owner satisfaction.

Cashew apple is a tropical pseudofruit consumed as juice due to its excellent nutritional and sensory properties. In spite of being well known for its important antioxidant properties, the cashew apple has not been thoroughly investigated for its therapeutic potential. Thereby, this study evaluated the antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities of cashew apple juice. Juices from ripe and immature cashew apples were analyzed for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Those were evaluated in murine models of xylene-induced ear edema and wound excision. Swiss mice were treated with cashew juice by gavage. Edema thickness was measured and skin lesions were analyzed by planimetry and histology. Both antioxidant content and total antioxidant activity were higher in ripe cashew apple juice (RCAJ) than in unripe cashew apple juice (UNCAJ). The UNCAJ presented the main anti-inflammatory activity by a significant inhibition of ear edema (66.5%) when compared to RCAJ (10%). Moreover, UNCAJ also showed the best result for wound contraction (86.31%) compared to RCAJ (67.54%). Despite of higher antioxidant capacity, RCAJ did not promote better anti-inflammatory, and healing responses, which may be explained by the fact that treatment increased antioxidants level leading to a redox ''imbalance'' turning down the inflammatory response modulation exerted by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results suggest that UNCAJ presents a greater therapeutic activity due to a synergistic effect of its phytochemical components, which improve the immunological mechanisms as well as an optimal balance between ROS and antioxidants leading to a better wound healing process.