No abstract

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a dimorphic pathogenic fungus, causes the principal form of systemic mycosis in Brazil. The literature furnishes only limited data on the ecology of this fungus in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fungal infection in wild animals, using serological tests and using the animals as sentinels of the presence of P. brasiliensis in three specified mesoregions of Rio Grande do Sul. A total of 128 wild animals from the three mesoregions were included in the study. The serum samples were evaluated by immunodiffusion and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique to detect anti-gp43 antibodies from P. brasiliensis. Two conjugates were tested and compared with the ELISA technique. Although no positive samples were detected by immunodiffusion, 26 animals (20%), belonging to 13 distinct species, were found to be seropositive by the ELISA technique. The seropositive animals were from two mesoregions of the state. The results were similar according to the gender, age, and family of the animals, but differed significantly according to the conjugate used (p < 0.001), showing more sensitivity to protein A-peroxidase than to protein G-peroxidase. The finding that wild animals from the state of Rio Grande do Sul are exposed to P. brasiliensis suggests that the fungus can be found in this region despite the often-rigorous winters, which frequently include below-freezing temperatures.

The aim of this study was detect the presence of dermatophyte fungi on wild felids from screening centers. Samples were taken from 30 animals, assembled in two groups: “free-ranging” and “transitory captivity”. The dermatophytes (Trichophyton genus), isolated from two felids (6.6%), both of the group “free-ranging”.

RESUMO: Muitas espécies de animais silvestres de vida livre servem como reservatório de bactérias patogênicas que ameaçam a saúde humana e dos animais domésticos. Algumas bactérias, como Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Yersinia enterocolitica e Salmonella enterica, causam enfermidades em humanos e podem contaminar os animais domésticos e silvestres. O Núcleo de Reabilitação da Fauna Silvestre da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (NURFS-UFPel) soluciona uma demanda regional específica de atenção à fauna silvestre brasileira. O objetivo desse trabalho foi identificar a presença de Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Salmonella spp. e Yersinia enterocolitica em animais silvestres que se encontravam em processo de reabilitação. Foram coletadas amostras de fezes, com uso de zaragatoas estéreis, de 34 aves, 16 mamíferos e 23 répteis. Dos 73 animais amostrados, quatro (5,48%) albergavam Y. enterocolitica, sendo duas aves, um mamífero e um réptil. Salmonella e Campylobacter não foram isolados. Os perfis de bandas dos isolados de Y. enterocolitica analisados pela rep-PCR foram diferentes entre si. Esses resultados indicam que as cepas isoladas não estão relacionadas entre si, não possuindo uma origem comum recente. Vanellus chilensis, Turdus rufiventris, Didelphis albiventris e Pantherophis guttatus podem albergar Y. enterocolitica e eliminá-la nas fezes, oferecendo risco de disseminação desse micro-organismo no ambiente, além de constituírem possíveis fontes de contaminação para humanos e outros animais.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to verify the promoting effect of carbamide peroxide on dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced carcinogenesis in the hamster buccal pouch, in order to reduce the period of latency for tumor formation.MethodsSixteen hamsters were randomized into two groups of eight animals each. The hamsters of the group I had their right buccal pouches treated with 0.5% DMBA and 10% carbamide peroxide teeth bleaching gel for 55 days. The animals of the group II had their right pouches treated only with DMBA. After, six animals of each group had their pouches prepared for light microscopy. Histomorphometry was performed to assess the presence of keratinization, nuclear polymorphism, pattern of invasion, number of blood vessels, and inflammatory infiltrate in the tumor front. Furthermore, the newly formed lesions were graded according the Bryne's grading system. The remaining animals had the vascular system of the pouches casted by Mercox and qualitatively analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.ResultsHistopathological analysis of the buccal pouches treated with DMBA and carbamide peroxide exhibited formation of squamous cell carcinoma well-differentiated with a high degree of malignancy in all pouches. The development of this neoplasm was associated with a significant increase in the number of blood vessels, presence of keratin pearls, and inflammatory infiltrate. The pouches of the group II showed inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, dysplasia, and squamous cell carcinoma in only three right pouches. The analysis of the electron micrographs of the pouches chemically inducted with DBMA and carbamide peroxide reveled formation of a new vascular network characteristic of squamous cell carcinoma.ConclusionThe protocol presented here, using DMBA associated with carbamide peroxide, shortens the period of latency to produce squamous cell carcinoma in the hamster buccal pouch, decreasing the time and costs of the experiments.

RESUMOA qualidade do ensino da Histologia depende do contato dos alunos com lâminas histológicas, o que ocorre somente nas aulas de microscopia. Para suprir esta limitação, os docentes de Histologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas produziram em 2003 um atlas eletrônico contendo fotomicrografias de secções histológicas, com descrição dos tecidos e sistemas estudados. Atualmente, está sendo realizado um projeto para elaborar um novo atlas, mais moderno e interativo. Este trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a importância do atlas eletrônico "Histologia Básica Interativa" no ensino da Histologia e identificar os principais aspectos a serem melhorados em um novo atlas. Foi aplicado aos alunos que cursaram Histologia em 2017 um questionário através da plataforma Google Forms, o qual foi respondido por 194 alunos. Na avaliação global, 74,2% acharam o atlas ótimo. Com relação ao conteúdo abordado, 80% consideraram-no completo, e 92,3% que facilitou a compreensão da disciplina. A organização do conteúdo foi considerada muito boa por 89,7% dos alunos, e 83,9% acharam o texto de fácil compreensão. As fotografias e os desenhos esquemáticos foram considerados muito bons por 89,7% e 78,4% dos alunos,

RESUMO.-[Descrição histológica do sistema respirató-rio de Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766).]A expansão agrícola maciça tornou o Cerdocyon thous, um predador nativo sul-americano, vulnerável. Dados básicos, tais como descrição histológica, são importantes para aumentar o conhecimento sobre as espécies, ajudando nas estratégias de preservação. A eutanásia de animais selvagens para a coleta de amostras não é permitida, por isso os dados sobre a histologia são muito escassos ou inexistentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi de fornecer uma descrição histológica detalhada da traqueia e árvore brônquica do cachorro do mato Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus 1766). Os espécimes (um macho e uma fêmea adultos) utilizados foram fornecidos pela Universidade Federal de Pelotas (Pelotas, RS, Brasil), Centro de Reabilitação da Fauna (NURFS). As amostras de tecido foram fixadas em formalina a 10% e incluídas em parafina. Após o corte, as amostras foram coradas com HE (hematoxilina e eosina), PAS (ácido periódico de Schiff) e resorcina fucsina. A traqueia tinha um diâmetro médio de 7,87 milímetros e aproximadamente 57% do diâmetro do epitélio colunar pseudo-estratificado ciliado da mucosa composto por células caliciformes, principalmente na região dorsal do órgão. Os brônquios e bronquíolos apresen- The massive agricultural expansion converted the Cerdocyon thous, a South American native predator, in vulnerable specie. Basic data, such as histological description, are important to raise awareness on animal species, helping on preservation strategies. Considering the difficult in obtain samples, as the euthanasia of wild animals for this purpose is not allowed, data on histology are very scarce or inexistent. The objective of this paper was to provide a detailed histological description of the trachea and bronchial tree of the crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766). The specimens (one adult male and one adult female) used were provided by the Federal University of Pelotas (Pelotas, RS, Brazil) Rehabilitation Center of Wild Fauna (NURFS). Tissue samples were fixed in 10% formalin and included in paraffin. After slicing, samples were stained with HE (hematoxylin and eosin), PAS (periodic acid-Schiff) and resorcin fuchsin. Trachea had an average diameter of 7.87mm, and approximately 57% of the mucosa ciliated pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium was composed of goblet cells, mostly in the dorsal region. Bronchia and bronchioles had a mucosal fold with higher number of goblet cells. Using all these techniques there is no great remarkable differences from C. thous trachea and lung, when compared with the previous described structures for carnivores and most mammals, except for the goblet cells "regionalization". Described results are important to understand the animal physiological and behavioral habits, allowing the development of preservation and protection strategies.INDEX TERMS: Cerdocyon thous, respiratory system, crab-eating fox, wild canids, histology, trachea, bronchial tree, graxaim. taram cararísticas similares aos outros a...

The presence of contaminated animals in wildlife rehabilitation centers poses a threat for both animals and humans that come into contact with them or the contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), as well as studying the biofilm formation capacity of these isolates, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter spp. in wild animals from a rehabilitation center. During a two-year period, feces were collected from animals that were admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center (n=324 samples). The pathogens were isolated from 51 (15.7%) animals of different species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Forty isolates (12.3%) were identified as S. aureus, of these, 32 (9.9%) were identified as MRSA and 72.5% were able to form biofilm. Y. enterocolitica was found in five mammals (5.1%), three reptiles (21.43%) and two birds (0.94%). Salmonella and Campylobacter were isolated from one bird each (0.67% and 0.67%, respectively). A wide diversity of animal species in rehabilitation centers, including birds, mammals and reptiles, can carry MRSA and enterobacteria of one health concern and eliminate in the feces. The presence of these pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract of wild animals admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center shows the importance of microbiological monitoring of animals at the time of their admission and reinforces the need for specific hygienic-sanitary care.