Due to the phylogenetic similarity between Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), serological cross-reactions and false-positive results are quite common. This study aimed to elucidate canine leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis diagnosis by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) on serum samples, and direct parasitological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in liver and spleen samples. One hundred dogs from Zoonosis Control Center (ZCC) in Bauru, SP, an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and 100 dogs from the Dog Warden Service in Botucatu, SP, a nonendemic area for VL, were studied. IFAT showed positive results for Leishmania spp. in 65% of canine serum samples from Bauru while 40% of the samples were positive for T. cruzi by this test. All samples from Botucatu were negative for leishmaniasis in IFAT, and only 4% were positive for T. cruzi. Out of 200 serum samples tested, 33 (16.5%) showed positive serological results for both the parasites. Direct parasitological examination and PCR found, respectively, 59% and 76% of the liver samples and 51% and 72% of the spleen samples of dogs from Bauru positive for Leishmania spp. Twenty-six (78.8%) of 33 dogs that showed anti-Leishmania spp. and anti-T. cruzi antibodies also tested positive by direct parasitological examination and PCR for Leishmania spp., which indicates that these dogs presented leishmaniasis. No liver or spleen sample from the 200 dogs analyzed showed a positive PCR result for T. cruzi. These findings support the occurrence of cross-reactions between Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi in IFAT; they also corroborate the need for simultaneous PCR and/or parasitological examination to establish canine leishmaniasis (CL) diagnosis.

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma zoonose causada por protozoários do gênero Leishmania. O cão é o principal reservatório do parasito, especialmente em áreas urbanas. A Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) é comumente empregada para o diagnóstico da leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC), baseada na detecção de anticorpos contra o parasito. Entretanto, reações cruzadas com Trypanosoma cruzi podem ocorrer à sorologia. Com o objetivo de avaliar as reações cruzadas entre os antígenos de Leishmania spp. e de T.cruzi, foram colhidas 150 amostras de sangue de cães positivos para LVC em inquérito epidemiológico e os soros foram testados pela RIFI. Os cães foram submetidos à eutanásia no Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Bauru (SP), área endêmica para LV. Outras 150 amostras de sangue de cães foram colhidas em Botucatu (SP), área não endêmica para LV, e os soros foram também testados pela RIFI. Os soros de cães procedentes de Bauru resultaram positivos, tanto para Leishmania spp. quanto para T.cruzi, demonstrando uma grande incidência de reações cruzadas, reforçando a necessidade da confirmação diagnóstica por outras técnicas. As amostras de soros de cães procedentes de Botucatu (SP), pela técnica de RIFI, demonstraram baixa prevalência de resultados positivos para Leishmania spp. e para T.cruzi. Entretanto, apesar do reduzido número de resultados positivos à sorologia para ambos parasitos, a investigação sorológica e epidemiológica para LV e doença de Chagas em cães de Botucatu deve ser mantida, considerando a importância do cão como reservatório doméstico no contexto destas zoonoses.

Article history Dairy farming is an important social and economic activity in the Midwest region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. However, despite technological advances in the productive chain, mastitis is still considered the main disease of dairy herds, due its high economic impact. Bacterial pathogens are the main cause of this disease and failures in the treatment of clinical cases are attributed in part to the antimicrobial resistance of these pathogens. As an alternative, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests of strains isolated from bovine mastitis cases have been carried out; the information generated contributes to strategic treatment measures, and also to the control of microorganism resistance. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate the etiology and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacterial strains isolated from cases of bovine mastitis in dairy herds from the Midwest region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. For this purpose, 345 milk samples were collected from 70 herds located in 16 different municipalities. The main pathogens isolated were: staphylococci (55.9%), streptococci (34.8%), Corynebacterium spp. (7.8%) and Escherichia coli (1.4%). The resistance rates of staphylococcus strains to ampicillin and to gentamicin were lower (24.9%) and higher (33%), respectively, than those obtained in other Brazilian studies. The resistance profiles of streptococcus strains were similar to those described in the literature, while Corynebacterium spp., showed high resistance rates to tetracycline (85.2%). Moreover, a considerable prevalence of staphylococcus (27.5%) and streptococcus (11.7%) multiresistant strains was verified. These data reinforce the need for regional characterization of microorganisms.

Considering the bactericide action of the propolis and the fact that this compound is allowed for use in organic dairies, Brazilian researchers developed the nanoestructured propolis, a new perspective for bovine mastitis treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of this nanopropolis formulation in dairy cows from an organic farm in Botucatu-SP Brazil. A volume of 10 mL nanopropolis was administered by intramammary route in four cows, during three consecutive days. Animals were clinically evaluated after treatments and no local and/or systemic adverse reactions were verified. The use of nanopropolis did not interfered on SCC values neither on milk production rates on treated cows. It was possible to conclude that the evaluated nanopropolis formulation is safe for intramammary treatment of mastitis cases in dairy herds.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic in numerous Brazilian regions. The greatest difficulty in controlling the disease is the diagnostic limitation. In the present study, the most common tests employed for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis were compared: immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA), direct parasitological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Samples of lymph node aspirates and blood were collected from 100 dogs that lived in an endemic area (Bauru city, São Paulo state) and from 100 negative controls from a non-endemic area (Botucatu city, São Paulo state). Specificity of both IFAT and PCR was 100% whereas ELISA was 99%. Sensitivities were 97.77, 93.33 and 91.11% respectively for IFAT, ELISA and PCR

Corynebacterium bovis is a mastitis-causing microorganism responsible for economic losses related to decrease in milk production. The aim of the study was identify Corynebacterium spp. strains recovered from milk samples of subclinical mastitis by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Samples were collected during a 10-mo mastitis-monitoring program in a high-production dairy farm. In this study, 80 strains were analyzed; from these 54 (67.5%) were identified at species level as Corynebacterium bovis, 24 (31.2%) isolates were identified at the genus level as Corynebacterium spp., and only 1 (1.35%) isolated had unreliable identification. Results demonstrated that MALDI-MS could be an important technique for the identification of Corynebacterium spp. in milk.

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A aprendizagem colaborativa para a interdependência positiva no processo ensino-aprendizagem em cursos universitários educação | Santa Maria | v. 39 | n. 2 | p. 427-444 | maio/ago. 2014 O objetivo central do presente estudo foi elencar e discutir as vantagens da Aprendizagem Colaborativa/Cooperativa (AC), como proposta de incremento educativo em cursos de graduação (Ensino Superior), no Brasil. O principal referencial teórico adotado foi a linha de estudo de Alcântara e colaboradores. Com base nas considerações apresentadas, no presente artigo, verifica-se que a AC é factível, dinâmica e atual, proporcionando inúmeras possibilidades de experiências exitosas para o aprendizado. A formação dos alunos ocorre de maneira participativa, articulada, reflexiva e socialmente contextualizada, contribuindo para a formação de profissionais completos que compreendem seu papel na sociedade. Desta forma, conclui-se que o presente artigo contribui para a divulgação e disseminação da AC para um maior número de instituições de ensino superior brasileiras. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Ensino-aprendizagem, Graduação, Interação.The central objective of this study was to list and discuss the advantages of Collaborative / Cooperative Learning (CL) as a proposed increase in undergraduate education (Higher Education) in Brazil. The main theoretical reference adopted was the line of study of Alcantara et al. Based on the considerations presented in this article, it is possible to conclude that CL is feasible, dynamic and current, and provides numerous opportunities for successful experiences for learning. The students' training occurs in participatory, articulate, reflective, and socially contextualized way, contributing to the formation of thorough professionals, who understand their role in society. This present paper contributes to the dissemination and spread of CL to a larger number of higher educational institutions in Brazil. IntroduçãoConsiderando as mudanças constantes no perfil dos alunos de graduação, tendo em vista os avanços tecnológicos que possibilitaram a facilidade de acesso e o compartilhamento de informações, em nível mundial, é imprescindível que a atividade docente seja continuamente reformulada, de maneira a contribuir com o processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Existem diversas evidências na literatura científica de que este processo ocorre de forma exitosa quando o docente atua como facilitador do aprendizado, permitindo que os alunos participem ativamente neste contexto, interagindo com os colegas e com o professor, para a construção o conhecimento .No sistema tradicional, ainda bastante adotado no ensino superior brasileiro como único (ou principal) modelo didático-pedagógico, o professor é considerado o centro do processo educativo, com aulas predominantemente expositivas. Neste contexto, os alunos recebem as informações de maneira passiva e acrítica, características que podem se apresentar desfavoráveis à interação (NOGUEIRA, 2009). Entendemos que toda proposta de atividade em grupo, que estimule a colaboração entre os membr...