Helminth parasite infections are associated with predominant Th2-type cytokine responses, and parasite glycoconjugates have been recognized as partially responsible for such immune bias. It has been proved that Echinococcus granulosus evokes a Th2-type cytokine pattern characterized by a high production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10, and no or mild IFN-γ levels in animal models and in patients with cystic echinococcosis, respectively. Here, we show that E4(+) (a glycoconjugate-enriched fraction from E. granulosus protoscolex) stimulated the secretion of a high concentration of IL-6, followed by IL-10 and TNF-α by normal peritoneal B cells. We determined that E4(+) bound to the surface of peritoneal B cells and induced their activation and, also, triggered the differentiation of peritoneal B cells into IgM-, IgG2b- and IgG3-secreting cells in a T-independent way. Interestingly, the IgM released by E4(+) -stimulated peritoneal B cells from normal mice recognized protoscolex antigens. Results showed that, after the encounter with antigens from E. granulosus protoscolex, peritoneal B cells are a source of Th2-type cytokines and polyclonal antibodies, some of which recognize parasite antigens, suggesting that peritoneal B cells can condition the outcome of the infection.

This study examines the survival, mortality, morphology and swimming ability of tadpoles exposed to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos (nominal concentrations of 10, 100, 200 e 400 μg L-1) for 192 h. Odontophrynus carvalhoi tadpoles were used as a biological model. Our findings include decreased survival rates of tadpoles primarily at the highest pesticide concentration (400 μg L-1) and deformities in the caudal muscles, causing spasms and tremors. Tadpoles exposed to chlorpyrifos (10 μg L-1) had the lowest swimming speed compared with that of the control group. Tadpoles the other concentrations (100, 200 and 400 μg L-1) were not evaluated since none of the survived 192 h exposure in concentrations above 10 μg L-1. These adverse effects indicate that this organophosphate can affect the survival of tadpoles even in small doses, compromising the local population.

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Lagoas temporárias são ambientes efêmeros pouco estudados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi inventariar a comunidade de amebas testáceas encontradas em dois biótopos (plâncton e perifíton) de um corpo aquático temporário contaminado por dejetos orgânicos. As coletas foram realizadas entre junho e setembro de 2018 na Fazenda Periperi, Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Foram coletadas 51 amostras planctônicas e 12 perifíticas. As análises físico-químicas foram realizadas in situ e as bacteriológicas em laboratório através do kit Colilert®. A água deste ambiente é alcalina, com elevados valores de temperatura, sólidos totais dissolvidos e condutividade elétrica. Apresentou baixos teores de oxigênio dissolvido e transparência, refletindo a elevada biomassa fitoplanctônica presente. Os valores de coliformes totais e termotolerantes demonstraram contaminação fecal na água. Foram registrados 32 taxa de amebas testáceas distribuídos em 11 gêneros e oito famílias. A maior riqueza foi registrada no plâncton (23 taxa), seguido de Pistia sp. e Salvinia sp. (18 taxa cada). As famílias encontradas no plâncton foram Difflugiidae, Arcellidae, Centropyxidae, Cryptodifflugiidae, Netzeliidae e Trigonopyxidae, e nas macrófitas foram Difflugiidae, Lesquereusiidae, Netzeliidae e Euglyphidae. Seis espécies constituem primeiras ocorrências para o estado da Bahia: Arcella costata, Ciclopyxis arcelloides, Difflugia dragana, D. gigantea, D. kabylica e D. helvetica. Com o desaparecimento das macrófitas, houve intercambio espacial das espécies Centropyxis hirsuta, D. kabylica e Pentagonia maroccana para o plâncton, evidenciando a plasticidade destes organismos em ocupar ambientes eutrofizados, instáveis e sazonais, tolerando contaminação fecal.

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Blue and yellow macaw is a species which does not show sexual dimorphism and is threatened by animal traffic. The identification of heterosexual pairs is important for reintroduction programs. The aim of this work was select parameters for sexing and use them to determine the frequency of heterosexual pairs in a population of blue-and-yellow macaws allocated in a Wild Animal Screening Center. Blood samples from 23 macaws were collected and genomic DNA extracted by Tris/SDS washes. Allele-specific molecular markers for sexing were amplified by PCR, and identified on 2% agarose gel. Three pairs of primers were tested: Pair 1 (P2/P8), Pair 2 (1237L/1272H) and Pair 3 (2550F/2718R). For the determination of animal pairs, all individuals had their social behavioral acts observed. The results showed that the low complexity DNA extraction protocol used was adequate. Pairs 2 and 3 of primers were effective for sexing and the Pair 3 was the most efficient. The study also showed that in the sample studied, the composition of males and females was similar (0.4 males n=10 and 0.6 females n=13); 70% (n=16) of the individuals formed pairs and 75% (n=12) of the pairs were heterosexual and the others male-male or female-female pairs. These results were used in the management of the animals in the reintroduction program.