We studied 40 strains of the species complex formerly classified as the single species Sporothrix schenckii to identify new species within this complex and evaluate their antifungal susceptibility profiles. Based on phenotypic tests (ability to grow at 37°C, colony diameters, and pigmentation of the colonies, as well as assimilation of sucrose and raffinose) and molecular assays (amplification of a fragment of the calmodulin gene), here we report the identification of S. albicans, S. brasiliensis, S. luriei, and S. schenckii; two isolates of these species were detected as itraconazole-resistant strains.Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis affecting humans and animals caused by Sporothrix schenckii. It has a worldwide distribution, especially in tropical and subtropical areas of Latin America, where areas of endemicity have been recognized (1,3,4,12). Recently, Marimon et al. (9,11). proposed that Sporothrix schenckii is a complex encompassing six cryptic species that had been previously identified by others (4). In this context, variation in the antifungal susceptibility profiles among these new species was hypothesized. The aim of this study was to explore a collection of 40 isolates formerly classified as Sporothrix schenckii in order to identify new species and evaluate their susceptibility to antifungal agents.The isolates were from cases of human (n ϭ 31) and animal (n ϭ 9) sporotrichosis diagnosed in the hinterlands of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and were maintained in the Department of Microbiology of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil. Among the human-derived strains, 18 (58.06%) were from fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis and 13 (41.9%) were from the lymphocutaneous form of the mycosis. Of the strains isolated from animals (n ϭ 9), eight were from cats and one (S. luriei) was isolated from a dog with sporotrichosis. As proposed by Marimon et al. (9,11), the phenotypic tests included the ability/inability to grow at 37°C on potato dextrose agar (PDA; HiMedia, Mumbay, India), different colony diameters (mm) after 21 days of incubation at 30°C on PDA, the pigmentation of the colonies on cornmeal agar (CMA), and the assimilation of sucrose and raffinose. The susceptibility tests were conducted according the procedures proposed for the M38-A2 technique (2). For molecular identification, a fragment of the calmodulin (CAL) gene was amplified from genomic DNA using the degenerate primers CL1[5Ј-GA(GA)T(AT)CAAAGGAGGCCTTCTC-3Ј] and CL2A (5Ј-TTTTTGCATCATGACTTGGAC-3Ј) (9). DNA sequencing was performed on the purified amplicons using a MegaBace 500 automatic sequencer. The sequences were aligned against sequences available in GenBank with ClustalX (version 1.8) followed by manual adjustments with a text editor. The phylogenetic analysis was performed with MEGA (Molecular Evolutionary Genetic Analysis) software version 4.0 (17).Based on recently proposed procedures (9, 11), we phenotypically identified four species: Sporothrix schenckii (n ϭ 37), Sporothrix brasiliensis (n ϭ 1), Sporo...

The occurrence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in Brazil has been previously described. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of FIV infection in 454 blood

Purpose: Spinal Cord injury represents, in veterinary medicine, most of the neurological attendances and may result in permanent disability, death or euthanasia. Due to inflammation resulting from trauma, it originates the glial scar, which is a cell interaction complex system. Its function is to preserve the healthy circuits, however, it creates a physical and molecular barrier that prevents cell migration and restricts the neuroregeneration ability. Methods: This review aims to present innovations in the scene of treatment of spinal cord injury, approaching cell therapy, administration of enzyme, anti-inflammatory, and other active principles capable of modulating the inflammatory response, resulting in glial scar reduction and subsequent functional improvement of animals. Results: Some innovative therapies as cell therapy, administration of enzymes, immunosuppressant or other drugs cause the modulation of inflammatory response proved to be a promising tool for the reduction of gliosis Conclusion: Those tools promise to reduce gliosis and promote locomotor recovery in animals with spinal cord injury.

This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils from Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano), Origanum vulgaris (oregano), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Cymbopogon nardus (citronella), Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), and Eucalyptus citriodora (eucalyptus) against Escherichia coli (n = 22) strains isolated from Alouatta spp. feces. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined for each isolate using the broth microdilution technique. Essential oils of Mexican oregano (MIC mean = 1818 μg mL−1; MBC mean = 2618 μg mL−1), thyme (MIC mean = 2618 μg mL−1; MBC mean = 2909 μg mL−1), and oregano (MIC mean = 3418 μg mL−1; MBC mean = 4800 μg mL−1) showed the best antibacterial activity, while essential oils of eucalyptus, rosemary, citronella, and lemongrass displayed no antibacterial activity at concentrations greater than or equal to 6400 μg mL−1. Our results confirm the antimicrobial potential of some essential oils, which deserve further research.

The emergence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing microorganisms in Brazilian hospitals is a challenge that concerns scientists, clinicians and healthcare institutions due to the serious risk they pose to confined patients. The goal of this study was the detection of ESBL production by clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. isolated from pus, urine and blood of patients at Hospital Universitário Santa Maria, Rio Grande Sul, RS, Brazil and the genotyping of the isolates based on bla SHV genes. The ESBL study was carried out using the Combined Disc Method, while Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to study the bla SHV genes. Of the 90 tested isolates, 55 (61.1%) were identified as ESBL-producing by the combined disk method. The bla SHV genes were found in 67.8% of these microorganisms. K. pneumoniae predominated in the samples, presenting the highest frequency of positive results from the combined disk and PCR.

The aim of this research was to study the gastrointestinal parasitism in 12 adult owls kept in captivity in the Southern region of Brazil. Cloacal contents of the species Rhinoptynx clamator, Tyto alba, Athene cunicularia, Megascops spp., and Bubo virginianus were evaluated. Feces and urine were collected and analyzed by the zinc sulfate centrifugal-flotation method and stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Eggs of Capillaria spp. and Strongylida, oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp., and Isospora spp. were observed. The birds showed no clinical signs, probably due to the mild nature of the infection.

Cracids are wildlife Galliformes which inhabits the America's tropical forests. Fifty one cloacal swabs were collected from 10 different species of captive cracids from the Rio Grande do Sul State during 2007. The cloacal swab samples were submitted to bacterial isolation, identification and, subsequently; antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Ninety three bacterial isolates were obtained from the cracid population examined. The most prevalent among the isolates were Escherichia coli, and bacteria from the Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera. All samples tested in this study were negative for Salmonella spp. The antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that none of the 93 strains presented resistance to the antimicrobial imipinem. In addition, the lower percentages of resistance were observed against cloranfenicol and ciprofloxacine. The bacteria genus and species with the highest percentage of resistance to the different antimicrobials examined were E. coli, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. In conclusion, the data presented in this article demonstrate that the cloacal microbiota of the reported cracid population is composed of several bacterial genera and species and multi-drug resistance may be a problem for the future, since some strains showed elevated percentage of resistance against several different antimicrobials.

Purpose: Amniotic membrane stem cells have a high capacity of proliferation, cell expansion, and plasticity, as well as immunomodulatory properties that contribute to maternal-fetal tolerance. Owing to the lack of research on human amniotic membrane at different gestational stages, the canine model is considered ideal because of its genetic and physiological similarities. We aimed to characterize the canine amniotic membrane (CAM) cell lineage in different gestational stages and evaluate the expression of immunomodulatory genes. Materials and Methods: Twenty CAMs from early (20-30 days) (n=7), mid-(31-45 days) (n=7), and late gestation (46-63 days) (n=6) stages were studied. The cell features were assessed by cell viability tests, growth curve, colony-forming units, in vitro differentiation, cell labeling for different immunophenotypes, and pluripotent potential markers. The cells were subjected to RT-PCR and qPCR analysis to determine the expression of IDO, HGF, EGF, PGE2, and IL-10 genes. Results: CAM cells exhibited a fibroblastoid morphology and adherence to plastic with an average cell viability of 78.5%. The growth curve indicated a growth peak in the second passage and we obtained an average of 138.2 colonies. Osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages were confirmed by in vitro differentiation assays. Cellular immunophenotyping experiments confirmed the presence of positive mesenchymal markers (CD90 and CD105) and the low or negative expression of hematopoietic markers (CD45 and CD34). Qualitative analysis of the immunomodulatory functions indicated the expression of the IDO, HGF, EGF5, and PGE2 genes. When stimulated by interferon-gamma, CAM cells exhibited higher IDO levels throughout gestation. Conclusion: The CAMs from different gestational stages presented features consistent with mesenchymal stem cell lineage; better results were observed during the late gestation stage. Therefore, the gestational stage is a key factor that may influence the functionality of therapies when using fetal membrane tissues from different periods of pregnancy.