Environmental changes have occurred over the years, altering the eco-epidemiological pattern of l... more Environmental changes have occurred over the years, altering the eco-epidemiological pattern of leishmaniosis in the State of Paraná, Brazil, involving the pillars of the cycle (parasite, vectors, reservoir, and environment) and their interaction. Much has been discussed about the dog's role as a reservoir of the Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Vianna, 1911 transmission cycle. However, this question remains unanswered. The purpose of this study was to investigate, using parasitological and molecular methods, different samples in eight naturally infected dogs from an endemic rural locality where only L. (V.) braziliensis is present, and where human cases have been previously notified. Blood and biopsied organ samples from naturally infected dogs were analyzed by culture media, PCR, random amplified polymorphic DNA and sequencing methodologies. Only skin lesions from all dogs yielded positive cultures and when PCR was performed, L. (V.) braziliensis DNA was amplified from intact...
Com o objetivo de avaliar a ocorrência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii, em ovinos das regiões p... more Com o objetivo de avaliar a ocorrência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii, em ovinos das regiões periurbana e urbana do município de Curitiba, Paraná, Região Sul do Brasil, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 167 ovinos, de três rebanhos. O teste de ELISA foi utilizado para detectar anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii. Dos 167 soros ovinos, 43 (25,75%) apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii. O parasito está difundido entre os ovinos das duas regiões estudadas.
The skin microbiome is composed of a complex association of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The mai... more The skin microbiome is composed of a complex association of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The maintenance of skin commensal microbes is essential for preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms or already present opportunistic pathogens. Thus, the development of bioactive compounds capable of modulating skin microbiome has become an important topic for both researchers and the cosmetic industry. Increasingly, scientific evidence highlights that metabolites derived from probiotics have a great potential to prevent diseases affecting the skin. These compounds have recently been called postbiotics and are defined as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host”. Postbiotics are obtained from fermentations performed almost exclusively by lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and organic acids are some examples of postbiotics. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial, immunomodulatory...
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 2021
20 ºC and-80 ºC. The proposed formulations containing the ESAT6 and CFP10 recombinant antigens co... more 20 ºC and-80 ºC. The proposed formulations containing the ESAT6 and CFP10 recombinant antigens constitute satisfactory tools for TB testing, suitable to be developed and implemented in a large-scale trial.
The aim of this study is to investigate the scrapie susceptibility of the main breeds of meat she... more The aim of this study is to investigate the scrapie susceptibility of the main breeds of meat sheep raised in the state ofParana, Brazil. Three hundred and twenty-five animals of meat breeds (including Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Texel, Ile deFrance, Dorper, Dorset, Santa Ines, and crossbreds) were genotyped by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)and DNA sequencing for the prion protein gene. Using a classification for resistance and susceptibility from the BritishNational Scrapie Plan, the genotypes observed for each breed were analysed. Animals from the Santa Ines breed and crossbredanimals showed the highest genotypic variability. All breeds evaluated showed the presence of genotypes consideredsusceptible to scrapie. More than 56% of the animals tested fit into types 3, 4 or 5, the most susceptible groups. There islittle data on PRPN genotyping in Brazil. So it is necessary to expand the available data on these breeds to implement ascrapie control program.
It has now passed more than forty years since solid-state fermentation (SSF) research development... more It has now passed more than forty years since solid-state fermentation (SSF) research developments have gained importance for the scientific community. After so many years, numerous processes and equipment for SSF were studied and designed focusing on the production of different commercially relevant bioproducts such as enzymes, fermented food, such as Chinese daqu and koji, organic acids, pigments, phenolic compounds, aromas, biosorbents and so many others. However, no review paper has been focused yet specifically on agricultural and animal feed bioproducts obtained through SSF techniques. This review comprises the description of agricultural sub-products that have been employed in most important developed processes concerning the production of animal feed products and agricultural products such as spores, probiotics, biofungicides, bioinsecticides and other biopesticides, biofertilizers and plant growth hormones. Major designed SSF bioreactors are also described and the most important related cases of successful employment of the technique are reported. Finally, a summary of patents and innovations regarding SSF products and processes in this area is presented, showing that the main involved countries are China, South Korea, India and the USA. It is clear that the interest in this theme is increasing and that scientific and technological developments are still needed.
The generation of agroindustrial byproducts is rising fast worldwide. The slaughter of animals, t... more The generation of agroindustrial byproducts is rising fast worldwide. The slaughter of animals, the production of bioethanol, and the processing of oil palm, cassava, and milk are industrial activities that, in 2019, generated huge amounts of wastewaters, around 2448, 1650, 256, 85, and 0.143 billion liters, respectively. Thus, it is urgent to reduce the environmental impact of these effluents through new integrated processes applying biorefinery and circular economy concepts to produce energy or new products. This review provides the characteristics of some of the most important agro-industrial wastes, including their physicochemical composition, worldwide average production, and possible environmental impacts. In addition, some alternatives for reusing these materials are addressed, focusing mainly on energy savings and the possibilities of generating value-added products. Finally, this review considers recent research and technological innovations and perspectives for the future.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020
Snakebites caused by Crotalus genus are the second most frequent in Brazil. Crotoxin is a beta-ne... more Snakebites caused by Crotalus genus are the second most frequent in Brazil. Crotoxin is a beta-neurotoxin responsible for the main envenomation effects of Crotalus biting, while crotamine immobilizes the animal hind limbs, contributing to prey immobilization and to envenoming symptoms. As crotoxin and crotamine represent about 90% of Crotalus venom dry weight, these toxins are of great importance for antivenom therapy. In this sense, knowledge regarding the antigenicity/immunogenicity at the molecular level of these toxins can provide valuable information for the improvement of specific antivenoms. Therefore, the aims of this study are the identification of the B-cell epitopes from crotoxin and crotamine; and the characterization of the neutralizing potency of antibodies directed against the corresponding synthetic epitopes defined in the current study. Linear B-cell epitopes were identified using the Spot Synthesis technique probed with specific anti-C. d. terrificus venom horse IgG. One epitope of crotamine (F12PKEKICLPPSSDFGKMDCRW32) and three of crotoxin (L10LVGVEGHLLQFNKMIKFETR30; Y43CGWGGRGRPKDATDRCCFVH63 and T118YKYGYMFYPDSRCRGPSETC138) were identified. After synthesis in their soluble form, the peptide mixture correspondent to the mapped epitopes was entrapped in liposomes and used as immunogens for antibody production in rabbits. Anti-synthetic peptide antibodies were able to protect mice from the lethal activity of C. d. terrificus venom.
Sugary kefir beverage is produce by fermenting raw sugar solution with kefir grains, the latter c... more Sugary kefir beverage is produce by fermenting raw sugar solution with kefir grains, the latter consisting of polysaccharide and microorganisms. This beverage, with great consumption in countries such as USA, Japan, France, and Brazil, represents a promising market to functional cultured drinks. This paper reviews the microbial diversity and interaction, kinetics, safety, and bioactivities of sugary kefir fermentation. The literature reviewed here demonstrates that sugary kefir possesses a similar microbial association relative to traditional milk kefir fermentation, especially among lactic acid bacteria and yeast species, such as Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, and Saccharomyces. However, a selective pressure at species level is generally observed, as, for example, the stimulation of Saccharomyces species metabolism, leading to a high content of alcohol in the final product. This also seems to stimulate the growth of acetic acid bacteria that benefit of increased...
Scrapie in sheep is associated with at least three polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP)... more Scrapie in sheep is associated with at least three polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP) on codons 136, 154, and 171. Countries where scrapie is endemic have been using breeding programs based on selection for the most resistant alleles. There are some PRNP genotyping data on sheep in Brazil, and scrapie has sporadically been observed since 1978. Paraná is the Brazilian state where most of the cases of scrapie have been diagnosed. A flock that had three clinical scrapie cases in 2003 and 2004 was genotyped (128 sheep: 53 pure Hampshire Down and 75 crossbred) and slaughtered (111 sheep: 47 pure Hampshire Down and 64 crossbred) in 2006. Samples of lymphoid and central nervous tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for altered prion protein (PrP Sc). Six genotypes were detected in the 128 genotyped animals: ARR/ARQ was the most frequent (45.3%), followed by ARQ/ARQ (28.1%), ARR/ARR (14.1%), and ARQ/VRQ (8.6%). ARR/VRQ and ARQ/AHQ showed less than 2.5% genotype frequency. IHC identified 16 positive sheep. Palatine tonsil tissue had the highest percentage of reactive samples: 81.25% of the total positive samples. Of these 16 positive animals, nine (56.25%) had genotype ARR/ARQ, five (31.25%) had genotype ARQ/ARQ, and the remaining two (12.5%) had genotype ARQ/VRQ. All the positive animals were clinically healthy, and therefore represented 14.14% of pre-clinical cases of scrapie in this flock.
Since the beginning of the 20 th Century, Influenza can be understood as an illness associated to... more Since the beginning of the 20 th Century, Influenza can be understood as an illness associated to a viral infection, and its etiological agent can be better characterized. From then on, the swine species has occupied a prominent place in the Influenza epidemiology, for it allows the circulation and replication of viruses of potentially human and avian origin. The aim of the present study was to determine the current seroprevalence for the H3N2 virus subtype in two types of pig-raising systems in the state of Paraná-Brazil. The first one represents pig farms, with an adequate health, nutritional, and environmental management; and the second one represents pig runs, without an adequate health, nutritional, and environmental management. To accomplish these aims, 675 blood samples of pigs were analyzed by HI (hemagglutination inhibition) assay and the interference of the pig management and climatic conditions of each region were analyzed. The results showed that 46% of the pig farms are positive, as opposed to 6% of the pig runs; and 20% of the animals on pig farms are serum positive, as opposed to 3% of the animals in pig runs. Likewise, the samples coming from colder areas in Paraná presented, as a rule, a high positivity index. The results allow concluding that the virus is present in pig-raising facilities, and the strategies for preventing future epidemics and epizooties must consider the role of swine as an important factor in the epidemiology of influenza.
RESUMO-O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar dois esquemas de tratamento para o combate da p... more RESUMO-O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar dois esquemas de tratamento para o combate da parasitose gastrintestinal em filhotes de cães recém-desmamados. Foram estabelecidos dois grupos de tratamento, ambos tratados com uma suspensão pamoato de pirantel e oxantel: grupo 1-quatro desverminações com intervalos de 15 dias e grupo 2-três desverminações, nos dias 0, 5 e 25 pós desmame. O primeiro tratamento apresentou redução de 98,2 % no número de ovos por grama de fezes (opg) de Toxocara canis, após a primeira desverminação. Cem por cento de redução de opg foi obtido após o segundo tratamento. No tratamento 2, foi obtido um resultado semelhante após três tratamentos. Para ovos de Ancylostoma sp. a formulação mostrou eficácia após a primeira dose para ambos os tratamentos preconizados. Estes resultados indicam que os esquemas de tratamento propostos poderiam ser adotados para combate das infecções por estes parasitas em animais recém-desmamados. Palavras chaves: cães, tratamento anti-helmíntico, Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp.
Sheep production has been showing, these days, a greater economical and social importance in the ... more Sheep production has been showing, these days, a greater economical and social importance in the State of Paraná, Brazil. The gastrointestinal nematodes are the major problem causing widespread clinical disease and productivity losses, mainly when associated with the high intensive husbandry system and the critic situation of anthelminthic resistance. In order to find alternative or complementary control methods to combat parasitism, one sheep flock of 64 ewes and 77 lambs was monitored to study whether there is a relationship between haemoglobin type and genetic resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes. Haemoglobin typing was performed by starch gel electrophoresis. In 141 animals examined, it was found that 80,14% were haemoglobin BB type; 17,02% were AB type; and only 2,84% showed a genotype AA, resulting in an allelic frequency of 0,11 and 0,89 for the alleles A and B, respectively. When these animals were classified into resistant and susceptible to gastrointestinal nematodes, using faecal egg counts, it was observed that this classification was done independently of the haemoglobin type.
Bovine cysticercosis is detected during the routine post mortem examination of carcasses by visua... more Bovine cysticercosis is detected during the routine post mortem examination of carcasses by visual inspection (knife and eye method). However, the sensitivity of this procedure is several times lower than immunoassays, even when it is performed by qualified professionals. In the present study, a new generation capture antigens were screened from a phage display peptide library using antibodies from Taenia saginatainfected animals. Eight phage clones were selected, and one, Tsag 3 (VHTSIRPRCQPRAITPR), produced similar results to the T. saginata metacestode crude antigen (TsCa) when used as a capture antigen in an ELISA. The phage-displayed peptides competed with TsCa for binding sites, reducing the reactivity by approximately 30 %. Alanine scanning indicated that proline, arginine, and serine are important residues for antibody binding. Tsag 1 (HFYQITWLPNTFPAR), the most f r e q u e n t a f f i n i t y-s e l e c t e d c l o n e , a n d Ts a g 6 (YRWPSTPSASRQATL) shared similarity with highly conserved proteins from the Taeniidae family with known immunogenicity. Due to their epitopic or mimotopic properties, these affinity-selected phages could contribute to the rational design of an ante mortem immunodiagnosis method for bovine cysticercosis, as well as an epitope-based vaccine to interrupt the taeniosis/cysticercosis complex.
The article begins by describing a dog with characteristic symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis. A ... more The article begins by describing a dog with characteristic symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis. A serum sample from this animal was positive by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) performed in anti-Leishmania total IgG in 1999. Tissues from the same dog were also positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 2004, identifying Leishmania DNA in the cerebellum, liver, kidney, and intestine. This is the first report of a dog with autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in the county of Bom Sucesso, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The finding of this IIF-positive dog led to a canine visceral leishmaniasis epidemiological investigation in the county. The investigation was conducted from March 1999 to December 2005. IIF was positive for Leishmania in 22 (3%) of 734 examined dogs. Among the 22 IIF-positive dogs, six presented characteristic symptoms of canine visceral leishmaniasis. The results of this epidemiological investigation were sent to local and State public health authorities, requesting ...
Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, 2008
Avaliação técnica de testes de triagem sorológica para detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gon... more Avaliação técnica de testes de triagem sorológica para detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii como medida preventiva a riscos transfusionais desnecessários
Este trabalho foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar a possibilidade de identificar ovelhas resist... more Este trabalho foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar a possibilidade de identificar ovelhas resistentes e susceptíveis às parasitoses por meio de um marcador parasitológico (direto), de marcadores imunológicos (indiretos) ou pela associação entre ambos. Vinte ovelhas foram acompanhadas por coletas mensais de sangue e fezes no período de novembro de 1998 a maio de 1999. O marcador parasitológico utilizado foi o número de ovos de helmintos por grama de fezes (OPG); os marcadores imunológicos foram o número de eosinófilos sanguíneos, imunoglobulinas G (IgG) e E (IgE) anti-Haemonchus contortus. As ovelhas puderam ser classificadas como resistentes ou susceptíveis pelo OPG. Pelo o número de eosinófilos ou pela IgE específica utilizados concomitantemente com o OPG foi possível identificar ovelhas resistentes e susceptíveis ao parasitismo gastrintestinal. O número de eosinófilos sanguíneos foi o único marcador imunológico que permite de classificar as ovelhas indiretamente nos mesmos grupos...
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control in Brazil includes a strict mandatory vaccination program wi... more Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control in Brazil includes a strict mandatory vaccination program with vaccines produced in certified laboratories subject to inspection by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA). The FMD vaccine's potency is tested through antibodies titration against structural viral proteins in sera from cattle that have not had any exposure to food-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), at 28 days post-vaccination. Biological product testing using large animals is expensive and unwieldy. Thus, alternative testing procedures using laboratory animals have been proposed for quality control of these products. Such biological methods for vaccine evaluation using animals from vivarium facilities can have a significant impact through reduced costs, easier handling, and shorter testing times. The present study was designed to access Balb/C mice's humoral immune responses to a FMDV experimental vaccine, the composition of which contains three virus serotypes of FMDV (O1 Campos, A24 Cruzeiro, and C3 Indaial). Balb/C mice were immunized at doses that were 5% and 10% of the vaccine volume administered in cattle. Immunized mice had their antibody titers probed at 14, 21, and 28 DPV (days post vaccination). The results obtained were compared to those previously known from cattle's immune responses to the FMDV vaccine. An adequate immune response to the vaccine was seen with 10% formulation at 21 DPV. The study results are encouraging and indicate that the mouse model can be used for quality control in experimental vaccine testing.
Environmental changes have occurred over the years, altering the eco-epidemiological pattern of l... more Environmental changes have occurred over the years, altering the eco-epidemiological pattern of leishmaniosis in the State of Paraná, Brazil, involving the pillars of the cycle (parasite, vectors, reservoir, and environment) and their interaction. Much has been discussed about the dog's role as a reservoir of the Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Vianna, 1911 transmission cycle. However, this question remains unanswered. The purpose of this study was to investigate, using parasitological and molecular methods, different samples in eight naturally infected dogs from an endemic rural locality where only L. (V.) braziliensis is present, and where human cases have been previously notified. Blood and biopsied organ samples from naturally infected dogs were analyzed by culture media, PCR, random amplified polymorphic DNA and sequencing methodologies. Only skin lesions from all dogs yielded positive cultures and when PCR was performed, L. (V.) braziliensis DNA was amplified from intact...
Com o objetivo de avaliar a ocorrência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii, em ovinos das regiões p... more Com o objetivo de avaliar a ocorrência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii, em ovinos das regiões periurbana e urbana do município de Curitiba, Paraná, Região Sul do Brasil, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 167 ovinos, de três rebanhos. O teste de ELISA foi utilizado para detectar anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii. Dos 167 soros ovinos, 43 (25,75%) apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii. O parasito está difundido entre os ovinos das duas regiões estudadas.
The skin microbiome is composed of a complex association of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The mai... more The skin microbiome is composed of a complex association of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The maintenance of skin commensal microbes is essential for preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms or already present opportunistic pathogens. Thus, the development of bioactive compounds capable of modulating skin microbiome has become an important topic for both researchers and the cosmetic industry. Increasingly, scientific evidence highlights that metabolites derived from probiotics have a great potential to prevent diseases affecting the skin. These compounds have recently been called postbiotics and are defined as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host”. Postbiotics are obtained from fermentations performed almost exclusively by lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and organic acids are some examples of postbiotics. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial, immunomodulatory...
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 2021
20 ºC and-80 ºC. The proposed formulations containing the ESAT6 and CFP10 recombinant antigens co... more 20 ºC and-80 ºC. The proposed formulations containing the ESAT6 and CFP10 recombinant antigens constitute satisfactory tools for TB testing, suitable to be developed and implemented in a large-scale trial.
The aim of this study is to investigate the scrapie susceptibility of the main breeds of meat she... more The aim of this study is to investigate the scrapie susceptibility of the main breeds of meat sheep raised in the state ofParana, Brazil. Three hundred and twenty-five animals of meat breeds (including Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Texel, Ile deFrance, Dorper, Dorset, Santa Ines, and crossbreds) were genotyped by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)and DNA sequencing for the prion protein gene. Using a classification for resistance and susceptibility from the BritishNational Scrapie Plan, the genotypes observed for each breed were analysed. Animals from the Santa Ines breed and crossbredanimals showed the highest genotypic variability. All breeds evaluated showed the presence of genotypes consideredsusceptible to scrapie. More than 56% of the animals tested fit into types 3, 4 or 5, the most susceptible groups. There islittle data on PRPN genotyping in Brazil. So it is necessary to expand the available data on these breeds to implement ascrapie control program.
It has now passed more than forty years since solid-state fermentation (SSF) research development... more It has now passed more than forty years since solid-state fermentation (SSF) research developments have gained importance for the scientific community. After so many years, numerous processes and equipment for SSF were studied and designed focusing on the production of different commercially relevant bioproducts such as enzymes, fermented food, such as Chinese daqu and koji, organic acids, pigments, phenolic compounds, aromas, biosorbents and so many others. However, no review paper has been focused yet specifically on agricultural and animal feed bioproducts obtained through SSF techniques. This review comprises the description of agricultural sub-products that have been employed in most important developed processes concerning the production of animal feed products and agricultural products such as spores, probiotics, biofungicides, bioinsecticides and other biopesticides, biofertilizers and plant growth hormones. Major designed SSF bioreactors are also described and the most important related cases of successful employment of the technique are reported. Finally, a summary of patents and innovations regarding SSF products and processes in this area is presented, showing that the main involved countries are China, South Korea, India and the USA. It is clear that the interest in this theme is increasing and that scientific and technological developments are still needed.
The generation of agroindustrial byproducts is rising fast worldwide. The slaughter of animals, t... more The generation of agroindustrial byproducts is rising fast worldwide. The slaughter of animals, the production of bioethanol, and the processing of oil palm, cassava, and milk are industrial activities that, in 2019, generated huge amounts of wastewaters, around 2448, 1650, 256, 85, and 0.143 billion liters, respectively. Thus, it is urgent to reduce the environmental impact of these effluents through new integrated processes applying biorefinery and circular economy concepts to produce energy or new products. This review provides the characteristics of some of the most important agro-industrial wastes, including their physicochemical composition, worldwide average production, and possible environmental impacts. In addition, some alternatives for reusing these materials are addressed, focusing mainly on energy savings and the possibilities of generating value-added products. Finally, this review considers recent research and technological innovations and perspectives for the future.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020
Snakebites caused by Crotalus genus are the second most frequent in Brazil. Crotoxin is a beta-ne... more Snakebites caused by Crotalus genus are the second most frequent in Brazil. Crotoxin is a beta-neurotoxin responsible for the main envenomation effects of Crotalus biting, while crotamine immobilizes the animal hind limbs, contributing to prey immobilization and to envenoming symptoms. As crotoxin and crotamine represent about 90% of Crotalus venom dry weight, these toxins are of great importance for antivenom therapy. In this sense, knowledge regarding the antigenicity/immunogenicity at the molecular level of these toxins can provide valuable information for the improvement of specific antivenoms. Therefore, the aims of this study are the identification of the B-cell epitopes from crotoxin and crotamine; and the characterization of the neutralizing potency of antibodies directed against the corresponding synthetic epitopes defined in the current study. Linear B-cell epitopes were identified using the Spot Synthesis technique probed with specific anti-C. d. terrificus venom horse IgG. One epitope of crotamine (F12PKEKICLPPSSDFGKMDCRW32) and three of crotoxin (L10LVGVEGHLLQFNKMIKFETR30; Y43CGWGGRGRPKDATDRCCFVH63 and T118YKYGYMFYPDSRCRGPSETC138) were identified. After synthesis in their soluble form, the peptide mixture correspondent to the mapped epitopes was entrapped in liposomes and used as immunogens for antibody production in rabbits. Anti-synthetic peptide antibodies were able to protect mice from the lethal activity of C. d. terrificus venom.
Sugary kefir beverage is produce by fermenting raw sugar solution with kefir grains, the latter c... more Sugary kefir beverage is produce by fermenting raw sugar solution with kefir grains, the latter consisting of polysaccharide and microorganisms. This beverage, with great consumption in countries such as USA, Japan, France, and Brazil, represents a promising market to functional cultured drinks. This paper reviews the microbial diversity and interaction, kinetics, safety, and bioactivities of sugary kefir fermentation. The literature reviewed here demonstrates that sugary kefir possesses a similar microbial association relative to traditional milk kefir fermentation, especially among lactic acid bacteria and yeast species, such as Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, and Saccharomyces. However, a selective pressure at species level is generally observed, as, for example, the stimulation of Saccharomyces species metabolism, leading to a high content of alcohol in the final product. This also seems to stimulate the growth of acetic acid bacteria that benefit of increased...
Scrapie in sheep is associated with at least three polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP)... more Scrapie in sheep is associated with at least three polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP) on codons 136, 154, and 171. Countries where scrapie is endemic have been using breeding programs based on selection for the most resistant alleles. There are some PRNP genotyping data on sheep in Brazil, and scrapie has sporadically been observed since 1978. Paraná is the Brazilian state where most of the cases of scrapie have been diagnosed. A flock that had three clinical scrapie cases in 2003 and 2004 was genotyped (128 sheep: 53 pure Hampshire Down and 75 crossbred) and slaughtered (111 sheep: 47 pure Hampshire Down and 64 crossbred) in 2006. Samples of lymphoid and central nervous tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for altered prion protein (PrP Sc). Six genotypes were detected in the 128 genotyped animals: ARR/ARQ was the most frequent (45.3%), followed by ARQ/ARQ (28.1%), ARR/ARR (14.1%), and ARQ/VRQ (8.6%). ARR/VRQ and ARQ/AHQ showed less than 2.5% genotype frequency. IHC identified 16 positive sheep. Palatine tonsil tissue had the highest percentage of reactive samples: 81.25% of the total positive samples. Of these 16 positive animals, nine (56.25%) had genotype ARR/ARQ, five (31.25%) had genotype ARQ/ARQ, and the remaining two (12.5%) had genotype ARQ/VRQ. All the positive animals were clinically healthy, and therefore represented 14.14% of pre-clinical cases of scrapie in this flock.
Since the beginning of the 20 th Century, Influenza can be understood as an illness associated to... more Since the beginning of the 20 th Century, Influenza can be understood as an illness associated to a viral infection, and its etiological agent can be better characterized. From then on, the swine species has occupied a prominent place in the Influenza epidemiology, for it allows the circulation and replication of viruses of potentially human and avian origin. The aim of the present study was to determine the current seroprevalence for the H3N2 virus subtype in two types of pig-raising systems in the state of Paraná-Brazil. The first one represents pig farms, with an adequate health, nutritional, and environmental management; and the second one represents pig runs, without an adequate health, nutritional, and environmental management. To accomplish these aims, 675 blood samples of pigs were analyzed by HI (hemagglutination inhibition) assay and the interference of the pig management and climatic conditions of each region were analyzed. The results showed that 46% of the pig farms are positive, as opposed to 6% of the pig runs; and 20% of the animals on pig farms are serum positive, as opposed to 3% of the animals in pig runs. Likewise, the samples coming from colder areas in Paraná presented, as a rule, a high positivity index. The results allow concluding that the virus is present in pig-raising facilities, and the strategies for preventing future epidemics and epizooties must consider the role of swine as an important factor in the epidemiology of influenza.
RESUMO-O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar dois esquemas de tratamento para o combate da p... more RESUMO-O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar dois esquemas de tratamento para o combate da parasitose gastrintestinal em filhotes de cães recém-desmamados. Foram estabelecidos dois grupos de tratamento, ambos tratados com uma suspensão pamoato de pirantel e oxantel: grupo 1-quatro desverminações com intervalos de 15 dias e grupo 2-três desverminações, nos dias 0, 5 e 25 pós desmame. O primeiro tratamento apresentou redução de 98,2 % no número de ovos por grama de fezes (opg) de Toxocara canis, após a primeira desverminação. Cem por cento de redução de opg foi obtido após o segundo tratamento. No tratamento 2, foi obtido um resultado semelhante após três tratamentos. Para ovos de Ancylostoma sp. a formulação mostrou eficácia após a primeira dose para ambos os tratamentos preconizados. Estes resultados indicam que os esquemas de tratamento propostos poderiam ser adotados para combate das infecções por estes parasitas em animais recém-desmamados. Palavras chaves: cães, tratamento anti-helmíntico, Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp.
Sheep production has been showing, these days, a greater economical and social importance in the ... more Sheep production has been showing, these days, a greater economical and social importance in the State of Paraná, Brazil. The gastrointestinal nematodes are the major problem causing widespread clinical disease and productivity losses, mainly when associated with the high intensive husbandry system and the critic situation of anthelminthic resistance. In order to find alternative or complementary control methods to combat parasitism, one sheep flock of 64 ewes and 77 lambs was monitored to study whether there is a relationship between haemoglobin type and genetic resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes. Haemoglobin typing was performed by starch gel electrophoresis. In 141 animals examined, it was found that 80,14% were haemoglobin BB type; 17,02% were AB type; and only 2,84% showed a genotype AA, resulting in an allelic frequency of 0,11 and 0,89 for the alleles A and B, respectively. When these animals were classified into resistant and susceptible to gastrointestinal nematodes, using faecal egg counts, it was observed that this classification was done independently of the haemoglobin type.
Bovine cysticercosis is detected during the routine post mortem examination of carcasses by visua... more Bovine cysticercosis is detected during the routine post mortem examination of carcasses by visual inspection (knife and eye method). However, the sensitivity of this procedure is several times lower than immunoassays, even when it is performed by qualified professionals. In the present study, a new generation capture antigens were screened from a phage display peptide library using antibodies from Taenia saginatainfected animals. Eight phage clones were selected, and one, Tsag 3 (VHTSIRPRCQPRAITPR), produced similar results to the T. saginata metacestode crude antigen (TsCa) when used as a capture antigen in an ELISA. The phage-displayed peptides competed with TsCa for binding sites, reducing the reactivity by approximately 30 %. Alanine scanning indicated that proline, arginine, and serine are important residues for antibody binding. Tsag 1 (HFYQITWLPNTFPAR), the most f r e q u e n t a f f i n i t y-s e l e c t e d c l o n e , a n d Ts a g 6 (YRWPSTPSASRQATL) shared similarity with highly conserved proteins from the Taeniidae family with known immunogenicity. Due to their epitopic or mimotopic properties, these affinity-selected phages could contribute to the rational design of an ante mortem immunodiagnosis method for bovine cysticercosis, as well as an epitope-based vaccine to interrupt the taeniosis/cysticercosis complex.
The article begins by describing a dog with characteristic symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis. A ... more The article begins by describing a dog with characteristic symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis. A serum sample from this animal was positive by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) performed in anti-Leishmania total IgG in 1999. Tissues from the same dog were also positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 2004, identifying Leishmania DNA in the cerebellum, liver, kidney, and intestine. This is the first report of a dog with autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in the county of Bom Sucesso, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The finding of this IIF-positive dog led to a canine visceral leishmaniasis epidemiological investigation in the county. The investigation was conducted from March 1999 to December 2005. IIF was positive for Leishmania in 22 (3%) of 734 examined dogs. Among the 22 IIF-positive dogs, six presented characteristic symptoms of canine visceral leishmaniasis. The results of this epidemiological investigation were sent to local and State public health authorities, requesting ...
Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, 2008
Avaliação técnica de testes de triagem sorológica para detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gon... more Avaliação técnica de testes de triagem sorológica para detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii como medida preventiva a riscos transfusionais desnecessários
Este trabalho foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar a possibilidade de identificar ovelhas resist... more Este trabalho foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar a possibilidade de identificar ovelhas resistentes e susceptíveis às parasitoses por meio de um marcador parasitológico (direto), de marcadores imunológicos (indiretos) ou pela associação entre ambos. Vinte ovelhas foram acompanhadas por coletas mensais de sangue e fezes no período de novembro de 1998 a maio de 1999. O marcador parasitológico utilizado foi o número de ovos de helmintos por grama de fezes (OPG); os marcadores imunológicos foram o número de eosinófilos sanguíneos, imunoglobulinas G (IgG) e E (IgE) anti-Haemonchus contortus. As ovelhas puderam ser classificadas como resistentes ou susceptíveis pelo OPG. Pelo o número de eosinófilos ou pela IgE específica utilizados concomitantemente com o OPG foi possível identificar ovelhas resistentes e susceptíveis ao parasitismo gastrintestinal. O número de eosinófilos sanguíneos foi o único marcador imunológico que permite de classificar as ovelhas indiretamente nos mesmos grupos...
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control in Brazil includes a strict mandatory vaccination program wi... more Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control in Brazil includes a strict mandatory vaccination program with vaccines produced in certified laboratories subject to inspection by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA). The FMD vaccine's potency is tested through antibodies titration against structural viral proteins in sera from cattle that have not had any exposure to food-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), at 28 days post-vaccination. Biological product testing using large animals is expensive and unwieldy. Thus, alternative testing procedures using laboratory animals have been proposed for quality control of these products. Such biological methods for vaccine evaluation using animals from vivarium facilities can have a significant impact through reduced costs, easier handling, and shorter testing times. The present study was designed to access Balb/C mice's humoral immune responses to a FMDV experimental vaccine, the composition of which contains three virus serotypes of FMDV (O1 Campos, A24 Cruzeiro, and C3 Indaial). Balb/C mice were immunized at doses that were 5% and 10% of the vaccine volume administered in cattle. Immunized mice had their antibody titers probed at 14, 21, and 28 DPV (days post vaccination). The results obtained were compared to those previously known from cattle's immune responses to the FMDV vaccine. An adequate immune response to the vaccine was seen with 10% formulation at 21 DPV. The study results are encouraging and indicate that the mouse model can be used for quality control in experimental vaccine testing.
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