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Diminazene aceturate (D.A.) is an anti-parasitic drug that selectively targets adenine and thymine bases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of trypanosomes; however, there are some concerns regarding as its ability to induce DNA damage. Taking all of these into account, the aim of this study was to verify any possible toxic effects on the DNA of rats 7 and 21 post-injection (PI). All animals have received the therapeutic dose (single dose of 3.5 mg kg−1) intramuscularly. Liver, kidney, and total blood samples were collected to perform the analyses. The results showed increased (p

The aims of this study were to investigate Trypanosoma evansi venereal transmission in ewes and its presence in ram’s semen and hematological and biochemical alterations. Three adult rams and six ewes were used as follows: one uninfected ram was used as control (R1), and two rams (R2 and R3) were intravenously infected by T. evansi trypomastigotes. Semen samples were collected weekly for PCR analyses that have detected the presence of T. evansi. Blood samples were collected, and it was observed that the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration were reduced in infected rams on day 14 post-infection (PI) to T. evansi when compared to uninfected ram. Likewise, the number of total leukocytes increased in infected rams, due to the increase of lymphocytes and monocytes. The values of total protein and globulin increased from day 14 PI in animals infected by T. evansi, but albumin levels were reduced for these animals on the same period. Testosterone levels on days 21, 28, and 35 PI were lower in rams infected by T. evansi. All rams served two ewes each 17 days PI. All ewes had synchronized estrus and 45 days after service gestational diagnosis was performed by ultrasound, confirming that all the ewes were pregnant. Blood samples from all ewes were collected every 30 days for 5 months for serological assays and PCR. All results from ewes were negative. T. evansi was detected in semen samples; there was no parasitic venereal transmission to ewes and no fertility impairment.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is one of the two isoforms of COX producing prostaglandins derived from arachidonic acid. COX-2 is the inducible isoform expressed in many cell types in response to cytokines and pro-inflammatory molecules. In brain, COX-2 is frequently associated with pro-inflammatory activities, and its increase is related to neurodegenerative processes in acute and chronic diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the COX-2 immunoreactivity and the frequency damage caused by T. evansi infection on days 5 and 15 post-infection (PI) in hippocampus cells, as well as the relationship with behavioral alterations. Decreased (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resveratrol (RSV) in its free or complexed (cyclodextrin) forms in association with diminazene aceturate (DA), as an attempt to reduce the toxic effects of this standard chemotherapy on renal and hepatic samples of mice experimentally infected with T. evansi. In this sense, this experiment was designed in order to test the ability of RSV, in its free or complexed forms, on reducing the damage on lipid membrane and protein oxidation, effects usually observed by using DA. Both forms of RSV were used at 100 mg kg−1, during seven consecutive days. As a result, it was observed that, on renal and hepatic samples, RSV in its free form, when combined with DA, was able to inhibit the increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive species levels. DA caused a decrease in the hepatic levels of advanced oxidation protein products, suggesting changes in protein synthesis; however, when it was combined with RSV, this deleterious effect was not observed. It demonstrates that RSV was able to provide some grade of protection against protein oxidation. Therefore, RSV may represent an alternative in reducing the toxic effect caused by chemotherapy in treating of T. evansi infection.

This study aimed to assess plasma concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc during the course of acute Trypanosoma evansi experimental infection in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into seven groups: three trypanosome-infected groups (T2, T4, and T6; n = 10 animals per group) and four uninfected controls (C0, C2, C4, and C6; n = 5 animals per group). Animals from trypanosome-infected groups were intraperitoneally injected with 106 trypanosomes/animal. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture before infection (day 0; group C0) or on the second (C2 and T2), fourth (C4 and T4), and sixth (C6 and T6) day postinfection. Parasitemia and hematological evaluation were performed to assess the progression of the disease in animals. The difference between groups (control and infected) was evaluated on the same day postinfection. Plasma copper concentration increased in T4 and T6 groups (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. Plasma iron concentration decreased only in group T2 (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the plasma zinc concentration between groups. This study therefore demonstrates that high plasma copper concentration and depression in iron concentration is part of the acute phase response in rats infected with T. evansi.

One of the main characteristics of the trypanosomosis is the development of anemia, although its pathogenesis still remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to discuss the possible pathogenesis of anemia in the infection by Trypanosoma evansi in cats. A study using an experimental model with T. evansi-infected cats reported changes in serum iron levels, alterations in the activity of enzymes of the cholinergic system, and oxidative stress correlated to normocytic, normochromic, and regenerative anemia. During this article, the aforementioned parameters will be simultaneously analyzed and related to hematological parameters that determine anemia in cats infected with this protozoan.

The aims of this study were to evaluate clotting disturbances in the acute infection by Trypanosoma evansi in rats and to investigate two possible causes. To address this issue, 21 2-month-old male rats were separated into three groups with seven animals each. The control group (group I) was composed of non-infected animals and group II was composed of 14 T. evansi-infected animals. This group was subdivided into two homogeneous groups. Animals from group II-a and from group II-b were euthanized at days 3 and 5 post-inoculation (PI), respectively. Hematological parameters were evaluated for monitoring of the disease. Infected animals showed anemia and leukocytosis 3 days PI and a significant decrease was observed in platelet count at days 3 and 5 PI. The prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were longer in the infected groups. The averages of the megakaryocyte count significantly increased (P

Coagulopathy in cats (Felis catus) parasitized by Trypanosoma evansi in both the initial and chronic phases of the disease has been investigated. To address this issue, seven animals were infected with 108 trypomastigote forms each, and six were used as control. Animals were monitored for 56 days by examining daily blood smears. Blood samples for hematocrit, platelet counting, and fibrinogen levels were collect at 15-day intervals. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and number of megakaryocytes were analyzed at days 14 and 42 post-inoculation. A decrease in hematocrit values and platelet counts and an increase in plasmatic fibrinogen concentration were observed in the infected cats (P

This study aimed to report an infection by protozoa of the genus Eimeria and Giardia in lambs, causing mortality. A flock of 27 lambs from a small farm in the municipality of Itaara, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, had severe diarrhea, and five animals died 7 days after the onset of the clinical signs, showing apathy, weakness, weight loss, dehydration, and diarrhea. Stool samples were collected and then processed by the method of zinc sulfate centrifugation to investigate the presence of parasites. Massive infection by cysts of Giardia duodenalis and oocysts of Eimeria spp. was observed. After the diagnosis, the lambs were treated with albendazole and sulphaquinoxaline, and at 3 days posttreatment (PT), they showed clinical improvement, especially in the reduction of diarrhea. At 10 days PT, cysts of Giardia were rare; however, the oocysts of Eimeria were not displayed. Giardiasis is a parasitic disease that occurs rarely in sheep; though associated with eimeriosis, it can lead to mortality of lambs. Therefore, the protozoan G. duodenalis may be an opportunistic parasite, as reported in this study.

The aim of this study was to record the presence of Trypanosoma theileri in the blood of a cattle herd from a property placed in the municipality of Cacapava do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. For this study, 37 samples of blood were collected from the herd and later analyzed by blood culture. After 20 days, 9 (24.3%) of 37 samples collected were positive for T. theileri, and each positive animal was asymptomatic and presented good nutritional status. This was the first property investigated, and these preliminary results already suggest that T. theileri presents high prevalence in the cattle herds from southern Brazil. Thus, an investigation may be worth due the economic losses caused by this silent disease.

The authors describe the occurrence of obstruction of the pelvic urethra in a 6-month-old canine due to a single Dioctophyma renale female parasite. Diagnosis and treatment approaches are discussed.

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the levels of liver enzymes and urea associated with an outbreak of cysticercosis (Taenia taeniformis) in rat liver. At the end of a previous trial, the animals were euthanized and necropsied when cysts of T. taeniformis were found. The number of cysts ranged from ten to 30 per rat liver. Blood samples were collected from ten rats with cysticercoids (from 12 to 22 cysts) and from ten non-affected rats that were kept in another animal house. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and urea values were reduced when compared with non-parasitized animals; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) values were increased. Since the current experiment had to be repeated due to hepatic impairment evidenced by reduced ALT, AST, and urea values and increased ALP and GGT values, this study aims to alert the scientific community to the importance of sanitary barriers in animal housing.

The aim of this study was to report the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis in gray brocket deer in Brazil. Fecal samples of a male and a female Mazama gouazoupira kept in captivity in southern Brazil were evaluated. Samples collected at 10-d intervals were analyzed by the centrifugal flotation technique and stained by the modified Ziehl–Neelsen and by the Kinyoun staining methods. The first analysis showed a high number of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in the feces, associated with the presence of diarrhea in both animals. However, even without drug therapy, the number of oocysts of the protozoan decreased and the feces returned to normal after 10 days. This is the first report of cryptosporidiosis in M. gouazoupira.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the therapy with human plasma of different blood types and Rh factors in rats infected with Trypanosma evansi. Sixty rats were divided into ten groups of six animals (A-J). Animals from group A (negative control) were not infected and animals from group B (positive control) were inoculated with T. evansi but not treated with plasma. Animals from groups (C-J) were infected with the flagellate and received a curative treatment with 0.5 mL of human plasma with different blood types (A, B, AB, and O) and Rh factors (positive and negative), 48 h after infection. Treatments increased animals’ longevity when compared to group B, although no curative effect was observed since all the rats died within 32 days post-inoculation.

The purpose of this study is to report the occurrence of new serovars of Leptospira interrogans in cavy in Brazil. Blood without anticoagulant was collected from five Cavia aperea to obtain serum for further testing with serum agglutination using eight serovars of L. interrogans. It was observed that four animals had titers for L. butembo, L. bratislava, and L. hardjo. We believe that cavy can be reservoirs and disseminators of these serovars of L. interrogans.