Manganese porphyrin-based treatment improves fetal-placental development and protects against oxidative damage and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in a rat maternal hypothyroidism model.

Oxidative stress (OS) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) are at the genesis of placental disorders observed in preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and maternal hypothyroidism. In this regard, cationic manganese porphyrins (MnPs) comprise potent redox-active therapeutics of high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, which have not been evaluated in metabolic gestational diseases yet. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of two MnPs, [MnTE-2-PyP] (MnP I) and [MnT(5-Br-3-E-Py)P]5+ (MnP II), in the fetal-placental dysfunction of hypothyroid rats.

Body Condition Scores in Cats and Associations with Systolic Blood Pressure, Glucose Homeostasis, and Systemic Inflammation.

Background: Feline obesity is the most common nutritional disease in cats. This study aimed to investigate the differences between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and circulating concentrations of glucose, fructosamine, and serum amyloid-A (SAA) in ideal-weight, overweight, and obese cats.

Methods: The animals were divided into three groups: ideal-weight (BCS 5, N = 20), overweight (BCS 6, N = 20), and obese cats (BCS ≥ 7, N = 20).

Fluctuations of antibody serum titers for and in naturally infected crossbred cows during gestation.

This study aimed to assess the fluctuations of antibody serum titers for and in naturally infected crossbred cows during gestation and to investigate transplacental transmission of ; 51 cows were monitored during pregnancy by monthly serologic testing by indirect fluorescent antibody test. 33 cows were seronegative for both and , 10 were seropositive only for , 5 were seropositive only for and 3 were seropositive for both and . In both protozoan infections, great variation in antibody levels in pregnant cows was observed, and there was significant increase (p<0.

Protein expression of the tear film of domestic cats before and after inoculation with Toxoplasma gondii.

Background: Tear film (TF) helps maintain and protect ocular function against damage to the ocular surface. Proteins are one of its main constituents, whose expression pattern can be used as a biomarker of ocular changes and systemic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins in the TF of domestic cats before and after infection with Toxoplasma gondii, in the phases of acute infection and chronicity.

Presence of atypical genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from cats in the state of Bahia, Northeast of Brazil.

In this study, 20 blood, heart, and brain samples were collected from euthanized cats at the Zoonosis Control Centers and Veterinary Clinics in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The sera were examined for anti-T. gondii antibodies using the indirect hemagglutination test.

Tear Film Proteome of Healthy Domestic Cats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the proteins found in tear film of healthy domestic cats. Schirmer tear test strips were used to collect tear samples of twelve healthy cats, which were mixed, centrifuged, and placed in a single 1.5 mL microtube that was frozen at -20°C, until analysis by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel and mass spectrometry associated with high-performance liquid chromatography.

Sarcocystis neurona, seroprevalence of antibodies in equines and research of oocystis in opossum in Ilhéus - Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil.

The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in equines in the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion (BA), and identify possible factors associated with infection. The presence of sporocysts/oocysts of Sarcocystis spp. was also verified in Didelphis spp.

Serological survey of Neospora spp. and Besnoitia spp. in horses in Portugal.

Equine neosporosis is regarded to be caused either by Neospora hughesi or Neospora caninum and equine besnoitiosis is caused by Besnoitia bennetti, both of which are apicomplexan parasites. N. caninum is the only known Neospora species in Europe, where equine N.

Frequency and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women and their pets in Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is an asymptomatic disease that can lead to systemic disease in the fetus of pregnant women with primary infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis, associated factors, and correlation between the serology of pregnant women and their pets, in the municipality of Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 196 pregnant women and their cats or dogs (n=89).

Toxoplasma gondii induces extracellular traps release in cat neutrophils.

Neutrophils respond differently to violations of the body's physiological barriers during infections. Extracellular traps comprise one of the mechanisms used by these cells to reduce the spread of pathogens to neighboring tissues, as well as ensure a high concentration of antimicrobial agents at the site of infection. To date, this innate defense mechanism has not been previously demonstrated in neutrophils of cats exposed to Toxoplasma gondii.

Factors associated with the distribution of natural Toxoplasma gondii infection among equids in Northeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected equids in northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 569 equids (528 horses, 8 mules and 33 donkeys) were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associated factors.

Frequency and factors associated with Theileria equi, Babesia caballi and Trypanosoma evansi in equids from Bahia (Northeast Brazil).

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated to Babesia caballi, Theileria equi and Trypanosoma evansi in naturally infected equids from the northeast Brazil. Blood samples from 569 equids (528 horses, 8 mules, and 33 donkeys) were collected and tested for the presence of DNA of each of these protozoan parasites by PCR. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate risk factors associated with the infection.

Hemotropic mycoplasmas in naturally infected cats in Northeastern Brazil.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, factors associated, laboratory findings (with and without coinfection by retroviruses) among naturally infected cats by hemoplasmas in northeastern Brazil. For convenience, 200 domesticated and healthy cats were selected. Blood samples were taken to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemical, immunochromatography tests and nPCR for FIV and FeLV, and PCR for hemoplasma recognition.

Toxoplasmosis in cats in northeastern Brazil: Frequency, associated factors and coinfection with Neospora caninum, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and the factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii and demonstrate occurrences of coinfection with Neospora caninum, the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in cats in the state of Bahia, Brazil. A total of 231 blood samples were collected from 201 owned cats and 30 stray cats. Serological investigations on T.

Transplacental transmission of bovine tick-borne pathogens: Frequency, co-infections and fatal neonatal anaplasmosis in a region of enzootic stability in the northeast of Brazil.

Bovine tick-borne disease (TBD) constitutes a worldwide group of diseases that result in great losses for dairy and beef cattle. With regard to the epidemiological profile of the diseases, the importance of transplacental transmission is still not very well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the transplacental transmission of TBD agents (Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis and B.

Canine ehrlichiosis: prevalence and epidemiology in northeast Brazil.

Ehrlichiosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia. The aims of this study were to detect the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in the blood of dogs in Ituberá, Bahia, and to compare the sensitivities and specificities of blood smear, serological, and molecular examinations.

Gallus gallus domesticus are resistant to infection with Neospora caninum tachyzoites of the NC-1 strain.

The aim of this study was to experimentally evaluate infection in Gallus gallus domesticus with Neospora caninum tachyzoites of the NC-1 strain. Experimental infection was conducted in 90-day-old chickens, embryonated eggs and bioassays in dogs. In the first experiment, poults were randomly divided into four groups.

Transmission paths of Neospora caninum in a dairy herd of crossbred cattle in the northeast of Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the transmission paths of Neospora caninum in a dairy herd of crossbred cattle. Two hundred and ninety animals were grouped according to the year of their birth to verify the distribution of infection according to age. The blood of 196 cattle was collected thrice, with an average interval of 210 days, to evaluate the existence of horizontal transmission in the herd.

Assessment of experimental infection for dogs using Gallus gallus chorioallantoic membranes inoculated with Neospora caninum.

The aim of this study was to evaluate parasitism kinetics and tissue lesions in the first week of infection by Neospora caninum in dogs fed Gallus gallus chorioallantoic membranes (CMs) previously infected in ovo. Five two-month-old pups were used. Each dog was given five CMs that were previously infected with N.

Quails are resistant to infection with Neospora caninum tachyzoites.

The aim of this study was to characterize the role of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as intermediate hosts for Neospora caninum. Fifty-eight 20-day old quails were individually identified with numbered rings and kept in cages adequate for the species. The birds were fed commercial feed and distilled water ad libitum.

Prevalence and risk factors associated to ovine toxoplasmosis in northeastern Brazil.

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from northeastern Brazil. A total of 932 ovine serum samples from 54 properties in 19 municipalities of the state of Sergipe were collected and assayed using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The assay used antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (IFAT-IgG) with a cutoff point of 1:64.

Factors associated with infection by Neospora caninum in dogs in Brazil.

From August 2006 to 2008, 411 dogs in northeastern Brazil were evaluated for seropositivity to Neospora caninum. The dogs were clinically examined, and their owners were interviewed about the conditions in which the animals were maintained in order to assess the factors associated with infection by this parasite. A serum sample was taken from each dog for serological examination in an indirect fluorescent antibody test for N.

Frequency of species of the genus Eimeria in naturally infected cattle in Southern Bahia, Northeast Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of species of the genus Eimeria species in naturally infected bovines in Southern Bahia, Northeast Brazil. The study population comprised 117 Zebu crossbred cattle that belonged to 10 dairy herds with extensive or semi-extensive production systems. The modified Gordon and Whitlock technique was used to determine positive samples and number of oocysts per gram of feces.