Chick heterophils release DNA extracellular traps (DETs) in vitro and in vivo upon Aspergillus fumigatus conidia exposure.

Aspergillosis is a common fungal disease in avian species, causing high mortality in young chicks in agricultural farms and yards. It is caused by fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus. Aspergillosis occurs by inhalation of fungal conidia, and in chickens, effective infection control relies on a rapid and large influx of heterophils to the lungs.

Biomolecular Investigation of spp. in Wild Rodents of Two Swiss Regions.

Rodents represent a natural reservoir of several species, including zoonotic ones. In this study, small wild rodents, collected from two sites in rural areas of Switzerland, were screened for spp. using molecular detection methods.

The in vitro antileishmanial activity of essential oil from Aloysia gratissima and guaiol, its major sesquiterpene against Leishmania amazonensis.

Leishmaniases is a tropical disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania for which the current treatment is expensive, besides increasing reports of parasite resistance. This study investigated the anti-Leishmania amazonensis activity of the essential oil from Aloysia gratissima (AgEO) and guaiol, the major sesquiterpene constituent in the oil. Our results showed that AgEO killed promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes at an IC50 of 25 and 0·16 µg mL-1, respectively, while guaiol killed amastigotes at an IC50 of 0·01 µg mL-1.

Genetic variation of a foundation rockweed species affects associated communities.

Genetic variation in a foundation species may affect the composition of associated communities as well as modify ecosystem function. While the ecological consequences of genetic diversity of foundation species have been widely reported, the ability of individual genotypes to support dissimilar communities has been documented only in forest ecosystems. Here, for the first time in a marine ecosystem, we test whether the different genotypes of the rockweed Fucus vesiculosus harbor distinct community phenotypes and whether the genetic similarity of individual genotypes or their defensive compound content can explain the variation of the associated communities.

Naturally acidified habitat selects for ocean acidification-tolerant mussels.

Ocean acidification severely affects bivalves, especially their larval stages. Consequently, the fate of this ecologically and economically important group depends on the capacity and rate of evolutionary adaptation to altered ocean carbonate chemistry. We document successful settlement of wild mussel larvae () in a periodically CO-enriched habitat.

Prevalence of feline leukemia virus infection in domestic cats in Rio de Janeiro.

Peripheral blood smears of 1094 domestic cats were collected and tested by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay for p27 antigen in cells to study the prevalence and risk factors for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Sex, age, breed, outdoor access, neutering status, type of habitation (household, shelter, veterinary clinics and other places), number of household cats and clinical signs were registered on a form. Among the tested samples, 11.

Oral administration of piperine for the control of aflatoxin intoxication in rats.

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins that have important toxic effects on human and animal health, even if consumed at low doses. The oral administration of piperine (1.12 mg/kg) during 23 days in rats seemingly interfered with the toxicity of aflatoxins, decreasing hepatic injuries and the leukocyte depletion in experimentally intoxicated animals.

Characterization of neutrophil extracellular traps in cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a common, naturally occurring gammaretrovirus in domestic cats, is associated with degenerative diseases of the haematopoietic system, immunodeficiency and neoplasia. FeLV infection causes an important suppression of neutrophil function, leading to opportunistic infections. Recently, a new microbicidal mechanism named NETosis was described in human, bovine and fish neutrophils, as well as in chicken heterophils.

Leishmanicidal effect of LLD-3 (1), a nor-triterpene isolated from Lophanthera lactescens.

Leishmanicidal activity of 6alpha, 7alpha, 15beta, 16beta, 24-pentacetoxy-22alpha-carbometoxy-21beta,22beta-epoxy-18beta-hydroxy-27,30-bisnor-3,4-secofriedela-1,20 (29)-dien-3,4 R-olide (LLD-3 (1)) isolated from Lophanthera lactescens Ducke, a member of the Malpighiaceae, was demonstrated against intramacrophage amastigote forms (IC(50) of 0.41mug/mL). The in vitro leishmanicidal effect of Glucantime, the first choice drug for leishmaniasis treatment, was increased by LLD-3 (1) association.

Human immune response to epitopes on the meningococcal outer membrane class 5 protein following natural infection.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against a serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis strain. These mAbs recognized two epitopes in the class 5 outer membrane proteins (OMP), designated P5.7 and P5.

N-terminal amino acid sequences of the major outer membrane proteins from a Neisseria meningitidis group B strain isolated in Brazil.

The four dominant outer membrane proteins (46, 38, 33 and 28 kDa) were detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in a semi-purified preparation of vesicle membranes of a Neisseria meningitidis (N44/89, B:4:P1.15:P5.5,7) strain isolated in Brazil.

Surface antigen analysis of group B Neisseria meningitis outer membrane by monoclonal antibodies: identification of bactericidal antibodies to class 5 protein.

Twenty-four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against group B Neisseria meningitidis surface antigens were analyzed by immunoenzymatic assays and by a bactericidal test. Two mAbs were specific to polysaccharide B and one to lipopolysaccharide. The others were specific to polysaccharide B and one to lipopolysaccharide.