No abstract

In sum, 0.03% tacrolimus eye drops diluted in olive oil and linseed oil were effective in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. None of the evaluated parameters differed significantly between the two groups, except for neutrophil count which was significantly lower in the TL group. Thus, linseed oil may be considered as an alternative diluent for tacrolimus eye drops.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the healing of skin wounds induced experimentally in rats using a crystalline cellulose membrane (Veloderm ® ). METHODS:Thirty-two rats were divided into two groups: control group (CG) wounds treated with a solution of 0.9% sodium chloride and Veloderm ® group (VG) wounds treated with a crystalline cellulose membrane. The rats were evaluated at different times over twenty-six days. RESULTS:Weight loss was observed in the animals from both groups in the early stages, with greater weight in the VG animals at the end. Times of predominant hypothermia, pink color of the wound in both groups over all time points, increased granulation tissue in the CG animals, the presence of slight oozing from the wound and feature in the VG animals, more serous exudation of the bloody feature, greater wound contraction and pain in the CG animals and an absence of pain and earlier complete wound healing in the VG rats were also observed. CONCLUSION:The crystalline cellulose membrane is effective in the treatment of wounds in rats, easy to use, protects and maintains the humidity of the wound, decreases pain, eases the visualization and control of the evolution of the lesion.

This study aimed to evaluate the limit of detection of Toxocara canis larvae in experimentally contaminated commercial bovine milk samples, based on a centrifuge-sedimentation technique. Firstly, bovine milk (whole and skim) samples were contaminated with 50 T. canis larvae in order to evaluate the interference of milk fat with the recovery of the larvae. Next, the effects of 10% formalin (100 µL), ether (100 µL), and a combination of both solutions on the recovery of the larvae was examined. Thereafter, the limit of detection of the larvae was determined using the solution (from step 2) considered optimal for degreasing the milk sample. Samples were contaminated with aliquots of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 larvae. For each milk sample (1.0 mL), 15 repetitions were analysed. The recovery of the larvae from the skim milk samples was higher (p = 0.0031) than that from the whole milk samples. No significant difference (p = 0.5681) was observed with regard to the percentage of recovered larvae when comparing the degreasing solutions. Nevertheless, the formalin-ether combination was more efficient for recovering the larvae (73.1%) than ether (71.9%), formalin (67.6%), and pure whole milk (70.0%). Concerning the limit of detection (using formalin-ether), all the samples contaminated with 5, 10, 25, and 50 larvae tested positive (minimum: 62.7%). Of the samples contaminated with a single larva, 66.7% tested positive. These results suggest that the centrifugation-sedimentation technique may be useful for recovering larvae of Toxocara spp. in naturally or experimentally contaminated milk samples obtained from a wide range of animal species. Key words: Toxocariasis, recovery of larvae, diagnosis ResumoO objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o limite de detecção de larvas de Toxocara canis em leite bovino comercial contaminado experimentalmente, a partir de uma técnica de centrifugo-sedimentação. Primeiramente, amostras de leite bovino comercial (integral e desnatado) foram contaminadas com 50 larvas de T. canis, para avaliação da interferência da gordura sobre a recuperação das larvas. Em uma segunda etapa, foi avaliada a ação de formalina 10% (100 µL), éter (100 µL) e combinação das soluções. A terceira etapa consistiu da verificação do limite de detecção de larvas, com uso da melhor solução desengordurante (etapa 2), em amostras de leite (1,0 mL) contendo 1; 5; 10; 25 e 50 larvas. Para cada análise de detecção do leite (1,0 mL), foram realizadas 15 repetições. Foi observado que o percentual de recuperação de larvas no leite desnatado foi significativamente maior (p= 0,0031) que o observado no leite integral. Na comparação das soluções, não houve diferença significativa (p= 0,5681) no percentual de larvas recuperadas. Entretanto, houve uma maior recuperação quando do emprego da combinação de formol-éter (73,1%) em relação ao éter (71,9%), ao formol (67,6%) e ao leite integral puro (70,0%). Em relação ao limite de detecção, com uso de formalina-éter, todas as alíquotas apresentaram resultado positivo (mínimo de 62,7% de larvas ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in naturally infected broiler chickens (n = 189) from the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. The chickens were reared in a semi-intensive system by small family farmers (n = 7). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the presence of anti- Toxocara spp. IgY after serum adsorption with Ascaridia galli antigens. An overall seroprevalence of 67.7% (128/189; 95% CI = 61.1-74.4) was observed. The frequency of positive animals by farm ranged from 29.6% to 100%. The optical density and reactivity index values observed in ELISA test indicated the possible chronicity of infection of the evaluated chickens. Associations between the presence of antibodies and the area where the chickens were reared (p = 0.382) or the population density of dogs on the farm (p = 0.785) were not observed. This study shows a high prevalence of Toxocara spp. antibodies in broiler chickens reared in semi-intensive systems and provides evidence that chickens are a good indicator of environmental contamination by larva migrans agents. Further studies are necessary to assess the risk factors associated with poultry infection and the likelihood of toxocariasis transmission to humans via the ingestion of free-range chicken meat.