S U M M A R YFeline leishmaniasis has been reported in various parts of the world in recent years, occurring mainly in areas where zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the occurrence of natural infection by Leishmania spp. in domestic cats (Felis catus) in the municipality of Teresina, Piauí state, Brazil, an endemic area of VL in Brazil. The prevalence of infection by Leishmania spp. in the population under study was 4% (3/83) in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 4% (3/83) by smear observation and isolation in a culture medium, using popliteal lymphnode sample. Only one of the three infected cats was positive for ELISA, also being positive for feline immunodeficiency virus. In the haematologic parameters, normocytic normochromic anaemia was the most common change, being present in the three infected animals. In the biochemical measurements also were observed alterations in infected animals. The Leishmania spp. strains isolated from the culture medium were characterized as L. infantum. The presence of L. infantum infection in cats in the city of Teresina, an area endemic for VL, suggests the possible involvement of these animals in the epidemiological chain of L. infantum in high-transmission areas.

Introduction: Postural orientations are necessary in cases of low back pain, and challenges arise in chronic cases. Objective: To investigate the challenges in the postural orientation of workers in a situation of absence from work and with chronic low back pain. Methods: The study was divided into two steps. In the first stage, physiotherapists that were taking part in the “Low Back Pain Project” at the Reference Center for Worker’s Health in Santos-SP were invited, and a script was used to conduct individual interviews that were recorded for thematic content analysis. In the second stage, there was a selection of workers that were patients attended by the Physical Therapy sector, with chronic low back pain and in a situation of absence from work, and a Discussion Group was conducted with the patients and physical therapists, which was also recorded for content analysis. Results: In stage 1, three physiotherapists aged 26 to 33 years old participated. The statements revealed: intense work demands, little understanding of the patients’ difficulties, “stigmas” related to the situation of absence from work, among others. In stage 2, fourteen workers participated, aged between 47 and 50, of both sexes and different professions along with the three physiotherapists. The group evidenced: difficulties in daily living activities outside the therapeutic environment, disrespect to physical restrictions at work, fear of returning to work, among others. Conclusion: Challenges related to work organization aspects and psychosocial issues were found, and it is necessary to advance in the teaching-learning processes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological profile of dogs with diagnosis parasitological and serological positive for LVC. 130adult dogs without distinction of sex or race were used; these animal sunder were clinical examinations where there was the presence or absence of symptoms for LVC. The animals were classified as asymptomatic, oligosymptomatic and symptomatic. The final diagnosis was based on serological tests (TR DPP®) and parasitological (directsmear stained with Giemsa and medium culture NNN enriched with Schneider's). Using samples of bone marrow and lymph nodes, and in animals with lesions of the skin, scraping theedge of the lesion which was stretched on slides and stained with Giemsa). Animals with leishmaniasis showed normocytic normochromic anemia presence of erythrocyte eroleaux, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and eosinopenia.

The visceral establishment of Leishmania infantum in dogs may result in kidney and bladder tissue injury, with L. infantum ending up in urine. This study therefore aimed at investigating the presence of Leishmania sp. in urinary sediments, and correlating the results with those from renal and bladder serum biochemistry and histopathology. Thirty dogs with negative Nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for E. canis were used in the experiment, and were divided into three groups: control group (10 dogs), neither leishmaniasis nor clinical changes; group I (15 dogs), leishmaniasis but no Leishmania sp. in urine; and group II (5 dogs), leishmaniasis, as well as Leishmania sp. in urine. All animals were submitted to clinical, serological, and parasitological diagnosis for leishmaniasis, biochemical exams, and kidney and bladder histopathology. The parasite was also detected in the bladder imprint of one group II dog. Group II dogs presented with very low albumin concentrations, low albumin/globulin ratios, and kidney and bladder lesions. In the kidneys, hydropic degeneration, thickened Bowman's capsule, and thickening of the tubular capsule were detected in all dogs with positive urinary sediment. However, no significant difference in these renal changes was observed between groups. The intensity and distribution of bladder inflammatory infiltrates were significantly (p-value < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis’ and Dunn’s tests) higher in group II dogs, compared with those of the other groups. The presence of Leishmania sp. in the urine of infected dogs appeared to be related to low serum albumin concentrations and more severe bladder lesions.

A criação de pequenos ruminantes tem se expandido em todos os estados brasileiros e, independentemente do objetivo da exploração, tem muito a contribuir para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico do país. Entretanto, esse setor enfrenta constantes desafios, como, por exemplo, a falta de informações e acesso às tecnologias, sendo a ausência de informatização uma das principais limitações para o registro de dados no campo. Dessa forma, objetivou-se, com esta revisão da literatura, compilar informações a respeito da utilização de ferramentas informatizadas aplicadas aos controles zootécnico e genético e à seleção de acasalamentos em pequenos ruminantes. Constatou-se que a adoção dessas ferramentas na ovinocultura e caprinocultura ainda é bastante limitada.