ObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on fertility, gestation outcome, and maternal-fetal transmission in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).MethodsAnimals were infected with T. cruzi H4 strain (TcI lineage) before gestation (IBG) or during gestation (IDG). Tissue and sera samples of dams and fetuses were obtained near parturition.ResultsAll IBG and IDG dams were seropositive by two tests, and exhibited blood parasite load of 1.62±2.2 and 50.1±62 parasites/μl, respectively, by quantitative PCR. Histological evaluation showed muscle fiber degeneration and cellular necrosis in all infected dams. Parasite nests were not detected in infected dams by histology. However, qPCR analysis detected parasites-eq/g heart tissue of 153±104.7 and 169.3±129.4 in IBG and IDG dams, respectively. All fetuses of infected dams were positive for anti-parasite IgG antibodies and tissue parasites by qPCR, but presented a low level of tissue inflammatory infiltrate. Fetuses of IDG (vs. IBG) dams exhibited higher degree of muscle fiber degeneration and cellular necrosis in the heart and skeletal tissues. The placental tissue exhibited no inflammatory lesions and amastigote nests, yet parasites-eq/g of 381.2±34.3 and 79.2±84.9 were detected in IDG and IBG placentas, respectively. Fetal development was compromised, and evidenced by a decline in weight, crow-rump length, and abdominal width in both groups.ConclusionsT. cruzi TcI has a high capacity of congenital transmission even when it was inoculated at a very low dose before or during gestation. Tissue lesions, parasite load, and fetal under development provide evidence for high virulence of the parasite during pregnancy. Despite finding of high parasite burden by qPCR, placentas were protected from cellular damage. Our studies offer an experimental model to study the efficacy of vaccines and drugs against congenital transmission of T. cruzi. These results also call for T. cruzi screening in pregnant women and adequate follow up of the newborns in endemic areas.

BackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis is a tropical disease affecting over one million patients annually and Leishmania (L.) mexicana is one of the major etiological agents in the Americas. Here we established the first experimental infection of L. (L.) mexicana in canids.MethodsBeagle dogs were infected intradermally with culture-derived L. (L.) mexicana. We followed skin ulcer development, histopathological signs, parasite burden and the immune status of the infected dogs.ResultsAll infected dogs developed uniform oval-craterform ulcers similar to those observed in humans, associated with mixed T helper 1/T helper 2 immune responses. Parasites were detected in the healed lesions 15 weeks post-infection. Higher anti-Leishmania IgG levels correlated with larger lesions and high IgG1/IgG2 ratio was associated with some level of splenomegaly.ConclusionsThe canine model described in this work will be of use for further understanding of L. (L.) mexicana immunopathogenensis, and for drug and vaccine development.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease induced by abnormal insulin secretions from β‐cells in pancreas. The present study aimed to investigate the immunosuppressive effects from protein derivatives of Mucuna pruriens on a murine model of Type 1 diabetes. Hydrolyzate and five peptide fractions with different molecular weight were administered orally by 14 days, followed T1D murine model was built by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin over 5 days. The mice weight, blood glucose levels, anti‐insulin, and anti‐pancreatic islet β‐cells antibodies, pro‐inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin‐6 were determined in four times (0, 15, 30, and 45 day). Mice were sacrificed and pancreatic tissues samples were obtained and staining with hematoxylin and eosin to determine the degree of damage. The study demonstrated immunosuppressive activity in four of the six treatment groups: (a) T1D PPH, (b) T1D F 5–10 kDa, (c) T1D F 3–5 kDa, and (d) T1D F 1–3 kDa. Practical applications Due to the high content of native protein in seeds of Mucuna pruriens, studies have reported potential in the elaboration of hydrolysates and peptides with biological activity. These protein derivatives could help in the treatment of immunological disorders that are observed in several chronic non‐communicable disease and inflammatory diseases, such as T1D. Activated macrophages and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate plays a crucial role in the initiation and maintenance of T1D; therefore, several studies has focused to reduce the effector functions of this cells for diminishing the clinical manifestations in inmmunocompromised patients. Thus, this study indicates the potential application of hydrolyzate and peptide fractions of M. pruriens in functional foods and dietary supplements could be developed for the treatment of inflammatory and chronic non‐communicable diseases.

Objetivo. Se describe el caso de un perro parasitado con Spirocera lupi en Yucatán, México, y además, se reportan los casos registrados en dos laboratorios durante 18 años de estudios parasitológicos y de necropsias (2000-2017). Materiales y métodos.Para el primer caso, se incluyen hallazgos de necropsia, histológicos y parasitológicos. Para los estudios retrospectivos se realizaron necropsias y estudios coprológicos de Flotación Centrifugada y de McMaster. Resultados. En el paciente del estudio de caso, durante la necropsia se observaron tres nódulos esofágicos que al realizar la incisión de los mismos, se visualizaron nematodos que correspondieron a S. lupi. En el estudio histológico se observó un granuloma eosinofílico que en su interior contenía el nematodo rodeado por un infiltrado inflamatorio moderado que estaba constituido por neutrófilos, eosinófilos, linfocitos, células plasmáticas y macrófagos; delimitado por una cápsula de tejido conectivo fibroso. En el estudio retrospectivo se encontraron prevalencias de 0.18 y 0.48% mediante pruebas coprológicas y estudios de necropsias, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Spirocerca lupi se encuentra presente en perros de Yucatán, México. Por lo tanto, sería importante considerar esta patología para el diagnóstico diferencial de problemas esofágicos y respiratorios en caninos.

Seventeen Beef-Master cattle (three calves, one male and thirteen cows) died within a period of two months with neurological signs. A neurological syndrome was evident in the patients characterised by ataxia, incoordination, dysmetria, hyperacusia, muscle tremors and ptyalism. A dysfunction of trigeminal, facial and vestibulocochlear cranial nerves was also observed. At necropsy a septic process was evident. Histopathology of internal organs showed necrosis as a consequence of septicaemia. Complete blood cell count showed leukocytosis due to neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis. Macroscopically the brain showed severe congestion and the histology showed a thromboembolic meningoencephalitis and thickening of the meninges. To stop the outbreak, oxytetracycline was provided to the entire herd for 10 days and all susceptible animals vaccinated against Histophilus somni. No other case was presented until a month later when two cows and one calf died with the same symptomatology. Immunosuppression was associated with the development of the disease.