No abstract

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a retrovirus of the genus Lentivirus that is distributed worldwide, with prevalence rates varying between 2.5% and 44%. FIV causes immunosuppression, with depletion of TCD4 lymphocytes, with the majority of clinical signs caused by secondary and opportunistic infections. Blood samples were collected from nine domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from the city of São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil. All samples were positive in a rapid immunochromatographic test (SNAP® Combo FeLV Ag/FIV Antibody Test) and in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Phylogenetic analysis showed that six samples clustered within subtype B, one within subtype A, and two did not cluster with any known subtype. Five unique haplotypes (Hap-1, Hap-2, Hap-3, Hap-5 and Hap-6) and a shared haplotype (Hap-4) were found, this last one being the most frequent. This is the first report on the genetic diversity of FIV in the city of São Luís and the first report of subtype A in Brazil. New variations of the virus are also reported.

Este trabalho objetivou realizar um estudo retrospectivo sobre os aspectos epidemiológicos da Leishmaniose Visceral Canina (LVC) e Humana (LVH) no estado do Maranhão no período de 2009-2012. A amostra constituiu-se dos dados de fichas de registros provenientes de animais do Centro de Controle de Zoonose (CCZ) de São Luís-MA e dos registros notificados na Secretaria de Estado da Saúde (SES) no período de 2009 a 2012. Foram registrados um total de 2.259 atendimentos a caninos com suspeita de Leishmaniose no CCZ, a maior frequência de registros foi de machos 1.198 (53,03%). Desses atendimentos, 564 (24,96%) foram soropositivos para Leishmania e a maior frequência ocorreu no período seco 326 (57,80%). Dos casos de LVH, foram notificados 2.755, destes 1.577 (57,24%) foram confirmados e 59 (3,74%) vieram ao óbito. Dos casos notificados para a LVH no estado do Maranhão, a maioria era do sexo masculino 1.656 (60,12%). A faixa etária onde houve maior ocorrência de casos notificados estava compreendida entre 1-4 anos de idade com 282 (37,95%) em 2011. Verificou-se que a LVH estava presente em 129 municípios do estado do Maranhão, sendo que os de maior frequência foram Imperatriz com 126 (4,57%). Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que ocorreu elevado número de casos de Leishmaniose Visceral Canina e Humana no estado do Maranhão no período pesquisado.

Endocrine monitoring of non-human primates (NHP) via faecal metabolites of steroid hormones appears as a useful non-invasive alternative to evaluate the reproductive status of free living NHP, as well as of those kept in captivity but of difficult handling. However, validation is needed with plasma values before its application in the field. The aim of the present study was to monitor the different phases of the menstrual cycle from the new world NHP Sapajus apella and S. libidinosus. For this, hormonal and faecal plasma levels of E 2 , P 4 and cortisol were assessed during different days of the menstrual cycle, together with colpocitology. The mean duration of the menstrual cycle according colpocitology was of 21.7 and 21.0 days for S. apella and S. libidinosus, respectively. These values were similar to those observed via plasma analysis, i.e. 22.7 and 20.3 days for S. apella and S. libidinosus, respectively. The day of plasmatic E 2 peak was set as Day -1 and the estimated day of ovulation was set as Day 0 and occurred two days earlier in S. libidinosus than in S. apella females. In both species, it was observed a delay in faecal E 2 peak of six days for S. apella and of 11 days for S. libidinosus when compared with the plasma peak. A maximum P 4 plasma concentration was observed in the middle of luteal phase in S. apella and in S. libidinosus, both at around day 5 . However, faecal P 4 peaks were detected at days 9 and 8 in S. apella and S. libidinosus , respectively. Mean plasma and faecal cortisol levels were variable during all ovulatory cycle of S. apella and S. libidinosus females. Although no exact correlation was observed between plasmatic and faecal profile of steroid hormone, faecal samples were able to indicate ovarian cycle phase, being important to assess the reproductive status of the females applying a non-invasive method.

Abstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus in the city of São Luís, Maranhão state (MA), Brazil.