{"title":"Evaluation of a Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis ofLeptospirosis in Cattle","authors":"M. Baquero, N. Lopez, M. E. Mejía, G. Trueba","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010031","url":null,"abstract":"Bovine leptospirosis is a highly prevalent infection worldwide causing serious losses in cattle production and serving as a source for human infection. Diagnosis and assessment of prevalence of this infection in bovine herds is difficult due to limitations of current procedures. The present report describes the adaptation of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for detection of leptospiral DNA in bovine urine. The amplification products corresponded to a segment of the Leptospira 16S rRNA gene detected using two sets of primers (A/B and C/D). A total of 547 urine samples from Bos taurus (n=327) and Bos indicus (n=220) were collected from animals in Andean and Coastal regions of Ecuador, either by furosemide-induced urination or from bladders at the slaughterhouse. The results of this research showed a PCR positivity of 13.52% using primers A/B. Bos taurus samples obtained by urination and those obtained from bladder showed a significant difference in PCR positivity (P= 0.036). Differentiation of Leptospira species was preformed by DNA sequencing of the amplified products. Three amplicons showed 90 and 98% sequence identity with L. borgpetersenii and 98% identity with L. inadai. The results of this study suggest that PCR could be an excellent approach for epidemiological studies.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"87 41 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130376635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. M’rad, M. Oudni-M’rad, D. Filisetti, M. Mekki, A. Nouri, T. Sayadi, E. Candolfi, R. Azaiez, H. Mezhoud, H. Babba
{"title":"Molecular Identification of Echinococcus granulosus in Tunisia: First Record of the Buffalo Strain (G3) in Human and Bovine in the Country","authors":"S. M’rad, M. Oudni-M’rad, D. Filisetti, M. Mekki, A. Nouri, T. Sayadi, E. Candolfi, R. Azaiez, H. Mezhoud, H. Babba","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010027","url":null,"abstract":"It has been demonstrated that human hydatidosis was generally due to G1 genotype of Echinococcus granulosus throughout the world. Nevertheless, some other genotypes, such as G3, were recently identified for human cyst. The present work confirms the predominance of the sheep strain G1 in humans, bovine and ovine and demonstrates for the first time the occurrence of the buffalo strain G3 in human and bovine in Tunisia.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125315659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Natural Resistance Against Brucellosis: A Review","authors":"L. G. Adams, C. Schutta","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010061","url":null,"abstract":"Natural resistance against brucellosis was reviewed from historical and biological perspectives with regard to animals, humans and Brucella spp. Unfortunately, brucellosis continues to be a serious worldwide bacterial zoonosis of major significance to animal and human populations. Host genetic, innate and adaptive immune factors significantly influence the outcome of brucellosis as does the enabling strategies of intracellular Brucella to evade host factors resulting in a delicate co-evolutionary balance for long term survival for both host and pathogen. Natural (innate) resistance mechanisms include the complex of host cell surface receptors for Brucella pathogen-associated molecular patterns, Toll- IL-1 receptor mediated pathways, factors mediating effective macrophage and dendritic cell maturation and activation, carbohydrate binding proteins, antimicrobial peptides, and inflammatory cytokines orchestrated and regulated by the host genome. Heritability of natural resistance has long been recognized as a complex multigenic trait, however new tools for understanding the genetic basis for innate resistance are now providing a deeper knowledge to identify genes and polymorphisms associated with resistance or susceptibility. Polymorphisms of the 3'UTR of the candidate solute carrier gene, SLC11A1, have been investigated extensively in numerous host species yielding contradictory variable degrees of association with natural resistance to brucellosis in ruminants, and indicating the need for international standardized phenotyping protocols. By coupling new genetic tools with rigorously controlled phenotyping protocols, it is anticipated that applying genetic selection as an additional approach to controlling infectious diseases, such as brucellosis, in domestic animals will become increasingly feasible in future.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"22 6","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114114954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Brucellosis - Risk Factors and Prevalence: A Review","authors":"L. B. Lopes, R. Nicolino, J. Haddad","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010072","url":null,"abstract":"Brucella is one of the major zoonotic pathogens worldwide, and it is responsible for enormous economic losses as well as considerable human morbidity in endemic areas. The organism infects animals such as swine, cattle, goat, sheep, and dogs. Humans can become infected indirectly through contact with infected animals or by animal products consumption. Brucellosis occurs worldwide, but it is well controlled in most developed countries. The disease is rare in industrialized nations because of routine screening of domestic livestock and animal vaccination programmes. Clinical disease is still common in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South and Central America, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Caribbean. This review article aims to describe the prevalence of brucellosis in some countries where data are available around different regions of world, and risk factors associated infections according regression models.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127829854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reactive Oxygen Species: A Double-Edged Sword in Reproduction","authors":"F. M. Silva, A. Marques, A. Chaveiro","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010127","url":null,"abstract":"Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as singlet oxygen, superoxide, peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. Oxidative damage occurs to cells in vivo and in vitro from exposure to free radicals generated by exogenous agents (e.g., radiation, chemicals, hyperoxia) and endogenous processes such as normal cellular metabolism. An imbalance between antioxidants and ROS results in oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage. Oxidative stress (OS) has been linked to cancer, ageing, atherosclerosis, ischemic injury, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. Under extreme oxidative conditions, or if the antioxidant protective mechanisms of cells are compromised, cellular injury and death may occur. Early mammalian embryos are susceptible to damage from reactive oxygen species, and they increase the production of oxygen free radicals when cultured in vitro. ROS generation results from mitochondrias oxidative phosphorylation. The electrons will leak from the inner mitochondrial membranes, being transferred by the oxygen molecule, resulting in an unpaired electron in the orbit. This leaking results in the generation of the superoxide molecules. ROS can also be generated by the cytoplasmic NADPH-oxidase, cytochrome p450 enzymes and the xanthine oxidoreductase enzymes. The excess of OS can have negative effects on the cellular environment and can result in impaired cellular growth in the embryo or apoptosis resulting in embryo fragmentation. Similarly to what happens in females, oxidative energy production in males is inevitably associated with the generation of ROS excessive concentrations of which can lead to cellular pathology. It has been established that ROS can function as signaling molecules and evidence is emerging that sperm may generate low and controlled concentrations of ROS, specifically O2-H2O2, as well as other species such as nitric oxide (NO), which, in his turn, act to mediate the processes of capacitation, hyperactivation and acrosome reaction crucial to the acquisition of fertilizing ability. In the present review the most important antioxidants and their mechanisms of action related to animal reproduction, are discussed.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130324917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Oliveira, G. Macedo, L. A. Almeida, Fernanda S. Oliveira, Á. Oñate, J. Cassataro, G. Giambartolomei
{"title":"Recent Advances in Understanding Immunity Against Brucellosis: Application for Vaccine Development","authors":"S. Oliveira, G. Macedo, L. A. Almeida, Fernanda S. Oliveira, Á. Oñate, J. Cassataro, G. Giambartolomei","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010102","url":null,"abstract":"Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease of nearly worldwide distribution. This pathogen causes abortion in cattle and undulant fever, arthritis, endocarditis and meningitis in human. The immune response against B. abortus involves innate and adaptive immunity involving antigen-presenting cells, NK cells and CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. IFN- is a crucial immune component that results from Brucella recognition by host immune receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that lead to IL-12 production. Although great efforts to elucidate immunity against Brucella have been employed, the subset of cells and factors involved in host immune response remains not completely understood. Our group and others have been working in an attempt to understand the mechanisms involved in innate responses to Brucella. Understanding the requirements for immune protection can help the design of alternative vaccines that would avoid the drawbacks of currently available vaccines to Brucella. This review discusses recent studies in host immunity to Brucella and new approaches for vaccine development.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133961677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Taxonomy of Brucella","authors":"M. Banai, M. Corbel","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010085","url":null,"abstract":"Brucellosis is named after Dr. David Bruce who first isolated the bacterium that caused Malta fever from four fatal cases amongst the British forces on the island. The genus Brucella was subsequently proposed after similar bacteria were isolated from cattle and swine and the zoonotic connection recognized. The close similarities between these isolates were acknowledged but nomen species were subsequently designated on the basis of their specific host preference, phage susceptibility and oxidative metabolism pattern with specific carbohydrate and amino acid substrates. The later isolation of B. suis strains of divergent host preference and of strains of low human pathogenicity, such as B. neotomae and B. ovis, has inspired a debate regarding Brucella taxonomy. On the one hand, the DNA homologies are strikingly similar, justifying inclusion of all members of the genus in a single species with sub-divisions. On the other hand, whole genome analyses such as MLVA, MLST, microarray studies, and SNP have confirmed subtle differences between the species. As a result, a return to a multi-nomen species taxonomy has recently been proposed and accepted by the Sub-committee on Taxonomy of Brucella. Phylogenetic studies have shown four clades in the genus that have possibly evolved from a Brucella - Ochrobactrum-like common soil ancestor. These are: B. melitensis-B. abortus; B. suis-B. canis; B. neotomae; and B. ceti-B. pinnipedialis (B. microti not yet established), with B. ovis standing as a basal lineage of the tree. B. inopinata is a recently identified isolate that slightly diverges from classical Brucella according to the 16S-rRNA sequence and other molecular studies. This review elaborates on the classification of the genus Brucella according to insights that have emerged since it was first described.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122259673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Xavier, T. A. Paixão, A. D. Hartigh, R. Tsolis, R. Santos
{"title":"Pathogenesis of Brucella spp.","authors":"M. Xavier, T. A. Paixão, A. D. Hartigh, R. Tsolis, R. Santos","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010109","url":null,"abstract":"Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide, resulting in serious economic losses and public health issues. It is caused by intracellular Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Brucella, which are responsible for a debilitating disease in humans and a chronic infection in domestic animals. The present article considers the pathogenesis of Brucella spp., with the goal to cover clinical aspects of the disease in the different mammalian species along with the target cells used by this pathogen to survive inside the host. Additionally, important molecular mechanisms used by Brucella to invade and persist inside the hosts target cells are also discussed.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128691604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical Manifestations of Brucellosis in Domestic Animals and Humans","authors":"J. Megid, L. Mathias, C. Robles","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010119","url":null,"abstract":"Brucellosis in domestic animals is a chronic disease that is characterized mainly by reproductive signs in cattle, buffaloes, pigs, sheep, goats and dogs. In females the disease is characterized by abortion, placenta retention, vaginal secretions, low fertility rate and also embryonic and neonatal death. In males, regular findings include epididymitis, orchitis, uni- or bilateral testicular atrophy, sperm abnormalities and infertility. Lymphadenopathy, hepatopathy, splenomegaly, uveitis and discospondylitis may also be observed in dogs. In horses, the typical clinical sign is characterized by a granulomatous supraspinous or supra-atlantal bursa lesion. Infected animals can also be asymptomatic. Infected symptomatic or asymptomatic animals represent an important source of infection to other animals and humans. Brucellosis in humans can cause undulant fever, malaise, insomnia, anorexia, headache, arthralgia, constipation, sexual impotence, nervousness and depression. For all species the presentation of clinical signs are only suggestive of disease infection and thus must be differentiated from other diseases.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133863412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fernando Padilla Poester, K. Nielsen, L. Samartino, Wei Ling Yu
{"title":"Diagnosis of Brucellosis","authors":"Fernando Padilla Poester, K. Nielsen, L. Samartino, Wei Ling Yu","doi":"10.2174/1874318801004010046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874318801004010046","url":null,"abstract":"Brucellosis is an important zoonosis and a significant cause of reproductive losses in animals. Abortion, placentitis, epididymitis, and orchitis are the most common clinical manifestations in animals. In humans, brucellosis is a debilitating and chronic disease, which may affect a variety of organs. Clinical diagnosis of brucellosis is not easily achieved. Laboratory testing is therefore very important for a correct identification of the disease in humans and for the detection and confirmation in animals. Definitive diagnosis is normally done by isolation and identification of the causative agent. While definitive, isolation is time-consuming, must be performed by highly skilled personnel, and it is hazardous. For these reasons, serological tests are normally preferred. Brucellosis serology have advanced considerably in the last decades with very sensitive and specific new tests available. Modern genetic characterization of Brucellae using molecular DNA technology have been developed. Several PCR-based assays have been proposed, from the rapid recognition of genus to differential identification of species and strains. This review describes bacteriological, serological, and molecular methods used for the diagnosis of human and animal brucellosis.","PeriodicalId":214092,"journal":{"name":"The Open Veterinary Science Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114147698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}