A angiostrongilíase abdominal (AA) é uma doença causada pelo nematódeo Angiostrongylus costaricensis, tendo como hospedeiros definitivos roedores silvestres e hospedeiros intermediários moluscos terrestres. No homem, hospedeiro acidental, pode causar infartos intestinais e pseudotumorações, que podem complicar com peritonite e sepse. O diagnóstico definitivo é realizado pelo estudo histopatológico de peças cirúrgicas, ao serem identificadas estruturas parasitárias como vermes, ovos ou larvas. Este processo demanda tempo e experiência do patologista. Até o presente momento não existe tratamento disponível contra o parasito ou para evitar as complicações, apesar de várias tentativas realizadas com o uso de antiparasitários. O presente estudo teve dois objetivos: 1. Testar a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) em bloco parafinado para o diagnóstico de angiostrongilíase abdominal em seres humanos; e 2. Avaliar o efeito da enoxaparina na prevenção de complicações isquêmicas intestinais em camundongos com AA. Para a técnica da PCR utilizamos iniciadores de DNA do Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Blocos parafinados de 4 grupos foram divididos em: (1) casos confirmados (n=20), onde haviam estruturas parasitárias; (2) casos suspeitos (n=20), sendo alvos os granulomas e infiltrado eosinofílico; (3) controle negativo (n=3), proveniente de pacientes operados por adenocarcinomas; e (4) controle de especificidade (n=7), outras parasitoses, representados por estrongiloidíase, enterobíase, ascaridíase e esquistossomose. Para avaliar do tratamento foram utilizados 24 camundongos Swiss infectados com Angiostrongylus costaricensis (10L3/animal), sendo 12 tratados com enoxaparina subcutânea (40mg/kg/dia) e 12 com água destilada (placebo) por 50 dias. Os resultados mostraram que a sensibilidade da PCR foi de 55%, a especificidade de 100% e valor preditivo positivo de 100% para confirmaçãoo da AA. O tratamento dos camundongos com enoxaparina não mostrou diferença com o grupo placebo, em relação a prevenção das lesões tissulares e óbito. Concluindo, a PCR pode tornar-se uma ferramenta promissora para auxiliar na definição diagnóstica da AA, em especial quando o patologista não está familiarizado com esta doença. A enoxaparina na dose profilática não preveniu as lesões e os óbitos causados pelo parasito. / Abdominal angiostrongyliasis (AA) is a disease caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis. The parasite has wild rodents as definitive hosts and molusks as intermediate hosts. Incidental contamination in men can provoke bowel infarction and pseudotumoral lesions, clinically manifested as acute abdomen. The diagnosis has been confirmed after histopathological examination of surgical specimens, with the identification of parasitic structures such as worms, eggs and larvae. Diagnostic workup demands high expertise from the pathologist. Hitherto there is no available treatment either for parasite eradication or avoidance of complications, despite several studies addressing the effect of anti-parasitic drugs. The current study aimed: 1. To test polimerase chain reaction (PCR) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue for the diagnosis of AA in humans; and 2. To assess the effect of enoxaparin in preventing intestinal ischemic complications in mice with AA. For PCR we used DNA primers from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Four groups of FFPE intestinal tissue from surgically treated patients were tested with PCR: (1) confirmed cases (n = 20), in which AC structures were present in the target tissue; (2) presumptive cases (n = 20), containing eosinophilic infiltrates and/or granulomatous reaction in the absence of AC structures; (3) negative controls (n = 3), consisting of normal colonic tissue surrounding resected colonic adenocarcinoma; and (4) tissue affected by other parasitosis (n = 7), including strongiloidiasis, ascaridiasis, schistosomiasis, and enterobiasis. In the study with enoxaparin, 24 mice infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis (10L3/animal) were allocated to receive subcutaneous enoxaparin (40mg/kg/day, n = 12) or sterile water (n = 12) for 50 days. Regarding results, PCR showed sensitivity of 55%, specificity of 100% and positive predictive value of 100% in confirming AA. Treatment with enoxaparin was not superior to placebo in preventing AA related complications or death. In conclusion, the PCR technique might be a promising tool to be used in the diagnostic workup of AA, particularly in the setting of non-experienced pathologists. Enoxaparin in prophylactic doses did not prevent lesions or death in mice suffering from AA.

A angiostrongilíase abdominal (AA) é uma doença causada pelo nematódeo Angiostrongylus costaricensis, tendo como hospedeiros definitivos roedores silvestres e hospedeiros intermediários moluscos terrestres. No homem, hospedeiro acidental, pode causar infartos intestinais e pseudotumorações, que podem complicar com peritonite e sepse. O diagnóstico definitivo é realizado pelo estudo histopatológico de peças cirúrgicas, ao serem identificadas estruturas parasitárias como vermes, ovos ou larvas. Este processo demanda tempo e experiência do patologista. Até o presente momento não existe tratamento disponível contra o parasito ou para evitar as complicações, apesar de várias tentativas realizadas com o uso de antiparasitários. O presente estudo teve dois objetivos: 1. Testar a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) em bloco parafinado para o diagnóstico de angiostrongilíase abdominal em seres humanos; e 2. Avaliar o efeito da enoxaparina na prevenção de complicações isquêmicas intestinais em camundongos com AA. Para a técnica da PCR utilizamos iniciadores de DNA do Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Blocos parafinados de 4 grupos foram divididos em: (1) casos confirmados (n=20), onde haviam estruturas parasitárias; (2) casos suspeitos (n=20), sendo alvos os granulomas e infiltrado eosinofílico; (3) controle negativo (n=3), proveniente de pacientes operados por adenocarcinomas; e (4) controle de especificidade (n=7), outras parasitoses, representados por estrongiloidíase, enterobíase, ascaridíase e esquistossomose. Para avaliar do tratamento foram utilizados 24 camundongos Swiss infectados com Angiostrongylus costaricensis (10L3/animal), sendo 12 tratados com enoxaparina subcutânea (40mg/kg/dia) e 12 com água destilada (placebo) por 50 dias. Os resultados mostraram que a sensibilidade da PCR foi de 55%, a especificidade de 100% e valor preditivo positivo de 100% para confirmaçãoo da AA. O tratamento dos camundongos com enoxaparina não mostrou diferença com o grupo placebo, em relação a prevenção das lesões tissulares e óbito. Concluindo, a PCR pode tornar-se uma ferramenta promissora para auxiliar na definição diagnóstica da AA, em especial quando o patologista não está familiarizado com esta doença. A enoxaparina na dose profilática não preveniu as lesões e os óbitos causados pelo parasito. / Abdominal angiostrongyliasis (AA) is a disease caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis. The parasite has wild rodents as definitive hosts and molusks as intermediate hosts. Incidental contamination in men can provoke bowel infarction and pseudotumoral lesions, clinically manifested as acute abdomen. The diagnosis has been confirmed after histopathological examination of surgical specimens, with the identification of parasitic structures such as worms, eggs and larvae. Diagnostic workup demands high expertise from the pathologist. Hitherto there is no available treatment either for parasite eradication or avoidance of complications, despite several studies addressing the effect of anti-parasitic drugs. The current study aimed: 1. To test polimerase chain reaction (PCR) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue for the diagnosis of AA in humans; and 2. To assess the effect of enoxaparin in preventing intestinal ischemic complications in mice with AA. For PCR we used DNA primers from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Four groups of FFPE intestinal tissue from surgically treated patients were tested with PCR: (1) confirmed cases (n = 20), in which AC structures were present in the target tissue; (2) presumptive cases (n = 20), containing eosinophilic infiltrates and/or granulomatous reaction in the absence of AC structures; (3) negative controls (n = 3), consisting of normal colonic tissue surrounding resected colonic adenocarcinoma; and (4) tissue affected by other parasitosis (n = 7), including strongiloidiasis, ascaridiasis, schistosomiasis, and enterobiasis. In the study with enoxaparin, 24 mice infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis (10L3/animal) were allocated to receive subcutaneous enoxaparin (40mg/kg/day, n = 12) or sterile water (n = 12) for 50 days. Regarding results, PCR showed sensitivity of 55%, specificity of 100% and positive predictive value of 100% in confirming AA. Treatment with enoxaparin was not superior to placebo in preventing AA related complications or death. In conclusion, the PCR technique might be a promising tool to be used in the diagnostic workup of AA, particularly in the setting of non-experienced pathologists. Enoxaparin in prophylactic doses did not prevent lesions or death in mice suffering from AA.

Orientador: Eliana Maria Zanotti-Magalhães / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T18:40:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruno_TreziaIedaBallerini_D.pdf: 6507064 bytes, checksum: 5515a1ea19ac4cfea55f25a3da2f2efa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Experimentalmente, Biomphalaria glabrata pode ser utilizada como hospedeiro intermediário do nematódeo Angiostrongylus costaricensis, responsável pela angiostrongilíase abdominal. Esta zoonose, descrita no Brasil principalmente nos estados sulinos, pode acometer acidentalmente o homem, sendo que a infecção ocorre através da ingestão de moluscos parasitados ou água e alimentos contaminados com larvas de 3° estágio, eliminadas no muco dos moluscos hospedeiros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o desenvolvimento dos estágios larvais e o comportamento dos hemócitos na hemolinfa de B. glabrata infectada.Um total de 168 moluscos foi infectado com 120 larvas LI de A. costaricensis extraídas das fezes de camundongos Swiss albinos previamente infectados via oral sob tubagem esofágica com 6 larvas L3. Larvas de A. costaricensis foram recuperadas de 45 moluscos B. glabrata após 15, 22 e 29 dias de exposição ao parasita, através do método de Baermann, utilizando tecidos digeridos dos moluscos com solução de pepsina e ácido clorídrico. Constatou-se maior recuperação de larvas de A. costaricensis dos moluscos aos 29 dias de infecção. Para o estudo do desenvolvimento de Ao costaricensis, 60 moluscos infectados foram destinados a recuperação larval durante 30 dias consecutivos. Foi observada a mudança larval de LI para L2 aos 13 dias de infecção e L2 para L3 aos 18 dias de infecção. Hemolinfa de 45 moluscos infectados e não infectados com A. costaricensis foi coletada para verificação da resposta hemocitária durante 4 semanas. Os hemócitos foram distinguidos em hialinócitos e granulócitos. Enquanto nos moluscos não infectados predominaram os hialinócitos, naqueles infectados os granulócitos foram mais evidentes, principalmente entre o 18° ao 25° dia de infecção. Foi confirmada a ocorrência tanto da infecção percutânea como por via oral. Os locais mais parasitados foram: região cefalopodal, a preferida pelo nematódeo, seguida do intestino, rim e pulmão. Todas as larvas encontradas estavam viáveis e rodeadas por reação do tipo granulomatosa, independentes de sua localização / Abstract: Biomphalaria glabrata can be experimentally used as an intermediate host of the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis, responsible for abdominal angiostrongyliasis. This zoonosis, found in Brazil mainly in the southem states, can accidentally infect man through the ingestion of parasitized mollusks or contaminated water and food containing third-stage larvae, eliminated in the mucous secretion of the mollusks. The objective of this work was to study the development of larval stages and the behavior of hemocytes in the hemolymph of infected B. glabrata. A total of 168 mollusks were infected with 120 LI larvae of A. costaricensis, extracted ftom excrement of albino Swiss mice previously infected via the oral route by esophageal tube with 6 L3 larvae. The A. costaricensis larvae had been recovered from 45 B. glabrata mollusks at 15, 22 and 29 days after exposure to the parasite, by means of the method of Baermann, using molluscan tissues digested with pepsin and hydrochloric acid solution. A larger recovery of A. costaricensis larvae from the mollusk was found at 29 days after infection. For the study of the development of A. costaricensis, 60 infected mollusks were allocated for larval recovery during a period of 30 consecutive days. It was observed that there was a larval stage change, from L1 to L2, at the 13th day after infection and from L2 to L3 on the 18th day after infection.The hemolymph of 45 mollusks, both infected and not infected with A. costaricensis, was collected for verification of the hemocyte response during 4 weeks. The hemocytes were differentiated into hyalinocytes and granulocytes. While in the non infected mollusks the hyalinocytes had predominated, in those infected granulocytes were more evident, mainly between the 18th and the 25th day after infection. The occurence of infection, both via percutaneous and via oral routes, was confirmed. The most parasitized sites were the cephalopodan mass, preferred by the nematodes, folIowed by the intestines, kidneys and lungs. AlI the larvae found were viable and surrounded by reaction of the granulomatous type, independent of their situation / Doutorado / Mestre em Parasitologia

Orientador: Eliana Maria Zanotti-Magalhaes / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T03:44:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guerino_LauraRocha_M.pdf: 645841 bytes, checksum: c75feb38c5a946cf3347791584c0e3e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Moluscos terrestres de várias espécies têm sido relatados como hospedeiros naturais do Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Experimentalmente, Biomphalaria glabrata pode ser utilizada como hospedeira intermediária deste nematódeo, responsável pela angiostrongilíase abdominal. Os moluscos se infectam pela ingestão ou penetração ativa das larvas L1 de A. costaricensis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a capacidade de atração exercida por B. glabrata infectada com A. costaricensis sobre miracídios de Schistosoma mansoni da linhagem BH e verificar a suscetibilidade de B. glabrata submetida à infecção concomitante com A. costaricensis e S. mansoni. Para o estudo da atração miraxonal utilizamos B. glabrata infectada com 120 larvas L1 de A. costaricensis e após 20 dias de infecção os moluscos foram utilizados nos experimentos. Nesses experimentos foi utilizado um artefato de vidro composto por duas câmaras unidas por um canal e preenchido com água declorada. Os moluscos ou sua água de condicionamento (SCW) foram colocados aleatoriamente em uma das câmaras e dez miracídios foram colocados no centro do canal e seu comportamento foi observado por 15 minutos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, pudemos observar que B. glabrata infectada ou não com A. costaricensis ou sua SCW atraíram miracídios de S. mansoni. Verificamos ainda, haver maior atração miraxonal frente à SCW de B. glabrata infectada com A. costaricensis (89%) do que o próprio molusco infectado com A. costaricensis (71%). No estudo da suscetibilidade exemplares de B. glabrata foram expostos a 10 miracídios de S. mansoni BH e a 120 larvas L1 de A. costaricensis. Após 30 dias de infecção os moluscos foram examinados para a verificação de eliminação de cercárias. Após 60 dias de infecção os moluscos sobreviventes tiveram seu corpo digerido por pepsina e ácido clorídrico para a recuperação de larvas L3 de A. costaricensis. A infecção prévia de B. glabrata com A. costaricensis (com intervalo de 48 horas), facilitou a infecção pelo S. mansoni. Foi constatada maior taxa de infecção por S. mansoni (96,7%), maior número de cercárias liberadas (4955 cercárias/molusco) e baixa mortalidade dos moluscos (20%). A exposição prévia de B. glabrata ao A. costaricensis e posteriormente ao S mansoni, também facilitou o desenvolvimento do A. costaricensis, uma vez que na nona semana de infecção foi recuperada maior quantidade de larvas L3 (12 larvas/molusco), se comparado com moluscos expostos somente ao A. costaricensis (8 larvas/molusco). Entretanto a pré-infecção de B. glabrata com S. mansoni (com intervalo de 24 horas) e posteriormente com A. costaricensis mostrou-se muito prejudicial à B. glabrata provocando grande mortalidade dos moluscos (83%). A maior mortalidade dos moluscos provocou menor taxa de infecção pelo S. mansoni (63,3%), menor recuperação de larvas L3 de A. costaricensis (10 larvas/molusco) e menor número de cercárias liberadas (2722 cercárias/molusco) / Abstract: Several species of land mollusks are natural hosts of the Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Experimentally, Biomphalaria glabrata can be used as an intermediate host for this nematode, responsible for the abdominal angiostrongyliasis. The mollusks are infected through the ingestion or activate penetration by the first-stage larvae (L1) of A. costaricensis. The objective of this work was to verify the ability of B. glabrata, infected with A. costaricensis, to attract miracidia of the BH strain of Schistosoma mansoni and to verify the susceptibility of B. glabrata infected concomitantly with A. costaricensis and S. mansoni. For the study of the miraxonal attraction we used B. glabrata infected with 120 first-stage larvae of A. costaricensis and the mollusks were used in the experiments after twenty days of infection. In these experiments we used a glass apparatus consisting of two circular chambers connected by a channel and filled with chlorine free water. Aleatorily, the snails or their conditioning water (SCW) were placed in one chamber and ten miracidia were placed in the center of the channel and their behavior was observed for 15 minutes. According to the results obtained, we could observe that B. glabrata infected or not infected with A. costaricensis and their SCW attracted S. mansoni miracidia. We also verified, a larger miraxonal attraction to the SCW of B. glabrata infected with A. costaricensis (89%) than to the actual mollusk infected with A. costaricensis (71%). In the study of the susceptibility samples of B. glabrata were exposed to 10 miracidia of the BH strain of S. mansoni and to 120 first-stage larvae of A. costaricensis. After thirty days of infection the mollusks were examined for the cercariae elimination. After sixty days of infection the surviving mollusks had their bodies digested by pepsin and hydrochloric acid for the recovery of third-stage larvae of A. costaricensis. The prior infection of B. glabrata with A. costaricensis (with an interval of 48 hours), facilitated the infection with S. mansoni. A larger infection rate to S. mansoni was verified (96.7%), a larger number of liberated cercariae (4955 cercariae/mollusk) and a lower mortality of the mollusks (20%). The prior infection of B. glabrata with A. costaricensis and posteriorly to S. mansoni, also facilitated the development of the A. costaricensis, because in the ninth week of infection a larger amount of third-stage larva was recovered (12 larvae/mollusk), if compared with mollusks exposed only to the A. costaricensis (8 larvae/mollusk). However the prior infection of B. glabrata with S. mansoni (with an interval of 24 hours) and posteriorly with A. costaricensis it was shown to be very harmful to B. Glabrata causing a great mortality of the mollusks (83%). The larger mortality of the mollusks caused a smaller infection rate for the S. mansoni (63.3%), a smaller recovery of thirdstage larvae of A. costaricensis (10 larvae/mollusk) and a smaller number of liberated cercariae (2722 cercariae/mollusk) / Mestrado / Parasitologia / Mestre em Parasitologia

Abstract -1 The immune response occurred in the mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis was mainly humoral immune response. This study was designed to compare the systemic and localized humoral immune responses occurred after primary and secondary infections in C57BL/6J mice. Eight weeks after the primary infection with 20 third-stage larvae, each mouse received a second inoculation of the same dosage. Specific serum IgM, IgG and IgE were found in the second week after primary infection. However, the titers of IgG1 and IgG2b increased at the fourth week after primary infection. Antibodies of these mentioned increased continuously as the progress of infection. On the other hand, the IgM and IgG1 titers increased in brain tissue infusion since the forth week after primary infection, while the titer of IgG start to elevate at the sixth week. Nevertheless, the increase of IgG2B was only noticed at the sixth week and no significant change was observed for IgG2a and IgE. After the secondary infection, serum IgM titers increased while the titer of IgG1 in the brain tissue infusion decreased. Results of Western blot showed that IgG1and IgE in the brain tissue infusion lost the ability to recognize a 42 kDa molecule of the somatic and excreting-secreting antigens of fifth-stage larvae. These variations could be used in the diagnosis of the early stage of mice that re-infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Abstract -2 The radiographic lateral views of the skulls of the mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis were taken. Thus, the parietofrontal index ( PI ) was obtained by measuring and calculating the distances among specific positions on their skulls. Compared with the controls, a significant elevation over the top of the crania of the cases was observed sixty days post-infection. In addition, the phenomenon emerged apparently during the second to the fourth week post-infection. These findings are able to be applied as the external diagnostic references for the infection course of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-04-04T19:36:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 fabriciohortaduarte.pdf: 1008367 bytes, checksum: d101b8e040e543ba247884ffb2be3f2b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-04-06T10:44:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 fabriciohortaduarte.pdf: 1008367 bytes, checksum: d101b8e040e543ba247884ffb2be3f2b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-06T10:44:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fabriciohortaduarte.pdf: 1008367 bytes, checksum: d101b8e040e543ba247884ffb2be3f2b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-13 / O cachorro do mato (Cerdocyon thous) é um canídeo típico da fauna Sul americana, apresenta hábitos noturnos e é amplamente distribuído pelo território nacional. O presente trabalho objetivou contribuir, principalmente, com o avanço do conhecimento sobre taxonomia das espécies de helmintos que ocorrem em C. thous. Foram necropsiados seis espécimes do dito hospedeiro, dentre os anos de 2001 e 2004, morto em atropelamentos em estradas da micro região de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. Os helmintos foram coletados e acondicionados em via úmida e via seca. Para identificação específica, foram montados em lâminas permanentes e provisórias. Foram encontrados, 468 helmintos identificados como: Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866) Kamensky, 1905 (Nematoda, Angiostrogylidae), a uma prevalência de 50% (P=50%), abundancia média de 4±4,47 (AM=4±4,47), intensidade média de 8±3,00 (IM=8±3,00) e padrão distribuição espacial agregado (ID=5,70 e K=0,36), sendo esta espécie um espécie secundária na comunidade, no coração e nos pulmões de três hospedeiros analisados, Platynosomum illiciens (Braun, 1901) Kossack, 1910 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) (P=16,7%; AM= 6±14,69; IM= 36) no fígado e ductos biliares de um hospedeiro, sendo esta espécie satélite na comunidade, Ancylostomma bucklelyi Le Roux and Biocca, 1957 (Nematoda, Ancylostomatidae) (P=33,4%; AM= 2±3,09; IM= 6) padrão agregado de distribuição (ID=0,57; K=6,32), sendo esta espécie secundária na comunidade, encontrada no intestino delgado e estômago de dois hospedeiros, Pterygodermatites affinis (Jägerskiöld 1904) Quentin, 1969 (Nematoda, Rictulariidae) (P=66,7%; AM= 5±7,64; IM= 7,5±8,5) apresenta padrão de distribuição espacial agregado (ID=0,56 e K=0,44) e é uma espécie central na comunidade, sendo encontrada em intestino e estômago de quatro hospedeiros, Athesmia heterolecithodes (Braun, 1899) Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) (P=33,4%; AM= 59,83±140,76; IM= 179,5±236,88) sendo uma espécie secundária na comunidade, relatada parasitando o fígado de dois hospedeiros e uma espécie de capilarídeo não identificada em um hospedeiro. O presente trabalho é o primeiro registro de A. heterolecitodes, P. affinis, P. illiciens para C. thous. / Cerdocyon thous is a canid of neotropical fauna, with nocturnal habits and extensive distribution in the savannas and forests of South America. The objective of this work is contribute for the knowledge about helminthes species in C. thous. Were examined six specimens of C. thous dead by running over in the periphery of the Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The helminths was collected and stored in 70 % alcohol and dry preparations. For specific identification, they were prepared in permanent and no permanent slides. Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866) Kamensky, 1905 (Nematoda, Angiostrogylidae) occurred in heart and lungs in tree hosts, with a prevalence of 50% (P=50%), mean abundance of 4±4,47 (MA=4±4,47), mean intensity of 8±3,00 (MI=8±3,00) and spatial distribution agregated (ID=5,70 e K=0,36). This species has been characterized as secondary in the community of parasites. Platynosomum illiciens (Braun, 1901) Kossack, 1910 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) (P=16,7%; MA= 6±14,69; MI= 36) occurred in liver of one host and was categorized as satellite among parasites populations. Ancylostomma bucklelyi Le Roux and Biocca, 1957 (Nematoda, Ancylostomatidae) (P=33,4%; MA= 2±3,09; MI= 6) occurred in small intestine and stomach in two hosts, with spatial distribution agregated (ID=0,57; K=6,32), and was categorized as secondary. Pterygodermatites affinis (Jägerskiöld 1904) Quentin, 1969 (Nematoda, Rictulariidae) (P=66,7%; MA= 5±7,64; MI= 7,5±8,5), was registered in intestine and stomach in four hosts and showed spatial distribution agregated (ID=0,56 e K=0,44). P affinis was the only central species in the parasites community. Athesmia heterolecithodes (Braun, 1899) Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) (P=33,4%; MA= 59,83±140,76; MI= 179,5±236,88), a secondary parasites species, was registered in liver of the two host. A not identify species of nematodes Capilariidae was recorded in one host. This study are the first record of A. heterolecithodes, P. affinis, P. illiciens in C. thous.

Submitted by Caroline Xavier (caroline.xavier@pucrs.br) on 2017-06-30T17:21:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TES_BIANCA_BARBIERI_COGNATO_COMPLETO.pdf: 2150300 bytes, checksum: 6c0ebf29cb36a3ae7a825cf9c0060dc4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-30T17:21:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TES_BIANCA_BARBIERI_COGNATO_COMPLETO.pdf: 2150300 bytes, checksum: 6c0ebf29cb36a3ae7a825cf9c0060dc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-21 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico - CNPq / Two nematode species belonging to the Metastrongyloidea superfamily are capable to produce disease in humans: Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Both are rodent parasites and human infection is considered accidental. Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, caused by A. cantonensis, raises concern due to the expanding number of cases and geographical area of occurrence. Molecular and immunological methods for the diagnosis are crucial, however, after many studies with different antigenic molecules, has a specific and sensitive test to discriminate the angiostrongyliasis to others parasitoses is lacking. Cross-reactivity with other helminthes, which may cause similar symptoms, and eosinophilic meningitis, has been a problem for the satisfactory performance of specificity in serological tests. In order to improve the diagnosis of angiostrongyliasis, a comparative analysis of protein recognition from different extracts from A. cantonensis, Toxocara canis, Schistosoma mansoni and Strongyloides stercoralis against positive serum for Angiostrongylus.spp was performed. Through extraction kit, one-dimensional and two-dimensional electrophoresis, western blot and mass spectrometry, 149 proteins were identified. Among these, 34 were exclusive to A. cantonensis, COI being present only in the A. cantonensis extract, having no similarities with any other parasite compared in NCBI (nr database) and WormBase Database. Additionally, nine proteins were recognized by more than one parasite and extract, being important cross reactivity markers in parasitic infections. With the data obtained in this study, we suggest the use of the follow proteins as cross-reactivity markers: Galectin 1, HSPA-5 and Ifa1. In addition, immunogenic proteins of A. cantonensis ES-7, Lec-5 and 14-3-3, were recombinant expressed in two cell types, CHO and HEK. Their potential diagnostic values were verified by uni and bidimensional electrophoresis, western and dot blot, and N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) treatment using serum from patients infected with A. cantonensis, negative serum for parasites, and positive for other parasites. ES7 protein expressed in HEK and CHO cells and Lec-5 expressed in CHO were recognized only by Angiostrongylus-positive serum and not by negative control and specificity control in 2D and 1D tests, respectively. In the 2D analyzes Lec-5 showed a weak recognition with negative serum. However, the 14-3-3 protein didn?t show any specificity against A. cantonensis serum, since it was recognized by all tested sera. Antigen-antibody recognition was found to be dependent on the glycogenic portions, since when treated with N-glycosidase F (PNGase F), recognition between proteins and serum disappeared. The heterologous expression, using mammalian cells, as well as the identification of shared and/or specific molecules, may represent a promising source of antigens for the diagnosis of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, and molecular diagnostic tests become necessary. / Duas esp?cies de nemat?deos pertencentes a superfam?lia Metastrongyloidea, s?o capazes de produzir doen?a em humanos: Angiostrongylus cantonensis e Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Ambos s?o parasitas pr?prios de roedores e a infec??o humana ? considerada acidental. A meningite eosinof?lica, causada por A. cantonensis, tem gerado preocupa??o na comunidade cient?fica pela expans?o da ?rea geogr?fica de ocorr?ncia. M?todos moleculares e imunol?gicos para o diagn?stico desta infec??o s?o cruciais para o diagn?stico, entretanto, ap?s muitos estudos com diferentes mol?culas antig?nicas, at? hoje n?o foi desenvolvido um teste de diagn?stico que seja espec?fico e sens?vel o suficiente para discriminar as angiostrongil?ases de outras parasitoses. A reatividade cruzada tem sido o principal problema encontrado nos estudos j? desenvolvidos para este prop?sito. Com o objetivo de aprimorar o diagn?stico das angiostrongil?ases, foi realizado neste estudo an?lise comparativa do reconhecimento de prote?nas de diferentes extratos teciduais de A. cantonensis, Toxocara canis, Schistosoma mansoni e Strongyloides stercoralis contra soro positivo para Angiostrongylus spp Atrav?s de kit de extra??o, eletroforese unidimensional e bidimensional, western blot e espectrometria de massas foram identificadas 149 prote?nas. Dentre estas, 34 foram exclusivas para A. cantonensis, sendo que COI estava presente apenas no extrato de A. cantonensis n?o possuindo similaridades com nenhum outro parasito comparado no NCBI (nr database) e WormBase Database. Estas prote?nas podem ser consideradas promissoras como marcadores de reatividade humoral espec?fica para o parasito. Todavia, outras nove prote?nas foram reconhecidas por mais de um parasito em mais de um extrato testado, sendo importantes marcadores de reatividade cruzada em infec??es parasit?rias. Com os dados obtidos neste estudo, sugerimos como marcadores de reatividade cruzada o uso das prote?nas: Galectin 1, HSPA-5 e Ifa1. Al?m disso, prote?nas imunog?nicas de A. cantonensis ES-7, Lec-5 e 14-3-3, foram expressas de forma recombinante em dois tipos celulares, CHO e HEK, e o potencial uso diagn?stico destas prote?nas foi verificado atrav?s de eletroforese uni e bidimensional, western e dot blot, e tratamento por N-glycosidase F (PNGase F), utilizando soro positivo para Angiostrongylus spp., soro negativo e positivo para outras parasitoses. Prote?na ES-7 expressa em c?lulas HEK e CHO, e Lec-5 expressa em CHO foram reconhecidas apenas pelo soro positivo para Angiostrongylus spp. e n?o pelo soro negativo e controles de especificidade em testes 2D e 1D, respectivamente. J? nas an?lises em 2D, Lec-5 apresentou fraco reconhecimento com soro negativo. J? a prote?na 14-3-3 n?o apresentou nenhuma especificidade pelo soro de A. cantonensis, j? que foi reconhecida por todos os soros testados. O reconhecimento ant?geno-anticorpo se mostrou dependente das por??es glic?dicas, j? que quando tratadas com N-glycosidase F (PNGase F), o reconhecimento das prote?nas pelo soro desapareceu. A express?o heter?loga, utilizando c?lulas de mam?feros, assim como a identifica??o de mol?culas compartilhadas e/ou espec?ficas, podem representar uma promissora fonte de ant?genos para o diagn?stico da meningite eosinof?lica, requerendo aprimorados testes moleculares para seu diagn?stico.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:47:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 812202 bytes, checksum: b8af5169f54eccc705c53128fef2ba2b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-19 / The parasitosis, in a medical and social standpoint, presents important public health problems. In Brazil, an average of a third of population lives in areas with risk of transmission and occurrence of parasitic diseases. The lack of basic sanitation, as well as environmental factors particular of tropical climates, inequality of the socioeconomic conditions of the individuals and the lack of information are factors that favor its occurrence. The colonization process, establishment of new routes of trade and human migration, contributed to the introduction of pathogens transported by their hosts to other regions. This way, various species found out of their origin area. The parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis and the exotic snail Achatina fulica are two examples of organisms that were introduced in Brazil. A.fulica is one of the intermediate hosts of the parasite A. cantonensis, responsible for cause in humans, disease known as eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, may lead parasitized individuals to death. In various regions of the country, was confirmed the presence of this parasite naturally occurring, as well as cases of infected humans. This way, measures of alternative control, are important to avoid its dispersion. In this context was evaluated the predatory capability of eight fungal isolates belong to the species Duddingtonia flagrans (isolated: AC001, CG768 and CG722), Monacrosporium thaumasium (isolated: NF34), M. sinense (isolated: SF53) and Arthobotrys robusta (isolated: I31), A. cladodes (isolated: CG719) and A. conoídes (isolated: I40) on first larvae stage (L1) of A. cantonensis in laboratory conditions. Were formed nine groups: eight groups treated with the different isolated and one control group (without fungi). The groups treated contained 1000 conidia of isolated fungal and 1000 L1 of A. cantonensis in Petri dish containing Agar- water 2% (AA2%). The control group contained only 1000 L1 of A. cantonensis in AA2%. Evidence of predatory activity of all fungal isolates tested could be observed at the end of seven days of the experiment through the recovery of ixnon-predated L1, where were observed the following percentage of reduction of L1 with the respective isolates: AC001 (82,8%); CG768 (71,0%); CG722 (72,8%); NF34 (86,7%), SF53 (89,7%); I40 (48,3%), CG719 (84,7%) and I31 (80,4%). No difference was observed (p>0,01) between the action of the isolated used in the end of seven days, however, was observed difference (p<0,01) compared with the control group. The results observed demonstrated that the fungi belonged to the genus Duddingtonia (AC001, CG768 and CG722), Monacrosporium (NF34 and SF53) and Arthrobotrys (I31 and CG719), could be used in biological control, once that these were capable of reduce the population of larvae (L1) of A. cantonensis in vitro. / As parasitoses, do ponto de vista médico e social, representam importantes problemas de saúde pública. No Brasil, em média um terço da população vive em áreas com risco de transmissão e ocorrência de doenças parasitárias. A falta de saneamento básico, bem como fatores ambientais próprios de clima tropical, desigualdade das condições socioeconômicas dos indivíduos e a falta de informação favorecem sua ocorrência. Os processos de colonização, estabelecimento de novas rotas de comércio e migração humana, contribuíram para a introdução de patógenos transportados por seus hospedeiros para outras regiões. Dessa forma, várias espécies se encontram fora de sua área de origem. O parasito Angiostrongylus cantonensis e o caramujo exótico Achatina fulica, são dois exemplos de organismos que foram introduzidos no Brasil. A. fulica é um dos hospedeiros intermediários do parasito A. cantonensis, responsável por causar em humanos, doença conhecida como meningoencefalite eosinofilica, podendo levar indivíduos parasitados a óbito. Em várias regiões do país, foi confirmada a presença deste parasito ocorrendo naturalmente, bem como casos de humanos infectados. Dessa forma, medidas de controle alternativo, são importantes para evitar sua dispersão. Nesse contexto foi avaliada a capacidade predatória de oito isolados fúngicos pertencentes ás espécies Duddingtonia flagrans (isolados: AC001, CG768 e CG722), Monacrosporium thaumasium (isolado: NF34), M. sinense (isolado: SF53) e Arthobotrys robusta (isolado: I31), A. cladodes (isolado: CG719) e A. conoídes (isolado: I40) sobre larvas de primeiro estádio (L1) de A. cantonensis em condições laboratoriais. Foram formados nove grupos: oito grupos tratados com os diferentes isolados, e um grupo controle (sem fungos). Os grupos tratados continham 1000 conídios dos isolados fúngicos e 1000 L1 de A. cantonensis em placa de Petri contendo o meio Agar-água 2% (AA2%). O viigrupo controle continha apenas 1000 L1 de A. cantonensis em AA2%. Evidências da atividade predatória de todos os isolados fúngicos testados, foram observadas ao final de sete dias do experimento, através da recuperação das larvas (L1) não predadas, sendo observados os seguintes percentuais de redução com os respectivos isolados: AC001 (82,8%); CG768 (71,0%); CG722 (72,8%); NF34 (86,7%), SF53 (89,7%); I40 (48,3%), CG719 (84,7%) e I31 (80,4%). Não houve diferença (p>0,01) entre a ação dos isolados utilizados ao final de sete dias, no entanto, foi observado diferença (p<0,01) em relação ao grupo controle. Os resultados demonstraram que os fungos pertencentes aos gêneros Duddingtonia (AC001, CG768 E CG722), Monacrosporium (NF34 e SF53) e Arthrobotrys (I31 e CG719), poderiam ser utilizados no controle biológico, uma vez que estes foram capazes de reduzir a população de larvas (L1) de A. cantonensis in vitro.

Submitted by Sandra Pereira (srpereira@ufrrj.br) on 2017-03-22T13:55:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Mariana Gomes Lima.pdf: 3236185 bytes, checksum: 3517b88022c7943663ae0274085cc96a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-22T13:55:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Mariana Gomes Lima.pdf: 3236185 bytes, checksum: 3517b88022c7943663ae0274085cc96a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-23 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico - CNPq / The nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis has gained notoriety under the public health point of view out of its endemic area in Asia, since in recent years cases of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis have been reported in other continents, such as in the Americas. In Brazil over thirty cases of this zoonotic disease have been recorded and there are reports of the presence of this nematode in 11 states. In its life cycle A. cantonensis has, along their development, need for intermediate and final host, involving predominantly molluscs and rodents, respectively, and different paratenic hosts, humans are accidental hosts. They can also infect a rich variety of terrestrial and aquatic molluscs and in this study, there were used specimens of neotropical planorbids transmitters of schistosomiasis, Biomphalaria straminea and Biomphalaria tenagophila, born and reared in the laboratoryfor experimental infection by A. cantonensis. In order to characterize the resulting physiological profile that host-parasite relationship, the host molluscs were separated into groups of infected and uninfected containing thirty molluscs per group, all made in triplicates. The investigation lasted 21 days, after the pre-patent period molluscs were dissected to collect hemolymph, removal of tissues and use the shell for calcium concentration check. The reproductive biology of both species was observed on the viability of the eggs, as well as (A) Number of eggs/ eggs mass; (B) Number of eggs/mollusc; (C) Number of eggs mass/mollusc and (D) Number of hatched molluscs/mollusc. In the hemolymph there were quantified total protein, glucose, uric acid, urea, the activity of transaminases AST and ALT, lactate dehydrogenase - LDH, and organic acids (oxalic, pyruvic, succinic and lactic). In the cephalopedal mass and digestive gland the glycogen content was measured and in the albumen gland, it was measured the galactogen. The results showed that the snails infected, of both species showed significant reduction in the viability of eggs, 50% for B. straminea and 10% for B. tenagophila. The metabolic status was also strongly affected, with mobilization of glycogen and hemolymph glucose reduction of 68% to B. straminea and 6.48% for B. tenagophila, followed by anincrease of LDH activity of 518.25% to 320.14% B. straminea and to B. tenagophila as well as the concentration of lactic acid, 5,7mM to B. straminea and 0.34 mM for B. tenagophila, and reduction in the concentration of pyruvic and succinic acids. The intense release of gluconeogenic amino acids from protein catabolism reversed the excretory pattern from uricotelic to ureotelic in both B. tenagophila and B. straminea. The tissue injury showed increase of 69% in the concentration of total proteins in the hemolymph of B. straminea and the intense activity of aminotransferases, ALT and AST, an increase of 241.26% and 360%, respectively, compared to the control group. The infection reduced by 51.57% the concentration of total circulating proteins to B. tenagophila, and increased ALT and AST activity at 310% and 280% compared to uninfected snails. The results of this study indicate that the energetic and structural metabolism of both species is strongly affected by the infection, showing the activation of an anaerobic to compensate for the depletion of glicidics stores as well as the change in the excretory pattern depending on the use of substrates protein for the production of ATP. Although studies on clinical, pathological and epidemiological neural angiostrongyliasis have been extensively carried xiii out, data on the metabolic and reproductive profile of snails infected by A. cantonensis are scarce. This pioneering study focused on species of host-parasite relationship certainly contribute to the knowledge of this interaction, as well as to the epidemiology of transmission A. cantonensis in addition to providing new subsidies which can be used in prevention and control of eosinophilic meningitis, zoonosis considered emerging in Brazil. / O nemat?deo Angiostrongylus cantonensis tem ganhado notoriedade sob o ponto de vista da sa?de p?blica fora de sua ?rea end?mica na ?sia, uma vez que nos ?ltimos anos casos de meningoencefal?te eosinof?lica v?m sendo reportados em outros continentes, como nas Am?ricas. No Brasil mais de trinta casos dessa zoonose j? foram registrados e h? relatos da presen?a desse nemat?deo em 11 estados. Em seu ciclo de vida heteroxeno A. cantonensis tem, ao longo do seu desenvolvimento, a necessidade de hospedeiro intermedi?rio e definitivo, envolvendo predominantemente, moluscos e roedores, respectivamente, al?m de v?rios hospedeiros parat?nicos, sendo o homem um hospedeiro acidental. Pode infectar uma rica variedade de moluscos terrestres e aqu?ticos e neste estudo, foram utilizadas para infec??o experimental popula??es nascidas e criadas em laborat?rio de duas esp?cies de planorb?deos neotropicais transmissores da esquistossomose mans?nica, Biomphalaria straminea e Biomphalaria tenagophila. Com a finalidade de caracterizar o perfil fisiol?gico resultante dessa rela??o hospedeiro-parasito, os moluscos hospedeiros foram separados em grupos de infectados e n?o infectados, contendo trinta moluscos por grupo, todos feitos em triplicatas. A investiga??o durou 21 dias, ao fim do per?odo pr?-patente os moluscos foram dissecados para a coleta de hemolinfa, retirada de tecidos e utiliza??o da concha para verifica??o de concentra??o de c?lcio. A oviposi??o dos moluscos de ambas as esp?cies foi observada quanto ? viabilidade dos ovos, assim como (A) N?mero de massas ov?geras/molusco; (B) N?mero de ovos/molusco; (C) N?mero de ovos/massa ov?gera e (D) N?mero de moluscos eclodidos/molusco. Na hemolinfa foram quantificadas as prote?nas totais, glicose, ?cido ?rico, ureia, a atividade das transaminases ALT e AST, lactato desidrogenase - LDH, e os ?cidos org?nicos (ox?lico, pir?vico, succ?nico e l?tico). Na massa cefalopediosa e gl?ndula digestiva, foram mensurados os conte?dos de glicog?nio e na gl?ndula de alb?men, foi mensurado o galactog?nio. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os moluscos infectados, de ambas as esp?cies, apresentaram redu??o significativa na viabilidade dos ovos, de 50% para B. straminea e de 10% para B. tenagophila. O estado energ?tico tamb?m foi vigorosamente afetado, com mobiliza??o das reservas de glicog?nio, e queda da glicemia de 68% para B. straminea e de 6,48% para B. tenagophila, seguida de uma eleva??o na atividade da LDH de 518,25% para B. straminea e 320,14% para B. tenagophila, bem como na concentra??o do ?cido l?tico, 5,7mM para B. straminea e 0,34 mM para B. tenagophila, e redu??o na concentra??o dos ?cidos pir?vico e succ?nico. A intensa libera??o de amino?cidos gliconeog?nicos a partir do catabolismo proteico inverteu o padr?o excretor de uricot?lico para ureot?lico tanto em B. tenagophila quanto em B. straminea. A les?o tecidual mostrou eleva??o de 69% na concentra??o das prote?nas totais na hemolinfa de B. straminea, bem como a intensa atividade das aminotransferases, AST e ALT, com aumento de 241,26% e 360%, respectivamente, em rela??o ao grupo controle. A infec??o reduziu em 51,57% a concentra??o de prote?nas totais circulantes para B. tenagophila, e elevou a atividade de ALT e AST em 310% e xi 280% em compara??o com os moluscos n?o infectados. Os resultados observados neste estudo indicam que o metabolismo energ?tico e estrutural de ambas as esp?cies foi vigorosamente afetado pela infec??o, mostrando a ativa??o de uma via anaer?bia para compensar a exaust?o das reservas glic?dicas, assim como a mudan?a no padr?o excretor em fun??o da utiliza??o de substratos proteicos para produ??o de ATP. Embora, estudos sobre aspectos cl?nicos, patol?gicos e epidemiol?gicos da angiostrongil?ase neural t?m sido extensivamente realizados, dados acerca do perfil metab?lico e reprodutivo de moluscos infectados por A. cantonensis s?o escassos. Este estudo pioneiro na rela??o parasito-hospedeiro das esp?cies focadas seguramente contribuir? tanto para o conhecimento dessa intera??o, quanto da epidemiologia da transmiss?o de A. cantonensis, al?m de fornecer novos subs?dios que poder?o ser utilizados em medidas de preven??o e controle da meningite eosinof?lica, zoonose considerada emergente no Brasil

Master of Veterinary Clinical Studies / Summary Canine Neural Angiostrongyliasis (CNA) is caused by the obligatory neural migration of Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae in dogs. Characteristically, cases are juvenile dogs with progressive CNS dysfunction characterised by hyperaesthesia and often associated with eosinophilic pleocytosis of the CSF. In Australia, most cases occur between March and June. The rat lungworm, A cantonensis was first described by Chen in 1935 in Canton, China. While initially called Pulmonema cantonensis the parasite was later reclassified as A cantonensis. A disease diagnosed as eosinophilic meningoencephalitis was first described in 1944 in Taiwan. The same disease was reported in 1948 in the East Caroline Islands but it was not until 1961 that A cantonensis was confirmed as the aetiological agent when a patient in a Hawaiian mental institution, who had died of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, had A cantonensis larvae recovered from the brain and spinal cord. The first reports of animals infected with A cantonensis were made by Mason in 1976 when he described a syndrome occurring in puppies in the Brisbane area, characterised by urinary incontinence, hind limb paresis and hyperaesthesia, often associated with eosinophilic pleocytosis of the CSF. Reports of infection in other species followed including macropods, bats, horses, primates and birds. Twenty-two cases of suspected CNA were collected prospectively to compare with those previously described, including 37 cases published by Mason in 1983, and to examine the accuracy of an ELISA used to diagnose human neural angiostrongyliasis in Australia. Samples were collected from two control populations in an attempt to validate the ELISA results. In the prospective series of cases, there was a significantly older subpopulation of dogs in addition to “classical” young dogs, suggesting that this syndrome can occur at any age and should be considered a differential in any dog with progressive neurological disease. The mortality rate in the prospective group was lower than in the published group, which is a reflection of the severity of the disease in younger animals as is the case with human patients. Definitive diagnosis of neural angiostrongyliasis in human patients has been achieved by identifying A cantonensis larvae within the CSF or aqueous humour. In dogs, the only definitive way to diagnose CNA has been via necropsy. While many cases of CNA are characteristic and presumptive diagnosis can be made based on typical history, signalment, clinical signs, CSF analysis and response to glucocorticoids, there appear to be an increasing number of cases occurring in older dogs, that displaying focal, atypical clinical signs or that develop permanent sequelae. Serology has been a useful tool in diagnosing neural angiostrongyliasis in humans. In its current form the ELISA is not sensitive or specific enough to allow a definitive diagnosis of CNA to be made using serum but is useful when applied to CSF specimens. Further refinement of the antigen or using monoclonal rather than polyclonal antibodies may improve the accuracy of the serology. Alternatively, methods such as Western Blot, Immuno-PCR or dot-blot ELISA, which have been successfully used to diagnoses angiostrongyliasis in humans, may be worthy of investigation The major differential diagnosis for CNA is neosporosis. Other differential diagnoses include idiopathic eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, parasitic infections including Toxoplasma gondii, Taenia solium, Gnathostoma spinigerum, visceral larval migrans (Toxocara canis) and schistosomiasis, fungal, bacterial, viral and rickettsial infections as well as neoplasia, trauma, drug reactions and toxicities. Treatment of CNA has been limited to glucocorticoids, however there may be adjunct therapies including anthelmintices, cyclosporine, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors. In Mason’s series of cases the use of anthelmintics significantly worsened the clinical outcome for patients. It does not appear, however, that the use of these agents in species other than the dog exacerbates clinical signs. Acquired immunity is short lived in rats and mice, which would suggest the same is true in dogs. Routine heartworm and intestinal parasite prophylaxis appears to have no influence on the occurrence of CNA.