nÃo hà / A serpente Bothrops neuwiedi possui veneno que tem aÃÃo principalmente do tipo prÃ-coagulante, hemorrÃgica e proteolÃtica. O veneno da Bothrops neuwiedi quando inoculado, possui aÃÃo primariamente local e secundariamente sistÃmica. Os efeitos sistÃmicos do envenenamento compreendem alteraÃÃes em diferentes sistemas como: hematolÃgico, cardiovascular, hepÃtico, urinÃrio, respiratÃrio, imunolÃgico, digestÃrio e nervoso. Os mecanismos que ocasionam tais alteraÃÃes sÃo complexos e os vÃrios componentes tÃxicos dos venenos podem agir direta ou indiretamente nas cÃlulas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as possÃveis alteraÃÃes hematolÃgicas e histolÃgicas induzidas pelo veneno total e pelas fraÃÃes fosfolipase A2 e lectina C da serpente Bothrops neuwiedi, nos tempos 2, 4, 8, 16 e 24 horas em camundongos Swiss e avaliar as cabenegrinas A-I e A-II na neutralizaÃÃo das atividades biolÃgicas do veneno total da serpente Bothrops neuwiedi analisando seu potencial antiofÃdico para possÃvel complementaÃÃo da soroterapia. Foram estudadas as aÃÃes do veneno total, fosfolipase A2 e lectina C sobre o sistema hematolÃgico, avaliando o hemograma, mielograma e esplenograma em diferentes tempos. O hemograma foi realizado pelo contador de cÃlulas sanguÃneas Sysmex-Roche, modelo KX-21N, o mielograma atravÃs da contagem diferencial e morfolÃgica das cÃlulas da medula Ãssea atravÃs de lÃminas obtidas apÃs citocentrifugaÃÃo (centrÃfuga citolÃgica modelo IncibrÃs) e o esplenograma atravÃs da quantificaÃÃo e morfologia das cÃlulas em âimprintâ do baÃo. ApÃs o estudo hematolÃgico, rins, baÃo, fÃgado e coraÃÃo foram submetidos à anÃlise histolÃgica. Todos os parÃmetros estudados foram analisados pelo teste de ANOVA e pelo teste nÃo-paramÃtrico exato de Kruskal-Wallis, com p< 0,05. Os resultados mostraram que as principais alteraÃÃes quantitativas nas cÃlulas hematolÃgicas com o uso do veneno total e as fraÃÃes lectina C e fosfolipase A2 da serpente Bothops neuwiedi foram: discreto aumento do nÃmero de hemÃcias e no hematÃcrito, leucocitose e plaquetopenia no sangue perifÃrico; aumento das cÃlulas eritrÃides e mielÃides no mielograma e aumento das cÃlulas mielÃides no esplenograma. Estas alteraÃÃes foram mais evidentes nos tempo de duas e quatro horas apÃs o envenenamento. As alteraÃÃes histolÃgicas no baÃo, rins, coraÃÃo e fÃgado, caracterizaram-se principalmente, por congestÃo, edema intersticial, hemorragia, degeneraÃÃo hidrÃpica e processo inflamatÃrio. Quando os animais foram tratados com as cabenegrinas, foi verificado que estas nÃo conseguiram reverter Ãs alteraÃÃes quantitativas das cÃlulas no baÃo provocadas pelo veneno total. PorÃm, as cabenegrinas A-I e A-II em todas as diluiÃÃes utilizadas foram capazes de inibir a plaquetopenia, reduzir o aumento da concentraÃÃo de cÃlulas mielÃides no mielograma e reverter todas as alteraÃÃes histolÃgicas encontradas em todos os ÃrgÃos estudados. TambÃm foi visto que a cabenegrina A-I na diluiÃÃo 2,5:1 e as cabenegrinas A-II nas diluiÃÃes 2,5:1 e 5:1 neutralizaram as alteraÃÃes na contagem diferencial, ou seja, as referidas cabenegrinas diminuÃram o nÃmero de neutrÃfilos segmentados, refletindo tambÃm no nÃmero de neutrÃfilos totais. Estes resultados sugerem que as cabenegrinas A-I e A-II poderÃo no futuro ser utilizadas como coadjuvantes no tratamento do acidente provocado pela serpente Bothrops neuwiedi. / The venom of the Bothrops neuwiedi provokes an action mainly of the hemorrhagic, proteolytic and coagulant type. When inoculated, the venom cause primarily a local action, and secondarily a systemic action. The systemic effects of poisoning include changes in various systems such as hematological, cardiovascular, liver, urinary, respiratory, immune, digestive and nervous. The mechanisms that cause the changes are complex and the various toxic components of the venom may act directly or indirectly on the cells. This study aimed first to investigate possible histological and hematological caused by the whole venom and by the phospholipase A2 and lectin C fractions from Bothrops neuwiedi snake, at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours intervals in mice, and then evaluate the cabenegrins A-I and A-II in the neutralization of the biological activities of the snake whole venom, analyzing its anti-ophidian potential for possible complementation of serum therapy. We studied the actions of the whole venom and of the phospholipase A2 and lectin C fractions on the hematological system, evaluating the hemogram, the myelogram and the splenogram, at different times. The hemogram was performed by the Sysmex-Roche blood cell counter model KX-21N; the myelogram was performed through the differential and morphological count of bone marrow cells using slides obtained after cytospin (using Cytological Centrifuge model IncibrÃs); and the splenogram, by quantifying and morphology of the cells in "imprint" of the spleen. After the hematological study, the kidneys, spleen, liver and heart were subjected to histological analysis. All studied parameters were analyzed by the ANOVA test and by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis exact test, with p<0.05. The results showed that main quantitative changes in the hematological cells, using the whole venom and the phospholipase A2 and lectin C fractions were: slight increase in erythrocytes and hematocrit, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia, with repercussion in the peripheral blood; increase of erythroid and myeloid cells in myelogram and increase in myeloid cells in the splenogram. These changes were more evident two and four hours after the poisoning. The histological changes in the kidneys, spleen, liver and heart were characterized mainly by congestion, interstitial edema, hemorrhage, hydropicdegeneration and inflammatory process. When animals were treated with cabenegrins it was detected that these could not revert the quantitative changes of the spleen cells caused by the whole venom. However, all dilutions of cabenegrins AI and A-II were able to inhibit the thrombocytopenia and the increase of myeloid cells in the myelogram, and reverse all the histological changes found in all the studied organs. The treatment with cabenegrins also showed that the cabenegrins A-I (in the 2.5:1 dilution) and the cabenegrins A-II (in the 2.5:1 and 5:1 dilutions) neutralized the changes in the differential count, i.e., these cabenegrins decreased the number of segmented neutrophils, reflecting in the total number of neutrophils. These results suggest that the cabenegrins AI and A-II may be used in the future as an adjunctive treatment of treatment of snake accidents caused by Bothrops neuwiedi.

Os objetivos gerais deste estudo foram avaliar o efeito suplementação de zinco (Zn), cobre (Cu) e selênio (Se) orgânicos para vacas leiteiras e os seus efeitos sobre a qualidade do leite, saúde da glândula mamária e consumo de alimentos. Os objetivos específicos foram avaliar: a contagem de células somáticas (CCS), a prevalência de mastite clínica e subclínica,a produção e composição de leite nos 80 primeiros dias de lactação; monitorar a atividade enzimática de superóxido dismutase (CuZnSOD), glutationa peroxidase (GSH-Px) e ceruloplasmina (CP); o consumo de alimentos; a concentração plasmática de Zn, Cu e Se; e as variações de peso e escore dos animais. Dezenove vacas leiteiras, com prenhez confirmada, foram selecionadas por peso, escore de condição corporal (ECC), número de lactações e produção de leite da lactação anterior, e distribuídas ao acaso em dois grupos para receber fontes de Zn, Cu e Se orgânica (n=9) ou inorgânica (n=10). As dietas foram formuladas para suprir os requerimentos nutricionais dos animais dos 60 dias antes da data prevista do parto aos 80 dias de lactação. Amostras dos alimentos fornecidos e das sobras foram coletadas diariamente para posterior análise de composição. O leite foi coletado semanalmente a partir da 3ª semana de lactação para determinação da composição e CCS, e nos dias 1 e 7 de lactação, e quando diagnosticados casos clínicos de mastite, para cultura microbiológica. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas aos -60, -21, 1, 21, 40 e 80 dias do período experimental para análises da concentração de CuZnSOD, GSH-Px e CP. Para determinação das concentrações plasmáticas de Zn, Cu e Se amostras de sangue foram coletas aos 60 dias antes da data prevista de parto, e no 1º, 40º e 80º dias de lactação. Avaliações do escore de condição corporal (ECC) e do peso corporal (PC) foram realizadas no início e final do experimento, no parto, e uma vez por semana durante todo o período experimental. A incidência (novos casos)e o total de casos de mastite subclínica foi menor para o grupo de vacas alimentadas com fontes orgânicas de Zn, Cu e Se em comparação com os animais que receberam fontes inorgânicas. A CCS durante os primeiros 80 dias de lactação foi menor (P = 0,056) para o grupo alimentado com Zn, Cu e Se orgânicos. Não foram observados efeitos de fontes orgânicas de Zn, Cu e Se sobre as concentrações de CuZnSOD , GSH-Px e CP, Zn, Cu e Se plasmáticos, produção e composição de leite, consumo de nutrientes, ECC, mudança de ECC e PC. Foi observado efeito (P=0,024) da fonte sobre a mudança de PC. / The general objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect organic zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) supplementationto dairy cows on milk quality, mammary gland health and feed intake. The specific objectives were to evaluate: the somatic cell count (SCC), clinical and subclinical mastitis prevalence, milk production and composition during the first 80 days of lactation; the superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and ceruloplasmin (CP) enzyme activity; the nutrients intake; Zn, Cu and Se plasmatic concentrations; changes in weight and body condition score. Nineteen dairy cows, with confirmed pregnancy, were selected by body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), number of lactation, and milk yield in previous lactation, and randomly distributed among two groups to receive organic (n=9) or inorganic (n=10) sources of Zn, Cu and Se. The diets were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of animals from 60 days before the expected date of calving up to 80 days of lactation. Every day, food samples and leftovers were collected for composition analysis. Milk samples was collected weekly after 15 days of lactation to determine the composition and CCS, on days 1 and 7 of lactation, and when a mastitis clinical case was diagnosed for microbiological culture. Blood samples were collected on -60, -21, 1, 21, 40 and 80 days of the experimental period for CuZnSOD, GSH-Px, and CP analysis. For plasma concentrations of Zn, Cu and Se blood samples were collected at 60 days before calving, and at 1st, 40th and 80th days of lactation. Assessments of body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) were performed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, the day of calving, and once a week throughout the experimental period. The incidence (new cases) and total number of subclinical mastitis cases was lower for the group of cows fed organic Zn, Cu and Se in comparison with animals that received the inorganic sources. The SCC during the first 80 days of lactation was lower (P = 0,056) for the group fed organic Zn, Cu and Se. There were no effects of Zn, Cu and Se organic supply on concentrations of CuZnSOD, GSH-Px and CP, Zn, Cu and Se plasma, production and composition of milk, consumption of nutrients, BW, BCS and changes on BCS. It was observed effect of source on BW changes (P=0,024).

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2018-08-23T19:32:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 naiaraaparecidarodriguesdeoliveira.pdf: 913286 bytes, checksum: a8b96b3b7d78237e6a66fbd73d141644 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-08-28T12:27:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 naiaraaparecidarodriguesdeoliveira.pdf: 913286 bytes, checksum: a8b96b3b7d78237e6a66fbd73d141644 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-28T12:27:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 naiaraaparecidarodriguesdeoliveira.pdf: 913286 bytes, checksum: a8b96b3b7d78237e6a66fbd73d141644 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-28 / A mastite está entre as doenças do gado leiteiro que mais causam prejuízos em todo mundo. Entre os agentes causadores estão os patógenos de origem contagiosa Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus agalactiae que mais contribuem para o aumento da Contagem de Células Somáticas (CCS) em rebanhos infectados.Desde a implantação da Instrução Normativa 51 ( IN 51/2002) do Ministério da Agriculutura Pecuária e Abastecimento(MAPA) em 2005, pouco se avançou em melhorias no parâmetro CCS dos rebanhos brasileiros, fazendo-se necessário o levantamento da situação das regiões a fim de traçar estratégias específicas para o controle da mastite e atendimento aos requisitos da legislação. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estabelecer uma classificação baseada em risco (dados probabilísticos) (risco) para presença de S. aureus e S. agalactiae em rebanhos bovinos leiteiros localizados Zona da Mata do Estado de Minas Gerais e vinculados a uma cooperativa. O trabalho foi realizado utilizando a população de bovinos leiteiros vinculados à Cooperativa dos Produtores de Leite de Leopoldina de Responsabilidade Ltda (LAC). A avaliação da dependência espacial entre as coordenadas geográficas dos rebanhos e a média geométrica anual da contagem de células somáticas foi realizada por meio de semivariogramas e os mapas de isolinhas por meio do método de Krigagem. Amostras para análise de CCS foram coletadas mensalmente.Para o estudo de prevalência foram selecionados aleatoriamente 43 rebanhos dos quais foram coletadas 3 amostras consecutivas de cada rebanho para análises microbiológicas durante o período de junho de 2016 a novembro de 2017. A análise espacial apresentou grau de dependência espacial e coeficiente de determinação fracos (GD<0,25; r2<0,13). A distribuição de frequência da CCS mostrou que apenas 23,3% dos rebanhos atendem ao limite de 400.000 células/mL . A prevalência de S. aureus foi de 93% a de S. agalactiae de 81,4% não diferindo estatisticamente entre si. Dos 43 rebanhos analisados, em tres (7%) não houve isolamento de S.aureus e de S. agalactiae, cinco (11,6%) apresentaram isolamento somente de S. aureus e 35 (81%) apresentaram isolamento de ambos patógenos. Não houve rebanhos com isolamento somente de S. agalactiae. Dos rebanhos sem isolamento destes agentes, a média de CCS foi de 224.000 células/mL, com isolamento somente de S. aureus a média de CCS foi de 447.000 células/mL, e para rebanhos com isolamento dos dois patógenos, S. aureus e S. agalactiae, 794.000 células/mL. Os rebanhos sem isolamento ou somente com isolamento de S. aureus estão associados a CCS inferior a 400.000 células/mL e rebanhos com isolamento de ambos os patógenos estão associados a CCS superior a 400.000 células/mL. A utilização da curva ROC para dados de CCS de rebanhos associados ao estudo de prevalência de S. aureus e de S. agalactiae permitiu classificar rebanhos em tres níveis de risco: baixo, médio e alto. A prevalência de S. aureus e de S. agalactiae entre rebanhos foi considerada alta para ambos patógenos, indicando que as medidas de controle para estes patógenos não estão sendo realizadas de maneira eficiente. Não foi observada diferença entre as prevalências de S. aureus e de S. agalactiae entre os rebanhos. Foi observada uma associação entre a CCS dos rebanhos e a presença de ambos os patógenos, permitindo desta forma uma classificação dos rebanhos. / Mastitis is among the most damaging diseases in dairy cattle worldwide. Among the causative agents are the pathogens of contagious origin Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae that contribute most to the increase of Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in infected herds. Since the implantation of IN 51 in 2005, little progress was made in improving the SCC in the Brazilian dairy herds, therefore it is necessary to survey the mastitis situation of the regions in order to devise specific control strategies for mastitis control and compliance with the legislation requirements . The objective of the present study was to establish a risk - based classification (risk) for the presence of S. aureus and S. agalactiae in dairy herds located in the Zona da Mata of the State of Minas Gerais associated to a cooperative. The work was carried out using the population of dairy herds of Cooperativa dos Produtores de Leite de Leopoldina de Responsabilidade Ltda. (LAC).The evaluation of the spatial dependence between the geographical coordinates of the herds and the annual geometric mean of the somatic cell count was performed using semi-variograms and isoline maps using the Kriging method. Milk samples for SCC analyses were collected monthly. For the prevalence study, 43 herds were randomly selected and three milk samples from each herd were collected for microbiological analyzes during the period of June 2016 to November 2017. The spatial analysis presented degree of spatial dependence and weak determination coefficient (GD <0.25; r2 <0.13) The frequency distribution of CCS showed that only 23.3% of the herds met the limit of 400,000 cells / mL. The prevalence of S. aureus (93%) and of S. agalactiae (81.4%) did not differ statistically from one another. Of the 43 herds analyzed, three (7%) was no isolation of S. aureus and S. agalactiae, five (11.6%) had isolation only of S. aureus and 35 (81%) presented isolation of both pathogens. There were no herds with isolation of S. agalactiae. The mean SCC was 224,000 cels / mL, for the herds with absence of S. aureus and S. agalactiae, and 794.000 cels/ mL when the this two pathogens were present. The mean SCC for the herds with isolation only of S. aureus was 447,000 cells / mL,. The abcense or isolation only S. aureus herds are associated with CCS less than 400,000 cells / mL and herds with isolation of both pathogens associated with CCS greater than 400,000 cells / mL. The use of the ROC curve for herd CCS data associated to the study of S. aureus and S. agalactiae prevalence allowed the classification of the herds at three levels of risk: low, medium and high. The prevalence of S. aureus and S. agalactiae among herds was considered high for both pathogens, indicating that the control measures for these pathogens are not being carried out efficiently. There was no difference between the prevalences of S. aureus and S. agalactiae among the herds. An association was observed between the SCC of the herds and the presence of both pathogens, thus allowing a classification of the herds.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-02T13:54:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LuisaBarbosaMessora-dissertacao-completa.pdf: 574964 bytes, checksum: f3b5918f00bf09a802e755b11db471d0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-11-21 / LDLr-/ - mice are spontaneously hyperlipidemic and resistant to the development of neointimal lesions. This study determined the influence of plasma levels of high density lipoprotein on cardiovascular inflammation, insulin resistance, and blood cell count in LDL (LDLr-/ -) receptor gene knockout mice. Three groups of 3-month-old male mice were used: Group WT, wild-type mice, Group S, LDLr-/ - mice fed a standard diet, Group HL, LDLr-/ - mice fed a hyperlipidic diet. After 15 days, blood was collected for analysis of plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, and hematological assays. The HOMA index was calculated to determine insulin resistance. The heart and aorta were removed and histologically processed. Heart sections were immunohistochemically processed with the anti-CD40L antibody to evaluate the inflammatory process. Artery sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius red to assess morphological and morphometric changes. The S mice were resistant to inflammatory, had a low immunoreactivity to CD40L, high HDL plasma levels, and showed no insulin resistance, even with moderate hyperlipidemia in relation to WT. HL mice exhibited severe hyperlipidemia, increased immunoreactivity to CD40L, marked morphological alterations in the aorta wall, and insulin resistance, all associated with a decrease in HDL plasma levels in relation to S. The results showed a negative association between the plasma levels of high density lipoprotein and the total and differential leukocyte and platelet counts in the LDL receptor gene knockout mice. This ratio showed the important influence of the high density lipoprotein on the modulation of the immune and inflammatory response in dyslipidemias. Therefore, the evaluation of the blood cell count results, routinely correlated with the lipid plasma levels, can be promising in the prevention and prognosis of the severity of pathological conditions involving immune responses in dyslipidemias. The high HDL plasma level is a protective factor against the development of cardiovascular inflammation and insulin resistance in LDLr-/- mice, thus preventing the incidence of neointimal lesions. / Os camundongos LDLr-/- são hiperlipidêmicos espontâneos e resistentes ao desenvolvimento de lesões neointimais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a influência dos níveis plasmáticos de lipoproteína de alta densidade na inflamação cardiovascular, na resistência insulínica e no hemograma de camundongos knockout para gene do receptor de LDL (LDLr-/-). Foram utilizados 3 grupos experimentais de camundongos machos com 3 meses de idade: Grupo WT, camundongos selvagens; Grupo S, camundongos LDLr-/- que receberam ração padrão; Grupo HL, camundongos LDLr-/- que receberam ração hiperlipídica. Após 15 dias, o sangue foi coletado para análises plasmáticas dos lipídeos, glicose, insulina e para análises hematológicas. O índice de Homa foi calculado para determinar a resistência insulínica. O coração e aorta foram removidos e processados histologicamente. Cortes histológicos do coração foram processados imunoistoquimicamente com anticorpo anti-CD40L para avaliar processo inflamatório. Cortes histológicos das artérias foram corados com hematoxilina/eosina e picrosírius red para avaliar alterações morfológicas e morfométricas. Os camundongos S foram resistentes ao processo inflamatório, caracterizado por baixa imunorreatividade para o CD40L, com níveis plasmáticos de HDL elevados, e não desenvolveram resistência insulínica, mesmo com hiperlipidemia moderada em relação aos WT. Os camundongos HL apresentaram uma hiperlipidemia severa, aumento na imunorreatividade cardíaca para o CD40L, pronunciadas alterações morfológicas na parede da aorta e resistência insulínica, associadas a um decréscimo nos níveis plasmáticos do HDL em relação aos S. Os resultados mostraram uma associação negativa entre os níveis plasmáticos de lipoproteína de alta densidade e as contagens total e diferencial de leucócitos e plaquetas nos camundongos knockout para o gene do receptor de lipoproteína de baixa densidade. Essa relação demonstrou importante influência da lipoproteína de alta densidade na modulação da resposta imunológica e inflamatória na dislipidemia. Portanto, a avaliação dos resultados do hemograma correlacionada com os níveis plasmáticos de lipídeos, rotineiramente, pode ser promissora na prevenção e no prognóstico da severidade de quadros patológicos que envolvam respostas imunológicas nas dislipidemias. O nível plasmático elevado de HDL é o fator protetor contra o desenvolvimento de processos inflamatórios cardiovasculares e resistência insulínica nos camundongos LDLr-/-, impedindo o desenvolvimento das lesões neointimais.

Many chemicals are released into surface water and biodegradation is one important mechanismto remove the contaminants. Their actual concentrations in water depend on their persistence.The OECD 309 test is the most recognized method to assess the persistence of chemicals in theaquatic environment. However, the quantity of sediment used in the OECD 309 suspensiontests is not clearly defined. To investigate the influence of sediment concentrations and thebacterial cell count on the biodegradation, we compared the biodegradation rate constants of amixture of organic chemicals in suspension tests with 5 different water-sediment ratios. Thesediment concentrations were 125, 50, 20, 8 and 3 g L-1. The 5 test systems were spiked with129 chemicals including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, food additives, and cosmetics at aconcentration of 1 μg mL-1 each. The chemical degradation was monitored by analyzing thewater subsamples collected at different time points during the 14-day incubation period. It wasthe first time that the effects of sediment concentrations on biodegradation were systematicallystudied for a broad range of chemicals. The bacterial cell count was measured to test whether itcorrelated with sediment concentration and biodegradation rate constant. In the present study,k could be quantified for at least 2 sediment concentrations for 10 chemicals. The resultsshowed that the biodegradation rate constants of the chemicals, k, were positively correlatedwith sediment concentration for 10 chemicals; 6 of these correlations were significant. The totalbacterial cell count showed a positive correlation with sediment concentration, but it was notsignificant. Also, k was positively correlated with total cell count, but these correlations werenot significant for any of 10 chemicals. It is concluded that sediment plays an important role inchemical biodegradation. Sediment-associated total cell count can be one factor contributing tothis effect. The variable results of chemical biodegradation rate constants caused by differentsediment concentrations in the present suspension tests suggest the need for a standardizedsediment concentration in OECD 309 tests.

The early identification of septically infected newborn infants is important for ensuring good outcomes. Blood cell differentiations are helpful, but they are often time consuming and inaccurate. In this study, we evaluated the use of automatic white blood cell differentiations by flow cytometry for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Episodes of suspected infection in neonates were retrospectively classified into two groups, unlikely infection (UI, levels of Interleukin-6 < 400 pg/mL or CRP within 48 h < 10 mg/L), n = 101 and probable infection (PI, Interleukin-6 ≥ 400 pg/mL or CRP within 48 h ≥ 10 mg/L), n = 98. Complete blood cell counts were performed by Sysmex XN-9000® using flow cytometry. Relative and absolute proportions of immature granulocytes were evaluated. Unexpectedly, the absolute count of immature granulocytes was significantly lower in the group of PI compared to UI neonates. Similar results were found when analysing the relative proportion of immature granulocytes among all neutrophil granulocytes. On the other hand, manually counted immature to total (I/T) ratios of granulocytes were higher in PI than in UI infants. Therefore, we conclude that differentiations of granulocytes by Sysmex XN-9000® can be used to distinguish between infected and uninfected neonates if the results are interpreted according to our findings. A low count of immature granulocytes as determined by Sysmex XN-9000® may indicate neonatal infection.

Udder illnesses can have an essential influence on quantity and quality of the milk. A diagnosis is possible with the help of the deviation of milk contents, especially over the change of the somatic cells. The cell count consequently makes an important health and quality criterion of the milk. In order to determine the cell count and other contents directly after the vormilk, the relation between the count of the milk cells and the impedimetric quanities of the milk was examined systematically in a new measure cell with alternating current. The measurements were executed isotherm with different temperatures over a wide frequency area (10 Hz -13 MHz) and the results were compared with the cell counts obtained with standard procedures (Fossomatic). Relations between the measured complex electric quantities and the content of the milk like lactose and cell count were produced with help of statistical methods. No direct relation is found between the impedimetric qualities (complex condauctance, conductance or capacity) of milk and the number of cells found in it. Cause of that is the inhomogeneity of the cells, that varies considerably regarding their size and mass. The lactose concentration correlates good with impedimetric quantities (amplitude, phase shift, capacity and conductance) of milk. Particularly with the condactance of the milk a statistically secured relation is found over the entire frequency area (10 Hz - 13 MHz). The lactose concentration correlates on the other hand well with the cell count and makes a statistically secured prognosis of this quantity with high precision possible. Future it is possible to determine the cell count with the help of the complex conductivity, for what simple conductivity measuring instruments are suitable. / Eutererkrankungen können einen wesentlichen Einfluss auf Menge und Qualität der Milch haben. Eine Diagnose ist an Hand der Abweichung von Milchinhaltstoffen, insbesondere über die Veränderung der somatischen Zellen möglich. Die Zellzahl stellt somit ein wichtiges Gesundheits- und Qualitätskriterium der Milch. Um die Zellzahl und andere Inhaltsstoffe direkt nach dem ersten Gemelk zu bestimmen, wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen der Zahl der Milchzellen und den impedimetrischen Eigenschaften der Milch in neuartigen Messzelle mit Wechselstrom systematisch untersucht. Die Messungen wurden isotherm bei verschiedenen Temperaturen über einen weiten Frequenzbereich von 10 Hz - 13 MHz durchgeführt und die Ergebnisse mit denen nach Standardverfahren (Fossomatic) erhaltenen Zahlen verglichen. Mit Hilfe statistischer Methoden wurden Relationen zwischen den erhaltenen komplexen elektrischen Größen und den Inhaltstoffen der Milch wie Laktose und Zellzahl hergestellt. Es konnte kein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen den impedimetrischen Eigenschaften (komplexer Leitwert, Wirkleitwert oder Kapazität) der Milch und der Zahl darin befindlicher Zellen gefunden werden. Ursache dafür ist die Inhomogenität der Zellen, die hinsichtlich ihrer Größe und Masse beträchtlich variieren. Dagegen lässt sich die Laktosekonzentration gut mit den impedimetrischen Eigenschaften (Amplitude, Phasenverschiebung, Kapazität und Wirkleitwert) der Milch korrelieren. Besonders mit dem Wirkleitwert der Milch ist ein statistisch abgesicherter Zusammenhang über den gesamten Frequenzbereich (10 Hz bis 13 MHz) zu finden. Die Laktosekonzentration wiederum korreliert gut mit der Zellzahl und ermöglicht mit hoher Genauigkeit eine statistisch gesicherte Voraussage dieser Größe. Damit ist es möglich, zukünftig die Zellzahl über den Laktosegehalt anhand der komplexen Leitfähigkeit zu bestimmen, wozu einfache Leitfähigkeitsmessgeräte geeignet sind.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent Amanor-Boadu / As the dairy industry faces the future, consumers’ demand for better milk quality and safety is increasing. Milk quality is of major interest to both consumers and dairy farmers alike. However, scientific data on milk quality in terms of somatic cell count (SCC) in Uganda and most developing countries has been lacking. This study used SCC to compare Southwestern Uganda’s milk quality against international standards. The study also sought to assess dairy farmers’ perceptions about milk quality. Milk samples were obtained from 100 farms in Mbarara and Kiruhura districts, the major cattle corridor in Uganda. The milk’s SCC was analyzed using a DeLaval DCC. A structured questionnaire surveyed farmers on milking procedures and milk-quality perception. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis was used to characterize and compare milk quality against the international benchmark. The study found that the 100 farms had an average SCC of 507,000 cells/ml. About 34% of farms in the study had SCC under 200,000 cells/ml, an indication of high-quality milk. Excluding 7% of the farms with SCC over 1,000,000 cells/ml, the remaining 93% had an average SCC of 276,000 cells/ml, a level comparable to international standards, well below the EU threshold of 400,000. The study also revealed that 98% of farmers considered milk quality as important or very important both to them and to the milk buyers. However, all farmers reported that they currently do not receive a milk-quality premium and are not penalized for poor quality. Seventy-nine percent of farmers reported the cooperative they belong to as their main source of information on management practices. An improved perception of milk quality both domestically and internationally will benefit Uganda’s dairy farmers and its dairy industry at large. Consumers must be assured that Uganda’s dairy industry, its government, industry stakeholders such as the Dairy Development Authority, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and the private sector place the utmost importance on the quality and safety of milk and other dairy products. New technologies to measure for SCC and strict food safety regulations will help improve the country’s milk-quality image, allowing Uganda’s dairy industry to tap into major milk export markets. Most developed countries have seen increased raw-milk quality or reduced SCC as a result of strong regulatory pressure.

A exploração dos bubalinos para a produção de leite e elaboração de seus derivados é uma atividade que tem crescido nos últimos anos no Brasil. Os búfalos apresentam problemas sanitários semelhantes aos bovinos. Objetivou-se neste estudo, desenvolver o isolamento e caracterização fenotípica e molecular dos principais microrganismos causadores de mastites subclínicas em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) em quatro granjas leiteiras da região central do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, através dos testes contagem de células somáticas (CCS), contagem padrão em placas (CPP), caracterização fenotípica e bioquímica dos microrganismos isolados e confirmação pela técnica de PCR, assim como também avaliar o perfil de sensibilidade bacteriana aos principais antimicrobianos para os patógenos mais frequentemente isolados em casos de mastite subclínica em bubalinos. Foram coletadas 20 amostras de leite de búfalas em lactação no ano de 2013, que apresentaram CCS acima de 200.000 cel/mL em controles realizados pelas fazendas. Tendo como base a Instrução Normativa Nº62 de 2011 do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA), que trata de padrões microbiológicos para leite bovino. Das 20 amostras analisadas neste trabalho, apenas 1 (5%) estava dentro do padrão estabelecido (1 x 104 UFC/mL) com uma variação nos resultados encontrados de 1,0 x 104 UFC/mL a 57,7 x 105 UFC/mL. A CCS apresentou uma mediana de 721.000 cel/mL no leite (valor mínimo: 205.000, valor máximo: 2.264.000), indicando presença de mastite subclínica. Constatou-se que os agentes com maior frequência de isolamento foram Staphylococcus epidermis (17%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%) e Bacillus spp. (14%). Os ensaios de PCR confirmaram os resultados obtidos com o isolamento na caracterização fenotípica e bioquímica de Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Streptococcus spp. e Escherichia coli. Com a realização do antibiograma, foi possível traçar um perfil de sensibilidade aos diferentes antibióticos testados. O estudo de sensibilidade bacteriana detectou maior sensibilidade (100%) do Staphylococcus aureus e Staphylococcus epidermis aos antibióticos gentamicina e vancomicina; para o gênero Streptococcus spp. à gentamicina e oxacilina e para Escherichia coli à ampicilina. / The exploration of buffaloes for milk production and dairy products is an activity that has grown in recent years in Brazil. Buffaloes present similar health problems for cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the isolation and the phenotypic and molecular characterization of the main microorganisms causing of subclinical mastitis in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) on four dairy farms in the central region of state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, through testing somatic cell count (SCC), standard plate count (SPC), phenotypic and biochemical characterization of the microorganisms isolated and confirmed by PCR technique, as well as to evaluate the profile of bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics given for the major pathogens commonly isolated in cases of subclinical mastitis in buffaloes Twenty milk samples from lactating buffaloes were analyzed in 2013 that have presented SCC above 200,000 cells/mL. Based on the Instruction Normative N°62 of 2011 of the Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) which deals with microbiological standards for bovine milk, of the 20 samples analyzed in this study, only 1 (5%) was within the established standard (1x104 CFU/mL) with a variation in the results of 1.0x104 CFU/mL to 57.7x105 CFU/mL. The CCS showed a median of 721,000 cells/mL in the milk (minimum value; 205,000, maximum value: 2,264,000), indicating the presence of subclinical mastitis. It was found that agents with higher frequency of isolation were Staphylococcus epidermis (17%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%) and Bacillus spp. (14%). The PCR assays confirmed the results obtained with isolating in the phenotypic and biochemical characterization of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli. With the realization of the antibiogram was possible to draw a profile of resistance of different antibiotics tested. The study of bacterial sensitivity showed that for higher sensitivity (100%) of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis to antibiotics gentamicin and vancomycin; for the genus Streptococcus spp. to gentamicin and oxacillin and for Escherichia coli to ampicilina.

A presente tese estudou o diagnóstico e tratamento da mastite bovina pela avaliação do uso de um teste prático de CCS, pela utilização de cultura bacteriológica a campo e pela definição de protocolos de tratamento. Para rápida determinação da CCS, o teste Somaticell® foi usado em amostras de leite tendo o resultado comparado à contagem eletrônica e avaliado por tipo de amostra e pessoa. O Somaticell determinou corretamente a CCS de amostras frescas de leite de quartos mamários. A correlação registrada entre o Somaticell e a CCS eletrônica foi 0,92 e o coeficiente de concordância 0,82. O teste mostrou adequada validade para determinar infecções intramamárias (sensibilidade 91,3%; especificidade 96,0%) e apresentou contagens mais elevadas em amostras contendo patógenos. Pequena variação foi verificada nos resultados do teste quando realizado em duplicata. Entretanto na análise geral dos dados, a variação observada não foi significativa nem afetou a quantidade de amostras com mastite subclínica. Amostras de leite conservadas a 4 ºC por até 5 horas não influenciaram os resultados do Somaticell, mas amostras congeladas ou adicionadas do conservante bronopol não devem ser usadas. Quanto ao diagnóstico da mastite clínica, as infecções causadas por bactérias Gram positivas foram em maioria isoladas de casos clínicos com alteração visual do leite e edema de úbere, de vacas reincidentes e com CCS mensal média maior de 200.000 céls/mL. Por outro lado, as mastites causadas por bactérias Gram negativas apresentaram em maioria casos clínicos com comprometimento sistêmico em vacas de alta produção. Enquanto isso, as amostras mastíticas com ausência de crescimento na cultura laboratorial apresentaram grau da mastite e perfil do animal variado. A cultura bacteriológica realizada na propriedade leiteira com o conjunto dos meios Sangue Base Azida, MacConkey e Vogel-Johnson, mostrou adequada recuperação dos patógenos causadores de mastite clínica. Do total de 203 cultivos realizados na fazenda e em laboratório 79,3% mostraram concordância. A taxa de concordância das culturas foi afetada pelo número de unidades formadoras de colônia presente na amostra de leite. A sensibilidade e especificidade registradas para a cultura a campo foram 83,0 e 76,5%, respectivamente, as quais foram positivamente influenciadas pelo isolamento de bactérias Gram positivas, e negativamente pelo isolamento de bactérias Gram negativas e resultados com ausência de crescimento. O cultivo feito na fazenda mostrou vantagens em usar amostras de leite frescas, porém a leitura precoce do crescimento bacteriano e a metodologia simples reduzem sua acurácia. Para o tratamento das mastites clínicas com base no resultado da cultura a campo, foi encontrada taxa geral de cura bacteriológica de 69,7%. A CCS da maioria dos tetos que apresentaram mastite se manteve elevada até 21 dias pós-detecção da doença. Mastites causadas por bactérias Gram negativas mostraram taxas de cura mais altas. Já as mastites causadas por Staphylococcus aureus tiveram as menores taxas de cura apesar da utilização de tratamento antibiótico estendido. As mastites de grau 1 e 2, com isolamento de bactérias Gram negativas e ausência de crescimento na cultura bacteriológica, não apresentaram diferença em cura sendo ou não tratadas com antibiótico intramamário. / The present thesis investigated the diagnosis and treatment of bovine mastitis by using a simple test for somatic cell count, on-farm bacteriological culture and guided treatment protocols. To rapidly determine SCC, Somaticell® test was used on milk samples having the results compared to electronic count and evaluated by sample type and reader. The Somaticell test correctly determined the SCC in fresh milk samples of mammary quarters. The correlation between Somaticell and electronic SCC was 0.92, being kappa coefficient equals to 0.82. This test presented good reliability to determine intramammary infections using a threshold of 205.000 cells/mL (sensitivity = 91.3% and specificity = 96.0%) and showed greater SCC in samples containing major mastitis pathogens. Minor intra-individual variation was detected when performing the test. Probably, the homogenization procedure of the test is the most likely explanation for the observed variation. However, the final analysis indicated that this variation was not significant and did not affect the amount of samples classified as having subclinical mastitis. Milk samples preserved at 4 ºC up to 5 hours did not change test results. Nevertheless, frozen or bronopol preserved samples were not suitable for this test. Clinical mastitis data indicated that infections caused by Gram positive bacteria were mainly seen on clinical cases with visual milk abnormalities and udder edema of clinical recurrent animals showing monthly average SCC greater than 200,000 cells/mL. In contrast, clinical mastitis caused by Gram negative bacteria was frequently associated with systemic signs in high producing cows. In addition, mastitic samples without bacterial growth in the laboratory did not present a defined pattern in relation to mastitis grade and animal characteristic. The on-farm bacteriological culture using Azide Blood Agar Base, MacConkey Agar and Vogel-Johnson Agar, showed adequate recovery of mastitis causing pathogens. In 79.3% of the cultures (n = 203) the on-farm results agreed with the standard laboratory culture. Interestingly, the concordance rate was affected by the number of colony forming units in the milk sample. The sensitivity and specificity of on-farm culture were 83.0 and 76.5%, respectively. These results were positively influenced by growth of Gram positive bacteria and negatively influenced by growth of Gram negative bacteria and samples with no growth. The use of fresh milk samples in on-farm culture seemed advantageous for bacterial recovery, although premature plate reading of bacterial growth and simplicity of this methodology might reduce its accuracy. Mastitis treatment guided by on-farm culture showed an overall bacteriological cure rate of 69.7%. In the majority of quarters, SCC remained elevated within 21 days after detection of clinical mastitis. Gram negative bacteria presented greater cure rates. On the contrary, Staphylococcus aureus mastitis displayed the lowest cure rate even by using extended antibiotic treatment. Intramammary antibiotic treatment did not show effect on cure rates of grade 1 and 2 clinical mastitis caused by Gram negative bacteria or with negative growth in the on-farm culture.