The black-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) is a South American synanthropic marsupial. The presence of opossums in domestic spaces is relevant in the One-Health context since they are hosts of pathogens and ectoparasites that may affect the health of domestic animals and humans. In this study, we aim to determine the occurrence of hemoplasmas and selected tick-borne pathogens in free-ranging black-eared opossums, along with their molecular characterization, hematological and biochemical evaluation and factors associated with infection, in the municipality of Viçosa, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Thirty black-eared opossums were trapped between March 2021 and June 2022. Ectoparasites were collected. Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed. DNA from EDTA-blood samples were analyzed by PCR and qPCR assays. By molecular analyses, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris’ was the most prevalent hemoparasite (73.3%), followed by Hepatozoon sp. (22.2%). Significant differences were observed in the number of platelets, and in the concentration of protein and globulins in the animals infected by ‘Ca. M. haemoalbiventris’ when compared with the negative group. This is the first report of ‘Ca. M. haemoalbiventris’ infection in D. aurita.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum amyloid A (SAA) and biomarkers of muscle activity of horses submitted to show jumping activity. To do this, the variables SAA, glucose, lactate and the biomarkers creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) were evaluated in 10 horses submitted to the show jumping exercise in a tournament for beginners. The evaluations occurred before exercise (T0), immediately after (T1), 30 minutes (T2), 60 minutes (T3) and 24 hours after the end (T4). Data were evaluated using analysis of variance for repeated measures. The statistical software SAEG 9.1 was used to verify the level of significance between the moments for P<0.05. Glucose presented a difference between the moments T0 (97.7±13.3mg/dL) and T1 (79.7±14.1mg/dL). Lactate presented elevation in T1 (15.3±6.1mmol/L) compared to the others T0 (3.8±0.8mmol/L), T2 (6.5±3.9mmol/L), T3 (5.3±2.2mmol/L) and T4 (5.1±1.6mmol/L). The CK showed a significant difference between T0 (82.8±51.2U/L) and T1 (140.1±58.5U/L) and between T4 (74.4±43.1U/L) with T1 (140.1±58.5U/L). The AST presented no difference between moments. The show jumping activity with one-meter obstacles did not induce changes in the SAA protein between the moments.

We aimed to develop a species-specific ELISA for qualitatively and quantitatively determining serum amyloid A (SAA) in horses. Current methods for measuring SAA in horses utilize ELISA or immunoturbidimetric tests designed for human SAA, which are not specific to horses. Mice and rabbits were used to generate polyclonal antibodies against equine SAA. The study examined serum samples from 32 horses with acute inflammatory disease (SG) and 25 clinically healthy horses. Furthermore, the SAAeq kinetics were observed in three horses from the SG group at three different timepoints. The SAA-ELISA established a cut-off at 0.06 OD₄₉₂nm, where values equal to or higher than this were deemed positive, while values below it was considered negative. The test exhibited a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 92%, resulting in an overall accuracy of 93%. The positive and negative predictive values were 94% and 92%, respectively. Coefficients of variation for inter- and intra-assay were 6.1% and 7.46% for SG and 9.6% and 9.63% for the control group (CG). The detection limit was determined to be 0.067. The SAA-ELISA proved its worth by demonstrating satisfactory performance, paving the way for the development of automated quantitative tests and species-specific semi-quantitative tests. This paves the way for their application in practical field settings.

Babesia canis é um protozoário cosmopolita que parasita eritrócitos de cães domésticos e selvagens. O diagnóstico é realizado mediante a observação direta do microrganismo em hemácias no esfregaço de sangue periférico, métodos sorológicos e técnicas moleculares. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar pela primeira vez a presença de merozoítos de Babesia spp. no líquido peritoneal de um cão com ascite. No Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, foi atendido um cão, macho, sem raça definida, de sete meses de idade, com histórico de emaciação, apatia e abaulamento abdominal. No exame físico, foram evidenciadas mucosas hipocoradas, ascite, sopro sistólico grau IV/V e taquipneia. Nos exames laboratoriais, evidenciou-se anemia normocítica/normocrômica, trombocitopenia e hipoproteinemia. No esfregaço sanguíneo, foram observadas estruturas intraeritrocitárias compatíveis com Babesia spp. A avaliação do líquido ascítico foi compatível com transudato modificado e observaram-se inúmeras estruturas intra e extracelulares compatíveis com merozoítas de Babesia spp. A presença de microrganismos intra e extracelular poderia estar relacionada a uma lesão no baço com extravasamento do conteúdo para a cavidade abdominal. A coleta do líquido peritoneal pode ser uma alternativa para o diagnóstico de babesiose quando o animal com suspeita da infecção apresentar ascite.