serpentis in the stomach ( Ramirez et al., 2004 and Graczyk, 2008). The collection of at least five to seven fecal samples, and screening for Cryptosporidium oocysts by microscopy, is the most commonly recommended method for diagnosing cryptosporidiosis in snakes ( Graczyk and Cranfield, 1996). However, depending on the species of snake, there is at least a 30-day interval to obtain fecal samples, and the species of Cryptosporidium present in feces can only be determined
by molecular biology techniques ( Xiao et al., 2004b). Based on the results in this experiment, we suggest that, to implement a control program for cryptosporidiosis Hydroxychloroquine in snake facilities, indirect ELISA could be used as a screening test, owing to the ease of collecting and availability of blood samples, with later confirmation by molecular identification of the species of Cryptosporidium in fecal samples. However, fluctuation in antibody levels should be taken into account. We thank the biologist Cibele Lisboa, from the São Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, for the animals that were donated to this experiment. We also acknowledge the director of the Herpetology Laboratory of the Butantan Institute, Wilson Fernandes, for providing the facilities used during this experiment and the São Paulo Research Foundation for financial support (process number 2010/05405-0). “
“Leishmaniasis
SB203580 datasheet is endemic in 88 countries in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old and New Worlds, with more than 350 million cases being visceral leishmaniasis (VL) (Desjeux, 2004). Infected dogs have a high density of cutaneous parasites, and they are the main domestic reservoir of Leishmania Dichloromethane dehalogenase chagasi (syn. Leishmania infantum) contributing to the propagation of the parasite
( Deane and Deane, 1962). Thus, the current strategy for managing VL in humans centers on the detection and elimination of seropositive dogs alongside vector control and therapy for individual cases ( Tesh, 1995). A key goal in the control of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) has been the development of vaccines with high protective capability to interrupt the cycle of parasite transmission (Reis et al., 2010). Assessments of vaccine safety and anti-CVL efficacy generally require a long follow-up, stretching into years of study (Giunchetti et al., 2007, Giunchetti et al., 2008 and Roatt et al., 2012). In this context, the development of methodological strategies that enable optimal evaluation of the dog’s immune system would be highly relevant. Such tests could be included in clinical trials vaccine against CVL, so that the time needed for the experiments could be reduced. This would likely reduce the costs of experimentation using the dog model as well as provide a more rational way of selecting candidate vaccines against CVL. Macrophages play an important role in the control of Leishmania infection in distinct experimental models.