RESUMEN
This study aimed to perform a seroepidemiological survey on the prevalence of sporotrichosis among cats living in the Northern area of Buenos Aires, where a four-fold increase of Sporothrix brasiliensis infections were diagnosed during the last decade. For this purpose, an in-house indirect ELISA test sensitized with S. brasiliensis crude antigens was used. The ELISA test showed 100.0% sensitivity and 95.0% specificity. Antibodies against S. brasiliensis antigens were detected in 3.7% (9/241) of healthy cats evaluated, suggesting likely exposure or infection to this fungus. This ELISA test would be a valuable screening tool for diagnosing sporotrichosis and for seroepidemiological surveys.
S. brasiliensis is the primary cause of feline sporotrichosis in Argentina. The seroprevalence of sporotrichosis infection in urban localities of Buenos Aires province is reported for the first time. An ELISA test using S. brasiliensis crude antigens is also described.
RESUMEN
The antiviral effect of polysaccharides has been known for many years. Carrageenans are considered a good alternative for the prevention of a wide range of diseases, mainly caused by enveloped viruses. The advantages lie on their high availability, low cost and low induction of resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of two viral pathogens of veterinary interest to the presence of lambda-carrageenan. This is the first report of a lambda-carrageenan having antiviral activity against animal viruses belonging to the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, BoHV-1 (bovine herpesvirus type 1) strain Cooper and SuHV-1 (suid herpesvirus type 1) strain Bartha. Lambda-carrageenan was able to reduce infectivity of both viruses with a more pronounced effect against BoHV-1. These results proved, as previously shown for human herpes virus type 1, that these compounds could be used as potential antiviral agents in the veterinary field.