Amostras oculares para detecção de Leishmania spp. em felinos domésticos e parâmetros oftálmicos de Caprinos Moxotó e aves de rapina.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using conjunctival fragments for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis in cats and to gather reference data for ophthalmic tests in goats and birds of prey. This thesis comprises three chapters; in chapter I, the occurrence of infection by Leishmania sp. in cats, using different biological samples and diagnostic techniques. For this purpose, several samples were collected from 16 cats, which were analyzed by different diagnostic methods: peripheral blood (polymerase chain reaction PCR); right popliteal lymph node puncture (PCR and cytology), skin and conjunctival swab (cytology) and palpebral conjunctival biopsy of both eyes (PCR, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination). Of the eight PCR positive samples from five cats, six (7/8 – 87.5%) concerned conjunctival fragments; and one (1/8 – 12.5%) belonging to whole blood. The IHC of the 31 conjunctival samples allowed the identification of 17 positives, concerning 13 animals. In chapter II, the reference values for Schirmer tear test (TLS) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were standardized, and the cellularity of the ocular conjunctiva of Moxotó goats was described. Thirty adult goats and 10 healthy young goats were selected. The mean value obtained in the TLS in adult goats was 11.65 ± 3.16 mm/min and 9.90 ± 2.97 mm/min in young goats. The mean IOP was 11.18 ± 2.54 mmHg in adult goats and 10.10 ± 2.40 mmHg in young goats. The conjunctival cytological samples had numerous cellularity, revealing the same cellular pattern between young and adult goats. The mean value of TLS in adult Moxotó goats, above one year of age, was significantly higher than that of young ones with four months of age. In chapter III, reference values for TLS and PIO were determined; the ocular bacterial microbiota was described and the conjunctival cells in birds of prey were characterized. In chapter III, reference values for TLS1 and PIO were determined; and characterize the conjunctival cells of blackchested Buzzardeagle (Geranaetus melanoleucus) and whitetailed hawks (Geranaetus albicaudatus). The mean value found in the TLS was 18.33 ± 5.46 mm / min for the Chilean eagles and 11 ± 3.46 mm / min for the whitetailed hawks. The mean IOP values were: 23.67 ± 3.2 mmHg for the Chilean eagles and 23.5 ± 2.59 mmHg for the whitetailed hawks. The conjunctival cytological analysis revealed numerous cellularity and demonstrated that the conjunctival cells of the studied species have the same morphological characteristics, with a predominance of squamous and intermediate superficial cells. Varying degrees of cytoplasmic melanocytic granulation in h were observed in the left eye of a Chilean eagle and a whitetailed hawk. Some erythrocytes and bacterial aggregates were visualized. Furthermore, a variable variable of heterophils was found. The results here gain support for the diagnosis and proper treatment of eye disorders in the species studied and in future investigations about leishmaniasis in cats.