Stephanofilariasis in Holstein cows - Diagnostic approach

Background: Stephanofilariasis is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria spp., considered a zoonotic disease, that affects several species, mainly dairy cattle. The condition causes chronic ulcerative dermatitis, due to the mechanical action of the parasite on the hair follicles and dermal papillae. The recommended diagnostic method is histopathological examination, but alternative methods have been studied for the detection of the agent since it does not demonstrate good results. There is no specific treatment, however, the use of organophosphates is recommended. The objective of this work is to report an outbreak of stephanofilariasis with unusual lesions in cattle from a dairy cattle farm in the city of Boa Vista do Buricá, RS, Brazil, as well as to demonstrate an alternative method for the diagnosis of the disease. Cases: We prospectively evaluated 15 Holstein cows, aged between 1 and 10-year-old whose data and materials for diagnosis, were provided by the property owner. The outbreak occurred in the summer, in a period of greater rainfall, affecting cows of different ages and totaling 48% of the herd. These showed ulcerative lesions on the skin of the groin, limbs and interdigital regions, and less frequently in the udder. The samples were obtained through tissue biopsy and scraped from the lesions, being packed in 10% formaldehyde for fixation. Afterward, the formaldehyde was centrifuged at 800 g for 5 min, which consisted of analyzing the sediment through optical microscopy and without staining, aiming at the direct search of the agent. The tissues, on the other hand, underwent routine processing and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Histopathological analysis did not reveal Stephanofilaria sp. subjects in morphological analysis and revealed acanthosis, spongiosis, ulcers and fibrosis in the analyzed tissue. The examination of direct research with formaldehyde proved to be efficient, and fast. In the direct examination of the agent, structures similar to filarial and compatible with Stephanofilaria sp. in all samples. Thus, the present study demonstrated that filariasis can present in the form of outbreaks and with unusual injuries. The examination of direct research with formaldehyde, proved to be efficient and fast. Discussion: Semi-confined and confined animals may have a higher occurrence of strephanofilariasis, since the parasite needs humid and warm environments to proliferate and that, the proliferation of stephanophilariasis vectors is intensified in environments with low sunlight, high temperatures, high humidity, and low cleaning frequency. The city of Boa Vista do Buricá, where the outbreak occurred, reached a minimum average temperature of 18.5ºC and an average of 29ºC, with an average rainfall of 120.5 mm. Cutaneous lesions have been seen in animals from 1 to 10 years of age and no racial predisposition, age, or blackout stage is reported. The histological diagnosis, although mentioned as a form of diagnosis, has low efficacy in finding parasites in the tissue, is also used as a diagnosis, direct examination of the agent with saline solution, and impression of the lesion stained by the Romanoswsky method. However, in this report, formaldehyde proved to be a new option, as efficiently as saline.

Aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos da estefanofilariose em vacas leiteiras e comparação entre métodos de diagnóstico / Epidemiological and clinical features of stephanofilariasis in dairy cows and diagnosis methods confrontation

A estefanofilariose é uma doença mundialmente distribuída e caracteriza-se por lesões na pele causadas por nematódeo do gênero Stephanofilaria. Nos bovinos manifesta-se por uma dermatite crônica associada com erupção papular progredindo para nódulos, alopecia e ulceração crostosa. Apesar de reconhecida há muitos anos, há poucos estudos e relatos sobre a mesma. A literatura é particularmente escassa no Brasil. Esse trabalho teve como objetivos investigar aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos da estefanofilariose em vacas leiteiras naturalmente acometidas e comparar dois métodos para a confirmação do diagnóstico, o exame histopatológico e o exame direto. Foram investigados aspectos clínicos relacionados à ocorrência natural da estefanofilariose em 58 vacas de leite de sete rebanhos criados nos municípios de Santana do Itararé, PR e de Itaberá, SP durante o período de janeiro de 2006 a agosto de 2008. Dois métodos foram comparados para confirmação do diagnóstico a partir de tecido colhido por biópsia da borda das lesões, o histopatológico (n=24) e o exame direto do sedimento da solução salina isotônica na qual o tecido permaneceu embebido (n=20). A maior prevalência ocorreu de dezembro a março (57 por cento) e a maioria das vacas era lactante (87,9 por cento). As lesões se localizavam nos quartos anteriores do úbere em seu aspecto cranial (96,7 por cento), principalmente próximo à linha média (55 por cento). A lesão típica tinha formato circular era ulcerada com crostas e exibia exsudato sero-sanguinolento. No exame histopatológico evidenciou-se uma dermatite crônica com infiltrado mononuclear e eosinofílico. A presença do parasita não foi detectada em nenhum dos cortes examinados. O exame direto possibilitou a demonstração do agente em todas as amostras examinadas, comprovando-se como um método eficiente para a confirmação do diagnóstico.(AU)

Stephanofilariasis is a worldwide disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria that determines skin lesions. In cattle, the chronic dermatitis is characteristic begining with papules that progress to nodules, alopecia and ulcers with crusts. Despite it's long time recognition, there are few studies and reports about this disease, specially in Brazil. This work was conducted in order to investigate epidemiological and clinical features of stephanofilariasis in dairy cows and to compare two methods for the diagnosis confirmation. Fifty-eight naturally affected dairy cows from seven herds located in Santana do Itararé, state of Paraná, and Itaberá, state of São Paulo, were studied from January 2006 through August 2008. Two methods for the diagnosis confirmation were compared using biopsied tissues from the border of the skin lesion: the histopathological examination (n=24) and the direct sediment examination of an isotonic saline solution in which the tissue fragment remained soaked (n=20). The prevalence was higher from December to March (57 percent) and lactating cows were primarily affected (87,9 percent). The cranial aspect of the fore mammary glands was the main site of the skin lesions (96,7 percent), chiefly near the ventral midline (55 percent). The characteristic wound was of circular shape, ulcerated with crusts and serosanguineous exudation. Chronic dermatitis with eosinophilic and mononuclaer cell infiltrates was the histopathologic change pattern present. The parasite was not detected in any histologic section examined. The direct sediment examination otherwise proved to be efficient for the diagnosis confirmation revealing the nematode adult and larval forms in all the specimens.(AU)

(Stephanofilariasis in cattle) / nos

Stephanofilariasis is a worldwide disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria that determines skin lesions in several definitive hosts. The prevalence is higher in summer due to the increase in fly population, the intermediate host. In cattle, the chronic dermatitis is characteristic begining with papules that progress to nodules, alopecia and ulcers with crusts. Despite it"s long time recognition, there are few studies and reports about this disease, specially in Brazil. General informations of epidemiology, the agent, clinical signs, diagnosis methods, treatment and prevention were rewied.

A estefanofilariose é uma doença mundialmente distribuída e caracteriza-se por lesões na pele causadas por nematódeo do gênero Stephanofilaria. É mais prevalente no verão, devido à maior proliferação das moscas consideradas vetores do parasita, e acomete várias espécies animais. Nos bovinos caracteriza-se por uma dermatite crônica associada com erupção papular progredindo para nódulos, alopecia e ulceração crostosa. Apesar de ser uma doença conhecida há muitos anos, há poucos estudos e relatos sobre a mesma. A literatura é particularmente escassa no Brasil. Aspectos gerais sobre a epidemiologia, o agente, as manifestações e os métodos de diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção foram revisados.

(Stephanofilariasis in cattle) / nos

Stephanofilariasis is a worldwide disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria that determines skin lesions in several definitive hosts. The prevalence is higher in summer due to the increase in fly population, the intermediate host. In cattle, the chronic dermatitis is characteristic begining with papules that progress to nodules, alopecia and ulcers with crusts. Despite it"s long time recognition, there are few studies and reports about this disease, specially in Brazil. General informations of epidemiology, the agent, clinical signs, diagnosis methods, treatment and prevention were rewied.

A estefanofilariose é uma doença mundialmente distribuída e caracteriza-se por lesões na pele causadas por nematódeo do gênero Stephanofilaria. É mais prevalente no verão, devido à maior proliferação das moscas consideradas vetores do parasita, e acomete várias espécies animais. Nos bovinos caracteriza-se por uma dermatite crônica associada com erupção papular progredindo para nódulos, alopecia e ulceração crostosa. Apesar de ser uma doença conhecida há muitos anos, há poucos estudos e relatos sobre a mesma. A literatura é particularmente escassa no Brasil. Aspectos gerais sobre a epidemiologia, o agente, as manifestações e os métodos de diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção foram revisados.

(Stephanofilariasis in cattle) / Estefanofilariose em bovinos

Stephanofilariasis is a worldwide disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria that determines skin lesions in several definitive hosts. The prevalence is higher in summer due to the increase in fly population, the intermediate host. In cattle, the chronic dermatitis is characteristic begining with papules that progress to nodules, alopecia and ulcers with crusts. Despite it's long time recognition, there are few studies and reports about this disease, specially in Brazil. General informations of epidemiology, the agent, clinical signs, diagnosis methods, treatment and prevention were rewied.

A estefanofilariose é uma doença mundialmente distribuída e caracteriza-se por lesões na pele causadas por nematódeo do gênero Stephanofilaria. É mais prevalente no verão, devido à maior proliferação das moscas consideradas vetores do parasita, e acomete várias espécies animais. Nos bovinos caracteriza-se por uma dermatite crônica associada com erupção papular progredindo para nódulos, alopecia e ulceração crostosa. Apesar de ser uma doença conhecida há muitos anos, há poucos estudos e relatos sobre a mesma. A literatura é particularmente escassa no Brasil. Aspectos gerais sobre a epidemiologia, o agente, as manifestações e os métodos de diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção foram revisados.

(Stephanofilariasis in cattle) / Estefanofilariose em bovinos

Stephanofilariasis is a worldwide disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria that determines skin lesions in several definitive hosts. The prevalence is higher in summer due to the increase in fly population, the intermediate host. In cattle, the chronic dermatitis is characteristic begining with papules that progress to nodules, alopecia and ulcers with crusts. Despite it's long time recognition, there are few studies and reports about this disease, specially in Brazil. General informations of epidemiology, the agent, clinical signs, diagnosis methods, treatment and prevention were rewied.

A estefanofilariose é uma doença mundialmente distribuída e caracteriza-se por lesões na pele causadas por nematódeo do gênero Stephanofilaria. É mais prevalente no verão, devido à maior proliferação das moscas consideradas vetores do parasita, e acomete várias espécies animais. Nos bovinos caracteriza-se por uma dermatite crônica associada com erupção papular progredindo para nódulos, alopecia e ulceração crostosa. Apesar de ser uma doença conhecida há muitos anos, há poucos estudos e relatos sobre a mesma. A literatura é particularmente escassa no Brasil. Aspectos gerais sobre a epidemiologia, o agente, as manifestações e os métodos de diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção foram revisados.

STEPHANOFILARIASIS IN DAIRY CATTLE: THE NEED FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Stephanofilariasis is a disease caused by a nematode, globally widespread, that affects dairy cattle causing skin lesions near the mammary gland. Therefore, the objective of this study was to report the occurrence of an outbreak of stephanofilariasis in dairy cows in a property from Southern Brazil, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment. Stephanofilariasis was suspected based on the appearance and location of the lesion. Skin scrapings and lesion imprints confirmed the clinical suspicion. Since the cows were lactating, treatment was based on topical organophosphate trichlorfon 6% for seven days. Early diagnosis helps to better curative efficacy.

Stephanofilariasis in dairy cattle: the need for early diagnosis and treatment

Stephanofilariasis is a disease caused by a nematode, globally widespread, that affects dairy cattle causing skin lesions near the mammary gland. Therefore, the objective of this study was to report the occurrence of an outbreak of stephanofilariasis in dairy cows in a property from Southern Brazil, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment. Stephanofilariasis was suspected based on the appearance and location of the lesion. Skin scrapings and lesion imprints confirmed the clinical suspicion. Since the cows were lactating, treatment was based on topical organophosphate trichlorfon 6% for seven days. Early diagnosis helps to better curative efficacy.

Comparison among therapeutic protocols for stephanofilariasis in dairy cows / Comparação entre protocolos de tratamento para a estefanofilariose em vacas leiteiras

Stephanofilariaisis is a disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria, transmitted by flies, that determines a chronic dermatitis in the udder of lactating cows. The prevalence is higher in summer. Different treatment options have already been tested with varying results. The aim of this work was compare the efficacy of four topical treatment protocols. Naturally affected dairy cows suffering from characteristic udder skin lesion were distributed by four groups of treatment: G1 (n=11) 1% ivermectin; G2 (n=10) 2% ivermectin; G3 (n=10) 6% trichlorfon; and G4 (n=11) 6% trichlorfon plus pour on ivermectin. The ointments were applied in the wounds twice a day until the complete healing. The pour on ivermectin was applied once in the beginning of the treatment and repeated 42 days late. The wound area was measured before the start of the therapy and every seven days until the complete recovery. There were no treatment differences considering the initial area of the wound (p = 0,820), the length of time required to recovery (p = 0,168), and the daily decrease in the area of the wound (p = 0,817). All four treatment protocols tested were successful and the outcome was reached in all cows. The treatment with 6% trichlorfon in vaseline oitment was more profitable showing the better cost-benefit relation.

A estefanofilariose, causada por um nematódeo do gênero Stephanofilaria e transmitida por moscas, é mais prevalente no verão e caracteriza-se por uma dermatite crônica localizada no úbere de vacas leiteiras. Algumas alternativas de tratamento já foram testadas e os resultados relatados são variáveis. O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar a eficácia de diferentes tratamentos para a doença. Vacas leiteiras naturalmente acometidas por estefanofilariose e exibindo feridas características no úbere foram distribuídas por quatro grupos de tratamento tópico: G1 (n = 11) uso de ivermectina 1% em pasta; G2 (n = 10) uso de ivermectina 2% em pasta; G3 (n = 10) uso de triclorfon 6% em pasta de vaselina; e G4 (n = 11) o mesmo tratamento empregado no G3 mais ivermectina pour-on em dose única ou repetida a cada 42 dias. As pastas foram aplicadas nas feridas duas vezes ao dia até a cura completa. A ferida foi mensurada semanalmente desde o dia inicial do tratamento até a sua cicatrização completa. Não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos considerando a área original da ferida (p = 0,820), o tempo de duração do tratamento até a cura (p = 0,168) e a redução diária da área da ferida (p = 0,817). Todos os tratamentos foram eficazes permitindo que a cura fosse alcançada em todos os animais. O tratamento com triclorfon 6% em pasta de vaselina foi o mais vantajoso porque apresentou a melhor relação cus

Comparison among therapeutic protocols for stephanofilariasis in dairy cows / Comparação entre protocolos de tratamento para a estefanofilariose em vacas leiteiras

Stephanofilariaisis is a disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria, transmitted by flies, that determines a chronic dermatitis in the udder of lactating cows. The prevalence is higher in summer. Different treatment options have already been tested with varying results. The aim of this work was compare the efficacy of four topical treatment protocols. Naturally affected dairy cows suffering from characteristic udder skin lesion were distributed by four groups of treatment: G1 (n=11) 1% ivermectin; G2 (n=10) 2% ivermectin; G3 (n=10) 6% trichlorfon; and G4 (n=11) 6% trichlorfon plus pour on ivermectin. The ointments were applied in the wounds twice a day until the complete healing. The pour on ivermectin was applied once in the beginning of the treatment and repeated 42 days late. The wound area was measured before the start of the therapy and every seven days until the complete recovery. There were no treatment differences considering the initial area of the wound (p = 0,820), the length of time required to recovery (p = 0,168), and the daily decrease in the area of the wound (p = 0,817). All four treatment protocols tested were successful and the outcome was reached in all cows. The treatment with 6% trichlorfon in vaseline oitment was more profitable showing the better cost-benefit relation.

A estefanofilariose, causada por um nematódeo do gênero Stephanofilaria e transmitida por moscas, é mais prevalente no verão e caracteriza-se por uma dermatite crônica localizada no úbere de vacas leiteiras. Algumas alternativas de tratamento já foram testadas e os resultados relatados são variáveis. O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar a eficácia de diferentes tratamentos para a doença. Vacas leiteiras naturalmente acometidas por estefanofilariose e exibindo feridas características no úbere foram distribuídas por quatro grupos de tratamento tópico: G1 (n = 11) uso de ivermectina 1% em pasta; G2 (n = 10) uso de ivermectina 2% em pasta; G3 (n = 10) uso de triclorfon 6% em pasta de vaselina; e G4 (n = 11) o mesmo tratamento empregado no G3 mais ivermectina pour-on em dose única ou repetida a cada 42 dias. As pastas foram aplicadas nas feridas duas vezes ao dia até a cura completa. A ferida foi mensurada semanalmente desde o dia inicial do tratamento até a sua cicatrização completa. Não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos considerando a área original da ferida (p = 0,820), o tempo de duração do tratamento até a cura (p = 0,168) e a redução diária da área da ferida (p = 0,817). Todos os tratamentos foram eficazes permitindo que a cura fosse alcançada em todos os animais. O tratamento com triclorfon 6% em pasta de vaselina foi o mais vantajoso porque apresentou a melhor relação cus