Prevalence and clinico-pathology of PSOROPTIC mange in buffaloes of the Amazon region.

Scabies is an important skin disease in several species of domestic and wild animals; however, few reports in Brazil have emphasized its occurrence in buffaloes. This article describes the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects and diagnosis of psoroptic mange in buffaloes in a property in the municipality of Castanhal, PA, Amazon region. Of the 41 buffaloes examined, 38 males and females of the Murrah, Baio, Mediterranean and Carabao breeds and their crossbreeds, aged between 2 and 20 years, had a history of pruritus. Clinical examination was performed to map the lesions, skin scrapings were collected to identify the mites, and a biopsy was performed for histopathological examination. Clinical signs, from mild to severe intensity, varied according to the system of creation and handling of the animals and were more severe in buffaloes raised in bays than those raised under a collective regime (pastures and collective troughs). The characteristic clinical signs were intense itching, extensive areas of alopecia, periocular edema, and thickening of the epidermis with exudative crusts covering the face, chamfer, neck, scapular region, back, base of the horn, thoracic and pelvic limbs and chest. The behavior of rubbing the affected regions of the body against structures (troughs, fence posts, gates) or with the horns was frequently observed and provided relief from itching. In the most severe cases, mites were also noted in the crusts, which were identified as Psoroptes natalensis. Histological skin lesions exhibited alterations consistent with immune-mediated dermatitis, which is typical of hypersensitivity to mite-derived allergens.

The Risk Factors of Dewclaw Dermatitis in Beef Cattle in the Amazon Biome.

Bovine Dewclaw Dermatitis (BDCD) is a hoof disease characterized by inflammation of the second and fifth accessory digits and the skin in this region. This pathology is poorly described in the literature; however, it has recently been observed in beef cattle in the Amazon Biome, Brazil. The objective of this study was to perform a clinical diagnosis and identify the risk factors associated with BDCD onset in cattle in the studied biome. Samples were collected from eight farms with extensive breeding systems located in Xinguara, Rondon do Pará, Curionópolis, and Ipixuna do Pará in the state of Pará, Brazil. A total of 706 Nellore and Nellore crossbred with taurine bovine of both sexes were evaluated, with males aged between 2 and 4 years and a mean weight of 650 kg, and females aged between 2 and 11 years and a mean weight of 400 kg. Distal extremities were inspected during cattle management, and in cases of dewclaw lesions, a specific examination was carried out after proper restraint. Cattle were diagnosed with BDCD on all farms analyzed. Of the 706 cattle inspected, 49 (6.94%) showed BDCD, of which 19 (38.77%) were Nellore and 30 (61.22%) were crossbred. This was the first study to determine BDCD's occurrence in extensive farming systems in the Amazon region, also showing that pastures with large amounts of stumps and stones, the physical structure of pens, and trauma and injury incidence during animal management are the most important predisposing factors for the onset of BDCD.

Parasitic Granulomatous Dermatitis Caused by Pelodera spp. in Buffalo on Marajó Island, Pará.

This is the first report of parasitic granulomatous dermatitis caused by Pelodera spp. in a buffalo. The affected buffalo was about seven years old, was a female of the Murrah breed and belonged to a property located on Marajó Island in the State of Pará. During the clinical examination, the animal was in a standing position and presented several multifocal nodular and placoid masses throughout the body, mostly on the forelimbs, hindlimbs, abdomen, mammary glands, perineum, vulva and tail. These masses were also observed on the nasal mucosa, head, neck, back and chest. On macroscopic examination, the skin had several multifocal-to-coalescent sessile nodular and placoid lesions. Histopathology of the skin showed a marked reduction in the number of hair follicles. In the superficial dermis, there was significant multifocal-to-coalescent inflammatory infiltration, consisting of macrophages, epithelioid macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells and multinucleated giant cells. In the remaining hair follicles, there were numerous cross and longitudinal sections of small rhabditoid nematodes characterized by a thin cuticle, platymyarian musculature, an intestinal tract, a rhabditiform esophagus and lateral alae (morphologically compatible with Pelodera spp.). The diagnosis of parasitic dermatitis was confirmed by histopathological skin lesions associated with the presence of intralesional rhabditiform larvae morphologically compatible with Pelodera spp.

Cutaneous Mucormycosis in Buffalos in the Brazilian Amazon Biome.

This is the first description of cutaneous mucormycosis in buffalo in the Brazilian Amazon biome. All buffalo showed apathy, inappetence, weight loss, reluctance to move, and prolonged sternal decubitus. Of the four affected animals, two died 15 and 30 days after the appearance of clinical signs. In the initial phase, the skin lesions were rounded areas with dry central regions, sensitive to palpation, with protruding edges and diameters ranging from 8 cm to 15 cm. These areas of necrosis were isolated or coalescing and present mainly on the limbs and sides. In an advanced stage of the disease, there was detachment of the skin from the necrotic areas with extensive wound formation, which sometimes exposed the subcutaneous tissue. The histopathology of the skin showed a multifocal inflammatory infiltrate composed of intact and degenerated eosinophils surrounded by epithelioid macrophages. At the center of these areas was a focally extensive area of epidermal ulceration characterized by intact and degenerated neutrophils, the necrosis of epithelial cells, and the accumulation of fibrin and erythrocytes. The mycological culture was positive for Rhizopus sp. The diagnosis of cutaneous dermatitis caused by Rhizopus sp. was based on clinical signs, macroscopic and histopathological findings, and the identification of the fungus by mycological and molecular techniques.

Allergic Dermatitis in Pêga Breed Donkeys (Equus asinus) Caused by Culicoides Bites in the Amazon Biome, Pará, Brazil.

An allergy to bites from Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) occurs because of a hypersensitivity reaction caused by the inoculation of insect salivary antigens during the bite, resulting in immune-mediated dermatitis. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have focused on allergic dermatitis in donkeys in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinicopathological, and therapeutic aspects of allergic dermatitis in donkeys and to identify the insects involved in its epidemiology. This study reported the occurrence of dermatitis in 17 animals. The clinical signs were restlessness and severe itching. Skin lesions were found on the head, depigmented areas of the muzzle and cheeks, flanks, pelvic and thoracic limbs, and the scrotal sac. The lesions were characterized by areas of alopecia with crusts accompanied by serosanguineous exudates. Histologically, the lesions were characterized as moderate superficial dermatitis with irregular epidermal acanthosis and pronounced diffuse orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. In total, 378 Culicoides specimens were collected, with Culicoides ocumarensis Ortiz being the most abundant species. The combined application of copaiba oil and a multivitamin emulsion exhibited potential for topical treatment of allergic dermatitis caused by insect bites in donkeys. Our study revealed an association between allergic dermatitis in donkeys and Culicoides.

Bacterial Meningitis in Buffaloes in Brazil.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding the central nervous system and is poorly described in water buffaloes. Five cases of meningitis in adults buffaloes of the Murrah and Mediterranean breads were studied. All buffaloes came from a farm located in the municipality of Castanhal, Pará, Brazil at different times. Clinical examination showed neurological clinical signs, such as apathy, reluctance to move, spastic paresis especially of the pelvic limbs, hypermetria, difficulty getting up, pressing of the head into obstacles and convulsion. In three buffaloes, a large part of the horn had been lost, exposing the corresponding frontal sinus, through which a bloody to purulent exudate flowed. The hemogram revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis. At necropsy, adherence of the dura mater to the periosteum and a purulent to fibrinopurulent exudate were observed in the sulci of the cerebral cortex and on the pia mater over almost the entire surface of the brain and throughout the spinal cord. The cerebrospinal fluid had a cloudy aspect with fibrin filaments. The histopathology of buffaloes confirmed the diagnosis of bacterial fibrinopurulent meningitis. Buffaloes are susceptible to bacterial inflammation of the meninges due to fractures of the base of the horn and mostly present with neurological manifestations.

Extracutaneous Melanotic Melanoma with Nervous System Involvement in a Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Melanomas are tumors arising from externally uncontrolled melanocytes that produce varying amounts of melanin. In this study, we report a case of melanoma with neurological impairment without evidence of cutaneous neoplastic lesions in an adult buffalo in the state of Pará, Brazil. Clinically, the buffalo exhibited apathy, decreased mandibular tone, and occasionally an open mouth with motor incoordination, and eventually succumbed to the condition. Necropsy revealed multifocal tumor masses in the brain, pituitary gland, trigeminal ganglion, and spinal cord. The neoplastic cells showed strong positive signals for vimentin, Melan-A, PNL-2, and SOX10. The diagnosis was made via necropsy, histopathology, and positive immunostaining for Melan-A and PNL-2, which are specific markers for melanocyte identification.

Polioencephalomalacia in Buffaloes in the Amazon Biome.

The epidemiological and clinical pathological aspects of polioencephalomalacia (PEM) in five buffaloes in the Amazon biome are described. Epidemiological data were obtained during the clinical visit in which buffalos were submitted to an examination of the nervous system. The diagnosis of PEM was based on epidemiological, clinical-pathological, and histopathological findings, similar to findings in other ruminants. In the clinical examination, all buffaloes had a body score between 2.5 and 3 (scale from 1 to 5), with decreased alertness, postural changes, marked hypermetria when stimulated to move, total or partial blindness demonstrated by colliding with the corral structures, head pressing and circumduction of the hindquarters when supported on the thoracic limbs, opisthotonos, muscle tremors, convulsions, paddling movements, sialorrhea, decrease in palpebral and pupillary reflexes, and eyeball rotation placing the pupillary slit in a vertical position. At necropsy, mild lesions characterized by edema and flattening of the cerebral convolutions were observed. A histopathological examination showed laminar necrosis of the cerebral cortex. The cause of PEM in the studied buffaloes was not established, which indicates the need for further studies to elucidate this disease in the species, particularly in the Amazon region.

Proximal and Distal Vagal Indigestion in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the Amazon Biome.

This study aims to describe the clinical signs and ultrasonographic and necropsy findings of the first cases of proximal (Buffalo 1) and distal (Buffalo 2) vagal indigestion in two Bubalus bubalis in the Brazilian Amazon biome. The clinical histories of the buffaloes were characterized by progressive weight loss, recurrent tympany, abdominal distention (apple and pear shapes), anorexia, and scant feces. Buffalo 1 was submitted to orogastric intubation, and due to the recurrent tympany, an exploratory laparotomy. Buffalo 2 was submitted to ultrasound examination, and a segment of the pylorus was shown to be adhered to the eventration by ultrasonography. Both animals produced positive results for the atropine test. In the necropsy evaluation, Buffalo 1 was shown to have dilation of the esophagus, rumen, and reticulum; the ruminal contents of animal 1 were olive green and foamy with bubbles within the ingesta. On the other hand, Buffalo 2 was shown to have distention of the forestomach and abomasum; the complex rumen-reticulum and omasum contents were semi-liquid and had a yellowish color. In animal 2, in the eventration region, there was adherence to the pyloric region. The diagnosis of vagal indigestion was based on the history, clinical signs, and ultrasound and necropsy findings, in addition to the results of the atropine test.

Whole or coarsely broken açai seed as a source of roughage in the diet of feedlot cattle: intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two methods of provision of açai seed (AS) as a fiber source (coarsely broken or whole) for feedlot beef cattle on the intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters. Four bulls (male, non-castrated, and rumen fistulated), with an average body weight of 340 ± 31 kg, distributed in two simultaneous 2 × 2 Latin squares, were used. The treatments were two methods of processing of the açai seed, as follows: whole açai seed (WAS), and coarsely broken açai seed (CBAS). The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake were higher (P < 0.10) with the use of CBAS. The digestibility of DM and nutrients was not affected (P > 0.10) by AS processing. Acetate and total volatile fatty acids concentrations, and acetate:propionate ratio were higher with the CBAS diet, whereas the pH was higher with the WAS diet. The concentrations of propionate, butyrate, and ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3) did not change with AS processing. Thus, coarsely broken açai seed increases the intake of DM and nutrients without altering the digestibility. Furthermore, it increases the concentrations of total fatty acids and acetate.

Dynamics of Thermolysis and Skin Microstructure in Water Buffaloes Reared in Humid Tropical Climate-A Microscopic and Thermographic Study.

The thermolytic capacity test is used to assess the adaptability of animals to existing environmental conditions. However, there is insufficient information on the relationship between histomorphometry and adaptability of buffaloes. Thus, this study aimed to assess the use of thermolysis pathways by buffaloes reared in a hot and humid environment so as to understand the relationships between environment, skin morphological characteristics, and heat storage, as well as the intensity and proportionality of use of its ways of dissipating heat to maintain homeothermy. The heat tolerance test, associated with the evaluations via infrared thermography, was applied to 10 female Murrah buffaloes and tegument histomorphometry was carried out. The animals exhibited very high heat tolerance with an average of 9.66 ± 0.21 and used thermal polypnea as the main heat dissipation pathway. Their mean skin thickness was 6.03 ± 1.16 mm and the active sweat and sebaceous gland tissue were 1.57 ± 0.38% and 1.08 ± 0.39%, respectively. The buffaloes exhibited a positive correlation between eyeball temperature and internal body temperature (r = 0.84523, p < 0.0001) and a negative correlation between respiratory rate and skin thickness (r = -0.73371, p = 0.0157). The high thermolytic capacity in shade conditions confirms the importance of access to shade in buffalo rearing systems in tropical regions.

Serological survey of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in cattle (Bos indicus) and water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in ten provinces of Brazil.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii among 500 cattle (Bos indicus) and 500 buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) technique. Blood samples from were collected from water buffalo and cattle in 10 municipalities in the northern region of Brazil. The frequency of cattle and water buffaloes seropositive for Neospora caninum in Pará state, Brazil, was 55% and 44%, respectively, and the frequency of cattle and water buffaloes seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii was 52% and 39%, respectively. Seropositivity for both N. caninum and T. gondii was detected in 10.6% of the cattle samples and 14.8% of the buffalo samples. The frequency of cattle positive for N. caninum and T. gondii was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of buffalo in two and three provinces, respectively. Buffaloes had a lower seroprevalence for N. caninum or T. gondii in all of the provinces studied. These results suggest that both species, when exposed to the same risks for N. caninum and T. gondii infection, have a high serological prevalence. Cattle showed a higher probability of being seropositive when exposed to the same risks for N. caninum and T. gondii. Our study, which included an extensive number of blood samples, provides important epidemiological information pertinent to buffalo production in tropical countries that can be used as a basis for disease-management practices in Latin America.

Comparison of the tuberculin test, histopathological examination, and bacterial culture for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Brazil.

Tuberculosis is a disease with a great zoonotic potential. It is considered a major obstacle to cattle production and is responsible for severe losses in several production systems. A comparative cervical test (CCT) was performed in 1140 buffaloes from different mesoregions of the state of Pará, Brazil, with the aim of comparing the sensitivity and specificity of CCT with histopathological examination and bacterial culture. Of the animals tested using CCT, 4.65% (53/1140) were positive, 2.98% (34/1140) were inconclusive, and 92.36% (1053/1140) were negative. Among the 168 sacrificed animals, 33 were positive, 18 were inconclusive, and 117 were negative by CCT, and samples from the sacrificed animals were collected for histopathological examination and bacterial culture. A qualitative evaluation of the tuberculin test was performed by comparing the test results with the histopathological and bacteriological results. The latter two tests yielded a prevalence of 4.16%, a sensitivity of 71.43%, and a specificity of 82.61%. Based on these results, we concluded that CCT yielded satisfactory results and can be applied in diagnostic studies in buffaloes. The prevalence rate obtained using three distinct diagnostic methods suggests that Mycobacterium bovis was present in a few animals in the population evaluated.

Evaluation of thermal comfort, physiological, hematological, and seminal features of buffalo bulls in an artificial insemination station in a tropical environment.

This study aimed to assess the variation over time in thermal comfort indices and the behavior of physiological parameters related to thermolysis, blood parameters, and semen in natura of buffalo bulls reared in tropical climate. The study was carried out in an artificial insemination station under a humid tropical climate (Afi according to Köppen). Ten water buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) were used during the 5 months (April to August) of study. The environmental Temperature Humidity Index (THId) and the pen microclimate Temperature Humidity Index (THIp) were calculated. Every 25 days, respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT), and Benezra's thermal comfort index (BTCI) were assessed in the morning and in the afternoon. A blood assay was performed every month, while semen was collected weekly. THIp did not vary over the months (P > 0.05) and was higher in the afternoon than in the morning (77.7 ± 2.6 versus 81.8 ± 2.1, P < 0.05). RR, HR, and BTCI significantly increased over the months and were different between the periods of the day (P > 0.05) but within the physiological limits. RT varied between the periods of the day and decreased over the months, being the lowest in August (37.8 ± 0.7 °C), time-impacted hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin levels, and spermatic gross motility and vigor (P < 0.05). Thus, buffalo bulls reared under a humid tropical climate may have variations in thermal comfort during the hotter periods but are able to efficiently activate thermoregulatory mechanisms and maintain homeothermy, hence preserving their physiological and seminal parameters at normal levels.

Lead poisoning in cattle and chickens in the state of Pará, Brazil / Intoxicação por chumbo em bovinos e galinhas no estado do Pará

The present study describes the occurrence of lead poisoning in cattle and chickens in Pará, Brazil. In a lot composed of 80 calves from a dairy herd, 10 animals became sick and nine died, but one animal recovered after being removed from the paddock. Upon inspection of this paddock, the presence of truck batteries used to store energy captured by solar panels was found. The clinical signs observed in calves included difficult breathing, nasal discharge, excessive salivation, corneal opacity, pushing of the head against objects and recumbency. The chickens had decreased oviposition and produced eggs with thin or malformed shells. The necropsy findings of the cattle, as well as the histopathological changes observed, were of little significance except for one animal that showed mild astrocytosis histopathology in the cerebral cortex. In one of the chickens, renal histopathology showed mild multifocal acute tubular necrosis. The mean lead concentrations in the livers and kidneys of the cattle were 93.91mg/kg and 209.76mg/kg, respectively, and the mean concentration detected in chicken livers was 105.02mg/kg. It was concluded that the source of lead poisoning in these calves and chickens were the truck battery plates, which were within reach of the animals.(AU)

O presente estudo descreve a ocorrência de intoxicação por chumbo em bovinos e galinhas no Pará, Brasil. Em um lote composto de 80 bezerros de um rebanho leiteiro, 10 animais ficaram doentes e nove morreram, e um animal se recuperou após ser removido do piquete. Após a inspeção deste piquete, foi observada a presença de baterias de caminhões usados para armazenar a energia captada por painéis solares. Os sinais clínicos observados nos bezerros incluíam dificuldade respiratória, corrimento nasal, salivação excessiva, opacidade da córnea, pressão da cabeça contra objetos e decúbito. As galinhas tinham diminuída oviposição e os ovos produzidos eram com cascas malformadas ou tinham a casca mais fina. Os achados de necropsia e as alterações histopatológicas observadas nos bovinos eram de pouco significado, com exceção de um animal que mostrou leve astrocitose no córtex cerebral. Em uma das galinhas, na histopatologia renal observou-se leve necrose tubular aguda multifocal. As concentrações de chumbo médios nos fígados e rins dos bovinos eram 93,91mg/kg e 209,76mg/kg, respectivamente, e a concentração média no fígado de galinhas foi 105,02mg/ kg. Concluiu-se que a fonte de contaminação por chumbo nesses bezerros e galinhas eram placas de bateria de caminhão, aos quais os animais tiveram acesso na pastagem.(AU)

Molecular and serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale in water buffaloes in northern Brazil.

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma marginale, occurs in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world and is a major constraint on cattle production in many countries. Approximately 60% of the buffalo herds in South America are located in northern Brazil. However, compared with the research on cattle, research on buffaloes has been neglected. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the distribution of A. marginale in water buffaloes in northern Brazil. A total of 500 buffalo blood samples was randomly collected from 16 provinces and was analyzed using both nPCR assay and ELISA techniques. The percentage of animals that were seropositive for A. marginale according to ELISA was 49% (245/500). The main risk factors associated with seroprevalence were the region (p=0.021; OR=1.2) and the reproductive status (p=0.0001; OR=1.6). Anaplasma marginale DNA was detected in 5.4% (27/500) of the sampled buffaloes. Our data provide information about the incidence of A. marginale infection in water buffaloes and may guide future programs aimed at controlling the disease in the northern region of Brazil. Although these water buffaloes are exposed to A. marginale, a low rate of A. marginale PCR-positive animals was found, which could be explained by the habitat in which the sampled animals live because they exhibited a low rate of attached ticks on their skin.

Ocorrência de mastite em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) criadas em sistema extensivo no estado do Pará, Brasil / Mastitis occurrence in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) extensively farmed in the state of Para, Brazil

Descreveu-se a ocorrência de mastite em 87 búfalas do Estado do Pará, em diferentes fases de lactação, mantidas em sistema de criação extensivo. Foram realizados o exame clínico da glândula mamária, o California Mastitis Test, o exame bacteriológico do leite e o perfil de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos. Amostras de leite foram colhidas de todos os quartos mamários avaliados, assepticamente, exceto na ausência de secreção láctea. Dos 348 quartos mamários examinados, 89,37% não reagiram ao California Mastitis Test e 5,46% reagiram; 2,87% dos quartos mamários apresentavam mastite clínica e 2,3% não apresentavam secreção láctea. Nas amostras reagentes ao California Mastitis Test, Streptococcus spp. foi o agente isolado em maior percentual, seguido por Staphylococcus aureus e Staphylococcus intermedius. Das amostras não reagentes ao California Mastitis Test houve crescimento bacteriano em 24,8%, sendo Staphylococcus coagulase negativa o agente mais presente, seguido por S. intermedius, S. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae e Streptococcus spp. No antibiograma, os isolados de estafilococos coagulase negativas foram sensíveis à gentamicina e resistentes à penicilina. Para os isolados de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, amoxicilina e cefalotina foram os antimicrobianos de eleição. Streptococcus spp. foram sensíveis à amoxicilina e sulfazotrim. Todos S. agalactiae foram sensíveis à amoxicilina e tetraciclina. Conclui-se que a ocorrência de mastite foi baixa nos rebanhos estudados; o California Mastitis Test não se mostrou eficiente no diagnóstico da infecção intramamária, devendo sempre ser associado ao exame microbiológico e houve baixa resistência dos agentes isolados aos antimicrobianos testados, exceto em relação à penicilina.

It was described the occurrence of mastitis in 87 buffaloes from the state of Para at different stages of lactation and kept in extensive farming system. The clinical examination of the mammary gland, California Mastitis Test, bacteriological examination of milk and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile were performed. Milk samples were taken aseptically from all mammary quarters, except in the absence of milk secretion. Among the 348 mammary quarters examined 89.37% did not react to the California Mastitis Test and 5.46% reacted, 2.87% presented clinical mastitis and 2.3% did not show milk secretion. Streptococcus spp. was isolated from mammary glands with clinical mastitis. In California Mastitis Test-reagent samples Streptococcus spp. was isolated with a high percentual, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus intermedius. There was bacterial growth in 24.8% of California Mastitis Test-non-reagent samples, mainly coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, followed by Staphylococcus intermedius, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus spp. The antibiogram revealed effectiveness of gentamicin against coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolates and low effectiveness of penicillin. Amoxicillin and cephalotin were the antimicrobials agents of choice for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. Streptococcus spp. revealed sensitivity to amoxicillin and sulfazotrim and all S. agalactiae isolated were sensitive to amoxicillin and tetraciclin. It was concluded that there was a low occurrence of mastitis among the herds studied, the California Mastitis Test was not efficient to diagnose intramammary infection, thus it should ever be associated with microbiological exam and that there was low levels of resistence to all antimicrobials tested except penicillin.

Molecular and serological prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in water buffaloes in the north region of Brazil.

Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused mainly by Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina, which are associated to considerable economic losses in cattle herds worldwide. Approximately 60% of buffalo herds in South America are located in Northern Brazil. Little is known about the impact of babesiosis on buffalo herds in Brazil. The present work aimed to verify the occurrence of B. bovis and B. bigemina in 542 water buffaloes in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil, using molecular and serological techniques. The percentage of seropositive animals for B. bovis and B. bigemina was 41.2% and 19.0%, respectively, by ELISA. B. bovis and B. bigemina DNA were detected in 15 and 16% of sampled buffaloes, respectively. A high correlation (Kappa index of 0.9) between serological and molecular tests suggests that the combination of the utilized techniques in the present study is suitable for babesiosis diagnosis in an endemic unstable area. Significantly difference of positivity for serological and molecular assays was verified to localities and reproductive status of sampled animals, but not between buffalo breeds. The immune status of sampled buffaloes associated to the circulation of babesiosis agents in sampled population suggests that the studied area is at risk to clinical babesiosis outbreaks. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that this region can be classified as endemically unstable.

Prevalência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) no Estado do Pará / Serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Marajó Island, State of Pará, Brazil

O objetivo do estudo foi conhecer a prevalência sorológica de Toxoplasma gondii em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) do Estado do Pará, Brasil. Foram selecionados randomicamente 319 bubalinos distribuídos em sete municípios da Ilha do Marajó. Para efeito comparativo também foram avaliados 128 bubalinos pertencentes a cinco municípios do Estado do Pará. A prevalência sorológica de Toxoplasma gondii foi avaliada pelo Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimático Indireto (iELISA). As amostras diagnósticadas como positivas no iELISA foram submetidas a Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Foram avaliados os fatores de risco: localidade, raça, gestação, co-infecção por Brucella abortus e co-infecção por Mycobacterium bovis. As frequências de animais positivos no iELISA para T. gondii foram comparadas pelo teste de Qui-quadrado (χ2) com 95% de confiabilidade. As variáveis com p<0,2 foram submetidos à análise de regressão logística, sendo o modelo construído baseado no teste da "odds ratios". A prevalência de T. gondii observada no iELISA foi de 41,6% (186/447). Na RIFI, 86,5% (161/186) das amostram positivas no iELISA tiveram sua positividade para T. gondii confirmada. A prevalência média nos municípios da Ilha do Marajo e do Continente foi de 32% (103/319) e 55% (70/128), respectivamente. Os municípios que apresentaram as maiores prevalências foram Soure (53%) e Salvaterra (49%) na Ilha do Marajó e Castanhal (55%) e Tailândia (50%) no Continente. Os fatores de risco raça e co-infecção por Brucella abortus ou Mycobacterium bovis não influenciaram na prevalência de T. gondii. Além disso, animais gestantes foram 57% mais positivos para T. gondii do que animais não gestantes. A circulação de anticorpos é um indicativo da presença do agente da toxoplasmose em búfalos no Estado do Pará. Esses achados representam um risco não apenas para os animais de produção, mas à saúde pública, como uma fonte de infecção.

The aim was to study the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from State of Pará, Brazil. Three hundred and nineteen buffaloes were randomly selected into seven municipalities of Marajó Island. For comparative purposes, 128 buffaloes of five municipalities in the state of Pará were also evaluated. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was evaluated by Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA). The samples diagnosed as positive in iELISA were subjected to Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). We evaluated risk factors: location, breed, pregnancy and co-infection with Brucella abortus or Mycobacterium bovis. The frequency of animals positive for T. gondii in iELISA were compared by chi-square (χ2) with 95% confidence. Variables with p <0.2 were subjected to logistic regression analysis; the model was built based on the "odds ratios" test. The prevalence of T. gondii in iELISA was 41,6% (186/447). In IFAT, 86,5% (161/186) had their positivity for T. gondii confirmed. The average prevalence in the municipalities of the Marajó Island and of the mainland was 32% (103/319) and 55% (70/128), respectively. The municipalities with the highest prevalence were Soure (53%) and Salvaterra (49%) in Marajó Island, and Castanhal (55%) and Thailândia (50%) in the Continent. The breed and co-infection with Brucella abortus or Mycobacterium bovis presented no influence on the prevalence of T. gondii. Additionally, pregnant animals were 57% more positive for T. gondii than nonpregnant animals. The presence of antibodies is an indicative of T. gondii in buffaloes in the state of Pará, and these findings represent a risk not only for farm animals, but to public health as a source of infection.

Detection of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the state of Pará, Brazil.

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of homologous antibodies of IgG class against Borrelia burgdorferi in buffaloes in the state of Pará, Brazil. Blood serum samples from 491 buffaloes were analyzed by means of the indirect ELISA test, using crude antigen produced from a cultivar of the North American strain G39/40 of B. burgdorferi. There were 412 positive samples (83.91%), and there was no statistically significant difference in the proportions of positive animals between the 81.69% (232/284) originating from Marajó Island and the 86.96% (180/207) from the continental area of the state of Pará. In all the municipalities studied, the frequency of positive findings of antibodies against B. burgdorferi among the animals ranged from 63.6% to 92.9%. The high numbers of seropositive animals can be explained by the frequent presence of the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)microplus, and by the possible existence of spirochetes of the genus Borrelia infecting buffaloes in the region studied, although specific studies are needed to confirm this relationship. These factors suggest that a cross-reaction exists between the North American strain G39/40 of B. burgdorferi, which is used as an antigenic substrate, and the species of Borrelia spp. that possibly infects buffaloes in the state of Pará.