Aborto em bovinos e bubalinos: causas específicas e inespecíficas / Abortion in cattle and buffaloes: specific and non-specific causes

O aborto é caracterizado como a expulsão do feto sem viabilidade para fora do ambiente uterino da progenitora durante o período que vai do 42° dia a o 260° dia. São descritos diversos fatores infecciosos e não infecciosos como etiologia para o aborto. Dentre os infecciosos, destacam-se as infecções por bactérias, vírus, protozoários e fungos. Enquanto as causas não infecciosas englobam falhas de manejo nutricional, intoxicações e medicamentos que ocasionalmente podem levar à morte fetal. Essa mortalidade fetal é causa importante de perdas reprodutivas na cadeia produtiva de animais domésticos, especialmente bovinos e bubalinos. Ambas as espécies participam da produtividade econômica no Brasil e compartilham de diversas doenças que são causas de aborto. Nesse contexto, o objetivo desta revisão foi reunir e discorrer sobre as principais informações concernentes às possíveis etiologias do aborto, sejam elas de origem infecciosa ou não infecciosas nas espécies bovinas e bubalinas no Brasil.

Abortion is characterized as the expulsion of the non-viable fetus outside the mother's uterine environment during the period between the 42nd day to the 260th day. Several infectious and non-infectious factors are described as etiology for miscarriage. Among the infectious, infections by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi stand out, while non-infectious causes include failures in nutritional management, poisoning, and medications that occasionally can lead to fetal death. This fetal mortality is an important cause of reproductive losses in the production chain of domestic animals, especially cattle and buffaloes. Both species participate in economic productivity in Brazil and share several diseases that are causes of abortion. In this context, this review aimed to gather and discuss the main information concerning the possible etiologies of abortion, whether of infectious or non-infectious origin in bovine and buffalo species in Brazil.

Abortamento por Neospora caninum em bovinos de leite no sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil / Abortion due to Neospora caninum in dairy cattle in Southern Santa Catarina state, Brazil

Background: Neosporosis is a cosmopolitan disease known as the main infectious cause of abortion in cattle, reported in several states in Brazil. The transplacental transmission in cattle is responsible for perpetuating the disease in the herd. In the state of Santa Catarina, previous studies on this protozoan in cattle are mostly serological surveys. To increase information about this reproductive disorder, this work describes the diagnosis of abortions due to Neospora caninum in dairy cattle from state of Santa Catarina and the follow-up for 4 years in a farm affected by neosporosis. Cases: From 2015 to 2019, necropsy was performed on 10 aborted bovine fetuses, between fifth and eighth month of pregnancy, with 1 fetus aborted in 2015, 3 in 2016, 2 in 2017 and, 4 in 2019, all originating from the same dairy property in the southern region of state of Santa Catarina. No macroscopic lesions were found. Histopathology revealed mild to moderate multifocal mononuclear necrotizing encephalitis in 5 fetuses, and multifocal mild mononuclear myositis and myocarditis in 4 and 3 fetuses, respectively. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using primers based on the Nc-5 gene was positive for N. caninum in five fetuses. Three visits were performed in the farm for epidemiological evaluation and blood samples collection for IgG antibodies anti-N. caninum (IFAT). The total herd was 170 Jersey, Holstein and crossbred cattle, raised in a semi-confined system with mechanical milking system. Since 2014, there has been a significant increase in abortions cases, approximately 20 cows had abortions; in the year 2015, approximately 10; in 2016, less than 5; in 2017, 4 cows aborted; in 2018, 11 abortions and, in 2019, there were 4 abortions. An increase in the rate of return to estrus was also reported, and both primiparous and multiparous cows had reproductive disorders. Abortions were recorded throughout the year and occurred predominantly between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy. In 2016, an Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IFAT) was performed on sera from 26 cows (13 with a history of reproductive disorders and another 13 without disorders). Of these, 50.0% (13/26) were seropositive, with titers ranging from 100 to 1600 (cutoff ≥100). The Enzyme Immunoassay (ELISA) of the entire herd was carried out in 2017, with 26.54% (43/162) of seropositivity, 8.02% (13/162) suspect, and 30.4% (17/56) had reproductive disorders. It was observed that only animals born on the property were used for replacement, there was less possibility of direct contact between dogs on the property with milking facilities, placental and fetal remains, properly disposing of these, incinerating or burying. Thirty animals were discarded from the property, 25 of which had reproductive disorders. All young female daughters of seropositive cows remained on the property for replacement. During the evaluation period, all dogs were eliminated. Discussion: In this study, the diagnosis of neosporosis was made through epidemiology, histopathological lesions characterized by mononuclear encephalitis, myocarditis and myositis, and detection of the agent by PCR, associated with serological techniques. The lesions observed are indicative of N. caninum infection and are compatible with lesions observed in other studies. Serological screening is important to complement the diagnosis of abortion by N. caninum and to help control the agent in herds. From this report it is concluded that N. caninum is an important agent of reproductive disorders in cattle in the southern region of Santa Catarina, the different serological analyzes showed a good screening index for the inclusion of control strategies. In addition, the monitoring of reproductive rates of affected properties becomes necessary over the years, allowing better observation of control strategies.

Achado acidental de mumificação fetal em cadela cardiopata / Accidental finding of mummified fetus in bitch with cardiac disease

A mumificação fetal é um processo que ocorre após a morte do feto, que já tem mineralização da matriz óssea do esqueleto. O mecanismo exato deste fenômeno não é totalmente conhecido, entretanto, sabe-se que após a morte fetal ocorre rápida absorção dos fluidos uterinos e fetais juntamente com a involução uterina. As membranas fetais e placentárias desidratadas aderem ao feto formando uma massa seca e dura. Apesar de ser considerada incomum, já foi descrita em várias espécies de animais. É de rara ocorrência em cadelas e gatas. O objetivo deste artigo foi relatar o diagnóstico acidental de mumificação fetal em uma cadela com sinais de alteração cardíaca. Uma cadela de 11 anos apresentando sinais de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva foi submetida a radiografia torácica para avaliação da cardiopatia. No exame radiográfico foi observado acidentalmente a presença de um feto mumificado na cavidade abdominal cranial direita. A paciente foi submetida ao tratamento clínico para estabilização e controle dos sinais e apresentou, posteriormente, uma rápida recuperação clínica. O animal não apresentava sinais ou complicações decorrentes da mumificação fetal. Visto isso e para não a submeter aos riscos cirúrgicos, a tutora optou por não realizar o procedimento cirúrgico para retirada do feto. O presente relato descreve um caso clínico atípico de mumificação em cadela, pois não houve procedimento terapêutico específico e isso não interferiu com a boa qualidade de vida da paciente.

Fetal mummification occurs after the death of the fetus, which already has mineralization the skeleton bone matrix. The exact mechanism of this phenomenon is not fully understood; however, it is known that after fetal death a fast absorption of uterine and fetal fluids take place along with uterine involution. Dehydrated fetal and placental membranes adhere to the fetus forming a dry, hard mass. Although considered unusual, it has been described in various species of animals. It is rare in dogs and cats. The purpose of this paper was to report the accidental diagnosis of fetal mummification in a bitch with signs of cardiac alteration. An 11-year-old bitch showing signs of congestive heart failure was admitted to a veterinary clinic and it was requested to perform chest radiographs for heart evaluation. Radiography accidentally revealed the presence of mummified fetus in the right cranial abdominal cavity. The patient was submitted to clinical treatment for stabilization and control of the disease signs and clinical recovery rapidly occurred. The animal showed no signs or complications due to fetal mummification and had a good quality of life. Once the dog was clinically normal, and not to submit it to surgical risks, the owner chose not to perform the surgical procedure to remove the mummified fetus.

Trueperella pyogenes como causa de aborto em uma vaca - relato de caso / Trueperella pyogenes as an abortion cause in a cow - case report

Trueperella pyogenes é uma bactéria oportunista que causa mastite, metrite e abortos esporádicos em bovinos. Este trabalho relata um caso incomum de abort em uma vaca por Trueperella pyogenes. Um feto bovino, fêmea, mestiço Brahman, com oito meses de gestação, foi encaminhado para exame anatomopatológico e exames complementares. Na necropsia, evidenciou-se grande quantidade de líquido serossanguinolento e moderada quantidade de fibrina recobrindo a pleura visceral e o saco pericárdico. Os pulmões estavam difusamente avermelhados e consolidados, com áreas firmes esbranquiçadas ao corte de não mais de 1cm. No exame histopatológico, observou-se pneumonia necrossupurativa, pleurite fibrinopurulenta e placentite purulenta. No exame microbiológico, isolou-se T. pyogenes nas amostras de fígado, pulmões, conteúdo abomasal do feto e placenta. O feto foi negativo na PCR para Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii e vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). Trueperella pyogenes geralmente causa broncopneumonia supurativa com formação de abscessos, porém, no presente feto abortado, observaram-se lesões macro e microscópicas comumente descritas em casos de aborto por Brucella abortus. Este estudo constata, então, a importância dessa bactéria como causa de aborto em bovinos, com lesões semelhantes à brucelose, destacando sua relevância dentro das causas de aborto em bovinos e o potencial zoonótico pouco explorado.(AU)

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic bacterium associated with mastitis, metritis and occasional abortion in bovines. Here we report an uncommon case of abortion by T. pyogenes in a cow. An aborted female Brahman bovine fetus, at 8 months of gestational age was submitted for anatomopathological examination and complementary diagnostic tests. Macroscopic findings at necropsy included large amounts of free serum-blood fluid and moderate fibrin deposition covering both the visceral pleura and pericardial sack. The lungs were diffusely reddened and markedly consolidated, showing widespread smaller than 1cm, hard, white nodules. Necrosuppurative pneumonia, fibrinopurulent pleuritis, and purulent placentitis were the main histopathologic alterations observed. Trueperella pyogenes was isolated from liver, lungs, abomasa contents and placental samples. All tissue samples were PCR-negative for Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Although T. pyogenes is often involved in suppurative bronchopneumonia and abscesses formation, macro and microscopic lesions in the present report were compatible with those commonly attributed to Brucella abortus fetal infections. Trueperella pyogenes is an important bovine pathogen with a neglected zoonotic potential being responsible for infections that can mimic other diseases' typical presentations.(AU)

Trueperella pyogenes como causa de aborto em uma vaca - relato de caso / Trueperella pyogenes as an abortion cause in a cow - case report

Trueperella pyogenes é uma bactéria oportunista que causa mastite, metrite e abortos esporádicos em bovinos. Este trabalho relata um caso incomum de abort em uma vaca por Trueperella pyogenes. Um feto bovino, fêmea, mestiço Brahman, com oito meses de gestação, foi encaminhado para exame anatomopatológico e exames complementares. Na necropsia, evidenciou-se grande quantidade de líquido serossanguinolento e moderada quantidade de fibrina recobrindo a pleura visceral e o saco pericárdico. Os pulmões estavam difusamente avermelhados e consolidados, com áreas firmes esbranquiçadas ao corte de não mais de 1cm. No exame histopatológico, observou-se pneumonia necrossupurativa, pleurite fibrinopurulenta e placentite purulenta. No exame microbiológico, isolou-se T. pyogenes nas amostras de fígado, pulmões, conteúdo abomasal do feto e placenta. O feto foi negativo na PCR para Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii e vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). Trueperella pyogenes geralmente causa broncopneumonia supurativa com formação de abscessos, porém, no presente feto abortado, observaram-se lesões macro e microscópicas comumente descritas em casos de aborto por Brucella abortus. Este estudo constata, então, a importância dessa bactéria como causa de aborto em bovinos, com lesões semelhantes à brucelose, destacando sua relevância dentro das causas de aborto em bovinos e o potencial zoonótico pouco explorado.(AU)

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic bacterium associated with mastitis, metritis and occasional abortion in bovines. Here we report an uncommon case of abortion by T. pyogenes in a cow. An aborted female Brahman bovine fetus, at 8 months of gestational age was submitted for anatomopathological examination and complementary diagnostic tests. Macroscopic findings at necropsy included large amounts of free serum-blood fluid and moderate fibrin deposition covering both the visceral pleura and pericardial sack. The lungs were diffusely reddened and markedly consolidated, showing widespread smaller than 1cm, hard, white nodules. Necrosuppurative pneumonia, fibrinopurulent pleuritis, and purulent placentitis were the main histopathologic alterations observed. Trueperella pyogenes was isolated from liver, lungs, abomasa contents and placental samples. All tissue samples were PCR-negative for Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Although T. pyogenes is often involved in suppurative bronchopneumonia and abscesses formation, macro and microscopic lesions in the present report were compatible with those commonly attributed to Brucella abortus fetal infections. Trueperella pyogenes is an important bovine pathogen with a neglected zoonotic potential being responsible for infections that can mimic other diseases' typical presentations.(AU)

ALTERAÇÕES REPRODUTIVAS EM PEQUENOS RUMINANTES PELA INGESTÃO EXPERIMENTAL DE Poincianella pyramidalis E Amorimia septentrionalis E ELIMINAÇÃO DE FITOTOXINAS PELO LEITE

Com o objetivo de determinar os efeitos de Poincianella pyramidalis sobre a reprodução de ovinos; confirmar a eliminação do monofluoracetato de sódio pelo leite e fazer uma revisão sobre as principais fitotoxinas eliminadas através do leite, esta tese é composta por três capítulos. No primeiro capítulo são descritos os efeitos da ingestão de Poincianella pyramidalis por ovelhas prenhes. O consumo desta planta durante a gestação ocasionou efeitos embriotóxico, abortivo e teratogênico para a espécie ovina. No segundo capítulo foi estudada a possibilidade da eliminação do monofluoracetato de sódio através do leite de fêmeas lactantes, sendo comprovado que, quando consumido durante a gestação, esse princípio ativo tóxico causa a morte dos filhotes lactentes ao consumirem o colostro após o nascimento. O terceiro capítulo é uma revisão bibliográfica, na qual são apresentadas as principais fitotoxinas eliminadas através do leite e que causam intoxicação em animais e/ou humanos que o consomem.

Aiming to determine the effects of Poincianella pyramidalis on sheep reproduction; confirm the elimination, by milk, of sodium monofluoroacetate and revise about the main phytotoxins eliminated by milk, this thesis is composed of three articles. The ingestion effects of Poincianella pyramidalis by pregnant sheep are described in chapter one. The consumption of this plant during gestation resulted in embryotoxic, abortive and teratogenic effects to this animal species. In the second chapter, it was studied the possibility of elimination of sodium monofluoroacetate by the milk of breastfeeding female sheep, proving that, when consumed during gestation, this toxic active principle causes death in pups if they consume the colostrum after birth. The third chapter is a bibliographic review, in which are presented the main phytotoxins eliminated by milk and that cause intoxication in animals and/or humans that consume it.