Cumulative incidence and spatial distribution of dogs exposed to Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most important protozoa parasites worldwide. Although many seroprevalence studies have been performed in domestic and wild species, data on the cumulative incidence and the spatial distribution of T. gondii in animals are extremely scarce. In the present study, dogs from Botucatu municipality, São Paulo state, were followed for one year and their blood samples were collected on three moments: days 1, 180, and 360. The sera were submitted to the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) to detect IgG antibodies to T. gondii. Age and sex were compared with IFAT results through statistical tests. Spatial analysis was used to detect clusters of seropositive dogs. Among the 350 dogs that were seronegative on day 1, 53 became seropositive in subsequent samplings; thus, cumulative incidence was 15.1% exposed dogs/year. Age and sex were not associated with serological results. The spatial analysis revealed that seropositive dogs were distributed in all the studied areas, with a significant cluster in a zone with poor sanitary conditions and low socioeconomic status. T. gondii is frequent and widely distributed in the urban area of Botucatu, and impoverished areas are possibly associated with high levels of environmental contamination by this parasite.

Efficacy of cefquinome and a combination of cloxacillin and ampicillin for treatment of dairy cows with Streptococcus agalactiae subclinical mastitis.

A randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess efficacy of intramammary cloxacillin and ampicillin (CLOXIMM), intramammary cefquinome (CEFIMM), and intramuscular cefquinome (CEFIM) to treat Streptococcus agalactiae intramammary infections (Trial 1). Subsequently, two treatment groups were extended to assess whether CLOXIMM was not inferior to CEFIMM (Trial 2). Nine farms were included in the study. Milk samples were collected from all quarters of all lactating cows for microbiological identification of S. agalactiae. Positive cows were randomly allocated into four groups: CLOXIMM, CEFIMM, CEFIM, or negative control (CONTROL). Study outcomes were bacteriological cure at 14 (CURE14), 21 (CURE21), and 14 and 21 (CURE1421) days after treatment onset, and somatic cell count. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of cure between each treatment and CONTROL. Non-inferiority analysis was performed considering a one-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) and non-inferiority margins (Δ) of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25. Adjusted S. agalactiae bacteriological cure for CLOXIMM, CEFIMM, CEFIM, and CONTROL was 86, 98, 55, and 25% at day 14; 82, 93, 52, and 0% at day 21; and 82, 92, 40, and 0% at days 14 and 21, respectively. Treatment with CLOXIMM and CEFIMM resulted in greater bacteriological cure rates, as compared with CEFIM or CONTROL, which does not justify the use of CEFIM in S. agalactiae eradication programs. The CURE14 difference between CEFIMM and CLOXIMM was of 12.1 percentage points (95% CI: 0.056-0.184). CLOXIMM was considered not inferior to CEFIMM for Δ = 0.20 or 0.25 and inconclusive for Δ = 0.10 or 0.15. Thus, it should be pondered by veterinarians whether an expected 12.1 (5.6-18.4) percentage points increase in cure rate would justify the use of a fourth-generation cephalosporin, as opposed to a combination of traditional IMM drugs (cloxacillin and ampicillin) to treat S. agalactiae subclinical mastitis.

ANTHELMINTIC EFFECTS OF DRIED GROUND BANANA PLANT LEAVES (MUSA SPP.) FED TO SHEEP ARTIFICIALLY INFECTED WITH HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS AND TRICHOSTRONGYLUS COLUBRIFORMIS.

BACKGROUND: Helminths is a endoparasites that cause the major losses for profitable sheep production in Brazil. The increased development of resistant strains of endoparasites have enforced the search for sustainable alternatives. The aim of this paper was to provide information about endoparasites control with banana leaves in infected sheep as alternative control strategies and see its viability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we performed two trials to investigate the anthelmintic properties of banana leaves on endoparasites in sheep. In Trial 1, twelve sheep were artificially infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis; in Trial 2, eleven sheep were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus. Clinical examinations, packed cell volume, total protein, faecal egg counts (FECs) and egg hatchability tests (EHTs) were performed. At the end of the trials, the sheep were humanely slaughtered, and total worm counts were performed. RESULTS: In Trial 1 and 2, no significant FEC decreases were note but significant diference in EHTs were observed. Total worm counts, clinical and haematological parameters did not reveal significant changes between the treatment and control groups. These results suggest that feeding dried ground banana plant leaves to sheep may reduce the viability of Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs, and this anthelmintic activity is potentially exploitable as part of an integrated parasite management programme. CONCLUSION: However, further investigation is needed to establish the optimal dosage, develop a convenient delivery form and confirm the economic feasibility of using banana plantation byproducts as feed for ruminant species. Abbreviations: Coproculture test (CT)., Faecal egg count (FEC)., Egg hatchability test (EHT).

Ocorrência dos principais agentes bacterianos e parasitários em fezes diarreicas de bezerros búfalos nos estados de São Paulo e Paraná / Occurrence of the main bacterial and parasite agents on diarrhetic feces of buffalo calves in the states of São Paulo and Paraná

A população de bubalinos estimada no Brasil é de aproximadamente 3 milhões de animais, encontrando-se distribuídos em todos os Estados brasileiros, com crescimento médio anual de 12%. Apesar disso, os trabalhos realizados buscando os avanços na bubalinocultura são escassos. Em função da complexidade etiológica da diarreia em bubalinos e da falta de informações recentes nesta área, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência dos principais agentes bacterianos e parasitários envolvidos na diarreia de bezerros búfalos lactentes, de explorações leiteiras semi-intensivas e intensivas em regiões dos estados de São Paulo e Paraná. De março de 2010 a junho de 2011, foram colhidas 53 amostras para exame coproparasitológico e 46 amostras para o exame bacteriológico de animais com quadro de diarreia nos municípios paulistas de São João da Boa Vista, Dourado, Pirassununga, Registro, Pariquera Açu, Pilar do Sul e uma propriedade no estado do Paraná, município de Santana do Itararé. No exame parasitológico, 45,28% (24) foram positivos para Eimeria spp., 26,42% (14) para Strongyloidea e 1,88 (1) para Toxocara vitulorum. No exame bacteriológico, 97,83%, (45) das amostras foram positivas para E. coli, contudo, somente duas foram consideradas patogênicas (E. coli STEC). Em uma amostra (2,17%) isolou-se Klebsiella pneumoniae; já a presença de Salmonella spp. não foi constatada. Para o presente estudo, a presença de endoparasitas foi bastante relevante, principalmente os casos Eimeria spp., sendo a higiene das instalações e falhas de manejo fatores importantes na ocorrência de diarreia em bezerros búfalos no estado de São Paulo.(AU)

There are about 3 million buffalos in Brazil, spread through all of the Brazilian states; with mean annual growth of 12%. In spite of that, to the best of our knowledge few studies looking for advances in the industry have been done. Due to the etiological complexity of buffalo diarrhea and the lack of information in this area, this aimed at developing a clinical evaluation on the causes of buffalo calves bacterial and parasitical diarrhea in dairy farms of the states of São Paulo and Paraná. The survey was done in farms located in the cities of São João da Boa Vista, Dourado, Pirassununga, Registro, Pariquera Açu, Pilar do Sul (SP), and Santana do Itararé (PR). From March, 2010, to June, 2011, 53 diarrhea samples were collected and screened for endoparasite and bacteria; 45.28% (24) were positive for Eimeria spp.; 26.42% (14) had Strongyloidea; and 1.88% (1) had Toxocara vitulorum. In the bacteriological test, 97.83% (45) had E. coli, but only two were considered pathogenic (E. coli STEC); 2.17% had Klebsiella pneumonia and none presented Salmonella spp. In this study, the mainly causative agent of buffalo diarrhea was Eimeria spp., and the poor hygiene in installations and breeding failure are important factors on this diarrhea occurrence.(AU)

Sinais clínicos e ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Chlamydophila abortus em ovinos de São Paulo e Minas Gerais / Clinical signs and occurrence of antibodies anti-Chlamydophila abortus in ovines of São Paulo and Minas Gerais

A Chlamydophila abortusi, anteriormente conhecida como Chlamydia psittaci sovovar 1, é uma bactéria Gram negativa, intracelular obrigatória. Esse micro-organismo é frequentemente encontrado em distúrbios reprodutivos em ovinos, bovinos e caprinos, sendo o aborto epizoótico dos bovinos e o aborto enzoótico dos ovinos e caprinos as manifestações mais importantes. Considerando-se o pouco material literário a respeito da clamidofilose no Brasil, a pesquisa teve como objetivo determinar a presença de anticorpos fixadores de complemento anti-Chlamydophila abortusi, correlacionando os resultados obtidos com achados no exame clínico e histórico dos animais, além de alterações nos índices zootécnicos, em especial na esfera reprodutiva, tais como alto índice de repetição de cio, número elevado de abortamentos, elevado número de natimortos, entre outros. Foram testadas para prova de fixação do complemento 220 amostras de soro de ovinos, de 26 propriedades, distribuídas em 19 municípios, com relato de manifestação reprodutiva, obtendo-se 19,55% (43/220) de testes positivos para Chlamydophila abortusi, com ocorrência de foco constatada de 61,53%. No geral, a titulação de anticorpos encontrada foi baixa, com título não superior a 64. A frequência de manifestação reprodutiva mais observada foi o aborto, representando 65,12% (28/43) do número total de animais soropositivos, seguido de repetição de cio juntamente com nascimento de cordeiro fraco, com frequência de 6,98% (3/43) e, por fim, morte neonatal com 4,65% (2/43), sendo que não houve associação significativa entre animais que foram positivos ao teste e a esses fatores.

The Chlamydophila abortusi was previously known as Chlamydia psittaci sorovar 1, it is a Gram negative and obligate intracellular bacteria. This microorganism is frequently related with reproductive manifestation in ovines, goats and bovines. The major manifestation are Enzootic abortion in bovines and enzootic abortion in small ruminants. There are few literary material about clamidofilosis in Brazil, so the present research had the objective to determine the presence of complement fixing antibodies anti-Chlamydophila abortusi, correlating the results with the clinical examination and historical of the animals, besides variation in the zootecnic index, especially in the reproductive characters like high index of cio repetition, high abortion number, high neonatal mortality number etc. It was tested for the complement fixation test 220 serum ovine samples, from 26 properties, distributed in 19 cities, with historical of reproductive manifestation. It was found 19.55% (43/220) of positive tests to Chlamydophila abortusi, obtaining 61.53% of focus occurrence. In the study low antibodies titers were found, not superior of 64. Abortion was the major reproductive manifestation observed, expressing 65.12% (28/43) of the total number animals serum positive, followed by estrus repetition and weak lamb born, with a frequency of 6.98% (3/43) and, lastly, neonatal mortality death with 4.65% (2/43). No significant association was observed between serum positivity and these factors.