Evaluation of the efficiency of nested q-PCR in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex directly from tuberculosis-suspected lesions in post-mortem macroscopic inspections of bovine carcasses slaughtered in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC). The quick and specific detection of this species is of extreme importance, since BTB may cause economic impacts, in addition to presenting imminent risks to human health. In the present study a nested real-time PCR test (nested q-PCR) was used in post-mortem evaluations to assess cattle carcasses with BTB-suspected lesions. A total of 41,193 cattle slaughtered in slaughterhouses located in the state of Mato Grosso, were examined. Of the examined animals, 198 (0.48%) showed BTB-suspected lesions. M. bovis was isolated in 1.5% (3/198) of the samples. Multiplex-PCR detected MTC in 7% (14/198) of the samples. The nested q-PCR test detected MTC in 28% (56/198) of the BTB-suspected lesions, demonstrating higher efficiency when compared to the multiplex-PCR and conventional microbiology. Nested q-PCR can therefore be used as a complementary test in the national program for control and eradication of bovine tuberculosis.

Prevalence and risk factors associated to ovine toxoplasmosis in northeastern Brazil.

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from northeastern Brazil. A total of 932 ovine serum samples from 54 properties in 19 municipalities of the state of Sergipe were collected and assayed using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The assay used antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (IFAT-IgG) with a cutoff point of 1:64. We observed that 28.22% (263/932) of the ovine samples were serum-reactive. In a logistic regression, factors such as consumption of water directly from the source, consumption of water from a deep well, and age below 12 months were associated with protection; whereas factors such as presence of cats on the property, presence of slatted floor, and use of exchanged or borrowed breeding males were associated with infection. The studied area can be considered endemic for toxoplasmosis, so it is necessary to adopt preventive and control measures because this zoonotic infection poses risks to public health.

Prevalence and risk factors associated to ovine toxoplasmosis in northeastern Brazil / Prevalência e fatores de risco associados à toxoplasmose ovina no nordeste do Brasil

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from northeastern Brazil. A total of 932 ovine serum samples from 54 properties in 19 municipalities of the state of Sergipe were collected and assayed using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The assay used antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (IFAT-IgG) with a cutoff point of 1:64. We observed that 28.22% (263/932) of the ovine samples were serum-reactive. In a logistic regression, factors such as consumption of water directly from the source, consumption of water from a deep well, and age below 12 months were associated with protection; whereas factors such as presence of cats on the property, presence of slatted floor, and use of exchanged or borrowed breeding males were associated with infection. The studied area can be considered endemic for toxoplasmosis, so it is necessary to adopt preventive and control measures because this zoonotic infection poses risks to public health.

Objetivou-se determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados á infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em ovinos do Nordeste brasileiro. Foram processadas 932 amostras de soro de ovinos procedentes de 54 propriedades de 19 municípios do Estado de Sergipe e analisadas pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta para pesquisa de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii (RIFI-IgG), com ponto de corte de 1:64. Observou-se que 28,22% (263/932) dos ovinos foram sororeagentes. Na regressão logística não condicional, ingestão de água direto da fonte, ingestão de água de poço profundo e idade inferior a 12 meses foram fatores associados á proteção; enquanto que a presença de gato na propriedade, presença de aprisco ripado e troca ou empréstimo de machos reprodutores foram identificados como fatores associados á infecção. Ao considerar a região de estudo como endêmica para a doença, cabe a adoção de medidas preventivas e de controle, uma vez que por apresentar caráter zoonótico a infecção destes animais representa riscos á saúde pública.

Occurrence of antibodies against Maedi-Visna in Santa Inês sheep in the State of Sergipe, Brazil / Ocorrência de anticorpos contra o virus Maedi-Visna em ovinos Santa Inês, no Estado de Sergipe, Brasil

Small Ruminant Lentiviruses (SRLV) are infectious diseases of viral etiology caused by retroviruses, characterized for being a slowly progressive degenerative disease. The aim of this study was to determine the occcurrence of antibodies against lentivirus in the flock of Santa Inês sheep in Sergipe, Brazil. A minimum number of samples was analyzed by the Astudillo calculation, with an expected prevalence (p) of 10%, error rate (;) of 20% and confidence level of 95% (g = 1.96) obtaining the minimum number of samples (n) of 861. Finally, 941 serum samples were collected, derived from 54 properties and 19 municipalities distributed in three regions of the State, and the number of collected samples was proportional to the sheep flock of each municipality. The serum was placed at -20°C until the Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test (AGID), and results considered as positive or suspicious in AGID were assessed by the Western blotting technique. Out of sampled animals, 194 (20.62%) were male and 747 (79.38%) were female. From the stratification by age, 300 were young sheep (31.88%), aged between six months and one year old, 308 (32.73%) were young adults, aged between 1 and 3 years old, and 333 (35.39%) were estimated to be older than three years old. Results showed that antibodies against the Maedi-Visna virus in the sheep flock occcurred in the State of Sergipe at low frequency (0.11%). Thus, the occcurrence of Maedi-Visna infection in sheep in the State of Sergipe is reported, and emphasizes the participation of the transit of animals in the epidemiology of the disease.

As Lentiviroses de Pequenos Ruminantes (LVPR) são enfermidades infecciosas de etiologia viral causadas por retrovírus, caracterizadas por uma doença de degeneração progressiva e lenta. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos contra o lentivírus no rebanho ovino Santa Inês, de Sergipe. Para analisar o número mínimo de amostras utilizou-se o cálculo de Astudillo, com prevalência esperada (p) de 10%, margem de erro (;) de 20% e grau de confiança de 95% (g = 1,96), obtendo-se o número mínimo de amostras (n) de 861. Foram colhidas 941 amostras de soro ovino oriundas de 54 propriedades e 19 municípios distribuídos nas três mesorregiões do Estado, sendo o número de amostras proporcional ao efetivo ovino do município. O soro foi acondicionado a -20°C até a realização do teste de Imunodifusão em Gel de Ágar (IDGA). Os resultados considerados positivos ou suspeitos na IDGA foram reavaliados através da técnica de Western blotting. Dos animais amostrados, 194 (20,62%) eram machos e 747 (79,38%) eram fêmeas. Quanto à estratificação por idade, 300 ovinos eram jovens (31,88%), entre seis meses e um ano, 308 (32,73%) eram jovens adultos, entre 1 e 3 anos, e 333 (35,39%) tinham idade estimada superior a 3 anos. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que anticorpos contra o vírus Maedi-Visna (MVV) ocorrem no rebanho ovino do estado de Sergipe em baixa frequência (0,11%). Assim, relata-se a ocorrência da infecção por Maedi-Visna em ovinos no estado de Sergipe e ressalta-se a participação do trânsito de animais na epidemiologia da doença.