Factors affecting occurrence of demodecosis by Demodex bovis in Sindhi cattle (Bos indicus).

The objective was to evaluate the factors affecting the occurrence of bovine demodecosis from the clinical aspects of injuries, blood profile, and the correlation with weight gain and the season of the year in Sindhi-breed animal management in a tropical environment. Thirty-three Sindhi-breed animals were used: 23 females and 10 males. Clinical examination diagnosed that 90% of the examined animals presented skin lesions characteristic of bovine demodecosis caused by Demodex bovis (P < 0.05). The Sindhi presented a higher fecal parasite egg count and showed a lower body weight gain in the rainy season and a greater weight loss in the drought season (P < 0.05), medium injury predominating, with no effect of sex (P > 0.05). During the drought season, animals clinically infected with bovine demodecosis presented lower red blood cell and platelet counts and total plasma protein, and higher mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, a blood count typical of regenerative macrocytic anemia (P < 0.05). During the rainy season of the year (April to June), the animals showed greater weight gain, but a higher fecal parasite egg count with no effect on the incidence of bovine demodecosis. Infection by gastrointestinal nematodes negatively influenced body weight gain and demodecosis in the animals.

First report of typical Brazilian Toxoplasma gondii genotypes from isolates of free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) circulating in the state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil.

This study evaluated, for the first time, the genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from free-range chickens from the state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. Tissue samples from 33 chickens from properties in five municipalities of Paraíba (Esperança, Olho d'Água, Malta, Monteiro, and Patos) were bioassayed in mice. The brains of mice infected with T. gondii cysts were used for DNA extraction and genotyping. Genotyping was performed using 11 PCR-RFLP markers and 15 microsatellite (MS) markers. Complete genotyping results were obtained for 29 isolates, with nine genotypes detected by RFLP and 15 genotypes identified by MS. Three genotypes (#273, #274, and #277) have only been recently identified from pigs in the region. Brazilian clonal types BrII and BrIII were identified from one isolate each. Clonal types I, II, and III were not detected by RFLP. Genotype #13 (Caribbean 1), detected in 48.3% (14/29) of isolates from four of the five municipalities investigated, was the most prevalent genotype in the state of Paraíba. However, the MS analysis showed that of these 14 isolates, only four were unique genotypes, and considering the distance between the municipalities from where they were collected, it is possible that only seven are independent isolates while the others are clones. The other genotypes were restricted to different microregions. The results indicate that the Caribbean 1 lineage of T. gondii is circulating widely in Northeast Brazil. The genotypic diversity of T. gondii in the state of Paraíba is high, and microsatellite analysis revealed this diversity with higher resolution than PCR-RFLP.

First study on seroepidemiology and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens in the semi-arid region of Paraíba state, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. For this, blood samples were collected from 483 chickens in five municipalities in the state of Paraíba. The indirect immunofluorescence assay for anti-T. gondii antibodies was performed. The seropositive birds were slaughtered, and their brains and hearts were collected in order to perform a bioassay in mice. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied on the smallholdings visited, and univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to evaluate risk factors. The prevalence of chickens seropositive for T. gondii was found to be 31.5 % (152/483), and 86.1 % (56/65) of the smallholdings were positive. Among the 71 chickens subjected to bioassaying in mice, isolates of T. gondii were obtained from 33 (46.5 %). The isolates were named TgCkBrPB1 to 33. It was observed that the higher the chickens' antibody titer was, the greater the chance of isolating the parasite also was. Sixteen of the 33 isolates (48.5 %) were lethal for all the mice inoculated until 30 days post-inoculation. The risk factors for infection with T. gondii among these free-range chickens were extensive and semi-extensive rearing systems, smallholdings located in urban areas, and presence of cats. The results indicate that the prevalence of T. gondii among chickens in the state of Paraíba is high. Many parasites remained viable in the tissues of the birds studied, and presence of the protozoan was directly related to the management of these birds.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis in the Sertão region of Paraíba State, Brazil.

Gastrointestinal helminthiasis represents an obstacle to goat raising, causing severe damage to herds such as growth retardation, weight loss, and even death. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis in the Sertão region of Paraíba State, Brazil. A total of 256 goats from 54 farms were systematically sampled. Blood and fecal samples were collected from each animal for egg per gram (EPG), larval culture, and packed cell volume (PCV) analyses. We found that 79.3% of the goats investigated were parasitized with gastrointestinal helminths. Significant correlation (p = 0.004) was observed between the EPG and PCV of the animals studied, and it was observed that the EPG increases as the PCV decreases. In the larval culture, the most prevalent helminth was Haemonchus sp. (83.2%). Age and sex were significant variables (p ≤ 0.20) for the development of gastrointestinal helminths: 86.8% of animals over 36 months of age and 81.7% of females were infected. The variable type of animal exploitation was also significant, with 90.3% (p ≤ 0.20) of the animals presenting double suitability (milk and meat). The Sertão region of Paraíba State presents high prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in goats, and age and type of animal exploitation are the most relevant risk factors to the development of these parasites.

Efficacy of Monacrosporium thaumasium in the control of goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis in a semi-arid region of Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to test a pellet formulation of Monacrosporium thaumasium in a sodium alginate matrix in the biological control of goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis in a semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. An area of 2.4 ha was divided into three paddocks, with seven goats kept on each paddock, during the months of March to August 2011: group 1 received 3 g/10 kg live weight of M. thaumasium pellets (NF34a) twice a week; group 2 was given 0.2 mg/kg of 0.2 % moxidectin orally every 30 days; and group 3 received 3 g/10 kg live weight of pellets without fungus twice per week. Each month, two tracer goats was placed in each group for 30 days and then killed and necropsied. The M. thaumasium group showed a 34 % reduction in eggs per gram, higher packed cell volume rates and a lower parasitic load in the tracers compared with the other groups. The 0.2 % moxidectin group had weight gain of 5.7 kg; the M. thaumasium group, 3.6 kg; and the control group had an average reduction in weight of 1.1 kg. The use of M. thaumasium pellets may be effective as an alternative method to control goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil.

Anthelmintic efficacy of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo Linnaeus, 1753) on ostrich gastrointestinal nematodes in a semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to verify the in vivo effectiveness of pumpkin seed (Curcubita pepo Linnaeus, 1753) in naturally infected ostriches in the Cariri zone, semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil. Forty-eight ostriches were used, African Black breed, of 14 to 36 months old, naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes. These animals were divided into four groups of 12 ostriches. Group 1 consists of animals treated with 0.5 g/kg live weight (l. w.) of pumpkin seed meal; group 2 received 1 g/kg l. w. of pumpkin seed meal; group 3 was treated with Albendazole 5 %, at the dosage of 1 mL/10 kg l. w.; and Group 4 was the control group and do not received treatment. Groups 1 and 2 received the treatment for three consecutive days, orally, at intervals of 7 days, totaling nine administrations. The Albendazole 5 % was administered one time, at the beginning of the experiment, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The groups treated with pumpkin seed showed a significant decrease in egg counts per gram of feces (EPG), wherein group 2 (1 g/kg l. w.) was the most effective. The control and drug groups showed no reduction in EPG. The results of the present study demonstrate that the administration of pumpkin seed was effective in controlling gastrointestinal helminths in naturally infected ostriches.

Resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes to four classes of anthelmintics in the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil.

The effectiveness of four anthelmintic classes on cattle gastrointestinal nematodes in the semi-arid region of Paraiba State, Brazil, was evaluated. Twenty farms were used, testing 40 animals in each one, totaling 800 animals. Cattle were divided into four groups composed with ten animals: I, treated with albendazole sulfoxide 15%; II, treated with ivermectin 1%; III, treated with closantel 25%; IV, treated with levamisole hydrochloride 7.5%. All treatments were administered subcutaneously. For the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT), individual fecal samples were collected on days 0 and 14, and sent for analysis of egg count per gram of feces (EPG) and larval cultures. It was observed that multiresistance was present in 95% (19/20) of the farms. Resistance to ivermectin and albendazole was observed in 95% (19/20), to closantel in 75% (15/20) and to levamisole in 20% (4/20). The most used management system was semi-intensive (75%; 15/20) and the ivermectin was the most reported drug for controlling helminths (65%; 13/20). Haemonchus spp. was the most prevalent helminth genus. It was concluded that the anthelmintic resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes is high in the semi-arid of Paraíba State, Brazil, with multiresistance observed mainly to ivermectin, albendazole and closantel.

Prevalence and risk factors for Cysticercus tenuicollis in goats and sheep in Paraíba, northeastern Brazil.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for C. tenuicollis among goats and sheep in slaughterhouses in Paraíba. 390 animals (195 goats and 195 sheep) in the municipalities of Patos and Esperança, Paraíba, Brazil, were inspected between February and May 2014. The prevalence of C. tenuicollis was 39% (76/195) in goats and 17.4% (34/195) in sheep. In both species, most of the cysticerci vesicles were located at the omentum and mesentery. The only risk factor found was extensive sheep farming. It can be concluded that C. tenuicollis is highly prevalent in small ruminants in Paraíba, being more prevalent in goats than in sheep. Extensively-reared sheep were twice as likely to develop infection by this parasite.

Coadministration of nematophagous fungi for biological control over gastrointestinal helminths in sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate coadministration of Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium in a sodium alginate matrix for controlling gastrointestinal helminths in young and adult sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. An area of 1ha was divided into two paddocks, in which two experimental groups (fungus and control) were formed, each consisting of six adult females and ten young males. In each group, two subgroups were formed in accordance with the animal category (adult or young). In the fungus group, each animal received 3g of pellets containing 0.6g of fungal mycelium, with 0.3g of D. flagrans and 0.3g of M. thaumasium for each 10 kg of body weight, in their feed twice a week, for six months. In the control group, each animal received 3g of pellets without fungus for each 10 kg of body weight, in their feed twice a week, for six months, serving as a witness group. Reductions in numbers of eggs per gram of feces of 76% among the adult sheep in the fungus group and 83% among the young sheep in the fungus group were observed, in comparison with their respective control subgroups. The groups that received these fungi needed less salvage deworming and presented better packed cell volume percentages, better weight gain and lower levels of L3/kg dry matter in their paddock than the control groups. Thus, it was concluded that coadministration of D. flagrans and M. thaumasium was effective in controlling gastrointestinal helminths of adults and young sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil.

Resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes to four classes of anthelmintics in the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil / Resistência de nematódeos gastrintestinais de bovinos à quatro classes de anti-helmínticos no semiárido do Estado da Paraíba, Brasil

Abstract The effectiveness of four anthelmintic classes on cattle gastrointestinal nematodes in the semi-arid region of Paraiba State, Brazil, was evaluated. Twenty farms were used, testing 40 animals in each one, totaling 800 animals. Cattle were divided into four groups composed with ten animals: I, treated with albendazole sulfoxide 15%; II, treated with ivermectin 1%; III, treated with closantel 25%; IV, treated with levamisole hydrochloride 7.5%. All treatments were administered subcutaneously. For the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT), individual fecal samples were collected on days 0 and 14, and sent for analysis of egg count per gram of feces (EPG) and larval cultures. It was observed that multiresistance was present in 95% (19/20) of the farms. Resistance to ivermectin and albendazole was observed in 95% (19/20), to closantel in 75% (15/20) and to levamisole in 20% (4/20). The most used management system was semi-intensive (75%; 15/20) and the ivermectin was the most reported drug for controlling helminths (65%; 13/20). Haemonchus spp. was the most prevalent helminth genus. It was concluded that the anthelmintic resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes is high in the semi-arid of Paraíba State, Brazil, with multiresistance observed mainly to ivermectin, albendazole and closantel.

Resumo Avaliou-se a eficácia de quatro classes de anti-helmínticos sobre nematódeos gastrintestinais de bovinos na região semiárida da Paraíba, Brasil. Foram utilizadas 20 fazendas, sendo testados 40 animais em cada uma, totalizando 800 animais. Os bovinos foram distribuídos em quatro grupos compostos por dez animais: I, tratado com sulfóxido de albendazol 15%; II, tratado com ivermectina 1%; III, tratado com closantel 25%; IV, tratado com cloridrato de levamisole 7,5%. Para o Teste de Redução da Contagem de Ovos Fecais (TRCOF), amostras fecais individuais foram coletadas nos dias 0 e 14 e enviadas para análises de contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) e coproculturas. Observou-se que a multirressistência estava presente em 95% (19/20) das fazendas. Foi observada resistência à ivermectina e ao albendazol, em 95% das fazendas (19/20); ao closantel, em 75% (15/20) e, ao levamisole, em 20% (4/20). O sistema de manejo mais utilizado foi o semi-intensivo (75%; 15/20) e a ivermectina foi o fármaco mais relatado para controle de verminose (65%; 13/20). O gênero de helminto mais prevalente foi Haemonchus spp. (76,7%). Conclui-se que é alta a resistência anti-helmíntica por nematódeos gastrintestinais de bovinos no Semiárido da Paraíba, Brasil, com multirressistência observada principalmente à ivermectina, ao albendazol e ao closantel.