Evaluation of ARFI elastography for detecting active mastitis in sheep with previous fibrous lesions: a study of mammary parenchyma and supramammary lymph nodes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of Acustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastography in mammary parenchyma and supramammary lymph nodes, for detection of active mastitis in sheep with naturally infected chronic fibrous lesions. 27 female sheep were included and B-mode ultrasound and ARFI elastography images were obtained, acquiring qualitative (echogenicity and echotexture) and quantitative (shear rate, depth and short/long axis ratio) variables of 48 mammary glands. The glands were divided into three experimental groups: control group (CG) - healthy animals; LSCC- animals that presented fibrous lesions and SCC (somatic cell count) less than 500 x 103 cls/mL; HSCC: animals that presented fibrous lesions and SCC (somatic cell count) more than 500 x 103 cls/mL; The qualitative variables using B-mode ultrasonography, including echotexture and echogenicity, showed no significant differences between the evaluated groups and tissues (p = 0.9336 and p = 0.233, respectively) .In healthy areas of the gland, it was an increasing in shear wave velocity (SWV) in LSCC than in HSCC (p=0.04). When comparing the fibrosis in the LSCC and HSCC groups with their respective normal areas, the velocity increased in both groups: LSCC (p= 0,0007) and HSCC (p= 0,0001). When comparing the areas of fibrosis in LSCC and HSCC with the CG parenchyma, there was an increase in LSCC (p=0.001) and HSCC (p=0.0001). B-mode ultrasound indicate predominance of hypoechoic echogenicity in lymph nodes and reduced short/long axis ratio in cases of active subclinical mastitis. The supramammary lymph node showed increased SWV when comparing the CG with HSCC groups (p=0.02) and GC with LSCC (p=0.04). B-mode ultrasonography is useful for evaluating the mammary parenchyma, however, its application as a standalone diagnostic technique is not recommended. ARFI elastography indicates potential cutoff points for differentiating subclinical mastitis from healed mastitis, highlighting its importance as a tool for distinguishing normal areas from fibrous parenchymal areas. While this study did not establish specific cutoff points due to sample size limitations, further research with larger sample sizes could explore and define these critical thresholds.

Acute phase proteins levels in horses, after a single carbohydrate overload, associated with cecal alkalinization.

Introduction: Horses submitted to carbohydrate overload can develop laminitis due to changes in cecal pH and microbiota, followed by an increase in transmural absorption of luminal content, including bacterial toxins. In response to acute injury there is hepatic overproduction of several proteins known as acute phase proteins (APP). Few studies have evaluated protein fractionation to characterize the inflammatory response in acute laminitis. The aim of this study was to test the viability of an experimental model to induce acute laminitis, using a single carbohydrate overload, and the influence of a buffering solution on the development of the disease; also, study the kinetics of APP during acute laminitis, as well as the correlation between these proteins and clinical signs associated to this syndrome. Methods: Ten healthy horses were divided in a factorial and randomized way into four groups (n = 5): control group (CG), starch group (SG), buffer group (BG), and starch C buffer group (SBG). They were evaluated at seven times (T0h, T4h, T8h, T12h, T24h, T48h, and T72h), which included clinical evaluation and blood sample collection. Total serum protein and albumin concentrations were determined by colorimetry and the other APP by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis containing sodium dodecyl sulfate and commercial ELISA kits. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The correlation between clinical signs and APP were verified using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results and discussion: 40% of the animals from SG and 60% from SBG developed clinical laminitis. A single administration of buffer solution was not able to prevent clinical signs of laminitis. There was no difference between groups on total serum protein, albumin, serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein concentrations (p > 0.05). Transferrin, considered a negative APP, showed a positive response pattern in SG and SBG. Ceruloplasmin had a positive correlation with Obel grade, heart rate on animals from SGB and number of steps on horses submitted to starch overload (SG and SBG). Ceruloplasmin, α-1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin concentrations increased in SBG, suggesting an inflammatory response in animals of this group. Changes in clinical parameters were also more evident in the SBG, corroborating the protein fractionation findings.

Efeitos da consanguinidade em rebanho de bubalinos no pantanal Mato-Grossense / Effects of inbreeding in bubaline herds in the pantanal Mato-Grossense / Efectos de la consanguinidad en rebaño de búfalos en el pantanal Mato-Grossense

A consanguinidade é uma realidade na criação de bubalinos no Brasil, devido ao número pequeno de animais no rebanho, e principalmente a falta de escrituração zootécnica e seleção genética da espécie. Isso faz com que exista muita endogamia e como consequência aparecem as anomalias congênitas, que associadas às condições ambientais resultam em animais com problemas de pele, baixo desenvolvimento, baixa produção e sanidade deficitária. O presente estudo demonstrou os efeitos de um manejo cuja persistência de um touro por período de 8 anos gerou progênie com despigmentação, culminando com alterações dermatológicas e baixo desenvolvimento em alguns animais de um rebanho, sendo estas: albinismo acentuado, albinismo parcial -cabeça e peitoral e fotossensibilização, na qual todos eram menos desenvolvidos se comparados aos pais não consanguíneos. A alta incidência de raios solares na região do Pantanal Mato-Grossense potencializou queimaduras cutâneas e desgaste desses animais. Com objetivo de eliminar os genes defeituosos, os animais foram descartados e um novo touro foi introduzido.(AU)

IInbreeding is a reality in buffalo breeding in Brazil, due to the small number of animals in the herd, and mainly the lack of zootechnical bookkeeping and genetic selection of the species. This means that there is a lot of inbreeding and, as a consequence, congenital anomalies appear, which, associated with environmental conditions, result in animals with skin problems, poor development, low production and poor health. The present study demonstrated the effects of a management whose persistence of a bull for a period of 8 years generated progeny with depigmentation, culminating with dermatological alterations and low development in some animals of a herd, namely: accentuated albinism, partial albinism -head and pectoral and photosensitization, in which all were less developed compared to non-consanguineous parents. The high incidence of solar rays in the Pantanal Mato-Grossense region potentiated skin burns and wear of these animals. In order to eliminate the defective genes, the animals were discarded anda new bull was introduced.(AU)

La consanguinidad es una realidad en la cría de búfalos en Brasil,debido al pequeño número de animales en el rebaño, y principalmente la falta de contabilidad zootécnica y de selección de genética de la especie. Esto provoca la existencia de mucha endogamia y como consecuencia aparecen las anomalías congénitas, que asociadas a las condiciones ambientales resultan en animales con problemas de piel, bajo desarrollo, baja producción y salud. El presente estudio demostró los efectos de un manejo donde la persistencia de un toro por un periodo de 8 años generó progenie con despigmentación, culminando en alteraciones dermatológicas en un rebaño de 35 animales, siendo de los afectados: despigmentación severa, albinismo parcial -cabeza y pecho y fotosensibilización, en los que todos fueron menos desarrollados si se comparan con los padres no consanguíneos. La alta incidencia de los rayos solares en la región del Pantanal Mato-Grossense colaboró con las quemaduras y el desgaste de estos animales. Con el objetivo de eliminar los genes defectuosos, los animales fueron descartados y se introdujo un nuevo toro.(AU)

Comparative Analysis Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Highlights a Potential Transmission of Salmonella Between Asymptomatic Buffaloes and Pigs in a Single Farm.

Buffaloes and pigs play an important epidemiological roll in the Salmonella infection cycle, and asymptomatic animals can act as key component in the dissemination of the disease by horizontal, vertical, and cross-species transmission. Our study aimed and was able to confirm evidences of a cross-species transmission of Salmonella Agona between asymptomatic buffaloes and pigs. Also, we described Salmonella infection within the pig production phases, involving serotypes Agona, Senftenberg and Schwarzengrund. Rectal samples were collected from Jafarabadi buffaloes (n = 25) and Piau pigs (n = 32), located on a single farm. Salmonella Agona was isolated from lactating buffaloes, gilts, pregnant sows, and weaned pigs, Salmonella Schwarzengrund from lactating sows and Salmonella Senftenberg from gilts, pregnant sows, lactating sows, and weaned pigs. Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis protocol (PFGE) was performed and revealed four different profiles. Profile 1 (Salmonella Agona), isolated from a pregnant sow, a gilt and two lactating buffaloes, revealed a indistinguishable PFGE pattern, confirming evidences of potential cross-species transmission. Profile 2 (Salmonella Agona), 3 (Salmonella Senftenberg), and 4 (Salmonella Schwarzengrund), isolated from pigs, revealed important indistinguishable PFGE patterns, evidencing Salmonella infection within the pig production phases. Considering the epidemiological relevance of buffaloes and pigs in the cycle of Salmonella infection, confirmation of a potential cross-species transmission of Salmonella Agona and potential Salmonella infection within the pig production phases highlights the importance of the correct establishment of preventive health strategies in farms, in special the importance of avoiding contact between buffaloes and pigs, since cross-species transmission can occur, increasing the risk of spreading the disease.