Detection of bovine gammaherpesvirus 6 in tissues of aborted fetuses from dairy cows concomitantly infected by Histophilus somni.

Bovine gammaherpesvirus 6 (BoGHV6), formerly known as bovine lymphotropic virus, is a member of the Macavirus genus, subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, that was initially associated with proliferative diseases in cattle. While the Macavirus genus contains agents, including alcelaphine gammaherpesvirus 1 (AlGHV1), ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvGHV2), and caprine gammaherpesvirus-2 (CpGHV2), known to cause malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), and are collectively referred to as MCF virus (MCFV) group of organisms, diseases and/or clinical syndromes have not been associated with BoGHV6 and porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV). This report investigated the occurrence of BoGHV6 in tissues of aborted dairy fetuses known to be infected by Histophilus somni to identify possible disease patterns associated with infection by this Macavirus. A nested-PCR (nPCR) assay was used to amplify the BoGHV6 polymerase gene from multiple tissues of 13 fetuses and the cow of one of these which were derived from seven dairy herds located in three geographical regions of Brazil. Direct sequencing confirmed the results of the nPCR assays. Additionally, all fetal tissues were previously investigated for the presence of H. somni, Listeria monocytogenes, Neospora caninum, Brucella abortus, Leptospira spp., bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) by PCR and/or RT-PCR assays. The nPCR assay amplified BoGHV6 DNA from fetuses of most dairy herds (85.7%; 6/7) investigated, resulting in the amplification of BoGHV6 from 76.9% (10/13) of all fetuses evaluated from two geographical and important cattle-producing regions of Brazil. Furthermore, only BoGHV6 was identified in the spleen (n = 3), myocardium, and kidney (n = 2) of five fetuses, and BoGHV6 was the only agent associated with myocarditis in one of these. Nevertheless, dual, triple, and quadruple infections (including BVDV, B. abortus, and N. caninum) were identified in fetuses that were concomitantly infected by H. somni. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strain herein identified has 100% nucleotide (nt) sequence identity with wild type strains of BoGHV6 circulating in ruminants from Brazil and 99.8% nt identity with the reference strain of BoGHV6 but was 72.2-73.3% and 67.4-68.2% different from members of the MCFV group and PLHV, respectively. These results demonstrated that 76.9% of the fetuses evaluated were infected by BoGHV6, most likely via vertical infection resulting in transplacental transmission. Considering that most fetuses were concomitantly infected by BoGHV6 and H. somni the real impact of this viral infection cannot be efficiently determined. However, since BoGHV6 was the only pathogen identified in the myocardium of one fetus with myocarditis by histopathology, the possible participation of this Macavirus in the etiopathogenesis of the myocardial disease observed in this fetus cannot be ignored or discarded. However, the mere amplification of BoGHV6 DNA from the myocardium is not enough to establish a definite association between cause and effect, since in situ evaluations and experimental studies would be needed to confirm this agent in the etiopathogenesis of fetal diseases and/or abortions in cattle. Consequently, additional studies are needed to determine the exact role, if any, of BoGHV6 in the development of fetal disease, and possibly fetal mortality.

Prevalence of Rickettsia rickettsii in Ticks: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives:Rickettsia rickettsii is a pathogen that is known to cause spotted fever, a zoonosis that is endemic in several regions of the Americas. However, no systematic review and meta-analysis has been conducted to estimate the prevalence of this rickettsial disease in the Americas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of R. rickettsii in ticks in the Americas. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed and data were retrieved from four electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, and Directory of Open Access Journals. The pooled prevalence and heterogeneity were determined using a random-effects model and using Cochran's Q test and I2 index, respectively. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's method. Results: The pooled prevalence of R. rickettsii in ticks was highest in Colombia (17.00%; confidence interval [95% CI]: 7.01-30.24), followed by Mexico (9.89%; 95% CI: 2.03-22.74), Panama (2.76%; 95% CI: 0.45-6.93), Brazil (2.03%; 95% CI: 0.66-4.14), and the United States (0.50%; 95% CI: 0.15-1.05). The tick species most frequently infected by R. rickettsii were Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (6.23%; 95% CI: 2.79-10.92) and Amblyomma mixtum (4.36%; 95% CI: 0.25-13.14). Interpretation and Conclusion: It can be suggested that studies aiming to identify the potential vectors of R. rickettsii should be conducted more intensively to better understand the epidemiology of spotted fever in the Americas.

Effects of Neospora caninum on reproductive parameters in dairy cows from a closed herd in Brazil.

Dairy production and cattle reproductive parameters exhibit a strong relationship, which can be disrupted by infectious agents, such as Neospora caninum, that affect the reproductive tract of these animals. Neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide and is responsible for substantial economic losses. We evaluated the impact of N. caninum infection on the reproductive parameters of 434 Holstein dairy cows from a herd in Brazil that had been closed for 4 years through the assessment of serological testing and reproductive parameters. Dairy cows older than 24 months and that required at least 2.2 inseminations to become pregnant had a higher frequency of seropositive results. Analysis of the medians of positive and negative cows revealed that seropositive cows tended to require more insemination efforts to achieve pregnancy and showed a 2-month increase in age at first calving. According to the reproductive parameters, the correlation coefficient was higher in seronegative animals, while no such correlation was detected in seropositive cows. Thus, we concluded that N. caninum negatively affects the reproductive parameters of dairy cows kept in a closed herd.

Seroepidemiology of ovine toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in breeding rams from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

This study determined the prevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis and neosporosis and the risk factors associated with the development of these diseases in breeding rams from the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Southern Brazil. Serum samples (n = 1,800) from breeding rams maintained on 705 sheep farms from seven mesoregions were evaluated serologically to detect anti-IgG Toxoplasma gondii by indirect ELISA and anti-IgG Neospora caninum by the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The prevalence of T. gondii was 33.05% (595/1,800); seropositivity to N. caninum was 18.44% (332/1,800). Additionally, there was simultaneous seropositivity (8.94%;161/1,800) to N. caninum and T. gondii. The variables size of the property (<500 ha) (Prevalence Ratio, PR = 1.36); breeding system (semi-intensive/intensive) (PR = 1.23); and natural mounting without control (PR = 1.50) were considered as risk factors for the occurrence of T. gondii. Size of the property (<500 ha) (PR = 1.58) and natural mounting without control (PR = 2.32) were risk factors associated with the prevalence of N. caninum in rams. Additionally, separation of ewes prior to parturition was considered as a protective factor for the occurrence of T. gondii (PR = 0.82) and N. caninum (PR = 0.74). These results demonstrated that these two parasitic disease agents are endemic in rams throughout all regions of RS.

Anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle from the northern region of Paraná state, Brazil / Anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em bovinos de corte da região norte do estado do Paraná, Brasil

ABSTRACT: The presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, was evaluated. A total of 401 blood samples were collected; 281 samples from the municipality of Rolândia and 120 from the municipality of Borrazópolis, between April 2015 and November 2016. Of the total samples, 289 were from females and 112 from males, aged one and a half to eight years. Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed, using a cut-off of 1:100. Variables were tabulated for statistical analyses (Fisher's exact test and chi-square tests, p≤0.05). The analysis showed that of the 401 samples, 37 were positive for N. caninum, indicating a prevalence of 9.2 %, and observed titers were 1:100 (16), 1:200 (14), and 1:400 (7). The variables sex, age, and location did not differ statistically (p>0.05). Our results showed a sero-occurrence of N. caninum in cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná.

RESUMO: A presença de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em bovinos de corte, abatidos na região norte do estado do Paraná, Brasil, foi avaliada. Foram coletadas 401 amostras de sangue, sendo 281 amostras no município de Rolândia e 120 no municipio de Borrazopolis, entre os meses de abril de 2015 e novembro de 2016. Do total de amostras, 289 eram de fêmeas e 112 amostras de machos, na faixa etária de um ano e meio até oito anos de idade. Foi realizada a reação da imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) utilizando ponte de corte de 1:100. Em seguida, foram tabulados as variáveis para análise estatística (testes exato de Fisher e do qui-quadrado, p≤0,05). A análise mostrou que das 401 amostras, 37 foram positivas para N. caninum, indicando uma prevalência de 9,2 % e os títulos observados foram 1:100 (16), 1:200 (14) e 1:400 (7). As variáveis sexo, idade e local não diferiram estatisticamente (p>0,05). Nossos resultados demonstram uma soro-ocorrência de N. caninum em bovinos abatidos na região norte do Paraná.

Histophilus somni-associated syndromes in sheep from Southern Brazil

Abstract Histophilus somni is a Gram-negative bacterium that is associated with a disease complex (termed histophilosis) that can produce several clinical syndromes predominantly in cattle, but also in sheep. Histophilosis is well described in North America, Canada, and in some European countries. In Brazil, histophilosis has been described in cattle with respiratory, reproductive, and systemic disease, with only one case described in sheep. This report describes the occurrence of Histophilus somni-associated disease in sheep from Southern Brazil. Eight sheep with different clinical manifestations from five farms were investigated by a combination of pathological and molecular diagnostic methods to identify additional cases of histophilosis in sheep from Brazil. The principal pathological lesions were thrombotic meningoencephalitis, fibrinous bronchopneumonia, pulmonary abscesses, and necrotizing myocarditis. The main clinical syndromes associated with H. somni were thrombotic meningoencephalitis (n = 4), septicemia (n = 4), bronchopneumonia (n = 4), and myocarditis (n = 3). H. somni DNA was amplified from multiple tissues of all sheep with clinical syndromes of histophilosis; sequencing confirmed the PCR results. Further, PCR assays to detect Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica were negative. These findings confirmed the participation of H. somni in the clinical syndromes investigated during this study, and adds to the previous report of histophilosis in sheep from Brazil.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Poultry and Poultry Meat: A Meta-Analysis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that colonizes and infects various host species and has been found in the poultry production chain, raising concerns about possible transmission from farm to fork. The objective of this study was to use meta-analytical methods to estimate the pooled prevalence of MRSA in chickens, turkeys, chicken meat, and turkey meat. Three electronic databases (PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO) were searched to establish MRSA prevalence from 51 studies published from 2003 through May 2017. The heterogeneity was assessed, and the pooled MRSA prevalence was calculated by using the random effects model according to the method of DerSimonian and Laird. Pooled MRSA prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) in turkeys, turkey meat, broilers, and chicken meat was 36% (1 to 78%), 13% (1 to 28%), 5% (2 to 9%), and 5% (3 to 8%), respectively. South America had the highest MRSA prevalence (27%; 95% CI, 17 to 37%), and North America had the lowest (1%; 95% CI, 0 to 2%). Livestock-associated MRSA has been isolated from poultry and poultry meat, indicating that this variant can spread from farm to fork. The presence of MRSA in poultry and poultry meat poses risks to public health, and steps should be taken to mitigate the contamination and spread of this bacterium along the poultry production chain.

Histophilus somni-associated syndromes in sheep from Southern Brazil.

Histophilus somni is a Gram-negative bacterium that is associated with a disease complex (termed histophilosis) that can produce several clinical syndromes predominantly in cattle, but also in sheep. Histophilosis is well described in North America, Canada, and in some European countries. In Brazil, histophilosis has been described in cattle with respiratory, reproductive, and systemic disease, with only one case described in sheep. This report describes the occurrence of Histophilus somni-associated disease in sheep from Southern Brazil. Eight sheep with different clinical manifestations from five farms were investigated by a combination of pathological and molecular diagnostic methods to identify additional cases of histophilosis in sheep from Brazil. The principal pathological lesions were thrombotic meningoencephalitis, fibrinous bronchopneumonia, pulmonary abscesses, and necrotizing myocarditis. The main clinical syndromes associated with H. somni were thrombotic meningoencephalitis (n=4), septicemia (n=4), bronchopneumonia (n=4), and myocarditis (n=3). H. somni DNA was amplified from multiple tissues of all sheep with clinical syndromes of histophilosis; sequencing confirmed the PCR results. Further, PCR assays to detect Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica were negative. These findings confirmed the participation of H. somni in the clinical syndromes investigated during this study, and adds to the previous report of histophilosis in sheep from Brazil.

Molecular survey of infectious agents associated with bovine respiratory disease in a beef cattle feedlot in southern Brazil.

We investigated the occurrence of infectious pathogens during an outbreak of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in a beef cattle feedlot in southern Brazil that has a high risk of developing BRD. Nasopharyngeal swabs were randomly collected from steers ( n = 23) and assessed for the presence of infectious agents of BRD by PCR and/or RT-PCR assays. These included: Histophilus somni, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma bovis, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3). Pulmonary sections of one steer that died with clinical BRD were submitted for pathology and molecular testing. The frequencies of the pathogens identified from the nasopharyngeal swabs were: H. somni 39% (9 of 23), BRSV 35% (8 of 23), BCoV 22% (5 of 23), and M. haemolytica 13% (3 of 23). PCR or RT-PCR assays did not identify P. multocida, M. bovis, BoHV-1, BVDV, or BPIV-3 from the nasopharyngeal swabs. Single and concomitant associations of infectious agents of BRD were identified. Fibrinous bronchopneumonia was diagnosed in one steer that died; samples were positive for H. somni and M. haemolytica by PCR. H. somni, BRSV, and BCoV are important disease pathogens of BRD in feedlot cattle in Brazil, but H. somni and BCoV are probably under-reported.

Use of the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) as an indirect measure of passive transfer of immunity in holstein calves and association with the occurrence of diarrhea after birth / Uso da enzima gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT) como medida indireta de transferência de imunidade passiva em bezerras da raça holandesa e associação com a ocorrência de diarreia após o nascimento

The objective of this study was to determine the gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and its relationship with diarrhea and passive transfer of immunity in Holstein calves within 24 hours and 30 days of life from Leopolis municipality, the north Parana region. Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins and vital for immunity to newborn calves, since bovine placenta does not allow the passage of immunoglobulin to the fetus. Calves undergo various challenges that can lead to disease and death in the first month of life, including diarrhea. Diarrhea has a multifactorial etiology, and the passive immunity transferred through ingestion of colostrum is able to protect the calf against many of these etiologic agents. GGT measurements indirectly infer the amount of immunoglobulin ingested by the calf. Higher serum GGT levels (381.72 IU / L) were found at 24 hours, and a significant reduction was observed at 30 days (66.22 IU / L). When the presence or absence of diarrhea was associated with GGT levels above and below 200 IU / L, no statistical significance (P> 0.05) was observed, since 80% of animals with diarrhea had serum GGT levels higher than 200 IU / L. Under the conditions of this study, there was no relationship between the GGT concentration and the occurrence of diarrhea, and no mortality was observed despite some animals presented diarrhea.

O colostro é rico em imunoglobulinas e vital para a imunidade de bezerros recém-nascidos, uma vez que placenta bovina não permite a passagem de imunoglobulinas para o feto. Os bezerros são submetidos a diversos desafios que podem levar à doença e morte no primeiro mês de vida, dentre as quais a diarreia. A etiologia da diarreia é multifatorial e a imunidade passiva transferida através da ingestão de colostro é capaz de proteger o bezerro contra muitos desses agentes etiológicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a dosagem de gama-glutamil transferase (GGT) e sua relação com diarreia e a transferência de imunidade passiva em novilhas da raça Holandesa nos tempos de 24 horas e 30 dias de vida, no município de Leópolis, na região norte do Paraná. As mensurações de GGT infere indiretamente a quantidade de imunoglobulinas ingeridas pelo bezerro. Os níveis séricos de GGT demonstraram valores médios maiores 24 horas após o nascimento (381,72 UI / L) e uma redução significativa foi observada aos 30 dias de vida (66,22 UI/L). Quando a presença ou ausência de diarreia foi associada com níveis de GGT acima e abaixo de 200UI/L, não foi observado significância estatística (p>0,05), uma vez que 80% dos animais com diarreia tinham níveis séricos de GGT superior a 200 UI/L. Sob as condições que foi realizado o presente estudo, não houve relação entre a concentração de GGT e a ocorrência de diarréia, e nenhuma mortalidade foi observada apesar de alguns animais apresentarem diarreia.

Histophilus somni-induced thrombotic meningoencephalitis in cattle from northern Paraná, Brazil / Meningoencefalite trombótica-induzida por Histophilus somni em bovinos da região norte do Paraná

Thrombotic meningoencephalitis (TME) is a fatal neurological disease of cattle, predominantly from North America, that is caused by Histophilus somni with sporadic descriptions from other countries. This manuscript describes the occurrence of spontaneous TME in cattle from northern Paraná, Brazil. Most cattle had acute neurological manifestations characteristic of brain dysfunction. Hematological and cerebrospinal fluid analyses were not suggestive of bacterial infections of the brain. Histopathology revealed meningoencephalitis with vasculitis and thrombosis of small vessels that contained discrete neutrophilic and/or lymphocytic infiltrates admixed with fibrin at the brainstem, cerebral cortex, and trigeminal nerve ganglion of all animals. All tissues from the central nervous system used during this study were previously characterized as negative for rabies virus by the direct immunofluorescence assay. PCR and RT-PCR assays investigated the participation of infectious agents associated with bovine neurological disease by targeting specific genes of H. somni, Listeria monocytogenes, bovine herpesvirus -1 and -5, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and ovine herpesvirus-2. PCR and subsequent sequencing resulted in partial fragments of the 16S rRNA gene of H. somni from brain sections of all animals with histopathological diagnosis of TME; all other PCR/RT-PCR assays were negative. These findings confirmed the participation of H. somni in the neuropathological disease observed in these animals, extend the geographical distribution of this disease, and support previous findings of H. somni from Brazil.(AU)

Meningoencefalite trombótica (Thrombotic meningoencephalitis- TME) é uma doença neurológica fatal de bovinos ocasionada por Histophilus somni. A infecção tem sido descrita predominantemente na América do Norte e de forma esporádica em outros países. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar a ocorrência de TME em bovinos da região norte do estado do Paraná, Brasil. A maioria dos animais apresentaram sinais clínicos neurológicos característicos de disfunção cerebral aguda. Análises hematológicas e do fluido cerebrospinal não foram sugestivas de infecção bacteriana do cérebro. A histopatologia revelou meningoencefalite com vasculite e trombose de pequenos vasos com discreto infiltrado neutrofílico e/ou linfocítico mesclada com fibrina no tronco e córtex cerebral e no gânglio do nervo trigêmio de todos os animais. As amostras de sistema nervoso central incluídas nesse estudo foram previamente caracterizadas como negativas para raiva por meio de técnica de imunofluorescência direta. A participação de agentes infecciosos associados à doença neurológica em bovinos foi avaliada por técnicas moleculares como PCR e RT-PCR para amplificação parcial de genes de H. somni, Listeria monocytogenes, herpesvírus bovino 1 e 5, vírus da diarreia viral bovina e herpesvírus ovino 2. As seções do cérebro de todos os animais com diagnóstico histopatológico de TME foram positivas em PCR para a detecção do gene 16S rRNA de H. somni. O sequenciamento dos produtos amplificados confirmou a presença de DNA de H. somni nos fragmentos de cérebro avaliados. As reações de PCR/RT-PCR para todos os outros micro-organismos avaliados resultaram negativas. Os resultados desse estudo confirmaram a participação do H. somni nos episódios de doença neurológica observada nos animais avaliados, amplia a distribuição geográfica da TME e ratifica estudos prévios realizados no Brasil que demonstraram a presença de H. somni em outras formas de manifestação clínica das infecções por essa bactéria.(AU)

Association of Histophilus somni with spontaneous abortions in dairy cattle herds from Brazil.

This study investigated the participation of infectious agents in spontaneous abortions and reproductive problems at eight dairy cattle herds from three geographical regions of Brazil. Fourteen aborted fetuses and the organ sections of one cow with history of repeated abortions were received for pathological evaluations and molecular diagnostics. PCR/RT-PCR assays targeted specific genes of abortifacient agents of cattle: bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), Listeria monocytogenes, Neospora caninum, Leptospira spp., Brucella abortus, and Histophilus somni. Six fetuses were adequate for pathological investigations; one of these did not demonstrate remarkable pathological alterations. Significant histopathological findings included vasculitis, hemorrhage, and fibrinous thrombosis of the cerebrum (n = 4); necrotizing myocarditis (n = 3); and hemorrhagic enteritis (n = 3). The placenta and uterus of the cow as well as the kidney, pancreas, and liver of her aborted fetus contained H. somni DNA and demonstrated histopathological evidence of histophilosis. All fetuses contained H. somni DNA in multiple organs. Coinfections of H. somni with B. abortus (n = 2), N. caninum (n = 2), BVDV (n = 1), and BoHV-1 (n = 1) were identified; two fetuses demonstrated three pathogens. These findings suggest that H. somni was associated with the spontaneous abortions and reproductive problems of these herds. However, the exact cause of fetal death might not be attributed only to H. somni in all aborted fetuses, since some of these were infected with other abortifacient agents.

Equine pulmonary aspergillosis with encephalitic, myocardial, and renal dissemination.

The cause of the death of a 16-month-old Brasileiro-de-Hipismo filly and a 3-year-old male Paint Horse with clinical manifestations of anemia and apathy from southern Brazil was investigated. These horses were maintained at the same stable; received hay as part of their diet and were submitted for routine necropsy evaluations. Significant gross findings included several nodules randomly distributed throughout the pulmonary lobes of both horses, and the kidneys, myocardium, and the frontal lobes of the cerebrum of the filly. Histopathological evaluation revealed pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia in both horses; granulomatous interstitial nephritis, myocarditis, and encephalitis were observed in the filly. All lesions contained vasculitis and thrombosis associated with myriads of intralesional, branching, septate fungi consistent with Aspergillus spp.; intralesional fungi were more easily identified by the Grocott methenamine silver stain. Mycological culture of fresh pulmonary sections from both horses and the brain of the filly revealed pure growths of A. fumigatus. These findings confirmed the participation of A. fumigatus in the etiopathogenesis of the lesions observed in the lungs of both horses, and the cerebrum, myocardium and kidneys of the filly and might represent the first description of A. fumigatus-induced encephalitis in horses. Additionally, we believe that infection occurred during the ingestion of contaminated hay or by inhalation of spores within contaminated bedding that resulted in transient nasal mycosis, which progressed to pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia in both horses with embolic encephalitic, myocardial, and renal dissemination of A. fumigatus occurring only in the filly.

Histopathological and molecular characterization of encephalitic listeriosis in small ruminants from northern Paraná, Brazil

Listeriosis is a disease primarily of ruminants caused by the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Ruminants either demonstrate manifestations of the encephalitic, septicemic, or reproductive form of listeriosis. The pathological and molecular findings with encephalitic listeriosis in a 5.5-month-old, male, mixed-breed goat and a 3-year-old Texel-crossed sheep from northern Paraná, Brazil are described. Clinically, the kid demonstrated circling, lateral protrusion of the tongue, head tilt, and convulsions; the ewe presented ataxia, motor incoordination, and lateral decumbency. Brainstem dysfunctions were diagnosed clinically and listeriosis was suspected. Necropsy performed on both animals did not reveal remarkable gross lesions; significant histopathological alterations were restricted to the brainstem (medulla oblongata; rhombencephalitis) and were characterized as meningoencephalitis that consisted of extensive mononuclear perivascular cuffings, neutrophilic and macrophagic microabscesses, and neuroparenchymal necrosis. PCR assay and direct sequencing, using genomic bacterial DNA derived from the brainstem of both animals, amplified the desired 174 base pairs length amplicon of the listeriolysin O gene of L. monocytogenes. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the strains associated with rhombencephalitis during this study clustered with known strains of L. monocytogenes lineage I from diverse geographical locations and from cattle of the state of Paraná with encephalitic listeriosis. Consequently, these strains should be classified as L. monocytogenes lineage I. These results confirm the active participation of lineage I strains of L. monocytogenes in the etiopathogenesis of the brainstem dysfunctions observed during this study, probably represent the first characterization of small ruminant listeriosis by molecular techniques in Latin America, and suggest that ruminants within the state of Paraná were infected by the strains of the same lineage of L. monocytogenes.

Histophilus somni-induced infections in cattle from southern Brazil.

The sudden death of three calves, one diarrheic calf, and one aborted fetus from four farms in southern Brazil was investigated. Two Histophilus somni-associated syndromes were identified: systemic histophilosis (n = 4) and abortion (n = 1). The principal pathological findings included vasculitis, meningoencephalitis with thrombosis, necrotizing myocarditis, renal infarctions, hepatic abscesses, and bronchopneumonia. PCR assays were used to amplify specific amplicons of the ovine herpesvirus 2, bovine herpesvirus 1 and -5, Listeria monocytogenes, H. somni, and pestivirus; bovine group A rotavirus (BoRV-A) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) were investigated in calves with diarrhea. H. somni DNA was amplified in tissues from all calves and the brain of the aborted fetus with pathological alterations consistent with histophilosis. All other PCR assays were negative; BoRV-A and BCoV were not identified. These findings confirm the participation of H. somni in the pathological alterations observed in this study and represent the first description of histophilosis in cattle from Brazil.

Concomitant canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvoviral enteritis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, and toxoplasmosis in a puppy.

The concomitant infections of Canine distemper virus (CDV), Canine adenovirus A types 1 (CAdV-1) and 2 (CAdV-2), Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), and Toxoplasma gondii are described in a 43-day-old mixed-breed puppy. Clinically, there were convulsions and blindness with spontaneous death; 14 siblings of this puppy, born to a 10-month-old dam, which was seropositive (titer: 1,024) for T. gondii, also died. Necropsy revealed unilateral corneal edema (blue eye), depletion of intestinal lymphoid tissue, non-collapsible lungs, congestion of meningeal vessels, and a pale area in the myocardium. Histopathology demonstrated necrotizing myocarditis associated with intralesional apicomplexan protozoa; necrotizing and chronic hepatitis associated with rare intranuclear inclusion bodies within hepatocytes; necrotizing bronchitis and bronchiolitis; interstitial pneumonia associated with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies within epithelial cells; atrophy and fusion of intestinal villi with cryptal necrosis; and white matter demyelination of the cerebrum and cerebellum associated with intranuclear inclusion bodies within astrocytes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified the partial fragments (bp) of the CDV N gene (290 bp), CPV-2c VP2 capsid protein gene (583 bp), and CAdV-1 (508 bp) and CAdV-2 (1,030 bp) E gene from urine and tissue samples. The PCR assays demonstrated that the apicomplexan protozoa observed within several organs contained DNA specific for T. gondii; genotyping revealed T. gondii type III. The findings support the characterization of concomitant infections of CDV, CAdV-1, CAdV-2, CPV-2, and T. gondii in this puppy. Further, seroreactivity to T. gondii of the dam in association with the systemic disease observed in the puppy described herein is suggestive of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Maturidade sexual e classificação andrológica por pontos (CAP) em touros jovens da raça nelore puros de origem (PO) / Sexual maturity and breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) in purebred nelore young bulls

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o estádio de maturidade sexual e avaliar o perímetro escrotal e as características seminais de touros jovens da raça Nelore, puros de origem (PO), através da classificação andrológica por pontos (CAP). Trinta e oito touros, com média de 25,38 ± 2,16 meses, foram submetidos ao exame andrológico completo e a classificação andrológica por pontos (CAP). O valor médio observado para perímetro escrotal foi de 34,34 ± 2,17 cm. A média observada para turbilhonamento, vigor espermático e motilidade espermática progressiva retilínea foi de 4,03 ± 0,76, 4,35 ± 0,75 e 84,32 ± 7,18 %, respectivamente. Quanto às características morfológicas, foi observada média de 10,66 ± 5,26 e 16,78 ± 5,68 %, para os defeitos maiores e defeitos espermáticos totais, respectivamente. Com relação ao estádio de maturidade sexual, 97,37 % (n = 37) dos touros foram considerados maturos sexualmente (classes 1 e 2) e, somente um touro (2,63 %), foi considerado sexualmente imaturo (classe 3). Os touros avaliados pelo CAP foram classificados como muito bons (78,63 ± 9,38). As estimativas de correlações simples de Pearson entre o CAP e o perímetro escrotal e entre as características físicas do sêmen foram consideradas positivas e significativas. Já, para as características morfológicas do sêmen as correlações foram consideradas negativas e significativas.

The aim of this study was to determine the stage of sexual maturity and evaluate scrotal circumference and semen traits of in purebred Nelore young bulls, through the breeding soundness evaluation (BSE). Thirty-eight bulls, averaging 25.38 ± 2.16 months, underwent through breeding soundness evaluation (BSE). The average value observed for scrotal circumference was 34.34 ± 2.17 cm. The average observed for individual sperm motility, vigor e mass activity motility, were 4.03 ± 0.76, 4.35 ± 0.75 and 84.32 ± 7.18 %, respectively. A abnormal morphology was observed an average of 10.66 ± 5.26 and 16.78 ± 5.68% for major defects and total sperm defects, respectively. About the stage of sexual maturity, 97.37% (n = 37) bulls were considered sexually mature (classes 1 and 2) and only one bull (2.63 %) were considered sexually immature (class 3). Bulls assessed by BSE were classified as very good (78.63 ± 9.38). The estimated simple correlations by Pearson between the BSE and scrotal circumference and between the physical characteristics of semen were positive and significant. However, the morphological characteristics of semen correlations were negative and significant.

Histopathological and molecular characterization of encephalitic listeriosis in small ruminants from northern Paraná, Brazil.

Listeriosis is a disease primarily of ruminants caused by the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Ruminants either demonstrate manifestations of the encephalitic, septicemic, or reproductive form of listeriosis. The pathological and molecular findings with encephalitic listeriosis in a 5.5-month-old, male, mixed-breed goat and a 3-year-old Texel-crossed sheep from northern Paraná, Brazil are described. Clinically, the kid demonstrated circling, lateral protrusion of the tongue, head tilt, and convulsions; the ewe presented ataxia, motor incoordination, and lateral decumbency. Brainstem dysfunctions were diagnosed clinically and listeriosis was suspected. Necropsy performed on both animals did not reveal remarkable gross lesions; significant histopathological alterations were restricted to the brainstem (medulla oblongata; rhombencephalitis) and were characterized as meningoencephalitis that consisted of extensive mononuclear perivascular cuffings, neutrophilic and macrophagic microabscesses, and neuroparenchymal necrosis. PCR assay and direct sequencing, using genomic bacterial DNA derived from the brainstem of both animals, amplified the desired 174 base pairs length amplicon of the listeriolysin O gene of L. monocytogenes. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the strains associated with rhombencephalitis during this study clustered with known strains of L. monocytogenes lineage I from diverse geographical locations and from cattle of the state of Paraná with encephalitic listeriosis. Consequently, these strains should be classified as L. monocytogenes lineage I. These results confirm the active participation of lineage I strains of L. monocytogenes in the etiopathogenesis of the brainstem dysfunctions observed during this study, probably represent the first characterization of small ruminant listeriosis by molecular techniques in Latin America, and suggest that ruminants within the state of Paraná were infected by the strains of the same lineage of L. monocytogenes.

Predição do peso corporal a partir de mensurações corporais em ovinos Texel / Predicción del peso corporal a partir de mensuraciones corporales en ovinos Texel / Prediction of the body weight from body measurements in Texel sheep

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as relações entre o peso corporal e as medidas corporais, altura de anterior (AA), altura de posterior (AP), comprimento corporal (CO), perímetro torácico (PT) e perímetro escrotal (PE), em ovinos da raça Texel, e predizer o peso corporal. As correlações simples do peso com AA, AP, CO, PT e PE foram respectivamente 0,743; 0,860; 0,838; 0,850; 0,839. Os coeficientes de correlação foram positivos para as variáveis AA, AP, CO, PT e PE. A equação encontrada para predizer o peso foi: PESO = - 150 + 0,87 AA + 0,67 AP + 0,080 CO + 0,310 PT + 2,20 PE.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between the body weight and the body measurements, height of previous (HP), height of subsequent (HS), corporal length (CL), thoracic perimeter (TP) and perimeter testicles (PT), in sheep of the race Texel. The simple correlations of the weight with HP, HS, CL, TP and PT were 0,743 respectively; 0,860; 0,838; 0,850; 0,839. The correlation coefficients were positive for the variables HP, HS, CL, TP and PT. The equation found to predict the weight it was: WEIGHT = - 150 + 0,87 HP + 0,67 HS + 0,080 CL + 0,310 TP + 2,20 PT.

En este estudio se investiga las relaciones entre el peso corporal y las medidas corporales, altura de anterior (AA), altura de posterior (AP), largo corporal (CO), perímetro torácico (PT) y perímetro escrotal (PE), en ovinos de la raza Texel, y predecir el peso corporal. Las correlaciones simples del peso con AA, AP, CO, PT y PE fueron respectivamente: 0,743; 0,860; 0,838; 0,850; 0,839. Los coeficientes de correlación fueron positivos para las variables AA, AP, CO, PT y PE. La ecuación encontrada para predecir el peso fue: PESO= -150 + 0,87 AA + 0,67 AP + 0,080 CO + 0,310 PT + 2,20 PE.

Causas de óbito e razões para eutanásia em uma população hospitalar de cães e gatos / Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia in a hospital population of dogs and cats

Com o objetivo de determinar as principais causas de morte em cães e gatos, foram analisadas informações correspondentes às fichas clínicas de cães e gatos provenientes de um hospital veterinário universitário entre julho de 2005 e julho de 2009. Durante o período estudado foram atendidos 2243 casos novos, sendo 2075 cães e 168 gatos. Em cães, o percentual de óbito foi de 10,6% (220/2075) e em gatos, 8,92% (15/168). A idade média quando do óbito em cães e gatos foi de 59,97 e 82,79 meses, respectivamente. Em cães, as principais causas de morte e razões para eutanásia foram distúrbios infecciosos ou parasitários, distúrbios causados por agentes físicos e neoplasias. Exceto pela idade, as demais características de resenha não influenciaram a expectativa de vida ou a causa de morte em cães. Em gatos, distúrbios provocados por agentes físicos e distúrbios urinários foram os principais motivos que resultaram na morte do animal. Os resultados observados identificam a necessidade de medidas profiláticas que possibilitarão maior expectativa de vida e, consequentemente, alteração na frequência das principais causas de morte e razões para eutanásia em cães e gatos.

To determine the main causes of death in a population of dogs and cats from a University Veterinary Hospital, data from clinical records obtained from July, 2005 to July, 2009 were analyzed. During that period, 2,243 animals were taken to the hospital, 2,075 dogs and 168 cats. The percentage of death was 10.6% (220/2.075) in dogs, and 8.92% (15/168) in cats. The median age at death was 59.97 months for dogs and 82.79 months for cats. The main causes of death and reasons for euthanasia in dogs were infectious or parasitic diseases, diseases caused by physical agents and neoplasia. Except by their age, all other characteristics described did not have an effect on life expectancy or death causes in dogs. In cats, physical agents and urinary diseases were the main cause of mortality. The results observed in this work identify the need for prophylactic measures that will enable a better life expectancy, and consequently, change the frequency of the main causes of death and reasons for euthanasia in dogs and cats.