Effects of Sodium Monensin on Copper Metabolism of Brazilian Santa Inês Sheep Submitted to Different Dietary Copper.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sodium monensin on the hepatic accumulation of copper in sheep. Twenty-four Santa Inês crossbred sheep were used and allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with six repetitions and considering the factors dietary copper (basal and high) and supplementation (with and without sodium monensin). Thus, four homogeneous groups were formed: control (basal diet); monensin (Mon), 30 ppm of monensin; copper (Cu), 10 10 mg/kg BW per day of copper; monensin + copper (MonCu). The experimental period lasted 14 weeks. Liver and bile samples were collected at the beginning and end of the experiment to determine mineral element concentrations, and weekly blood samples for biochemical, hematological, and mineral evaluation. Liver copper concentrations at the beginning of the experiment did not vary between groups, while mean liver copper concentrations at the end of the experiment were higher in the MonCu, Cu, and Mon groups when compared to the control. At the end of the study, hepatic copper concentration was influenced by copper (p = 0.0001) and monensin (p = 0.0003) supplementation. Copper-supplemented groups had reduced liver iron contents (p = 0.0287) and increased copper concentrations in bile. The biochemical evaluation showed increased serum GGT and AST activity (p < 0.05) in the Cu and MonCu groups from the eleventh week on compared to the control and Mon groups. The increase in activity of these enzymes was influenced by copper supplementation (p = 0.0340). Monensin interferes positively with the hepatic accumulation of copper and the supplementation of this additive may predispose sheep to copper poisoning.

Impact of Acute Blood Loss on Clinical, Hematological, Biochemical, and Oxidative Stress Variables in Sheep.

Blood loss in sheep can have different causes and may result in anemia. We aimed to evaluate the clinical, hematological, and biochemical alterations and the oxidative stress generated by acute blood loss. Eighteen healthy sheep underwent phlebotomy to remove 40% of the blood volume and were evaluated clinically and by laboratory tests for clinical, biochemical, and blood gas variables and to assess oxidative stress before induction (T0), 30 min (T30 min), and 6 (T6 h), 12 (T12 h), and 24 h (T24 h) after blood loss. The sheep showed tachycardia from T30 min until T24 h, reduction in the hematocrit, number of erythrocytes, and hemoglobin concentration, with lower values at T24 h and increase in the number of leukocytes from T12 h on. There was a reduction in blood pH and oxygen pressure at T30 min, increased lactate concentration and reduced blood bicarbonate at this time. There was an increase in urea concentration from T6 h until the end of the study, with no change in creatinine levels. The animals did not show changes in the concentration of malonaldehyde, and in the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, but there was a reduction in the concentration of reduced glutathione at T24 h. The acute loss of 40% of blood volume is capable of promoting relevant clinical, hematological, blood gas, and biochemical alterations, and contributed to the appearance of oxidative stress with reduced glutathione concentration, suggesting that this process generated free radicals in sufficient quantity to diminish the action of antioxidants.

Epidemiological aspects of snakebites in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, from 2007 to 2017

This study comprises a retrospective analysis of snakebites in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, from 2007 to 2017. Data were collected from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (NDIS). 17,056 snakebites were recorded in Amazonas between 2007 and 2017. During the study period, the Rio Negro and Tefé micro-regions had the highest accumulated incidence, while small municipalities such as São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Uarini and Alvarães presenting a high incidence rate during the same period. Snakes in the genera Bothrops and Lachesis caused 69.5% and 20.3% snakebites. Snakebites occurred more frequently in the Amazonian winter, between January and April, and most of the snakebite victims (78.6%) were men. The most affected individuals were between 20 and 39 years of age (59.4%). The time elapsed between snakebites and medical assistance varied from one to six hours (51.4%). 7,705 of the snakebite cases, were classified as moderate, 7,328 as mild, and 1,299 as severe. Of the 104 deaths that occurred in the period, Bothrops genus caused the highest mortality (68.3%). The State of Amazonas recorded both high numbers of snakebites in the period 2007-2017 and the time elapsed between snakebite and medical assistance, which may affect the clinical status of patients.

Frequency of leptospirosis in horses in Manaus and metropolitan region in Amazonas State, Brazil / Frequência de leptospirose em equinos de Manaus e região metropolitana no estado do Amazonas, Brasil

The occurrence of leptospirosis is significantly higher in the tropical climate than in temperate regions, especially in periods with high rainfall levels. In horses, leptospirosis can range from subclinical to asymptomatic but maintains an important role in the transmission of leptospirosis by eliminating the agent in the environment. Regarding horses, the Amazonas herd increased by 30% between 2004 and 2013. Thus, the study aimed to determine the serological prevalence of leptospirosis in horses in Manaus and metropolitan regions, in the State of Amazonas, Brazil as well as to assess the main serogroups involved in the infections of these animals. For this purpose, from August 2018 to July 2019, serum from 198 horses was evaluated through the microscopic agglutination test with a panel of 10 serogroups. As a result, 92 horses (44.46%) were found to be positive for one or more Leptospira serovars, with the highest prevalence of serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pyrogenes. Therefore, with the increase in the equine herd in the region and, consequently, greater interaction between breeders and animals, the identification of reagents to at least one serovar of Leptospira spp. signals the possible existence of reservoirs of pathogenic strains for other animals and man.(AU)

A ocorrência de leptospirose é significativamente maior no clima tropical do que nas regiões temperadas, especialmente em períodos com altos níveis de chuva. Em cavalos, a leptospirose pode variar de subclínica a assintomática, mas estes animais podem desempenhar um papel importante na transmissão da leptospirose por meio da eliminação do agente no ambiente. Em relação aos cavalos, entre os anos de 2004 e 2013, o rebanho Amazônico aumentou 30%. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi determinar a prevalência sorológica de leptospirose em cavalos em Manaus e região metropolitana, estado do Amazonas, Brasil, bem como, determinar os principais sorogrupos envolvidos nas infecções desses animais. Para este propósito, entre agosto de 2018 e julho de 2019, foram colhidos soros de 198 cavalos para serem avaliados sorologicamente com o teste de microaglutinação microscópica, utilizando-se um painel de dez sorogrupos. Como resultado, observou-se que 92 cavalos (44,46%) foram positivos para um ou mais sorovares de Leptospira, com maior prevalência dos sorogrupos Icterohaemorrhagiae e Pyrogenes. Portanto, com o aumento do rebanho equino na região e, consequentemente, maior interação entre criadores e animais, a identificação de reagentes para pelo menos um sorovar de Leptospira spp. alerta para a possível existência de reservatórios de cepas patogênicas para outros animais e seres humanos.(AU)

Clinical response and transfusion reactions of sheep subjected to single homologous blood transfusion.

Studies in relation to blood conservation and responses to transfusion are scarce for ruminants. We evaluated the clinical manifestations of sheep that received a single homologous transfusion of whole blood, focusing on transfusion reactions. Eighteen adult sheep were subjected to a single phlebotomy to withdraw 40% of the total blood volume, which was placed into CPDA-1 bags and then divided into G0, animals that received fresh blood, and G15 and G35, animals that received blood stored for 15 or 35 days, respectively. Clinical observations were recorded throughout the transfusion, whereas heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were assessed at the following times: 24 hours after phlebotomy and before transfusion; 30 minutes, six, twelve, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours and eight and 16 days after transfusion. All groups presented transfusion reactions, among which hyperthermia was the most frequent (50% of animals). Tachycardia occurred most frequently in the G35 animals (50% of them). During transfusion G35 animals presented more clinical manifestation (P < 0.05). Transfusion of fresh or stored total blood improved the blood volume, but transfusion reactions occurred, demonstrating that a single transfusion of fresh or stored blood can cause inflammatory and febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions in sheep.

Clinical, haematological and biochemical responses of sheep undergoing autologous blood transfusion.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, haematological and biochemical responses to autologous blood transfusion and the feasibility of this practice in sheep. Thus, we used eight male, 8 months old sheep, weighing on average 30 kg, from which 15 mL/kg of whole blood was collected and stored in CPDA-1 bags. Blood samples were refrigerated for 8 days and subsequently re-infused. The clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated before blood collection and reinfusion, after 10 minutes of collection and reinfusion, after 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 192 hours after collection and reinfusion. RESULTS: With respect to clinical parameters, we observed a decrease in heart rate after 24, 48 and 196 hours from reinfusion compared to basal values (p < 0.05). Haematological variables including globular volume and erythrocyte counts showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) at all time points after collection and increased (p < 0.01) at all time points after reinfusion. There was a significant increase in total protein and calcium at all time points after reinfusion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Autologous transfusion in sheep slightly altered the physiological, biochemical and haematological responses of sheep, indicating that the technique proposed is safe and can be applied in the clinical practice of this species. The 8 d period was not sufficient for complete recovery of the haematological parameters after blood collection.

Copper deficiency in sheep with high liver iron accumulation.

An outbreak of enzootic ataxia among sheep raised in the northeastern region of Brazil is described. Copper (Cu) deficiency was diagnosed in a herd of 56 sheep, among which five presented characteristic clinical symptoms of enzootic ataxia. The symptoms began 30 days after birth, with a clinical condition that included locomotion difficulty, limb ataxia, tremors, and continual falls. Liver biopsies were performed and blood was collected to determine hepatic and plasmatic Cu, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentration, respectively. The laboratory results showed that the animals presented low copper concentrations in the plasma and liver, without difference between the clinically healthy animals and those affected by enzootic ataxia. Even after supplementation with adequate Cu levels had been recommended, it was found on a new visit to the farm four months later that one animal still presented a clinical condition and that the hepatic Cu levels of the herd had not risen. Despite the low copper content of the diet, the high hepatic Fe levels found suggest that antagonism due to this element may have been an important factor in triggering copper deficiency in these animals, and thus, additional copper supplementation may be necessary for these animals.