Lesões parasitárias encontradas em bovinos abatidos para consumo humano / Parasitic lesions observed in cattle slaughtered for human consumption

During a period of 28 months (January 2011-April 2013) periodical visits were made to four cattle slaughter houses to collect samples of lesions found in cattle slaughtered for human consumption. Three hundred and three lesions were collected, 25% of which were caused by six different parasites: The metacestodes of Echinocccus granulosus (hydatid cysts), Fasciola hepatica, the metacestodes of Taenia saginata (Cysticercus bovis), Oesophagostomum radiatum, Eurythrema coelomaticum, and Paramphistomum cervi. Gross and microscopic aspects of the lesions caused by these worms are profusely illustrated and a detailed description of both pathological aspects, gross and microscopic, are provide in the hopes that the neophyte veterinary meat inspector can benefit from them in the task of recognition and interpretation of the significance of these lesion both to human and animal health. In regard to the two latter objectives, the life cycle, and the pathogenicity to the animal and human hosts, and the destination of the affected carcass or organ in the line of inspection are discussed for each parasite.

Durante um período de 28 meses (janeiro 2011-abril 2013) foram feitas visitas periódicas a quarto abatedouros frigoríficos de bovinos para colher lesões regularmente encontradas em bovinos abatidos para consumo humano. Trezentas e três lesões foram colhidas, 25% das quais eram causadas por seis parasitas diferentes: o metacestoide de Echinocccus granulosus (cisto hidático), Fasciola hepatica, o metacestoide de Taenia saginata (Cysticercus bovis), Oesophagostomum radiatum, Eurythrema coelomaticum e Paramphistomum cervi. Os aspectos macro e microscópicos causados por esses vermes são profusamente ilustrados e uma descrição macro e microscópicadas lesões é fornecida na esperança de auxiliar o inspetor de carnes iniciante na tarefa de reconhecer e interpretar o significado dessas lesões tanto para a saúde animal quanto para a saúde humana. Com respeito a esses últimos objetivos, o ciclo evolutivo, e os efeitos nos hospedeiros animal e humano, e ainda a destinação da carcaça ou órgão afetado na linha de inspeção, são discutidos para cada parasita.

Genomics of reproduction in parasitic nematodes-fundamental and biotechnological implications.

Understanding reproductive and developmental processes of socioeconomically important parasitic nematodes is of fundamental scientific interest and could have important implications for developing novel methods for parasite control via the disruption or interruption of such processes. Central to investigating reproductive molecular biology is the identification and characterisation of genes with sex-specific expression profiles. However, there is currently a paucity of information on such genes and their expression patterns in parasitic nematodes. This article describes recent progress on the characterisation of sex-specific genes from a parasitic nematode of veterinary importance, and discusses the fundamental scientific and applied implications of this work.