Seroprevalence and risk factors for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dairy cattle from São Paulo State, Brazil.

Neospora caninum is a major cause of reproductive loss in cattle worldwide as it leads to abortion and animal repositioning. Although Toxoplasma gondii does not cause a reproductive problem in cattle, consuming raw or uncooked beef poses the risk of transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies in dairy cattle in the West and Northwest regions of São Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 653 serum samples from dairy cows were analyzed using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Epidemiological data from the farms were associated with the serological results of the animals by logistic regression based on the presence of antibodies. The frequencies of the antibodies against N. caninum and T. gondii were 41.6% (272/653) and 11.5% (75/653), respectively. A statistically significant association was observed between: the serum anti-N. caninum antibodies and breed, history of food supplementation for calves, introduction of outside animals that later presented reproductive problems, and history of reproductive problems by the trimester of gestation. The present study highlights the importance of neosporosis in dairy cattle in the study regions and that the inclusion of this parasite in the investigation of animals with reproductive disorders is important.

Nutrient intake, digestibility and ruminal characteristics of lambs supplemented with probiotic.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of different levels of probiotic in the diets of lambs, on ruminal characteristics, intake and digestibility of nutrients. The treatments were 0 (control group), 2, 4 and 6 g/day of probiotic doses, supplied orally and individually to the lambs. Four crossbred Santa Inês X Texel lambs were used, and the experimental design was a Latin square, with four treatments and four periods. Samples of diet, orts, feces, and ruminal fluid were collected from each animal. Intake and apparent digestibility variables were not different (p > 0.05) among the levels of probiotic evaluated. The average daily feed intake of lambs ranged from 1.27 to 1.28 kg of DM/day, and no significant differences (p > 0.05) were obtained between the levels of probiotics used in the diet. The percentage distribution of protozoa was not significant according to the different doses of probiotics used. A positive linear effect was obtained between the pH of the rumen fluid and the probiotic used, indicating that the highest pH values were obtained when the animals received the higher dose of 6 g probiotic; indicative that its use provides a ruminal environment closer to neutrality. The methylene blue reduction test in ruminal fluid samples did not differ between the different doses of probiotics used. The increasing levels of the probiotic in the diet of lambs are related to an increase in ruminal pH, without changing the levels of intake and digestibility of nutrients.

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the practices and biosecurity measures of veterinary medicine professionals in Brazil.

Veterinarians, among other health professionals, are considered health professionals at high risk of exposure to and contraction of COVID-19. The main objective of this study is to assess changes in the clinical practices of veterinarians during the COVID-19 pandemic around prophylactic and biosafety measures, as well as to evaluate changes in workload and cost-benefit ratio. An online questionnaire was sent to veterinary professionals from July 2020 to July 2021 using Google Forms. A total of 1134 veterinarians answered the questionnaire on clinical experiences and biosafety practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterinarians changed their routine clinical practices, as there was a reduction in working hours, and applied new patient approaches and advice to their owners, as well as restricting the number of people allowed inside. Biosafety measures were added in their workplaces, with an increase in the use of personal protective equipment. COVID-19 tests were administered at least once in 19.0%, and more than once in 9.5% of the respondents. Flu symptoms were present in 23.8% of the respondents, and 31.0% of the veterinarians attended to COVID-19 positive pet owners. Therefore, most veterinarians altered their routine practices, and some were exposed to sources of COVID-19 infection.

Os médicos veterinários, entre outros profissionais de saúde, são considerados profissionais de saúde sob alto risco de exposição e contração do COVID-19. O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi avaliar as mudanças na prática clínica de médicos veterinários durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em torno das medidas profiláticas e de biossegurança, assim como avaliar as mudanças na carga de trabalho e a relação custo-benefício. De julho a dezembro de 2020, um questionário online foi enviado aos profissionais por meio da ferramenta Formulários Google. Um total de 1.134 veterinários responderam ao questionário relacionado às experiências clínicas e práticas de biossegurança durante a pandemia COVID-19. Os médicos veterinários mudaram suas práticas clínicas rotineiras, pois houve redução da jornada de trabalho, novas abordagens dos pacientes e orientações aos proprietários, além da restrição do número de pessoas nos locais. Medidas de biossegurança foram adicionadas aos locais de trabalho, com aumento do uso de equipamentos de proteção individual. Os testes COVID-19 foram realizados pelo menos uma vez em 19,0% e mais de uma vez em 9,5% dos entrevistados. Sintomas de gripe estavam presentes em 23,8% dos profissionais entrevistados e 31,0% dos veterinários atendiam tratadores de animais positivos para COVID-19. Portanto, a maioria dos veterinários alterou suas práticas de rotina e alguns foram expostos a fontes de infecção COVID-19.

Congenital Neurological Disease Associated With HoBi-like Pestivirus Infection in a Newborn Dairy Calf From Brazil.

HoBi-like pestivirus (HoBiPeV) has been reported in several biological samples from cattle worldwide, but there are no descriptions of this virus associated with neurological symptoms. This report described the first occurrence of neurological disease associated with HoBiPeV in a newborn dairy calf. A mixed-breed Holstein calf had severe neurological symptoms at birth and died at 21 days old. The tissue fragments (central nervous system (CNS), myocardium, liver, kidney, lung, intestine, and spleen) were submitted to reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay for the partial 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR) and N-terminal autoprotease (Npro) gene of the pestivirus genome, and the CNS tissue fragments were submitted to histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. The RT-PCR assay indicated that the kidney, CNS, and intestinal tissue fragments were positive for the pestivirus 5'UTR, and the CNS and intestinal tissue fragments were positive for the pestivirus Npro gene. Amplicons with high DNA quantification in the 5'UTR (CNS-cerebral cortex) and Npro (CNS-cerebral cortex and intestine) RT-PCR assays were sequenced. The nucleotide (nt) sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the 5'UTR strain exhibited 93.6 to 99.4%, 85%, 89.4 to 89.9%, 85.1%, and 90.5 to 91.5% nt identity with HoBiPeV strains from clades a, b, c, d, and e, respectively. The Npro amplicons showed 99.7% nt identity to each other and 90.4 to 96.5%, 85.1 to 85.3%, 79.2 to 79.7%, and 85.8 to 86.5% nt identity with HoBiPeV strains from clades a, c, d, and e, respectively. A histopathology revealed neuronal necrosis at the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. An immunohistochemical assay designed to identify antigens of bovine viral diarrhea virus revealed positive intracytoplasmic immunoreactivity within neurons at the cerebral cortex, cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord. Thus, this report provides information about the first identification of HoBiPeV in tissues of the CNS in a newborn dairy calf with neurological symptoms.

Viability of the use of mycotoxin adsorbent in the finishing of Texel lambs in confinement.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability of a mycotoxin adsorbent based on beta-glucans from cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bentonites in the diets of confined lambs of the Texel breed. Twenty-four lambs (12 males and 12 females) with an average weight of 18.6 kg ± 1.6 were divided into two groups: treated (with adsorbent) and control. The animal diets contained the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1 and B2, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in concentrations within guidance levels. The animals were slaughtered with body weight of approximately 26.4 kg. The performance and carcass variables of the lambs were evaluated. The daily weight gain was higher in the treated group (216.24 g) than in the control group (185.90 g). The averages for loin eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and marbling were 13.93 cm2, 2.66 mm, and 3.20 in the treated group and 12.16 cm2, 2.6 mm, and 3.25 in the control group, respectively. The true, hot, and cold carcass yield, and the carcass cooling losses did not differ between groups. The carcasses were similar in conformation and fat finishing degree, with averages of 3.95 and 3.83, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of a mycotoxin additive in the diet of finishing lambs. The use of mycotoxin adsorbent in confined lambs was feasible, and its use resulted in greater daily weight gain in lambs and average net profit.

Bluetongue disease in sheep: a review / O vírus da língua azul em ovinos: uma revisão

The present review aims to show the main aspects related to bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in sheep. The bluetongue (BT) is a viral, infectious, and non-contagious disease caused by a virus (BTV) of the Orbivirus genus, transmited by a hematophagous vector of the Culicoides genus, to domestic and wild ruminants, mainly to sheep, the most susceptible species. It is caused by the association of endemic with climate conditions, with high temperatures and humidity. Economic loss is directly linked to death, abortion, weight loss, loss of milk, and meat production, and, indirectly, to the restriction on the export of animals and their by-products. The study concludes that the BTV is worldwidely spread, and probably persists due to the warm and humid climate that leads to the proliferation of Culicoides sp., being necessary to adopt measures that reduce the risk factors associated to the BTV infection.(AU)

A presente revisão objetivou apresentar os principais aspectos relacionados à infecção causada pelo vírus da língua azul em ovinos. A língua azul é uma doença viral, infecciosa e não contagiosa, causada por um vírus (BTV) do gênero Orbivírus, transmitida por meio de vetores hematófagos do gênero Culicoides a ruminantes domésticos e selvagens, principalmente aos ovinos, a espécie mais susceptível. A infecção ocorre de forma endêmica, associada a condições climáticas com elevada temperatura e umidade. As perdas econômicas estão ligadas diretamente à morte, ao abortamento, à perda de peso, à perda na produção de leite e carne, e, indiretamente, devido à restrição na exportação de animais e seus subprodutos. O estudo conclui que a língua azul está disseminada mundialmente e persiste, provavelmente, devido ao clima quente e úmido que propicia a proliferação de Culicoides sp., sendo necessário adotar medidas que diminuam os fatores de risco associados à infecção pelo vírus.(AU)