Outbreak of toxoplasmosis associated with muscular lesions in finishing pigs caused by an atypical Toxoplasma gondii genotype.

Toxoplasma gondii infections are usually asymptomatic in pigs, and an acute clinical disease is rare in this host. This study aimed to determine the pathological and molecular aspects of an outbreak of fatal systemic toxoplasmosis in finishing pigs in Brazil. The outbreak occurred on a commercial finishing pig farm in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The farm had 1500 pigs and 3.8% of mortality rate during the outbreak. The pigs had fever, anorexia, apathy, and locomotor deficits. Seven pigs were necropsied. Gross findings included multifocal to coalescent pale areas in skeletal muscles, lymphadenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and non-colapsed lungs. The histological findings included granulomatous lymphadenitis, hepatitis and splenitis, necrotizing myositis, and lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia. Lung and liver lesions were occasionally accompanied by T. gondii parasitic structures. Positive immunolabeling for T. gondii tachyzoites and encysted bradyzoites was detected in all examined pigs. PCR-RFLP (11 markers) and microsatellite analysis (15 markers) identified the non-archetypal genotype #278 in pigs. This is the first report of systemic toxoplasmosis in pigs with muscle lesions and additionally shows the diversity of disease-causing T. gondii genotypes circulating in animals in Brazil.

Pathological and etiological characterization of cases of bovine abortion due to sporadic bacterial and mycotic infections.

Opportunistic bacteria and fungi are commonly reported causes of bovine abortion in a small percentage of fetal losses of infectious etiology in cattle. The objective of this study was to characterize the pathological and etiological findings in fetuses aborted due to secondary bacterial and fungal infections submitted for postmortem examination between 2004 and 2019 in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Nineteen cases of bacterial etiology and five cases of fungal etiology were assessed. In cases of bacterial etiology, gross changes were uncommon and two different microscopic patterns were observed: (1) primary bronchopneumonia with occasional dissemination in cases of Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Mannheimia haemolytica infections; and (2) systemic disease with sepsis in cases of Escherichia coli and Listeria sp. infections. Aspergillus sp. was the main fungal agent identified, and cases of mycotic abortion were characterized by placentitis, dermatitis, and pneumonia. Fetal membranes were available for examination in less than half of the submissions (11/24), and placental lesions were observed in all cases. This study reaffirms the importance of postmortem examinations in the determination of causes of fetal loss in cattle and highlights pathological findings commonly observed in fetuses aborted due to sporadic bacterial and fungal agents.

Alobar Holoprosencephaly in an Aborted American Quarter Horse Fetus.

Holoprosencephaly is a central nervous system malformation, characterized by incomplete or total lack of division of prosencephalon hemispheres, which is commonly accompanied by craniofacial malformations. A 9-month-gestation aborted American Quarter Horse fetus was submitted for postmortem examination. The fetus lacked haircoat and had severe facial malformations including marked shortening/absence of the maxillary, incisive and nasal bones, bilateral anophthalmia, and pre-maxillary agenesis. The prosencephalon was small and nearly spherical, represented by a single lobe, with no visible separation between cerebral hemispheres. The olfactory bulbs, piriform lobes, and the optic chiasm were absent. At cross sectioning of the prosencephalon, the inner structures of the brain were completely absent, and replaced by a monoventricle lined by the remaining compressed cortex, and the thalami were fused. Since mutations in the sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene have been associated with human holoprosencephaly, the three coding SHH exons were sequenced using liver DNA of the aborted foal. The obtained SHH sequence was similar to the Equus caballus SHH mRNA sequence deposited in Genbank (XM_023640069.1); therefore, no polymorphism in the coding region of this gene justifying the phenotype was observed. This is the first report of alobar holoprosencephaly in horses.

Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in aborted bovine fetuses in Brazil.

In the past decade, cases of Q fever have been reported in Brazil. Although the previous report of Coxiella burnetii in humans and animals, the knowledge about the occurrence of this pathogen in livestock in Brazil is scarce. This study aimed to search C. burnetii and possible coinfections in tissues of aborted bovine fetuses from Brazil. Tissue samples from seventy-six aborted bovine fetuses sent to the laboratory of molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases from 2013 to 2019 were evaluated by real-time PCR for C. burnetii. Overall, 9.2% (7/76) of the samples were positive for C. burnetii. Moreover, the molecular diagnostic history of our lab revealed the coinfection with Neospora spp. in three fetuses and the presence of histopathological features suggestive with fetal neosporosis in another one. The previous report of C. burnetii in humans and animals in the country, with the detection of C. burnetii from tissues of aborted bovine fetuses reported here, reinforces the neglected state of the disease in Brazil and raises the question of the role of the pathogen in reproductive disorders in national livestock.

Naegleria fowleri-associated meningoencephalitis in a cow in Southern Brazil-first molecular detection of N. fowleri in Brazil.

Naegleria fowleri, a free-living and thermophilic ameba, is the etiological agent of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). PAM is a rare and highly fatal neurologic disease in humans, and has been rarely documented in animal species. This report describes the pathological and etiological findings of a fatal case of N. fowleri-associated meningoencephalitis in a cow in Southern Brazil. Microscopic findings were consistent with severe, multifocal, hemorrhagic, and necrosuppurative meningoencephalitis associated with a large number of amebic trophozoites compatible with N. fowleri. Brain samples subjected to molecular assays generated a 315 bp fragment, which presented 99% identity with a N. fowleri sequence previously deposited in GenBank. This is the first study reporting the molecular detection of N. fowleri in a case of cattle meningoencephalitis in Latin America, and the obtained sequence represents the first GenBank deposit of N. fowleri identified in Brazil to this day. Additionally, the case reported is the second occurrence of N. fowleri-associated disease in the same city, drawing attention to the local importance of infection by this ameba and potential risk for human infections.

Swine polioencephalomyelitis in Brazil: identification of Teschovirus A, Sapelovirus A, and Enterovirus G in a farm from Southern Brazil.

Porcine encephalomyelitis can be associated with many etiologies, including viral agents, such as Porcine teschovirus (PTV), Porcine sapelovirus (PSV), and Porcine astrovirus (PoAstV). In this study, we investigated the presence of these viruses in a neurological disease outbreak in a swine farm in Southern Brazil. The piglet production farm unity had 1200 weaning piglets, and 40 piglets with neurological signs such as motor incoordination, paresis, and paralysis of hind limbs, with an evolution time of approximately 4 days. Among these, 10 piglets were submitted to postmortem examination. Gross lesions were restricted to a mild enlargement of the nerve roots and ganglia of spinal cord segments. The microscopic lesions were characterized by nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis and ganglioneuritis with evident neuronal degeneration and necrosis. Samples of the central nervous system (CNS), cerebrospinal fluid, and feces were collected and submitted to molecular analysis. PTV was identified in all samples of the CNS, while eight of the piglets were also positive for PSV, and seven were positive for Porcine enterovirus (EV-G). PoAstV was identified in a pool of feces of healthy animals used as controls. This study demonstrates the occurrence of encephalomyelitis associated with PTV on a swine farm in Southern Brazil, as well as the presence of other viruses such as PSV, EV-G, and PoAstV in the swineherd. Sequences of the fragments that were previously amplified by PCR showed a high similarity to PTV 6. Herein, we describe the first case report of severe swine polioencephalomyelitis associated with PTV in South America.

Epidemiological and pathological aspects of salmonellosis in cattle in southern Brazil / Aspectos epidemiológicos e patológicos de salmonelose em bovinos no Sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT: Salmonellosis is a bacterial disease that affects several domestic animal species, and is commonly diagnosed in cattle, horses, and pigs. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and pathological findings of eleven cases of enteric salmonellosis and two cases of salmonellosis with pulmonary involvement in cattle in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Clinical signs included fever, yellow diarrhea, sometimes with blood streaks, and dyspnea, with a clinical course ranging from 1 to 30 days. Eight cases occurred as outbreaks, whereas five cases occurred individually. Risk factors included inadequate handling practices, such as overcrowded facilities and comorbidities, including anaplasmosis. The main gross finding of the enteric presentation was fibrinonecrotic enterocolitis, occasionally associated with button ulcers, mesenteric lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, cholecystitis and hepatomegaly. In addition, one steer with a chronic clinical progression presented severe segmental thickening of the ileum, associated with intestinal rupture and peritonitis. In the respiratory system, the main findings were reddened, non-collapsed lungs, with multifocal areas of atelectasis. The main microscopic findings were observed in the small and large intestines, and these were characterized by severe necrosis and mucosal ulceration, associated with marked inflammatory infiltrate of neutrophils and fibrin deposition intermixed by rod-shaped bacterial aggregates, and fibrosis, as well as interstitial pneumonia. Seven cases yielded positive bacterial cultures for Salmonella spp. and three serovars, namely Typhimurium, Dublin, and Panama were identified. All cases exhibited immunolabeling for Salmonella spp. using immunohistochemistry.

RESUMO: Salmonelose é uma doença bacteriana que afeta inúmeras espécies animais, especialmente os bovinos, os equinos e os suínos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos e patológicos de onze casos de salmonelose entérica e dois de salmonelose pulmonar em bovinos no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os sinais clínicos incluíram febre, diarreia amarelada, por vezes com estrias de sangue, anorexia, perda de peso e dispneia, com curso clínico que variou de um a 30 dias. Em oito casos, a doença ocorreu em forma de surtos e cinco foram individuais. Identificou-se fatores de risco relacionados ao manejo inadequado com os bovinos, como alta lotação, além de comorbidades associadas, como anaplasmose. Os principais achados macroscópicos da forma entérica consistiram em enterocolite fibrinonecrótica, por vezes associada a formação de úlceras botonosas, linfonodos mesentéricos e baço aumentados, colecistite e hepatomegalia. Ainda, um bovino com quadro clínico crônico apresentou acentuado espessamento segmentar da parede do íleo associado a ruptura intestinal e peritonite. Na forma respiratória, os principais achados incluíram pulmões não colabados, avermelhados, com áreas multifocais de atelectasia. Os principais achados microscópicos foram observados no intestino delgado e grosso e foram caracterizados por acentuada necrose e ulceração da mucosa, associada a acentuado infiltrado inflamatório de neutrófilos e deposição de fibrina entremeada por agregados bacterianos cocobacilares e fibrose, além de pneumonia intersticial. Sete casos foram positivos para Salmonella sp. no cultivo bacteriano, com identificação dos sorovares Typhimurium, Dublin e Panama. Ao exame imuno-histoquímico para Salmonella sp. todos os casos apresentaram marcação positiva nos órgãos avaliados.

Campylobacter fetus in abomasal fluid from spontaneously aborted bovine and ovine fetuses

Pregnancy losses are a major concern in livestock industry due to their economic impact on producers. Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus (Cff) and C. fetus subspecies venerealis (Cfv) are directly related to reproductive failures in ruminants. Cff colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of hosts leading to abortion, while Cfv is restricted to genital tract being generally associated to infertility in bovine. Considering the great economic losses related to campylobacteriosis in cattle and ovine herds, this study aims to investigate the occurrence of C. fetus, considering Cff and Cfv subspecies, in bovine and ovine spontaneously aborted fetuses in state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In this study, samples of abomasal fluid collected from 30 spontaneously aborted bovine (n = 18) and ovine (n = 12) fetuses were investigated for the detection of Campylobacter fetus throughout conventional PCR. Positive fetuses for C. fetus presence were further analyzed by molecular assays for Cff and Cfv detection, in order to determine subspecies identification. When available, samples of the main organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavities, as well as the brain, skeletal muscle, eyelid, skin, and placenta were collected for further histopathological analyses and bacterial culture, aiming to assess the presence of infection lesions and pathogens in those sites, respectively. Additionally, RT-qPCR assays were also performed for the detection of ruminant pestivirus, in order to detect bovine viral diarrhea cases. Throughout the present methodology, C. fetus was detected in the abomasal fluid samples of 2 bovine fetuses, being both identified as Cfv subspecies by PCR. Histopathological analyses demonstrated that macroscopic and microscopic changes found in the Cfv-positive animals were not either specific or directly related to Campylobacter infections. Moreover, no significant bacterial growth was observed in microbiological culture from the collected tissues, and both fetuses were negative for ruminant pestivirus. Differently, there was no detection of C. fetus in any of the analyzed ovine fetuses. Considering that abortion diagnosis rates reported in cattle and sheep industry are highly variable among the published studies, and that abortion diagnoses are commonly inconclusive due to difficulties in sampling methodology and inadequate identification of the pathogen involved, it is important to investigate the etiological causes of abortion the herds for better understanding the causes of pregnancy issues and monitoring their occurrence. In addition, the absence of pathognomonic lesions in the tissues investigated in the histopathological analyses observed in this study strongly suggests that well-known etiological agents commonly associated to abortion, such as Leptospira spp., Toxoplasma spp., Chlamydia spp. and Neospora caninum, are unlikely to be the cause of infection of the analyzed fetuses. Taking this into account, the presence of C. fetus in the abomasal fluid samples from two bovine fetuses demonstrated in the present study suggests the possible association of Cfv not only with infertility, but also with cases of bovine abortion, highlighting the importance of investigating unusual causal agents of abortions in sheep and cattle. Overall, an adequate diagnosis is essential for establishing better prevention strategies to avoid the circulation of abortion-related infectious agents in the herds.(AU)

Major cardiac defects in cattle in southern Brazil: retrospective study of necropsies over 20 years (2000-2019) / Principais defeitos cardíacos em bovinos no sul do Brasil: estudo retrospectivo de necropsias em 20 anos (2000-2019)

ABSTRACT: Cardiac malformations are reported to be relatively rare in bovine species, with ventricular septal defects being the most common abnormality observed predominantly in young calves. This report aims to describe the cardiac malformations observed in bovids and review the literature related to those malformations in this species. The necropsy reports of 1,783 bovids were reviewed, and 0.4% were diagnosed with a cardiac congenital defect. The most common cardiac congenital malformation detected in this study was ventricular septal defect, observed alone or associated with other anomalies (in one case, as part of tetralogy of Fallot); followed by atrial septal defect, also alone or with other cardiac malformations. Secondary findings in the lungs and liver were observed in 75% of all cases. Histologic cardiac lesions were identified in 25% of all cases, characterized mainly by fibrosis. Other congenital malformations in different organs were observed in 25% of the cases. Considering the importance of cardiac congenital malformations observed in this study, these conditions should be considered as a differential diagnosis for calves who died with no specific clinical signs. Furthermore, macroscopic evaluation is crucial for the diagnosis of cardiac congenital malformations.

RESUMO: Malformações cardíacas são descritas como relativamente raras para bovinos, e defeitos do septo interventricular são as anomalias mais observadas em bezerros. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os casos de malformações cardíacas observadas em bovinos e uma revisão de literatura sobre estas malformações nesta espécie. Os relatórios de necropsia de 1.783 bovinos foram revisados, e 0,4% destes foram diagnosticados com defeitos cardíacos congênitos. A malformação cardíaca congênita mais diagnosticada neste estudo foi defeito do septo interventricular, observado sozinho ou associado a outras anomalias (em um caso de tetralogia de Fallot); seguida de defeito no septo interatrial, também observado sozinho ou juntamente com outras malformações cardíacas. Lesões secundárias nos pulmões e fígado foram observadas em 75% dos casos. As alterações histológicas no coração, visualizadas em 25% dos casos, foram caracterizadas principalmente por fibrose. Outras malformações congênitas em diferentes órgãos foram identificadas em 25% dos casos. Considerando a importância de malformações cardíacas congênitas observadas neste estudo, estas condições devem ser consideradas como diagnósticos diferenciais para bezerros que morrem sem sinais clínicos específicos. Adicionalmente, a avaliação macroscópica é fundamental para o diagnóstico de malformações cardíacas congênitas.

Bovine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death associated with Babesia bovis and Anaplasma sp. infections in southern Brazil.

Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases widely disseminated in cattle herds in many parts of the world. These diseases represent important causes of death and economic losses in several countries, including Brazil, and are characterized by hemolytic disease and anemia. Animals of all ages may be affected. Although transplacental infections are known to occur, abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death directly associated with Anaplasma marginale and especially Babesia spp. infections have rarely been documented in cattle. The objective of the present study is to describe the pathological and molecular findings of two cases of bovine abortion, two cases of stillbirth and two cases of neonatal death associated with intrauterine anaplasmosis and/or babesiosis in southern Brazil. All cases occurred in beef farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, between 2017 and 2019. Angus and crossbred calves were affected. At the necropsy, the main gross lesions observed included different degrees of splenomegaly, enlarged and yellow liver, thick and grumous bile, pallor or jaundice of mucous membranes and carcass, and dark kidneys. Four calves also presented cherry-pink discoloration of the central nervous system. Cytological slides enabled the observation of intraerythrocytic organisms consistent with Babesia bovis (3/6) and A. marginale (2/6). Through PCR assays, it was possible to detect three cases of Babesia sp. infection alone, and one case of Anaplasma sp. infection alone. Co-infections with Anaplasma sp. and Babesia sp. were detected in two cases. These findings reaffirm that anaplasmosis and babesiosis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of fetal loss, stillbirth and neonatal death in cattle in areas where these diseases occur.

Detection of enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV) in a sheep flock in southern Brazil.

Enzootic nasal tumor (ENT) is a contagious neoplasm associated with enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV), which may induce disease in sheep (ENTV-1) and goats (ENTV-2). This study aimed to describe the occurrence of ENT in two Texel sheep (Ovis aries) from a 75-sheep flock, located in the city of Gravataí, southern Brazil. Animals used to be purchased from different origins, and no specific tests for disease monitoring or quarantine procedure were performed. Affected animals presented respiratory distress, anorexia with severe weight loss, and mucopurulent unilateral nasal discharge. Necropsy was performed in both animals and nasal cavity masses were observed. Histopathological analysis demonstrated an epithelial neoplasm compatible with nasal adenocarcinoma. PCR using a protocol that amplifies a 591 bp sequence of 5'LTR-gag region of ENTV1 was performed followed by DNA sequencing. Both samples were positive, and the sequences obtained presented highest identity (97%) with ENTV strain TN28 (GenBank accession number MH899613) detected in a Texel sheep from Scotland. This is the first report of ENTV-1 leading to enzootic nasal tumor in sheep in Latin America, which confirms the presence of the retrovirus in sheep flocks in the Brazilian territory.

Fibrinous pleuropneumonia caused by Pasteurella multocida associated with bovine lymphoma / Pleuropneumonia fibrinosa causada por Pasteurella multocida associada a linfoma bovino

ABSTRACT: In this work, we describe an unusual case of fibrinous pleuropneumonia caused by Pasteurella multocida associated with generalized lymphadenomegaly in a bovine. The animal had a one-month history of generalized superficial lymphadenomegaly that progressed to anorexia and submandibular oedema, resulting in spontaneous death. At necropsy, the parenchyma of the lymph nodes and multiple organs was obliterated by a dense proliferation of round neoplastic cells (lymphoma). Additionally, the neoplasm presented multifocal areas of haemorrhage and necrosis, characteristic of lymphoma. The parietal and visceral pleura and parietal pericardium were enlarged and covered diffusely with large amounts of a yellowish fibrillary material. The lungs were mildly enlarged, non-collapsed, and firm and exhibited interlobular septae that were thickened with a gelatinous material. Histopathological examination showed that the parietal and visceral pleura were enlarged due to a diffuse and severe inflammatory infiltrate composed of degenerate neutrophils associated with severe fibrin deposition, characteristic of fibrinous pleuropneumonia. Pleura and parietal pericardium fragments were cultivated in aerobic and microaerobic microbiological conditions. Round greyish colonies of gram-negative coccobacilli that were shiny and non-haemolytic were observed in sheep blood agar. The biochemical profile was indicative of Pasteurella spp. Molecular identification was performed by partial 16S rRNA amplification following sequencing. Pasteurella multocida was confirmed as the primary bacterium associated with the bovine fibrinous pleuropneumonia. We are able to infer that the lymphoma caused immunodepression, which increased the animal's susceptibility to atypical infectious microorganisms such as pathogenic P. multocida.

RESUMO: Nesse trabalho, relatamos um caso de pleuropneumonia fibrinossupurativa causada por Pasteurella multocida associada à linfoadenomegalia em um bovino. O animal apresentava aumento generalizado de linfonodos há um mês progredindo para anorexia e edema submandibular por três dias culminando com óbito. Durante a necropsia, tanto dos linfonodos quanto de diversos órgãos evidenciaram proliferação neoplásica de células arredondadas e arranjadas em mantos (linfoma). Adicionalmente, áreas multifocais de hemorragia e necrose, características de linfoma, foram observadas. As pleuras parietal e visceral e pericárdio parietal apresentavam-se espessas e recobertas por acentuada quantidade de fibrina. Os pulmões estavam aumentados, não colabados, firmes e exibiam espessamento com edema moderado de septos interlobulares. À microscopia, cortes da pleura visceral exibiram acentuado infiltrado inflamatório de neutrófilos degenerados com intensa deposição de fibrina, características da pleuropneumonia fibrinossupurativa, além de neovascularização e proliferação de fibroblastos. Amostras de pulmão e da pleura foram cultivadas em aerobiose e microaerobiose. Evidenciou-se o crescimento puro no ágar sangue ovino de colônias redondas, acinzentadas, brilhantes e não-hemolíticas, sendo caracterizadas como cocobacilos gram-negativos. As características bioquímicas do isolado foram condizentes com Pasteurella spp. Procedeu-se a identificação molecular do isolado através da amplificação parcial do gene rRNA 16S com posterior sequenciamento do produto amplificado. Deste modo foi possível a confirmação do isolado como Pasteurella multocida, sendo o agente primário da pleuropneumonia fibrinosa. Com estes dados, podemos afirmar que o linfoma causou um quadro de imunodepressão, a qual aumenta a susceptibilidade dos animais a agentes infecciosos atípicos, como a P. multocida patogênica.

Osteochondroma in a young cat infected by feline leukemia virus / Ostecondroma em um felino jovem infectado pelo vírus da leucemia felina

ABSTRACT: Osteochondromas are primary bone tumors characterized by cartilage-covered bone projections involving single or multiple masses (osteochondromatosis). This study reports the clinical and pathological findings from a young domestic cat with osteochondroma in the humerus. During the clinical evaluation, the animal had pronounced right forelimb musculature atrophy and an increased distal humeral volume. Histopathological examination of the neoplasm revealed a proliferative lesion characterized mostly by endochondral ossification and peripheral foci of proliferating cartilage tissue. Further testing using immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of feline leukemia virus antigens in the hematopoietic cells of the bone marrow and FeLV proviral DNA in the peripheral blood lymphocytes. Clinical and pathological findings are consistent with osteochondroma. This neoplasm occurred in an eight-month-old feline with humeral enlargement that had been present since two months old.

RESUMO: O osteocondroma é um tumor ósseo primário que se caracteriza por apresentar uma projeção óssea recoberta por cartilagem que pode ser formado por uma única ou por múltiplas massas (osteocondromatose). O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever os achados clínicos e patológicos de um felino jovem com osteocondroma no úmero. Na avaliação clínica, o felino apresentava atrofia acentuada da musculatura do membro torácico direito além de um aumento de volume em região distal do úmero. No exame histopatológico, observou-se uma lesão proliferativa composta em sua maior parte por ossificação endocondral com focos periféricos de tecido cartilaginoso proliferado. Testes de imuno-histoquímica e reação em cadeia da polimerase revelaram a presença de antígenos de FeLV em células da linhagem hematopoiética da medula óssea e DNA proviral em linfócitos do sangue periférico, respectivamente. Os achados clínicos e patológicos foram consistentes com um osteocondroma em um felino jovem, com oito meses de idade, com lesão em úmero desde os dois meses de idade.

Causes of bird losses recorded in a captive-bred wild bird flock between 2011 and 2015 / Perdas registradas em um plantel de aves silvestres criadas em cativeiro, entre 2011 e 2015

ABSTRACT: This study discusses the causes of bird deaths recorded in a small aviary dedicated to the breeding of a few exotic, wild bird species. Findings from 28 birds were examined over a period of five years. About 40% of the deaths occurred in the first two weeks after hatching in the two most numerous species in the flock and such losses were mainly a result of starvation caused by inadequate nutritional management. Additionally, 28% of the cases affected recently introduced birds. Despite frequent treatment with anthelmintics; a total of 21% of the deaths in the flock could be attributed to parasitic diseases, most of them in recently acquired birds. Only three of the deaths could be associated with advanced age, all of the further cases were also attributable to management fails. Our results indicated that propagation of these and other species requires an improvement of the management of the newly hatched and newcomer birds to considerably enhance the flock’s performance. Such information may be useful in conservation initiatives and may justify, at least in part, captivity of these animals.

RESUMO: Este estudo discute as causas de morte de aves registradas em um pequeno criadouro de umas poucas espécies de aves silvestres exóticas. As mortes de 28 aves foram examinadas em um período de cinco anos. Cerca de 40% dos casos ocorreram na primeira semana de vida de filhotes das duas espécies mais numerosas no plantel e essas perdas foram consequentes à desnutrição por falhas no manejo nutricional. Outros 28% de casos ocorreram em aves, recentemente introduzidas, ou em fase de adaptação, no criadouro. Ainda que as aves do plantel sejam frequentemente dosificadas com anti-helmínticos, 21% das mortes no plantel foram secundárias a doenças parasitárias; a maioria afetou aves recentemente adquiridas. Exceto por três mortes que foram associadas com desordens atribuídas à idade avançada, todas as demais foram associadas com inadequações no manejo das aves. Esses resultados sugerem que, em sistemas dessa natureza, as aves recém-nascidas e as recém-introduzidas são categorias críticas que demandam concentração de esforços para o atendimento sistemático de suas necessidades. Tais dados podem ser aplicáveis em iniciativas de conservação de outras espécies e podem justificar, ainda que parcialmente, a manutenção desses animais, em cativeiro.