RESUMO
Las patologías podales del bovino son multicausales; entre ellas se cuentan altos niveles de producción y estrés, así como etiologías ambientales, nutricionales, infecciosas, genéticas, razas, estado fisiológico y comportamiento, tanto animal como humano. Están adquiriendo gran importancia debido a la intensificación de la producción. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de enfermedades podales en explotaciones lecheras y en feedlot, así como comparar ambos sistemas de explotación en la región de Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina. A tal fin, se evaluaron 24 tambos en 2005 y un feedlot en 2013 en busca de patologías podales. Los animales que presentaron claudicación se separaron del rodeo y se examinaron clínicamente. Se calculó la prevalencia bruta y por patologías de mayor presentación en ambos tipos de explotación y, además, la proporción según miembro afectado. Se estimaron diferencias entre las prevalencias de cada tipo de producción por medio de Chi cuadrado (p < 0,05) y Razón de Prevalencia. La prevalencia en los 12.132 animales lecheros fue de 2,71% y en los 14.500 de feedlot de 0,57% (Razón de Prevalencia = 4,73; IC 95% = 3,72 a 6,02). La prevalencia de traumatismos en feedlot fue del 0,17% y en los tambos de 0,016% (p < 0,05); la de dermatitis digital fue de 0,69% en los tambos y en feedlot de 0,13% (p < 0,05), mientras la prevalencia de dermatitis interdigital alcanzó 0,81% en los tambos y 0,1% en feedlot (p < 0,05). En ambos sistemas de producción, los miembros más afectados fueron los posteriores (90,4% feedlot y 88,1% tambos). La menor prevalencia de patologías podales en feedlot podría deberse a la baja edad de los animales. No obstante, en los animales de feedlot hay una significativa mayor prevalencia en cuanto traumatismos que en los tambos, mientras que en estos se presentan más casos de dermatitis digital e interdigital.
Cattle hoof diseases have multiple causes, including infectious, genetic and environmental, high yield, stress, nutrition, race, physiological condition, and both animal and human behavior. It is gaining importance due to the production intensification. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the prevalence of hoof diseases in dairy farms and feedlots in Tandil county, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A total of 24 dairy farms in 2005 and a feedlot in 2013 were included in the study. Animals with claudication were separated from the rodeo and clinically examined. Crude prevalence, prevalence by pathologies and by affected members were calculated. Differences between the prevalence of each production systems by Chi square (p < 0.05) and Prevalence Ratio were estimated. The crude prevalence was 2.71% in dairy farms (12,132 animals), and 0.57% in feedlots (14,500 animals) (Prevalence Ratio = 4.73; 95% CI = 3.72% to 6.02%). The trauma prevalence was 0.17% in feedlots and 0.016% in dairy farms (p < 0.05), digital dermatitis (0.69% dairy, feedlot 0.13%; p < 0.05) and interdigital (0.81% dairy, feedlot 0.1%; p < 0.05). In both productions systems, hind limbs were the most affected (feedlot 90.4% and 88.1% dairy). Low prevalence observed in feedlot could be due to the low animal's age. Trauma was prevalent in feedlot animals while digital and interdigital dermatitis were more common in dairy farms.
RESUMO
In order to study the seasonality of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) infection in children, 437 patients under 6 years of age with acute diarrhoea were studied, 8% of whom progressed to HUS. VTEC was found in 10% of all of the stool samples analysed and seasonal occurrence of HUS (p < 0.01) was confirmed. VTEC infection was more prevalent in warm months, although the differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, a significant difference in the detection of O157:H7 serotype and in the vt profile between cold and warm months (autumn and winter; spring and summer, respectively) was established. The O157:H7 serotype was isolated more frequently during warm months. Moreover, a predominance of vt (2) was noted, which was partially replaced by the combination of vt (1) with vt (2) in the cold season. The results of this study indicate the seasonal variation of the disease and the presence of serotype O157:H7 and the vt types. They also reinforce the need to develop prevention programmes considering the seasonal pattern of the disease, which would generate an impact on public health. Control strategies of the pathogen in cattle in the most risky season of the year would also be of benefit.
