Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in seabirds collected along the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are two closely related protozoans that infect a wide range of animals, including birds. However, the occurrence of N. caninum and T. gondii in seabirds is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the presence of T. gondii and N. caninum DNA in tissue samples of seabirds. Tissue samples of the pectoral muscles, heart, and brain were collected from 47 birds along the coastline of Santa Catarina State, SC, Brazil. The DNA was extracted from the tissues and screened using nested-PCR (nPCR) targeting internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). T. gondii DNA was detected in tissues from seven seabirds (7/47, 14.8%), kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) (5/21), and Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) (2/8). N. caninum DNA was detected in tissues of nine seabirds (9/47, 19.1%), the kelp gull (L. dominicanus) (4/21), Manx shearwater (P. puffinus) (2/8), neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) (1/4), brown booby (Sula leucogaster) (1/5), and white-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) (1/1); however, no co-infection was observed. In conclusion, this study showed the circulation of N. caninum and T. gondii in seabirds along the coastline of Santa Catarina State. Further studies are required to clarify the role of these birds in the epidemiology of neosporosis and toxoplasmosis.

Applying different morphometric intestinal mucosa methods and the correlation with broilers performance under Eimeria challenge.

The intestinal wall has on its surface, protrusions called villi that are responsible for the absorption of nutrients. Commonly, these structures have their dimensions measured to related more area surface with better absorption. However, the measurement of these villi neglects the inflammation and the presence of immature cells that increase the surface area but affect negatively the absorption and compromise the animal performance. The measurements of villi/crypt are traditional tools in animal research; however, they may overlook alterations that impact the mucosal functionality. This study aimed to compare the morphometry of the intestinal villi/crypt with the I See Inside (ISI) scoring methodology, exploring their correlation with zootechnical performance. Therefore, broilers were grouped as nonchallenged (NC) and challenged with Eimeria (CH) and jejunum samples were collected at 22 d for histological analysis. The same villi were submitted to the ISI methodology, which is based on the scoring of 8 parameters related to the inflammatory process, and the measurements of villus height (VH), villus width (VW), crypt depth (CD), crypt width (CW), VH:CD ratio and villi absorptive surface (VAS). The CH group presented higher ISI total score, VW, CD, CW and lower VH, VH:CD, and VAS in comparison to the NC group. While the villi/crypt morphometry did not exhibit correlations with performance, the presence of Eimeria oocysts and the ISI total score was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the feed conversion ratio (FCR), demonstrating a statistical interaction between high ISI scores and worse performance. In conclusion, a larger villus is not related to better intestinal functionality when this enlargement is unleashed by the immune processes occurring inside. The scoring system that evaluates the type of alteration observed has a direct impact on the animal's zootechnical performance which is not observed with the single metric surface evaluation.

Molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. in seabirds from southern Brazil.

Sarcocystis spp. are cyst forming apicomplexan parasites that infect many vertebrates including birds. Sarcocystis spp. infection was investigated in tissue samples (pectoral muscles, heart, and brain) of 47 dead seabirds collected from the coastline of Santa Catarina State SC - Brazil, between August 2019 and March 2020. A portion of each tissue was fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathologic analysis while DNA was extracted from another portion and screened using nested-PCR targeting ITS1. Based on molecular analysis, Sarcocystis spp. were identified in 15/47 (31.9%) seabirds of five species, kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and great skua (Stercorarius skua). Microscopically visible sarcocysts were observed only in the pectoral muscle of four seabirds 8.5% (4/47), while in one brown booby, sarcocysts were seen in both pectoral and cardiac muscles. Two types of sarcocysts, thin walled (≤1 µm) and thick-walled (≥ 2 µm) were identified. Based on ITS1 sequence comparison, S. halieti, S. falcatula and three not yet described Sarcocystis spp. were detected. Phylogenetically, S. falcatula isolates were classified as two distinct clusters. This is the first confirmation of S. halieti in seabird's species in South America and S. falcatula in birds of the order Charadriiformes. Further molecular studies are needed to understand the epidemiology of the Sarcocystis spp. infection and its impact on the health of seabirds.

Detection of Neospora spp. and Sarcocystis neurona in amniotic fluid and placentas from mares.

The closely related apicomplexa protozoa, Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp., and Sarcocystis neurona, have all been associated with neurological and reproductive diseases in horses. However, there is limited data regarding the presence of these three parasites in equine placental tissues and amniotic fluid. The aim of the present report was to investigate the presence of the DNA of T. gondii, Neospora spp. and S. neurona in placentas and amniotic fluid in mares. Anti-T. gondii, anti- S. neurona and anti- Neospora spp. antibody titers were evaluated in 31 mares in the final third of pregnancy by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The presence of parasite DNA in placentas and amniotic fluid was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using two target loci (ITS1 and Nc5). No antibodies to were identified nor was any T. gondii DNA detected in any mare. Antibodies to Neospora spp. were found in 6 mares (19.35 %) and DNA from this protozoan was detected in four placentas (12.9 %) and in five amniotic fluid samples (16.6 %). Antibodies to Sarcocystis spp. were detected in nine mares and S. neurona DNA was found in only one placenta (3.23 %). Our results suggest that the transplacental route may be a potential source of Neospora caninum infection in mares. Further studies are needed to understand the role of transplacental transmission in the epidemiology of these protozoa.

Utilização de abraçadeiras de náilon 6.6 (poliamida) como método de ligadura de pedículos ovarianos e coto uterino em ovário-histerectomia eletiva em cadelas (Canis familiaris) / The efficiency of nylon 6.6 (polyamide) cable ties as a method for massive ligatures of ovarian pedicles and uterine stubs in ovariohysterectomy of bitches (Canis familiaris) / Utilización de abrazaderas de nylon 6.6 (poliamida) como método de ligadura de pedículos de ovario y coto uterino en ovariohisterectomía electiva en perras (Canis familiaris)

Avaliou-se a utilização de abraçadeiras de náilon 6.6 (poliamida) em ovário-histerectomia de cadelas, como método de ligadura vascular de pedículos ovarianos e cotos uterinos, levando em consideração os parâmetros tempo cirúrgico, custo, segurança e biocompatibilidade. Foram operadas vinte cadelas semidomiciliadas, a maioria sem raça definida, pesando de 3,5 a 22,0 (9,57 ± 5,62) Kg, e com idades variando entre seis e 96 (37,0 ± 25,12) meses. Todas foram avaliadas antes do procedimento e 7, 14 e 21 dias após, por meio de exames físico e laboratorial (volume globular, contagem relativa de monócitos, proteína plasmática total e fibrinogênio). As abraçadeiras foram esterilizadas por autoclavagem e as pacientes induzidas com anestesia geral dissociativa (tiletamina, zolazepam e xilazina) e anestesia regional epidural com lidocaína. A técnica cirúrgica empregada foi a laparatomia retroumbilical mediana. No período pós-operatório, não se observaram óbitos ou quaisquer complicações que pudessem estar relacionadas ao procedimento. Quarenta e cinco dias após a realização da cirurgia, cinco cadelas (25,0%) foram reoperadas para verificação das alterações macroscópicas das estruturas da cavidade abdominal e colheita de fragmentos de cotos uterinos e pedículos ovarianos, juntamente com as abraçadeiras implantadas, para realização de exame histopatológico. As reações teciduais macroscópicas observadas foram discretas, com as estruturas apresentando coloração e consistência aparentemente normais, sem presença de pus ou fibrina. Não se observaram exsudato ou aderências entre alças intestinais, indicando que não houve hemorragias significativas durante o procedimento cirúrgico. Microscopicamente, encontrou-se resposta tecidual caracterizada por cápsula distinta e não extensa de tecido fibroso, fibrose imatura e inflamação subaguda no tecido adiposo em torno da abraçadeira. O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 11 minutos por paciente, e o custo individual médio ...

The efficiency of nylon 6.6 (polyamide) cable ties as a method for massive ligatures of ovarian pedicles and uterine stubs in ovariohysterectomy of bitches was evaluated. The following parameters were considered: cost of the procedure, surgical time, complications associated to the procedure and easiness of use, safety, and biocompatibility of the nylon ties. Twenty bitches weighing 3.5 to 22.0 kg (9.57 ± 5.62), with ages varying from six to 96 months (37.0 ± 25.12) were used. The bitches were evaluated immediately before and at seven, 14 and 21 days after surgery by physical and laboratory examinations (globular volume, monocytes relative count, total plasma protein and fibrinogen). The nylon ties were sterilized by autoclaving and the patients were submitted to dissociative anesthesia (tiletamine, zolazepam, and xylazine) and regional epidural anesthesia with lidocaine. The surgery was carried through a standard midline retroumbilical laparotomy. Forty-five days after the surgery, five patients (25.0%) were submitted to laparatomy to examine the abdominal cavity and to collect samples of uterine stubs and ovarian pedicles for histopathology. The following results were obtained. All surgeries were uneventful and conducted without complications, the average surgical time was 10.65 minute and the individual cost per procedure was U$ 18.50. All the ovarian pedicles and uterine stubs were adequately healed and none of the patients had fibrin tags or adhesions between intestinal loops, which would indicate hemorrhages during the previous surgical procedure. Histologically there was a distinct non-extensive tissue reaction characterized by fibrosis and subacute inflammation in the tissue around the nylon ties. It was concluded that the use of nylon cable ties is a non expensive, fast, safe and efficient method for hemostasis in ovariohysterectomy for population control in bitches.

Se evaluó la utilización de abrazaderas de nylon 6.6 (poliamida) en ovariohisterectomía de perras, como método de ligadura vascular de pedículos de ovario y coto uterino, considerando los parámetros tiempo quirúrgico, costo, seguridad y biocompatibilidad. Fueron operadas veinte perras semidomiciliadas, la mayoría sin raza definida, pesando de 3,5 a 22,0 (9,57 ± 5,62) Kg, y con edades variando entre 6 y 96 (37,0 ± 25,12) meses. Todas fueron evaluadas antes del procedimiento y 7, 14 y 21 días después, por medio de examen físico y de laboratorio (volumen globular, cómputo relativo de monocitos, proteína plasmática total y fibrinogenio). Las abrazaderas fueron esterilizadas por autoclave y las pacientes inducidas con anestesia general disociativa (tiletamina, zolazepam y xilacina) y anestesia regional epidural con lidocaína. La técnica quirúrgica empleada fue laparotomía retroumbilical mediana. En el periodo pos-operatorio, no se observaron muertes o cualquier complicación relacionada al procedimiento. Cuarenta y cinco días después, cinco perras (25,0%) fueron nuevamente operadas para verificación de las alteraciones macroscópicas de las estructuras de la cavidad abdominal y colección de fragmentos de cotos uterinos y pedículos de ovario, juntamente con las abrazaderas implantadas, para realización de examen histopatológico. Las reacciones tejiduales macroscópicas observadas fueron discretas, con las estructuras presentando color y consistencia aparentemente normales, sin presencia de pus o fibrina. No se observó exudación o adherencias en intestinos, indicando que no hubo hemorragias significativas durante el procedimiento quirúrgico. Microscópicamente se encontró respuesta tejidual caracterizada por cápsula distinta y no extensa de tejido fibroso, fibrosis inmatura e inflamación subaguda en el tejido adiposo alrededor de la abrazadera. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 11 minutos por paciente, y el costo individual promedio de cada procedimiento fue de ...

Doenças do sistema nervoso central em bovinos no Sul do Brasil / Central nervous system diseases in cattle of southern Brazil

Um estudo retrospectivo foi realizado em 6.021 necropsias de bovinos realizadas num período de 36 anos no Sul do Brasil. Desses, 552 (9,16%) apresentaram sinais clínicos de distúrbios nervosos e seus protocolos foram revisados para colher informações sobre os diagnósticos macro e microscópicos, etiologia e sinais clínicos. Em 147 casos (26,63% de 552) não havia lesões significativas no sistema nervoso central, em 79 (14,31% de 552) o sistema nervoso não havia sido enviado e em 21 (3,81% de 552) os tecidos foram submetidos autolisados, apresentando-se impróprios para o diagnóstico histológico. As lesões encontradas nos restantes 305 casos foram classificadas como inflamatórias, degenerativas, circulatórias, congênitas e neoplásicas. As lesões inflamatórias constituíram a maior categoria (66,89% de 305 casos). Essa categoria foi subdividida em lesões inflamatórias produzidas por vírus (57,38% de 305 casos) e por bactérias (9,51% de 305 casos). As três doenças causadas por vírus foram raiva (49,51% de 305 casos), meningoencefalite necrosante por herpesvírus bovino (4,59% de 305 casos) e febre catarral maligna (3,28% de 305 casos). As alterações degenerativas foram representadas por 74 casos (24,26% de 305 casos). Condições incluídas nessa categoria foram status spongiosus causado por insuficiência hepática relacionada à intoxicação por Senecio spp (10,49% de 305 casos) ou ao efeito direto da intoxicação por Ateleia glazioviana (0,33% de 305 casos), casos de insuficiência hepática sem alterações morfológicas no cérebro (2,95% de 305 casos), mielomalácia por compressão da medula (2,62% de 305 casos), degeneração neuronal primária na intoxicação por Solanum fastigiatum (2,29% de 305 casos), polioencefalomalácia (1,97% de 305 casos), tétano (1,31% de 305 casos) e coccidiose intestinal em terneiros, cetose e botulismo com um caso cada (0,33% de 305 casos)...