Molecular detection of Mycobacterium bovis in cattle herds of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to direct detect Mycobacterium bovis in milk (n = 401) and blood (n = 401) samples collected from 401 dairy cows of 20 properties located in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the region of difference 4 (RD4). Risk factors possibly associated with bovine tuberculosis (BTB) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 802 samples analyzed, one milk (0.25%) and eight blood (2%) samples were positive for M. bovis in the qPCR and their identities were confirmed by sequencing. Animals positive for M. bovis were found in six (30%) of the 20 properties visited. None of the risk factors evaluated were statistically associated with BTB. CONCLUSIONS: M. bovis DNA was detected in one milk sample what may pose a risk to public health because raw milk is commonly consumed in Brazil.

Detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-Trypanosoma vivax em bovinos através do teste de Imunofluorescência indireta / Detection of IgG antibodies against Trypanosoma vivax in cattle by indirect immunofluorescence test

Trypanosoma vivax infecta uma grande variedade de animais ungulados selvagens e domésticos, podendo causar grande impacto na produção de ruminantes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-Trypanosoma vivax em bovinos provenientes do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Para tanto, foram analisadas 2,053 amostras de soro sanguíneo de bovinos provenientes de rebanhos de municípios do estado de Pernambuco, os quais foram analisados através da Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta. Das amostras testadas 13,93% (286/2.053) foram reagentes para anticorpos IgG anti-Trypanosoma vivax. As freqüências, por mesorregião, variaram de 11,90% a 15,99%. Assim, os dados obtidos permitiram a caracterização do estado de Pernambuco como uma área de instabilidade enzoótica e sugere que o estado Pernambuco é área endêmica para Trypanosoma vivax e este parasito está distribuído por todo o estado.

Trypanosoma vivax infects a wide range of wild and domestic ungulates, causing important losses for the livestock industry. The aim of the present study was to assess the detection of IgG antibodies against T. vivax in cattle from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Therefore, we analyzed 2.053 blood serum samples from cattle herds of municipalities in Pernambuco, what was made by Immunofluorescence Assay. The overall seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against T. vivax in cattle was 13.93% (286/2053). The frequencies, by region, varied from 11.90% to 15.99%. Thus, the data obtained allowed to characterize the state of Pernambuco as an area of enzootic instability for T. vivax. The frequency herein reported (i.e., 13.93%) indicates that Pernambuco is an endemic area for T. vivax, this parasite being spread throughout the state.

Serologic survey of infectious diseases in populations of maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) from Aguas Emendadas Ecological Station, Brazil.

Domestic dogs are reservoirs for many infectious diseases and may represent a potential source of infection for wild canid populations. A serologic investigation of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Brucella abortus, and Leptospira spp. was conducted on three maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and seven crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), all free-living, at the Aguas Emendadas Ecological Station (ESECAE), Federal District, Brazil, between February and October 2006. Out of the 10 samples analyzed, eight (80%) were seropositive for T. gondii: 3/3 (100%) of the maned wolves and 5/7 (71.4%) of the crab-eating foxes. None of the animals presented anti-N. caninum, B. abortus, and Leptospira spp. antibodies. This study demonstrated that the wild canid populations at ESECAE presented high exposure to T. gondii and indicated that there is high environmental contamination at the Station, which can be attributed to its proximity to urban zones, the presence of domestic cats in the study area, or the existence of other wild infected felines.

Epidemiological aspects of an infection by Brucella abortus in risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins.

The aim of this paper was to study some epidemiological aspects of the infection by Brucella abortus in risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins. For antibody research, 645 serum samples were analyzed by the complement fixation test (CF). A 4.0% frequency was found (26/645) in patients' serum and among those 4.1% (23/551) were slaughterhouses employees and 8.1% (3/37) rural workers. Of the total positive samples, three (2.0%) were women and 23 (4.7%) men; ten (2.9%) were between the ages of 18 and 30, six (3.4%) between 31 and 40, and nine (8.0%) were above 41 years of age. Risk factors for brucellosis in the study groups were age, background (OR = 2.45; CI 95% = 0.98 to 6.10) and previous work conducted with production animals (OR 2.36; CI 95% = 0.95 to 6.02). It was concluded that the infection by Brucella abortus is found in some risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins, and control and prophylactic measures must be implemented emphasizing risk factors identified in the study.

Epidemiological aspects of an infection by Brucella abortus in risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins

The aim of this paper was to study some epidemiological aspects of the infection by Brucella abortus in risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins. For antibody research, 645 serum samples were analyzed by the complement fixation test (CF). A 4.0 percent frequency was found (26/645) in patients' serum and among those 4.1 percent (23/551) were slaughterhouses employees and 8.1 percent (3/37) rural workers. Of the total positive samples, three (2.0 percent) were women and 23 (4.7 percent) men; ten (2.9 percent) were between the ages of 18 and 30, six (3.4 percent) between 31 and 40, and nine (8.0 percent) were above 41 years of age. Risk factors for brucellosis in the study groups were age, background (OR = 2.45; CI 95 percent = 0.98 to 6.10) and previous work conducted with production animals (OR 2.36; CI 95 percent = 0.95 to 6.02). It was concluded that the infection by Brucella abortus is found in some risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins, and control and prophylactic measures must be implemented emphasizing risk factors identified in the study.

Causas de condenação à inspeção sanitária em abatedouro de bovinos da cidade de Valença, Rio de Janeiro / Condenation at a bovine slaughter-house in the city of Valença, Rio de Janeiro

Objetivou-se demonstrar as causas mais freqüentes de condenação à inspeção sanitária de carne bovina em um abatedouro particular da cidade de Valença, Rio de Janeiro. Os dados referem-se ao total de 151074 animais abatidos no período de janeiro de 1992 a abril de 1997, oriundos de áreas da região sul fluminense e municípios adjacentes do Estado de Minas Gerais. Obteve-se um percentual de 6,78 por cento de condenação, com maior índice para o fígado (5,77 por cento), devido primordialmente à angiomatose (3,31 por cento) e, secundariamente à presença de abscessos (2,45 por cento). Índices menores foram verificados para outras partes afetadas, incluindo, coração, língua, além de carcaças inteiras, pulmão e rim. Excetuando-se as principais causas relacionadas à condenação de fígado, verificou-se que a cisticercose e a tuberculose assumem importância como determinantes de reprovação à inspeção sanitária na área em questão.