Aetiology and histopathology of bovine mastitis of espontaneous occurrence.

Infectious bovine mastitis is responsible for serious economic losses in dairy cattle breeding. Information about the damages caused by micro-organisms is of great interest and importance. The purpose of the present study was to report on the microbiological and histopathological aspects of the mammary parenchymas of slaughtered dairy cows. A total of 184 mammary glands were examined and samples of mammary parenchyma were collected for microbiological and histopathological examinations. Micro-organisms were isolated from 69.6% samples; 23 (12.5%) of the 184 samples did not show histological changes; inflammatory response was observed in 56 (30.4%) samples; inflammatory response and repair were present in 82 (44.6%) samples; repair process was verified in 23 (12.5%) of the mammary glands. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci were observed in 53.8% of the samples followed by coagulase-positive Staphylococci (7.6%), Prototheca sp. (2.2%) and Streptococcus dysgalactiae (1.6%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and coagulase-positive Staphylococci were associated mainly to chronic inflammatory response and chronic inflammatory response and repair. Samples from which no micro-organisms were isolated (n = 56) had no histological changes in 82.6% of the cases. These results were higher (P < 0.05) when compared to the samples with micro-organisms and without histological changes (17.4%).

An increased incidence of mastitis caused by Prototheca species and Nocardia species on a farm in São Paulo, Brazil.

Mastitis caused by Prototheca spp or Nocardia spp is considered to be difficult to treat. Both microorganisms are contaminants commonly found in soil. The occurrence of mastitis caused by these agents was studied in a particular dairy farm. In this herd, the animals were kept at pasture overnight and during daytime were brought to a pen where they were fed. This pen accumulated mud and faeces, particularly in the rainy season. During milking, pre-dipping of the teats was performed with an iodide solution, but they were not washed, so a layer of soil and faeces remained which may have contaminated the milking equipment. The herd comprised 91 lactating animals and 47 dry cows. For microbiological examination, 107 milk samples were collected from lactating cows and 186 samples of mammary secretions from the dry cows. Prototheca spp were isolated from 14.55% of the milk samples and Nocardia spp from 4.55%. Prototheca spp were isolated from 8.06% of the secretion samples from dry cows and Nocardia spp were isolated from 2.15% samples. The high occurrence of mastitis due to these environmental agents reflects the problem of keeping animals in muddy pastures and pens, and the defective pre-milking hygiene for the teats.

Health problems of Callithrix jacchus in captivity.

A 20-year retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of diseases occurring in 265 (155 males and 110 females) common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), kept at the São Paulo Zoo. A total of 564 clinical disorders were detected: digestive problems, 50.2% (protozoa, 44.3%; helminths, 26.3%; bacteria, 7.0%; non-especific causes, 22.4%); respiratory problems (pneumonia), 16.3%; injuries, 13.8%; nutritional deficiency, 4.4%; reproductive problems (obstetrical) 2.5%; septicemia, 1.6%; circulatory problems, 1.6%; sporadic cases, 4.0%; inconclusive cases, 5.5%. Little attention has been paid to the sanitary care of marmosets in Brazil. Since most of the available information comes from the international literature, the occurrence of major diseases and their etiological agents in Brazil are relevant data.

Isolation of Brucella canis.

These strains of Brucella canis were isolated from seropositive dogs: The strains ES 11/78, from a kennel dog, and the strains 215/79 and Pr/79, from stray dogs. The isolates were identified through the morphological, staining and biochemical characteristics (of the agent) as well as serologically, by the use of the isolated strains as antigen against the hyperimmune serum.

Bovine experimental paracoccidioidomycosis intradermic test standardization.

Three intratesticulary inoculated bovines revealed to be susceptible to experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. The experimental infection was self limited with no tendency to dissemination during a follow up period of five months. The histopathologic lesions characterized by granulomatous inflammatory foci, associated or not to necrosis, were found in the testicles, spermatic cords and testicular tunicae. In some of both lesions types the yeast cells of P. brasiliensis were present. The experimental infection did not cure in a follow up period of five months. The immunological response either cellular or humoral were delayed in relation to what happens in other animal species. The three experimentally infected bovines were utilized for some standardization of the paracoccidioidin intradermic test. A type and dose of an antigen which gives a clear reading for the positive tests was determined. The humoral responses were detected mainly by the complement fixation reaction. It was not possible to demonstrate humoral antibodies by the agar immunodiffusion test.