First report of genotype #65 of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs.

The aim of the present study was to isolate and genotype Toxoplasma gondii from pigs slaughtered for human consumption in northeastern Brazil. Indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used to screen positive pigs. Tissues samples of animals with antibody titers ≥64 were submitted to bioassay in mice. One isolate of T. gondii was obtained, and the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique, using 11 markers (SAG1, SAG2, altSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c228, c292, L358, PK1, and APICO), was applied to evaluate the genetic variability. DNA from reference strains was used as a positive control. By means of genetic analysis, genotype ToxoDB #65 was identified, which is considered an atypical strain. This is the first record of genotype #65 in pigs. Thus, further studies in this region are necessary to determine the genetic variability of T. gondii in pigs and possible impact on public health.

Isolation of Actinobacillus seminis from a goat with clinical epididymo-orchitis in Brazil.

The present study reports the first isolation of Actinobacillus seminis from a goat in Brazil. A four-year-old Moxotó breeding goat in a flock of 70 goats and 65 sheep reared together in the county of Patos, semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, showed clinical signs of unilateral orchitis and epididymitis. Diagnosis of A. seminis infection was confirmed by association of clinical findings, bacterial isolation and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This result suggests that A. seminis may be an additional cause of infertility in goats, and that sheep may be the source of infection because the mixed farming system allows the contact between sheep and goats in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil.

Detection of Ureaplasma spp. in semen samples from sheep in Brazil.

A study was conducted to verify the presence of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas DNA in sheep semen samples from the State of Pernambuco. The PCR assay was conducted of according with standard protocols with generic primers. Mollicutes DNA was detected in 26.0% and Ureaplasma spp. in 12.0% of semen samples.

Detection of Ureaplasma spp. in semen samples from sheep in Brazil

A study was conducted to verify the presence of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas DNA in sheep semen samples from the State of Pernambuco. The PCR assay was conducted of according with standard protocols with generic primers. Mollicutes DNA was detected in 26.0% and Ureaplasma spp. in 12.0% of semen samples.

Inquérito sorológico e molecular da brucelose canina no município de Natal, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of anti-rough Brucella and anti-smooth Brucella antibodies in dogs from the county of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors associated with positivity and to perform molecular detection of the agent in seropositive animals. Sera from 416 dogs attended in veterinary clinics during the period from March to November 2011 were used. For the serological diagnosis of rough Brucella the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, using antigen of lipopolysaccharides and proteins from Brucella ovis, strain Reo 198, was carried, and for smooth Brucella the buffered plate agglutination test (BPAT) was used. From seropositive animals, blood samples with sodium citrate were collected for the diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Frequency of anti-rough Brucella antibodies was 28.9% (120/416). All animals were negative for anti-smooth Brucella antibodies. Of the 80 seropositive animals Brucella spp. DNA was amplified in three (3.8%). Risk factors associated with the seropositivity were not identified. It was concluded that rough Brucella infection is present in the county of Natal, as well as it is suggested the serological monitoring of animals attended at clinics aiming the identification of sources of infection.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Brucella rugosa e anti-Brucella lisa em cães do município de Natal, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, bem como identificar fatores de risco associados à positividade e realizar a detecção molecular em animais soropositivos. Foram utilizados soros sanguíneos de 416 cães atendidos em clínicas veterinárias durante o período de março a novembro de 2011. Para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por Brucella rugosa, foi empregada a prova de imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA), utilizando antígeno de lipopolissacarídeos e proteínas de Brucella ovis, amostra Reo 198 e, para o diagnóstico da infecção por Brucella lisa, foi utilizado o teste do antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT). De animais soropositivos, foram coletadas amostras de sangue com citrato de sódio para o diagnóstico pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR). A frequência de anticorpos anti-Brucella rugosa foi de 28,9% (120/416). Todos os animais foram negativos para anticorpos anti-Brucella lisa. Dentre 80 animais soropositivos, o DNA de Brucella spp. foi amplificado em três animais (3,8%). Não foram identificados fatores de risco associados à soropositividade. Conclui-se que a infecção por Brucella rugosa está presente no município de Natal, bem como se sugere o monitoramento sorológico de animais atendidos em clínicas visando à identificação de fontes de infecção.

Inquérito sorológico e molecular da brucelose canina no município de Natal, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of anti-rough Brucella and anti-smooth Brucella antibodies in dogs from the county of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors associated with positivity and to perform molecular detection of the agent in seropositive animals. Sera from 416 dogs attended in veterinary clinics during the period from March to November 2011 were used. For the serological diagnosis of rough Brucella the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, using antigen of lipopolysaccharides and proteins from Brucella ovis, strain Reo 198, was carried, and for smooth Brucella the buffered plate agglutination test (BPAT) was used. From seropositive animals, blood samples with sodium citrate were collected for the diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Frequency of anti-rough Brucella antibodies was 28.9% (120/416). All animals were negative for anti-smooth Brucella antibodies. Of the 80 seropositive animals Brucella spp. DNA was amplified in three (3.8%). Risk factors associated with the seropositivity were not identified. It was concluded that rough Brucella infection is present in the county of Natal, as well as it is suggested the serological monitoring of animals attended at clinics aiming the identification of sources of infection.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Brucella rugosa e anti-Brucella lisa em cães do município de Natal, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, bem como identificar fatores de risco associados à positividade e realizar a detecção molecular em animais soropositivos. Foram utilizados soros sanguíneos de 416 cães atendidos em clínicas veterinárias durante o período de março a novembro de 2011. Para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por Brucella rugosa, foi empregada a prova de imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA), utilizando antígeno de lipopolissacarídeos e proteínas de Brucella ovis, amostra Reo 198 e, para o diagnóstico da infecção por Brucella lisa, foi utilizado o teste do antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT). De animais soropositivos, foram coletadas amostras de sangue com citrato de sódio para o diagnóstico pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR). A frequência de anticorpos anti-Brucella rugosa foi de 28,9% (120/416). Todos os animais foram negativos para anticorpos anti-Brucella lisa. Dentre 80 animais soropositivos, o DNA de Brucella spp. foi amplificado em três animais (3,8%). Não foram identificados fatores de risco associados à soropositividade. Conclui-se que a infecção por Brucella rugosa está presente no município de Natal, bem como se sugere o monitoramento sorológico de animais atendidos em clínicas visando à identificação de fontes de infecção.