Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity for equine encephalomyelitis virus in horses in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

The present objective was to investigate the presence of anti-equine viral encephalomyelitis (EVE) antibodies and the possible risk factors for its dissemination in horses raised in the East and West Potiguar mesoregions of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Serological diagnosis for neutralizing antibodies against Eastern (EEEV), Western (WEEV) and Venezuelan (VEEV). Equine viral encephalomyelitis was performed using a seroneutralization technique on 811 blood samples from horses from ninety properties and sixteen municipalities between July 2018 and February 2019. Factors associated with EVE were evaluated using an investigative epidemiological questionnaire, and the data were statistically analyzed using the Epi Info 3.5.2 software with a confidence level of 95%. The seroprevalence of anti-EVE antibodies was 14.2% (115), with 10.36% (84) for EEEV, 6.9% (56) for WEEV, and null for EVE. When analyzing risk factors, it can be concluded that horses raised in properties that do not clean installations and/or rent out their pasture are more likely to have anti-EVE antibodies. These results show evidence that horses raised in the East and West Potiguar mesoregions were exposed to EEEV and WEEV, thus reinforcing the importance of vaccination and serological survey of nonvaccinated horses as a means of monitoring the disease.

Characterizing the vaquejada horse herd in the brazilian state of Pernambuco / Caracterização do rebanho pernambucano de equinos de vaquejada

This study aimed to determine the age groups, breeds, and morphological characteristics of horses used in vaquejada competitions, as well as to define how often the animals compete, the results achieved in the contests, and the duration of training. A sample of 1,271 horses used in vaquejada competitions was employed in the study. The first step consisted in interviewing owners to obtain information on the age and breed of the horses, vaquejada circuits in which they compete, frequency of competition in vaquejada, results reached in the trials, and training duration per month, week, and day. The second step obtained 15 linear measurements and calculated eight morphometric indices. The data obtained from the interviews were submitted to descriptive statistical analyses. The linear measurements and morphometric indices were used to compare sexes using a completely randomized experimental design. The results showed that 80.3% of the vaquejada horses were between four and ten years old and that 89% of the animals were of the Quarter Horse. The morphometric measures showed that stallions had higher height at withers, back, and croup and wider heads, chest, and croup than mares and geldings. On the other hand, among the eight indices calculated, only the value of the height at the chest of the stallions was higher than the mean values in mares and geldings. It was found that 79.7% of the horses took part in two to four vaquejada trials a month while 93.3% of the animals underwent fitness training 12 months a year. The results show a predominance of Quarter Horses in the vaquejada contests in Pernambuco and that the trials require the selection of physically larger and stronger stallions. In addition, the animals are submitted to intense training and competition routines.

O estudo objetivou determinar as faixas etárias, raças e características morfológicas dos equinos competidores de vaquejadas em Pernambuco, assim como definir a frequência em que os animais competem, os resultados conquistados nas disputas e a duração dos treinamentos. Foram utilizados 1271 equinos participantes de provas de vaquejada realizadas no sertão e agreste pernambucano. A primeira etapa do trabalho consistiu em uma entrevista aos proprietários dos animais para obter informações sobre a idade dos equinos, raça, circuitos de vaquejada em que competem (oficiais ou não oficiais), frequência de participação em vaquejadas, resultados alcançados nas provas e a duração mensal, semanal e diária dos treinamentos. Na segunda etapa foram mensuradas 15 medidas lineares e calculados oito índices morfométricos. Os dados obtidos a partir das entrevistas foram submetidos à análises estatísticas descritivas. Já as medidas lineares e índices morfométricos foram utilizados para comparar os sexos, por meio de delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso. Os resultados morfométricos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P<0,05). Observou-se que 80,3% dos equinos de vaquejada tinham entre quatro e 10 anos de idade e que 89% dos animais eram da raça Quarto de Milha. Em relação às medidas morfométricas, registrou-se nos garanhões maiores alturas na cernelha, dorso e garupa e maiores larguras de cabeça, peito e garupa que nas éguas e nos machos castrados. Por outro lado, dentre os oito índices calculados, apenas o valor do vazio subesternal dos garanhões foi superior as médias das fêmeas e dos machos castrados. Constatou-se que 79,7% dos equinos participavam de duas a quatro provas de vaquejada por mês e que 93,3% dos animais eram condicionados fisicamente 12 meses por ano. Concluiu-se que nas vaquejadas realizadas no estado de Pernambuco há predomínio de equinos da raça Quarto de Milha, na faixa etária entre quatro e dez anos e as provas exigem seleção de garanhões fisicamente maiores e mais fortes. Além disso, os animais são submetidos a intensas rotinas de competições e treinamento.