Livestock rabies in Pará state, Brazil: a descriptive study (2004 to 2013) / Raiva em herbívoros no estado do Pará, Brasil: estudo descritivo (2004 a 2013)

Rabies is an important zoonosis to public health associated with lethal encephalitis and economic losses. Analysis of its spatial distribution is a meaningful tool in understanding its dispersion, which may contribute to the control and prophylaxis of the disease. This study analyzed the spatial-temporal distribution of rabies outbreaks in livestock in Pará state, Brazil, from 2004 to 2013. We used records of neurological syndromes obtained from the state's livestock authority (Adepará). The analysis recorded 711 neurological syndromes reports in livestock, of which 32.8% were positive for rabies. In 8% of the neurological syndromes (n=57) was not possible to perform the analysis because of bad-packaging conditions of the samples sent. Outbreaks involved at least 1,179 animals and cattle were the most affected animal species (76.8%). The numbers of reported neurological syndromes and of rabies outbreak shad strong positive correlation and exhibited decreasing linear trend. Spatially, most outbreaks occurred in two mesoregions in Pará (Northeast and Southeast). One of the justifications for this spatial distribution may be related with the distribution of the animals in the state, since these mesoregions are the largest cattle producers in Pará and have most of their territory deforested for pasture implementation.(AU)

A raiva é uma zoonose importante para a saúde pública associada à encefalite letal e às perdas econômicas. A análise de sua distribuição espacial é uma ferramenta importante no entendimento de sua dispersão, o que pode contribuir para o controle e a profilaxia da doença. Este estudo analisou a distribuição espaço-temporal do surto de raiva em rebanhos no estado do Pará, Brasil, entre 2004 e 2013. Foram utilizados registros de síndromes neurológicas obtidas junto à agência de defesa agropecuária do estado (Adepará). A análise revelou 711 notificações de síndromes neurológicas em herbívoros, das quais 32,8% foram positivas para raiva. Em 8% das síndromes neurológicas (n=57) não foi possível realizar as análises devido às más condições das amostras enviadas. Surtos envolveram pelo menos 1.179 animais e os bovinos foram a espécie animal mais afetada (76,8%). Os números de síndromes neurológicas relatadas e de surtos de raiva apresentam forte correlação positiva e exibem tendência linear decrescente. Espacialmente, a maioria dos surtos ocorreu em duas mesorregiões no Pará (Nordeste e Sudeste). Uma das justificativas para essa distribuição espacial pode estar relacionada à distribuição dos animais no estado, uma vez que essas mesorregiões são os maiores produtores de gado do Pará e possuem grande parte do seu território desflorestado para implantação de pastagens.(AU)

The effect of temperature and fasting period on the viability of free-living females of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions.

Little is known about the effect of temperature on viability of free-living phases of the life cycle of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) despite of its importance as vector of several pathogens. Knowledge of the effect of abiotic factors on the capacity of a given tick species to infest new hosts is important for routine experimental activities under laboratory conditions, and may be relevant to understand the transmission of pathogens. The study evaluates the viability of R. sanguineus females held at 18 +/- 1, 27 +/- 1 and 32 +/- 1 degrees C and 80 +/- 5% RH (saturation deficits of 3.0, 5.3 and 7.2 mmHg, respectively) for three fasting periods (3 and 20 days and the day when female mortality reached approximately 50% after ecdysis), under laboratory conditions. In general, the best result on viability was obtained when rabbits were infested with unfed female ticks after three or 20 fasting days at both 27 +/- 1 and 32 +/- 1 degrees C and 80 +/- 5% RH.