Human visceral leishmaniasis: factors associated with deaths in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil from 2006 to 2013.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of cases and the social determinants associated with death from human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and VL-HIV co-infection in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, between 2006 and 2013. Descriptive statistics and analysis of associations were performed using chi-square of the raised variables, such as sex, age, skin colour and schooling of cases of HVL. During the study period, there were 866 cases of HVL with 111 deaths in Belo Horizonte. Morbidity and lethality rates (LR) of HVL in Belo Horizonte remained high over almost all the years evaluated, with an average incidence rate of 4.18 cases/100 000 inhabitants and a LR of 11.16%. With respect to skin colour, it was found that people characterised as black or mulatto had higher morbidity, followed by white. Regarding schooling, LR was more prevalent among individuals with lower education. One of the social risk factors was co-infection with HIV, which was present in many cases of HVL. Furthermore, it was found that older age and the male sex were also risk factors for death from HVL in Belo Horizonte.

Risk factors associated with seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dogs from urban and rural areas of milk and coffee production in Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies and to investigate the risk factors related to seroprevalence in dogs from urban and rural areas with distinct economic activities (milk and coffee production) in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. For this purpose, blood samples from 703 dogs were collected and questionnaires addressing epidemiological aspects were completed by dog-owners. The sera were analysed for anti-N. caninum antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody tests (IFAT ≥ 1:50). Association between epidemiological aspects and seropositivity in dogs was evaluated with multivariate logistic regression models. A total of 80 (11·4%) dogs tested positive for N. caninum. In the multivariate logistic regression models, dogs aged >4 years, dogs used as guard dogs, dogs that spontaneously hunt, and history of bovine abortion were found to be greater risk factors for canine N. caninum infection. When we considered only dogs from rural areas, an association with seroprevalence was seen for milk farms, dogs not fed with commercial food, dogs that hunt, and dogs used as guard dogs.

Dificuldades encontradas pelos pecuaristas na implantação da rastreabilidade bovina / Difficulties encountered by farmers in the implementation of traceability bovine

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar o levantamento das dificuldades encontradas pelos pecuaristas que aderiram ao Serviço de Rastreabilidade da Cadeia Produtiva de Bovinos e Bubalinos (Novo SISBOV). Elaborou-se um formulário qualitativo semiestruturado, contendo 37 questões. Foram entrevistados 130 produtores de gado de corte em três grandes exposições agropecuárias durante o ano de 2009. Desses, aproximadamente 17% (22 produtores) haviam aderido ao novo SISBOV. Foram entrevistados mais 49 pecuaristas em suas respectivas fazendas rastreadas, totalizando assim 179 entrevistas. As principais dificuldades encontradas pelos pecuaristas foram: mudanças frequentes nas normas do novo SISBOV, perda de elemento de identificação, remuneração inadequada pelos animais rastreados por parte dos frigoríficos e instabilidade de mercado.

This research aimed to conduct a survey of the difficulties encountered by farmers who joined the Service of Supply Chain Traceability of Cattle and Buffaloes (New SISBOV). A semi-structured qualitative form containing thirty-seven questions was elaborated. We interviewed 130 beef cattle farmers farming in three major exhibitions during year 2009, among which 17% (22 farmers) had joined the new SISBOV. We interviewed over 49 farmers in their screened farms, thus totaling 179 interviews. The main difficulties encountered by farmers were: frequent changes in new SISBOV rules, loss of proof of identity, inadequate remuneration for animals tracked by the stores and market instability.

Contagem de carrapatos em bovinos no momento do banho carrapaticida em rebanhos leiteiros / Tick (Boophilus microplus) count on bovines at the moment of acaricide hand spray in dairy herds in Brazil

On most cattle breeding farms the acaricide hand spray frequence is determined by the number of ticks on the animals. The objetictive of this study was verify if should have an the level of infestation could be used to determine the necessity to undertake tick control. Tick counts on bovines at the moment of acaricide hand spray were carried out on six dairy farms in Divinópolis - Minas Gerais, Brazil. The number of ticks per animal used to indicate the moment of spraing the acaricides varied from farm to farm and also from animal to animal within a farm