High prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in beef cattle in Midwestern Brazil.

The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA-IgG) in 3,814 cows aged ≥ 24 months belonging to 353 beef farms in the Mato Grosso state. Additionally, we aimed to identify the possible risk factors associated with seropositivity in Mato Grosso, which encompasses three biomes (Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal) of Brazil. Analysis of 3,814 samples observed that 1,307 animals were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IFA-IgG ≥ 64), with an animal-level seroprevalence of 34.27%. Herd-level seroprevalence was 92.07%. In the animal-level model, cows raised in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes and breed studies on European and Zebu or hybrid were found to be at risk for T. gondii seropositivity. Prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in cows destined for human consumption was found to be widely distributed throughout the entire study area. Further studies are required to assess the impact of beef in the possible transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans residing in the region and establish additional control measures for this protozoan mainly on beef herds raised in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes, where the highest values of seroprevalence were observed.

Publicidade médica em tempos de medicina em rede / Medical advertising in times of network medicine / Publicidad médica en tiempos de la medicina en red

Resumo Este artigo objetiva avaliar o conhecimento de médicos sobre marketing de serviços de saúde. Trata-se de estudo prospectivo transversal com formulário autoaplicado que abarcou dados sociodemográficos, conhecimentos acerca da publicidade e opinião sobre o tema. Os resultados apontam que 60,7% e 67,5% dos médicos formados em instituições privadas e públicas, respectivamente, afirmam não ter tido contato com o tema durante a graduação, 62,9% declararam já ter enfrentado dificuldade por falta de conhecimento no assunto, e 94,5% sentiram necessidade de se atualizar depois de responder ao questionário. Os médicos participantes mostraram bom conhecimento, com dificuldades específicas sobre a divulgação de títulos, produtos e informações de alerta à população. Conclui-se ser necessário abordar o assunto no currículo formal durante a graduação e elaborar medidas educativas mais objetivas.

Abstract This article aims to evaluate doctors' knowledge on medical marketing through a prospective cross-sectional study, using a self-applied questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, knowledge and opinion on the topic. Results show that 60.7% and 67.5% of doctors graduated from private and public institutions, respectively, claimed having no contact with the subject during their undergraduate studies; 62.9% said they had faced difficulties due to lack of knowledge regarding the topic; and 94.5% felt the need to learn more after answering the questionnaire. The participants showed good knowledge, with specific difficulties regarding the dissemination of works, products and population-wide health warnings. In conclusion, undergraduate courses should include the topic in their formal curriculum and elaborate more objective educational measures.

Resumen Este artículo tiene como objetivo evaluar el conocimiento de los médicos sobre marketing de servicios de salud. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo transversal con un formulario autoaplicado que incluyó datos sociodemográficos, conocimientos sobre publicidad y opinión sobre el tema. Los resultados muestran que el 60,7% y el 67,5% de los médicos formados en instituciones privadas y públicas, respectivamente, afirman no haber tenido contacto con el tema durante su carrera; el 62,9% manifiestan que ya han enfrentado dificultades por desconocimiento del asunto; y el 94,5% sienten la necesidad de actualizarse después de responder el cuestionario. Los médicos participantes mostraron buen conocimiento, con dificultades específicas en la difusión de títulos, productos e información para alertar a la población. Se concluye que el currículo formal de la graduación debe abordar el asunto y desarrollar medidas educativas más objetivas.

Seroprevalence, spatial analysis and risk factors of infection with Neospora caninum in cattle in Brazil's northern Pantanal wetland / Soroprevalência, análise espacial e fatores de risco da infecção por Neospora caninum em bovinos no Pantanal norte do Brasil

Abstract Neosporosis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan, Neospora caninum . It is considered one of the most widespread and frequent causes of abortion in cattle worldwide. To evaluate the prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and associated risk factors, serum samples were collected from 2,452 bovines at 262 farms in the northern Pantanal, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Each farmer was asked to fill out a questionnaire for subsequent epidemiological data analysis. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected by means of the indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA), using a cut-off dilution of 1:100. The overall anti-N. caninum antibodies prevalence was 25.44% (Confidence Interval - CI 95%; 20.10%; 30.78%), and the anti-N. caninum antibodies prevalence per herd was 76.72% (CI 95%; 71.60%; 81.84%). The presence of dogs, occurrence of abortion in cows, and sale of cattle for breeding were statistically associated with seropositivity in herds, while the risk of females being seropositive for N. caninum was higher in animals ≤ 6-years-old and in the presence of dogs. A spatial analysis indicated that the relative risk of the disease is spatially constant and that the farms with the highest prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies are located south of the region under study.

Resumo Neosporose é causada por um protozoário intracelular obrigatório, Neospora caninum. É considerada uma das causas mais comuns e frequentes de aborto em bovinos em todo o mundo. Para avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos anti- N. caninum e fatores de risco associados, amostras de soro foram coletadas de 2.452 bovinos em 262 fazendas no Pantanal norte, estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Cada fazendeiro preencheu um questionário para posterior análise dos dados epidemiológicos. Anticorpos anti-N. caninum foram detectados por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), utilizando um ponto de corte de 1:100. A prevalência total de anticorpos anti-N. caninum foi de 25,44% (Intervalo de Confiança - IC 95%; 20,10%; 30,78%) e a prevalência por rebanho foi de 76,72% (IC 95%; 71,60%; 81,84%). A presença de cães, a ocorrência de abortamento em vacas e a venda de bovinos para reprodução estiveram estatisticamente associadas à soropositividade em rebanhos, enquanto, o risco de fêmeas serem soropositivas para N. caninum foi maior em animais com idade ≤ 6 anos e na presença de cães. A análise espacial indicou que o risco relativo da doença é espacialmente constante e que as fazendas com maior prevalência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum estão localizados ao sul da região em estudo.

Seroprevalence, spatial analysis and risk factors of infection with Neospora caninum in cattle in Brazil's northern Pantanal wetland.

Neosporosis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan, Neospora caninum . It is considered one of the most widespread and frequent causes of abortion in cattle worldwide. To evaluate the prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and associated risk factors, serum samples were collected from 2,452 bovines at 262 farms in the northern Pantanal, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Each farmer was asked to fill out a questionnaire for subsequent epidemiological data analysis. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected by means of the indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA), using a cut-off dilution of 1:100. The overall anti-N. caninum antibodies prevalence was 25.44% (Confidence Interval - CI 95%; 20.10%; 30.78%), and the anti-N. caninum antibodies prevalence per herd was 76.72% (CI 95%; 71.60%; 81.84%). The presence of dogs, occurrence of abortion in cows, and sale of cattle for breeding were statistically associated with seropositivity in herds, while the risk of females being seropositive for N. caninum was higher in animals ≤ 6-years-old and in the presence of dogs. A spatial analysis indicated that the relative risk of the disease is spatially constant and that the farms with the highest prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies are located south of the region under study.