The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in serum samples of horses slaughtered in an abattoir, under the Brazilian federal food inspection service, in the southern region of Brazil. We tested 767 blood samples from adult horses slaughtered from April to May, 2013. The animals came from 45 municipalities in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná. For the diagnosis we used the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The results showed that 687 horses reacted to at least one of the 24 serovars of Leptospira spp., with titer equal to or greater than 100, representing 89.57% (95% CI: 87.41%–91.73%). The most likely serovars were Patoc (9.91%), Butembo (9.13%), Australis (7.82%), and Bratislava (5.87%). There was no significant difference (p = 0.2795) in the number of positive animals by state. The proportion of MAT-positive males and females differed significantly (p = 5.4444 x 10-5) since 85.26% (95% CI: 82.82%–88.70%) of the males and 94.44 (95% CI: 92.07%–96.81%) of the females were reactive. The results of this study demonstrate a high rate exposure to several serovars of Leptospira in slaughtered horses. For the protection of animal, public, and occupational health, we suggest attention to infections in this host in order to reduce the risk of leptospirosis.
O estresse calórico em bovinos de leite pode comprometer diversas funções fisiológicas, incluindo produção de leite, reprodução e função imunológica. Os objetivos deste estudo foram correlacionar a temperatura da superfície corporal (TSC) e a temperatura retal (TR) de vacas leiteiras usando um termômetro digital a laser infravermelho, bem como determinar a emissividade ideal. Dez vacas leiteiras foram mantidas em área coberta por três dias consecutivos. As medidas de TSC e TR foram realizadas às 8h, 13h e 16h, todos os dias. As leituras térmicas foram feitas em quatro localizações anatômicas distintas: face, caixa torácica, garupa e glândula mamária nas emissividades de 0,95 e 0,50. As temperaturas e localizações anatômicas das medidas térmicas foram avaliadas por ANOVA e as médias foram comparadas usando o Teste Tukey a 5%. Emissividade em 0,50 não estabeleceu correlação significativa (P>0,05) entre TSC e TR, enquanto uma correlação significativa (P<0,05) foi obtida na emissividade 0,95. Portanto, a emissividade de 0,95 foi utilizada para avaliar as variáveis. Foi estabelecida a seguinte equação: RT = 0,143 x BST + 33,534, que se mostrou significativa com coeficiente de determinação de 82%. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a utilização de termômetro digital a laser infravermelho com emissividade de 0,95 direcionada para a região média da caixa torácica pode ser eficiente para estimar a temperatura retal de vacas leiteiras.
Abstract Heat stress in dairy cattle can jeopardize several physiological functions, including milk production, reproduction and immune function. The objectives of this study were to correlate body surface temperature (BST) and rectal temperature (RT) of dairy cows by using an infrared digital laser thermometer as well as to determine the ideal emissivity. Ten dairy cows were maintained under a covered area for three consecutive days. BST and RT measurements were taken at 8 am, 01 pm and 04 pm every day. Thermal readings were carried out at four distinct anatomic locations: the face, ribcage, rump, and mammary gland at 0.95 and 0.50 emissivity. The temperatures and anatomic locations of thermal measurements were evaluated by ANOVA and the means were compared using the Tukey Test at 5%. Emissivity at 0.50 did not establish a significant (P>0.05) correlation between BST and RT, while a significant correlation (P<0.05) was obtained at 0.95 emissivity. Therefore, emissivity at 0.95 was used to assess the variables. The following equation was established: RT = 0.143 x BST + 33.534, which was found to be significant with a determination coefficient of 82%. The results of this study suggest that the utilization of infrared digital laser thermometer with emissivity of 0.95 directed at the middle region of the ribcage can be efficient to estimate the rectal temperature of dairy cows.
A campilobacteriose é uma doença causada por bactérias do gênero Campylobacter, responsáveis por uma das principais zoonoses de caráter global. As espécies de Campylobacter comumente isoladas de amostras fecais de cães e gatos são C. upsaliensis, C. helveticus e C. jejuni e, embora a maioria destes animais apresentem infecções subclínicas, alguns desenvolvem enterite leve a moderada. Animais jovens, mantidos sob alta densidade populacional e/ou convivendo com outros animais com doenças concomitantes são especialmente predispostos à infecção e ao desenvolvimento dos sinais clínicos. O contato com cães e gatos é um fator de risco reconhecido para a campilobacteriose humana, sendo que infecções por Campylobacter e suas complicações, como a Síndrome de Guillain-Barré, podem causar crescente morbidade em seres humanos suscetíveis. Portanto, indivíduos imunossuprimidos, que vivem ou trabalham em contato próximo com estes animais, devem ser informados dos micro-organismos zoonóticos que podem estar presentes. A compreensão da epidemiologia, patogenicidade, fatores de risco e medidas de prevenção e controle da campilobacteriose ampliou nos últimos anos, juntamente com o reconhecimento de novas espécies e diversidade genômica, atribuídos em grande parte à melhoria da tecnologia, permitindo análises comparativas destes micro-organismos. Embora tenha ocorrido progresso no entendimento do potencial patogênico de Campylobacter spp., o incremento nas pesquisas envolvendo este agente bacteriano ainda precisa ser realizado.
Palavras-chave: Campylobacter. Zoonose. Diarreia.
Abstract Campylobacteriosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, representing one of the main global zoonoses. Campylobacter species commonly isolated from dogs' and cats' fecal samples are C. upsaliensis, C. helveticus, and C. jejuni, and although most of these animals have subclinical infections, some develop mild to moderate enteritis. Young animals kept under high population density and / or living with other animals presenting concomitant diseases are especially predisposed to infection and to the development of clinical signs. Contact with infected dogs and cats is a recognized risk factor for human campylobacteriosis, and infections by Campylobacter and its complications, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, can cause increasing morbidity in susceptible humans. Therefore, immunosuppressed individuals living or working in close contact with these animals should be informed of the zoonotic microorganisms that may be present. The understanding of epidemiology, pathogenicity, risk factors, preventive and control measures for campylobacteriosis has expanded in recent years along with the recognition of new species and genomic diversity, largely attributed to the technology improvement, allowing comparative analyses of these microorganisms. Although progress has been made in understanding the pathogenic potential of Campylobacter spp., the increase in research involving this bacterial agent still needs to be carried out.
Hendra henipavírus (HeV) e Nipah henipavírus (NiV) são membros do gênero Henipavirus, pertencente à família Paramyxoviridae, sendo classificados como patógenos de nível de biossegurança 4, em função de sua alta capacidade em causar doença letal em seres humanos associada à constituição genética única, carência de terapia e profilaxia específicas. O reservatório natural destes vírus são os morcegos pertencentes ao gênero Pteropus, encontrados em regiões que se estendem do Pacífico Ocidental à Costa Leste da África. O desmatamento é um dos responsáveis pela saída dos morcegos de seus nichos ecológicos e aproximação de fazendas e vilarejos. Novos casos de infecção pelo HeV em cavalos continuam ocorrendo na Austrália, enquanto o NiV é responsável por surtos anuais em humanos, desde 2001, na Índia e Bangladesh. O NiV, em particular, possui vários recursos que destacam seu potencial como ameaça pandêmica, incluindo sua capacidade de infectar humanos diretamente, a partir de reservatórios naturais, além de uma capacidade limitada de transmissão entre seres humanos. Apesar disso, atualmente, pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos pelos quais os morcegos abrigam vírus capazes de causar doenças tão graves em outros mamíferos terrestres. A presente revisão traz informações relevantes para o entendimento sobre a epidemiologia destas viroses, a patogenia nas espécies suscetíveis, bem como a importância destes vírus nas espécies domésticas, principalmente, nos equídeos. Palavras-chave: Hendra Vírus. Nipah Vírus. Morcegos. Equinos. Suínos. Abstract Hendra henipavirus (HeV) and Nipah henipavirus (NiV) are members of the genus Henipavirus, belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae, being classified as biosafety level 4 pathogens, due to their high capacity to cause lethal disease in humans associated with their unique genetic constitution, lack of specific therapy and prophylaxis. Bats belonging to the genus Pteropus, found in regions that extend from the Western Pacific to the East coast of Africa, are natural reservoir of such viruses. Deforestation is one of the factors responsible for the bats' leaving their ecological niches and their adaptation to farms and villages. New cases of HeV infection in horses continue to occur in Australia while NiV has been responsible for annual human outbreaks since 2001 in India and Bangladesh. NiV has several features that highlight its potential as a pandemic threat, including its ability to infect humans directly from natural reservoirs, as well as a limited capacity for transmission between humans. Despite this, little is currently known about the mechanisms by which bats harbor viruses capable of causing serious diseases in other terrestrial mammals. This review provides relevant information for understanding the epidemiology of these viruses, the pathogenesis in susceptible species, as well as the importance of these viruses in domestic species, especially in horses. Keywords: Hendra Virus. Nipah Virus. Bats. Horses. Pigs.
In Brazil, the most important tickborne pathogens affecting dogs include Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Hepatozoon canis, and Mycoplasma haemocanis. Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp., transmitted by ixodid ticks, have been reported to naturally infect dogs and are widespread. The authors aimed to investigate the incidence of B. vogeli and Hepatozoon spp. infection using molecular methods to identify factors associated with the infection in dogs from urban areas of Cuiabá municipality, Midwestern Brazil. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay revealed a prevalence of 9.36% (Confidence Interval-CI 95%; 2.72%; 6.79%) and 9.61% (CI 95%; 7.0%; 13.0%) among dogs for B. vogeli and Hepatozoon, respectively. DNA sequences obtained from 10 Hepatozoon PCR positive samples were sequenced and were identical to one another and, moreover, were 100% (541/541 base of pairs-bp) homologous to the corresponding 18S rDNA sequences of H. canis. Twenty-five dogs (6.02%) generated amplicons using PCR protocols for both organisms, indicating co-infection by these two protozoans. To the best of our knowledge, our study was the first molecular survey to consider the entire population of dogs from the study area. Moreover, young dogs (0-12 months of age), as well as animals living in walled houses?without access to the street?were more susceptible to infection with B. vogeli and H. canis, respectively.
