ABSTRACT
The research on the relative abundancy of Boophilus microplus took place in ten farms, distributed in eight ecological zones (EZ) and two rainfall systems of Costa Rica. Monthly visits were made to pick up ticks larger than 4 mm from the right side of the animals. The total number of ticks was increased by two and divided between the total of sampled bovines per farm. Farm visits were adjusted to animals bath to allow the recovery of the tick population. B. microplus was detected in all sampled farms throughout the year. Media comparison statistic analyses were made and no differences were found among EZ, farms and seasons. On the contrary, there were important statistical differences between rainfall systems. The rainfall system 1, that included rain seasonality, showed larger tick infestations (p = 0.03). An isothermal and low variability regarding relative humidity situations were present in some of the areas included in this research. Bath intensity was lower to other past studies. Even though no differences were found between production systems, it is important to emphasize that bath intensity was higher in european cattle farms, in comparison to others of the same EZ, but of crossbred. A tick manual removable system was recommended in dual-purpose and specialized dairy farms with no more than 30-35 animals, as an alternative feasible system that significantly reduced acaricide use.
Subject(s)
Cattle , Cattle Diseases , Ixodidae , Tick Infestations , Cattle Diseases , Costa Rica , Population Dynamics , Rain , Seasons , Tick InfestationsABSTRACT
The research describe the big amount of ticks of the Amblyomma genus, found on bovines through monthly samplings carried out in ten farms in eight ecological zones (EZ) of Costa Rica. Ticks larger than 4 mm were picked up from the right side of the animals during the visit. The study compiled meteorological information for some farms located in the experiment, showing that the most fluctuant variable is rainfall. The most important Amblyomma species found was A. cajennense. Amblyomma nymphs were found only from January to May, which coincides with the lower humidity season in the rain seasonality area; as for it is expected only one generation per year. In the lab work Amblyomma nymphs are kept to measure the moulting season and the surviving time under controlled conditions, but no major differences were found between both sexes. The surviving periods show that it is not possible to do a grazing land handling, in order to control this genus species. Adults of the genus Amblyomma are present through all the year, not showing any specific preference for a season. The research divided the investigation areas in rain seasonability and not-seasonality systems. The highest amount of Amblyomma is found given in the rain seasonality system or of pacific influence. A. maculatum is present only in the EZ of Tropical Humid Forest transition to pre-mountainous. Likewise, Ixodes boliviensis is found in the EZ of low mountainous Very Humid Forest.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Cattle , Cattle Diseases , Ixodidae , Tick Infestations , Cattle Diseases , Costa Rica , Population Dynamics , Rain , Seasons , Tick InfestationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth generates endogenous ethanol production both in experimental animals and humans. Patients with cirrhosis have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, but endogenous ethanol production has not been studied in them. AIM: To investigate endogenous ethanol production in patients with cirrhosis, altered intestinal motility and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with cirrhosis of different etiologies and altered gastrointestinal motility, consisting in changes in the migrating motor complex, were studied. All had also small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, measured by means of the H2 breath test with lactulose. Plasma ethanol levels were measured by gas liquid chromatography in fasting conditions and 120 min after a carbohydrate rich meal. RESULTS: In fasting conditions, no patient had endogenous ethanol production. Alter the meal, ethanol in concentrations of 11.3 and 8.2 mg/del were detected in two patients. Negligible amounts of ethanol were detected in 4 patients and two patients had undetectable alcohol levels. CONCLUSIONS: A low endogenous production of ethanol was demonstrated in six of eight patients with cirrhosis.