Pharmacopuncture with a low dosage of B complex vitamins in the Da Zhui acupoint (Governing Vessel 14) for controlling gastrointestinal parasitism in periparturient ewes / Farmacopuntura com dose baixa de vitaminas do complexo B no acuponto Da Zhui (Vaso Governador 14) para o controle da parasitose gastrintestinal em ovelhas no periparto

Gastrointestinal parasites are a significant challenge in sheep farming, and periparturient ewes are one of the most susceptible categories in sheep flocks. This study aimed to verify whether the injection of B vitamins at the acupuncture point governing vessel 14 (GV14) can influence the parasitic load or host-parasite interaction in naturally infected ewes during the peripartum period. Four weeks before parturition, 25 ewes were divided into five treatment groups: (1) Dose Control: 0.2 mL of B complex via IM; (2) Drug Control: 2 mL Complex B via IM; (3) Acupoint Control: 0.2 mL of Water at GV14 point; (4) Control; (5) Test group: 0.2 mL of B complex at the GV14 point. Treatments were performed at weeks -3, -1, 2, 4, and 6 about the parturition time. Fecal samples to estimate the parasitic load by fecal egg counts (FEC) and total blood samples for hemogram examination were performed seven days after the treatment, coinciding with weeks -2, 3, 5, and 7 about the parturition time. The number of peripheral eosinophils was higher in group 3 than in group 1 (p <0.05). Although groups 3 and 5 had lower mean values of FEC and higher hematological values at the time of weaning, these differences were not statistically significant (p> 0.05) according to the F test. However, all animals in groups 3 and 5 maintained low parasitism levels until the end of the experiment. Further studies should be performed with larger sample sizes and minor changes to the experimental protocol to elucidate the role of GV14 acupoint stimulation in the host-parasite relationship.(AU)

A parasitose gastrointestinal é o principal desafio sanitário para a criação de ovinos a pasto, e as ovelhas no periparto são uma das categorias mais susceptíveis a esta infeção no rebanho. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a injeção de vitaminas do complexo B no acuponto Vaso Governador 14 (VG14) poderia influenciar a carga parasitária ou modular a interação hospedeiro-parasito em ovelhas naturalmente infectadas no período de periparto. Quatro semanas antes da data prevista para o parto, 25 ovelhas foram divididas em cinco grupos de tratamento (1) Controle da dose: 0,2 mL de vitaminas do complexo B via IM; (2) Controle do fármaco: 2mL complexo B via IM; (3) Controle do Ponto: 0,2 mL de água destilada no ponto VG14; (4) Controle sem tratamento; (5) Grupo teste: 0,2 mL de complexo B no pontoVG14. Estes tratamentos foram realizados nas semanas -3; -1; 2; 4 e 6 em relação à data do parto. Amostras de fezes para contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), assim como amostras de sangue para realizar o hemograma, foram obtidas dos animais sete dias após os tratamentos, coincidindo com as semanas -2, 3, 5 e 7 do parto. O número de eosinófilos periféricos foi superior no grupo 3 se comparado ao grupo 1 (p <0,05). Os animais dos grupos 3 e 5 tiveram menores valores de OPG e maior hematócrito, mas estas diferenças não foram consideradas significativas pelo teste F (p> 0,05). No entanto, todas as ovelhas dos grupos 3 e 5 se mantiveram com níveis baixos de parasitismo durante todo o experimento. Sugere-se que novos estudos sejam realizados com algumas modificações deste protocolo a fim de aprofundar o conhecimento do potencial imunomodulador do acuponto VG14.(AU)

Vertical migration of Haemonchus sp. infectant larvae on Stylosanthes spp. and Brachiaria brizantha (Syn. Urochloa brizantha) cv. Marandu forage

The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of Stylosanthes spp. (Campo Grande© styles) and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in the vertical migration of Haemonchus spp. infective larvae, in the region of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Seeds of Stylosanthes spp. and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu were planted in 50 pots of five liters (20 cm diameter) evenly disposed in an area of the Capim Branco Experimental Farm, Federal University of Uberlândia. When both species reached the minimum height of 20 cm, the pots were experimentally contaminated with sheep feces coprocultures. Samplings were performed, with complete removal of the vegetal material contained in the pots, on days one, three, six, 10 and 14 after contamination. Nematoids were recovered from the plant samples by thermo and hydrotropism, counted under an optical microscope and identified. For statistical analysis, the data were analyzed in a completely randomized design (DIC) in a 2X5 factorial scheme (two fodder species X 5 collection dates). No effect of the forage species was observed on the number of L3 of Haemonchus sp. recovered in the feces (p = 0.7790), upper stratum (p = 0.1755) or lower stratum (p = 0.7883) of the forage, however, there was a significant decrease in the number of L3 found with the passing of the days. When comparing the mean L3 recovered in the upper (0.06±0.31 L3) and lower (2.94±0.39) strata, a higher number of larvae was observed in the lower stratum (p < 0.0001). Therefore, in both forage species studied, the upper stratum of the plants, preferably pastured by the animals, remained with less contamination of infective larvae and the contamination tended to decrease over the days.

Evaluation of response to anti-leptospira bacterin vaccination in pregnant ewes and the passive transfer of antibodies to their offspring / Avaliação da resposta à vacinação com bacterina anti-leptospira em ovelhas gestantes e a transferência passiva de anticorpos a suas crias

Leptospirosis in sheep is often underestimated, and leads to great economic losses for the sheep farming industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune response in pregnant ewes, after the injection of a commercial polyvalent vaccine for leptospirosis, and to observe the transmission of anti-Leptospira antibodies through the colostrum to the offspring. For this, 24 pregnant ewes were vaccinated for leptospirosis. Blood samples were collected prior to vaccination and then 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days after vaccination. In order to evaluate passive immunity transfer, blood samples of 32 lambs were collected during the first 48 hours after birth, and another collection was performed 10 to 21 days after birth. The lambs were placed into 2 groups: Group A (n=16): singleton lambs; and group B (n=16): twins. The sera samples were submitted to the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), in which 21 Leptospira serovars were tested. The results were analyzed in a descriptive form. The number of sheep reactive to MAT gradually increased until 21 days after vaccination, and decreased right after. Of all the serovars contained in the vaccine, the largest proportion of animals were seroconverted to Hardjoprajtino serovar, Serjoe serogroup. Anti-Leptospira antibodies transferred through colostrum to lambs were detected by MAT in the serum collected 24-48 hours after birth. It was observed that 65.6% (21 out of 32) of the lambs were reactive. In the subsequent collections that occurred from 10 to 21 days after birth, a decrease in the number of animals reactive to the MAT was detected. There was no significant statistical difference for the passive transfer of antibodies between single or twin lambs.

A leptospirose é uma doença frequentemente subestimada em rebanhos ovinos e leva a grandes prejuízos à ovinocultura. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resposta imune humoral em ovelhas gestantes, após imunização com uma vacina polivalente comercial contra leptospirose, bem como verificar a transmissão dos anticorpos adquiridos às crias, pelo colostro. Para isto, 24 ovelhas gestantes foram vacinadas. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas pré-imunização, bem como 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias após. Para avaliar a transferência passiva de anticorpos, os 32 cordeiros que nasceram dessas ovelhas foram amostrados nas primeiras 48 horas após o nascimento, bem como com 10 e 21 dias de vida. Os cordeiros foram divididos em dois grupos: partos simples (Grupo A; n=16) e partos gemelares (Grupo B, n= 16). O soro sanguíneo foi submetido à prova de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (MAT), na qual 21 sorovares de Leptospira foram testados. O número de ovelhas reativas à MAT aumentou gradualmente até os 21 dias após imunização, com posterior decréscimo. De todos os sorovares presentes na vacina, a maior parte dos animais soroconverteu para o sorovar Hardjoprajtino, do sorogrupo Serjoe. Anticorpos anti-Leptospira passaram pelo colostro e puderam ser detectados no soro dos cordeiros entre 24 e 48 horas após o nascimento. Foi observado que 65,5% (21 de 32) cordeiros foram reativos. Em coletas subsequentes, realizadas 10 e 21 dias após o nascimento, houve um decréscimo no número de animais reativos à MAT. Não houve diferença significativa na transferência de anticorpos entre cordeiros de partos simples e gemelares.

Oncicola luehei in a wild crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) from the Brazilian Cerrado Savanna

The occurrence of Oncicola luehei is reported in a road killed crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) near the municipality of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State. The animal was collected as part of a study that monitors wildlife road killing in the Triângulo Mineiro region. In necropsy, a single male acanthocephalan was recovered from the large intestine. The parasite was wrinkled, whitish in color, with a total body length of 15.88mm, globular proboscis (0.71 x 0.81mm) armed with 36 spiraled hooks, long lemniscus (7.30 x 0.81 mm) surpassing the anterior testis. The testes were ellipsoid in shape, disposed in tandem, the anterior measuring 1.44 x 0.53mm and the posterior 1.5 x 0.50mm. At the posterior part of the body, eight cement glands arranged in two rows of four, measuring 0.38 x 0.46 mm each. Based on this, the parasite was classified as Oncicola luehei. This study represents a new host and locality records for the parasite.

Effectiveness of monepantel and levamisole to control gastrointestinal strongylid parasites of sheep / Eficácia de monepantel e levamisol no controle de estrongilídeos parasitos gastrintestinais de ovinos

Anthelmintic resistance poses a major challenge to the control of endoparasites in sheep. The recent launch of monepantel may represent an alternative for the treatment of helminth infections. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of monepantel and levamisole in the sheep flock on the experimental farm Capim Branco, of the Federal University of Uberlandia, municipality of Uberlandia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Thirty sheep with more than 200 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were selected. Ten of these animals were treated orally with 2.5 mg/kg of monepantel, ten were treated subcutaneously with 7.5 mg/kg of levamisole, and ten served as control animals. Fecal samples for the determination of EPG were collected on days zero (pre-treatment), seven and fourteen (post-treatment). The percentage of effectiveness was calculated using RESO 2:01 software. Monepantel reduced the EPG of Haemonchus sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. by more than 95%, but Oesophagostomum sp. was reduced by only 50% and 33% on days seven and fourteen. The percentage reduction of EPG by levamisole remained above 95% for all the helminths recovered from fecal cultures, indicating its effectiveness. These data demonstrate the failure of monepantel to control Oesophagostomum spp. in the evaluated sheep flock.

A resistência anti-helmíntica é um dos maiores desafios para o controle de endoparasitos em ovinos. O recente lançamento do monepantel pode representar uma alternativa para o tratamento das helmintoses. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a eficácia do monepantel e levamisol no rebanho ovino da Fazenda Capim Branco da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, em Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Foram selecionados trinta ovinos com valores de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) superiores a 200. Destes animais, dez foram tratados com monepantel 2,5 mg/kg, via oral, dez receberam tratamento subcutâneo com levamisol 7,5 mg/kg, e os outros 10 permaneceram como animais controle. No dia zero (prétratamento), sete e quatorze (pós-tratamento), realizou-se coletas de fezes para determinação de OPG. O percentual de eficácia foi calculado pelo software RESO 2.01. O monepantel apresentou percentual de redução superior a 95% para Haemonchus sp. e Trichostrongylus sp., porém este percentual para Oesophagostomum sp. foi de 50% e 33%, no sétimo e décimo quarto dia. O percentual de redução de OPG para levamisol se manteve superior a 95% para todos os helmintos recuperados nas coproculturas, indicando sua eficácia. Estes dados indicam a falência do monepantel em realizar o controle de Oesophagostomum spp. no rebanho avaliado.

Método FAMACHA©, escore corporal e de diarreia como indicadores de tratamento anti-helmíntico seletivo de ovelhas em reprodução / FAMACHA© system, body condition score and diarrhea score as indicators for the targeted selective anthelmintic treatment of breeding ewes

As parasitoses gastrintestinais constituem o principal entrave sanitário à ovinocaprinocultura, principalmente devido à resistência aos anti-helmínticos. Uma das formas de limitar a progressão da resistência aos fármacos é evitar a sua utilização em lotes ou rebanhos inteiros, restringindo seu uso aos animais que necessitam tratamento (tratamento seletivo). O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o uso dos escores corporal (EC) e de diarreia (ED) como indicadores do tratamento seletivo em ovinos, em comparação com o método FAMACHA© (GF) e indicadores laboratoriais de parasitismo. Foram acompanhadas quinzenalmente 15 ovelhas em lactação (agosto-novembro 2009) e após o desmame (dezembro 2009 ­ fevereiro de 2010) pelo GF, EC, ED, e análises laboratoriais para determinação do hematócrito (HT), proteínas plasmáticas totais (PPT) e contagem de ovos de helmintos por grama de fezes (OPG). A média de OPG se manteve estável, exceto no segundo mês de lactação (média 6057,69 OPG). Durante todo o acompanhamento, o GF foi moderadamente correlacionado ao OPG (0,37); EC (-0,32); PPT (-0,34) e HT (-0,54). Para o EC, os valores de correlação com o OPG foram de -0,35; -0,32 com GF; 0,45 com PPT e de 0,50 com HT. O ED não se mostrou um bom indicador indireto de verminose, pois não foi obtida nenhuma correlação significativa com as outras variáveis estudadas. Como o escore corporal foi correlacionado às variáveis laboratoriais em índices semelhantes aos obtidos pelo método FAMACHA© , seu uso é sugerido como ferramenta adicional de tratamento seletivo para ovelhas em lactação e nos meses subsequentes ao desmame.

The gastrointestinal parasitic infections constitute the main obstacle to the health of sheep and goat, mainly due to anthelmintic resistance. An alternative to limit the progression of drug resistance is to avoid to deworm the hole heard or group, treating individually only those animals that require so (selective treatment). The goal of this work was to study the condition score (BS) and the diarrhea score (DS) as indicators of selective treatment in sheep, in comparison to the FAMACHA© system (EF) and to laboratory analyses that indicate parasitism. Fifteen lactating (Aug.- Nov. 2009) or post weaning (Dez. 2009- Feb.2010) ewes were sampled fortnightly for EF, BS, DS and also for the laboratorial analysis to determine packed cell value (PCV/HT), total plasma protein fraction (TPP) and faecal egg counts (FEC/OPG). The mean FEC remained stable except in the second month of lactation period (average 6057.69 EPG). Throughout the monitoring, the GF was moderately correlated with FEC (0.37), BS (-0.32), TPP (-0.34) and PCV (-0.54). For the BS, the value of correlation with FEC was -0.35, -0.32 to GF; 0.45 to TPP and 0.50 to PCV. The DS was not a good indicator of parasite infection, because there was no significant correlation obtained with the other variables. As the body condition score was correlated to the laboratory variables in similar indices of the FAMACHA© system, we suggest the its use as an additional tool of selective treatment for ewes during lactation period and after weaning.