Ocorrência de lesões em carcaças de bovinos de corte no Pantanal em função do transporte / Occurrence of carcass bruising of beef cattle in the Pantanal related to time spent transport

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do transporte na ocorrência de lesões, em carcaças de bovinos abatidos no Pantanal Sul Matogrossense, por meio da quantificação do número e do tamanho das lesões, assim como a localização da freqüência de ocorrência das lesões nos principais cortes comerciais padronizados para o mercado interno. Do total de 121 carcaças avaliadas, foi observado que 102 (84,3 por cento) tiveram uma ou mais lesões, totalizando 270 lesões que resultaram na remoção de 56,1kg de carne, com média geral de 0,5kg por animal ou 0,6kg por animal, considerando-se apenas os animais que tiveram lesões. A freqüência de lesões em carcaças de bovinos evidenciou diferença significativa de acordo com as condições de transporte. As maiores proporções de lesões foram encontradas em animais submetidos ao transporte rodoviário por mais de uma hora e distâncias maiores que 70km, sendo grande parte em estradas não-pavimentadas. Conclui-se que os animais submetidos à série sucessiva de manejo e transportados em estradas não-pavimentadas por longas distâncias apresentaram maior proporção de lesões, sendo que os animais provenientes do lote VI apresentaram maior número de lesões.

This study aimed to assess the influence of transport on the occurrence of carcass bruising of cattle slaughtered in the Pantanal, by quantifying the number and size of bruises, locating the frequency of occurrence of bruises in the main commercial cuts standardized for interne market. From a total of 121 carcasses assessed, 102 (84.3 percent) had one or more bruises, totaling 270 bruises, which resulted in the removal of 56.1kg meat. The frequency of carcass bruises of cattle showed significant difference, according to the conditions of transport. The highest proportions of bruises found in animals submitted to road transport for more than one hour in distances longer than 70km, a great part of which on dirty toads. The conclusion is that the animals submitted to the successive series of handling and transported on dirty roads for long distances caused the highest proportion of bruises, whereas the animals submitted to lot IV presented the highest number of bruises.

The seroprevalence of equine trypanosomosis in the Pantanal

Since little information is available on the epizootiological status of Trypanosoma evansi in South America and particularly Brazil, we evaluated equine serum samples collected in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1997 for the presence of antibodies against this trypanosome species. Our study shows corroborative evidence about the correlation among high T. evansi seroprevalence and the rainy season in the Pantanal, Brazil. The higher seroprevalence was 79.2 (por cento) in horses from a ranch located in the Nhecolândia sub-region in 1994 and the lower 5.8 (por cento) in animals from the same ranch in 1997. No seroprevalence was found in 1993. The possible re-introduction of T. evansi in the region as well as the relationship among our results with the outbreaks reported in 1994, are briefly discussed.

Estimated financial impact of Trypanosoma vivax on the Brazilian Pantanal and Bolivian Lowlands

The financial impact of the first outbreak of Trypanosoma vivax in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland is estimated. Results are extended to include oubreaks in the Bolivian Lowlands providing a notion of the potential influence of the disease and an anlytical basis. More than 11 million head of cattle, valued at more than US$ 3 billion are found in the Brazilian Pantanal and Bolivian lowlands. The total estimated cost of the 1995 outbreak of T. vivax is the sum of the present values of mortality, abortion, and productivity losses and treatment costs, or about 4 (por cento) of total brood cow value on affected ranches. Had the outbrak gone untreated, the estimated losses would have exceeded 17 (por cento) of total brood cow value.

Pathogenesis of Trypanosoma evansi infection in dogs and horses: hematological and clinical aspects / Patogênese da infecção pelo Trypanosoma evansi em cães e cavalos: aspectos hematológicos e clínicos

Trypanosoma evansi caused severe anemia in horses and pronounced leukopenia in dogs, both naturally infected. The horses presented microcytic normochromic anemia and the dogs showed microcytic hypochromic anemia. The clinical signs observed were fever, anemia, edema of the legs and lower parts, weakness and inappetence. Light microscopic studies demonstrated that Trypanosoma evansi produced several alterations in erythrocytes of dogs and horses. These pathologic changes included vacuolation, acanthocytes, dacrocytes, codocytes, microspherocytes and bizarre shapes. Mature erythrocyte were observed adhered to trypanosomes. Erythrophagocytosis was also demonstred.

Trypanosoma evansi produziu severa anemia em cavalos e pronunciada leucopenia em cães, ambos naturalmente infectados. Os cavalos apresentaram anemia microcítica normocrômica e os cães desenvolveram uma anemia microcítica hipocrômica. Os sinais clínicos foram febre, anemia, edema das pernas e porções inferiores, fraqueza e inapetência. Estudos com microscopia ótica demonstraram que o Trypanosoma evansi produziu várias alterações nos eritrócitos dos cães e cavalos. Estas alterações patológicas incluíram vacuolação, acantócitos, dacrócitos, codócitos, microesferócitos e formas bizarras. Eritrócitos maduros foram observados aderidos a tripanosomas. Eritrofagocitose foi também observada.