Sorologia para o vírus da língua azul em bovinos de corte, ovinos e veados campeiros no Pantanal sul-mato-grossense / Bluetongue virus serosurvey in beef cattle, sheep, and pampas deer from Brazilian Pantanal

This investigation was carried out in beef cattle (n=219), sheep (n=55), and pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) (n=49) from Nhecolândia, sub region of Brazilian Pantanal in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. It was aimed to assess the seropositivity of these species to bluetongue virus (BTV) by agar gel immunodiffusion test. Seropositivity rates were 42.0% for cattle and 10.9% for sheep. The pampas deer showed to be all seronegative. In cattle, seropositivity to BTV significantly increased with age (P<0.001). These data, the favorable environmental conditions to development of BTV vectors, and the bovine reproductive disorders reported by farmers may indicate that BTV infection occurrs in herds of Brazilian Pantanal, and probably induces to economical losses.

Frequency of rhabdiasid nematodes in wild Crotalus durissus terrificus (serpentes, viperidae) from Botucatu region, São Paulo state, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of rhabdiasid nematodes in recently captured Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes from São Paulo State, Brazil. Fifty snakes (34 males and 16 females) were studied and each one was evaluated for the presence of that nematode at the moment of receipt at the Institution and after 90 days of quarantine inside individual cages. Tracheopulmonary washeswere examined. Snakes that died during quarantine underwent necropsy and lung examination. Analysis of the results obtained at the two evaluation times (0 and 90 days), in addition to the data obtained during necropsies, showed that 44 percent (18 males and 4 females) of the C. d. terrificus snakes were naturally infected by rhabdiasid nematodes. These data demonstrate the parasitism level in natural conditions and are important for the sanitary handling of these reptiles in captivity.

Isolation of an Ophidian Paramyxovirus in a captive rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) from Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, Brazil

This study reports the isolation of an Ophidian Paramyxovirus (OPMV) in sputum of a captive rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) kept in a serpentarium located in Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, Brazil. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR were performed for the identification of the isolated virus.