Toxoplasmosis outbreak caused by north American genotypes in captive black-tufted marmosets in southern Brazil.

In this study, we describe an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in an enclosure of five Callithrix penicillata in Southern Brazil. The marmosets were found dead and submitted to necropsy and histopathology. Liver, spleen, and lungs were frozen and sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii. Necropsy revealed a liver with a lobular pattern, along with diffusely congested lungs, spleen, and kidneys, and hemorrhage in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Mild-to-moderate, multifocal, necrotic hepatitis and splenitis, multifocal lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis, and moderate, diffuse necrohemorrhagic lymphadenitis were observed. T. gondii tachyzoites were in all the organs mentioned. The detected strains were closely related with the isolates TgWtdUs10, TgSoUs39, and TgShUs2, which were originally found in non-primate species all in the United States of America. This is an unprecedented report of North American strains causing mortality in captive individuals of the species Callithrix penicillata in the Southern Brazil.

Abortion outbreak in a sheep flock caused by Toxoplasma gondii clonal type III.

Toxoplasma gondii is a major cause of reproductive losses in small ruminants in several countries. We describe here an outbreak of T. gondii-associated abortion in sheep in Southern Brazil. The flock was comprised of 55 adult sheep, and late-term abortions and stillbirths were detected in 15/36 (41.66%) gestating ewes. Serum samples collected from 45 sheep were tested for T. gondii through indirect immunofluorescence assay; IgM and IgG positive results were detected in 44.44% (20/45) and 86.67% (39/45) of the cases, respectively. Four fetuses and two placentas were pathologically evaluated. Gross changes were restricted to fetal membranes and were characterized by multifocal white areas in the cotyledons. Microscopically, these areas corresponded to necrotic foci affecting the chorionic epithelium accompanied by rare cysts of T. gondii. The main histological change in fetal tissues consisted of well-demarked and sparsely distributed necrotic foci in the central nervous system. Tissue samples from all four fetuses and one placenta had positive PCR results for T. gondii. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping using ten markers (SAG1, 5'-3'SAG2, alt.SAG2, SGA3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, and PK1) was carried out on one sample, and results were consistent with T. gondii clonal type III (ToxoDB-PCR-RFLP genotype #2, TgCpBr4).

Gastrointestinal helminths in dogs: occurrence, risk factors, and multiple antiparasitic drug resistance.

Helminth infections are detrimental to the overall health of dogs; therefore, this study aimed to identify antiparasitic-resistant helminths and evaluate the infection rate and risk factors for parasitism in canines. For this purpose, a parasitological evaluation of 38 randomly selected animals was performed, followed by the evaluation of the anthelminthic efficacy of three drugs: pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel (Canex Composto®), fenbendazole (Fenzol Pet®), and milbemycin oxime with praziquantel (Milbemax C®). Among the evaluated animals, 22/38 (57.89%) tested negative and 16/38 (42.71%) tested positive for Ancylostoma caninum infection. Evaluation of the efficacy of antiparasitic drugs showed that 12/16 (75%) dogs were infected with helminths that were susceptible to pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel. Among those for which pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel was not effective, 3/4 (75%) were susceptible to fenbendazole, while the remaining case resistant to both pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel and fenbendazole was sensitive to milbemycin oxime with praziquantel (100%). The odds ratio of infection in dogs inhabiting environments containing soil or grass was 6.67 times higher than that in dogs inhabiting impermeable environments. Mixed-breed dogs (SRD) were 6.54 times more likely to be infected compared to purebred dogs. A. caninum resistant to pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel (4/16, 25%) and fenbendazole (1/4, 25%) were detected. The results of this study demonstrated the importance of coproparasitological monitoring by professionals before and after treatments to assess antiparasitic drug effectiveness, ensure animal health and welfare, and minimize animal exposure to risk factors.

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in placentas of women who received therapy during gestation in a toxoplasmosis outbreak.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by T. gondii, a protozoa which affects humans and animals and is widely distributed worldwide. In humans, there is great concern due to the serious consequences that can occur in the infection of pregnant women and the newborn. The early diagnosis of gestational toxoplasmosis is important for treatment to be carried out in order to prevent vertical transmission or reduce damage. The diagnosis can be made through the detection of antibodies in pregnant women or neonates and PCR of amniotic fluid. Previous studies have also reported PCR of the placenta as a good diagnostic test. Our study evaluated the detection of T. gondii DNA in placenta samples from parturients seen at the University Hospital of Santa Maria, Southern Brazil and treated during the pregnancy. We performed PCR in forty samples and five were positive, representing 12.5%. When correlating the treatment time and the detection of DNA in the placentas, no significant result was found. The prevalence of positive samples was lower than in other studies in the literature. The data reaffirm the importance of carrying out the analysis of the placenta.

Efficiency of 5% toltrazuril in the metaphylactic treatment of coccidiosis in naturally infected and extensively reared beef calves.

Eimeria spp. infection is one of the main diseases that affect young cattle in beef and dairy herds, leading to economic losses and compromising the performance and growth of animals. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different protocols of metaphylactic treatment with 5% toltrazuril (15 mg/kg) in naturally infected, extensively reared beef calves from birth to 1 year of age. We used 92 calves aged up to 2 weeks of life, initially divided into two experimental groups: treated and control. The animals were evaluated fortnightly with individual count of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) tests until weaning; thereafter, they were again divided into four subgroups: I-treated at both birth and weaning; II-treated at birth but not treated at weaning; III-not treated at birth but treated at weaning; and IV-neither treated at birth nor at weaning (control). During the experimental period, the animals were evaluated for weight gain, excretion of oocysts, and presence of pathogenic species of Eimeria spp. In the first stage of the study, less oocysts were excreted in the treated group for up to 75 days and at 150 days of age (p < 0.05). In the final stage of the study, significant differences occur between groups I and II, I and IV, II and III, and III and IV (p = 0.3512), in the collection 20 days after treatment. Eimeria bovis was the most frequently identified species during the experimental period. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the presence of diarrhea in the calves and the number of oocysts excreted, treated group (p = 0.0092) and untreated group (p = 0.2). There was no significant difference in weight gain of animals in any of the study periods (p > 0.05).