Hemopathogens in naturally infected bovine fetuses in Brazil.

The transplacental transmission of parasites and hemoparasites is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of diseases. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hemopathogens in bovine fetuses at various gestational periods. Samples were obtained from a slaughterhouse in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and a total of 236 fetuses were collected. DNA extracted from blood samples (145) and organ samples (a pool of brain and spleen) (236) underwent a nested PCR (nPCR) assay to detect Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Trypanosoma vivax, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia minasensis, and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. Additionally, serological analysis of 145 plasma samples was conducted using the indirect fluorescent antibody test-IFAT to detect IgG against Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, A. marginale, and Trypanosoma vivax. The observed prevalence of transplacental transmission was 19.3 %, 6.2 %, 42.7 % and 2.7 %, for A. marginale, B. bigemina, 'Candidatus M. haemobos', and Mycoplasma wenyonii, respectively. The prevalence of A. marginale by gestational trimester was 16 % (13/81) in the second trimester and 23 % (14/60) in the third trimester, with no positive samples in the first trimester. Regarding the species B. bovis and B. bigemina, all evaluated animals tested negative by nPCR, and no serological evidence for B. bovis was found by the IFAT. Babesia bigemina demonstrated an overall seroprevalence of 6.2 % (9/145), with 4.8 % (7/145) in the last trimester and 1.3 % (2/145) in the second trimester of pregnancy. In total, 42.7 % (62/145) of blood samples were positive for 'Candidatus M. haemobos', with 42 % (34/81) in the middle trimester, and 43 % (26/60) in the final trimester of pregnancy. Mycoplasma wenyonni was detected in 2.7 % (4/145) blood samples, all in coinfection with 'C. M. haemobos'. The prevalence by pregnancy trimester was 25 % (1/4) in the first trimester; 1.2 % (1/81) in the second trimester and 3.3 % (2/60) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Hemopathogen DNA was detected in fetus blood samples but not the brain or spleen samples. All the samples were negative for T. vivax, Theileria spp., Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. Overall, in this study, approximately 70 % of fetuses were positive for one or more of the studied parasites. No significant associations were observed between pairs of pathogens, except 'C. M. haemobos' and A. marginale.

New detection of the occurrence of trypanosomiasis in a bovine herd in a rural property in the state of Bahia/BA ­ case report / Nova detecção da ocorrência de tripanossomíase em rebanho bovino em propriedade rural no estado da Bahia/BA ­ relato de caso

This report aims to discuss the occurrence of protozoan infestation in a Girolanda cattle herd in the state of Bahia / BA. Bovine trypanosomiasis is a severe disease that is harmful to cattle, inducing large productive and economic losses. The animals are affected by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma spp., giving rise to infestations in the vast majority of them in a silent and lasting way. In the Bahian rural property described, 10% of adult cows died and the rest of the animals showed clinical signs of anemia, drop in milk production, low body score, apathy, among others. Among the information obtained through the farm manager, who helped in the diagnosis and in ordering tests for the respective disease were: purchase of cattle from the region of the state of Minas Gerais and dubious management of oxytocin for improvements in milk production (suspected shared needles). Faced with the suspicion and in conjunction with the information obtained, laboratory tests and molecular tests were carried out to confirm the suspicion. After the examinations, it was found that the animals were affected by protozoa of the genus Trypanossoma vivax. The animals were treated with volume replenishers and drugs such as isometamidium chloride in a single dose calculated according to the body weight.

O presente relato tem por objetivo discorrer sobre a ocorrência da infestação protozoária em um rebanho bovino da raça Girolanda no estado da Bahia/BA. A tripanossomíase bovina é uma doença severa e prejudicial aos bovinos, induzindo-os a grandes perdas produtivas e econômicas. Os animais são afetados por protozoários do gênero Trypanosoma spp., dandoorigem a infestações em sua grande maioria de forma silenciosa e duradoura. Na propriedade rural baiana descrita, 10% das vacas adultas morreram e o restante dos animais apresentava sinais clínicos de anemia, queda da produção leiteira, baixo escore corpóreo, apatia, prostração, entre outros. Dentre as informações obtidas através do gerente da fazenda, que auxiliaram no diagnóstico e na requisição de exames para a respectiva doença estavam: compra de bovinos da região do estado de Minas Gerais e manejo duvidoso de ocitocina para melhorias na produção leiteira (suspeita de agulhas compartilhadas). Diante da suspeita e em conjunto com informações obtidas, foram realizados exames laboratoriais e testes moleculares para confirmar a suspeita. Após a realização dos exames, constatou-se que os animais estavam acometidos por protozoários do gênero Trypanossoma vivax. Os animais foram tratados com repositores de volume e fármacos como o cloreto de isometamidium em uma única dose calculada de acordo com o peso corpóreo.

Prevalence of lameness and hoof lesions in all year-round grazing cattle in Brazil.

Lameness is a growing concern to the dairy industry worldwide. However, little is known about lameness and its causes in grazing cattle, especially in tropical climates. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hoof lesions and lameness in dairy herds of all year-round grazing cattle under tropical condition, and to identify the main lesions associated with lameness. We visited 48 farms located in the Minas Gerais state, Brazil, equally divided into four groups based on daily milk production. All lactating cows in the visited farms were locomotion scored, and a representative sample was randomly chosen for hoof inspection. Among the 2267 lactating cows evaluated, 16% were scored as lame and 7% as severely lame. Nearly all cows presented at least one type of hoof lesion, of which heel horn erosion (90%), white line fissure (50%), and digital dermatitis (33%) were the most prevalent. Heel horn erosion was present in all farms and digital dermatitis was present in 96% of the farms. Sole ulcer was observed in a single animal. Additionally, digital dermatitis and white line fissure were correlated to a 2.5 times increase in the odds of a poor mobility score. Collectively, our results demonstrate that digital dermatitis and white line fissure are the main concern and the biggest cause of lameness in grazing cattle under tropical conditions.