Swine cysticercosis and associated risk factors in non-technified pig breeding in semi-arid region of Sergipe state, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Taenia solium anti-metacestode antibodies in slaughtered pigs in a semi-arid region of the "Alto Sertão" of Sergipe state, Brazil, and verify the risk factors associated with swine cysticercosis. For this, 230 samples of swine blood from two slaughterhouses were collected and analyzed by indirect ELISA. The pigs came from five non-technical properties in the semi-arid region of the Alto Sertão of Sergipe state. Searches for cysts in the skeletal muscles of the pigs were performed during slaughter. In addition, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to the pigs' original properties to determine risk factors. Besides that, the official health services database was evaluated for confirmed cases of neurocysticercosis and taeniasis in humans in the last 5 years, living in the studied region. Seropositivity in pigs was 12.6%, with no significant difference between males and females. No cysts were found in the carcasses of the slaughtered pigs. A positive association was found for properties that discharge domestic sewage into the environment, in river or streams, increasing the risk of positivity by 5.72 times. When analyzing the database of official agencies, there were no records of cases of neurocysticercosis or taeniasis in the resident population in the last 5 years. However, there were frequent cases of idiopathic epilepsy. The results demonstrate that study area is endemic for swine cysticercosis and serves as a warning of the possibility of the occurrence of the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex.

High Genotypic Diversity, Putative New Types and Intra-Genotype Variants of Bovine Papillomavirus in Northeast Brazil.

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) can cause damage to the epithelial and mucosal tissue and currently presents 28 known types. Not all BPV types are associated with the development of cancer in cattle. Studies have shown that variants of human papillomavirus types can present different pathogenic profiles. However, despite the similarity, it is not yet known whether variants of BPV types can also present varying degrees of pathogenicity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability of BPV types and variants isolated in Northeastern Brazil. Samples were obtained from animals with papillomatous lesions. BPV DNA was detected by the amplification of the L1 gene and genotyping was performed by sequencing. Mutations were analyzed in a phylogenetic, structural and functional context. In total, 52 positive samples were obtained and 11 different BPV types were identified in the samples. Ten putative new BPV types were also identified. In addition, several non-synonymous mutations were identified and predicted to alter protein stability, having an impact on immune evasion. The study demonstrated a high genetic diversity of BPV in the region with a large number of mutations identified, serving as a basis for more efficient control measures to be adopted for bovine papillomatosis.

Pythiosis in cattle in Northeastern Brazil / Pitiose em bovinos no Nordeste do Brasil

The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of cutaneous pythiosis occurring in cattle from three farms in the Northeastern of Brazil are described. A biopsy of the lesions of one bovine from each farm was performed. In two cases, the affected cattle had contact with water accumulated in dams during the dry season in the semiarid region. Another case occurred in the coastal tropical region in cattle grazing around irrigation channels. Clinically, lesions were observed mainly on the skin of the thoracic and/or pelvic limbs, characterized by flat and irregular ulcerated areas or nodules of varying sizes, some with fistulous tracts penetrating deep into the subcutaneous tissue. In one case the regional lymph nodes were affected. Histologically, in all cases, pyogranulomatous dermatitis associated with negative hyphae images, in hematoxylin-eosin stained sections, were observed. In sections stained by Grocott methenamine silver, the hyphae measured 2-8μm and had irregular ramifications and rare septations. Immunohistochemistry technique demonstrated strong immunolabeling for Pythium insidiosum. Pythiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of dermatopathies in cattle in the Northeastern of Brazil.(AU)

Descrevem-se os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos da pitiose cutânea em bovinos de três propriedades do Nordeste do Brasil. Uma biópsia das lesões de um bovino de cada propriedade foi realizada. Em dois casos, os bovinos afetados tiveram acesso à água acumulada em açudes durante a estação seca da região semiárida. O outro bovino acometido estava a pastoreio próximo a canais de irrigação na região litorânea. Clinicamente, as lesões foram observadas principalmente na pele dos membros torácicos e/ou pélvicos e caracterizavam-se por áreas planas e irregulares de ulceração ou nódulos de tamanhos variados, alguns com trajetos fistulosos penetrando profundamente no tecido subcutâneo. Em um caso, os linfonodos regionais foram afetados. Histologicamente, em todos os casos, observou-se dermatite piogranulomatosa associada a imagens negativas de hifas, em secções corados por hematoxilina e eosina. Em seções coradas por metenamina de prata de Grocott, as hifas mediam 2-8μm e possuíam ramificações irregulares com raras septações. A imuno-histoquímica demonstrou forte imunomarcação para Pythium insidiosum. A pitiose deve ser incluída como diagnóstico diferencial de dermatopatias de bovinos no Nordeste do Brasil.(AU)

Resposta imunológica em caprinos vacinados contra agalaxia contagiosa / Immune response in goats vaccinated against contagious agalactia

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de duas vacinas inativadas contra agalaxia contagiosa contendo adjuvante oleoso e aquoso. Para tanto, foram utilizados 73 caprinos, agrupados em dois experimentos. No experimento I, para avaliar a inocuidade das vacinas, foram utilizados 15 caprinos, subdivididos em três grupos de cinco animais cada, sendo que o grupo A1 foi imunizado com a vacina aquosa, o grupo B1 com a vacina oleosa e o grupo C não imunizado, foi o controle. No experimento II, para avaliar a resposta imune foram utilizados 58 caprinos, subdivididos em dois grupos, sendo o grupo A2, com 28 animais imunizados com a vacina aquosa e o grupo B2, com 30 animais imunizados com a vacina oleosa. Os animais do experimento II receberam uma terceira dose, 180 dias após a segunda dose vacinal. Os níveis de anticorpos foram determinados por ELISA indireto, realizado no dia de cada vacinação e 30 dias após a segunda dose (experimento I) e 30 dias após a terceira dose vacinal (experimento II). Os animais do grupo B1 e B2 (vacina oleosa) apresentaram níveis de anticorpos estatisticamente superiores (P<0,05) quando comparados aos dos grupos A1 e A2 (vacina aquosa) nos dois experimentos.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two inactivated vaccines against contagious agalactia containing adjuvant oily and watery. For this, 73 goats were divided in two experiments. In the experiment I was verified the vaccine safety and 15 goats were divided into three experimental groups of five animals each. A1 and B1 groups were immunized with vaccine containing either aluminum or oil, respectively, and group C was the control group without immunization. In the experiment II, the immune response against the vaccines was evaluated by immunization of 58 goats that were divided in to two groups: group A2, 28 animals were immunized with the aluminum based vaccine; and group B2, 30 animals were immunized with the oil based vaccine. In the experiment II, the animals received a third dose on 180 day after the second dose. Antibody levels were determined by indirect ELISA from ssamples collected on vaccination days and on 30 day after the second dose (Experiment I) and on 30 day after the third dose (Experiment II). The animals from B1 and B2 groups (oil based vaccine) demonstrated higher antibody levels (P<0.05) than A1 and A2 (aluminum based vaccine) in both experiments.

Ocorrência e fatores de risco associados à infecção por Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis em caprinos e ovinos do semiárido paraibano / Occurrence and risk factors associated with the Corynebacterium pseudotuberculo sis infection in sheep and goats from the semiarid region of the Paraiba state, Northeastern Brazil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a ocorrência e os fatores de risco associados à infecção por Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis em caprinos e ovinos do semiárido da Paraiba. De 640 animais examinados, 7,7% (49/640) apresentavam evidências clínicas de linfadenite caseosa. Em 59,2% (29/49) destes animais havia apenas as cicatrizes de abscessos anteriormente rompidos; em 40,8% (20/49) dos animais, os abscessos estavam intactos. Desses 20 animais, 13 (65%) caprinos apresentaram 14 abscessos, enquanto que sete (35%) ovinos apresentaram oito abscessos. Em ambas as espécies, o linfonodo pré-escapular foi o mais acometido. No exame microbiológico, constatou-se que C. pseudotuberculosis foi o agente mais frequentemente isolado, em 15 (68,2%) amostras; em uma (4,5%) foi isolado Staphylococcus coagulase negativa; uma (4,5%) Enterococcus sp.; uma (4,5%) o Proteus mirabilis e Pseudomonas aeruginosa; e em quatro (18,2%) amostras não houve crescimento bacteriano. O modelo final de regressão logística mostrou que animais provenientes de rebanhos em que seus proprietários deixavam os abscessos romperem naturalmente tiveram maior chance de apresentar linfadenite caseosa (odds ratio =8,19; IC 95% =1,75-38,25; p=0,008). Conclui-se que os caprinovinocultores da região devem adotar medidas profiláticas em seus rebanhos, como abertura e drenagem precoce dos abscessos superficiais e destino adequado do conteúdo. Tais medidas, associadas à inspeção periódica do rebanho, descarte de animais doentes e não introdução de animais infectados, contribuirão significativamente para o controle desta infecção.

This study aimed to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with Cory nebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in goats and sheep in semiarid region of Paraiba State, Northeastern Brazil. Of the 640 animals examined, 7.7% (49/640) had clinical evidence of caseous lymphadenitis. In 59.2% (29/49) of these animals there was only the scars of previously ruptured abscesses and in 40.8% (20/49) of the animals abscesses were intact. Of these 20 animals 13 (65%) goats had 14 abscesses, whereas seven (35%) sheep had eight abscesses. In both species, pre-scapular lymph node was the most involved. C. pseudotuberculosis was the agent most frequently isolated, in 15 (68.2%) samples, and in one (4.5%) coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was isolated, one (4.5%) Enterococ cus sp., one (4.5%) Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and in four (18.2%) samples there was no bacterial growth. The final logistic regression model showed that animals from herds where their owners let the abscesses break naturally presented larger odds of caseous lymphadenitis (odds ratio = 8.19, 95% CI = 1.75 - 38.25, p = 0.008). We conclude that goat/sheep owners of the region should adopt preventive measures in their herds, such as early opening and drainage of superficial abscesses, and appropriate destination of the content. Such measures, in addition to regular inspection of the flock, disposal of diseased animals and introduction of non-infected animals will contribute to the control of this infection.

Protothecosis by Prototheca wickerhamii in goats.

This article reports a new case of protothecosis by Prototheca wickerhamii in goats. The animal presented severe respiratory difficulty and nodules, sometimes ulcerated, in the nasal vestibule, mucocutaneous junction of the nostrils and skin of the face. Prototheca wickerhamii was isolated from the lesions. The animal had no clinical or haematologiccl evidence of immunodepression. The agent was highly resistant to antimicrobial drugs. The goat was treated unsuccessfully with fluconazole and euthanised 10 months after the diagnosis of the disease. Histological lesions were necrotising pyogranulomatous dermatitis, rhinitis and osteomyelitis with myriads of walled sporangia characteristic of P. wickerhamii. It is suggested that in goats, protothecosis is characterised by a chronic, slowly progressive infection, which affects immunologically competent goats, causing multifocal, ulcerative, pyogranulomatous and necrotising lesions of the mucosa of the nasal vestibule, mucocutaneous junctions of the nostrils and skin of the face.

Outbreaks of rhinofacial and rhinopharyngeal zygomycosis in sheep in Paraíba, northeastern Brazil

Two outbreaks of zigomycosis with rhinofacial and two other with rhinopharyngeal lesions involving fungi with filamentous coaenocytic hyphae characteristic of entomoph-thoramycetous fungi are reported in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. One outbreak of rhinofacial zygomycosis occurred during the rainy season affecting 5 sheep. Another outbreak of the clinical form affected one out of 40 sheep during the dry season. Common clinical signs of the rhinofacial infection were bilateral serosanguineous nasal discharge with swelling of nostrils, upper lip, and the skin of the face. At necropsy the nasal mucosa showed dark brownish ulcerated areas which extended from the mucocutaneous region to 10cm inside the nasal vestibule. The mucosa of the hard palate was also ulcerated. The cutting surface of nostrils and palate showed a brownish or red spongeous tissue of friable consistency. One outbreak of rhinopharyngitis took place on an irrigated coconut farm; 7 out of 60 adult sheep were affected. Another outbreak affected a sheep in a flock of 80 during the dry season. Clinical signs as noisy respiration and dyspnoea due to mechanical blockage of the nasal cavities, swelling of the nostrils, and serosanguineous nasal discharge were observed. Six out of 8 sheep in this group showed exophthalmia, keratitis and unilateral corneal ulceration of the eye. The sheep either died of their infection or were euthanized after a clinical course of 7-30 days. At necropsy there was a dense yellow exudate in the nasopharyngeal area affecting the ethmoidal region, turbinate bones, paranasal sinuses, hard and soft palates, orbital cavity, pharynges, regional muscles and lymph nodes. Histopathologically both forms of the disease showed multifocal granulomas with an eosinophilic necrotic reaction (Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon) containing ribbon-type coenocytic hyphae with 7-30mm in diameter similar to hyphae of zygomycetous fungi, possibly Conidiobolus spp. Outbrea...

Dois surtos de lesões rinofaciais e dois de lesões rinofaríngeas causadas por fungos com hifas filamentosas, raramente septadas, semelhantes às dos fungos entomophthorales, são descritos no Estado da Paraíba. Um surto da forma rinofacial afetou 5 ovinos durante a estação chuvosa. Outro surto desta forma clínica afetou um ovino de um grupo de 40, durante a época seca. Os sinais clínicos da forma rinofacial foram de corrimento serosanguinolento bilateral, com aumento de volume das narinas, lábio superior, e pele da face. Na necropsia, a mucosa nasal apresentava áreas ulceradas de cor marrom escuro, que se estendiam desde a região muco-cutánea até 10cm dentro do vestíbulo nasal. A mucosa do palato duro estava, também, ulcerada. A superfície de corte das narinas e palato apresentava-se marrom ou avermelhada de aspecto esponjoso e friável. Um surto de rinofaringite micótica ocorreu em uma plantação de coco irrigado, afetando 7 ovinos de um rebanho de 60 ovinos adultos. Outro surto desta forma da enfermidade afetou um único animal de um rebanho de 80, durante a época seca. Os animais apresentavam dispnéia, com respiração ruidosa devida ao bloqueio parcial das narinas, e corrimento nasal serosanguinolento. Seis dos oito animais afetados por esta forma da enfermidade apresentaram, em um olho, exoftalmia, ceratite e ulceração da córnea. Todos os ovinos morreram ou foram sacrificados após um curso clínico de 7-30 dias. Na necropsia exsudato amarelo consistente foi observado na região etmoidal, ossos turbinados, seios paranasais, palatos duro e mole, órbita, faringe, e músculos e linfonodos regionais. No estudo histológico, ambas as formas da doença mostraram granulomas multifocais com áreas necróticas eosinofílicas (material de Splendore-Hoeppli) contendo hifas com 7-30mm de diâmetro, raramente septadas, semelhantes às dos fungos entomophthorales, possivelmente Conidiobolus spp. Surtos de ambas as formas de rinite micótica são freqüentes na região ...