The effect of selective dry cow therapies based on two different algorithms on antimicrobial use, udder health, milk production, and culling in the absence of internal teat sealant use at dry-off.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) strategies based on 2 different algorithms as compared with blanket dry-cow therapy for measures of udder health, milk yield, and culling in herds not using internal teat sealant. Cows from 2 commercial farms in West Texas were randomized into 3 different groups: SDCT Algorithm 1 (ALG1; n = 455) cows treated with an intramammary antimicrobial at dry-off if somatic cell count (SCC) > 200,000 cells/mL at any Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) test date or if the cow had 2 or more cases of clinical mastitis during the enrollment lactation; SDCT Algorithm 2 (ALG2; n = 458) cows treated with an intramammary antimicrobial at dry-off if SCC >200,000 cell/mL at last test date or any case of clinical mastitis during the enrollment lactation; Control cows (CON = 447) received blanket dry cow therapy. All cows enrolled in the study did not receive an internal or external teat sealant. Data related to milk and somatic cell count linear score (LSCC) was collected monthly. Milk yield and LSCC during the first 6 mo of lactation were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA models, while Cox's Proportional Hazards models were fitted to culling and clinical mastitis data. The farm was fitted as a random effect in all models. The percentage of cows receiving antimicrobials at dry cow was 51.3, 24.7, and 100% for ALG1, ALG2, and CON, respectively. Treatment did not influence the IMI dynamics during the dry period. Additionally, no statistical differences related to treatment were observed for LSCC and milk yield. The LSCC for ALG1, ALG2, and CON was 2.44, 2.41, and 2.26, respectively. The average milk yield for ALG1, ALG2, and CON cows was 43.2, 43.2, and 44.0 kg/d, respectively. Treatment did not affect clinical mastitis incidence and culling. The cumulative incidence of clinical mastitis was 19.6%, 19.4%, and 21.4% for ALG1, ALG2, and CON cows respectively. Additionally, the cumulative risk of death or culling was 18.5%, 17.1%, and 19.5% for ALG1, ALG2, and CON cows respectively. In conclusion, SDCT strategies led to a decrease in antimicrobial drug use at dry-off, without significantly impacting the incidence of clinical mastitis, the risk of culling, LSCC and milk yield of dairy cows. However, numerical differences in LSCC and milk yield were observed between treatment groups.

Cow-related factors associated with intramammary infections during the 1st week postpartum in primiparous dairy cows in certified organic herds.

The objectives if this exploratory study were to identify variables associated with intramammary infections (IMI) during the 1st week of lactation in primiparous organic dairy cows, and to evaluate the association of those variables with somatic cell count (SCC) linear scores and milk yield in early lactation. Nulliparous cows (n = 240) were evaluated for: udder edema, teat edema, milk leakage (ML) and udder hygiene at weeks 6, 4, 2, and 1 prepartum and 1st week postpartum; body condition score (BCS) at 6 weeks prepartum and 1st week postpartum; age at calving (days), gestation length, dystocia, stillbirth, calf sex were included in the analysis. Milk samples from the 1st week postpartum were cultured using standard laboratory techniques and bacterial growth was considered IMI. Intramammary infection was observed in 58.7% of cows, with Staphylococcus chromogenes and S. aureus being the most prevalent pathogens. Cows with ML at 1st week postpartum were at 3.42 greater odds of IMI (P < 0.01). Cows with prepartum BCS ≥ 3.75 were at 3.12 greater odds of IMI (P < 0.01). Cows with ML in the 1st week of lactation had increased SCC (P < 0.01) and lower milk production in the second month of lactation (P = 0.05). Intervention studies are needed to evaluate if monitoring prepartum BCS and ML at early postpartum can aid in the control of IMIs in heifers in organic dairies.

Effect of injectable trace mineral supplementation on peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocyte function, antioxidant enzymes, health, and performance in dairy cows in semi-arid conditions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous injections of 15 mg/mL Cu, 5 mg/mL Se, 60 mg/mL Zn, and 10 mg/mL Mn on health, performance, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function, circulating glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations, and inflammation of dairy cows undergoing the transition period in high temperature-humidity index. A total of 923 multiparous cows from 2 commercial dairy farms were randomly allocated into 1 of 2 treatment groups as follows: control and injectable trace mineral supplementation (ITMS). Cows in the ITMS group received 7 mL of subcutaneous injections at dry-off (208 ± 3 d of gestation), 260 ± 3 d of gestation, and at 35 ± 3 d in milk (DIM). Data regarding health traits, reproductive performance, milk yield, and survivability were extracted from farm database software, and animals were followed-up until 300 DIM. For a subset of 142 cows from one herd, blood samples were collected at enrollment, and at 3 ± 1, 7 ± 1, 10 ± 1, and 35 ± 3 DIM to evaluate hematology, PMNL function, GPx and SOD concentrations, and circulating haptoglobin. Logistic regression was used to assess health and pregnancy per artificial insemination at first service. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate hazard of pregnancy and culling. Mixed linear regression models accounting for repeated measures were used to assess all continuous variables collected over time. Parity, twinning, and previous gestation length were considered as potential confounders. Farm was included as a random effect. The ITMS cows tended to have lower incidence of metritis and stillbirth compared with control group. However, ITMS treatment did not influence the incidence of other diseases (e.g., mastitis, retained placenta), milk yield, reproductive performance, culling, and leukocyte count. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, PMNL phagocytosis, and oxidative burst as well as intensity of the oxidative burst were greater for ITMS-treated cows in comparison to control cows. The ITMS cows had decreased expression of the adhesion molecule L-selectin on PMNL surface. The serum concentration of GPx and SOD were not affected by ITMS treatment. In conclusion, ITMS tended to reduce the incidence of metritis and stillbirth parturition, improved PMNL function, and improved the inflammatory status of dairy cows undergoing the transition period in high temperature-humidity index conditions. However, these findings did not translate into improved milk yield, reproductive performance, and survivability.

Supercritical CO2 assisted process for the production of high-purity and sterile nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan hybrid scaffolds.

Hybrid scaffolds composed of hydroxyapatite (HAp), in particular in its nanometric form (n-HAp), and chitosan (CS) are promising materials for non-load-bearing bone graft applications. The main constraints of their production concern the successful implementation of the final purification/neutralization and sterilization steps. Often, the used purification strategies can compromise scaffold structural features, and conventional sterilization techniques can result in material's thermal degradation and/or contamination with toxic residues. In this context, this work presents a process to produce n-HAp/CS scaffolds mimicking bone composition and structure, where an innovative single step based on supercritical CO2 extraction was used for both purification and sterilization. A removal of 80% of the residual acetic acid was obtained (T = 75°C, p = 8.0 MPa, 2 extraction cycles of 2 h) giving rise to scaffolds exhibiting adequate interconnected porous structure, fast swelling and storage modulus compatible with non-load-bearing applications. Moreover, the obtained scaffolds showed cytocompatibility and osteoconductivity without further need of disinfection/sterilization procedures. Among the main advantages, the proposed process comprises only three steps (n-HAp/CS dispersion preparation; freeze-drying; and supercritical CO2 extraction), and the supercritical CO2 extraction show clear advantages over currently used procedures based on neutralization steps. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 965-975, 2018.

An inexpensive and worldwide available digital image analysis technique for histological fibrosis quantification in chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatic fibrosis staging is based on semiquantitative scores. Digital imaging analysis (DIA) appears more accurate because fibrosis is quantified in a continuous scale. However, high cost, lack of standardization and worldwide unavailability restrict its use in clinical practice. We developed an inexpensive and widely available DIA technique for fibrosis quantification in hepatitis C, and here, we evaluate its reproducibility and correlation with semiquantitative scores, and determine the fibrosis percentage associated with septal fibrosis and cirrhosis. 282 needle biopsies staged by Ishak and METAVIR scores were included. Images of trichrome-stained sections were captured and processed using Adobe(®) Photoshop(®) CS3 and Adobe(®) Bridge(®) softwares. The percentage of fibrosis (fibrosis index) was determined by the ratio between the fibrosis area and the total sample area, expressed in pixels calculated in an automated way. An excellent correlation between DIA fibrosis index and Ishak and METAVIR scores was observed (Spearman's r = 0.95 and 0.92; P < 0.001, respectively). Excellent intra-observer reproducibility was observed in a randomly chosen subset of 39 biopsies with an intraclass correlation index of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.95-0.99). The best cut-offs associated with septal fibrosis and cirrhosis were 6% (AUROC 0.97, 95% CI, 0.95-0.99) and 27% (AUROC 1.0, 95% CI, 0.99-1), respectively. This new DIA technique had high correlation with semiquantitative scores in hepatitis C. This method is reproducible, inexpensive and available worldwide allowing its use in clinical practice. The incorporation of DIA technique provides a more complete evaluation of fibrosis adding the quantification to architectural patterns.

Influence of dietary calcium level, calcium source, and phytase on bird performance and mineral digestibility during a natural necrotic enteritis episode.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Ca source [highly soluble calcified seaweed (HSC) or limestone], phytase supplementation, and dietary levels of Ca on bird performance and mineral digestibility (Ca and P) during a necrotic enteritis (NE) episode. Cobb 500 male broilers were weighed and randomized into 8 treatment groups (9 pens/treatment; 30 birds/pen) at day of hatch. The 21-d trial was designed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, which included 2 dietary levels of Ca (0.6 and 0.9%), 2 Ca sources (limestone or HSC), and 2 levels of an Escherichia coli phytase (0 or 1,000 FTU/kg). One unit of phytase (FTU) is defined as the quantity of enzyme that releases 1 µmol of inorganic phosphorus/min from 0.00015 mol/L of sodium phytate at pH 5.5 at 37° C. Birds were placed on used litter from a previous flock that exhibited clinical signs of NE. Birds and feed were weighed on d 7, 14, and 21, and BW gain, feed intake, and feed conversion were calculated for each of these periods and cumulatively. Mortality was recorded daily and pH of the gizzard and duodenum were measured on d 7, 14, and 21. Ileal digesta (8 birds/pen) was collected on d 7, 14, and 21. Significance is reported at P < 0.05. Birds began exhibiting clinical signs of NE on d 9, and elevated NE-associated mortality persisted until the end of the trial. Significantly higher mortality was observed when broilers were fed diets with 0.9% Ca from HSC compared with birds fed diets with 0.6% Ca, regardless of Ca source. Broilers fed 0.6% Ca diets supplemented with phytase were heavier than the other treatments regardless of Ca source. Broilers fed diets formulated with HSC had significantly higher feed conversion then broilers fed diets formulated with limestone. The gizzard of broilers fed 0.9% Ca in the diet was significantly less acidic than the gizzard of broilers fed 0.6% Ca in the diet. Broilers fed 0.6% Ca in diets supplemented with phytase showed significant improvements in P and Ca digestibility. In conclusion, higher dietary Ca (0.9% vs. 0.6%) had a negative effect on mortality associated with NE and on bird performance.

Incidence of bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency, complex vertebral malformation, and deficiency of uridine-5-monophosphate synthase carriers in Brazilian Girolando cattle.

Among the various hereditary diseases that have been widely studied in dairy cattle, bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), deficiency of uridine-5-monophosphate synthase (DUMPS), and complex vertebral malformation (CVM) are noteworthy because of their high impact on overall herd productivity as a consequence of increased calf mortality. The aim of this study was to verify the frequency of carriers of BLAD, CVM, and DUMPS mutant alleles in cows and bulls from the National Girolando Progeny Test carried out in Brazil by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and allele-specific PCR assays. A total of 777 animals were genotyped for BLAD, 783 for CVM, and 122 for DUMPS. The frequencies of carriers for BLAD and CVM were 0.77 and 1.53%, respectively, whereas no carriers of DUMPS were observed.

Extra-phosphoric effects of superdoses of a novel microbial phytase.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of a novel microbial phytase on broiler performance from d 0 to 42 and tibia ash at d 21. Male Cobb 500 broilers (n = 2,016) were fed 1 of 7 experimental diets: positive control (PC) formulated to meet or exceed nutrient recommendations; PC plus dicalcium phosphate (PC+DCP) formulated to provide Ca and P at 0.10% above the PC; PC plus 500 U/kg of microbial phytase (PC+500); negative control (NC) with Ca and P reduced from the PC by 0.16 and 0.15%, respectively; and NC plus 500 (NC+500), 1,000 (NC+1,000), or 1,500 (NC+1,500) U/kg of microbial phytase. Diets were fed in 3 phases from d 0 to 21, d 22 to 42, and d 43 to 49 to 32 birds/pen and 9 replicate pens/diet. From d 0 to 21, broilers fed the NC diet had decreased (P ≤ 0.05) BW gain and tibia ash compared with broilers fed all other diets, except tibia ash in birds fed PC+500. Phytase supplementation at 500, 1,000, or 1,500 U/kg to the NC improved (P ≤ 0.05) BW gain and tibia ash comparable with the PC. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (P ≤ 0.05) in broilers fed NC+1,500 compared with broilers fed all other diets. From d 0 to 49, growth performance was not influenced (P > 0.05) by diet. However, FCR was improved (P ≤ 0.05) in broilers fed 1,500 U/kg of microbial phytase compared with broilers fed the PC, PC+DCP, and NC. There were no differences in performance or tibia ash between broilers fed the PC or PC+DCP, which would indicate the PC diet was sufficient in Ca and P. Therefore, the improvements in FCR in the NC+1500 may be associated with mitigation of the antinutrient effects of phytate rather than improved P utilization.

Differential expression of genes during mastitis in Holstein-Zebu crossbreed dairy cows.

Among the potential public health problems of animal production, infectious-contagious diseases stand out. Mastitis is among the main diseases affecting dairy cattle. One of the most promising options to reduce the problems caused by this disease, besides proper sanitary and management practices, is selective breeding of resistant animals. To shed light on the immune response mechanisms involved in the resistance/susceptibility phenotype to this disease, we quantified the relative expression of the genes IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, TLR-2, SEMA5A, and FEZL in cells of crossbreed dairy cows, divided into two groups, one healthy and the other suffering from clinical mastitis. Total RNA was extracted from the cells in the milk from the animals in each group (with and without clinical mastitis). Gene expression was determined using the real-time PCR method. The levels of gene expression were compared, and the cows with mastitis were found to express 2.5 times more TLR-2 than those free of mastitis (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the expression of the other genes.

Chemokines expression during Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni infection in resistant BALB/c and susceptible C3H/HeJ mice

The role of innate immune responses in protection against leptospirosis remains unclear. We examined the expression of the chemokines CCL2/JE (MCP-1), CCL3/MIP-1á (MIP-1á) and CXCL1/KC (IL-8) regarding resistance and susceptibility to leptospirosis in experimental mice models BALB/c and C3H/HeJ, respectively. A virulent strain of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni was used in this study. Twenty-five animals of each mouse strain of C3H/HeJ and BALB/c, were infected intraperitoneally with 106 cells. Five un-infected animals of each strain were kept as control. Mortality of C3H/HeJ mouse was observed while BALB/c mice were asymptomatic. The presence of leptospire DNA in tissues of infected animals was demonstrated by PCR. Chemokines were measured in serum, spleen, liver, kidney and lung of both strains of animals using immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). Elevations in the levels of chemokines MCP-1 and IL-8 occurred in all organs and sera of C3H/HeJ and BALB/c infected mice. The levels of MIP-1á were lower when compared to MCP-1 and IL-8 in all analyzed organs, with a slight increase in liver and kidney. Our results indicate that the expression of inflammatory mediators can vary greatly, depending on the tissue and mouse strains. It is possible that the resistance to Leptospira can be partially correlated to the increase of MIP-1á observed in BALB/c mice, while an increasing and a sustained expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 in the lungs of C3H/HeJ mice can be correlated to the severity and progression of leptospirosis.

Association of the heart fatty acid-binding protein gene with quality of carcass and meat traits in pigs / Associação entre o gene da proteína de ligação de ácidos graxos - coração com características de carcaça e qualidade da carne em suínos

The heart fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) gene was sequenced in parental animals of a F2 crossing of boars of the Brazilian native Piau breed with commercial sows (Landrace x Large White Pietrain). Primers used for PCR were designed to amplify four exons of the gene. The PCR products were sequenced and compared with the GenBank sequences. Differences between the generated sequences and the GenBank sequences were observed for both genetic groups. A total of 246 F2 animals were genotyped using the Hinf I restriction enzyme. Two genotypes were identified, 198 being animals HH and 48 Hh. The Hinf I SNP was significantly associated with weights of loin (bone-in) (P<0.05), jowl (P<0.05), sirloin (P<0.10), and kidneys (P<0.01). These results showed the potential of the H-FABP gene in marker-assisted selection programs for carcass traits in pigs.

O gene da proteína de ligação de ácidos graxos - coração foi seqüenciado em animais parentais de um cruzamento F2 entre varrões da raça nativa brasileira Piau e fêmeas comerciais (Landrace x Large White x Pietrain). Os primers utilizados na reação em cadeia da polimerase foram desenhados para amplificarem os quatro éxons do gene. Os fragmentos amplificados foram seqüenciados e comparados com a seqüência do gene depositada no GenBank. Foram observadas divergências entre as seqüências geradas e as do GenBank para ambos os grupos genéticos. Foram genotipados 246 animais F2 utilizando-se a enzima Hinf I. Dois genótipos foram identificados, sendo 198 animais HH e 48 animais Hh. O polimorfismo apresentou efeito sobre o peso total do carré (P<0,05), o peso da papada (P<0,05), o peso do filezinho (P<0,10) e o peso dos rins (P<0,01). Os resultados indicam que o gene da H-FABP apresenta potencial para aplicação em programas de seleção assistida por marcadores moleculares em suínos.

Condições térmicas ambientais e desempenho de aves criadas em aviários com e sem o uso de forro / Environmental thermal conditions and performance of broilers raised in aviaries with and without the use of polyethylene lining

O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2x2, para avaliar o efeito de época de ano, o tipo de forro de polietileno sobre as condições térmicas, de umidade e o desempenho de aves de corte. Foram utilizados quatro aviários, cada um dividido internamente em quatro boxes para alojar 200 aves cada. As variáveis de desempenho avaliadas foram peso vivo, ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e mortalidade das aves do nascimento ao 42º dia de idade. O desempenho das aves foi melhor com aviários com forro. As condições térmicas foram melhoradas cm a utilização de forro nos aviários

This experiment was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design, factorial arrangement 2x2, to evaluate the effect of period of year and type polyethylene liming on thermal and humidity of aviaries and performance of broiler. Four aviaries were divided in four boxes to house 200 chickens each. The recorded performance traits were body weight, weight gain feed intake, feed:weght gain ratio and mortality from hatch to 42 days of age. Better thermal conditions and higher chicken performance were observed in the polyethylene liming aviaries

Eicosanoid-mediated proinflammatory activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoU.

As Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoU possesses two functional blocks of homology to calcium-independent (iPLA(2)) and cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), we addressed the question whether it would exhibit a proinflammatory activity by enhancing the synthesis of eicosanoids by host organisms. Endothelial cells from the HMEC-1 line infected with the ExoU-producing PA103 strain exhibited a potent release of arachidonic acid (AA) that could be significantly inhibited by methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP), a specific PLA(2) inhibitor, as well as significant amounts of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived prostaglandins PGE(2) and PGI(2). Cells infected with an isogenic mutant defective in ExoU synthesis did not differ from non-infected cells in the AA release and produced prostanoids in significantly lower concentrations. Infection by PA103 induced a marked inflammatory response in two different in vivo experimental models. Inoculation of the parental bacteria into mice footpads led to an early increase in the infected limb volume that could be significantly reduced by inhibitors of both COX and lipoxygenase (ibuprofen and NDGA respectively). In an experimental respiratory infection model, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from mice instilled with 10(4) cfu of PA103 exhibited a marked influx of inflammatory cells and PGE(2) release that could be significantly reduced by indomethacin, a non-selective COX inhibitor. Our results suggest that ExoU may contribute to P. aeruginosa pathogenesis by inducing an eicosanoid-mediated inflammatory response of host organisms.

Avaliacao da eficacia da estimulacao eletrica nervosa transcutanea sobre a intensidade da dor, volumes pulmonares e forca muscular respiratoria no pos-operatorio de cirurgia abdominal: estudo de caso / Evaluation of TENS effectivens in pain intensity, chest volumes and respiratory muscle force in posoperative abdominal surgery: case report

O procedimento cirurgico do abdome contribui para disfuncoes na musculatura respiratoria, em razao da dor e dos anestesicos utilizados, podendo resultar em complicacoes pulmonares. Este trabalho objetivou verificar a eficacia da Estimulacao Eletrica Nervosa transcutanea (TENS) sobre a intensidade da dor, os volumes pilmonares e a forca muscular respiratoria no pos-operatorio de cirurgia abdominal em paciente do sexo masculino, 55 anos, om doenca pulmonar obstrutiva cronica, submetido a incisao vertical mediana para realizacao de laparotomia exploratoria. Os instrumentos utilizados neste estudo foram escala analogo-visual (EAV), ventilometro OHMEDA, manovacuometro e TENS HTM convencional. Foi realizada avaliacao no pre e pos-operatorio, quando foram obtidos valores de EAV, ventilometria e manovacuometria. No pos-operatorio, os mesmos parametros foram avaliados apos uma hora de aplicacao da TENS. O valor numerico da dor referida variou de 7 para 4, da condicao de pre para pos-aplicacao da TENS. Da condicao pos-operatoria pre-TENS a pos-TENS, o paciente apresentou aumento de 3,5(por cento) do volume corrente (Vc), diminuicao de 9,5(por cento) da frequencia respiratoria (Fr) e de 6,34(por cento) do volume minuto (VM) e incremento de 33(por cento) da pImax e de 100(por cento) da PEmax. A utilizacao da TENS dimunuiu a dor e melhorou os volumes pulmonares e a forca muscular respiratoria no pos-operatorio de cirugia abdominal

Laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion for the treatment of morbid obesity: initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Open biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is a proven effective operation for morbid obesity. We developed a technique which permits BPD to be performed laparoscopically. METHODS: 10 patients were submitted to BPD by laparoscopy in July and August 2000 for the treatment of morbid obesity. All patients were morbidly obese (BMI 40-55). RESULTS: All operations were performed by laparoscopy with no need to convert to laparotomy. No complications related to surgery were observed. CONCLUSION: The technique, with an acceptable level of complexity, can be safely executed by laparoscopy as described by Scopinaro.

Estimativa dos índices de pneumonia, pela tosse, e de rinite atrófica, por espirros, em suínos / Estimating of pneumonia by coughing and atrophic rhinitis by sneezing indices in swine

Realizou-se um estudo em 64 granjas de suínos na regiäo sul do Brasil entre julho de 1995 e março de 1997 com o objetivo de estimar o índice de pneumonia (IP) e o índice de rinite atrófica (IRA), por meio da contagem dos sinais clínicos de tosse e espirro, respectivamente, em suínos em crescimento-terminaçäo. Em cada granja, um lote com cerca de 60 suínos foi acompanhado desde o alojamento na fase de crescimento até o abate. Tosse e espirro foram contados em quatro oportunidades (30, 50 e 80 dias após o alojamento e 1 a 3 dias antes do abate). Em cada oportunidade foram feitas três contagens de dois minutos cada e o percentual de tosse e espirro para cada lote foi calculado pela média das três contagens em relaçäo ao tamanho do lote. No abate, os suínos foram avaliados quanto à frequência e severidade de lesöes de hepatizaçäo pulmonar e de rinite atrófica nos cornetos nasais para cálculo do IP e do IRA, respectivamente. Os dados foram submetidos às análises de correlaçäo de Pearson e de regressäo simples para ajuste da equaçäo de prediçäo do IP em relaçäo à porcentagem de tosse e do IRA em relaçäo à porcentagem de espirro. As equaçöes obtidas foram: IPe=0,35 + (o,11 x porcentagem de tosse) com R ao quadrado=0,45 e IRAe=0,36 + (0,065 x porcentagem de espirro) com R ao quadrado=0,36. Conclui-se que é possível utilizar o método de contagem de tosse e espirro na fase de crescimento-terminaçäo para estimar, respectivamente, o IP e o IRA

Fatores de risco associados aos problemas dos leitöes na fase de creche em rebanhos da regiäo Sul do Brasil / Risk factors associated with post-weaning pigs problems in herds of South region of Brazil

Um experimento de pesquisa epidemiológica observacional foi realizado em 65 rebanhos da regiäo Sul do Brasil, com o objetivo de identificar o conjunto de fatores de risco que melhor explicam a ocorrência de problemas com os leitöes na fase de creche. Em cada rebanho acompanhou-se um lote de leitöes durante as primeiras três semanas após o desmame, sendo avaliadas variáveis ligadas às instalaçöes, à nutriçäo, ao manejo, ao ambiente e à saúde dos leitöes. Na análise estatística dos dados foram utilizados métodos descritivos e multidimencionais. As variáveis objetivas usadas para descrever os problemas dos leitöes na fase de creche foram: ganho de peso diário, coeficiente de variaçäo do peso dos leitöes aos 21 dias após o desmame, ocorrência de diarréia no lote, taxa de mortalidade e o uso de medicamentos curativos contra diarréia. Com essas variáveis elaborou-se uma variável sintética que discriminava as granjas em três categorias: boas, intermediárias e ruins. Dentre as variáveis explicativas, foram identificados 10 fatores de risco que melhor discriminaram os rebanhos estudados quanto a ocorrência de diarréia, mortalidade e desempenho dos leitöes na fase de creche. Com isso, foi possível elaborar o perfil de granjas com alta tendência de apresentarem problemas com os leitöes na fase de creche. Conclui-se que em muitos rebanhos da regiäo Sul do Brasil existem vários fatores de risco que favorecem a ocorrência de problemas com os leitöes na fase de creche, alguns deles sendo conseqüência da fase de maternidade

[Clinical profile of cytomegalovirus (CMV) enterocolitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. / Perfil clínico da Enterocolite por Citomegalovírus (CMV) na síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (Aids).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical profile of CMV colitis in AIDS patients, comparing clinical, endoscopic parameters and survival time between 2 groups of AIDS patients having chronic diarrhea. Group A being CMV colitis and group B without CMV colitis. METHODS: 48 patients with diarrhea that lasted more than 30 days, being 27 in Group A and 21 in Group B, were studied. Age, risk factors, interval time between the diagnosis of HIV infection and the beginning of diarrhea, hematochesia, the endoscopic findings and life table in both groups, were analysed. All of them were diagnosed by stool culture and stools for ovum and parasites, along colonoscopy with biopsies. The unpaired t test was used to assess statistical significance of differences observed in the means of continuous and the chi-square with Yates correction for non-parametric variables. The survival curves were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier and the Mantel-Haenszel's tests. A P value of less than 0,05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The mucosal lesions associated with the CMV infection are typically ulcerative on a background of hemorrhagic erythema 14 (51,8%) p < 0,01. The life table analysis disclosed shorter survival time in the CMV colitis group 0,005> P>0,001. The others studied data did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: AIDS patients with CMV colitis have a poorer long-term survival. Among the colonoscopic findings, ulcerations with hemorrhagic background were the most common lesions.