An abortion storm in a goat farm in the Northeast Region of Brazil was caused by the atypical Toxoplasma gondii genotype #13.

The objective of this study was to characterise a Toxoplasma gondii-induced abortion outbreak on a goat farm in the State of Paraíba, Northeast Region of Brazil. From a herd of 10 does, seven experienced abortions and one gave birth to twins (one stillborn and the other weak and underdeveloped). Serum samples from all of the does were analysed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Samples of colostrum and placenta from two does, along with lung, heart, brain and umbilical cord samples from four of the foetuses, were screened by nested ITS1 PCR specific for T. gondii. The positive samples were then analysed by multiplex nested PCR-RFLP. All ten does tested positive by IFAT for anti-T. gondii IgG (titrations ranging from 1:4096 to 1:65,536). The ITS1 PCR screening revealed T. gondii DNA in the placenta (2/2), colostrum (2/2), umbilical cord (2/4), lung (1/4), heart (1/4), and brain (1/4). Four samples produced complete RFLP genotyping results, identifying a single genotype, ToxoDB #13. In conclusion, we demonstrated a high rate of abortion caused by T. gondii in a goat herd, highlighting the pathogenicity of genotype #13, one of the most prevalent genotypes of T. gondii in Brazil.

Development of a Clean Label Mayonnaise Using Fruit Flour.

Over the past few years, clean label food has been growing, meaning that consumers are searching for shorter and simpler ingredient lists composed of familiar and natural ingredients. The objective of the present work was to develop a vegan clean label mayonnaise, replacing the additives with fruit flour obtained from fruit reduced commercial value. The mayonnaises were prepared by replacing the egg yolk with 1.5% (w/w) lupin and faba proteins, while fruit flour (apple, nectarine, pear, and peach flour) was incorporated to substitute sugar, preservatives, and colorants. Texture profile analysis and rheology-small amplitude oscillatory measurements were performed to evaluate the impact of the fruit flour on mechanical properties. The mayonnaise antioxidant activity was also analyzed in terms of color, pH, microbiology, and stability measurements. The results showed that mayonnaises produced with fruit flour had better structure parameters in terms of viscosity, and texture, but also improved pH and antioxidant activity (p < 0.05) compared to the standard mayonnaise (mayonnaise without fruit flour). The incorporation of this ingredient into mayonnaise increases the antioxidant potential, though it is in lower concentrations compared to the fruit flours that compose them. Nectarine mayonnaise showed the most promising results in terms of texture and antioxidant capacity (11.30 mg equivalent of gallic acid/100 g).

Impact of Grass Pea Sweet Miso Incorporation in Vegan Emulsions: Rheological, Nutritional and Bioactive Properties.

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a pulse with historical importance in Portugal, but that was forgotten over time. Previous to this work, an innovative miso was developed to increase grass pea usage and consumption, using fermentation as a tool to extol this ingredient. Our work's goal was to develop a new vegan emulsion with added value, using grass pea sweet miso as a clean-label ingredient, aligned with the most recent consumer trends. For this, a multidisciplinary approach with microbiological, rheological and chemical methods was followed. Grass pea sweet miso characterization revealed a promising ingredient in comparison with soybean miso, namely for its low fat and sodium chloride content and higher content in antioxidant potential. Furthermore, in vitro antimicrobial activity assays showed potential as a preservation supporting agent. After grass pea sweet miso characterization, five formulations with 5-15% (w/w) of miso were tested, with a vegan emulsion similar to mayonnaise as standard. The most promising formulation, 7.5% (w/w) miso, presented adequate rheological properties, texture profile and fairly good stability, presenting a unimodal droplet size distribution and stable backscattering profile. The addition of 0.1% (w/w) psyllium husk, a fiber with great water-intake capacity, solved the undesirable release of exudate from the emulsion, as observed on the backscattering results. Furthermore, the final product presented a significantly higher content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in comparison with the standard vegan emulsion.

Tenebrio molitor as a Clean Label Ingredient to Produce Nutritionally Enriched Food Emulsions.

Tenebrio molitor flour, a sustainable source of protein and bioactive compounds, was used as a clean label ingredient in order to reformulate a commercial hummus sauce, replacing egg yolk and modified starch, improving its nutritional quality. For this purpose, the impact of different concentrations of insect flour on the sauce was studied. Rheology properties, texture profile analysis, and the microstructure of the sauces were analyzed. Nutritional profile analysis was carried out, as well as bioactivity, namely the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity. Sensory analysis was conducted to determine the consumer's acceptance. At low concentrations (up to 7.5% of T. molitor flour) the sauce structure remained practically unchanged. However, for higher additions of T. molitor (10% and 15%), a loss of firmness, adhesiveness and viscosity was observed. Structure parameters such as elastic modulus (G') at 1 Hz of the sauces with 10% and 15% were significantly lower than the commercial sauce, indicating a loss of structure caused by Tenebrio flour incorporation. Although the formulation with 7.5% T. molitor flour was not the best rated in the sensory analysis, it showed a higher antioxidant capacity compared to the commercial standard. In addition, this formulation also presented the highest concentration in total phenolic compounds (16.25 mg GAE/g) and significantly increased the content of proteins (from 4.25% to 7.97%) and some minerals, compared to the standard.

Fermented unripe tomato paste - Development of innovative salad dressings as a contribution to circular economy.

As food trends evolve towards sustainable, healthy, and mildly processed products, it is essential to consider new food sources, which contribute to positive changes in the food industry and originate interesting new products. For the tomato industry, where only completely red tomatoes are used, unripe and non-red tomatoes constitute an important by-product, with important losses in the field of a perfectly edible vegetable food source. To give value to this unripe tomato, a fermentation with a consortium of lactic acid bacteria and yeast was previously optimized, originating an acidic pulp with optimized nutritional characteristics and great potential for salad dressing development. Pulp's texture was improved with two hydrocolloid systems: 0.5 g/100 g of xanthan gum; and a mixed system of xanthan gum and kappa-carrageenan (0.1 g/100 g each). After rheology optimization, spices and condiments were added to the thickened fermented pulp, and promising tasty sauces were obtained. These sauces were presented to a consumers' panel, with good acceptance. The production of these new healthy sauces aims to mitigate unripe tomato waste, adding value to the tomato industry by using a major industrial by-product.

Air temperature more than drought duration affects litter decomposition under flow intermittency.

Stream intermittency - periodic sequences of water flow cessation and resumption - occurs throughout the year, across seasons. Even though temperature is a known regulator of litter decomposition in both terrestrial and aquatic environments, comparative experiments on drought durations at distinct temperatures on microbial-mediated decomposition in streams experiencing intermittency are still lacking. Here, three drought temperatures (5, 15 and 25 °C) and two durations (short: 2.5 weeks; long: 5 weeks) were applied in a microcosm study to oak leaf discs colonized in a reference stream; mass loss and associated microbial parameters (fungal biomass, microbial activity, and sporulation rates) were evaluated following re-submersion for 2 weeks. Higher mass loss was found at 15 °C than 25 °C. A prolongation of the drought exposure period had no effect on mass loss, suggesting an early (≤ 2.5 weeks) inhibitor effect of drought on microbial-mediated leaf degradation. Fungal biomass was highest at 25 °C following a short drought, and decreased with a longer drought period at both 15 °C and 25 °C. Microbial activity was not affected by either drought duration or temperature. Sporulation rates and fungal diversity were significantly reduced by the longer drought period; in the short treatment, maximum values were found at 15 °C. In contrast to longer droughts, aquatic fungal communities during short dry periods seem to invest in energetically-expensive physiological responses to desiccation (e.g., ergosterol production) promoting biomass accrual at the expense of mass loss and reproductive output. Under more severe desiccation (higher duration and temperature), the lower diversity of fungal communities seem to result in negative legacy effects for fungal growth and reproductive capacity after flow resumption. These results suggest that native riparian vegetation, through its ability to regulate temperature in streams, may be critical in protecting freshwaters from intensified severity of drought periods in streams experiencing intermittency.

Improving nutritional quality of unripe tomato through fermentation by a consortium of yeast and lactic acid bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Portugal is one of the main producers of industrial tomato and tomato paste, an important intermediate ingredient used in many added-value foods. The tomato processing industry rigorously selects the fruits by colour during mechanical harvest, picking only completely ripe fruits to produce high quality tomato paste. The latest available data shows that about 1.12 × 108 kg yr-1 of non-red/not-ripe tomatoes are left in the field, representing a major side product/field residue with great impact on the environment and for tomato producers. RESULTS: The aim of the work was to use fermentation by a consortium of yeast and lactic acid bacteria to improve the nutritional quality of unripe tomato paste. A consortium of Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Kluyveromyces marxianus was selected, producing an acidic paste with olive-like flavours after 4 days of fermentation. Nutritional characterization revealed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the content of ascorbic acid and antioxidant potential. In addition, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis showed that the fermented green tomato paste content in glycoalkaloid α-tomatine represents no hazard to the consumer. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the obtained fermented green tomato paste can be further used to produce new food products, such as salad dressings and sauces. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Upcycling Rocha do Oeste Pear Pomace as a Sustainable Food Ingredient: Composition, Rheological Behavior and Microstructure Alone and Combined with Yeast Protein Extract.

This work explores the potential of Rocha do Oeste pear pomace to be used as a sustainable and healthy food ingredient. Moreover, the enrichment with yeast protein extract (YPE) may be useful to design innovative food products. The main goals of this study were to assess pear pomace concerning: (i) chemical composition and antioxidant capacity; (ii) rheology, texture, and microstructure characterization (alone or enriched with YPE), before and after heating. The results showed that pear pomace was a rich source of dietary fibers (74.5% DW), with phenolic compounds (3.9 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/g dry weight), also presenting antiradical activity (3.90 µmol Trolox equivalents/g DW). Pear pomace showed a shear thinning behavior and a typical soft-gel behavior, which was not affected by YPE enrichment, thus suggesting that YPE did not affect pear pomace technological properties. Thermal treatment also did not alter pear pomace rheological properties. YPE addition induced a decrease in the apparent viscosity and a destabilizing effect, compared to the samples that were subjected to thermal processing. These results highlight the importance of pear pomace and the use of YPE for protein enrichment, opening new opportunities for their exploitation.

Clinical, sonographic and anatomopathological aspects of ovarian teratoma in a heifer / Aspectos clínicos, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos do teratoma ovariano em uma novilha

Teratomas rarely occur in domestic species, especially in cattle. These tumors originate in fetal life and are characterized by rapid growth, which justifies their frequent detection in young animals. This study reported a case of ovarian teratoma in a heifer. On physical examination, the main signs identified were apathy, abdominal distention and tension, empty rumen, and mushy diarrhea. During rectal palpation, a mass was identified in the pelvic region, which was suggestive of cysts on ultrasound examination. The animal underwent laparotomy, followed by euthanasia due to a poor prognosis. At necropsy, a 54 x 43 x 52 cm (length x width x thickness) tumor was observed in the right ovary with multiple cystic areas, in addition to masses associated with multiple adhesions of the intestinal loops and peritonitis. On histopathology, muscle, cartilage, bone, nervous and epithelial tissue, glands, hair with follicles, were identified in the affected ovary. There was mixed inflammation and foci of necrosis observed with a complete absence of ovarian architecture in both the ovaries. Infiltrations were identified in the lymph nodes and mesenteric vessels. Glandular ducts were seen from the serosa to the intestinal mucosa. A locally infiltrative and expansile ovarian teratoma was diagnosed accordingly. It is considered that this kind of tumor can induce abdominal distension and absence of estrus in previously healthy, non-pregnant heifers.

Os teratomas são tumores raros nas espécies domésticas, sobretudo em bovinos. Esses tumores são caracterizados por crescimento rápido e origem durante a vida fetal, o que justifica seu diagnóstico frequente em animais jovens. O presente trabalho relata um caso de teratoma ovariano em uma novilha. No exame físico, os principais sinais identificados foram apatia, distensão e tensão abdominal, rúmen vazio e diarreia pastosa. Durante a palpação retal, uma massa foi identificada na região pélvica. Ao exame ultrassonográfico, a massa era sugestiva de cistos. O animal foi submetido a laparotomia, seguido de eutanásia devido ao mau prognóstico. Na necropsia foi observado um tumor de 54 x 43 x 52 cm (comprimento x largura x espessura) no ovário direito com múltiplas áreas císticas, além de massas associadas à múltiplas aderências das alças intestinais e peritonite. Na histopatologia foram identificados no ovário acometido a presença de tecidos muscular, cartilaginoso, ósseo, nervoso e epitelial, com glândulas, pelos e folículos. Havia inflamação mista e focos de necrose com ausência completa de arquitetura ovariana em ambos os ovários. Infiltrações foram identificadas em linfonodos e vasos mesentéricos. Ductos glandulares foram vistos desde a serosa até mucosa intestinal. Diagnosticou-se um teratoma ovariano localmente infiltrativo e expansivo. Considera-se que este tumor pode induzir distensão abdominal e ausência de estro em novilhas previamente sadias e não gestantes.

Diffuse Alopecia and Thyroid Atrophy in Sheep.

Thyroid dysfunction substantially affects the quality of life due to its association with various disorders in different organs. A low intake of selenium and zinc can predispose to thyroid alterations, resulting in hypothyroidism. A deficiency of selenium and zinc causes direct and indirect skin lesions, both by the action of free radicals on the skin and by thyroid dysfunction. The aim of this study was to describe natural cases of diffuse alopecia and thyroid abnormalities in sheep with selenium and zinc deficiency. Five adult sheep presented marked and diffuse alopecia, and the residual hairs were dry and brittle. The skin was thick and crusty, with marked peeling. The triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) serum concentrations were below reference values for the species. Zinc and Se concentrations were low in both the serum and liver. During necropsy, cachexia associated with serous fat atrophy was observed, and the thyroid glands showed marked atrophy. Microscopically, the thyroid presented multifocal to coalescent atrophy, with atrophied and dilated follicles, macrophage infiltration, and the presence of fibrous connective tissue. The skin revealed hyperkeratosis and edema. It is concluded that thyroid atrophy, alopecia, and hyperkeratosis are associated with low serum and liver concentrations of zinc and selenium in sheep.

Ocular and oral lesions caused by Tacinga inamoena in sheep and goats in Northeast Brazil / Lesões oculares e orais causadas por Tacinga inamoena em ovinos e caprinos no Nordeste brasileiro

Two outbreaks of traumatic injuries in goats and sheep associated with grazing and ingestion of the cactus Tacinga inamoena have recently been reported in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. In the first of these, which was detected in 2019 during a preliminary inspection of a herd of 70 animals, it was found that 15 showed certain ocular complications, and these animals were subjected to general physical and ophthalmic examinations. The clinical findings included excessive lacrimation, blepharitis, photophobia, corneal opacity, hyphema, corneal neovascularization, corneal ulcers, and adherence of gloquids to the bulbar conjunctiva and cornea. Large amounts of T. inamoena were found to be present in several areas in which these animals had been grazed and had been observed consuming the fruits of this plant. In the second outbreak during the following year, two sheep from a total of 100 animals were identified as having oral lesions associated with grazing in areas within which T. inamoena was growing. One of these animals was referred to a veterinary hospital, and on physical examination was found to show apathy, anorexia, a body score of 1.5, and the presence of gloquids within the fur. With respect to the oral cavity, halitosis, severe sialorrhea, extensive hemorrhagic ulcers, and painful tenderness on palpation were detected. Given the unfavorable prognosis, the sheep was subsequently euthanized. At necropsy, multifocal to coalescent plaques were detected on the upper and lower lips, oral mucosa, tongue, and hard and soft palates. These were generally elevated and firm and characterized by an irregular, ulcerated surface, sometimes crusty, with a yellow to light brown center and erythematous edges. The findings of this study highlight that the consumption of T. inamoena can cause serious oral and ophthalmic lesions in small ruminants in the northeastern semi-arid regions of Brazil, and can potentially contribute to substantial large economic losses. This problem tends to be exacerbated by the invasive behavior of T. Inamoena, particularly in areas in the process of environmental degradation.(AU)

Relatam-se dois surtos de lesões traumáticas associadas ao pastejo e ingestão da Tacinga inamoena por caprinos e ovinos no estado da Paraíba, Brasil. No primeiro surto observou-se durante uma inspeção preliminar do rebanho que 15 dos 70 animais apresentavam alterações oculares, os animais foram submetidos ao exame físico geral e ao exame oftálmico. Lacrimejamento excessivo, blefarite, fotofobia, opacidade de córnea, hifema, neovascularização corneana, úlceras de córnea e gloquídeos aderidos à conjuntiva bulbar e córnea foram os achados clínicos identificados. A planta estava presente em diversas áreas e em grande quantidade nas áreas de pastejo, onde os animais eram vistos ingerindo seus frutos. No segundo surto, dois ovinos de um total de 100 animais, foram identificados com lesões orais associadas ao pastejo em áreas da planta. Um deles foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário. No exame físico, o animal apresentou apatia, anorexia, escore corporal 1,5, pelos opacos, eriçados e no pelame era possível identificar gloquídeos. Na cavidade oral observou-se halitose, sialorreia intensa, extensas úlceras hemorrágicas e sensibilidade dolorosa à palpação. Devido ao prognóstico desfavorável o animal foi eutanasiado. Na necropsia, placas multifocais a coalescentes, elevadas, firmes e com superfície irregular, ulcerada, por vezes crostosas, com centro amarelo a marrom-claro e bordos eritematosos, estavam presentes nos lábios superiores, inferiores, mucosa oral, língua, palatos duro e mole. T. inamoena causa sérias lesões orais e oftálmicas em pequenos ruminantes no semiárido nordestino e prejuízos econômicos de grandes dimensões, que podem ser agravados pelo comportamento invasor da T. inamoena em áreas com indícios de degradação ambiental.(AU)

Ocular and oral lesions caused by Tacinga inamoena in sheep and goats in Northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT: Two outbreaks of traumatic injuries in goats and sheep associated with grazing and ingestion of the cactus Tacinga inamoena have recently been reported in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. In the first of these, which was detected in 2019 during a preliminary inspection of a herd of 70 animals, it was found that 15 showed certain ocular complications, and these animals were subjected to general physical and ophthalmic examinations. The clinical findings included excessive lacrimation, blepharitis, photophobia, corneal opacity, hyphema, corneal neovascularization, corneal ulcers, and adherence of gloquids to the bulbar conjunctiva and cornea. Large amounts of T. inamoena were found to be present in several areas in which these animals had been grazed and had been observed consuming the fruits of this plant. In the second outbreak during the following year, two sheep from a total of 100 animals were identified as having oral lesions associated with grazing in areas within which T. inamoena was growing. One of these animals was referred to a veterinary hospital, and on physical examination was found to show apathy, anorexia, a body score of 1.5, and the presence of gloquids within the fur. With respect to the oral cavity, halitosis, severe sialorrhea, extensive hemorrhagic ulcers, and painful tenderness on palpation were detected. Given the unfavorable prognosis, the sheep was subsequently euthanized. At necropsy, multifocal to coalescent plaques were detected on the upper and lower lips, oral mucosa, tongue, and hard and soft palates. These were generally elevated and firm and characterized by an irregular, ulcerated surface, sometimes crusty, with a yellow to light brown center and erythematous edges. The findings of this study highlight that the consumption of T. inamoena can cause serious oral and ophthalmic lesions in small ruminants in the northeastern semi-arid regions of Brazil, and can potentially contribute to substantial large economic losses. This problem tends to be exacerbated by the invasive behavior of T. Inamoena, particularly in areas in the process of environmental degradation.

RESUMO: Relatam-se dois surtos de lesões traumáticas associadas ao pastejo e ingestão da Tacinga inamoena por caprinos e ovinos no estado da Paraíba, Brasil. No primeiro surto observou-se durante uma inspeção preliminar do rebanho que 15 dos 70 animais apresentavam alterações oculares, os animais foram submetidos ao exame físico geral e ao exame oftálmico. Lacrimejamento excessivo, blefarite, fotofobia, opacidade de córnea, hifema, neovascularização corneana, úlceras de córnea e gloquídeos aderidos à conjuntiva bulbar e córnea foram os achados clínicos identificados. A planta estava presente em diversas áreas e em grande quantidade nas áreas de pastejo, onde os animais eram vistos ingerindo seus frutos. No segundo surto, dois ovinos de um total de 100 animais, foram identificados com lesões orais associadas ao pastejo em áreas da planta. Um deles foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário. No exame físico, o animal apresentou apatia, anorexia, escore corporal 1,5, pelos opacos, eriçados e no pelame era possível identificar gloquídeos. Na cavidade oral observou-se halitose, sialorreia intensa, extensas úlceras hemorrágicas e sensibilidade dolorosa à palpação. Devido ao prognóstico desfavorável o animal foi eutanasiado. Na necropsia, placas multifocais a coalescentes, elevadas, firmes e com superfície irregular, ulcerada, por vezes crostosas, com centro amarelo a marrom-claro e bordos eritematosos, estavam presentes nos lábios superiores, inferiores, mucosa oral, língua, palatos duro e mole. T. inamoena causa sérias lesões orais e oftálmicas em pequenos ruminantes no semiárido nordestino e prejuízos econômicos de grandes dimensões, que podem ser agravados pelo comportamento invasor da T. inamoena em áreas com indícios de degradação ambiental.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis associated with ascites in a nellore calf / Fibrose hepática congênita associada à ascite em um bezerro nelore

ABSTRACT: Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomal recessive malformation characterized by a variable degree of fibrosis and bile duct proliferation, mainly described in people and rarely reported in bovine European breeds. In addition to liver fibrosis, this syndrome has been associated with ascites and subcutaneous edema in calves. This paper described the pathological findings of the first report of CHF in a Nelore bovine fetus. A stillborn calf was removed by cesarean section because of dystocia. At necropsy, characteristic changes of CHF were observed, such as a large increase in abdominal volume associated with hepatic fibrosis and marked subcutaneous edema. Histological examination of liver revealed periportal and port-portal islands of fibrosis separating the parenchyma into nodules of variable sizes and containing numerous abnormally shaped bile ducts. The CHF should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young calves that present with ascites.

RESUMO: A fibrose hepática congênita (FHC) é uma malformação autossômica recessiva, caracterizada por um variável grau de fibrose e proliferação de ductos biliares, descrita principalmente em pessoas, e raramente relatada em bovinos de raças europeias. Além da fibrose hepática em bezerros, esta síndrome tem sido associada à ascite e edema subcutâneo. O presente trabalho apresenta os achados anatomopatológicos do primeiro relato de FHC em um feto bovino da raça nelore. O bezerro natimorto foi retirado por meio de cesariana devido à distocia. Na necropsia foram verificadas alterações características da FHC, como grande aumento de volume abdominal associado à fibrose hepática e marcado edema subcutâneo. O exame histológico do fígado revelou ilhas de fibrose periportal e porto-portal, separando o parênquima em nódulos de tamanhos variáveis e contendo numerosos ductos biliares irregulares de tamanhos anormais.

Leaf litter microbial decomposition in salinized streams under intermittency.

Human-induced salinization of freshwaters constitutes a growing global problem, whose consequences on streams functioning are largely unknown. Climate change projections predict enhanced evaporation, as well as an increase in extreme events and in variability of precipitation. This will result in more frequent, extended and severe drought periods that may aggravate water salinization of streams and rivers. In this study we conducted a microcosm experiment to assess the combined effects of three drought regimes - abrupt (AD), slow (SD) and very slow transition to dryness (VSD) - and three levels of salinization (0, 4, 6 g L-1 NaCl) on microbial-mediated oak leaf decomposition over ten weeks. Salinization did not affect mass loss and associated microbial respiration of colonized oak leaves but significantly reduced the biomass and eliminated the sporulating capacity of fungi. Desiccation negatively affected leaf decomposition regardless of regime. Even though microbial respiration did not react to the different treatments, lower fungal biomass, diversity, and conidial production were observed under AD; for fungal biomass these effects were amplified at higher salt concentrations (particularly at 6 g L-1). Our results indicate that effects of leaf litter desiccation depend on the rate of transition between wet and dry conditions and on the level of salt in the water. The two factors jointly affect decomposer survival and activity and, by extension, the dynamics of detrital food webs in streams.

Aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos e diagnóstico da infecção por Trypanosoma vivax em rebanho bovino no estado do Maranhão / Clinical and epidemiological aspects and diagnosis of Trypanosoma vivax infection in a cattle herd, state of Maranhão, Brazil

O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a ocorrência de tripanossomose em uma propriedade leiteira no município de Timon no estado do Maranhão, Brasil. O proprietário relatava histórico de abortos, nascimentos de crias fracas e mortalidade de animais adultos com perda progressiva de peso. Foram realizadas visitas à propriedade para obtenção do histórico, exame dos animais e coleta de sangue para realização do teste de Woo, hemogramas, testes sorológicos para pesquisa de anticorpos contra tripanossomose, leptospirose, e neosporose e PCR para diagnóstico molecular de Trypanosoma vivax. A identificação de animais com baixos valores no hematócrito foi a principal alteração hematológica identificada no rebanho. Dois animais foram positivos no teste de Woo, sendo visualizados tripanossomas em esfregaços sanguíneos, confirmados por meio de diagnóstico molecular como sendo T. vivax. Identificou-se que 95,23% (40/42) dos animais com hematócrito baixo foram sorologicamente positivos para T. vivax. As condições identificadas na propriedade, como ambiente propício aos vetores mecânicos, a presença de animais silvestres e a introdução de animais de estados onde já haviam sido registrados surtos de tripanossomose provavelmente estiveram associadas à introdução e disseminação do agente no rebanho. O elevado número de animais sorologicamente positivos para tripanossomose 82,51% (151/183) demonstra que praticamente todo o rebanho teve contato com o agente. O rápido estabelecimento das medidas de controle, entre elas a utilização das drogas tripanocidas, contribuiu para o controle do surto. O estudo permitiu comprovar a ocorrência de mais um surto de tripanossomíase tripanossomose no Brasil. O diagnóstico clínico da enfermidade foi dificultado pela semelhança dos sinais clínicos com outras enfermidades e pela possibilidade da associação de duas ou mais doenças no mesmo paciente, o que ressalta a importância do estabelecimento de medidas diagnósticas adequadas como forma de evitar a disseminação da enfermidade e minimizar as perdas econômicas dos produtores.(AU)

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of trypanosomiasis in a dairy farm in municipality of Timon, State of Maranhão, Brazil. The owner reported abortus, births of weak calves, and mortality of adult animals with progressive weight loss. Visits to the property were carried out to obtain the history, realize animal examination and blood collection for the Woo test, hemograms, serological tests for trypanosomiasis, leptospirosis, and neosporosis and PCR for molecular diagnosis of Trypanosoma vivax. The identification of animals with low values in the hematocrit was the main hematological alteration identified in the herd. Two animals were positive in the Woo test and trypanosomes were visualized in blood smears, confirmed by molecular diagnosis as T. vivax. It was identified that 95.23% (40/42) of the animals with low hematocrit were serologically positive for T. vivax. The conditions identified in the property as an environment propitious to mechanical vectors, the presence of wild animals and the introduction of animals from states where trypanosomiasis outbreaks had already been reported were probably associated with the introduction and dissemination of the agent in the herd. The high number of serologically positive animals for trypanosomiasis 82.51% (151/183) shows that almost all the herd had contact with the agent. The rapid establishment of control measures, including the use of trypanocidal drugs, contributed to the control of the outbreak. The study allowed confirming the occurrence of another outbreak of trypanosomiasis in Brazil. The clinical diagnosis of the disease was difficult by the similarity of the clinical signs of trypanosomiasis with other diseases and the possibility of association of two or more diseases in the same patient, which emphasizes the importance of establishing adequate diagnostic measures as a way to avoid the dissemination of the disease and to minimize the economic losses of the producers.(AU)

Protein Expression Modifications in Phage-Resistant Mutants of Aeromonas salmonicida after AS-A Phage Treatment.

The occurrence of infections by pathogenic bacteria is one of the main sources of financial loss for the aquaculture industry. This problem often cannot be solved with antibiotic treatment or vaccination. Phage therapy seems to be an alternative environmentally-friendly strategy to control infections. Recognizing the cellular modifications that bacteriophage therapy may cause to the host is essential in order to confirm microbial inactivation, while understanding the mechanisms that drive the development of phage-resistant strains. The aim of this work was to detect cellular modifications that occur after phage AS-A treatment in A. salmonicida, an important fish pathogen. Phage-resistant and susceptible cells were subjected to five successive streak-plating steps and analysed with infrared spectroscopy, a fast and powerful tool for cell study. The spectral differences of both populations were investigated and compared with a phage sensitivity profile, obtained through the spot test and efficiency of plating. Changes in protein associated peaks were found, and these results were corroborated by 1-D electrophoresis of intracellular proteins analysis and by phage sensitivity profiles. Phage AS-A treatment before the first streaking-plate step clearly affected the intracellular proteins expression levels of phage-resistant clones, altering the expression of distinct proteins during the subsequent five successive streak-plating steps, making these clones recover and be phenotypically more similar to the sensitive cells.

Enfermidades do sistema digestório de bovinos da região semiárida do Brasil / Digestive diseases of cattle from the semiarid of Brazil

Os problemas digestivos são importantes causas de afecções em bovinos e estudos sobre a frequência de ocorrência destas na região semiárida do Brasil ainda não foram realizados. Objetivou-se com este trabalho obter informações sobre a ocorrência de doenças do sistema digestório em bovinos atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2014. No período do levantamento foram atendidos 1.202 bovinos, sendo 19,4% (233/1202) diagnosticados com enfermidades do sistema digestório. A taxa de letalidade das enfermidades foi 49,8% (116/233). As reticulites traumáticas e a indigestão vagal foram diagnosticadas, respectivamente, em 13,3%e 5,1% dos animais atendidos, sendo considerados distúrbios motores frequentes e de alta letalidade devido à gravidade das lesões, demora no atendimento clínico e imprecisão no diagnóstico. A obstrução ao fluxo da ingesta foi também uma condição identificada frequentemente, sendo ocasionada por obstruções esofágicas (4,3%), impactações no rúmen (11,7%), omaso e/ou abomaso (3,4%) e principalmente acidentes intestinais (26,2%), tendo a totalidade dos casos superado os distúrbios fermentativos da cavidade ruminorreticular. Actinobacilose (6,9%), actinomicose (3%) e paratuberculose (1,7%) foram as doenças infecciosas bacterianas diagnosticadas. As doenças infecciosas virais diagnosticadas foram a febre catarral maligna (4,3%), diarreia viral bovina e a doença das mucosas (3%). As doenças parasitárias foram também importantes causas de morbidade em bovinos jovens (9,4%) apesar dos sistemas de criação com baixa lotação e as condições climáticas da região não favorecerem a sobrevivência de parasitos gastrintestinais, demonstrando que não estão sendo implantadas medidas de controle adequadas para estas enfermidades. Os distúrbios motores da cavidade ruminorreticular, seguido das obstruções intestinais e das doenças infecciosas digestivas são os mais frequentes problemas digestivos de bovinos na região semiárida do Brasil. A ingestão de corpos estranhos é um dos mais graves problemas na região sendo necessário intenso trabalho de divulgação sobre medidas profiláticas. Além disso, medidas de controle e profilaxia de enfermidades infectocontagiosas como a diarreia viral bovina e a paratuberculose precisam ser divulgadas, pela possibilidade de disseminação destas nos rebanhos da região.(AU)

Digestive problems are important causes of diseases in cattle and studies on the frequency of its occurrence in the semiarid region of Brazil have not been conducted. The aim of this study was to acquire information on the occurrence of digestive diseases of cattle attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Campina Grande from January 2000 to December 2014. During the period of the survey 1,202 cattle were attended, from which 19.4% (233/1202) were diagnosed with digestive disorders. The lethality rate of the diseases was 49.8% (116/233). Traumatic reticulitis and vagal indigestion were diagnosed respectively in 13.3% e 5.1% of the animals treated being considered common and high lethality motor disorders, which were attributed to the severity of injuries, delay in the clinical care and inaccurate diagnoses. Obstruction of the intake flow, caused by esophageal obstruction (4.3%), rumen impactations (11.7%), omasum and/or abomasum impaction (3.4%), and especially intestinal accidents (26.2%) was a commonly identified condition, and its case totality exceeded the number cases of ruminorreticular cavity fermentative disorders. Actinobacillosis (6.9%), actinomycosis (3%) and paratuberculosis (1.7%) were the bacterial infectious diseases diagnosed, and the first was the most frequent. Viral infectious diseases diagnosed were malignant catarrhal fever (4.3%), bovine viral diarrhea and mucosal disease (3%). Despite the management systems with low animal density and climatic conditions of the region do not favor the survival of gastrointestinal parasites, parasitic diseases were also important causes of morbidity in young cattle (9.4%), suggesting that suitable control measures for those diseases have not been implemented Motor disorders of the ruminoreticular cavity, followed by intestinal obstructions and digestive infectious diseases are the most frequent digestive problems of cattle in the semi-arid region of Brazil. The ingestion of foreign bodies is one of the most serious problems in the region and intense work is needed to disseminate it on prophylactic measures. In addition, measures for the control and prophylaxis of infectious diseases such as bovine viral diarrhea and paratuberculosis need to be disclosed, due to the possibility of dissemination of these diseases in the herds of the region.(AU)

Primary photosensitization and contact dermatitis caused by Malachra fasciata Jacq. N.V. (Malvaceae) in sheep.

Farmers from Paraiba state, Northeast Brazil, claim that Malachra fasciata causes cutaneous lesions in sheep. To test its toxicity the plant was harvested daily and fed ad libitum for 21 days to 3 sheep as the sole food source (# 1-3). An additional sheep (# 4) was maintained as a control. Cutaneous lesions of photosensitization initiated after 7 days and increased continuously over the next 21 days. The dose ingested varied between 129 g/kg to 175 g/kg. Alopecia, hyperemia and crusting were observed in the animals. On day 22, sheep 3 was euthanized. At necropsy, no gross or microscopic alterations were observed in the liver. Skin biopsies were performed in the remaining animals Histopathology of skin of the three sheep included acanthosis, orthokeratosis, and multifocal infiltration by lymphocytes, eosinophils and plasma cells around blood vessels and appendages in the dermis. The Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon was observed in the dermis of sheep 2, due probably by contact dermatitis. After the end of administration Sheep 1 and 2 were protected from sunlight and the lesions regressed within two weeks. This experiment indicates that M. fasciata causes primary photosensitization and contact dermatitis in sheep.

Poisoning in goats by the monofluoracetate-containing plant Palicourea aeneofusca (Rubiaceae).

The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of a spontaneous outbreak of Palicourea aeneofusca poisoning in goats are reported. The main clinical signs were motor incoordination, generalized muscle tremors, broad-based posture, tachypnea, tachycardia, vocalization and respiratory distress. Two goats died 5 and 20 min after the observation of the first clinical signs. Another that was found recumbent died 80 h later. One goat with mild clinical signs recovered. Congestion and hemorrhages were observed macroscopically and histologically in most organs. Pulmonary edema was also observed. The main microscopic findings consisted of cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis of the renal tubular epithelium. The average concentration of monofluoroacetate obtained in sixteen samples of P. aeneofusca was 0.29 ± 0.17%. It is concluded that P. aeneofusca is toxic to goats under natural conditions.

Stream salinization and fungal-mediated leaf decomposition: A microcosm study.

Salinization is of major global concern due to its effect on stream biota, and ecosystem functions and services. In small streams, litter decomposition is a key ecosystem-level process driven by decomposers, mainly fungi (aquatic hyphomycetes), which link litter and invertebrates. Here we assessed the effects of an environmentally relevant range of salt additions (0, 2, 4, 8, 16gL-1 NaCl) on (1) fungal growth and species-specific reproductive output and (2) fungal mediated-decomposition of Quercus robur leaves. Growth rates of eight out of nine species of aquatic hyphomycetes were negatively affected by salinity at concentrations ≥4gL-1. EC50s were species-specific and ≥7.80gL-1. Distinct thresholds were observed for reproduction: only five species sporulated at 2gL-1, and a single one (Flagellospora curta) sporulated at 4 and 8gL-1 NaCl. Based on these results, we evaluated if tolerant fungal assemblages, with increasingly fewer species (9, 5, 1), were able to maintain similar functional functions and processes at the different salt levels. No significant differences were found in oak mass loss or sporulation rates at 0 or 2gL-1 NaCl; a clear inhibition of both parameters was observed at the highest concentrations (i.e., 4 and 8gL-1 NaCl). Different dominance patterns in multi-species fungal assemblages may determine bottom-up impacts on the stream food webs through effects on detritivore feeding preferences. Specific growth rate, characterized by RNA concentration, was higher in the single species, at the highest salt-concentration, and lower in the 9-species assemblage. Respiration was almost 2-times higher in mixed assemblages without added salt. Under salt-contamination, trade-offs between growth and sporulation seem to guarantee high levels of fungal growth and decomposition, particularly in multi-species assemblages. In the presence of salt contamination, aquatic hyphomycetes, even at reduced diversity, remain important drivers of leaf decomposition and ensure organic matter recycling.