No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep slaughtered in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, by means of different diagnosis techniques. Serum samples and tissues from 100 slaughtered sheep were used. To detect antibodies, the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used, and tissues from seropositive animals (cut-off ≥1:64) were submitted to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). To assess the concordance between the direct techniques, the kappa test was used. In the IFAT, it was observed that 14% (14/100) of the ovine samples were serum-positive. In the PCR, 21.43% (3/14) of the animals were positive and in IHC, it was observed that 7.14% (1/14) were positively stained for T. gondii in cerebral tissue. Histopathologically, the predominant finding was the presence of mononuclear cell infiltrate in the heart and a perivascular cuff in the cerebrum and cerebellum. The concordance between the direct diagnosis techniques was moderate (k=0.44). Thus, it is important to use different direct techniques in diagnosing toxoplasmosis in naturally infected sheep.

RESUMO.-[Transmissão transplacentária de Neospora caninum em pequenos ruminantes infectados naturalmente do Nordeste do Brasil.] Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum são reconhecidos como protozoário causadores de aborto em ovinos e caprinos. Desta forma, objetivou-se descrever a transmissão transplacentária desses agentes em pequenos ruminantes na região Nordeste do Brasil. Foram examinados seis fetos caprinos e onze fetos ovinos, totalizando 78 amostras de diferentes tecidos (cé-rebro, fígado, pulmão, rim e coração) provenientes de propriedades rurais com histórico de aborto. As amostras foram analisadas por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), Histopatologia (HP) e Imunohistoquímica (IHQ), com a finalidade de associar o abortamento a T. gondii e/ou N. caninum. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva na PCR e IHQ para T. gondii. Algumas amostras de cérebro, fígado, pulmão, rim e coração de fetos de caprinos e ovinos foram positivas na PCR para N. caninum. Na histopatologia foi observado leve infiltrado mononuclear no fígado e necrose com calcificação no SNC de um caprino, associada à imunomarcação positiva para N. caninum na IHQ e PCR positiva. Os resultados confirmam a transmissão vertical de N. caninum em caprinos naturalmente infectados na região nordeste do Brasil. Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are causative agents of abortion in sheep and goats. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the transplacental transmission of these protozoans in small ruminants of northeastern Brazil. Seventeen fetuses (6 goats and 11 sheep) from farms with history of abortion were necropsied and samples were collected from different tissues (brain, liver, lung, kidney and heart). The samples were analyzed by PCR, histopathology (HP) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate whether T. gondii and/ or N. caninum infection were the cause of abortion. None of the samples was positive for T. gondii according to PCR and IHC results. Some brain, liver, lung, kidney and heart samples of goat fetuses were positive for N. caninum by PCR. In the histopathology, mild mononuclear infiltration and necrosis with calcification were observed in the liver and brain of one goat fetus, respectively, that also was positive for N. caninum by PCR and IHC. The results confirmed vertical transmission of N. caninum in naturally infected goats of northeastern, Brazil.

Glanders is an infectious and often lethal zoonotic disease of equines caused by the bacterium, Burkholderia mallei. This condition is characterized by respiratory, lymphatic, and cutaneous lesions. In this study, we monitored the development of clinical symptoms in animals naturally infected with B. mallei across different equine breeds and also isolated and characterized the disease-causing bacteria. We studied two official glanders outbreaks in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. During the outbreaks, we performed clinical and immunological follow-up of the animals, as well as euthanasia and anatomopathological examination. We also collected diagnostic materials for isolative, phenotypic, molecular, and biological testing. We did not observe any clinical patterns of glanders among animals infected with the same strain of B. mallei. Based on our results, we suggest that early diagnosis of infection should be made through highly sensitive and specific immunoassays. In asymptomatic but positive test cases, we confirmed the importance of conducting pathological, microbiological, and molecular examinations.

Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism is a condition caused by increased serum phosphorus levels compared to calcium, which leads to an growth in the production of the PTH, parathyroid hormone of the parathyroid glands, increasing the osteoclastic activity withdrawing calcium from the bones, forming fibrous tissue, known as osteodystrophy, usually in the facial bones. The goal of this paper was to report an atypical case of hyperparathyroidism and fibrous osteodystrophy in a 8-year-old lactating mare, whose face enlargement was focal and nodular, involving of the right nostril and incisor bones, causing breathing and feeding difficulties. In the radiological examination the image was suggestive of osteosarcoma, with Doppler showing superficial circulation to the nodular mass. Treatment with cisplatin and calcium supplementation was performed. The the patient died three days after a temporary tracheostomy and a biopsy procedure. At necropsy parathyroid’s lymphadenomegaly was confirmed by histopathology, and osteodystrophy in the maxillary region was observed. In this case, hyperparathyroidism did not presented itself as a typical form, and there is a need for further studies on possible atypical forms of the disease on tropical countries.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan that causes reproductive disorders in herbivores. Domestic and wild dogs have been considered its definitive hosts, and when these animals are affected, they may suffer from a neuromuscular disease. Recently, this infection has also gained significance in small ruminants. Although neosporosis is already a proven cause of mortality in lambs and congenital infection can occur, this parasite has only recently been considered a cause of abortion in these animals. The aim of this study was to detect anti-N. caninum antibodies in slaughtered sheep. Serum samples (n = 100) collected in a slaughterhouse located in the municipality of Palmeira dos Índios (09°24'26" S and 36°37'39" W), state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil, were used in this study. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected by means of the Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). The cutoff point was set at 50 and samples were titrated up to 800. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 13% (13/100) of the tested samples, 7.69% of which came from male sheep (1/13) and 92.31% (12/13) from females. Titers ranged from 50 to 800, with the majority of animals (46.15%; 6/13) presenting the maximum one (i.e., 800). Data herein reported demonstrated the circulation of N. caninum parasites among sheep in the study area. These findings are pivotal to improve the knowledge about the dynamics of this pathogen in an ovine population. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt sanitary measures to prevent infection by this parasite and thus reduce its economic impact on ovine production.

Nos últimos anos, casos humanos de epidemias e surtos de esporotricose causada por gatos têm sido relatados no sul e sudeste do Brasil. Este trabalho relata o caso de um gato doméstico com lesões nodulares exsudativas, na cabeça e membros e, cujo proprietário manifestou lesões nodulares com secreção purulenta no local da arranhadura feita pelo animal. O diagnóstico de Sporothrix schenckii foi realizado através dos exames de citologia e histopatologia das lesões do animal e do exame de cultura fúngica realizado pelo proprietário. Este é o primeiro relato de esporotricose em felino doméstico com envolvimento zoonótico no estado de Alagoas e ressaltar a necessidade de incluir a esporotricose no diagnóstico diferencial das dermatopatias nodulares exsudativa, tanto em animais como seres humanos que tenham contato com animais, principalmente gatos.

Toda carcaça, contaminada ou não por agentes patogênicos, é classificada como resíduo sólido com risco potencial à saúde pública. Microrganismos como Salmonella sp, Clostridium perfrigens, Clostridium botulinum, bactérias mesófilas anaeróbias, aeróbias e Bacillus anthracis são contaminantes identificados em descarte inadequado de cadáver animal. O o método de incineração é apontado como eficaz, sobrepondo-se ao aterro sanitário e autoclavação. O valor sentimental dos brasileiros sobre cães e gatos é alto e enterros inadequados ocorrem. Comercialmente, o serviço funeral pet ainda é pouco acessível. Nas periferias é comum o descarte em valas abertas. Este é um tema de importância política no Brasil com propostas legislativas Federal e nas Unidades Federativas (UF). Objetivo: Levantar Leis e Projetos de Leis (PL) nas UF do Brasil, sobre sepultamento de cães e gatos nas cidades, observando âmbito de atuação, objetivos das ementas e tendências das justificativas; além de legislações interdisciplinares e revisão de literatura sobre o tema para discutir a direção política em relação as evidências técnicas. Método: Através dos portais legislativos, levantou-se iniciativas políticas abrangendo todas as regiões geográficas do Brasil entre os anos 2001 e 2021. Priorizou-se legislações estaduais, capitais, e cidades de impacto econômico. Resultado e discussão: Observou-se 36 iniciativas legislativas, sendo 12 Leis e 24 PLs. Em relação ao âmbito, são: 02 (5,5%) federais; 05 (13,8%) estaduais e 29 (80,7%) municipais. Quanto aos objetivos das ementas, são: 15 (41,6%) 'enterro' e 04 (11,1%) 'incineração' e 17 (47,3%) 'enterro e incineração'. Quanto as tendências das justificativas são: 08 (22,2%) 'sanitária'; 08 (22,2%) 'luto/culto/amor ao animal'; 01 (2,7%) 'comercial', 15 (41,8%) 'Sanitário + luto/culto/amor' e 04 (11,1%) 'Sanitário + luto/culto/amor + comercial'. O impacto sanitário e o valor sentimental dos cães e gatos são os destaques das tendências legislativas. Algumas UF dispõem de recomendações técnicas sobre animais mortos de interesse em saúde, que são suspeitos de zoonose e sem um dono. Para animais mortos, com dono, e sem suspeita sanitária no cotidiano, há fragmentação legislativa que direcione a postura da população civil, despertando muitas iniciativas políticas. No Brasil, aterros sanitários 1 2 3 4 Médica veterinária autônoma. Mestre em Ciência animal-