The diversity of species of the genus Staphylococcus sp. and the antimicrobial resistance of isolates from 151 unmedicated dogs of both sexes with a clinical diagnosis of otitis were recorded. Ninety-one isolates of Staphylococcus spp. were identified by biochemical reactions and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials. Coagulase-positive species were most common; S. pseudintermedius (38.4%), S. schleiferi schleiferi (15.4%), S. aureus (14.3%), S. epidermidis (11%), S. simulans (11%), S. schleiferi coagulans (8.8%) and S. saprophyticus (1.1%). All the isolates showed resistance to at least one drug and 89% were multiresistant. Amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid and oxacillin were the most effective, while resistance was widely observed for neomycin and erythromycin. The results highlight the recognition and the potential need for bacterial culture with species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests for appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Despite the importance of small ruminants breeding in developing countries, milk/meat productivity remains unsatisfactory. Infectious diseases, such as leptospirosis, brucellosis, and small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), contribute to this scenario. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of each of these diseases in the productivity of small ruminants breeding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In goats, 343 samples were tested for leptospirosis, 560 for Brucella abortus, and 506 for caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE), whereas in sheep, 308 samples were tested for leptospirosis, 319 for B. abortus, 374 for Brucella ovis, and 278 for Maedi-Visna (MV). Regarding leptospirosis, 25.9% of goats and 47.4% sheep were seroreactive, with serovar Hardjo the most prevalent in both species. Anti-B. abortus agglutinins were found in 0.7% of all samples, exclusively in goats. In relation to SRLVs, 8.6% of goats and 3.2% of sheep samples were positive for CAE and MV, respectively. Leptospirosis was the major infectious problem in the small ruminants sampled and may contribute to impaired productivity of these animals.

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In animal husbandry, antimicrobial agents have been administered as supplements to increase production over the last 60 years. Large-scale animal production has increased the importance of antibiotic management because it may favor the evolution of antimicrobial resistance and select resistant strains. Brazil is a significant producer and exporter of animal-derived food. Although Brazil is still preparing a national surveillance plan, several changes in legislation and timely programs have been implemented. Thus, Brazilian data on antimicrobial resistance in bacteria associated with animals come from official programs and the scientific community. This review aims to update and discuss the available Brazilian data on this topic, emphasizing legal aspects, incidence, and genetics of the resistance reported by studies published since 2009, focusing on farm animals and derived foods with the most global public health impact. Studies are related to poultry, cattle, and pigs, and mainly concentrate on non-typhoid Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. We also describe legal aspects of antimicrobial use in this context; and the current occurrence of genetic elements associated with resistance to beta-lactams, colistin, and fluoroquinolones, among other antimicrobial agents. Data here presented may be useful to provide a better understanding of the Brazilian status on antimicrobial resistance related to farm animals and animal-derived food products.

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A total of 15 adult ewes from one flock known to be seroreactive for leptospirosis was studied. Urine and vaginal fluid were collected from each animal to test for the presence of leptospires using bacterial culture and conventional PCR methods. One pure culture of Leptospira sp. was obtained from the vaginal fluid sample of a non-pregnant ewe. The isolate was characterized by DNA sequencing of the rrs and secY genes, variable-number of tandem-repeats (VNTR) analysis and serogrouping, and the isolate was typed as Leptospira interrogans serogroup Sejroe serovar Hardjo type Hardjoprajitno. This report indicates the presence of viable Leptospira in the vaginal fluid of a ewe, suggesting the potential for venereal transmission of leptospires in sheep. Case reportA flock of sheep located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was initially studied for leptospirosis by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The flock was composed of 21 Santa Inês sheep (18 females and 3 males), which were not vaccinated against leptospirosis, semi-extensive breeding and natural mating. No reproductive failures or abortions had been reported in the last breeding season. All animals were kept together throughout the year. This study was submitted to the ethics committee on animal use of the Fluminense Federal University (9 August 2012, protocol number 225). The first screening by MAT revealed 15 seroreactive females (83.4 %) and 1 male (33.3 %) with titres ranging from 100 to 800. Antibodies against serogoroup Sejroe were predominant (81.2 % of seroreactives); however, low titres (100) against serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae were observed in three animals (18.8 %).Due to the high seroreactivity in this flock, it was selected for further studies. Approximately 1 month after the first sampling, urine, vaginal fluid and blood samples were collected from the 15 seroreactive females in order to confirm the leptospiral infection. Bacterial culture and PCR were performed for urine and vaginal fluid samples, while serum samples were resubmitted for serology testing (MAT); 3 of 15 (20.0 %) ewes were seronegative.Vaginal fluids were collected, after the perineum was first cleaned with water alone, using a tampon (Tampax regular) that was introduced into the vagina of the sheep. After 10 min, the tampon was removed and transferred to a sterile vial containing 20 ml PBS, as described previously (Lilenbaum et al., 2008). Following the collection of vaginal fluids, 0.5-1.0 mg furosemide kg 21 (Teuto Laboratory) was administered intravenously and a second voiding of urine collected into sterile vials.At the Veterinary Bacteriology Laboratory, Fluminense Federal University, the tampons were aseptically squeezed and centrifuged at 800 g for 10 min in sterile vials, and an aliquot (500 ml) of each supernatant was transferred to Fletcher and Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) media tubes (Difco). In addition, 500 ml urine samples were immediately transferred to Fletcher and EMJH media tubes. All samples were processed on the day of sampling. All cultures were...

This study highlights the presence of Staphylococcus sp. genus in naturally occurring extra-ocular canine ocular disease and the emergence of resistant strains to common antimicrobial drugs. It also emphasizes the need for bacterial culture with species identification and susceptibility testing in order to choose the appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

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