Leishmaniasis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by a variety of pathogenic Leishmania species. In the New World, especially in Brazil, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by Leishmania infantum. The pathogen can infect several animal species including dogs, foxes, rodents, primates, felines, equines and humans. Dogs act as the primary domestic reservoirs. This study aimed to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Leishmania infection in horses living in a canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) endemic region. DNA samples from horse peripheral blood were used to perform PCR. Templates were amplified using primers for the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles, which were able to detect different species of Leishmania. In addition, primers for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA were used for detection of Trypanosomatidae sp. Amongst the 75 (39%) positive PCR samples from total 192 samples, 21 samples were positive for kDNA and 63 samples were positive for either ITS, ITS1, or ITS2 gene markers. The kDNA PCR and sequencing allowed the detection of L. infantum in horse blood samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of equine infection with L. infantum in Southern Brazil. These results proved that L. infantum could also infect horses in addition to humans and dogs, as well as in European countries. This conclusion emphasizes the urgent need to follow up investigation of the infection in these animals.

Criollo horses were used in the past only for field services, especially countryside work. However, currently, they have been used as sports animals in several modalities involving turns in legs and exercises on irregular terrain, predisposing them to injuries in the distal extremity. Among the alterations recognized as cause of lameness in this region are the conditions related to collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint (CL-DIPJ), which in horses are structures that help to maintain joint stability and suffer a high pressure due to the high body weight, especially when it is not equally distributed at the stance phase. Considering the importance of the ultrasound anatomical knowledge of this structure for the early diagnosis of locomotive affections in the digit of Criollo horses, this study aimed to standardize CL-DIPJ measurements in healthy horses of this breed. We used 25 adult Criollo horses not submitted to sports practice. For ultrasonographic evaluation, after a trichotomy of the region, an ultrasound Chison 8300VET and a 6.0 MHz linear probe were used with a standoff pad. This technique uses a cross-sectional view, in which CL-DIPJ is visualized in the distal concavity portion of the middle phalanx, being a standard for the measurements. For ligament measurements, the variables dorsopalmar diameter (DPD), latero-medial diameter (LMD), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of ligaments were used. Three measurements were performed for each variable and average values were obtained, which were compared to each other and did not present significant differences (p > 0.05). The average measurements of diameter and area of collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint in Criollo horses were 9.04 mm for DPD, 7.55 mm for LMD, and 0.52 mm2 for CSA. This was the first study that standardized the size of this structure in this breed.

Background The Leishmaniases are on the top of the global list of tropical neglected diseases. The number of infected dogs in South America is estimated in millions and correlated to disease cases in humans, especially in Brazil. Equines may get infected too and can play a role in the epidemiological chain. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate risk and protective factors of leishmaniasis in rural areas of the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil by Leishmania spp. protozoa molecular detection and serological evaluation (ELISA) in equine and canine blood samples. This work included nine farms around the city of Uruguaiana. Epidemiologic information regarding farm characteristics and biologic material collection of canine (22) and equine (91), totalizing 113 samples was collected. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect Leishmania spp. in biological samples. Variables related to the farm were collected and evaluated through descriptive analysis followed by chi-square test and a logistic regression analysis. Results Nineteen positive samples (19/113 – 16,81%) were detected, being 18 equines and 1 canine, in six of the nine farms included in the study. No animal showed clinical signs of the disease. According to the variables analyzed, when compared each characteristic separately, the presence of abundant vegetation and poor hygiene demonstrated to be risk factors to Leishmania infection in rural areas. The logistic regression showed that excellent general hygiene, proximity to the weir and trimmed grass were protective factors (p=0.038, p=0.001 and p=0.014, respectively). Having excellent hygiene represents a 70% lower chance of getting infected, keeping the grass cut protects the animal by more than 90% and the proximity of the weir represents a protective factor of 96%. Conclusions The presence of Leishmania infection in the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul was 16,81% and it was influenced by farm characteristics. The role of the excellent general hygiene as a protective factor is extremely relevant in the leishmaniases prevention.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan of the genus Leishmania. The disease is transmitted by the bite of a sand fly vector. Although the main reservoirs are dogs, other hosts can be infected and may play this role. Rio Grande do Sul western region, located on the triple border of Brazil-Uruguay-Argentina, represents a VL transmission area. The goal of the present study was to identify Leishmania spp. infection in animals from rural areas of Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul. Nine farms in the Uruguaiana municipality, Rio Grande do Sul state, were included. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 113 animals (canine [n=22], equine [n=91]) for detection of Leishmania spp. DNA was isolated and polymerase chain reaction was performed. Eight (7%) animals with Leishmania spp. infection were detected on two farms in the same geographical area, seven of which were horses and one was canine, all of which were asymptomatic. To investigate the species of Leishmania, one of the positive equine samples was subjected to direct sequencing, which confirmed the presence of L. infantum genetic material. Results of this study confirm the presence of L. infantum-infected animals in rural areas of Uruguaiana, and provide evidence supporting further investigation of risk factors for dissemination in such areas.

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Background: Lameness is one of the main causes of economic losses in sheep breeding, especially in the distal region of the limbs. Poor sanitation management, especially in terms of hygiene conditions and the introduction of animals without previous preventive care, is an important predisposing factor in sheep flocks. Interdigital phlegmon (foot rot) is a bacterial disease that causes pain, heat, edema, hyperemia in the region, and can lead to secondary processes such as osteomyelitis. This case report describes the use of gamithromycin for the treatment of osteomyelitis secondary to foot rot in a sheep.Case: An Ile-de-France ewe exhibiting signs of lameness, pain, heat, hyperemia and edema in the four digits was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of UNIPAMPA. The lesions were characterized by interdigital phlegmon, commonly known as foot rot, and the right thoracic limb was more affected, exuding a foul odor and purulent secretion. The affected limbs were treated topically with an antiseptic solution. The lesions healed completely except for the right thoracic limb, whose clinical condition worsened. Osteitis was suspected, and was confirmed by radiographic evaluation of the region. Treatment with ceftiofur was introduced, but proved to be ineffective. Nevertheless, the lesion was found to have worsened, and a new X-ray evaluation was made, which revealed dislocation of the distal phalanx as well as involvement of the middle and proximal phalanges. Thus, we decided to perform chemical arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint. Before beginning this procedure, contrast X-rays were taken that revealed the development of a fistulous pathway connecting the distal interphalangeal joint to the proximal interphalangeal joint, which precluded this procedure. In view of the worsening of the condition, amputation of the distal and middle phalanges was performed, as well as scraping of the distal edge of the proximal phalanx. In the postoperative period, ceftiofur was used as antibiotic therapy and flunixin meglumine as analgesic, in addition to daily dressings with topical iodine. After this procedure, there was no improvement in lameness and the radiographic images showed worsening of the clinical condition. At this time, the antimicrobial therapy was replaced with tylosin. After beginning treatment with this antimicrobial, there was a slight decrease in lameness, but a fistulous pathway with purulent secretion was formed in the region corresponding to the distal portion of the first phalanx, as well as an increase in the bone lesion, which was observed radiographically. Due to the ineffectiveness of the drug therapy, it was replaced by gamithromycin, which was applied three times. After beginning this treatment, lameness receded and the wound stopped producing purulent secretion, and at the end of the applications of this active ingredient, there was complete resolution of lameness and improvement of the radiographic signs of the animal of this case report.Discussion: Antimicrobial therapy is an important factor in the treatment of interdigital phlegmon and of osteomyelitis, and should be performed properly using broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the case reported here, although antibiotics with those characteristics were used, the active ingredient had to be changed more than once. In this particular case, there was an improvement in the lameness and the wound, and in the radiographic signs of the proximal phalanx, only after the application of gamithromycin. Therefore, this drug can be considered as an alternative for the treatment of osteomyelitis in ruminants, especially in cases unresponsive to treatment with other antibiotics.

Objective The aim of the present study is to assess an arthrographic technique based on the access to the equine tarsus via distal intertarsal and on the existence and frequency of communication between distal and tarsocrural joints in the tarsus of Crioulo horses. Materials and Methods Fifty Crioulo horses of both sexes from 3 to 8 years old were included in the experiment. Animals with radiographic signs of tarsal osteoarthritis and joint space loss were excluded from the experiment. Contrast was injected in the distal intertarsal joint and radiographs were taken at two different times - Time 0 (after contrast application) and Time 1 (45 seconds after) to detect any communication between tarsal joints. The recorded results were analysed through chi-squared test. Results Thirty out of three hundred tarsi were excluded from the experiment since the radiographic images showed loss of the distal intertarsal joint space. Positive contrast was injected in distal intertarsal joint of 70/100 tarsi. There was not any contrast overflow in the 30/70 assessed tarsi. Contrast diffused to the tarsometatarsal joint in 32/70 of the assessed tarsi and reached tarsocrural joints in 8/70 tarsi. The adopted arthrographic technique was effective in data collection and evaluation; however, 52/70 of tarsi showed contrast overflow to the bursa of the cunean tendon. Clinical significance The communication between tarsocrural and distal tarsal joints in Crioulo horses was significantly higher, and this finding emphasizes the importance of performing contrasted arthrography before getting to a final diagnostic and defining therapeutic procedures.

Background: Leishmaniasis, zoonotic diseases, are in the top ten list of tropical neglected disease globally. The number of contaminated dogs in South America is estimated in millions of animals and correlated to the human’s cases, especially in Brazil. Equines became infected too and can play a role in the epidemiological chain. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate risk factors to leishmaniasis in rural areas of the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil by Leishmania sp. protozoa molecular detection and serological evaluation (ELISA) in equine and canine blood samples. Methods: This work included nine farms around the city of Uruguaiana. It was collected epidemiologic information regarding farm characteristics and biologic material collection of canine and equine, totalizing 113 samples. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect Leishmania spp. in biological samples. Variables related to the farm were collected and evaluated through descriptive analysis followed by chi-square test and a logistic regression analysis.Results: Nineteen positive samples (19/113 – 16,81%) were detected, being 18 equines and 1 canine, in six of the nine farms included in the study. No animal showed clinical signs of the disease. According to the variables analyzed, when compared each characteristic separately, the presence of abundant vegetation and poor hygiene demonstrated to be risk factors to Leishmania infection in rural areas. The logistic regression showed that excellent general hygiene, proximity to the weir and trimmed grass were protective factors (p=0.038, p=0.001 and p=0.014, respectively). Having excellent hygiene represents a 70% lower chance of getting contaminated, keeping the grass cut protects the animal by more than 90% and the proximity of the weir represents a protective factor of 96%.Conclusions: The presence of leishmaniasis in the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul was 16,81% and it was influence by farm characteristics. The role of the excellent general hygiene as a protective factor is extremally relevant in the leishmaniosis prevention.