The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and to identify risk factors associated to the infection in the three meso-regions of the State of Alagoas, Brazil. A total count of 23 towns and 27 meat sheep farms were visited where blood samples were collected in order to perform the indirect immunofluorescence test to evaluate the antibodies presence. Questionnaires exploring the production system and nutritional, sanitary, and reproduction handling were handed out. The prevalence rate was 32.9% and the number of foci was 100%. In the multivariate statistical analysis, there was a significant association for the following variables: age (OR = 4.01; C.I. 2.03-7.94), size of the property (or the farm; OR = 0.48; C.I. 0.26-0.90), semi-intensive rearing system (OR = 3.17; C.I. 1.24-8.13), running water source (OR = 3.13; C.I.-1.66-5.87), and presence of cats (OR = 1.72; C.I. 1.08-2.75). It is concluded that sheep of the three meso-regions of the State of Alagoas are exposed to the infection caused by T. gondii with high prevalence. Control and prophylactic measures must be adopted seeking the improvement of the rearing system and the implantation of health promoting programs in cooperation with sheep farmers in order to elucidate the transmission means of this disease.

Introduction: Goats are considered very susceptible to infection by Toxoplasma gondii and when this occurs during pregnancy, it may cause fetal death with subsequent fetal resorption, abortion, mummification, stillborn or the birth of weak goats. The objective of this work was to determine the occurrence of and identify risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats in different mesoregions in the State of Alagoas. Methods: The research was conducted on 24 goat breeding farms in 10 municipalities. A total of 454 blood samples were examined for anti-T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. To evaluate the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats, questionnaires were applied analyzing the farm's production system and nutritional, reproductive and sanitary management. Results: Disease occurrence was 39% with 95.8% of farms presenting seropositive animals. Significant associations were observed for mesoregion (OR = 0.23; 95%CI = 0.09 -0.57), age (OR = 0.36; 95%CI = 0.20 -0.64), semi-intensive herd management (OR = 8.70; 95%CI = 1.87 -40.43), access of cats to water provided for goats (OR = 3.38; 95%CI = 1.89-6.02) and cats feeding on placental remnants (OR = 2.73; 95%CI = 1.38 -5.40). Conclusions: Toxoplasma gondii infection is disseminated in the State of Alagoas and the adoption of a program that monitors infection foci is required to reduce the risk factors identified in the present study.

Summary The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and to identify the risk factors associated with Leptospira spp. infection in technified pig farms in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. To compose sample for the prevalence study, 342 pigs were used (312 sows and 30 boars) proceeding from seven swine farms distributed in five districts of the state of Alagoas, Brazil. The infection’s serological diagnosis was performed by microscopic agglutination test. The risk factors analysis was performed using research questionnaires consisting of objective questions related to the breeder, the general characteristics of the property, and the productive, reproductive and sanitary management. Prevalence of 16.1% (55/342) of pigs seropositive was obtained. The associated risk factors were not performing quarantine (P = 0.003, OR = 5.43, CI = 1.79–16.41) and the use of artificial insemination (P = 0.023, OR = 3.38, CI = 1.18–9.66). A significant association of sow infection with the increased number of stillborn and mummified foetuses was found, as well as with the increased frequency of oestrus recurrence and the increased weaning‐to‐oestrus interval of seropositive sows. One might state that Leptospira spp. infection is disseminated in technified pig farms in the State of Alagoas, favouring reproductive failures and the impairment of zootechnical performance in these properties. The risk factors identified in this study are facilitators in the infecting agent dissemination and should be adjusted to control the disease in the herds studied.

Objetivou-se com este estudo calcular a prevalência e identificar os fatores de risco associados à infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em suínos criados em granjas tecnificadas no Estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Para compor a amostra do estudo de prevalência foram utilizados 342 suínos, sendo 312 matrizes e 30 varrões, oriundos de sete granjas de ciclo completo e distribuídas em cinco municípios do Estado de Alagoas. O exame sorológico para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii foi realizado através da técnica de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI), utilizando-se anticorpos anti-IgG-suíno conjugado ao isotiocianato de fluoresceína. A análise dos fatores de risco foi realizada por meio da aplicação de questionários constituídos por perguntas objetivas referentes ao criador, às características gerais da propriedade, ao manejo produtivo, reprodutivo e sanitário. Determinou-se uma prevalência de 26,9% (92/342) de suínos soropositivos. O fator associado à infecção foi a introdução de reprodutores nas granjas nos últimos cinco anos (p=0,014; OR=1,83; IC=1,13-2,96). Concluiu-se que a infecção por Toxoplasma gondii encontra-se disseminada em suínos criados em granjas tecnificadas no Estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Recomenda-se o controle da população de gatos, a realização de práticas de limpeza e higienização das instalações e realização de testes laboratoriais para diagnóstico da infecção por T. gondii nos animais a serem introduzidos no plantel como medidas de redução dos índices de infecção na região estudada.

Aspectos sociais, higiênico-sanitários e reprodutivos da ovinocultura de corte do Estado de Alagoas, Brasil RESUMO Objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar um diagnóstico da ovinocultura de corte no Estado de Alagoas por meio do estudo do perfil social, higiênico-sanitário e reprodutivo. Foram analisadas 26 propriedades destinadas à criação de ovinos, distribuídas em 23 municípios nas três Mesorregiões do Estado de Alagoas. Foram aplicados questionários abordando dados sobre o proprietário, a propriedade, o rebanho, e os manejos nutricional, reprodutivo e higiênico-sanitário. Observou-se que o ovinocultor alagoano é um indivíduo com moderado grau de escolaridade (46,15%), com nível superior, que necessita de informações básicas sobre práticas de manejo nutricional, reprodutivo e sanitário e que ainda sofre os efeitos da ocorrência de enfermidades infecto-contagiosas e parasitárias. A utilização das biotécnicas de reprodução ainda é incipiente, predominando a monta natural na maioria dos rebanhos estudados. Conclui-se que é necessária a implantação de programas de capacitação e parcerias dos ovinocultores com instituições federais, estaduais e municipais para qualificar os criadores e minimizar as falhas sanitário-reprodutivas, otimizando a cadeia produtiva dessa espécie no estado de Alagoas.Palavras-chave: Agronegócio, diagnóstico, ovinos.Social, hygienic-sanitarium and reproductive aspects of sheep meat production in the State of Alagoas, Brazil ABSTRACTThe objective of this work was to develop a diagnosis on sheep meat production in the Alagoas state by studying the social, hygienic-sanitarium and reproductive profile. Twenty-six properties destined to sheep meat production, distributed among twenty-three municipal districts of three Inner regions of the State of Alagoas were analyzed. Questionnaires regarding data of the owner, the property, the herd, and the nutritional, reproductive and hygienic-sanitarium managements, were applied. It was observed that the sheep breeder from Alagoas is an individual with reasonable school education (46.15%), undergraduated, who needs basic information on nutritional, reproductive and sanitarium management procedures and that still suffers the effects of the occurrence of infectious and parasitic diseases. The use of reproduction biotechniques is still insipient, thus making the natural reproduction prevailing in most of the studied herds. The conclusion is that it is necessary to implant training programs and partnerships of the sheep breeders with Federal, State and Municipal institutions, in order to qualify the sheep farmer and to minimize the sanitary-reproductive flaws and to increase the productive chain of this specie in the Alagoas state.