Descrevem-se as causas de aborto bovino diagnosticadas no Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul no período de janeiro de 2003 a dezembro de 2011. Um total de 490 fetos bovinos foi analisado neste período. Causas específicas de aborto foram encontradas em 46,7% dos casos. Infecções por protozoários, em especial Neospora caninum acometeram 33% dos casos (162/490). Bactérias com 6,3% (31/490), seguidas por fungos com 0,8% (4/490) dos casos, foram causas adicionais de abortos. Em dois fetos (0,4%), coinfecções por dois agentes foram identificadas. Causas não-infecciosas foram observadas em 3% dos abortos e Malformações congênitas em 2,6%.

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% slow release urea (SRU) in sheep feed on the intake and total digestibility coefficient (DC) of nutrients and ruminal parameters of sheep living in tropical regions. Four sheep with a body weight (BW) average of 30.8 ± 1.7 kg were assigned to a Latin square design. The animals were placed in metabolic cages and received two meals a day. Intake data and DC of nutrients of the sheep were subjected to analysis of variance and differences were tested using a regression equation to 5% probability. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% SRU in sheep feed did not change (p > 0.05) the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral or acid detergent fiber (NDF, ADF), total carbohydrates (TC), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) expressed in g animal -1 day -1 , g (kg 0.75 ) -1 , and % BW. The mean values of 3.04%, 2.82%, 0.41%, 0.07%, 1.36%, 0.87%, 2.31%, and 1.00% of BW were obtained for the intake of DM, OM, CP, EE, ANF, ADF, TC, and NFC, respectively. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% of SRU in sheep rations had a quadratic manner (p<0.05) the DC of DM and CP, with maximum values of 69.67% and 63.59%, respectively, for 0.51% and 0.66% levels of SRU inclusion in the experimental diets. The pH of the rumen fluid did not vary (p > 0.05) for different levels of inclusion of SRU in the feed. However, the pH of the rumen fluid did differ (p<0.05) in relation to time (T) after feeding for all experimental diets. The inclusion levels of SRU in sheep feed did not affect (p>0.05) the concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) of the rumen fluid, but there was a quadratic effect (p < 0.05) with relation to T for all experimental diets. Thus, we conclude that the inclusion of 0.66% SRU provides the best digestibility value of CP and is the appropriate value for the digestion of DM. The inclusion of up to 1.2% of SRU in sheep rations did not change the intake of nutrients and ruminal parameters. ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar a inclusão de 0,0%; 0,4%; 0,8% e 1,2% de ureia de liberação lenta (ULL) na alimentação de ovinos em região tropical sobre o consumo e o coeficiente de digestibilidade total (CD) dos nutrientes e parâmetros ruminais. Foram utilizados quatro ovinos com peso corporal (PC) médio de 30,8 ± 1,7 kg, distribuídos em um delineamento em quadrado latino. Os ovinos foram alocados em gaiolas de metabolismo e receberam duas refeições por dia. Os dados de consumo e CD dos nutrientes dos ovinos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as diferenças observadas foram testadas com utilização de equação de regressão a 5% de probabilidade. A inclusão 0,0%; 0,4%; 0,8% e 1,2% de ULL na alimentação de ovinos não alterou (p>0,05) o consumo de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e ácido (FDA), carboidratos totais (CHT) e carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) expressos em g animal -1 dia -1 , g (kg 0,75 ) -1 e %PC. Os va...

The Salmonella sp. genus is identified in several species, and the zoonosis it causes is one of the most important types worldwide. The specifics of salmonellosis vary according to the function of the serovar involved, the species affected, age and predisposing factors. However, few cases of equine salmonellosis have been reported. This study presents ten confirmed salmonellosis cases in equines in southern Brazil. Six were adult animals with stress factors preceding the disease, while four were foals, three of which presented with hyperacute manifestations. The main clinical signs were diarrhea, anorexia, and hyperthermia. Lesions varied in distribution and severity, although fibrinonecrotic or necrohemorrhagic enteritis was observed in all animals, mainly in the large intestine (large colon and cecum-8/10) and small intestine (3/10). Substantial liquid content, mainly hemorrhagic, was observed in all animals. The most characteristic microscopic lesion was mucosa necrosis, which is often accompanied by fibrin deposition, followed by necrosis of follicular centers and vascular changes. Bacterial isolation revealed seven isolates. Five were serotyped, and the serovars Typhimurium and Anatum were associated with two cases each, while Muenster was associated with a case whose lesion pattern varied. Immunohistochemical staining was positive in all cases. All diagnoses were based on the clinical history, macroscopic and histological lesions, and the bacterial isolation and/or immunostaining associated with histological lesions.

RESUMO.-[Ovinocultura, ferramenta de controle de Senecio spp.] As intoxicações por Senecio spp. estão entre as principais causas de morte de bovinos no sul do Brasil; portanto, o controle dessas plantas é prioridade para a pecuária local. Depois de uma roçada, o pastejo por 16 ovinos controlou, eϐicientemente, populações de Senecio brasiliensis e Senecio madagascariensis em uma área de 5,5 hectares, a qual havia se mantido, por oito anos consecutivos, severamente, infestada por essas espécies. Since poisoning by Senecio spp. is one of the main causes of cattle death in southern Brazil, control of these plants is a priority for the local livestock production. After the pasture has been mowed, grazing by 16 sheep was efϐicient for controlling Senecio brasiliensis and Senecio madagascariensis populations in a 5.5-hectare area that had long been severely infested with these species. A total of 28,629 plants among S. brasiliensis (ϐlower-of-souls, 10,122) and S. madagascariensis (ϐireweed, 18,507) were almost completely eliminated in a two-year period. The number of sheep was kept at 3.0 stock units/ha, but a variable number of cattle were temporarily stocked according to pasture availability. The major sanitary practice applied to the sheep was anthelmintic administration. Liver biopsies taken from sheep and cattle before and after experimental period didn't reveal any change associable with seneciosis. The performance levels of the sheep were comparable to those observed in ϐlocks managed under traditional extensive grazing systems in southern Brazil. As principais práticas de manejo sanitário aplicadas aos ovinos foram administrações de anti-helmínticos. Biópsias hepáticas, colhidas antes e após o período de estudo, não revelaram qualquer alteração associável com seneciose. Os níveis de desempenho dos ovinos foram comparáveis aos observados em rebanhos manejados em sistemas extensivos tradicionais no sul do Brasil.

RESUMO.-São descritos dois surtos de intoxicação por selênio em suínos na região Sul do Brasil. Foram acometidos leitões em fase de creche, entre 27 e 22 dias, com mortalidade variando de 16% a 15,3% (Surto 1 e 2 respectivamente). Os suínos apresentaram poliomielomalacia simétrica focal e lesões de casco, que inicialmente eram caracterizadas por uma linha avermelhada na borda coronária que evoluía nos suínos sobreviventes para desprendimento do casco. Os sinais clínicos iniciaram após seis dias (Surto 1) e 30 horas (Surto 2) da introdução da ração com alto teor de selênio. O surgimento dos sinais foi abrupto, caracterizado por andar cambaleante, com evolução para paralisia dos membros pélvicos e posteriormente tetraparesia. Macroscopicamente observaram-se focos circulares amarelados com áre-as deprimidas mais escuras, restritas ao corno ventral da substância cinzenta em intumescências cervical e lombar. Microscopicamente essas áreas corresponderam à malacia da substância cinzenta, caracterizada por microcavitações, perda neuronal, cromatólise, neuronofagia, infiltrado de células Gitter, microgliose, astrócitos de Alzheimer tipo II e proliferação de células endoteliais evidenciadas na imunohistoquímica (IHQ) para fator de von Willebrand. Ainda, Two outbreaks of poisoning by selenium in swine in southern Brazil are described. Piglets were affected in the post-weaning period, between 27 and 22 days, with mortality rates ranging from 16% to 15.3% (Outbreak 1 and 2 respectively). The pigs had focal symmetrical poliomielomalacia and hoof lesions, which were initially characterized by a reddish line at the coronary band that evolved in surviving pigs to release of the hooves. Clinical signs were observed after six days (Outbreak 1) and 30h (Outbreak 2) after the introduction of feed with high selenium content. The appearance of the signs was abrupt, characterized by gait and progressing to paralysis of the hind limbs and later to tetraparesis. Macroscopically, in some animals there were yellow circular foci with darker areas restricted to the ventral horn of the gray matter in the cervical and lumbar intumescence. Microscopically, these areas correspond to gray matter malacia, characterized by microcavitation, neuronal loss, chromatolysis, neuronophagia, infiltrating Gitter cells, microgliosis, Alzheimer's type II astrocytes and proliferation of endothelial cells which were labeled by immunohistochemistry (IHC) as von Willebrand factor. Also in the second outbreak, two pigs showed diffuse vacuolation of the cytoplasm of neurons and in one pig gemistocytic astrocytes were observed. In IHC for GFAP astrocytosis and astrogliosis was observed. Besides those spinal changes in two pigs symmetrical polioencephalomalacia in the brainstem was found. In feed samples, 3.38ppm (Outbreak 1) and 154ppm (Outbreak 2) of Se/kg were detected, and in liver samples higher dosages than 3.34ppm (range from 3.34 to 10ppm) were found. In Outbreak 2, 44 days after the withdrawal of the diet, the euthanasia of six pigs was performed to monitor ...

The plants which cause sudden death of cattle in Brazil occupy a leading position for losses in the cattle industry. Amorimia exotropica is one of the plants pertaining to this group. Diagnostic findings in these cases may be inconclusive; further knowledge is necessary. This paper identifies cardiac lesions through anti-cardiac troponin C (cTnC) immunehistochemistry performed in tissues from cattle poisoned after consumption of A.exotropica in southern Brazil. Heart fragments from nine A. exotropica-poisoned cattle were studied immunohistochemically using anti-human cTnC as the primary antibody. In the hearts from all of the poisoned cattle, there was a sharp decrease in the cTnC expression level in the cytoplasm of groups of cardiomyocytes. A significant decrease in anti-cTnC immunoreactivity occurred particularly in degenerated or necrotic cardiomyocytes. Occasional groups of cells showed complete loss of immunolabeling. In the remaining intact cardiomyocytes from poisoned cattle and in cardiomyocytes from six cattle that died from other causes there was intense cytoplasmic staining.

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 32(3):217-220, março 2012 217 RESUMO.-Descreve-se um surto de intoxicação espontâ-nea por Sorghum sudanense (aveia de verão, capim-sudão) em um rebanho de bovinos leiteiros no município de Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul. Essa planta é utilizada como forrageira em diversas regiões do estado; entretanto, intoxicações ocasionais são associadas com a formação de ácido cianí-drico por hidrólise dos glicosídeos cianogênicos presentes na planta. Vinte e nove vacas Holandesas foram colocadas, no ϐinal do dia, em um potreiro de 800m 2 , onde uma pastagem estabelecida de capim-sudão rebrotava e atingia 30cm de altura. Na manhã seguinte, quase todo pasto havia sido consumido e três vacas foram encontradas mortas. Não foram relatados sinais clínicos, mesmo porque os animais não foram observados durante a noite. Exceto pela presen- An outbreak of Sorghum sudanense (Sudan grass) poisoning affected three cows from a dairy herd in Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Although S. sudanense has been used as a source of forage for cattle, sporadic poisoning occurs in association with management failures of these pastures. Cyanogenic glycosides present in the plant may form hydrogen cyanide through hydrolysis and may cause livestock poisoning. Twenty-nine Holstein cattle were allowed to graze in an 800m 2 paddock, in which lush sprouts of sudanense were 30cm high. Animals were placed on pasture at evening and, in the next morning, most forage had been consumed and three cattle were found dead. No clinical disease was noticed. Except by the presence of chewed sudan grass leaves near to the entrance of the rumen, there were neither macroscopic nor microscopic changes, Samples of S. sudanense taken from different places in the paddock were positive when evaluated by the picrosod ic paper test. Such ϐindings suggested that those three cows were affected by cyanide poisoning secondary to Sorghum sudanense consumption. Intoxicação espontânea por

Ocurrence and caracterization of bovine abortion caused by Brucella abortus infection in southern Brazil RESUMENLa brucelosis causada por Brucella abortus es una enfermedad zoonótica contagiosa que causa abortos en las vacas, así como alteraciones articulares y reproductivos en los toros. En 469 fetos bovinos abortados analizados en un período de nueve años, nueve (1,92%) se debieron a B. abortus infección. El diagnóstico se basó en los estudios de lesiones macroscópicas, histológicas, microbiológicas, serológicas, inmunohistoquímicas y hallazgos moleculares. La edad gestacional de los fetos osciló de 6 a 9 meses. Los principales hallazgos macroscópicos se caracterizaron por una descarga de pus en la cavidad nasal, tráquea y bronquios, y depósitos de fibrina pleural y pericárdico, además de los pulmones se han observado manchas blancas en el parénquima y las zonas rojas en los lóbulos apicales. En la región intercotiledonaria de tres placentas examinadas, hubo áreas enrojecidas intercaladas con zonas redondas de color amarillo-blanco bien definidos, con paredes engrosadas en la superficie de los cotiledones. Microscópicamente se observó bronconeumonía necrosupurativa, neumonía intersticial y placentitis necrosupurativa con áreas de vasculitis, la mineralización, y la trombosis. Brucella abortus fue aislado de los tejidos fetales de siete de los nueve casos investigados. La prueba de inmunohistoquímica fue positiva en cuatro casos, y la PCR amplifica el material genético de las bacterias en tres. La infección con B. abortus tiene que ser considerado como una posible causa de aborto en el ganado en el sur de Brasil.Palabras clave: brucelosis, diagnóstico, ganado, fetos bovinos. SUMMARYBrucellosis caused by Brucella abortus infection is a contagious zoonotic disease that causes abortions in cows, as well as joint and reproductive alterations in bulls. This study reports that eight (1.92%) out of a total of 469 aborted bovine fetuses analysed in a time frame of nine years were caused by B. abortus infection. The diagnosis was based on macroscopic, histological, microbiological, serological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings. The gestational age of the fetuses studied ranged from 6 to 9 months. The main gross findings were purulent discharge from the nasal cavity, trachea and bronchi; pleural and pericardial fibrin deposits; and non-collapsed lungs with white spots in the parenchyma, and red areas in the apical lobes. Intercotyledonary areas of three placentas examined exhibited reddened areas, and the cotyledons exhibited well-defined, yellowish-white round areas with thickened walls on their surface. Microscopically, the most frequently observed lesions were necrosuppurative bronchopneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, and necrosuppurative placentitis with areas of vasculitis, mineralization, and thrombosis. Brucella abortus was isolated from fetal tissues of seven of the nine cases investigated. Immunohistochemical tests were positive in four cases, and PCR detected B. abortus genetic material in three case...