Milk samples from 16 cows that tested positive on the tuberculin test in the state of Paraíba, northeastern

In areas where human tuberculosis and bovine tuberculosis coexist, differentiation between M. bovis and M. tuberculosis is important for monitoring the spread of M. bovis among cattle and from cattle to humans. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify M. bovis in bovines with positive diagnosis identified on tuberculin test in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Thirty-two bovines that tested positive in the comparative tuberculin test were used, from which samples of any organ with lesions suggestive of tuberculosis were collected, as well as lymph nodes, when no gross lesions were observed. Samples were submitted to histopathological exam, mycobacterial culture, Ziehl-Neelsen staining and molecular diagnosis. Twenty-one (65.6%) animals presented lesions suggestive of tuberculosis. As to body region 77.7% of lesions were found in the thoracic cavity, 12.4% in the head and 9.9% in the abdominal cavity. Among 55 samples submitted to mycobacterial culture, mycobacteria were isolated in 31 (56.4%), being 13 (41.9%) identified as M. bovis and 18 (58.1%) as Mycobacterium spp. Conclusion is that isolation and identification of M. bovis and Mycobacterium spp. in cattle suggests that humans are exposed to the risk of infection. This reinforces the need for intensification and optimization of prevention and control measures foreseen in the Brazilian National Program for the Control and Eradication of Bovine Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. Mycobacteria isolation and identification surveys are, therefore, encouraged in other Northeastern states.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of carcass and the non-carcass components of lambs fed with different proportions of buffel grass hay (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and 'jurema preta' (Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir.). The study was developed at the Federal University of Campina Grande, Campus of Patos-PB. Twenty-eight uncastrated lambs with initial body weight of 20 ± 2.49 kg were used. The treatments were the different proportions of 'jurema preta' hays (BJH) and buffel grass hay (BGH) in the bulky portion of the diet: 0% of BJH + 100% of BGH; 33% of BJH + 67% of BGH; 67% of BJH + 33% of BGH; 100% of BJH + 0% of BGH. A quadratic effect was observed for loin eye area, conformation and GR measure ("grade rule"). The thickness measurements of subcutaneous fat and marbling presented negative linear behavior, with the substitution of BGH by BJH. The substitution of BGH in the proportion of 20 to 50% by the BJH of the bulky portion in the lambs' diet allows for a good conformation, loin eye area and non-carcass components.Key words: liver, morphometry, sheep, bulky Carcaça e não constituintes de cordeiros alimentados com capim-buffel e jurema-preta RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar as características de carcaça e seus não constituintes, de cordeiros alimentados com diferentes proporções de feno de capim-buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) e jurema-preta (Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir.). O estudo foi desenvolvido na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Campus de Patos-PB. Foram utilizados 28 cordeiros, não castrados, com peso corporal inicial de 20 ± 2,49 kg. Os tratamentos foram as diferentes proporções dos fenos de jurema-preta (FJP) e feno de capimbuffel (FCB) na porção volumosa da dieta: 0% de FJP + 100% de FCB; 33% de FJP + 67% de FCB; 67% de FJP + 33% de FCB; 100% de FJP + 0% de FCB. Observou-se efeito quadrático para área de olho de lombo, conformação e medida GR ("grade rule"). As medidas espessura de gordura subcutânea e marmoreio apresentaram comportamento linear negativo, com a substituição do FCB pelo FJP. A substituição do FCB na proporção de 20 a 50% pelo FJP da porção volumosa na dieta de cordeiros permite uma boa conformação, área de olho de lombo e não constituintes da carcaça.