An epidemiological survey aiming to determine the occurrence of anti-Leptospira antibodies and to identify risk factors was carried out in horses of the Pajeú microregion, state of Pernambuco. Sera from 100 horses from 38 properties in four counties in the region were examined by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens. Of the 100 samples tested, 28 (28%) were positive. Most prevalent serovars were Patoc (35.71%), Butembo (32.14%) and Sentot (14.30%). Supply of pasture as forage (odds ratio =7.80; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI 1.71-35.50; p=0.008) was identify as risk factor. It is suggested the need for studies on agent isolation and characterization of its pathogenicity, as well as it is recommended the rodent control in deposits of feed and environment.

Serological surveys based on a planned sampling on bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in Brazilian cattle herds are scarce. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine herd- and animal-level seroprevalences and to identify risk factors associated with herd-level seroprevalence for BVDV infection in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil, from September 2012 to January 2013. The state was divided into three sampling strata, and for each stratum, the prevalence of herds infected with BVDV and the prevalence of seropositive animals was estimated by a two-stage sampling survey. In total, 2443 animals were sampled from 478 herds. A virus-neutralization test was used for BVDV antibody detection. A herd was considered positive when at least one seropositive animal was detected. The herd- and animal-level prevalences in the State of Paraíba were 65.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 61.1-69.7%) and 39.1% (95% CI = 33.1-45.6%), respectively. The frequency of seropositive animals per herd ranged from 10 to 100% (median of 50%). The risk factors identified were as follows: more than six calves aged ≤12 months (odds ratio (OR) = 3.72; 95% CI = 2.08-6.66), animal purchasing (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.08-2.55), pasture rental (OR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.35-3.55), and presence of veterinary assistance (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.10-3.79). Our findings suggest that the implementation of control and prevention measures among farmers, with the aim of preventing dissemination of the agent in the herds, is necessary. Special attention should be given to addressing the identified risk factors, such as sanitary control prior to animal purchasing and to discourage the pasture rental, as well as to encourage the vaccination in the herds.

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 34(4):332-336, abril 2014 332 RESUMO.-Foram determinadas as prevalências de propriedades positivas e de animais positivos e identificados fatores de risco associados à leptospirose em vacas no Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Foram aleatoriamente selecionadas 2.317vacas com idade ≥ 24 meses, procedentes de 450propriedades. Para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por Leptospira spp. foi empregado o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando-se 24 sorovares como antígenos. Uma propriedade foi considerada positiva quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. Das 450 propriedades investigadas 398 (89,7%; IC 95% = 86,6-92,2%) apresentaram pelo menos um animal reagente na SAM para qualquer sorovar, e 1.349 (61,1%; IC 95% = 56,6-65,4%) animais foram soropositivos. O sorovar Hardjo foi o mais prevalente nas propriedades e nos animais, com frequências de 58,17% e 54,69%, respectivamente. Propriedade ser localizada no Sertão (odds ratio = 3,20; p = 0,003), presença de animais silvestres (odds ratio =2,89; p=0,005), não resfriar o leite (odds ratio =3,83; p=0,034) e presença de pastos alagados (odds ratio =2,36; Herd-level and animal-level prevalences were determined and risk factors associated with leptospirosis were identified in cows in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 2,317 cows with ≥ 24 months of age from 450 herds were randomly sampled. For the serological diagnosis of Leptospira spp. infection, the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was carried out using 24 serovars as antigens. A herd was considered positive when presented at least one seropositive animal. Of the 450 investigated herds, 398 (89.7%; 95% CI = 86.6-92.2%) presented at least one reactant animal at MAT to any serovar, and 1,349 (61.1%; 95% CI = 56.6-65.4%) animals were seropositive. Serovar Hardjo was the most prevalent in herds and animals, with frequencies of 58.17% and 54.69% respectively. Location of the herd in the Sertão (odds ratio = 3.20; p=0.003), presence of wildlife (odds ratio =2.89; p=0.005), not cooling milk (odds ratio =3.83; p=0.034) and presence of flooded pastures (odds ratio =2.36; p<0.001) were identified as risk factors for herd-level prevalence. It is concluded that leptospirosis is widely spread in cattle in State of Paraíba, which reinforces the need for increased prevention and control measures, such as vaccination of herds. According to the results of risk factors analysis it is suggested that the sanitary control before the introduction of animals, drainage of wetlands and improvement in management conditions are important measures to preventing the infection.

ResumoObjetivou-se caracterizar a pecuária bovina no Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. O Estado da Paraíba foi dividido em três circuitos produtores de bovinos, levando-se em consideração as suas mesorregiões: circuito produtor 1 (mesorregião do Sertão), circuito produtor 2 (mesorregião da Borborema) e circuito produtor 3 (mesorregiões do Agreste e Zona da Mata). No total, foram selecionadas aleatoriamente 689 propriedades rurais distribuídas nos três circuitos produtores. As variáveis utilizadas na caracterização foram tipo de exploração, tipo de criação, tipo de ordenha, uso de inseminação artificial, resfriamento do leite, número de vacas em lactação, produção diária de leite, tamanho do rebanho e número de fêmeas bovinas com idade > 24 meses em relação ao total de bovinos. Pelos resultados obtidos constatou-se que a maioria das explorações pecuárias paraibanas é familiar ou de subsistência, com predominância de exploração mista, criação semi-confinada, com utilização de ordenha manual e monta natural, sem emprego de resfriamento do leite produzido, com baixo número de vacas em lactação e baixa produtividade diária de leite. Foram encontradas diferenças e semelhanças entre os circuitos produtores, de maneira que se sugere que tais aspectos sejam levados em consideração quando do planejamento de políticas de desenvolvimento pecuário, bem como na implementação de ações de controle de doenças. Palavras-chave: Bovinocultura, sistemas de produção, características produtivas AbstractThe aim of this work was to characterize the cattle raising in Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil. The State was divided into three cattle production regions according to its mesoregions: production region 1 (Sertão mesoregion), production region 2 (Borborema mesoregion) and production region 3 (Agreste and Zona da Mata mesoregions). Overall, 689 rural properties from the three production regions were randomly selected. The variables used in the characterization were production system, farming

This study focused on estimating the herd-level and animal-level prevalences, and identifying risk factors associated with bovine cysticercosis in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. The state was divided into three sampling strata: Sertao, Borborema and Zona da Mata/Agreste. For each sampling stratum, herd-level and animal-level prevalences were estimated by a two-stage sampling survey. First, a pre-established number of herds (primary sampling units) were randomly selected; second, within each herd a pre-established number of cows aged ≥24months were systematically selected (secondary sampling units). Ten animals were sampled in herds with up to 99 cows aged over 24 months; 15 animals were sampled in herds with 100 or more cows aged over 24 months; and all animals were sampled in those with up to 10 cows aged over 24 months. In total, 2382 animals were sampled from 474 herds. Serological diagnosis was initially performed by the indirect ELISA, and positive sera were confirmed by immunoblot. A herd was deemed positive if it included at least one positive animal in herds of up to 29 females, and two positive animals in herds with more than 29 females. The herd-level prevalence in the State of Paraíba was 10.8% (95% CI=8.1%-14.1%), 10.3% (95% CI=6.4%-16.1%) in the region of Sertão, 6.9% (95% CI=3.9%-12.1%) in Borborema, and 13.8% (95% CI=9.3%-20.2%) in Agreste/Zona da Mata. The animal-level prevalence was 2.3% (95% CI=1.6%-3.3%) in the State of Paraíba, 1.4% (95% CI=0.8%-2.5%) in Sertão, 3.6% (95% CI=1.7%-7.4%) in Borborema, and 3.2% (95% CI=1.9%-5.4%) in Agreste/Zona da Mata. The risk factors identified were as follows: animal purchasing (OR=2.19) and presence of flooded pastures (OR=1.99). Our findings suggest that bovine cysticercosis herd-level seroprevalence in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil, is high, and support the idea that prevention measures should be applied at herd level and farmers should restrict the access of their cattle to flooded pastures.