Dogs and cats are often infected with vector-borne pathogens and play a crucial role as reservoirs and hosts in their life cycles. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of vector-borne pathogens among dogs and cats in the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. One hundred and ten blood samples were collected from dogs (n=80) and cats (n=30). Laboratory analysis were carried out through stained blood smears, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Babesia vogeli and Ehrlichia canis (only for dogs) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) aiming the detection of pathogens. The following pathogens were screened by PCR among dogs and cats: Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA gene), Anaplasma spp. (16S rRNA gene), and Ehrlichia spp. (dsb gene for dogs and 16S rRNA gene for cats) and Bartonella spp. (nuoG gene only for cats). Using blood smears structures morphologically compatible with piroplasms were found in 5.45% (6/110) of the samples. Anti-B. vogeli and anti-E. canis antibodies were detected in 91% (73/80) and 9% (7/80) of the dogs, respectively. All the seropositive dogs to E. canis were also to B. vogeli. Nineteen (17.3%) animals were positive to hemoparasites by PCR. After sequencing Rangelia vitalii 6/80 (7.5%), B. vogeli 3/80 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. 1/80 (1%), and Anaplasma spp. 1/80 (1%) were found in the dogs, and B. vogeli 2/30 (7%) and Bartonella spp. 6/30 (20%) were detected in the screened cats. No sample was positive for genes dsb and 16S rRNA of Ehrlichia spp. Only those animals which were positive for R. vitalii showed findings compatible with rangeliosis, such as anemia (100%), thrombocytopenia (67%), jaundice (50%), external bleeding (50%), and anorexia (50%). This is the first time that B. vogeli detected among cats in Southern Brazil.

Canine rangeliosis, caused by the piroplasmid protozoon Rangelia vitalii, is currently recognized as a reemerging disease that affects domestic dogs in Brazil. In the present study, piroplasmid infection was searched in wild canids (20 Cerdocyon thous and 4 Lycalopex gymnocercus) in Brazil. Molecular analysis, based on PCR and DNA sequencing of a portion of the 18S rRNA gene, revealed that 30% (6/20) C. thous were infected by R. vitalii. Blood and bone marrow samples from one of the R. vitalii-infected C. thous were inoculated into a domestic dog, which developed clinical rangeliosis that was confirmed by molecular tests. However, the C. thous donor showed no clinical, hematological or biochemical alterations, even though its R. vitalii infection status was confirmed for at least 80 days. These observations suggest that R. vitalii is not as highly pathogenic for C. thous as it is for domestic dogs. Phylogenetic analysis inferred by the 18S rRNA gene placed R. vitalii embedded in the clade 'Babesia sensu stricto', consisting of a number of species that represent truly the genus Babesia. It is proposed that the species R. vitalii should be transferred to the genus Babesia. The present study expands our knowledge on the natural history of R. vitalii, suggesting that it might have a natural cycle involving the wild canid C. thous. Further studies are needed to confirm that C. thous is a natural reservoir of R. vitalii in Brazil.

Pathogens transmitted by ticks are an emerging problem worldwide, this study aimed to diagnose the causal agents of infection in dogs presenting suspected hemoparasitoses. Fifty-eight dogs with clinical signs such as depression, hemorrhagic diathesis and fever were evaluated regarding clinical presentation, hemogram, blood smears and serological tests, using the indirect immunofluorescence method for the agents Babesia vogeli and Ehrlichia canis and conventional PCR for Babesia spp. (gene 18S rRNA), Rangelia vitalii (gene 18S rRNA) and Ehrlichia spp. (gene dsb). Five (8.6%) of the 58 dogs were serologically positive for Babesia spp. and three (5.1%) for E. canis. Four dogs (6.8%) were positive for R. vitalii through the molecular diagnosis. The PCR products were sequenced and the DNA from R. vitalii was found to be 99% genetically identical to samples of R. vitalii that had been isolated in Brazil. No presence of Babesia spp. or E. canis was observed through PCR on the dogs evaluated here. The results indicate the presence of R. vitalii and exposure to Babesia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. among the dogs analyzed.Keywords: Hemoparasites, piroplasms, sequencing, dogs, nambiuvú, indirect immunofluorescence. ResumoPatógenos transmitidos por carrapatos são um problema emergente em todo o mundo, o trabalho objetivou diagnosticar os agentes causais da infecção em cães com suspeita de hemoparasitoses. Cinquenta e oito caninos com sinais clínicos como depressão, diáteses hemorrágicas e febre foram avaliados quanto à apresentação clínica, hemograma, esfregaço sanguíneo, sorologia pelo método de Imunofluorescência Indireta para os agentes Babesia vogeli e Ehrlichia canis e na PCR convencional para Babesia spp. (gene 18S rRNA), Rangelia vitalii (gene 18S rRNA) e Ehrlichia spp. (gene dsb). Cinco (8,6%) dos 58 cães apresentaram sorologia positiva para Babesia spp. e três (5,1%) para E. canis. Quatro (6,8%) animais mostraram-se positivos para R. vitalii no diagnóstico molecular. Os produtos da PCR foram sequenciados e o DNA encontrado de R. vitalii mostrou 99% de identidade genética com amostras de R. vitalii isoladas no Brasil. Não foi observada a presença de Babesia spp. e E. canis na PCR dos cães avaliados. Os resultados indicaram a presença de R. vitalii e exposição a Babesia spp. e Ehrlichia spp. entre os cães analisados.

ResumoAs características da carne de cordeiro são influenciadas por uma série de fatores, entre os quais a produção hormonal a nível testicular. Para estimar a influência sobre a produção e as características da carne, foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos cruzas entre as raças Suffolk, Ile de France, Santa Inês e Texel em um delineamento completamente casualizado com três tratamentos e oito repetições. Todos os animais foram submetidos ao mesmo manejo e criados sobre pastagens de campo nativo em um sistema Voisin. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de animais não castrados, castrados e induzidos ao criptorquidismo. O peso vivo foi obtido ao nascimento e posteriormente, uma vez por mês para o controle do desenvolvimento corporal, e antes do abate. Após o abate foi tomado o peso da carcaça quente e 24 horas após, o peso da carcaça resfriada em câmara fria a 5ºC. Também foram obtidos os pesos das variáveis relacionadas à carcaça. Os resultados foram analisados através do GLM Procedure e as médias comparadas através do Teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Não houve diferenças na produção, nos componentes e nas características da carne e da carcaça ovina produzidas por cordeiros não castrados, castrados e induzidos ao criptorquidismo criados em condições de pastagem nativa e abatidos jovens. Palavras-chave: Ovino, macho inteiro, castrado, criptorquida AbstractThe characteristics of lamb meat are influenced by a series of factors, among which the testicular hormone production. In order to estimate the influence on meat characteristics, 24 Suffolk, Ile de France, Santa Inês and Texel crossbred lambs male, in a completely casualised delineation, with three treatments and eight repetitions. All animals were managed in the same way, pasture-raised and fed on native grass, in a Voisin system. The experiment treatments were constituted of non-castrated, castrated and cryptorchid animals. Live weight measurements were recorded at birth, once a month to assess body development and before slaughter. The warm carcass weight at slaughter and the 24 hours post-slaughter weight of the carcass cooled in refrigeration chamber at 5ºC were recorded. Also, the weights of the variables related to the carcass were obtained. The results were analyzed using GLM Procedure and the means

Here we describe an outbreak of chorioptic mange in cattle, 56 years after its first identification in Brazil. Between the months of June and July 2011, dermatitis characterized by alopecia and crusted and thickened skin at the insertion of the tail and in the ischiorectal fossa was recognized in 40 (35.7%) out of 112 Holstein cows on a farm in the northeastern mesoregion of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. After diagnosing mange caused by Chorioptes bovis, the cows were weighed and treated with 0.5% ivermectin, as a pour-on single dose, and were separated into two groups: cows in early lactation and those in late lactation. The survival rate of C. bovis and the healing rate in the two groups of infested cows were monitored every seven days through skin scrapings. After 28 days of evaluation, the cure rate through treatment was greater among cows in early lactation (p < 0.0001). The survival rate of C. bovis was higher in cows in late lactation.Keywords: Chemical control, ivermectin, mange, dairy cows. ResumoO objetivo deste estudo foi descrever um surto de sarna corióptica em bovinos, 56 anos após a sua primeira identificação no Brasil. Entre os meses de junho a julho de 2011, a dermatite caracterizada por alopecia, com crosta e espessamento da pele na inserção da cauda e na fossa isquiorretal, foi observada em 40 (35,7%) de 112 vacas holandesas de uma propriedade rural pertencente à Mesorregião do Nordeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Após o diagnóstico da sarna causada por Chorioptes bovis, as vacas foram pesadas, tratadas com 0,5% de ivermectina pour on em dose única e separadas em dois grupos: vacas no início da lactação e no final da lactação. A taxa de sobrevivência de C. bovis e a taxa de cura dos dois grupos de vacas infestadas foram monitoradas a cada sete dias por meio de raspas de pele. Após 28 dias do estudo, a taxa de cura com o tratamento foi maior em vacas no início da lactação (p <0,0001). A taxa de sobrevivência de C. bovis foi maior em vacas no final da lactação.Palavras-chave: Controle químico, ivermectina, sarna, vacas leiteiras.

RESUMOA dioctofimose é uma afecção pouco comum em cães, causada pelo Dioctophyma renale, que ocorre com maior frequência em animais errantes. Quando um único rim é parasitado, os pacientes podem não apresentar sinais clínicos devido à compensação pelo rim contralateral. Não havendo terapia clínica efetiva para a dioctofimose, o tratamento indicado é a nefrotomia ou nefrectomia, na dependência da gravidade da lesão. Foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF) um canino, fêmea, castrado, sem raça definida, com aproximadamente um ano e pesando 12 kg, proveniente de um abrigo de animais de rua da cidade de Passo Fundo (RS), apresentando hematúria e emagrecimento progressivo há 30 dias. Através dos exames complementares realizados, foi constatado parasitismo do rim direito por D. renale. O presente relato descreve o emprego alternativo da nefrectomia videolaparoscópica como um método seguro e efetivo para o tratamento de dioctofimose em um cão e os meios utilizados para o diagnóstico. ABSTRACTDioctophymosis is a less common disease in dogs caused by Dioctophyma renale, which occurs more frequently in stranded animals. When there's only one kidney affected, there may not be detectable symptoms because there's compensation by the other healthy kidney. Since there is no effective clinical therapy for dioctophymosis, nephrotomy or nephrectomy are the two proposed treatments, depending on the severity of the lesion. A one-year-old spayed female mongrel dog weighing 12 kg was referred to the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF), brought from an animal shelter at the City of Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil, presenting hematuria and progressive weight loss for about 30 days. Complementary examination showed evidences of parasitism of the right kidney by D. renale. This report describes the alternative use of videolaparoscopic nephrectomy as a safe and effective method in the treatment of dioctophymosis in a dog and the means utilized for diagnosis.

This study describes changes in haematological parameters, cytokine profile, histopathology and cortisol levels in Swiss mice experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Twenty-eight Swiss mice were divided into two groups (G1 and G2) of 14 animals each. In each group, eight animals were infected orally with ten third-stage larvae of A. costaricensis and six were used as a control group. The mice of groups G1 and G2 were sacrificed 14 and 24 days after infection, respectively. Samples were collected for histopathological and haematological analyses and determination of the cytokine profile and cortisol levels. Granulomatous reaction, eosinophilic infiltrate and vasculitis in the intestinal tract, pancreas, liver and spleen were observed with varying intensity in infected animals. Our results showed that the mice developed normocytic and hypochromic anaemia, and that the histopathological lesions caused by the experimental infection influenced increases in cortisol, neutrophil and monocyte levels. In addition to this, we detected increased interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha levels in the infected animals.

Equine piroplasmosis is a disease caused by the hemoparasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi and is considered to be the most important parasitic infection affecting Equidae. The objective of the present study was to carry out an epidemiological molecular and serological survey for the presence of these two protozoal organisms in equids from the northwestern region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), south Brazil. For this purpose, blood samples were collected from 90 equids in the city of Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. Those were animals used for sport activities, outdoor recreational riding, and work including cattle herding and mounted patrol. Anti-T. equi and anti-B. caballi IgG antibodies were detected in the sera of those animals by commercial ELISA kits. The molecular diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis due to T. equi or B. caballi (or both) consisted in the amplification of the 18S rRNA gene by nested PCR followed by sequencing of the amplified PCR product and sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the isolates; 17 (18.9%) and 5 (5.55%) out of the 90 serum samples tested in this study were positive for T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. Piroplasmid 18S rRNA gene fragments were detected by PCR in 24.4% (22/90) of the samples analysed and shared 99-100% identity with sequences of T. equi by BLASTn. Samples for the phylogenetic analysis were divided into 2 groups. In group A, there was close phylogenetic relationship between 4 sequences and sequences previously reported along the US-Mexico border, in South Africa, and in Brazil. There was a phylogenetic proximity between 5 samples from group B and samples tested by other authors in the US and Spain. Variation of the 18S rRNA gene allowed the identification of 9 new T. equi genotypes in the geographical region studied.