BackgroundDiarrhea in piglets directly affects commercial swine production. The disease results from the interaction of pathogens with the host immune system and is also affected by management procedures. Several pathogenic agents such as Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., group A rotavirus (RV-A), coronaviruses (transmissible gastroenteritis virus; porcine epidemic diarrhea virus), as well as nematode and protozoan parasites, can be associated with disease cases.ResultsAll bacterial, viral, protozoan, and parasitic agents here investigated, with the exception of Salmonella spp. as well as both coronaviruses, were detected in varying proportions in piglet fecal samples, and positive animals were equally distributed between case and control groups. A statistically significant difference between case and control groups was found only for Cystoisospora suis (p = 0.034) and Eimeria spp. (p = 0.047). When co-infections were evaluated, a statistically significant difference was found only for C. perfringens β2 and C. suis (p = 0.014).ConclusionsThe presence of pathogens in piglets alone does not determine the occurrence of diarrhea episodes. Thus, the indiscriminate use of antibiotic and anthelminthic medication should be re-evaluated. This study also reinforces the importance of laboratory diagnosis and correct interpretation of results as well as the relevance of control and prophylactic measures.

RESUMO.-[Detecção molecular e sorológica de infecção por Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum em cavalos na região Sudeste do Brasil.] O estudo objetivou verificar a ocorrência de Leishmania spp. e Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum em cavalos de uma região endêmica para leishmaniose visceral do Brasil. Amostras de DNA de sangue e suabe conjuntival (SC) foram testadas pela PCR e pela Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Embora nenhum cavalo estivesse clinicamente doente, animais infectados por Leishmania spp. e L. (L.) infantum foram encontrados em Ilha Solteira/SP. Dos 40 cavalos, 100% (40/40) foram positivos pela PCR de sangue, 90% (36/40) pela PCR de SC, e 2,5% (01/40) no sorodiagnóstico, pela RIFI. Seis desses 40 cavalos foram positivos para L. (L.) infantum pela PCR de sangue. O sequenciamento direto e a análise dos amplicons resultaram em uma sequência para análise evolutiva. Os resultados indicam a presença de Leishmania spp. e L. (L.) infantum infectando cavalos saudáveis no Brasil. A presença de DNA de Leishmania spp. and L. (L.) infantum em cavalos saudáveis sugere que eles podem ser importantes reservatórios desses parasitas, um achado altamente relevante para a vigilância epidemiológica das doenças que causam.

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 63 cats and 80 pigs from 71 farms located at Rondônia State, Western Amazon, Brazil, by the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (MAT > or = 1: 25) were found in 55 of 63 cats (87.3%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 2, 1:100 in 7, 1:200 in 1, 1:400 in 2, 1:800 in 9, 1:1,600 in 6, and 1:3,200 or higher in 26 cats. By IFAT, antibodies were found in 55 cats (87.3%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 1, 1:100 in 4, 1:200 in 4, 1: 400 in 1, 1:800 in 13, 1:1,600 in 12, and 1:3,200 or higher in 18 cats. In pig sera, by MAT, antibodies were found in 30 of 80 pigs (37.5%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 3, 1:100 in 2, 1:200 in 8, 1:400 in 3, 1:800 in 5, 1:1,600 in 3, and 1:3,200 or higher in 4 pigs. By using the IFAT (titers > or = 1:64), antibodies were found in 35 (43.7%) pigs. The ingestion of undercooked tissues of infected pigs can be a source of T. gondii infection for humans and cats. However, the high seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats from the Amazon seems most likely to be indicative of high contamination of the environment by oocysts.

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Many owners believe to act in their pets' best interest by allowing them to go outside, with or without supervision. However, outdoor exposure greatly increases the risk of disease and accidents. In this study, we evaluated the association between infectious and parasitic diseases and the outdoor habits of pet dogs and cats. Epidemiological data were obtained from the records of dogs and cats treated at the Teaching Clinic and Hospital Unit of Veterinary Medicine in the city of Pirassununga, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Pets with any form of infection were included in the case study group, and pets with no infectious or parasitic diseases were used as controls. Animals were further divided according to their habits into indoor animals, indoor animals taken for walks, and outdoor animals. The odds ratio of having a disease was calculated from the comparisons among these groups using the MedCalc Statistical Software. We found an increased risk for the occurrence of infectious or parasitic diseases in outdoor dogs and cats when compared to indoor animals (OR of 4.735) and to those taken for walks (OR of 2.303). In light of our results, we suggest that awareness campaigns should also focus on the benefits of keeping pets indoors. KEY-WORDS:Access to outdoor. Odds ratio. Infection. Canine. Feline. RESUMOMuitos proprietários acreditam agir no melhor interesse de seus animais de estimação permitindo-os o acesso ao ambiente externo, com ou sem supervisão. Entretanto, isso aumenta consideravelmente o risco para a ocorrência de doenças e acidentes. Neste estudo, foi avaliada a associação entre doenças infecciosas e parasitárias com relação aos hábitos semi-domiciliados de cães e gatos. Dados epidemiológicos foram obtidos de arquivo de prontuários de cães e gatos atendidos na Unidade Didática Clínico Hospitalar (UDCH) do curso de Medicina Veterinária da FZEA/USP no município de Pirassununga, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Animais de estimação que apresentaram doenças infectoparasitárias foram incluídos no grupo de casos; animais sem tais doenças, controles. Os animais foram ainda divididos de acordo em domiciliados, domiciliados frequentemente levados a passeios e semi-domiciliados. A razão de chances para a ocorrência de doenças infecciosas foi calculada a partir da comparação dos grupos supracitados, fazendo uso do software estatístico MedCalc. Encontrou-se um risco aumentado para a ocorrência de doenças infecto-parasitárias em cães e gatos semi-domiciliados quando comparados aos animais domiciliados (OR de 4.735) e quanto aos domiciliados guiados em passeios (OR de 2.303). À luz dos resultados se sugere que campanhas de conscientização foquem também nos benefícios da criação domiciliada de animais de estimação. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Acesso à rua. Razão de chances. Infecçã o. Caninos. Felinos.