Path analysis with extrinsic (environmental) characteristics that affect the infection rate in dogs from western region of the Paraná State, Brazil.

<p>Blue arrows represent positive effect, and red arrows represent negative effects.</p

Neighbor-Joining tree of ITS1 of <i>Leishmania</i> individuals isolated from dogs from the extreme west of the state of Paraná, Brazil.

<p>Neighbor-Joining tree of ITS1 of <i>Leishmania</i> individuals isolated from dogs from the extreme west of the state of Paraná, Brazil.</p

In the 196 sites (pointed in the maps) from three areas of the extreme -west of the Southern of Brasil (Foz do Iguaçu, Santa Terezinha de Itaipu and transect between the two cities) dogs were sampled to determine the seroprevalence to leishmaniases.

<p>In each site blood of five (or more) dogs were sampled and examinated serologically according to Brazil Health Ministery recommendation. The two test (DPP and Immunoassay) were realized simultanealy. We considered a positive animal when two serological exams were positives.</p

Number of positive patches to cVL (before the bar), number of total patches (after the bar) and percentage of positive patches to cVL from three strata from Foz do Iguaçu, Santa Terezinha de Itaipu and the transects between two cities.

<p><b>—</b>No urban area; * small community.</p

Extrinsic and intrinsic variable assessed in this study.

<p>Extrinsic and intrinsic variable assessed in this study.</p

Intrinsic and extrinsic variables that showed significance to canine visceral leishmaniasis.

<p>NS: non significant values.</p

Dogs sampled (N), seropositive dogs to cVL (N+) and its percentage in three sites in the extreme-west of the Paraná state, Southern of Brazil: The Foz do Iguaçu (FI) city was devised in four areas (A, B, C and D), Santa Terezinha do Itaipu (STI) in two areas (A = north and B south), and two transects (T1 and T2) between the two cities (FI and STI).

<p>A total of 1129 dogs were sampled.</p

Clinical classification of seropositive dogs in three regions in the extreme west of Paraná state, Southern Brazil.

<p>OR: Odds Ratio.–Non observed date. * seropositive dogs in ELISA and DPP tests /total of dogs with clinical signals.</p

Patches sampled and spatial distribution of <i>Leishmania</i> spp. in the extreme west of Parana state, Southern Brasil.

<p>The higher prevalence were observed in area A and D.</p

An outbreak of caprine toxoplasmosis - investigation and case report

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to investigate an abortion outbreak in a dairy goat herd in the municipality of Arapoti, Parana, Brazil. At the beginning of the outbreak, blood samples were collected from 33 goats with clinical signs; later, of the whole goat herd, two cats and two dogs. Milk samples were collected from 78 lactating goats. Four environmental soil samples and four samples of feed residue from goat feeders were collected too. Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) was used for serodiagnosis, the molecular analysis was conducted by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for the isolation of the etiological agent the bioassay was used. The results of the IFA revealed that 76.53% (137/179) of the goats, two dogs and two cats were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. Bioassay revealed one buffy coat and two milk sample having viable T. gondii. In the PCR, 11 whole blood samples, eight milk, three feeder troughs, and all soil samples were positive. The findings of the present study confirmed an outbreak caused by environmental contamination (of soil and feed) with T. gondii oocysts that could have been shed by kittens that lived on the farm and had access to the stock of goat food, facilitating this contamination, which reinforces the need for veterinary assistance and good management practices on farms.</p></div