Sero-occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and vertical transmission in slaughtered beef cows (Bos indicus) Soro ocorrência de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii e transmissão vertical em vacas de corte (Bos indicus) abatidas

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite recognized as an important public health problem. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in pregnant and non pregnant zebus' breed beef cows (Bos indicus), their fetuses, killed at an abattoir in northern of Paraná state. In the present study 169 cows were evaluated, 92 pregnant (in different stages of gestation) and 77 non pregnant. Sero-occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was performed by Indirect uorescent antibody test (IFAT) considering positive animals with titers ≥ 50 for cows and ≥ 25 for fetuses. Blood (with EDTA) from pregnant cows and blood and tissue samples (brain, lung, heart, and liver) from their fetuses were collected and used for mouse bioassay. Antibodies against T. gondii were observed in 26.0% of cows and 2.5% of fetuses. There was no statistical difference when prevalence of toxoplasmosis was compared between pregnant (23.9%), and non-pregnant (28.6%) animals, and age of gestation (p > 0.59). However, the occurrence of anti-T.gondii antibodies increased with age of animals (p=0.004). Mouse bioassay showed three fetuses positives (3.2%), however, none T. gondii strain was isolated. The present study showed that transplacental transmission of T. gondii naturally occurs in zebu beef cows from Brazil, however, in low rate (5.4%). The anti-T. gondii antibodies occurrence increase with the age of animals, which could be related to the fact that main transmission in cattle T. gondii is horizontal. Key words: Toxoplasmosis, zebu, vertical transmission Resumo Toxoplasma gondii é um protozoário reconhecido como um dos mais importantes parasitas em saúde pública. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de anticorpos contra T. gondii em vacas de corte zebuínas (Bos indicus) gestantes, e seus fetos, bem como, em vacas não gestantes abatidas em um matadouro no norte do Paraná. No presente estudo foram avaliadas 169 vacas, 92 prenhas (em diferentes fases de gestação) e 77 não prenhas. A ocorrência de anticorpos contra T. gondii foi realizada por meio da reação de imuno uorescência indireta (IFI) considerando animais positivos aqueles com títulos ≥ 50 para as vacas e ≥ 25 para os fetos. Sangue (EDTA) de vacas prenhas e amostras de sangue e tecidos (cérebro, pulmão, coração, e fígado) de seus fetos foram coletadas e utilizadas para o bioensaio em camundongos. Anticorpos contra T. gondii foram observados em 26,0% das vacas e em 2,5% dos fetos Não houve diferença quando a soropositividade de anticorpos foi comparado entre vacas gestantes (23,9%), e não gestantes (28,6%), bem como, a idade da gestação (p > 0,59). No entanto, a ocorrência de anticorpos aumentou com a idade dos animais (p = 0,004). O bioensaio mostrou três fetos positivos (3,2%), porém, nenhuma cepa foi isolada. O presente estudo mostrou que a transmissão transplacentária de T. gondii ocorre naturalmente em vacas de corte zebuínas do Brasil, no entanto, esta ocorrência foi baixa (5,4%). A maior ocorrência de anticorpos associada com a idade dos animais poderia estar relacionada a transmissão horizontal do T. gondii nestes animais

Atividade ovicida e larvicida in vitro de taninos condensados em nematódeos gastrintestinais de ovinos (Ovis aries)

Infestations of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes in sheep result in significant costs to farmers. These infestations are controlled using synthetic anthelmintic treatments, which can result in the development of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes. The use of plants rich in condensed tannins (CTs) is a promising alternative for controlling infestations of harmful parasites in sheep, and could allow reduction of the chemical products used. This study investigated the in vitro effect of CTs from Acacia mearnsii extract (AE) on egg hatching and motility of third-stage larvae. Egg-hatching rate was measured after incubation with extracts for 48 h at 27 °C. The egg hatch test was performed with dilutions of 0.09, 0.19, 0.39, 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg mL-1. Distilled water was used as the negative control. The corresponding egg hatching inhibition percentages were 22.3, 32.3, 39.2, 49.1, 56.7, 59.0, 62.3, 77.3, 92.7, 98.3, and 100%. The concentration required to inhibit egg hatching in 50% of eggs (LC50) was 2.85 mg mL-1. The inhibition achieved with the negative control was 7.06%. A larval migration inhibition test was carried out after incubation with the extracts for 48 h at 27 oC, with AE and distilled water used in dilutions of 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg mL-1. The corresponding percentages of migration inhibition were 16.5, 37.0, 56.3, 79.4, 91.8, and 97.1%. The concentration required to inhibit migration of 50% of larvae (LC50) was 12.45 mg mL-1. The inhibition achieved with the negative control was 8.53%. The in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of CTs from AE indicate the anthelmintic effect of AE, suggesting the potential of CT extracts to be used as alternatives for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infestations in small ruminants. O parasitismo gastrintestinal em ovinos acarreta inúmeros prejuízos aos produtores rurais. O controle é realizado basicamente através da administração de anti-helmínticos sintéticos o que estimula a seleção de parasitas resistentes. O uso de plantas ricas em taninos condensados (TC) apresenta-se como uma alternativa promissora no controle de helmintos em ovinos, reduzindo o uso de produtos químicos. Esse estudo avaliou o efeito in vitro dos TC provenientes da acácia (Acacia mearnsii) sobre a eclosão de ovos e a motilidade de larvas de terceiro estágio de nematódeos gastrintestinais de ovinos. A taxa de eclosão foi avaliada após incubação com o extrato por um período de 48 h a 27 oC. A eclodibilidade foi avaliada nas concentrações de 0,09; 0,19; 0,39; 0,78; 1,56; 3,12; 6,25; 12,5; 25; 50 e 100 mg mL-1. No controle negativo utilizou-se água destilada. As inibições das eclosões foram 22,3; 32,3; 39,3; 49,1; 56,7; 59; 62,3; 77,3; 92,7; 98,3 e 100%, respectivamente. Para a inibição de 50% da eclosão de ovos (CL50) o valor foi de 2,85 mg mL-1. No controle negativo a inibição foi de 7,1%. A inibição da migração larval foi avaliada após incubação com o extrato por um período de 3 h a 27 oC, nas concentrações de 3,12; 6,25; 12,5; 25; 50 e 100 mg mL-1. As porcentagens de inibição foram: 16,5; 37; 56,3; 79,4; 91,8 e 97,1% respectivamente. Para a inibição de 50% da migração larval (CL50), o valor da concentração foi de 12,45 mg mL-1. No controle negativo a inibição foi de 8,5%. A ação ovicida e larvicida in vitro do tanino condensado do extrato de Acacia mearnsii encontrada no presente trabalho indica uma ação anti-helmíntica, apresentando potencial para sua aplicação no controle alternativo de nematódeos gastrintestinais de pequenos ruminantes

Anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle from the northern region of Paraná state, Brazil

ABSTRACT: The presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, was evaluated. A total of 401 blood samples were collected; 281 samples from the municipality of Rolândia and 120 from the municipality of Borrazópolis, between April 2015 and November 2016. Of the total samples, 289 were from females and 112 from males, aged one and a half to eight years. Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed, using a cut-off of 1:100. Variables were tabulated for statistical analyses (Fisher’s exact test and chi-square tests, p≤0.05). The analysis showed that of the 401 samples, 37 were positive for N. caninum, indicating a prevalence of 9.2 %, and observed titers were 1:100 (16), 1:200 (14), and 1:400 (7). The variables sex, age, and location did not differ statistically (p>0.05). Our results showed a sero-occurrence of N. caninum in cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná

Soro ocorrência de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii e transmissão vertical em vacas de corte (Bos indicus) abatidas

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite recognized as an important public health problem. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in pregnant and non pregnant zebus’ breed beef cows (Bos indicus), their fetuses, killed at an abattoir in northern of Paraná state. In the present study 169 cows were evaluated, 92 pregnant (in different stages of gestation) and 77 non pregnant. Sero-occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was performed by Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) considering positive animals with titers ? 50 for cows and ? 25 for fetuses. Blood (with EDTA) from pregnant cows and blood and tissue samples (brain, lung, heart, and liver) from their fetuses were collected and used for mouse bioassay. Antibodies against T. gondii were observed in 26.0% of cows and 2.5% of fetuses. There was no statistical difference when prevalence of toxoplasmosis was compared between pregnant (23.9%), and non-pregnant (28.6%) animals, and age of gestation (p > 0.59). However, the occurrence of anti-T.gondii antibodies increased with age of animals (p=0.004). Mouse bioassay showed three fetuses positives (3.2%), however, none T. gondii strain was isolated. The present study showed that transplacental transmission of T. gondii naturally occurs in zebu beef cows from Brazil, however, in low rate (5.4%). The anti-T. gondii antibodies occurrence increase with the age of animals, which could be related to the fact that main transmission in cattle T. gondii is horizontal.Toxoplasma gondii é um protozoário reconhecido como um dos mais importantes parasitas em saúde pública. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de anticorpos contra T. gondii em vacas de corte zebuínas (Bos indicus) gestantes, e seus fetos, bem como, em vacas não gestantes abatidas em um matadouro no norte do Paraná. No presente estudo foram avaliadas 169 vacas, 92 prenhas (em diferentes fases de gestação) e 77 não prenhas. A ocorrência de anticorpos contra T. gondii foi realizada por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) considerando animais positivos aqueles com títulos ? 50 para as vacas e ? 25 para os fetos. Sangue (EDTA) de vacas prenhas e amostras de sangue e tecidos (cérebro, pulmão, coração, e fígado) de seus fetos foram coletadas e utilizadas para o bioensaio em camundongos. Anticorpos contra T. gondii foram observados em 26,0% das vacas e em 2,5% dos fetos Não houve diferença quando a soropositividade de anticorpos foi comparado entre vacas gestantes (23,9%), e não gestantes (28,6%), bem como, a idade da gestação (p > 0,59). No entanto, a ocorrência de anticorpos aumentou com a idade dos animais (p = 0,004). O bioensaio mostrou três fetos positivos (3,2%), porém, nenhuma cepa foi isolada. O presente estudo mostrou que a transmissão transplacentária de T. gondii ocorre naturalmente em vacas de corte zebuínas do Brasil, no entanto, esta ocorrência foi baixa (5,4%). A maior ocorrência de anticorpos associada com a idade dos animais poderia estar relacionada a transmissão horizontal do T. gondii nestes animais

Prevalence of Eimeria spp. in calves from dairy farms in northern Paraná state, Brazil

<div><p>Abstract Bovine coccidiosis is a disease of major importance in cattle herds across the world. The disorder mainly affects young calves, and E. bovis and E. zuernii are considered the most pathogenic species of the genus, however, E. alabamensis have been described in grazing calves. In this study, the prevalence of Eimeria spp. was evaluated in calves on dairy farms in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Four hundred calves on 44 dairy farms were tested for the presence of coccidian oocysts. The positives were re-examined and the oocysts were morphometrically analyzed for species identification. All the farms were contaminated and 205 animals (51.25%) presented Eimeria spp. oocysts. Among these, 146 animals (71.22%) were co-infected by two or more species of coccidia. Ten species of Eimeria were identified: E. bovis (in 30.25% of the positive samples), E. alabamensis (26.75%), E. zuernii (22.00%), E. ellipsoidalis (18.50%), E. auburnensis (13.75%), E. canadensis (8.00%), E. cylindrica (7.25%), E. subspherica (5.00%), E. bukidnonensis (3.00%) and E. brasiliensis (0.75%). This study demonstrates the high prevalence of Eimeria spp. in the northern region of Paraná, Brazil, and detection for the first time in our region the pathogenic species E. alabamensis.</p></div

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) in Brazil

<div><p>Eared doves (Zenaida auriculata), which are common in urban, rural and wild areas in many regions of Brazil, are frequently prey for domestic cats. Therefore Toxoplasma gondii isolates obtained from doves may reflect greater environmental diversity than those from other hosts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate T. gondii seroprevalence, isolate and genotype strains from Z. auriculata. Serum and tissue samples were collected from 206 doves for use in the modified agglutination test (MAT) and mouse bioassay. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in the doves was 22.3% (46/206), with titers ranging from 16 to 4096, and T. gondii strains were isolated from 12 of these doves. Five genotypes were detected by means of PCR-RFLP, including ToxoDB genotypes #1, #6, #17 and #65, and one genotype that had not previously been described (ToxoDB#182). This was the first report on isolation of T. gondii from Z. auriculata. This study confirmed the genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates and the existence of clonal type II (ToxoDB genotype #1) in Brazil.</p></div