OCCURRENCE OF UREAPLASMA DIVERSUM IN THE GENITAL TRACT OF FEMALE BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

We investigated the occurrence of Ureaplasma diversum in the genital tract of female buffaloes. A total of 292 vaginal swab samples of buffaloes of reproductive age from nine farms were analyzed. These were distributed in five cities of Pernambuco state, Brazil. DNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The frequency of females positive for U. diversum was 2.05% (6/292). Concerning the farms, 22.22% (2/9) of the investigated properties had at least one positive animal. Samples positive on PCR were inoculated in specific media for culturing Ureaplasma spp. However, there was no growth of characteristic colonies. This study documents the occurrence of infection by microorganisms of the species Ureaplasma diversum in the reproductive tract of buffalo females in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Thus, epidemiological investigations must be carried out with the presence of this microorganism should be investigated to assess the role of this pathogen as a causative agent of vulvovaginitis and abortions considering that these occurrences may decrease reproductive rates and cause negative economic impact in buffalo farming

Soroprevalência e fatores de risco associados ao herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 e ocorrência da infecção pelo vírus da diarreia viral bovina em vacas leiteiras no estado de Pernambuco

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, determinar a soroprevalência para a infecção pelo herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (HVB-1) e vírus da diarreia viral bovina (VDVB-1) e identificar os fatores de risco associados à infecção HVB-1 em vacas leiteiras na bacia leiteira do estado de Pernambuco. Foram analisadas 358 amostras de soro sanguíneo provenientes de vacas leiteiras em idade reprodutiva, não vacinados para os referidos agentes, procedentes de 18 propriedades, distribuídas em seis municípios na microrregião do Vale do Ipanema, Pernambuco. Para o diagnóstico sorológico foi utilizada a técnica de vírusneutralização. A ocorrência de anticorpos anti-HVB-1 em bovinos foi 52,8% (188/356), enquanto que para VDVB-1 foi 99,4% (355/357). Observou-se uma variação da ocorrência de anticorpos, por propriedade, de 5 a 90,9% para HVB-1 e 93,5 a 100% para VDVB-1, destacando-se que 100% das propriedades possuíam ao menos um animal positivo para as duas infecções. Os fatores de risco associados à infecção por HVB-1 foram: compartilhamento de pastos (OR = 2,9; p = 0,004); não utilização de inseminação artificial (OR = 2,3; p < 0,001); não realização de transferência de embriões (OR = 13,6; p < 0,001); aquisição de animais destinados à reprodução (OR = 4,2; p < 0,001); reposição de animais da mesma região (OR = 3,0; p = 0,001) e fetos abortados deixados no pasto (OR= 4,0; p < 0,001). É possível concluir que a infecção por ambos os agentes está distribuída nos bovinos da área do estudo, sendo necessária a implementação de medidas preventivas a partir dos fatores de risco identificados no presente estudo

Análise epidemiológica da infecção por Mycoplasma bovigenitalium e Ureaplasma diversum em bovinos na microrregião do Vale do Ipanema - Pernambuco

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, realizar uma investigação epidemiológica da infecção por Mycoplasma bovigenitalium e Ureaplasma diversum em bovinos na microrregião do Vale do Ipanema, estado de Pernambuco. Foram coletados suabes vaginais de 355 vacas em idade reprodutiva que foram submetidos à Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) e isolamento microbiológico. Um questionário investigativo foi utilizado para a análise dos fatores de risco associados à infecção por Mollicutes. Pela PCR, 9,29% (33/355) amostras foram positivas para Mycoplasma bovigenitalium e 21,69% (77/355) para Ureaplasma diversum. Observou-se coinfecção em 2,81% (10/355) das amostras. A partir do isolamento microbiológico das amostras positivas na PCR, houve crescimento no meio Hayflick de 81,81% (27/33) das amostras, sendo classificadas como Mycoplasma spp. e 24,67% (19/77) cresceram no meio “UB”, sendo classificadas como U. diversum. Foram considerados fatores de risco associados à infecção por Mollicutes: sistema de criação semi-intensivo (OR=4,6); aluguel de pastagens (OR=3,6); não isolamento dos animais com distúrbios reprodutivos (OR=3,2) e realização de monta natural mais inseminação artificial (OR=3,5). Este é o primeiro registro da infecção por Mycoplasma bovigenitalium e Ureaplasma diversum em rebanhos bovinos na região semiárida do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. A partir dos resultados obtidos, medidas de prevenção direcionadas aos fatores de riscos identificados podem contribuir com a diminuição da ocorrência de Mollicutes nos rebanhos bovinos estudados.This study’s objective was to conduct a Mycoplasma bovigenitalium and Ureaplasma diversum infections epidemiological investigation in cattle in the Ipanema Valley microregion, Pernambuco state. Vaginal swabs were collected from 355 reproductive age cows and submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microbiological isolation. An investigative questionnaire was used to risk factors analysis associated with Mollicutes infection. According to PCR, 9.29% (33/355) of the samples were positive for Mycoplasma bovigenitalium and 21.69% (77/355) for Ureaplasma diversum. Coinfection was observed in 2.81% (10/355) of the samples. According to isolation, there was growth on Hayflick medium of 81.81% (27/33) from the samples classified as Mycoplasma spp. and 24.67% (19/77) growth on UB medium, being classified as Ureaplasma diversum. Risk factors associated to Mollicutes infection were considered: semi-intensive breeding system (OR = 4.6), pasture rent (OR = 3.6), reproductive disorders nonisolated animals (OR = 3.2), and natural mating plus artificial insemination (OR = 3.5). This is the first record of Mycoplasma bovigenitalium and Ureaplasma diversum infection in semiarid region cattle herds of Pernambuco state, Brazil. From this, preventive measures directed to the identified risk factors can contribute to Mollicutes’ occurrence decrease in the cattle herds studied

Occurrence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVDV) and Bovine Infectious Rhinotracheitis (IBR) Virus Infections in Buffaloes in Pernambuco state - Brazil

Background: Buffaloes are susceptible to viral infections, often associated with pathologies of importance in cattle breeding. Among the numerous infectious diseases, Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVDV) and Bovine Infectious Rhinotracheitis (IBR) have a negative impact on buffalo creations.  This study aimed to detect the occurrence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus infections in buffaloes in Pernambuco state, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: For this purpose, serum samples were obtained from 244 buffaloes on eight properties distributed in six municipalities. The search for anti-BVDV and -bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BoHV-1) antibodies was performed using the virus neutralization technique. To analyze the association between the serological status of BoHV-1 infection and aspects of hygienic-sanitary and reproductive management, an investigative questionnaire with objective questions was used. In total, 97.9% (239/244) of buffaloes had anti-BVDV antibodies and 56.1% (137/244) had anti-BoHV-1 antibodies. Co-infection was observed in 55.3% (135/244) of buffaloes. The distribution of antibody occurrence in buffaloes by properties ranged from 90.5% to 100.0% for BVDV and from 4.8% to 100% for BoHV-1. It was not possible to perform an association analysis for BVDV infection; however, in that for BoHV-1 infection, the following variables exhibited a significant association: an extensive breeding system (P < 0.001), open herd (P = 0.029), lack of reproductive rest (P = 0.029), natural mating in females with reproductive disorders (P < 0.001), exploration type (P = 0.0014), presence of wild animals (P < 0.001), and lack of cleaning facilities (P = 0.008).Discussion: The occurrence of anti-BVDV antibodies in this study was 97.9% this was higher than those reported in other country’s regions. The results of the present study demonstrate a high occurrence of anti-BVDV antibodies in each of the properties in Pernambuco state, demonstrating that the animals have contact with infection sources, due to the large number of positive animals. Indeed, it is likely that there is at least one PI animal in every herd. It was observed that 100% of the properties possessed at least one positive animal. The high number of positive animal properties may be related to the absence of biosecurity measures; a subclinical BVDV infection can occur which the owners cannot identify it, as it is not common the adoption of a reproductive program in the region. The occurrence of the anti-BoHV-1 antibody in this study was 56.1%. In other states, both lower and higher prevalences were reported compared to this study. The high number of properties with positive animals may be related to several factors, including the ability of the virus to remain latent, thus introducing a single animal infected with BoHV-1 sufficient for infection spread and perpetuation in buffaloes.  It is believed that the introduction of infected animals and the lack of disease knowledge by the producers may have been responsible for the agent’s introduction and maintenance in the herds. In conclusion, BVDV and IBR virus infections occur in buffaloes in Pernambuco state. Thus, it is suggested that prophylactic measures, including routine diagnosis, reproductive animal control, and strict health care, such as employing cleaning facilities, avoiding contact with neighboring herds, acquiring animals with a negative diagnosis and using an artificial insemination program should be implemented at each property to reduce the reproductive losses caused by these infections

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data