Hepatogenous Photosensitization in Steer by Brachiaria decumbens

Background: Although the etiology of hepatogenous photosensitization has not yet been fully elucidated, it is known that hepatotoxic substances (saponins) present in grasses of the genus Brachiaria spp. are responsible for intoxication of several species, causing great economic losses in the whole world. Since this grass is the source of food for the herd in Brazil, and other countries of the world, the aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and anatomopathological aspects of a steer with this disease.Case: A 3-year-old Nellore steer was referred to veterinary care at a property in Bahia, with a 3-week history of swelling, loss of cutaneous tissue in the ear and scrotum region, and dry faeces. The animal was raised in pasture with Brachiaria decumbens along with five animals of different age and sex; however, it was the only one to present symptoms. Although the animal had been treated at the farm, there was no clinical improvement. On clinical examination, the steer was apathetic with jaundiced mucous membranes, nasal and ocular discharge, epiphora, and ulcers on the labial and gum commissure. The steer had leukocytosis with neutrophilia, anemia, and hyperfibrinogemia. The body condition score (BCS) was 3 (BCS ranges from 1 to 9), and the skin lesions observed were bedsores, necrosis and scabs in several regions. The increase in liver enzymes (GGT, AST) indicated hepatic impairment, suggesting a case of hepatogenous photosensitization. The therapeutic protocol instituted was enteral hydration, electrolyte replacement, topical application of ointment in the injured areas. In addition, it was recommended to maintain the animal in the shade, supply of good quality grass, and a new clinical evaluation in seven days. On new examination, it was observed that there was no satisfactory clinical improvement of the animal, and persistence of laboratory changes. Despite the poor prognosis, treatment was continued for another month with the same recommendations. However, in view of the severe clinical condition and unfavorable prognosis, the animal was submitted euthanasia. Necropsy revealed extensive areas of bedsores, erythema, severe jaundice in the mucous membranes, eyeballs and opaque corneas. The liver had an enlarged volume with bulging edges and a greenish color. The kidneys had a pale brownish color, with an irregular and mottled subcapsular surface, with blackened and depressed spots. Histologically, the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes was finely vacuolated, sometimes refringent and with an abundant presence of bile pigment. It was also observed in the middle of the liver parenchyma, multiple foci of accumulation of macrophages filled with vacuoles of different sizes containing saponins and crystals of saponins inside bile ducts. Furthermore, it was possible to observe hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Kupffer cells, disarrangement of hepatocytes with individual necrosis of hepatocytes.Discussion: The diagnosis of hepatogenous photosensitization was based on history, clinical, laboratory and anatomopathological findings. Serum biochemistry was important to measure hepatic impairment and possible secondary lesions, which were confirmed by the necropsy. Although hepatogenous photosensitization is less common in adult cattle, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin lesions, reduced appetite, and jaundice. Since it was a sporadic case, individual predisposition is probably a preponderant factor. Keywords: cattle, photodermatitis, intoxication, liver injury, skin lesions

PREVALÊNCIA SOROLÓGICA DA MAEDI-VISNA EM REBANHOS OVINOS DA MICRORREGIÃO DE JUAZEIRO - BAHIA POR MEIO DO TESTE DE IMUNODIFUSÃO EM GEL DE ÁGAR

The introduction of new breeds, aiming at increasing productivity, caused the change in the health profile of herds. Among the diseases introduced in Brazil lentiviroses of small ruminants (LVPR) stand out,represented by caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) and the maedi-visna (MV). In order to obtain data concerning the presence of maedi visna (MV) in sheep herds in the microregion of Juazeiro, Bahia, 91 9 serum samples were evaluated by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID). Thesamples were collected in eight cities that make up this microregion Juazeiro, Sento Sé, Sobradinho, Pilão Arcado, Campo Alegre Lourdes, Remanso, Casa Nova and Curaçá) considering how representative eachmunicipality is within the totalilty of animals. It was observed that 0.34% of the sampled sheep showed positive reaction in the AGID. It was concluded that the MV occurs with low prevalence in the studied microregion, probably due to the predominance of locallyadapted breeds

Soroepidemiologia de brucelose ovina na microrregião de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi a realização de um inquérito soroepidemiológico de Brucella ovis em rebanhos de ovinos da Microrregião de Feira de Santana, Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Foram selecionados os dez municípios de maior efetivo ovino: Antônio Cardoso, Feira de Santana, Ipecaetá, Ipirá, Itatim, Pintadas, Rafael Jambeiro, Santa Teresinha, Santo Estévão e Serra Preta,. O tamanho da amostra foi calculado com base nos parâmetros: nível de significância, 99%; erro amostral, 5%, prevalência estimada, 50%. A amostra total foi fracionada segundo a população de ovinos do respectivo município. Foram examinados 793 animais, machos e fêmeas, com idade superior a seis meses, distribuídos em 49 propriedades dos municípios visitados. Por ocasião das visitas, foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico destinado à análise de possíveis fatores de risco. Todos os soros foram submetidos ao teste da imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA) com o antígeno constituído por proteínas e lipopolissacarídeos solúveis de B. ovis amostra Reo198. Foram obtidos 6,94% (55/793) de animais positivos e não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) para idade e sexo. Para as variáveis analisadas, não foram encontrados fatores de risco que pudessem estar associados aos casos de animais reatores positivos. Dentre as propriedades trabalhadas, 61,22% (30/49) apresentaram pelo menos um animal reagente e dos dez municípios visitados, apenas dois não apresentaram animais positivos.The aim of the present study was to perform a seroepidemiological survey of Brucella ovis in ovine flocks in the microregion of Feira de Santana, State of Bahia (BA), Brazil. Ten municipalities with the largest sheep flocks were selected for this survey: Antonio Cardoso, Feira de Santana, Ipecaetá, Ipirá, Itatim, Pintadas, Rafael Jambeiro, Santa Teresinha, Santo Estévão and Serra Preta. The sample size was established on the basis of three parameters: significance level (99%), sampling error (5%), and estimated prevalence (50%). The total sample was divided proportionally to the sheep population found in the respective municipalities. The flocks examined in each municipality were randomly selected. The animals were older than six months and were distributed among 49 properties in the municipalities. Samples of blood from 793 male and female sheep were analyzed. During visitations, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied for collection of information and analysis of possible risk factors. All sera samples were analyzed by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and the antigen was a mixture of soluble proteins and lipopolysaccharides from B. ovis (strain Reo 198). Seropositive animals (6.94%, 55/793) to B. ovis were detected. However, significant statistical difference (p>0.05) was not found for age and sex. Risk factors that might be associated with cases of seropositive animals for the variables analyzed were not found. In 61.22% (30/49) of the examined farms at least one seropositive animal was detected. Only two of the ten municipalities above had no seropositive animal

Influência do desenvolvimento etário e da suplementação com vitamina E (acetato de DL-alfa-tocoferol) no metabolismo oxidativo dos neutrófilos de bovinos da raça Holandesa (Bos taurus)

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a influência do desenvolvimento etário e da suplementação com acetato de DL-alfa-tocoferol sobre o metabolismo oxidativo de neutrófilos, em bovinos da raça holandesa, no período do nascimento até os 150 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 20 bezerros divididos em dois grupos de dez animais. Os animais do grupo Tratamento receberam 2000UI de acetato de DL-alfa-tocoferol, por via intramuscular, ao nascimento, aos 15, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias de idade, sendo o outro o grupo Controle, que não recebeu qualquer suplementação. Em ambos os grupos, o metabolismo oxidativo dos neutrófilos demonstrou pouca atividade durante os primeiros 60 dias de vida, sendo indicativo da ineficiência deste importante mecanismo bactericida. Não foi observado efeito significativo da administração do acetato de DL-alfa-tocoferol sobre o metabolismo oxidativo de neutrófilos.This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of age and supplementation with acetate of DL-alpha-tocopherol on the neutrophils oxidative metabolism of Holstein calves from birth to 150 days of age. Twenty calves were divided in two groups of ten animals. The animals of group Treatment received 2000UI of DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate, IM, at birth, and at 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of age. The other group (Control), did not receive any supplementation. In both experimental groups the neutrophils oxidative metabolism showed little activity during the first 60 days of life, wich could indicate inefficiency of this important bactericidal mechanism. Neutrophils oxidative metabolism was not significantly affected by treatment with acetate of DL-alpha-tocopherol

Falha da transferência de imunidade passiva em cordeiros mestiços (Santa Inês x Dorper) e estudo do proteinograma do nascimento até o desmame

It was analyzed the occurrence of the failure of passive transfer (FTIP) of the immunity 45 born lambs of healthy and pluriparous ewes. These animals were accompanied from the birth to the wean (90 days), when clinical evaluations were accomplished, hemogram, determination of total serum proteins and their electrophoretic fractions, 24-72h after the birth, to the 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days of age (at the same time of the wean). Adopting the cut point for total serum proteins of the order of 4.5g/dL, it was obtained the occurrence of FTIP of 24.4% (11 animals). The lambs with FTIP presented lowers values (p<0.05) of serum proteins, albumin, alpha-globulin, beta-globulin 1 and gamma globulins when compared to the 34 animals that have no FTIP. However, from 7th days of life it was not observed significant differences of these variables between groups, indicating the occurrence of a process of active production of proteins by group FTIP.Analisou-se a ocorrência da Falha de Transferência da Imunidade Passiva (FTIP) em 45 cordeiros nascidos de ovelhas saudáveis e pluríparas. Estes animais foram acompanhados do nascimento até o desmame (90 dias), por meio de avaliações físicas, do hemograma, determinação de proteínas séricas totais e seu fracionamento eletroforético entre 24-72h pós-nascimento (p.n.), aos 7, 15, 30, 60 e 90 dias de idade (quando era realizada a desmama). Adotando-se o ponto de corte para proteínas séricas totais da ordem de 4,5g/dL, obteve-se a ocorrência de FTIP de 24,4% (11 animais). Os cordeiros com FTIP apresentaram menores valores (p<0,05) de proteínas séricas, albumina, alfaglobulina, betaglobulina 1 e gamaglobulinas entre 24-72h p.n. quando comparados aos dos 34 animais que não tiveram FTIP. Porém, a partir dos sete dias de vida não foram observadas diferenças significativas destas variáveis entre os grupos, o que indica um processo de produção ativa de proteínas pelo grupo com FTIP

Serum proteinogram in Holstein Friesian calves from birth until 150 days of age Proteinograma sérico de bezerras da raça Holandesa do nascimento aos 150 dias de idade

This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of the age on the proteinogram of Holstein Friesian calves from birth to 150 days of age. Blood samples of 10 animals were collected at birth and on 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days of age. The serum protein presented significant variation (p<0,05), characterized by an increase in the values of the albumen and globulin fractions. The albumen was increased from birth until the 150 days of age, while the gamaglobulin decreased significantly on 15 and 30 days and then increased until 150 days. However, the betaglobulin fraction decreased until the final period of observation, while the alfaglobulin was not influenced by age.O presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar o efeito do desenvolvimento etário sobre o proteinograma de bezerras da raça Holandesa, no período do nascimento até os cinco meses de idade. Amostras de sangue de 10 bovinos foram colhidas ao nascimento e aos 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 e 150 dias de idade. A proteína sérica total apresentou variação significativa (p<0,05), caracterizando-se por aumento dos valores determinado pelas frações albumina e globulina. A albumina elevou-se do nascimento até os 150 dias de idade, enquanto que a gamaglobulina diminuiu significativamente aos 15 e 30 dias para então elevar-se até os 150 dias de vida. Entretanto, a fração betaglobulina diminuiu até o período final de observação, enquanto que a alfaglobulina não sofreu influências do fator etário

Serological study of Maedi-Visna by agar gel immunodifusion method in sheep in Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil Estudo sorológico da Maedi-Visna pelo método da imunodifusão em gel de ágar em rebanhos ovinos de Juazeiro, Bahia, Brasil

Bahia state has the second largest sheep population in Brazil, and among the diseases that affect these animals, it is included Maedi-Visna virus which needs special care due to the considerable increase in the risk on disseminating this Lentivirus, by the introduction of exotic breeds of animals in Brazil. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the prevalence of antibodies to Maedi-Visna virus in Juazeiro city – Bahia, which has one of the greatest numbers of sheep in the country. Agar Gel Immunodifusion test was used to study 200 serum samples from 13 farms. The predominant exploration system in the region is the extensive one, and the presence of native and crossbred animals for the production of meat and skin, characterized by low productivity and low technical level. The prevalence of antibodies was 0.5%, which explains the necessity of broad serological studies, as well as implantation of prevention and control techniques of this disease in the State, due to the use of exotic breeds for genetic improvement of native animals.O estado da Bahia possui o segundo maior rebanho de ovinos do país e, dentre as enfermidades que acometem esses animais, a Maedi-Visna inspira cuidados pela considerável elevação do risco de infecção pelo Lentivirus com a introdução de animais de raças exóticas no Brasil. Dessa forma, realizou-se este trabalho com o intuito de verificar a prevalência da Maedi-Visna no município de Juazeiro –Bahia, que detém uma das maiores concentrações de ovinos do país. Foram pesquisadas 200 amostras de soro oriundas de 13 propriedades rurais, utilizando-se o teste de Imunodifusão em Gel de Ágar. O sistema de criação predominante na região é o extensivo, com presença de animais nativos, mestiços e sem raça definida, visando a produção de carne e pele principalmente, com baixa produtividade e baixo índice de tecnificação. A prevalência obtida foi de 0,5%, o que justifica a realização de levantamentos sorológicos mais amplos, bem como a implantação de medidas de prevenção e controle dessa enfermidade no estado, frente à utilização de raças para o melhoramento genético de animais nativos e sem raça definida