Linfadenite caseosa em caprinos e ovinos: recomendações e medidas profiláticas

A linfadenite caseosa (LC) é uma doença infecto-contagiosa causada pela bactéria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Acomete caprinose ovinos e caracteriza-se pela formação de abscesso(s) contendo pus de cor amarelo-esverdeada e consistência tipoqueijo coalho. A doença apresenta-se em duas formas, a superficial e a visceral. Os abscessos localizam-se, inicialmente, nos gânglios superficiais, podendo ser na região da mandíbula, abaixo da orelha, na escápula, no crural e na região mamária. Apresenta-se, também, nos gânglios internos (mediastínicos, torácicos) e em órgãos como os pulmões, o fígado e, em menor escala, o baço, a medula, o cérebro e o sistema reprodutivo&nbsp

Teste de pele em caprinos vacinados e infectados com Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Ten goats were vaccinated with a 3% toxoid, ten vaccinated with a bacterin and two control groups (five animals each) inoculated with brain heart infusion and saline solution, respectively. All animals were skin tested with a crude antigen of formalin-killed Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacterial cells. All goats were challenged with a virulent C. pseudotuberculosis thirty days after vaccination. Neither the vaccinated nor control goats responded to the skin test prior to infection. After the challenge, dermal reactions were demonstrated in all animals at one week, five and ten weeks. The diameters increased from the first week, five and ten weeks. The reactions were more proeminent at ten weeks. The results of this study indicate that skin testing with a specific bacterial antigen of C. pseudotuberculosis may be useful in goats for field diagnosis of caseous lymphadenitis or as an experimental tool to monitor progress of the disease.Dez caprinos foram vacinados com toxóide a 3%, outros dez com uma bacterina e mais dois grupos-controle de cinco animais cada, submetidos à inoculação de infusão de cérebro e coração e solução salina, respectivamente. Todos os animais foram examinados e avaliados com um teste de pele. Tanto o toxóide quanto a bacterina foram produzidos a partir de amostra de Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Todos os caprinos foram desafiados com C. pseudotuberculosis, trinta dias após as vacinações. Nenhuma das vacinas induziu reação de hipersensibilidade na pele dos caprinos antes do desafio. Após o desafio, todos os animais desenvolveram reações mensuráveis na primeira, quinta e décima semana em resposta ao teste de pele. Os diâmetros da reação dérmica aumentaram do décimo dia à quinta semana após o desafio. As medidas alcançaram tamanho maior na décima semana. O resultado deste estudo indica que antígeno específico do C. pseudotuberculosis pode ser utilizado em caprinos no diagnóstico da linfadenite caseosa como teste de pele ou como instrumento experimental para monitorar o desenvolvimento da doença

Ocorrência de abscesso hepático em caprinos.

Necropsy examinalions done in 658 goats have demonstrated that 17 (2.5%) presented hepatical abscess. Bacteriological examinations of purulent material enclosed in abscesses revealed the growth of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis ( 58,89%), Escherichia coli (1 1.75%), Corynebacterium sp (11.76%), Pasteurella haemolytica (5.88%), Proteus sp (5.88%) and Staphylococcus coagulase (+) (5.88%). Hepatical abscesses were more frequent in animals older than 13 months and were produced in their majority by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, wich is the caseous lymphadenitis agent in goats. The hepatical abscesses were usually associated with other pathologies such as bronchopneumonia, caseous lymphadenis, gastrointestinal parasitism, umbilical infection, peritonitis, foot-rot, artritis, purulent meningomioencefalitis and starvation.O exame necroscópico realizado em 658 caprinos demonstrou que 17(2,5%) apresentaram abscesso hepático. O exame bacteriológico do material purulento contido nos abscessos revelou o crescimento de Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (58,89%), Escherichia coli (11,76%), Corynebacterium sp (11,76%). Pasteurella haemolytica (5,88%), Proteu sp. (5,88%) e Staphylococcus coagulase positiva (5,88%). Os abscessos hepáticos foram mais frequentes nos animais com mais de 13 meses de idade e foram produzidos, em sua maioria pelo, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, agente da linfadenite caseosa dos caprinos. Os abscessos hepáticos quase sempre estavam associados com outras patologias tais como: broncopneumonias, linfadenite caseosa, parasitose gastrintestinal, infecção umbilical, peritonite, pododermatite, artrite, meningoencefalite supurada e inanição

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Chlamydophila abortus Infection in Goats of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Background: Chlamydophilosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila abortus, responsible for reproductive damage in small ruminants, and economic losses to animal production. In addition, it is classified as a zoonosis once it presents symptoms similar to numerous bacterial and viral infections of the reproductive system, making clinical diagnosis difficult. The objective of this work was to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-C. abortus antibodies in goats and to identify the risk factors for the disease in two mesoregions of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.Material, Methods & Results: This research was carried out in two mesoregions of the State of Rio Grande do Norte (Central Potiguar - CP and West Potiguar - WP) located in the Northeast of Brazil. These mesoregions together represent 83% of the regional herd. A total of 54 properties were studied. Those are distributed in seven municipalities: Afonso Bezerra, Angicos, Lages and Pedro Avelino, in the CP mesoregion; and Apodi, Caraúbas, and Mossoró, in the OP mesoregion. We used 540 animals from herds characterized as non-defined breed (NDB) and native breed, regardless of their productive functions, being frequent the consortium of caprine and ovine species. Blood samples were collected through jugular venipuncture by vacuum system with 5 mL tubes without anticoagulant. After collection, the tubes were centrifuged at 1500 g for 15 min. Detection of anti-Chlamydophila sp. antibodies was performed by the Complement Fixation Test. In parallel with the collection, a questionnaire was applied addressing general property and producer characteristics. Seroprevalence of chlamydophilosis in the CP mesoregion was 3.04% (7/230) for the animals and 26.1% (6/23) for the properties, whereas, in the WP mesoregion, the values were 4.2% (13/310) and 35.5% (11/31), respectively. In the final logistic regression model, no variable analyzed was considered to be associated with a higher probability of C. abortus positive properties. There was no significant difference (P = 0.76) in the infection among the studied mesoregions. All the seven municipalities evaluated, had at least one positive property. No serology was found with titers greater than 1:32. The results of the suspects with titers of 1:16 were 3.9% (9/230) in the CP and 3.5% (11/310) in the WP mesoregion. None of the 82 breeding animals tested were C. abortus reagent, but three were suspected. The highest prevalence for the infection was seen in the matrices with 5.6% (18/321), followed by young females with 2.9% (1/35), young males with 1.2% (1/82) and breeding animals with 0% (0/82).Discussion: The seroprevalence to Chlamydophila abortus found in the state of Rio Grande do Norte was lower than that found in most Brazilian states, and even in other countries. The presence of properties with positive animals displays a risk of dissemination of the disease in the region. In addition, the presence of suspect animals may indicate a much larger number of positive animals. The existence of false-negative animals in the herd can lead to difficulties in controlling and eradicating this disease. Although none of the breeding animals were reagent to C. abortus in the CF test, the possibility of venereal transmission should not be discarded. As some animals remained suspects, it may indicate an initial infection phase and seroconversion process, possibly characterizing future transmitters of the bacterium via semen. However, even though seroprevalence was numerically low, this disease should be a cause for concern due to its severity and spread capacity among herds, and especially because it is a zoonosis. We conclude that chlamydophilosis is present in goat breeding in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and female animals are more susceptible to Chlamydophila abortus infection

Mycoplasma agalactiae in Dairy Goat Flocks Bred in State of Ceará in Association with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus

Background: Contagious agalactia is an infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae (M. agalactiae) that occurs in small ruminants leading to productive and economic losses. Due to the similarity of clinical signs presented in Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), which is a viral disease, a differential diagnosis is important. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State and possible correlation with CAE.Materials, Methods & Results: The research was performed in four mesoregions in Ceará State (Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza-MRF; Northeast Ceará - NeC; North Ceará - NC; Sertões in Ceará - SC), from which 16 productions located in 10 cities with the highest representativeness for goat milk production within the State or mesoregion were sampled. A total of 417 females and 69 males (486 animals) of breeds with dairy production aptitude, pure or crossbreed, maintained in semi-intensive or intensive systems, were tested. Blood serum was obtained by venipuncture of the jugular vein with vacuum pressure syringe followed by centrifugation at 1,500 g for 10min. Antibodies against the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were detected with micro technique of agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and Western Blot (WB). The anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies were detected with commercial kit of enzymatic immunoassay (IDEXX Laboratories™). Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State was 0.62% (3/486). From the total of 16 visited productions, 18.75% (3/16) had seropositive animals for M. agalactiae located in MRF, NC and SC mesoregions. CAE was diagnosed in 56.25% (9/16) of productions with AGID and in 81.25% (13/16) with WB. In addition, 5.2% (25/486) of animals were seropositive for CAE with AGID and 16.6% (80/486) with WB. Animals that reacted positive for M. agalactiae were all females of pure breed with milk production aptitude in distinct mesoregions submitted to intensive rearing system. None of these animals was positive in neither test (AGID or WB) for CAE. Therefore, no correlation of results obtained in diagnosis of M. agalactiae by ELISA and CAEV by AGID or WB (P < 0.05) was identified. However, two out of three productions that were positive for M. agalactiae presented positive results for CAEV with frequencies of 10% and 20%.Discussion: Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in Ceará State was low in comparison with other Brazilian states and even other countries. However, the presence of the pathogen in more than one mesoregion indicates that the disease occurs in different locations within the State. Therefore, flocks in Ceará are susceptible to the infection, which may be favored by uncontrolled commerce that occurs with deficient surveillance, associated with the importation of animals to improve flock genetic quality. The presence of the pathogen in dairy goats may contribute to significant losses in the local production. On the other hand, CAE was diagnosedin nearly all productions proving the dissemination of this lentivirus infection among dairy goat flocks in Ceará State. Although an association between these diseases was not identified, the presence of a retrovirus in the organism may favor co-infection with another micro-organism, promoting the deficiency in the immune system of the host. In conclusion, M. agalactiae is present in different mesoregions of the Ceará State and control measures should be adopted in short term to prevent pathogen dissemination and, consequently reduce economic and productive losses in the local dairy goat production. No correlation was identified between the prevalence of infection by CAEV and M. agalactiae in this study.Keywords: correlation, diagnosis, caprine lentivirus, mycoplasmosis

Fatores de risco na transmissão e soroprevalência da infecção de Chlamydophila abortus a ovinos e caprinos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the risk factors involved in the transmission of Chlamydophila abortus to sheep and goats, as well as to verify the seroprevalence of the infection. One hundred ten farms were selected, with a total of 500 sheep samples – 350 from the Microregion of Alto Médio Gurgueia (MRAMG), and 150 from the Homogeneous Microregion of Teresina (MRHT), both in the state of Piauí, Brazil – and 600 goat samples – 300 of the MRAMG and 300 of the MRHT. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to identify the main risk factors. Anti‑C. abortus antibodies were detected by the complement fixation technique. Overall prevalence of infection by C. abortus was 7.2% (79/1,100). The prevalence in goats and sheep in the MRAMG was 7.9% (51/650), and in the MRHT it was 6.2% (28/450). In the studied microregions, the prevalence in sheep was 8.2% (41/500), and in goats it was 6.3% (38/600). The raising system, reproductive practices, and racial type were significant risk factors for infection in sheep. Also significant in goats were the reproductive practices and the origin of the does and bucks. The Dorper breed shows increased susceptibility to infection with C. abortus.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os fatores de risco envolvidos na transmissão de Chlamydophila abortus a ovinos e caprinos, bem como verificar a soroprevalência da infecção. Foram selecionadas 110 propriedades, com um total de 500 amostras de ovinos – 350 da Microrregião do Alto Médio Gurgueia (MRAMG) e 150 da Microrregião Homogênea de Teresina (MRHT), ambas do Estado do Piauí – e 600 amostras de caprinos – 300 da MRAMG e 300 da MRHT. Um questionário epidemiológico foi empregado para identificar os principais fatores de risco. Os anticorpos anti‑C. abortus foram detectados pela técnica de fixação de complemento. A prevalência geral da infecção por C. abortus foi de 7,2% (79/1.100). A prevalência em caprinos e ovinos na MRAMG foi de 7,9% (51/650) e, na MRHT, foi de 6,2% (28/450). Nas microrregiões estudadas, a prevalência em ovinos foi de 8,2% (41/500) e, em caprinos, de 6,3% (38/600). O sistema de criação, as práticas reprodutivas e o tipo racial foram fatores de risco relevantes para a infecção em ovinos. Também foram relevantes em caprinos as práticas reprodutivas e a origem das matrizes e dos reprodutores. A raça Dorper apresenta maior suscetibilidade à infecção por C. abortus

Teste de pele em caprinos vacinados e infectados com Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Skin test of goats vaccinated and infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Dez caprinos foram vacinados com toxóide a 3%, outros dez com uma bacterina e mais dois grupos-controle de cinco animais cada, submetidos à inoculação de infusão de cérebro e coração e solução salina, respectivamente. Todos os animais foram examinados e avaliados com um teste de pele. Tanto o toxóide quanto a bacterina foram produzidos a partir de amostra de Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Todos os caprinos foram desafiados com C. pseudotuberculosis, trinta dias após as vacinações. Nenhuma das vacinas induziu reação de hipersensibilidade na pele dos caprinos antes do desafio. Após o desafio, todos os animais desenvolveram reações mensuráveis na primeira, quinta e décima semana em resposta ao teste de pele. Os diâmetros da reação dérmica aumentaram do décimo dia à quinta semana após o desafio. As medidas alcançaram tamanho maior na décima semana. O resultado deste estudo indica que antígeno específico do C. pseudotuberculosis pode ser utilizado em caprinos no diagnóstico da linfadenite caseosa como teste de pele ou como instrumento experimental para monitorar o desenvolvimento da doença.Ten goats were vaccinated with a 3% toxoid, ten vaccinated with a bacterin and two control groups (five animals each) inoculated with brain heart infusion and saline solution, respectively. All animals were skin tested with a crude antigen of formalin-killed Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacterial cells. All goats were challenged with a virulent C. pseudotuberculosis thirty days after vaccination. Neither the vaccinated nor control goats responded to the skin test prior to infection. After the challenge, dermal reactions were demonstrated in all animals at one week, five and ten weeks. The diameters increased from the first week, five and ten weeks. The reactions were more proeminent at ten weeks. The results of this study indicate that skin testing with a specific bacterial antigen of C. pseudotuberculosis may be useful in goats for field diagnosis of caseous lymphadenitis or as an experimental tool to monitor progress of the disease

Tecnologia de produção de ovinos no Ceará Grupo de Pesquisa: Economia e Gestão do Agronegócio

Esse trabalho é parte de um survey amplo sobre a produção de ovinos no Ceará, incluindo a análise das características gerais das propriedades, perfil dos produtores, infraestrutura e nível de capitalização, indicadores financeiros, aspectos comerciais e tecnologia de produção. O objeto geral desse artigo é a descrição da tecnologia de produção adotada no estado. Para cumprir o objetivo, realizou-se uma pesquisa classificada quanto aos objetivos como descritiva e quanto à natureza ou abordagem do problema como qualitativa e quantitativa. Quanto ao delineamento o estudo caracterizou-se por uma ampla pesquisa de campo em 170 propriedades produtoras de ovinos no estado do Ceará. Estatísticas descritivas foram usadas na análise dos dados, com o uso do pacote estatístico SPSS, em especial o cálculo de médias e freqüências. Estes cálculos permitiram observar que o sistema de produção dominante é caracterizado por baixo nível geral tecnológico em todas as áreas – manejo, alimentação, reprodução e sanidade. The work is part of an extensive survey about sheep production in the Ceará state of Brazil. The general objective of this paper is to describe the prevalent production technology in farms sheep in this state. This objective was achieved through a survey of 170 sheep farmers. Descriptive statistics was applied in the data analysis with the use of SPSS package. From the analysis, it was possible to identify the prevalence of low technological level in the production of sheep, either in production, management, reproduction e feeding

Enfermidades Infeciosas de Pequenos Ruminantes: Epidemiologia, Impactos Econômicos, Prevenção e Controle: Uma Revisão

Nesta revisão bibliográfica, pretende-se apresentar de forma simples e sistemática as enfermidades possíveis de transmissão através da carne, leite e derivados de caprinos e ovinos. Em caprinos e ovinos as enfermidades possíveis de transmissão pela carne, leite e derivados são divididas neste trabalho em dois grupos: as ocasionadas pela ingestão de alimentos denominadas intoxicações alimentares e as zoonoses que causam risco para a saúde humana e pública. As enfermidades de origem microbiana transmitidas através da ingestão de alimentos contaminados por bactérias do tipo, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, Campylobacter sp, Clostridium sp, Staphylococcus sp.. No grupo das zoonoses citam-se a Listeriose, a Brucelose, a Tuberculose, a Toxoplasmose, a Raiva, a Leptospirose e a Febre Aftosa.In this bibliographic review, it is intended to show, on a simple and systematic form, the possible diseases transmitted through meat, milk and other derivates of “caprinos” and “ovinos”. In “caprinos” and “ovinos”, the possible diseases transmitted through meat, milk and other derivates are divided in this present work by two different groups: those occurred by ingesting food named food intoxications, and the “zoonoses”, which bring human and public health risks. The diseases that have a “microbiana” origin, are transmitted through the ingestion of food infected by bacterias such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, Campylobacter sp, Clostridium sp, Staphylococcus sp. On the zoonoses group, it’s possible to talk about “Listeriose, a Brucelose, a Tuberculose, a Toxoplasmose, a Raiva, a Leptospirose e a Febre Aftosa