Amélia Aparecida Sartor

Resistência de helmintos gastrintestinais de bovinos a anti-helmínticos no Planalto Catarinense

In order to estimate possible focus of resistance of bovine gastrointestinal helminths to ivermectin, levamisole phosphate and albendazole sulphoxide, 39 properties in the Santa Catarina Plateau were evaluated. In each location a mean number of 60 samples of feces was collected from animals between seven and 18 months of age, for the evaluation of the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG), for culture and for larvae identification. Three groups with similar EPG mean were comprised, with the mean EPG being considered the group control. Animal from each group received a different subcutaneous treatment: a) 0.2mg kg-1 ivermectin, b) 5mg kg-1 levamisole phosphate, and c) 2.5mg kg-1 albendazole sulphoxide). The fecal evaluation, per group, was repeated seven days later. Resistance was considered when the efficacy of the drug was lesser than 95% and when the inferior limit of the confidence interval CI95% was lesser than 90%. From the properties examined, 82.1% presented animals with helminths resistant to ivermectin, 15.4% to levamisole phosphate, and 7.8% to albendazole sulphoxide. In only 10.3% of the properties the efficacy of all the anthelmintics was superior to 95%. Based on the generic diagnosis, through the larvae identification, Cooperia spp and Haemonchus spp were the prevailing resistant genus to ivermectin, Ostertagia spp, Cooperia spp and Trichostrongylus spp were associated with resistance to levamisole phosphate, and Cooperia spp. to albendazole sulphoxide.

Spotted fever group Rickettsia infecting ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

During 2006-2008, a total of 260 adult ticks were collected from domestic and wild animals in different regions of the state of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, including areas where human cases of Brazilian spotted fever have been reported. Collected ticks belonging to nine species (Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma tigrinum, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus) were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rickettsial infection. Overall, eight (3.1%) ticks were found to be infected with Rickettsia species. After sequencing the PCR products, we determined that the sequences generated from three A. aureolatum, one A. ovale and one R. sanguineus from the municipality of Blumenau, one A. ovale from the municipality of Águas Mornas and one A. ovale from the municipality of Urussanga were identical to the corresponding partial rickettsial ompA gene sequence of Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest. The sequence generated from one A. longirostre from Blumenau was 100% identical to the corresponding partial rickettsial ompA gene sequence of Rickettsia amblyommii strain AL. Because R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest was recently shown to have caused two cases of human spotted fever in other states of Brazil, the role of this rickettsial agent as a possible etiological agent of spotted fever in SC is discussed.

Resistance to cypermethrin and amitraz in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus on the Santa Catarina Plateau, Brazil

With the objective of evaluating Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus resistance to cipermetrina and amitraz, were collected engorged tick females from cattle on 20 farms on the Santa Catarina Plateau, in southern Brazil, between January of 2004 and May of 2006. Were also received 20 groups of engorged R. (B.) microplus females, collected by cattle farmers requesting acaricidal efficacy (AE) testing. Were performed in vitro tests, which consisted of immersing engorged females in cypermethrin (0.015%) and in amitraz (0.025%). An AE >95% was considered indicative of effectiveness. Of the 20 collected groups, 18 (90%) showed cypermethrin resistance and 1 (5%) showed amitraz resistance. Of the 20 received groups, 19 (95%) showed cypermethrin resistance and 2 (10%) showed amitraz resistance. The AE of cypermethrin was found to be >95%, 85-94%, and 55-64%, respectively, in 4 (57.1%), 2 (28.6%), and 1 (14.3%) of 7 reference groups, collected in the 1997-2001 period. The AE of amitraz was >95% in all of those groups. Among the groups of specimens received for analysis in that period, the AE of amitraz was >95% in 6 (85.71%) and 75-84% in 1 (14.28%). R. (B.) microplus resistance to acaricides is increasing on the Santa Catarina Plateau.

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies on domiciled cats from Lages municipality, Santa Catarina State, Brazil.

Sera were collected from 300 domiciled cats from the municipality of Lages, Southern Brazil, to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and risk factors associated. Tests for T. gondii antibodies were performed using indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Positive reactions with titers ≥1:64 were found in 43 (14.33%) cats. A significant number of seropositive cats were ≥6 month old (p = 0.03758) and had access to the streets or/and rural areas (p = 0.04185). The results indicate that T. gondii is widespread in cats in Lages with a prevalence of 14.33%.

Canine tegumentar leishmaníasis in the town of Balneário Camboriú in the State of Santa Catarina

INTRODUCTION The increase in American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) cases in 2005 was due to an outbreak that occurred in the towns of Itapema and Balneário Camboriú. This study aimed to determine the possible presence of infection by Leishmania sp in domestic dogs living in an endemic focus of ATL in the town of Balneário Camboriú and verify the existence of a correlation between the humoral and cellular immune responses, the presence of suggestive lesions and positivity in direct parasitological exams. METHODS A total of 275 dogs were evaluated, examined according to clinic aspects, the development of delayed hypersensitivity to Immunoleish antigens and serological responses to the indirect immunofluorescence reaction and immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS Seven dogs presented suspect lesions, but Leishmania was not detected using the direct parasitological method. The serological result was 5.8% positivity using the IIFR technique, 6.2% by ELISA and 1.8% using the intradermal test. The total number of dogs positive for ATL using the serological exams and/or intradermal test was 24, indicating prevalence of 8.7% for ATL. CONCLUSIONS Further studies are required to evaluate the participation of dogs in the epidemiological chain of ATL in Balneário Camboriú.

Prevalência de anticorpos anti-Babesia equi em eqüinos no Planalto Catarinense

Serum samples from 397 horses were examined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. The blood samples were taken from horses of various ages, breeds and both sexes, bred and born in the Santa Catarina State, Brazil, in the counties of Lages, Sao Joaquim, Bom Jardim da Serra, Campos Novos, Anita Garibaldi, Curitibanos e Correia Pinto. The results indicated a prevalence of 50.38% of positive animals for B. equi at the 1:40 serum dilution. In different counties studied, the prevalence positive animals varied from 18.51% to 64.70%.

Neospora spp. antibodies in horses from two geographical regions of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

The aims of this study were to determine occurrences of Neospora spp. IgG antibodies in horses from two geographical regions of the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and identify risk factors for infection. Analyses were performed on 615 samples using the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT ≥ 1:50). Out of the 615 samples, 25 (4.1%) were positive for Neospora spp. The titers for Neospora spp. were distributed as follows: 1:50 (13), 1:100 (eight), 1:200 (three) and 1:400 (one). Out of the 311 samples taken in the mountain region, eight were positive (2.6%). Among the samples from the coastal region (304), 17 had Neospora spp. antibodies, thus indicating occurrence of 5.6%. Although no statistically significant difference was observed (P = 0.06704), the prevalence among animals of the coast was 2.2 times higher than that of the mountain region. Contact with dogs and/or cattle (P = 0.007596) were identified as risk factor for Neospora spp. infection.

Selective control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in fipronil-treated cattle raised on natural pastures in Lages, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

An examination of a selective control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and consequent cost reduction was carried out in two areas of native pasture in the municipality of Lages, State of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, from May 2007 to April 2009. Forty cattle were divided into two groups of 20 animals each (conventional and selective control groups). At 14-day intervals female ticks larger than 4.5 mm found on the right flank of cattle bodies were counted, and these results multiplied by two. Fipronil 1 mg.kg(-1) pour on was then administered for tick control. In the conventional group all the cattle were treated when tick count averaged more than 40 female ticks per animal while in the selective group only animals parasitized by more than 40 ticks were treated with acaricide. Every 28 days the cattles weight was checked for cost-effective analysis. The conventional group required an additional 20 doses of fipronil compared with the selective one. There was no statistically significant differences regarding weight gain in both groups.

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies sheep in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and comparison using IFA and ELISA

Toxoplasmosis in sheep is a disease of great importance in veterinary medicine, which causes economic losses in livestock and has a great impact on human health, since consumption of infected meat facilitates transmission of zoonotic infections. Blood samples from sheep (n = 360) were collected from 13 farm properties in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina, to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and identify risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection. T. gondii, antibodies were investigated by means of the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Animals infected with T. gondii were found on 100% of the farms. IFA detected 56.9% (205/360) and ELISA 42.5% of the infected sheep. Breed was the only risk factor associated with the presence of T. gondii antibodies. ELISA showed sensitivity of 61%, specificity of 82% and kappa of 0.41, which was considered moderate. This allows use of ELISA as an alternative technique for diagnosing T. gondii in sheep.

Amblyomma tigrinum no Município de Lages, SC e observações da biologia em condições de laboratório

To study the biological features of Amblyomma tigrinum, samples of engorged females collected from dogs in the city of Lages, SC, Brazil, were maintained in Petri dishes into an incubator at 27±1oC and 80±10% RH, for egg laying. For the development of the subsequent experimental phases, artificial infestations were performed in rabbits using the technique of the cotton bag glued to the ears base. The mean period of hatch, feeding and larval molt were 11.67, 5.93 and 10.96 days, respectively, whereas the mean period of feeding and nymphs molt were 12.40 and 16.27 days, respectively. Only one engorged female was obtained, with detachment observed on the 22nd day. The longevity periods for larvae, nymphs and adults were 75, 96 and 150 days respectively.