Ernst Eckehardt Müller

Prevalence of Toxocara canis in dogs, and the finding of ova of Toxocara species in the soil of public places in the urban areas of Londrina, State of Paraná, Brazil

De um total de 158 caes examinados, atraves de exame parasitologico de fezes ou necropsia, 70 (44,30%) mostraram-se infectados por Toxocara canis, predominando a infeccao nos animais com ate 6 meses de idade. Atraves do exame de amostras de terra de localidades publicas utilizadas por criancas para diversao, demonstrou-se a presenca de ovos de Toxocara sp. em 60% das amostras, evidenciando a possibilidade de ocorrer infeccao humana, ingestao de ovos larvados do helminto.

Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus spp. group B in Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in hapas nets and earth nurseries in the northern region of Parana State, Brazil

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize Streptococcus spp. in Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in net-pens and earth nurseries. Eight intensive tilapia-rearing farms were investigated in north Parana, Brazil from April 1st 2001 to April 30th 2002. The fish were reared in a system of hapas nets on four farms and in earth nurseries on other four farms. A total of 370 samples were analyzed of material collected from 120 fish (brain, liver, kidney, skin scrapes, ascites liquid and eye) that were sown on BHI agar (Brain Heart Infusion) supplemented with 1% yeast extract and sheep blood. Streptococcus spp. was isolated in 36 of the samples (18 brain, eight liver, eight kidney and two ascites liquid) from 25 fish. Streptococci were isolated in both systems, almost in the same proportion. First the streptococci were characterized by the catalase and esculin test, growth in methylene blue and sodium chloride at 6.5%. They were classified in groups by the Slidex Strepto-Kit (BioMerieux, France). The phenotypic characteristics were determined by the Api 20 Strep microtest system (BioMerieux, France). The 36 Streptococcus spp. samples did not present hemolysis and were classified as Lancefield group B. Further 16 samples were identified as Streptococcus agalactiae and 20 were not identified by the Api 20 Strep, but presented the same biochemical profile described for the reference strain of Streptococcus difficile (ND-2-22).

Isolation of Leptospira spp from dogs, bovine and swine naturally infected

Leptospira isolation allows definitive diagnosis of the infection. Contamination by microorganisms is one of the inconveniences of the culture. The objective of this study was to describe the isolation of Leptospira from dogs, bovine and swine naturally infected. Urine samples from 14 dogs and three bovines, and kidney, liver, ovary, and uterus body samples from 36 slaughtered sows with unknown health history, were used. The urine and organ samples were cultured in culture medium. Modified Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris medium (EMJH) culture medium was used with addition of 5-fluorouracil, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, nalidixic acid and neomycin. Incubation was performed at 28oC for 24 hours, followed by subculture in modified EMJH without antibiotics. The cultures were assessed weekly for up to eight weeks for the dog and swine samples and for up to 16 weeks for the bovine samples. With this methodology, Leptospira spp could be isolated from 11 dogs, two bovines and liver fragments from two sows.

Evaluation on the Pathogenesis of Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The pathogenesis of a Streptococcus agalactiae was evaluated in a three-period experiment. Two groups of 40 fishes were intraperitoneally (i.p.) challenged in each experimental period with different infective doses of the pathogen. Doses varied from 1.0 x 106 to 1.5 x 108 CFU/fish. One group of 40 tilapia i.p. injected with tryptic soy broth (TSB) was used as a control group in each period. Mortalities varied from 67.5% in group 8 (infective dose 1.0 x 106 CFU/fish) to 90.0% in group 1 (infective dose 1.5 x 108 CFU/fish). Significant differences in mortalities were found only between group 8 and each of the other groups, except group 5 (infective dose 6.0 x 106 CFU/fish; mortality 75.0%). The highest mortality coefficients were observed in days 1-2 after inoculation (accumulated mortality 44.4%), and a second peak of mortality occurred at days 6-7. Challenged fishes from all the groups showed alterations in behaviour and similar clinical signs. These were anorexia, lethargy, erratic swimming, exophthalmia and ascites. Macroscopically, skin hemorrhage, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly with organ paleness and visceral adherences were observed. S. agalactiae was re-isolated from all the fishes from the experimental groups submitted to bacteriological examination. The illness observed in tilapia naturally infected with S. agalactiae was experimentally reproduced in this study, and the clinical signs produced were similar to those reported from the natural infections.

Leptospirosis in slaughtered sows: serological and histopathological investigation

Swine leptospirosis is recognized world wide as an important cause of reproductive failure. Serum and histo-pathological examinations have been constantly used to diagnose this disease. This study was carried out on slaughtered sows from Northern Parana State to compare serum findings with kidney, liver, ovary and uterus histo-pathological examinations. The microscopic serum-agglutination carried out on 36 animals detected 24 with titles > 100 and 12 negative ( 100 serological titles and five from the negative group. The results showed that all the 16 animals had indicative lesions in the liver or in one of the kidneys. There were no lesions in the ovaries or uterus. Microscopic serum-agglutination title readings between 20 and 80 were detected in animals of the group considered negative with title < 100.

Fatores de risco associados a soropositividade para leptospirose em matrizes suínas

Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis of great social and economic importance for swine production sistem. Two hundred and ninety-eight sows from farms in the north of Parana state were studied to individualize management practices or environmental condition that are related to risk of leptospirosis infection. All the animals were submitted to the microscopic seroaglutination test and an epidemiological questionnaire was filled out for each one to investigate variables that could be associated with this infection. The results were submitted to the c2 test, followed by multivariate analysis. Antibody titers of >100 were detected in 132 sows (44.3%) most frequently against icterohaemorrhagiae serovar (98.5%). The final model of multivariate analysis showed the risk factors to be flooded areas near the installation (OR=1.73; 1.04<IC95%<2.80), canal type water source (OR=1.58; 0.98<IC95%<2.55) and absence of cleaning of the water reservoirs (OR=2.25; 0.79<IC95%<6.43).

Seroprevalence and risk factors of bovine herpesvirus 1 infection in cattle herds in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Epidemiological data describing bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) infection in Brazilian cattle herds are scarce. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the state of Paraná between December 2001 and July 2002 with the objective of estimating the apparent prevalence of BoHV-1-seropositive herds and animals and identifying the potential risk factors for infection in farms with breeding animals in the state of Paraná in Southern Brazil. The state was divided into seven regions based on the livestock production dynamics of the different areas. Sampling was performed in two stages. Initially, herds were randomly selected, followed by a random selection of animals within the selected herds. Blood samples were collected from 14803 females, aged ≥24 months, from 2018 BoHV-1 non-vaccinated herds. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against BoHV-1 using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The apparent prevalence of seropositivity in the herds and animals in Paraná was 71.3% (95% CI: 69.3-73.3) and 59.0% (95% CI: 56.2-61.8), respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors associated with the presence of the infection were as follows: beef herds [OR = 1.58 (1.12-2.23)], natural service [OR = 1.48 (1.02-2.14)], purchase of animals [OR = 1.90 (1.52-2.37)], pasture rental [OR = 2.24 (1.51-3.33)], existence of calving pens [OR = 1.56 (1.20-2.03)] and records of abortion in the last 12 months [OR = 1.45 (1.08-1.95)]. These results indicate that BoHV-1 infection is widespread in the state of Paraná.

Situação epidemiológica da brucelose bovina no Estado do Paraná

A study to characterize the epidemiological status of brucellosis in the State of Goias was carried out. The State was divided in three regions. Three hundred herds were randomly sampled in each region and a pre-established number of animals was sampled in each of these herds. A total of 10,744 serum samples from 900 herds were collected. In each herd, it was applied an epidemiological questionnaire focused on herd traits as well as husbandry and sanitary practices that could be associated with the risk of infection. The serum samples were screened for antibodies against Brucella spp. by the Rose-Bengal Test (RBT), and all positive sera were re-tested by the 2-Mercaptoethanol test (2-ME). The herd was considered positive if at least one animal was positive on both RBT and 2-ME tests. For region 1, the herd prevalence was 7.7% [4.7-10.7%] and the animal prevalence was 1.4% [0.99-1.7%]. For region 2, the herd prevalence was 19.5% [15.0-24.0%] and the animal prevalence was 2.6% [2.0-3.1%]. For region 3, the herd prevalence was 21.4% [16.8-26.1%] and the animal prevalence was 4.3% [3.7-5.0%]. For the whole state, the herd prevalence was 17.5% [14.9-20.2%] and the animal prevalence was 3.0% [2.7-3.3%]. The multivariate analysis identified the following risk factors (odds ratio, OR) associated with positive herds: purchase of breeding stock from cattle traders (OR = 2.06 [1.12-3.52]), occurrence of abortions over the last 12 months (OR = 5.83 [3.86-8.8]), and vaccination against brucellosis (OR = 2.07 [1.38-3.09]). Both the abortions and the vaccination are, in this case, a consequence of the herd being infected with brucellosis.A study to characterize the epidemiological situation of bovine brucellosis in the State of Parana was carried out. In this study, the State was divided into seven regions. Three hundred herds were randomly sampled in each region and a pre-established number of animals were sampled in each of these herds. A total of 1,4857 serum samples from 2,098 herds were collected. In each herd, it was applied an epidemiological questionnaire regarding herd features and also husbandry and sanitary practices that could be associated with risk of infection. The serum samples were screened for antibodies against Brucella spp. by the Rose-Bengal test (RBT), and all RBT-positive sera were re-tested by the 2mercaptoethanol test (2-ME). A herd was considered positive if at least one animal was positive on both RBT and 2-ME tests. The prevalences of infected herds and infected animals in Parana State were 4.0% [3.2–4.8%] and 1.7% [1.1–2.4%], respectively. In the regions, the prevalences of infected herds and

Prevalência e fatores de risco associados à Leptospira spp. em rebanhos bovinos da região centro-sul do estado do Paraná

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies and the risk factors for Leptospira spp. infection in breeding cattle herds in the south central region of Parana state. It was based on the statistic delineation/serological samples and information regarding the selected farms employed in the study of bovine brucellosis for Parana state in the context of National Program for Control and Eradication of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. A total of 1.880 females aged >24 months from 274 non vaccinated herds were studied. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against Leptospira spp. using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with 22 Leptospira serovars. The epidemiological questionnaire was applied on all the selected farms and aimed to obtain epidemiological data. Hundred eighty one of 274 herds were positive for Leptospira spp./presenting prevalence of positive herds of 66.06% (IC95%=60.12-71,65%). Presence of >43 cattle (OR=3.120; IC=1.418-6.867)/animal purchase (OR=2.010; IC=1.154-3.500)/rent of pastures (OR=2.925; IC=1.060-8.068) and presence of maternity paddock (OR=1.981; IC=1,068-3,676) were identified as risk factors for leptospirosis due to any serovar in the multivariate logistic regression. Risk factors for leptospirosis due to serovar Hardjo were presence of >43 cattle (OR=3.622; IC=1.512-8,677)/animal purchase (OR=3.143; IC=1.557-6.342)/rent of pastures (OR=4.070; IC=1.370-12.087) and presence of horses (OR=2.981; IC=1.321-6.726). These results indicate that Leptospira spp. infection is widespread in the south central region of Parana state and that factors related to the herd characteristic and management are associated with the infection.

Leptospirose bovina: sorologia na bacia leiteira da região de Londrina, Paraná, Brasil

A serological survey for leptospirosis was performed in farms that had cows with reproductive problems, in the region of Londrina, Parana State, Brazil. Twenty-two serotype of L. interrogans were investigated, using rapid microscopic agglutination test in 1253 serum samples. One-hundred-sixty-six serum samples (13.25%) from 10 farms (71.43%) presented antibodies agaisnt L. interrogans. Antibodies against two or more L. interrogans serotypes were found in 56 animals. Antibodies against the serotype icterohaemorrhagiae were found in 48 (28.91%) animals, whereas antibodies against pomona were found in 35 (21.08%), bataviae in 28 (16.87%), autumnalis in 24 (14.46%) , canicola in 19 (11.44%), hardjo in 18 (10.84%), bratislava in 17 (10.24%), butembo in 13 (7.83%), pyrogenes in 12 (7.22%), hebdomadis in 11 (6.63%) and wolffi in 10 (6.02%).