Fábio Raphael Pascoti Bruhn

Seroepidemiology of Sarcocystis neurona, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. among horses in the south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The present study used the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to determine the seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp., and evaluated the variables associated with these infections among 506 apparently healthy horses, reared in the south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This study was conducted between April 2012 and October 2013. Among the horses, the true prevalence of S. neurona was 26% (95% CI: 22.0-30.4%), T. gondii 19.9% (95% CI: 15.5-24.8%) and Neospora spp. 23.9% (95% CI: 19.9-28.1%); and among the farms, 88.3% (95% CI: 74.4-91.6%), 71.6% (95% CI: 41-92.8%) and 85% (95% CI: 70.7-96.1%), respectively. Regarding mixed infection, 17 horses (3.4%) were seropositive for both S. neurona and T. gondii, 16 (3.2%) for T. gondii and Neospora spp. and 14 (2.8%) for S. neurona and Neospora spp. The associations between seropositivity and variables relating to the structure of the farm, management and health were analyzed using the logistic regression analysis, through the generalized estimating equations (GEE). The results suggest that the south of Minas Gerais is an enzootic area for S. neurona, T. gondii and Neospora spp. among horses, with prevalence of asymptomatic subclinical or chronic infections.

Fatores socioeconômicos que influenciam na disposição de consumidores em adquirir carne bovina com certificação de origem em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

The present study aimed to verify the influence of socioeconomic factors in the provision of 407 consumers in supermarkets in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in purchasing beef with certification of origin and to verify the inherent characteristics of the product that help the consumer at the time of purchase, considering their prior knowledge about traceability and certification of origin. A descriptive analysis of all variables was performed and a univariate analysis was subsequently conducted by chi-square test. The variables were added in the multiple logistic regression model Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), and for all variables in the final model (p ≤ 0.05) the risk was calculated by the adjusted odds ratio (OR) to a range of 95% confidence. All socioeconomic factors examined (gender, age, income and education) influence the willingness of consumers to purchase beef with certification of origin. The most important intrinsic attributes in decision making when buying meat were the color, softness, odor and little amount of fat, whereas the extrinsic attributes were price, quality seal and stamp of the SIF. Most of the consumers know the correct concept of traceability and believe that the greatest benefit of the traced meat is to be safer and to avoid the risk of foodborne illness; and the disadvantage is to be a more expensive product than the conventional.

Fiscalização das ações de médicos veterinários habilitados para atuar no Programa Nacional de Controle e Erradicação da Brucelose e Tuberculose Animal

The inspection of qualified professionals is an important action of the National Programme for Control and Eradication of Animal Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (PNCEBT). The data for this study were obtained by compiling reports of 63 inspections in loco of qualified private veterinarians between 2008 and 2011 in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. Through the findings of this study, it was observed that all inspected professionals are regularly registered in the CRMV-ES, nevertheless it was found pending issues regarding the registration to conduct vaccinations against brucellosis. It was observed that most professionals keep the infrastructure and equipment for conducting tuberculosis and brucellosis tests. The majority adopts the official models of certification, however there is a significant delay in sending reports of actions, and many professionals reported a lack of demand for certification of properties.