Fabrine Alexandre dos Santos

Flock-level risk factors associated with leptospirosis in dairy goats in a semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil.

A cross-sectional study based on a planned sampling was carried out to determine flock-level risk factors associated to Leptospira spp. infection in dairy goat flocks in a semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 975 adult dairy goats from 110 flocks were examined for Leptospira spp. antibodies by MAT using 24 serovars. A structured questionnaire focusing on risk factors for leptospirosis was completed for each flock. Of the 110 flocks 48 (43.6%; 95% CI: 34.2-53.4%) presented at least one seropositive animal, and most frequent serovar was Autumnalis (10.9%). Ninety-eight (8.7%; 95% CI: 5.7-12.9%; design effect=4.23) of the 975 goats tested seropositive at MAT, and serovar Autumnalis was also the most frequent (1.74%). Presence of rodents (OR=2.78; P=0.015) was identified as a risk factor. There was also association between history of infertility (OR=14.74; P=0.015) and prevalence of positive flocks. We suggest that a program of rodent control should be included in the flock management practices aiming to reduce transmission of the agent and then to reduce prevalence of positive flocks and occurrence of reproductive disorders such as impaired fertility.

Caracterização epidemiológica e fatores de risco associados à leptospirose em ovinos deslanados do semiárido brasileiro

The aim of this investigation was to determine the herd-level and animal-level prevalence of leptospirosis in sheep from the semiarid of Paraiba State, Northeast Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 1,275 sheep from 117 flocks in 19 counties in the Sertao mesoregion, Paraiba. For the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens was carried out. Of the 117 flocks studied 33 (28.20%) presented at least one seropositive sheep, and of the 1,275 animals 69 (5.41%) were seropositive with titers ranging from 100 to 3,200. Reactant serovars were Autumnalis (49.30%), Andamana (27.53%), Sentot (17.39%), Whitcomb (4.34%) and Australis (1.44%). Herd size > 48 sheep (odds ratio =2.26; 95% CI =1.33-5.07; p=0.021) and participation in animal exhibits (odds ratio =9.05; 95% CI =0.96-85.71; p=0.055) were identified as risk factors. The need was suggested for studies on the isolation of the agent, characterization of its pathogenicity and its economic impact on sheep flocks of the region, and sanitary control in sheep agglomerations was recommended.

Isolation of Actinobacillus seminis from a goat with clinical epididymo-orchitis in Brazil

The present study reports the first isolation of Actinobacillus seminis from a goat in Brazil. A four-year-old Moxotó breeding goat in a flock of 70 goats and 65 sheep reared together in the county of Patos, semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, showed clinical signs of unilateral orchitis and epididymitis. Diagnosis of A. seminis infection was confirmed by association of clinical findings, bacterial isolation and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This result suggests that A. seminis may be an additional cause of infertility in goats, and that sheep may be the source of infection because the mixed farming system allows the contact between sheep and goats in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil.

Caracterização epidemiológica e fatores de risco associados à infecção por Brucella ovis em ovinos deslanados do semiárido paraibano

The aim of this investigation was to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella ovis in sheep flocks and individual sheep in the Sertao mesorregion, Paraiba state, Northeastern Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 1,134 sheep from 103 flocks in 17 counties. For the serological diagnosis of B. ovis infection the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) was carried out. A flock was considered positive when there was at least one seropositive animal. Of the 103 flocks used, 21 (20.39%) presented at least one seropositive sheep, and of the 1,134 sheep examined 59 (5.20%) seropositive animals were diagnosed. Cleaning of facilities (odds ratio = 7.13; 95% CI=1.56-32.47; p=0.011) and purchase of animals (odds ratio = 6.06; 95% CI=1.39-26.48; p=0.017) were identified as risk factors. Based on the risk factor analysis, it is recommended the diagnosis of B. ovis infection prior to purchase of sheep and the periodic cleaning of the facilities on the farm.

Prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil.

The aims of this survey were to determine the flock-level and animal-level prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil, and to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 540 sheep in 63 flocks in 14 municipalities in the Sertão mesoregion. To serologically diagnose T. gondiii nfection, the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used. Flocks with at least one seropositive animal were considered positive. Among the 63 flocks, 28 (44.44%) were positive, and 60 (11.11%) of the 540 animals were seropositive. Variable flock size > 25 animals was identified as a risk factor (odds ratio = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.09 - 9.34; P = 0.033). The results from this survey demonstrate that T. gondii is spread among sheep in the State of Paraíba.

Caracterização epidemiológica e fatores de risco associados à infecção por Chlamydophila abortus em ovinos deslanados do semiárido brasileiro

The aim of this investigation was to determine the flock-level and animal-level prevalences of Chlamydophila abortus in sheep from the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 476 sheep of 72 flocks in 14 counties in the Sertao mesoregion, state of Paraiba. For the serological diagnosis of Chlamydophila abortus infection the complement fixation test (FC) was carried out. A flock was positive when presented at least one seropositive animal. From the 72 flocks, 38 (52.8%) presented at least one seropositive sheep, and 94 (19.7%) of the 476 animals were seropositive. Participation in animal expositions (odds ratio= 4.31; 95% CI= 1.80-10.35; p=0.011) was identified as risk factor. It is suggested that C. abortus infection is spread in sheep of the region, and based on the risk factor analysis sanitary control in animal expositions is recommended.

Considerations on the serological diagnosis of ovine brucellosis in Brazil - A review

Resumo: O aparecimento das doenças nos rebanhos caprino e ovino é comum em diversas regiões do Brasil. Dentre estas, a brucelose ovina vem sendo estudada e analisada através de inquéritos sorológicos ao longo dos anos. O diagnóstico sorológico realizado normalmente nas pesquisas é através dos seguintes métodos, a Reação de Fixação de Complemento (FC), o Imunodifusão em Gel de Agarose (IDGA) e o Ensaio Imunoenzimático (ELISA-i). Comparações na concordância destes testes indicaram uma variação nos resultados levando a considerar a presença de enfermidades correlatas do sistema reprodutivo e a Pododermatite, além dos tipos de antígenos usados nos testes sorológicos que podem interferir na resposta imune. Portanto, correlacionar a sorologia à confirmação do isolamento do agente ou por PCR e a melhoria na qualidade do(s) antígeno(s) utilizados se faz necessário. Palavras-chave: enfermidade, sorologia, ovinos, controle Abstract: The occurrence of diseases in sheep and goats is common in several regions of Brazil. Among these, ovine brucellosis has been studied and analyzed through serological surveys over the years. The serological diagnosis normally performed in the research is through the following methods, Complement Fixation Reaction (FC), Immunodiffusion in Agarose Gel (IDGA) and Immunoenzymatic Assay (ELISA-i). Comparisons in the concordance of these tests indicated a variation in the results leading to consider the presence of related diseases of the reproductive system and Pododermatitis, besides the types of antigens used in the serological tests that can interfere in the immune response. Therefore, correlating the serology to the confirmation of the agent isolation or by PCR and the improvement in the quality of the antigen (s) used becomes necessary.

Epidemiological Evaluation of Reproductive Infectious Agents in Sheep in the Brazilian Semiarid

The aim of this work was to identify sheep herds with history of reproductive failures (abortions and perinatal mortality) associated to presence of Chamydophila abortus, Brucella ovis and Leptospira spp . infections in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 476 animals from 72 herds in 14 counties of the Sertao mesoregion, state of Paraiba. For the serological diagnosis of C. abortus , B. ovis and Leptospira spp. infections, complement fixation test (CFT), agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) were used, respectively. Herd-level prevalence (herds with at least one seropositive animal) of C. abortus was 52.8%, followed by B. ovis (33.3%) and Leptospira spp. (27.7%); concerning seropositivity in animals there was also a higher frequency of C. abortus (19.7%), followed by B. ovis (12.1%) and Leptospira spp. (7.6%) (p < 0.05). Herds with history of abortion (31.9%; 23/72) and perinatal mortality (54.2%; 39/72) had at least one sheep seropositive to one of the infectious agentes. For abortions, herd-level prevalence of C. abortus was 60.8%, followed by B. ovis (43.4%) and Leptospira spp. (30.4%). For perinatal mortality, herd-level prevalence was 64.1% for C. abortus , 38.4% for B. ovis and 33.3% for Leptospira spp. It is suggested that these agents may be important causes of reproductive failures in the semiarid region, and, thus, it is recommended that herd owners should be informed on reasonable sanitary measures related to animal health, and advised to perform diagnosis in cases of abortion and perinatal mortality.