Isabel Cristina da Silva Caetano

Toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis and brucellosis in stray dogs housed at the shelter in Umuarama municipality, Paraná, Brazil

BackgroundLeptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and brucellosis are diseases with worldwide distribution. Among stray dogs, these zoonoses are facilitated by direct contact with other animal species, by the habit of scavenging garbage and hunting in search of food, drinking standing water, smelling other animals’ urine, licking female genitalia and the sexual act itself. The objective of this study was to detect antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-Leptospira spp., anti-Brucella canis and anti-Brucella abortus in stray dogs housed in shelters at Umuarama city, Paraná, Brazil. In order to detect toxoplasmosis, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was performed, agglutination microscopic (MAT) test for leptospirosis and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and buffered acidified antigen (BAA) tests for brucellosis.ResultsOf the 175 serum samples analyzed, 70.85% were considered positive for toxoplasmosis by IFA, 20% by MAT for leptospirosis and 2.85% by AGID for Brucella canis.ConclusionsThe serological results of this study showed that stray dogs housed at the private shelter are potential carriers of these three different zoonoses and contribute to the spread and maintenance of these etiologic agents in the urban area of Umuarama (PR), Brazil.

Physical, chemical and biological aspects of the urine of sows in a certificated swine reproduction farm in the city of Toledo, Paraná, Brazil

Urinary tract infection in sows is among the main reproduction problems because of its influences on productivity of the herd, affecting mainly the general health of sows and has considerable increase in the replacement rate. Thus, it is considered as the most important endemic disease in the sow in the production phase. The aim of this study was to determine the physical, chemical and microbiological aspects of the urine of sows from a certified reproductive farm in the city of Toledo, Parana, Brasil, and later isolate and identify the pathogens present and perform an antibiogram of the samples. Urine samples from 100 sows were evaluated, performing physical-chemical, microbiological and antibiogram examinations. Etiological agents isolated with greatest frequency were Escherichia coli (75%), Salmonella sp. (19%) and Proteus vulgaris (6%). All samples were negative for Actinobaculum suis. The most effective antibiotics in controlling urinary tract infection was ceftiofur (77%) and gentamicin (73%). However, those presenting greater resistance were lincomycin (100%). In the physical examination of the urine samples, a total of 59% were light yellow in color. Under chemical evaluation, there was absence (100% negative) of uribilinogen, glucose, ketone bodies and bilirubin, and the presence (positivity) of protein (3%), nitrite (83%) and blood (1%). In general, the mean density was 1.015. The pH did not present variation, and remained neutral in all samples. Key words: Urinary tract infection, sows, productivity, antibiogram.