Isabella Vilhena Freire Martins

Prevalence of liver condemnation due to bovine fasciolosis in Southern Espírito Santo: temporal distribution and economic losses

The present study was conducted to evaluate the economic losses and temporal distribution of the prevalence of liver condemnation due to bovine fasciolosis. The abattoir in Atílio Vivácqua, in the South of the State of Espírito Santo, which is under state inspection by the veterinary service of the Livestock and Forest Protection Institute of Espírito Santo, was used as the data source. The prevalence of liver condemnation due to fasciolosis over the period 2006-2009 was calculated. The χ(2) test, simple linear regression analysis and χ(2) for trend were used, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Over the period analyzed, 110,956 cattle were slaughtered and the prevalence of liver condemnation due to Fasciola hepatica was 15.24% in 2006, 23.93% in 2007, 28.57% in 2008 and 28.24% in 2009. The historical trend of liver condemnation is an increasing trend, thus indicating that this parasitism has become established in the herd as a problem in this region, with prevalence similar to that of traditionally endemic regions. Condemnations occurred throughout the year, with the highest prevalence in April and May and with significant differences between the dry and wet seasons. The economic losses from liver condemnation can be considered high.

Intestinal mucosa structure of broiler chickens infected experimentally with Eimeria tenella and treated with essential oil of oregano

In the first trial a total of 250 day-old male chicks were distributed into five treatments and given the following diets: a diet with growth promoter; a diet without added growth promoter; a diet added with avilamycin only; diet supplemented with 0.5g of oregano oil kg diet-1; 1.0g of oregano oil kg diet-1. In other trial a total of 288 day-old chicks was used and distributed into four treatments, which were given the following diets: a diet with anticoccidial agent; a diet without anticoccidial agent; a diet supplemented with 0.5g of oregano oil kg diet-1; a 1.0g of oregano oil kg diet-1. In the first trial the nonmedicated group had the highest crypt depth which differs from chickens fed with growth promoter or with 0.5 and 1.0g of oregano oil kg diet-1. The broilers fed with positive control (antibiotic and anticoccidial) had the highest villous: crypt ratio compared with the negative control that had the lowest villous:crypt ratio and the highest oocyst excretion in litter (P<0.05) In the second trial it was observed that broilers fed with non anticoccidial agent had the highest cecal lamina propria thickeness which differ from chickens fed with anticoccidial agent in diet or supplemented with 1.0 of oregano oil kg diet-1 (P<0.05).

Distribution and factors associated with Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle in the south of Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Fasciolosis is a disease that affects the liver parenchyma and bile ducts of numerous animals, including humans, which causes economic losses and threatens public health. The present work aimed at reporting the distribution and factors connected with Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle in ten municipalities in southern Espirito Santo, Brazil, between 2008 and 2009. During this period, 50 rural properties in ten cities were analyzed and fecal samples from 10% of the cattle on each farm were collected. Of the 717 samples analyzed, 154 (21.33%) presented Fasciola hepatica eggs. As for the 50 rural properties studied, 32 (64%) had animals positive for fasciolosis. Throughout the evaluation, it was observed that 42 (84%) rural properties had flooded areas, 33 (66%) were located at altitudes less than 226 meters, in 36 (72%) mollusks were found, 47 (94%) had other definitive hosts (horses, sheep, goats) and 25 (50%) had previous cases of bovine fasciolosis. The present results showed a high rate of bovine fasciolosis in the analyzed region whereas infected animals are present in all the municipalities. Based on statistical analysis, it was concluded that there was an association between the presence of flooded areas and other definitive hosts in rural properties where bovine fasciolosis was detected.

Expression of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ in the liver tissue of cattle that are naturally infected with Fasciola hepatica.

The role of interleukin IL-4, IL-10 and interferon gamma cytokines on natural Fasciola hepatica infection was investigated by quantifying the mRNA levels in liver tissue from chronically infected cattle. IL-4 and IL-10 had higher expression relative to interferon gamma in the liver tissue of infected animals when compared with the control group. The higher levels of IL-10 and IL-4 observed in the present study suggest a synergism between these cytokines, as well as involvement in the suppression of TH1 cell responses and a consequent induction of decreased interferon gamma expression in chronic cattle fascioliasis. The cytokine ratios were positively correlated, indicating a predominance of IL-4 in the chronic phase of infection with respect to interferon gamma and IL-10. Interferon gamma was predominant expressed in the controls, suggesting the involvement of IL-10 in modulating the immune response in favor of IL-4 in infected animals. Our results suggest that the TH2 polarized host immune response previously observed in experimental infection may also be responsible for establishing chronic phase and the maintenance of the natural infection of cattle from endemic areas that are in continuous contact with parasite.

Survey on control and management practices of equine helminthes infection

Twenty-nine stud farms were selected in the Medium Paraiba region of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. After an interview with the person responsible for the animals, faecal samples were collected from mares and analyzed via the EPG technique, faecal cultures, Sedimentation-centrifugo-flotation, and modified Ueno and Baermann techniques. The prevalence of helminths in the mares and in the stud farms was calculated. The stocking rates of pasture, change of horse bedding, absence of pasture rotation, absence of technology in the property, and less frequent treatment of the animals were associated with a greater prevalence of helminths, showing that these variables must be considered in equine control programs. The intensity of the parasitism was also associated with the stocking rate of pasture, absence of dunghill, presence of the animals only in paddocks, lack of technology in the property, less frequent treatment of the animals, and absence of the use of rotation regarding the anthelmintic class.

Bioclimatic distribution and prevalence maps for Fasciola hepatica in Espírito Santo State, Brazil

BackgroundFasciolosis affects different ruminant species and leads to great economic losses for cattle farmers worldwide. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate bovine fasciolosis prevalence in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, using slaughter maps provided by slaughterhouses and verifying the origin of cattle.MethodsA map was created based on analysis of epidemiological data. The ArcGIS/ArcINFO 10.1 software was employed in order to elaborate updated bioclimatic maps that displayed the fasciolosis prevalence within the state – per city– between 2009 and 2011.ResultsAccording to the bioclimatic map it was clear that 52.24% of the state’s total area comprise regions considered favorable for the development and survival of Fasciola hepatica. According to the data provided by slaughterhouses, the parasite was more frequent in the cities of Atílio Vivácqua, Itapemirim and Anchieta with respective prevalence of 28.41, 25.50 and 24.95%. Although the northern portion of the state is also favorable for the disease maintenance (reaching rates above 90%), several cities presented prevalence of only 0.99 and 1.94% respectively. These findings indicate that climatic and environmental factors only cannot be considered preponderant to fasciolosis occurrence. Regarding the slaughterhouse located in Anchieta city, the higher prevalence was registered in the cities of Jerônimo Monteiro, Alegre and Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, with mean prevalence of 1.21, 1.07 and 2.09% respectively.ConclusionAlthough the present findings suggest a pattern for the prevalence of fasciolosis, records of the cities for the occurrence of the disease usually do not reflect the true origin of animals.

Prevalência de hematúria enzoótica bovina em rebanhos leiteiros na microrregião do Caparaó, Sul do Espírito Santo, entre 2007 e 2008

Bovine enzootic hematuria (BEH) is a chronic disease that has been causing great economic losses to farmers of the Caparao microregion, southern Espirito Santo State. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cattle naturally affected by poisoning by Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern) with clinical hematuria between 2007 and 2008 and establish the hematologic findings of these animals. Fifty facilities were visited and the plant was observed in all of the ten evaluated municipal districts. One hundred and eighty one bovines were examined and 39 animals were sick. Among the affected cattle, 22 (56.4%) presented BEH. Affected animals were from Guacui, Divino de Sao Lourenco, Iuna, Ibatiba and Ibitirama districts. The animals had macrohematuria and the values of the hematocrit were low, ranging between 8 and 31%. The total leukometry had the mean value of 132 x 103mm-3, showing leukocytosis. The temperature and capillary refill time were normal. Four animals (18.2%) had pale mucosal surfaces. It was noted that the BEH prevalence in the Caparao microregion, ES, is high and there is a great necessity of new studies to reduce the economic losses caused by this disease.

Helminth fauna of Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) in the south of Espírito Santo State in Brasil

Summary Due to an inadequate knowledge about threats to the sea turtle, we aimed to evaluate the helminth fauna of Chelonia mydas which had died on the southern coast of Espirito Santo, Brasil and described the associated tissue pathological lesions. Retrospective and prospective studies on turtle parasites were conducted and tissues samples were collected. 106 of 212 of sea turtles (50 %) were parasitized, and 47 of 106 of infected animals 43.0 % (47/106) were in poor health condition. Seven trematoda families covering 19 different helminths species were identified. Turtles were inhabited with one or more species of parasites, and there was no significant association between parasitism and weakness of the animals. Trematode eggs, with or without giant cells in tissues of various organs were observed.

Spatial analysis on the risk of bovine cysticercosis occurrence in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil

A map of the risk of bovine cysticercosis occurrence was developed for the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, and it was based in a mathematic model based on following variables: inadequate sewage, bovine population by county, use and occupation of the land and flood risks in GIS environ by means of the ArcGIS/ArcINFO 10.1 program. The work aims to spatially analyze the risk of bovine cysticercosis occurrence in the state of Espírito Santo, by means of risk factors related to cysticercosis and compare with the prevalence obtained from slaughterhouses in the same area. The map of risk showed areas high risk and very high risk located mainly in Ecoporanga, Linhares, counties, where the prevalence from slaughterhouses are low, and in two counties of south macro-region, Presidente Kennedy and Itapemirim, where prevalence from slaughterhouses are higher.

Occurrence of Rhytidodoides similis Price, 1939 (Digenea: Rhytidodidae) and Lesions Due to Spirorchiid Eggs in a Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758 (Testudines, Cheloniidae), from Brazil

ABSTRACT:  This paper describes the first occurrence of Rhytidodoides similis Price, 1939, parasitizing a juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758) found on the coast of Brazil. This parasite is known only from C. mydas, with previous reports of occurrences in the liver and gall bladder of green sea turtles found in the United States, Panama, and Costa Rica. In this case, no gross or microscopic lesions were found on the liver associated with R. similis. However, microscopic analysis of the liver revealed granulomas of trematode eggs consistent with spirorchiids.