Luís Antônio Sangioni

Multiple resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes to nine different drugs in a sheep flock in southern Brazil

Based on clinical observation of a flock of approximately 5000 sheep (breed Merino) from southern Brazil, the failure of anthelmintic treatments was suspected. The sensitivity of the gastrointestinal nematodes that infected these sheep to nine drugs (Levamisole, Moxidectin, Albendazole, Ivermectin, Nitroxynil, Disophenol, Trichlorphon, Closantel, and a combination of Ivermectin, Levamisole and Albendazole) was evaluated. None of the drugs reduced the count of nematode eggs per gram of feces (EPG) in the sheep to an adequate extent (defined as a 95% reduction in EPG). Therefore, we found multiple parasite resistance to all classes of anthelmintic drugs available for small ruminants in the Brazilian market. The genera Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp. and Ostertagia spp. had various degrees of resistance (or natural tolerance) to each of the drug treatments.

Eficiência in vitro de acaricidas sobre carrapatos de bovinos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Infestation by ticks is responsible for significant economic losses to the cattle industry in several regions, including Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state. Losses may be derived from animal stress, weight loss and skin damage, as well as from costs with treatment. The indiscriminated use of pesticides against these parasites has resulted in high levels of genetic resistance to several drugs, representing a problem for disease control. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the susceptibility of field specimens of Rhipcephalus (Boophilus) microplus to the acaricides used in the control of the parasite. Female ticks obtained from 42 farms in different counties of RS were submitted to the engorgeted female immersion test, to estimate the resistance of the parasite to the drugs. Amitraz in combination with chlorpyriphos was the most efficient drug, acting effectively in ticks from 100% of the tested farms (11/11). Associations of cypermethrin-chlorpyriphos-citronelol were efficient in ticks from 61% of the farms (25/41) and cypermethrin-ethion in 37% (10/27). Cypermethrin alone was efficient in 20,7% (6/29) and Amitraz. one of the most used products, was efficient in ticks from only 14,2% (6/42) of the farms. These results demonstrate that most drugs used in the control of R. B. microplus in the state present low efficacy, as measured by in vitro tests. The low drug efficacy is probably derived from the genetic resistance developed by the parasites due to the indiscriminated and inadequate use of these acaricides in the field.

Serological survey on Ehrlichia sp. among dogs in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul

A serological survey on Ehrlichia canis was conducted among dogs in the central area of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a common parasite of dogs. Out of a total of 316 dogs attended at the veterinary teaching hospital in the municipality of Santa Maria, only 14 (4.43%) reacted positively to E. canis antigens in the indirect immunofluorescence assay, with the following endpoint titers: 80 (three dogs), 160 (five), 320 (four), 640 (one) and 1280 (one). Like in previous studies in other regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, only a very small portion of the dogs in Santa Maria presented antibodies reactive to E. canis, even though canine infestations due to R. sanguineus are very common in this study region. These results contrast with other regions of Brazil, where E. canis is endemic among canine populations, with seropositivity values generally higher than 30%. Genetic differences among the R. sanguineus populations in South America might be implicated in these contrasting results.

Ação anti-helmíntica de diferentes formulações de lactonas macrocíclicas em cepas resistentes de nematódeos de bovinos

The macrocyclic lactones (MLs) (avermectins and milbemycins) are endectocides broadly used in livestock and in some parasitic diseases of humans. In cattle, parasite resistance to MLs is emerging, and the appearance of formulations that differ in their pharmacological properties become complex the choice of the most appropriate drug to each case. In order to evaluate possible alternatives to restore the effectiveness of MLs on resistant strains of gastrointestinal nematodes, were tested, in this study, ten different treatments based on the MLs on a population of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle which, known, was under pressure of selection by 1% avermectins. Additionally, was tested a benzimidazole. The efficacy of the drugs was calculated with basis on the reduction of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) of cattle. The resistance of each genus was evaluated by identification of the larvae, obtained from culture in the feces, pre- and post-treatments. The desired efficacy was not obtained using long action avermectins - with high concentration and in association - even with the application of high doses. The genera Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. were resistant to avermectins, and Ostertagia spp. to ivermectin. It was observed that, once established parasite resistance to the 1% MLs, the application of drugs, of this same chemical group, even in formulations of high concentration, association or in high doses, may not result in the expected efficacy.

Neosporose equina: ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora spp. e associação entre status sorológico de éguas e de suas crias

Neospora caninum and N. hughesi are protozoa which can infect horses and can cause reproductive and neurological diseases, respectively. The pathogenesis of neosporosis in horses is poorly understood, as well as the sources of horizontal infection of N. hughesi. Furthermore, there are doubts about the role of the vertical transmission of Neospora spp. in maintenance of these parasites in equine populations. In this study, we evaluated: (1) the occurrence of infections by Neospora spp. in a population of mares (in reproductive age) on a farm of Crioula breed horses; and (2) the possible association between the serological status of mares and of their offspring, aiming to investigate, indirectly, the relevance of transplacental transmission for the occurrence of Neospora spp. in these horses. We found a highly significant association between the serological status of mares and their offspring. Although had been exposed to the same environmental risk factors, the descendants of seropositive mares had a higher percentage of seropositivity against Neospora spp. compared to the descendants of seronegative mares. The association between kinship and serological status indicates an influence of vertical (transplacental) infection raising the occurrence of Neospora spp. in the studied equine population.

Serological status of mares in parturition and the levels of antibodies (IgG) against protozoan family Sarcocystidae from their pre colostral foals

Protozoa from the family Sarcocystidae are agents of reproductive and neurological disorders in horses. The transmission of these protozoa may occur via horizontal or vertical means, and the frequency and potential of the later is not fully elucidated in horses. Thus, the aim of study was to correlation levels of antibodies in mares with pre colostral foals seropositive and assess the level and distribution of antibodies against Neospora spp., Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii, in mares and pre colostral foals at the parturition. The blood samples were collected from mares immediately after parturition and from newborns before the ingestion of colostrum, and sera were analyzed for the presence of IgG by ELISA. It was found that 21.5%, 33.7% and 27.6% of mares were seropositive for Neospora spp., S. neurona and T. gondii, respectively; foals had antibodies at a rate of 8.3%, 6.6% and 6.6% for Neospora spp., S. neurona and T. gondii, respectively. Additionally, paired samples from mares and pre-colostral foals revealed an overall negative correlation between the serum reactivity against these three parasites and suggested that seronegative mares, or those with low to intermediate antibody levels, have a higher risk of giving birth to seropositive foals.

The importance of vertical transmission of Neospora sp. in naturally infected horses

Neospora spp. is a intracellular protozoan phylogenetically closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona, and it can infect horses leading to the development of reproductive or neurological diseases. We determined the presence of antibodies to Neospora sp. in mares at their parturition time and determine the frequency of vertical transmission in healthy foals to verify the importance of transplacental transmission. The samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, showing that seroprevalence in mares is higher than in foals and seropositive mares are likely to transmit the neosporosis to their offspring. This shows that endogenous challenge occurs in horses, and it suggests that this protozoan can be disseminated by means of transplacental transmission in horse species.

Combinação de drogas antiparasitárias como uma alternativa para o controle de nematódeos gastrintestinais multirresistentes em ovinos

This study was conducted to find effective anthelmintic treatments on a multi-resistant population of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep, which was found resisting to all the classes of nematicidal drugs available in the Brazilian market. We took as a starting point the data obtained in a previous study performed in the targeted flock, in which were tested conventional treatments. Thus, using the calculated efficacy of the drugs (tested previously) for the genera of nematodes found in the flock, we selected drugs which, combined or used in higher doses, could improve the efficacy of the treatments. We evaluated the anthelmintic action of each treatment using the percentage of reduction of eggs in the feces, along with larvae cultures. A combination of moxidectin 1% + disophenol 20% showed 99% of efficacy, and combinations of moxidectin 1% + trichlorphon 10% and moxidectin 1% + levamisole phosphate 22.3% showed efficacy over 90%. Combinations of drugs, with different mechanisms of action, can provide effective anthelmintic treatments on multidrug-resistant populations of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: multiresistant tick

The aim of the present study was to assess the acaricide resistance of tick populations in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), which has not previously been reported. Fifty-four cattle farms were visited and specimens of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus were collected and subjected to the adult immersion test, using nine commercial acaricides in the amidine, pyrethroid and organophosphate groups. Climatic data, including monthly precipitation, were recorded. The results from the present study demonstrated that seven of the acaricides analyzed presented mean efficacy values of less than 95%, with large differences among the products tested. Nine of them exhibited satisfactory and unsatisfactory acaricide results on at least one farm. In conclusion, the farms located in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, exhibited populations of R. (Boophilus) microplus with variable degrees of susceptibility to different acaricides, thus suggesting that resistance to the active compounds exists. It is suggested that treatment protocols should be implemented at the beginning of winter and summer, using the acaricides that showed efficacy in the adult immersion test.

Ocorrência de parasitos gastrointestinais e fatores de risco de parasitismo em gatos domésticos urbanos de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

This study verified the gastrointestinal parasites occurrence in household cats in Santa Maria, RS, Brasil from March to June, 2011. In addition, the risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites infection were evaluated. One hundred ninety -one felines fecal samples were submitted to parasitological examination, as well as to an epidemiological questionnaire about the management and the animal habits, which was applied to the owners. Fecal samples were positive for one or more gastrointestinal parasites (47.1% - 90/191). Occurrence of mono-infection was 33.5% (64/191) and multi-infection 13.6% (26/191). Toxocara spp. (18.8%) and Giardia spp. (4.2%) were the main parasites found in mono-infection. The main association of parasites detected included: Ancylostoma spp. + Toxocara spp. (3.1%) and Cystoisospora spp. + Cryptosporidium spp. + Giardia spp. + Toxoplasma spp. + Toxocara spp. (1.5%). Epidemiological data were submitted to chi-square, Fisher and odds ratio tests, as well as analyzed the relationship between the epidemiological factors and the presence of gastrointestinal parasites (P>0.05). The main risk factors identified were: the scholar level of owners and frequency of antiparasitic treatments, which showed a direct influence on the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites. The data contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites and could aid veterinarians and owners in developing of antiparasitic strategies for domestic cats.