Severino Silvano dos Santos Higino

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.

Detection of Brucella ovis in ovine from Paraíba State, in the Northeast region of Brazil

To determine the presence of Brucella ovis in ovine from Paraiba State, in the Northeast region of Brazil, 80 animals slaughtered in the public slaughterhouse of Patos city were used. Before slaughter, blood samples were collected by jugular venopuncture from each animal, and after slaughter, testicles, epidydimus and uterus were aseptically collected. For the serological diagnosis of B. ovis and B. abortus infections, the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and Rose Bengal (RBT) tests were carried out, respectively. In addition, microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed on testicle, epidydimus and uterus samples. Six animals (7.5%) tested positive for the presence of B. ovis antibodies and all animals tested negative for the presence of B. abortus antibodies. One AGID-positive animal tested positive at uterine swab culture. PCR was able to amplify DNA of Brucella spp. from the pool of testicle, epidydimus and uterus samples from AGID-positive animals. This is the first report of isolation and detection of B. ovis DNA by PCR in ovine from the Northeast region of Brazil.

Prevalência de leptospirose em caprinos leiteiros do semiárido paraibano

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of positive dairy goat herds and seropositive animals for leptospirosis in the semiarid region of Paraiba state, Brazil. Sampling was designed to determine the prevalence of positive herds (foci) and seropositive animals for leptospirosis. A total of 975 serum samples were collected from goats of 110 dairy herds in the Monteiro municipality, Western Cariri microregion of Paraiba. For the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was carried out using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens. A herd was considered positive when existed at least one seropositive animal. The prevalence of positive herds and seropositive animals were 43.6% (95% CI = 34.2-53.4%) and 8.7% (95% CI = 58.7-12.9%) respectively. The most frequent serovars in goats were Autumnalis (1.74%; 95% CI = 0.97-3.09%), Sentot (1.71%; 95% CI = 0.82-3.52%) and Whitcomb (1.39%; 95% CI = 0.65-2.93%), and by herd, serovars Autumnalis (10.9%; 95% CI = 5.8-18.3%), Whitcomb (8.2%; 95% CI = 3.8-15.0%) and Sentot and Patoc (7.3%; 95% CI = 3.2-13.8%) were the most frequent. It is suggested that leptospirosis is spread in goats in the region, and that there is need to implement control and preventive measures in order to reduce infection and economic losses, and to avoid possible transmission of infection to humans.

Risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in goats in the State of Paraíba, Brazil

A cross-sectional study based on planned sampling was carried out to determine flock-level risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii antibody prevalence in dairy goat flocks in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 975 adult dairy goats from 110 flocks were examined by indirect immonufluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using cut-off point at 1:64 dilution. From the 110 flocks, 77 presented at least one seropositive animal, corresponding to a prevalence of 70% (95% CI: 60.5-78.4%). Out of the 975 animals, 177 (18.1%; 95% CI = 15.8-20.7%) tested positive. The presence of toxic plants (OR = 5.11; P = 0.045) and the fact that goat breeding is not the main activity on the farm (OR = 3.34; P = 0.014) were identified as risk factors. The results of the present study showed evidence of the presence of T. gondii infection in dairy goats from a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil using planned sampling. Further studies are needed to elucidate the importance of the identified risk factors in the epidemiology of the infection.

Tuberculose bovina no Estado da Paraíba: estudo retrospectivo

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of positive herds (foci) and positive animals for bovine tuberculosis in the state of Paraiba, Northeast region of Brazil. Data from the Agency of Agricultural Protection in the state, collected from its 23 microregions, during the January 2008 to July 2009 period, were used. During this period, 10,963 herds were examined and 54,472 cattle were submitted to the tuberculin test. For diagnosis the cervical and caudal-fold tuberculin tests were used as screening tests in dairy and beef cattle, respectively; as confirmatory test, comparative cervical test was used. A herd was considered focus when presented at least one positive animal. Of the herds investigated, 62 (0.57%) had at least one positive animal, and of the animals examined, 136 (0.25%) were positive. There was significant difference (p<0.001) in the proportion of positivity for females (0.32%) and males (0.04%). Despite low frequency of foci of brucellosis and seropositive animals, it is necessary to conduct measures including awareness of producers, surveillance in sanitary barriers and periodic surveys of epidemiological situation of this disease especially in the regions with highest frequency of infection, aiming to avoid, or at least minimize, the spread of the agent.

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.

Soroepidemiologia da leptospirose e brucelose bovina em propriedades rurais de agricultura familiar do agreste paraibano, Nordeste do Brasil

The aim of this investigation was to determine the frequency of positive herds and seropositive animals to bovine leptospirosis and brucellosis in family farm rural properties from the mesoregion of the State of Paraiba, as well as to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 771 animals from 130 herds in five municipalities. For the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis, the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens was carried out, and for brucellosis the Rose-Bengal Test (RBT) was used as screening test and the 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME) to confirm. For leptospirosis, the frequency of positive herds and seropositive animals was 18.4 and 3.6%, respectively; for brucellosis, 7.7% of the herds and 1.9% of the animals were positive. The most frequent Leptospira spp. serovar was Hardjo. Bovine purchase was identified as a risk factor to bovine brucellosis (odds ratio = 5.25; p = 0.044). The need for adoption and/or intensification of control and prevention measures was suggested in order to avoid economic losses and the transmission of the agents to humans, as well as the purchase of animals with known sanitary conditions.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydophila abortus infection in dairy goats in the Northeast of Brazil

Few data are available on the prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydophila abortus infection in goats in Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the flock-level prevalence of C. abortus infection in goats from the semiarid region of the Paraiba State, Northeast region of Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors associated with the infection. Flocks were randomly selected and a pre-established number of female goats > 12 mo old were sampled in each of these flocks. A total of 975 serum samples from 110 flocks were collected, and structured questionnaire focusing on risk factors for C. abortus infection was given to each farmer at the time of blood collection. For the serological diagnosis the complement fixation test (CFT) using C. abortus S26/3 strain as antigen was performed. The flock-level factors for C. abortus prevalence were tested using multivariate logistic regression model. Fifty-five flocks out of 110 presented at least one seropositive animal with an overall prevalence of 50.0% (95%; CI: 40.3%, 59.7%). Ninety-one out of 975 dairy goats examined were seropositive with titers >32, resulting in a frequency of 9.3%. Lend buck for breeding (odds ratio = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.04-5.33) and history of abortions (odds ratio = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.37-6.80) were associated with increased flock prevalence.

Leptospirose em pequenos ruminantes: situação epidemiológica atual no Brasil

Leptospirosis in small ruminants is a disease that can lead to economic losses due to the occurrence of abortions, stillbirths and decreased milk production. The infection can be presented in acute, chronic and inapparent forms. In the acute infection, anorexia, depression, difficulty breathing, fever, hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria can occur. In the chronic form, abortions and stillbirths are common. Several recent serological surveys conducted in Brazil revealed frequencies of seropositivity ranging from 3.4 to 31.3% in goats, and from 0.7 to 34.6% in sheep. Most frequent reactions were obtained with the serovars Autumnalis, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pyrogenes. The microscopic agglutination test is the most used method to diagnose the infection. The control of leptospirosis in small ruminants is based on the identification of sources of infection, rodent control, control in animal purchasing and systematic immunization with inactivated vaccines that contain regional serovars of leptospires.