Sílvia Maria Mendes Ahid

Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with a variety of hosts, responsible for reproductive problems and economic losses in sheep flocks. Neospora caninum was recently identified and its clinical presentation in sheep is similar to that of toxoplasmosis, which can cause repeated abortions, though less frequently in this species. In order to confirm the prevalence of these agents in the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, 409 serum samples from adult sheep (364 females and 45 males) were tested by the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, using cut-off point at a dilution of 1:64 and 1:50 for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. From the 35 properties examined, 23 (65.7%) had at least one seropositive animal for T. gondii and six (17.1%) for N. caninum. The prevalence of seropositive animals for T. gondii was 20.7% and for N. caninum 1.8%. There was no association between the presence of the agents antibody and gender, reports of reproductive problems and presence of dogs and/or cats in the properties. T. gondii is well distributed and N. caninum has low prevalence in sheep and in the properties of the studied region.

Efeitos do tratamento com closantel e ivermectina na carga parasitária, no perfil hematológico e bioquímico sérico e no grau Famacha de ovinos infectados com nematódeos

Despite its known resistance, the sheep are subject to endoparasitoses, which are the main limiting factor for its production worldwide, especially in tropical regions. This study aims to evaluate the changes in parasitic load, serum biochemical and hematological panel, and Famacha scores of mixed-bred sheep naturally infected with nematodes and treated with ivermectin and closantel. The study was conducted at July 2010, in a farm in the municipality of Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. We selected 41 animals were divided into three groups: group I- control (without treatment), group II- treated with ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg), and Group III- treated with closantel (5mg/kg). Stool samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 after treatment for quantitative analysis (EPG) and qualitative analysis (stool culture), we used samples from days 0, 14 and 21. The first blood sample was given on day 0, the second and third 24 and 72 hours after the first, respectively the fourth and fifth 7 and 14 days after the first of which analyzed the blood count, serum total protein, albumin and globulins, and albumin/globulins ratio. Famacha scores were determined the degree of each animal at all times of sampling. Closantel administration was effective in the treatment of helminthiasis, especially Haemonchus contortus in evaluated sheep. On the other hand, there was parasite resistance to ivermectin. Famacha data showed negative correlation with packed cell volume, leukocytes, hemoglobin, albumin, total protein, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio. The packed cell volume showed a strong and positive correlation with hemoglobin, albumin and total protein. Treatment with ivermectin and closantel were not responsible for considerable changes in hematological and biochemical parameters evaluated.

Study on coinfecting vector-borne pathogens in dogs and ticks in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Since dogs presenting several vector borne diseases can show none or nonspecific clinical signs depending on the phase of infection, the assessment of the particular agents involved is mandatory. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Leishmania spp. in blood samples and ticks, collected from two dogs from Rio Grande do Norte showing suggestive tick-borne disease by using molecular techniques. DNA of E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum were detected in blood samples and R. sanguineus ticks collected from dogs. Among all samples analyzed, two showed the presence of multiple infections with E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum chagasi. Here we highlighted the need for molecular differential diagnosis in dogs showing nonspecific clinical signs.

Soroprevalência e fatores associados à infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos de propriedades rurais do município de Mossoró, RN

The municipality of Mossoro, RN, Northeastern Brazil, is featured on goat rearing. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis which is more pathogenic for goats when compared with other animals for slaughter. In this species, the protozoan is often responsible for reproductive problems and economic losses. In order to identify the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats of farms in this municipality, serum samples from 338 animals (320 females and 18 males) of 15 production units were tested by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Of the 15 farms, 14 had animals positive for Toxoplasma gondii, and in these the total number of seropositive animals were 125 (123 females and 2 males), yielding a prevalence of 37.0%. There was a significant relationship (p<0.05) between prevalence and sex, and between the prevalence and breed of animals. The most important risk factors associated with T. gondii infection were: water supply with odds ratio (OR=2.635), containers for water animals located outside the premises of property (OR=3.121) and the exploitation of dairy type (OR=2.546). For the analysis of the avidity ELISA, was found females of reproductive age in the acute phase of infection.

Dermatite alérgica sazonal em ovinos deslanados no nordeste do Brasil

Seasonal allergic dermatitis is reported in a flock of 40 hair sheep of the Santa Ines breed, in the county of Jucurutu, State of Rio Grande do Norte, in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. For the epidemiologic and clinical observations the farm was visited periodically from 2007 to 2010. The flock was raised extensively in a Paddock crossed by the Piranhas river, and had also a permanent pond. Between 2007 and 2009, 13 (32.5%) sheep out of 40 were affected. The lesions were observed during the raining season, regressed total or partially during the dry season, and reappeared in the next raining period. Sheep removed to other region recovered. At the end of 2009, all affected sheep were removed from the flock. Three new cases appeared in 2010. The skin of the affected sheep was whitish, irregularly thickened, with alopecia, crusts, and intense pruritus. Those lesions were localized more frequently in the head (ears and periocular and frontal regions) but in some animals the dorsum and croup were also affected. Histologic lesions of the epidermis were hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, hypergranulosis, and moderate spongiosis. The dermis showed infiltration by eosinophils, macrophages and plasma cells, mainly perivascular. The hair follicles showed keratosis and the sudoriparous glands were dilated. No changes were observed in the differential blood count. In April and June 2010 insects were captured by the use of CDC light trap. Forty three out of 110 dipterous captured were identified as Culicoides insignis Lutz. It is concluded that the disease is a seasonal allergic dermatitis associated with C. insignis bites.

Ectoparasitos em preás (Galea spixii Wagler, 1831) cativos no semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte

ABSTRACT.- Pereira J.S., Carvalho L.C.A., Soto-Blanco B., Oliveira M.F. & Ahid S.M.M. 2012. [ Ectoparasites in guinea pigs ( Galea spixii Wagler, 1831) in captivity in the semiaridregion of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. ] Ectoparasitos em preas ( Galea spixii Wagler, 1831) cativos no semiarido do Rio Grande do Norte. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(8):789-793. Departamento de Ciencias Animais, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido, Ave-nida Francisco Mota 572, Bairro Presidente Costa e Silva, Mossoro, RN 59625-900, Brazil.E-mail: josigej@ufersa.edu.brWild rodents in captivity can be attacked by ectoparasites which affect their health. This study aimed to identify the natural ectofauna of the guinea pig Galea spixii Wagler, 1831 in captivity in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte and to study the behavioral dynam-ics of the most prevalent ectoparasitism. Specimens (n=40) of G. spixii in captivity in the Center for Wild Animal Multiplication ( Centro de Multiplicacao de Animais Silvestres da Uni-versidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido

Aspectos morfométricos de Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) procedentes de caprinos (Capra hircus) da região semiárida do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

In northeastern Brazil, Haemonchus contortus is considered a gastrointestinal nematode with great veterinary relevance, causing reduced production, delayed development, economic losses and death of small ruminants. The objective of this study was to identify the morphometric variation and the types of vulvar appendages in H. contortus from goats in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte. We used 100 units of H. contortus, from the collection of the Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA), where they were mounted between slide and coverslip with glycerin, to measure in micrometer ocular at 10X objective with correction factor of 1.3636. The body length of males was lower than females (p < 0.05), which showed, respectively, mean ± standard deviation of 13,26 ± 1,15 e 18,32 ± 1,39 μm. Regarding the type of vulvar appendage found in females, 72% were linguiforme type, 18% flat type and 10% button. These data contribute significantly to the taxonomy and differentiation of these endoparasites, especially in northeastern semi-arid region, where haemonchose has a worrisome role for raising goats.

Teste in vitro da eficácia da cipermetrina e amitraz sobre Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

The Rhipicephalus sanguineus is an ectoparasite that infests dogs. Features importance due to transmission of various pathogens. The control of the tick is based on acaricides, and the main active principles resistance has been observed. The aim of this work was to verify the efficacy of amitraz 12.5% and cypermethrin 5% on teleógenas R. sanguineus. We collected 90 teleógenas in dogs in the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. Products acaricides were diluted according to the manufacturers recommendation. The engorged females suffered immersion bath for five minutes, then were acondicionas in petri dishes, inspected daily and maintained in environments with average ANDRE, W.P.P. et al. Teste in vitro da eficácia da cipermetrina e amitraz sobre Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. PUBVET, Londrina, V. 8, N. 1, Ed. 250, Art. 1653, Janeiro, 2014. temperature (30.10o max. and 26.14omin:) and relative humidity (63.34% max and 40.33% min) for 30 days. The group amitraz showed 100% efficacy of inhibiting oviposition teleógenas while cypermethrin obtained efficacy ranging from 0.0 to 88.8 with a mean ± SD of 32.1 ± 48.5, respectively. The amitraz showed the greatest efficacy on teleógenas R. sanguineus from pet dogs in the city of Mossoró, however, it is necessary to adopt measures to educate the proper use of these active principles in order to avoid the occurrence of resistance.

Ocorrência de Amblyomma auricularium (Conil, 1878) em tatu-galinha de vida livre (Dasypus novemcinctus) (Xenartra: Dasypodidae) no Ceará, Brasil

4 Medico veterinario e doutorando do Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencia Animal da UFERSA. 5,6 Discentes da graduacao em Medicina Veterinaria da UFERSA. 7 Medica veterinaria, Docente do DCAn da UFERSA. RESUMO - A coleta sistematica de ixodideos em mamiferos silvestres contribui com informacoes valiosas para o manejo de populacoes tanto em liberdade in situ como ex situ em parques zoologicos, criadores comerciais, conservacionistas e cientificos. Dentre estes animais menciona-se os tatus-galinha, Dasypus novemcinctus, que quando em seu habitat natural ou em cativeiro podem ser acometidos por carrapatos que afetam sua saude e bem-estar. Nesta linha, o presente trabalho objetivou fazer o registro da ocorrencia de infestacao por Amblyomma auricularium em D.novemcinctus em Russas, estado do Ceara, Brasil. Os carrapatos foram recuperados de dois tatus mantidos sob condicoes naturais. Apos as coletas, os animais foram soltos em seu ambiente e os ectoparasitos transferidos para frascos contendo alcool 70% para posterior identificacao taxonomica. Esta ultima foi realizada no Laboratorio de Parasitologia Animal da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido com auxilio de chaves dicotomicas. Dos animais, recuperou-se 25 ixodideos, sendo uma larva de Amblyomma sp., seis ninfas e dezoito carrapatos adultos (doze femeas e seis machos) identificados como A. auricularium. A ocorrencia de A.auricularium e bastante conhecida parasitando tatus, contudo esta e a segunda vez que se registra a ocorrencia desta especie parasitando D. novemcinctus de vida livre nas condicoes semiaridas do Ceara, Brasil. Espera-se, estimular pesquisas com mamiferos silvestres de vida livre a fim de coletar, identificar e registrar especies de ixodideo, contribuindo com estudos epidemiologicos que possam esclarecer melhor as interacoes entre o meio ambiente, hospedeiros e os carrapatos. Palavras-chaves: Carrapato, Infestacao, Ixodidae ABSTRACT The systematic collection of ticks on wild mammals contributes valuable information for the management of populations both in free in situ and ex situ in zoos, commercial breeders, conservationists and scientists. Among these animals is referred tothenine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, when in their natural habitat or in captivity may be affected by ticks that affect their health and well-being. In this line, the present study aimed to register the occurrence of infestation by Amblyomma auricularium in D. novemcinctus in Russas, Ceara state, Brazil. Ticks were recovered from two armadillos kept under natural conditions. After collection, the animals were released in their environment and ectoparasites transferred to vials containing70% alcohol for later taxonomic identification. The latter was carried out in the Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido with the aid of a dichotomous key. The animals recovered 25 ixodid, one larva of Amblyomma sp., Six nymphs and adult tick seighteen (twelve females and six males) identified as A. auricularium. The occurrence of A. auricularium is well known parasitizing armadillos, however thisis the second time that records the occurrence of this species parasitizing D. novemcinctus free livingin semi- arid conditions of Ceara, Brazil. It is hoped, stimulate research on free-living wild mammals in order to collect, identify and record species of ticks, contributing to epidemiological studies that may clarify the interactions between environment, host and ticks.