Caracterização espacial e epidemiológica da ocorrência de infecção por agentes de enfermidades transmissíveis em carnívoros selvagens e domésticos de uma área de Mata Atlântica e de floresta artificial no estado do Paraná

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Retorno à atividade reprodutiva de touro angus após fimose traumática com obliteração parcial da luz prepucial: relato de caso

The main disturbs affecting the genital segment of bulls are balanitis, phimosis and preputial injuries, abscesses or prolapses, resulting in decreased libido or mating ability. One case of traumatic phimosis with partial obliteration of preputial lumen is reported in Aberdeen Angus bull. During anamnesis, it was reported that the animal was unable to expose the penis and presented increased penile and preputial volume of unknown etiology after being submitted to a libido test. During clinical examination, a firm preputial mass of 15 cm in diameter was observed in the middle third of the prepuce and stenosis of preputial lumen was detected approximately 17 cm from the preputial orifice. Reconstructive surgery was the chosen therapy, with amputation of the affected foreskin portion. A skin segment of about 12 cm and affected mucosal portion were removed. Postoperative therapy consisted of dressing with chlorhexidine digluconate based ointment, povidone iodine and topical insect repellent (cypermethrin and carbamyl), systemic antibiotic therapy with benzathine penicillin (30,000 IU / kg, repeated after 48 hours) and anti-inflammatory therapy with flunixin meglumine (2 , 0 mg / kg SID) for three days. After twenty days, semen was collected by massage of the accessory glands. The ejaculate volume was 3 mL, with 200x106 spermatozoa / mL, white color, "suis generis" odor, 88% of motile sperm, 64% of progressively motile sperm and 82% of rapid sperm. Thus, the chosen surgical treatment was effective to correct the pathology and reintroduce the animal into reproductive activity

Orquiepididimite causada por Corynebacterium sp e Proteus mirabilis em cordeiro da raça Lacaune: relato de caso

Orchiepididymitis is the inflammation of both, testis and epididymis and may be caused by microbial agents such as Brucella ovis. Thus, the aim of the present report is to present a case of orchiepididymitis in a Lacaune ram with unilateral testicular enlargement. Ultrasonography of the testis revealed the presence of a circular hypoechogenic structure adjacent to the testicular parenchyma. Corynebacterium sp was isolated from the surgically removed testis. Two months after removal of the affected testis, the animal returned to the Veterinary Hospital due to an enlargement of the remaining testis. A new ultrasonographic exam revealed the presence of abscesses in the testicular parenchyma and periorchitis. After orchiectomy, Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the material.

Detection of porcine circovirus genotypes 2a and 2b in aborted foetuses from infected swine herds in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been associated with several disease complexes, including reproductive failure. The aim of this study was to identify the subtypes of PCV2 that are associated with reproductive failure in pigs from the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil and to investigate co-infections with other infectious organisms. Findings: Samples of 168 aborted foetuses or mummified foetuses from five farrow-to-finish swine farms known to be infected with PCV2 and located in the State of Sao Paulo were tested for PCV2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were additionally tested for porcine parvovirus (PPV), Leptospira spp. and Brucella spp. by PCR. PCV2 was detected in 18 of the samples (10.7%). PPV, Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp were found in 2, 10 and 0 cases, respectively. Eleven PCV2 strains were sequenced and determined to be either genotype 2a (n = 1) or 2b (n = 10). Conclusions: The findings indicate that the frequency of PCV2 infections in aborted porcine foetuses from the State of Sao Paulo is rather low (10.7%) and that co-infection with other pathogens is common and may be involved in PCV2 associated reproductive failure. No repeatable, characteristic amino acid motifs for regions of the PCV2 capsid protein seemed to be associated with abortion in sows.

Fluorescence polarization assay, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-C) and indirect ELISA for the diagnosis of brucellosis in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of the present study was to compare the performance of three serological tests for diagnosis of Brucella abortus infections in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Serum samples collected from 696 adult females were submitted to the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAC), (I-ELISA), fluorescence polarization test (FPA), 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME) and complement fixation test (CFT). The gold standard was the combination of CFT and 2-ME, considering as positive the reactors in both CFT and 2-ME, and as negative those non-reactors. ROC analyses were done for C-ELISA, I-ELISA and FPA and the Kappa agreement index were also calculated. The best combinations of relative sensitivity (SEr) and relative specificity (SPr) and Kappa were given by C-ELISA (96.9%, 99.1%, and 0.932, respectively) and FPA (92.2%, 97.6 and 0.836, respectively). The C-ELISA and FPA were the most promising confirmatory tests for the serological diagnosis of brucellosis in buffaloes, and for these tests, cut-off values for buffaloes may be the same as those used for bovines.

Detection of porcine circovirus genotypes 2a and 2b in aborted foetuses from infected swine herds in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Background Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been associated with several disease complexes, including reproductive failure. The aim of this study was to identify the subtypes of PCV2 that are associated with reproductive failure in pigs from the State of São Paulo, Brazil and to investigate co-infections with other infectious organisms. Findings Samples of 168 aborted foetuses or mummified foetuses from five farrow-to-finish swine farms known to be infected with PCV2 and located in the State of São Paulo were tested for PCV2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were additionally tested for porcine parvovirus (PPV), Leptospira spp. and Brucella spp. by PCR. PCV2 was detected in 18 of the samples (10.7%). PPV, Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp were found in 2, 10 and 0 cases, respectively. Eleven PCV2 strains were sequenced and determined to be either genotype 2a (n = 1) or 2b (n = 10). Conclusions The findings indicate that the frequency of PCV2 infections in aborted porcine foetuses from the State of São Paulo is rather low (10.7%) and that co-infection with other pathogens is common and may be involved in PCV2 associated reproductive failure. No repeatable, characteristic amino acid motifs for regions of the PCV2 capsid protein seemed to be associated with abortion in sows.

Primeiro relato de isolamento de Histophilus somni em ovino com quadro de endometrite no Brasil

Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso de isolamento em cultura pura de Histophilus somni em secreção vaginal de uma fêmea ovina da raça Texel, em propriedade localizada no estado de São Paulo, a qual apresentou histórico de endometrite e infertilidade. No exame clínico específico do aparelho genital, foi observada na vagina secreção de coloração esbranquiçada, com aspecto mucoso e odor fétido. Os exames sorológicos para Brucella ovis, Leptospirose e Neospora caninum resultaram negativos, enquanto o exame para Toxoplasma gondii foi positivo.

Stile. Teoria e prassi nell'opera di Viollet-le-Duc

Per Viollet-le-Duc lo “stile” «è la manifestazione di un ideale fondato su un principio» dove per principio si intende il principio d’ordine della struttura, quest’ultimo deve rispondere direttamente alla Legge dell’”unità” che deve essere sempre rispettata nell’ideazione dell’opera architettonica. A partire da questo nodo centrale del pensiero viollettiano, la presente ricerca si è posta come obiettivo quello dell’esplorazione dei legami fra teoria e prassi nell’opera di Viollet-le-Duc, nei quali lo “stile” ricorre come un "fil rouge" costante, presentandosi come una possibile inedita chiave di lettura di questa figura protagonista della storia del restauro e dell’architettura dell’Ottocento. Il lavoro di ricerca si é dunque concentrato su una nuova lettura dei documenti sia editi che inediti, oltre che su un’accurata ricognizione bibliografica e documentaria, e sullo studio diretto delle architetture. La ricerca archivistica si é dedicata in particolare sull’analisi sistematica dei disegni originali di progetto e delle relazioni tecniche delle opere di Viollet-le- Duc. A partire da questa prima ricognizione, sono stati selezionati due casi- studio ritenuti particolarmente significativi nell’ambito della tematica scelta: il progetto di restauro della chiesa della Madeleine a Vézelay (1840-1859) e il progetto della Maison Milon in rue Douai a Parigi (1857-1860). Attraverso il parallelo lavoro di analisi dei casi-studio e degli scritti di Viollet- le-Duc, si è cercato di verificare le possibili corrispondenze tra teoria e prassi operativa: confrontando i progetti sia con le opere teoriche, sia con la concreta testimonianza degli edifici realizzati.

Les expressions figees dans "et si on dansait" d' Erik Orsenna, problematiques traductives

Depuis mon arrivée en Italie j’ai été frappée par les grandes différences qui existent entre les expressions figées et idiomatiques dans les deux langues que sont le français et l’Italien. Etant d’expression francophone, et inscrite à la faculté de langue et de traduction, il m’a été donné de constater que j’avais de grandes difficultés à traduire les expressions figées d’une langue à une autre. Et plus encore il était très difficile de leur trouver des définitions et expressions équivalentes. Fort de ce constat, je me suis intéressée à la possibilité d’analyse des expressions figées du français à l’Italien à travers l’ouvrage de Gaston Gross paru aux éditions OPHRYS, 1996, sous le titre : Les expressions figées en français. Noms composés et autres locutions. Cet ouvrage constitue une avancée importante dans les études et les recherches sur la médiation linguistique et rejoint donc notre domaine de compétence. A travers cette analyse il s’agira de se poser la question fondamentale : Qu’est-ce qu’une expression figée ? Quelles sont ses représentations et ses évolutions dans cet ouvrage et comment s’effectuent son passage et ses transformations d’une langue à une autre ? Pour être plus précis, dans notre cas, comment pouvons-nous établir le passage des expressions figés du français à l’Italien dans cet ouvrage de Gaston Gross ? En répondant à ces questions, nous partons sur la base de l’hypothèse que les expressions figées constituent une richesse dans une langue et sont difficilement traductibles dans une autre langue sans en perdre la richesse et la teneur, lors de ce processus. Notre travail consistera donc à vérifier cette hypothèse.

Epizootiologic Investigations of Selected Abortive Agents in Free-Ranging Alpine Ibex (Capra Ibex Ibex) in Switzerland

In the early 2000s, several colonies of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) in Switzerland ceased growing or began to decrease. Reproductive problems clue to infections with abortive agents might have negatively affected recruitment. We assessed the presence of selected agents of abortion in Alpine ibex by serologic, molecular, and culture techniques and evaluated whether infection with these agents might have affected population densities. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 651 ibex in 14 colonies throughout the Swiss Alps between 2006 and 2008. All samples were negative for Salmonella. spp., Neospora caninum, and Bovine Herpesvirus-1. Antibodies to Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp., Chlamydophila abortus, Toxoplasma gondii, and Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus were detected in at least one ibex. Positive serologic results for Brucella spp. likely were false. Overall, 73 samples (11.2%) were antibody-positive for at least one abortive agent. Prevalence was highest for Leptospira spp. (7.9%, 95% CI=5.0-11.7). The low prevalences and the absence of significant differences between colonies with opposite population trends suggest these pathogens do not play a significant role in the population dynamics of Swiss ibex. Alpine ibex do not seem to be a reservoir for these abortive agents or an important source of infection for domestic livestock in Switzerland. Finally, although interactions on summer pastures occur frequently, spillover from infected livestock to free-ranging ibex apparently is uncommon.

Tritrichomonas foetus isolates from cats and cattle show minor genetic differences in unrelated loci ITS-2 and EF-1alpha

The protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus is well known as an important causative agent of infertility and abortion in cattle (bovine trichomonosis). This World Organisation for Animal Health (O.I.E.) notifiable disease is thought to be under control in many countries including Switzerland. In recent studies, however, T. foetus has also been identified as an intestinal parasite that causes chronic large-bowel diarrhoea in cats. Since the feline isolates were considered indistinguishable from bovine isolates, the possibility and risk of parasite transmission from cats to cattle and vice versa has been intensively discussed in current literature. Therefore, we investigated if cat and cattle isolates are genetically distinct from each other or in fact represent identical genotypes. For this purpose, two independent genetic loci were selected that turned out to be well-suited for a PCR sequencing-based genotyping of trichomonad isolates: (i) previously published internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS-2) and (ii) a semi-conserved sequence stretch of the elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1alpha) gene used for the first time in the present study. Respective comparative analyses revealed that both loci were sufficiently variable to allow unambiguous genetic discrimination between different trichomonad species. Comparison of both genetic loci confirmed that T. suis and T. mobilensis are phylogenetically very close to T. foetus. Moreover, these two genetic markers were suited to define host-specific genotypes of T. foetus. Both loci showed single base differences between cat and cattle isolates but showed full sequence identity within strains from either cat or cattle isolates. Furthermore, an additional PCR with a forward primer designed to specifically amplify the bovine sequence of EF-1alpha was able to discriminate bovine isolates of T. foetus from feline isolates and also from other trichomonads. The implications these minor genetic differences may have on the biological properties of the distinct isolates remain to be investigated.

The role of RTX toxins in host specificity of animal pathogenic Pasteurellaceae

RTX toxins are bacterial pore-forming toxins that are particularly abundant among pathogenic species of Pasteurellaceae, in which they play a major role in virulence. RTX toxins of several primary pathogens of the family of Pasteurellaceae are directly involved in causing necrotic lesions in the target organs. Many RTX toxins are known as haemolysins because they lyse erythrocytes in vitro, an effect that is non-specific, but which serves as a useful marker in bacteriological identification and as an easily measurable signal in vitro in experimental studies. More recent studies have shown that the specific targets of most RTX toxins are leukocytes, with RTX toxins binding to the corresponding beta-subunit (CD18) of beta2 integrins and then exerting cytotoxic activity. After uptake by the target cell, at sub-lytic concentrations, some RTX toxins are transported to mitochondria and induce apoptosis. For several RTX toxins the binding to CD18 has been shown to be host specific and this seems to be the basis for the host range specificity of these RTX toxins. Observations on two very closely related species of the Pasteurellaceae family, Actinobacillus suis, a porcine pathogen particularly affecting suckling pigs, and Actinobacillus equuli subsp. haemolytica, which causes pyosepticaemia in new-born foals (sleepy foal disease), have revealed that they express different RTX toxins, named ApxI/II and Aqx, respectively. These RTX toxins are specifically cytotoxic for porcine and equine leukocytes, respectively. Furthermore, the ApxI and Aqx toxins of these species, when expressed in an isogenetic background in Escherichia coli, are specifically cytotoxic for leukocytes of their respective hosts. These data indicate the determinative role of RTX toxins in host specificity of pathogenic species of Pasteurellaceae.

Seroprevalence survey for Salmonella Abortusovis infection in Swiss sheep flocks

Between 1976 and 2003, no infections with Salmonella Abortusovis had been officially recorded in Switzerland. Since then, however, several sheep flocks were infected and suffered massive fetal losses suggesting a re-emergence of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological situation of S. Abortusovis infection in sheep in this country. A representative serum sample collected in 2007 in the context of certifying Brucella freedom included sera from 578 flocks with a total of 8426 sheep from all regions in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Sera were tested by ELISA for the presence of antibodies specific for S. Abortusovis. The cantonal seroprevalence was estimated at the sheep as well as the flock-level by taking into account (a) all flocks with one or more seropositive sheep (Flock 1+) and (b) only the flocks with two or more seropositive sheep (Flock 2+). Flocks with seropositive sheep were found throughout the country with an overall sheep-level prevalence of 1.7%. At the flock-level, overall prevalences of 16.3% and 5.0% were found for Flock 1+ and Flock 2+ definitions, respectively. Significant sheep-level clusters were located in the cantons of Bern, the Valais and Graubunden, while significant flock-level clusters (Flock 1+ and Flock 2+) were located in the canton of Graubunden only. Our results indicate that exposure of Swiss sheep flocks to S. Abortusovis is wide-spread.

Emended description of Actinobacillus capsulatus Arseculeratne 1962, 38AL

The taxonomic position of Actinobacillus capsulatus, a member of the family Pasteurellaceae found in rabbits, hares and hamsters, has been challenged. 16S rRNA gene (rrs) sequence data show the species to be heterogeneous. Using a polyphasic approach, 23 strains that were identified previously as belonging, or closely related, to A. capsulatus were analysed. Eighty characters were included in the phenotypic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis was done based on rrs, rpoB, infB and recN sequences. In addition, the recN sequence similarities were used to calculate the whole-genome sequence relatedness of all strains investigated as well as that with other members of the family Pasteurellaceae. The phenotypic analysis allowed identification of five groups. The major group of 17 strains could be classified as A. capsulatus. Two hamster isolates were closely related to A. capsulatus but differed in a few characters. Single isolates from a rabbit and snowshoe-hare were phenotypically related to Actinobacillus suis. One rabbit isolate was related to the genus Mannheimia, while another isolate could not be classified phenotypically with known taxa. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the phenotypic grouping. In contrast to the rrs-based tree, the A. capsulatus strains clustered unambiguously with the type species and related species of the genus Actinobacillus in the rpoB-, infB- and recN-based trees. Genome similarity comparison using recN finally confirmed the high genomic relationship of the A. capsulatus strains with the type species and related species of the genus Actinobacillus and allowed a clear assignment of the other unrelated strains to the phenotypic and phylogenetic clusters outlined. The present findings allow the description of A. capsulatus to be emended and separate it more clearly from other species, both phenotypically and genotypically. The type strain of A. capsulatus is CCUG 12396(T) (=Frederiksen 243(T)=ATCC 51571(T)=NCTC 11408(T)=CIP 103283(T)).

Mesenteric lymphangitis and sepsis due to RTX toxin-producing Actinobacillus spp in 2 foals with hypothyroidism-dysmaturity syndrome

Actinobacillus suis-like organisms (ASLOs) have been isolated from the genital, respiratory, and digestive tracts of healthy adult horses, horses with respiratory disease, and septic foals. Two foals with congenital hypothyroidism-dysmaturity syndrome from separate farms developed ASLO infection. At necropsy, both had contracted carpal flexor tendons, thyroid hyperplasia, and thrombotic and necrotizing mesenteric lymphangitis and lymphadenitis; one foal also had mandibular prognathism. Numerous ASLOs were isolated from tissues from both foals, including intestine. Biochemical testing and mass spectrometric analysis of the two Actinobacillus isolates did not allow unequivocal identification. Comparative genetic analysis was done on these and similar isolates, including phylogeny based on 16S rRNA, rpoB and recN genes, as well as RTX (repeat in toxin) toxin typing of apxIA-apxIVA and aqxA genes. One isolate was identified as Actinobacillus suis sensu stricto, based on the presence of apxIA and apxIIA but not aqxA, whereas the other isolate had aqxA but neither apxIA nor apxIIA, consistent with A equuli ssp haemolyticus. Based on genotypic analysis of the isolates included for comparison, 3 of 3 equine ASLOs and 2 of 5 A equuli isolates were reclassified as A equuli subsp haemolyticus, emphasizing the importance of toxin genotyping in accurate classification of actinobacilli.