Detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction in swine presenting respiratory problems

A Nested-PCR (N-PCR) tem como objetivo melhorar a sensibilidade do diagnóstico direto da Pneumonia Enzoótica Suína, pois o isolamento do Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae é trabalhoso tornando-se inviável na rotina. Neste trabalho, foi realizado um projeto piloto para a otimização da técnica de N-PCR, utilizando três variáveis: tipo de amostra biológica, meio de transporte da amostra e método de extração do DNA, utilizando oito animais. Os resultados obtidos foram empregados no segundo experimento para a validação do teste utilizando 40 animais. Os resultados obtidos, pela otimização da N-PCR, neste trabalho, permite sugerir esta prova como método de diagnóstico de rotina no monitoramento das infecções por Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae em granjas de suínos.

Performance of UASB reactors in two stages under different HRT and OLR treating residual waters of swine farming

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pesquisa de suínos portadores renais de leptospiras pelo isolamento microbiano e reação em cadeia pela polimerase em amostras de rins de animais sorologicamente positivos e negativos para leptospirose

Com o intuito de se estudar a presença de suínos portadores renais de leptospiras foram colhidas 131 amostras sanguíneas e os respectivos rins de animais durante o abate em abatedouro da região de Botucatu-SP. Pela prova de Soroaglutinação Microscópica obteve-se 48 amostras sorológicas positivas para um ou mais sorovar de Leptospira spp., com uma taxa de ocorrência de anticorpos anti-leptospira de 36,64%, e maior importância para o sorovar icterohaemorrhagiae. Para a pesquisa do agente nos rins, das 88 amostras renais submetidas a cultura em meio de EMJH e analisadas pela prova de PCR, foi isolado e detectado o agente em uma única amostra renal, pertencente a um animal soropositivo. Embora não tenha sido possível a comparação estatística, em termos de sensibilidade e especificidade das duas provas de detecção do agente a partir de amostras renais, a PCR mostrou-se mais rápida e prática na pesquisa de portadores renais. Pelo isolamento obtido, ressalta-se a importância desses animais como possíveis transmissores da doença para trabalhadores de abatedouro e inspetores de carne.

Correlations between preweaning traits in Duroc swine

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Immunodiagnosis of swine cysticercosis by indirect ELISA employing a heterologous antigen from Taenia crassiceps metacestode

C. Larralde et al. (1990, Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med., 114:926-928) demonstrated that heterologous antigen from the laboratory-adapted murine Taenia crassiceps metacestode may substitute those from Taenia solium in the immunodiagnosis of human cysticercosis by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IE). ?This antigen is easily obtained at a laboratory level and solves the problem of T. solium cysticerci collection from naturally or experimentally infected swine. In this study an IE employing a heterologous antigen from the T. crassiceps metacestode was evaluated for the immunodiagnosis of swine cysticercosis. Sera from 300 swine free of T. solium cysticerci by post-mortem examination were employed to determine two IE cut- off values: 1) Mean ELISA values + 2 standard deviations (2 sigma cut-off) and 2) - Mean ELISA values + 3 standard deviations (3 sigma cut-off). The specificity of IE was 97% with the 2 sigma cut-off and 100% with the 3 sigma cut-off. When applied to ten sera from swine infected by cysticerci of T. solium by post-mortem examination, the sensitivity of IE was 100% independent of the cut off.

Partial characterization of the polluting load of swine wastewater treated with an integrated biodigestion system

The stabilization of swine wastewaters from swine confined housing by the combination of a upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and waste stabilization ponds is a viable alternative to minimize the environmental impact caused by inadequate disposal of swine wastewaters. In the present study, the polluting load of pre-decanted swine wastewater treated with a series of two 0.705 m(3) UASB reactors and then in parallel in aerated and non-aerated stabilization tanks was investigated from January to July, 2000. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses were made adopting standard methods (Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, 1995). COD values decreased as the wastewater ran through the integrated biodigestion system dropping from about 3492 +/- 511-4094 mg l(-1) +/- 481 to 124 +/- 52-490 mg l(-1) +/- 230, while nitrate and nitrite levels increased in stabilization tanks, ranging respectively from 4 +/- 0 to 20 mg l(-1) +/- 3 and 3 +/- 1 to 11 mg l(-1) +/- 24. Although the removal of Escherichia coli was more than 97% +/- 6, the effluents of the treatment system still contained unacceptable levels of E. coli (1.6 x 10(3)-1.2 x 10(6) 100 ml(-1)) according to WHO guidelines for use of wastewater in agriculture and aquaculture. These results indicate the necessity of changes on operational characteristics of the treatment system such as an increase of the hydraulic retention time in UASB reactors or in stabilization tanks. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Use of vaccine and probiotic in the control of swine diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

A total of 42 pregnant sows were divided into eight groups and submitted to the following treatments: group I with seven unvaccinated sows whose piglets did not receive probiotic, was used as control, group II with five vaccinated sows whose piglets did not receive probiotic, groups III, IV and V with five vaccinated sows each whose piglets received probiotic for 5, 15 and 28 days, respectively, and groups VI, VII and VIII with five unvaccinated sows each whose piglets received probiotic for 5, 15 and 28 days, respectively. Each animal in the vaccinated groups received subcutaneously Two doses of 5.0ml of vaccine containing pill K88, K99, 987P and F42 of Escherichia coli. The probiotic contained Lactobacillus acidophilus at the dose of 2.0x10(8) live cells in 20ml of milk and was administered orally. All animals were observed clinically and bacteriologically and the titers of anti-K88, anti-K99, anti-987P and anti-F42 antibodies were determined in serum and colostrum. The results showed that the vaccine associated to the probiotic administered for 28 days was the most effective treatment for the control of diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

ENTEROTOXIN PRODUCTION IN STRAINS OF CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI, ISOLATED FROM SWINE DIARRHEA

One hundred and twenty-six strains of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from swine with diarrhea were examined for the production of enteroxin, by culture filtrate inoculation into ileal loops in several animal species.Four (3,1 %) of the strains tested produced fluid in ligated ileal loop of albino rabbit, 19 (15 %) in rat and 14(11, 1 %) in swine. By the test of intragastric inoculation in suckling mouse, none of the strains revealed capacity to produce enterotoxin, although two strains were considered suspicious. Twelve (54,5 %) of the strains that induced ileal fluid in rat and swine produced cytotoxic effect in monkey kidney cells (Vero), affecting up to 60 % of the monolayer. However, no alteration was observed in hamster kidney cells (BHK).

A randomized controlled trial of homeopathic treatment of weaned piglets in a commercial swine herd

Aim: To evaluate the zootechnic performance and occurrence of diarrhea in piglets in the week post-weaning comparing supplementation with sucrose saline which contained or did not contain added homeopathic medicine.Method. Animals were randomly divided into three groups of 24 piglets each. The control group did not receive any treatment. Another group received sucrose saline, and the third group received sucrose saline with homeopathic medicine added, in the period of zero to seven days post-weaning. The homeopathic treatment consisted of Echinacea angustifolia, Avena sativa, Ignatia amara, Calcarea carbonica, all 6cH. Piglets were weighed daily for weight gain or loss, and observed for diarrhea and feed intake.Results: Animals receiving sucrose saline alone and sucrose saline with homeopathy had less weight loss than control (p = 0.017, p = 0.0001 respectively). There was no statistical difference in relation to overall incidence of diarrhea or food consumption. These data suggest that the supplementation with sucrose saline with added homeopathic medicine in the first seven days post-weaning may be an useful option to reduce weight loss in weaned piglets. Homeopathy (2008) 97, 202-205.

The fine structure of the swine sweat gland. II. The coiled ducts

The duct of the swine sweat gland crosses the dermis and epidermis in sequence. The cells of the dermic segment seem to be related with cellular secretion and absorption. In the epidermic segment of the duct the whole morphology of the cells resembles the cellular morphology of the epidermic cells.