RESUMEN
Nocardia are ubiquitous, saprophytic and opportunistic bacteria. They cause a set of pyogenic clinical infections in animals and humans, particularly immunocompromised patients, mostly affecting the skin and respiratory tract, with refractoriness to conventional therapy. The most descriptions of nocardial infections in companion animals involve case reports, and there are scarce case series studies focused on canine and feline nocardiosis in which diagnosis has been based on molecular techniques. We investigated epidemiological aspects, clinical findings, in vitro susceptibility profile, and molecular identification of Nocardia using PCR-based method targeted 16S rRNA gene in twelve dogs and two cats. Among dogs were observed cutaneous lesions (8/12 = 67%), pneumonia (3/12 = 25%), and encephalitis (2/12 = 17%), whereas cats developed cutaneous lesions and osteomyelitis. Nocardia and canine morbillivirus coinfection was described in six dogs (6/12 = 50%). A high mortality rate (6/8 = 75%) was seen among dogs. Three dogs (3/4 = 75%) and one cat (1/2 = 50%) with systemic signs (pneumonia, encephalitis, osteomyelitis), and 83% (5/6) of dogs with a history of concomitant morbillivirus infection died. N. nova (5/12 = 42%), N. cyriacigeorgica (3/12 = 25%), N. farcinica (2/12 = 17%), N. veterana (1/12 = 8%), and N. asteroides (1/12 = 8%) species were identified in dogs, whereas N. africana and N. veterana in cats. Among the isolates from dogs, cefuroxime (12/12 = 100%), amikacin (10/12 = 83%), gentamycin (10/12 = 83%), and imipenem (10/12 = 83%) were the most effective antimicrobials, whereas cefuroxime, cephalexin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, imipenem, and gentamycin were efficient against isolates from cats. Multidrug resistance was observed in 36% (5/14) of isolates. We describe a variety of Nocardia species infecting dogs and cats, multidrug-resistant ones, and a high mortality rate, highlighting a poor prognosis of nocardiosis in companion animals, particularly among animals systemically compromised or coinfected by canine morbillivirus. Our study contributes to species identification, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profile, clinical-epidemiological aspects, and outcome of natural Nocardia-acquired infections in dogs and cats.
Asunto(s)
Antiinfecciosos , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Enfermedades de los Perros , Nocardiosis , Nocardia , Osteomielitis , Gatos , Animales , Perros , Humanos , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/microbiología , Cefuroxima/farmacología , Cefuroxima/uso terapéutico , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Enfermedades de los Perros/microbiología , Nocardiosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Nocardiosis/veterinaria , Nocardiosis/microbiología , Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Osteomielitis/tratamiento farmacológico , Imipenem/farmacología , Imipenem/uso terapéutico , Gentamicinas/farmacología , Pruebas de Sensibilidad MicrobianaRESUMEN
O bem-estar de animais de produção tem sido discutido nos âmbitos comercial, social e acadêmico, sendo que tal discussão pode ser enriquecida pela elaboração de protocolos de diagnóstico de bem-estar animal bem definidos, favorecendo a regulamentação de uma legislação específica. O objetivo desta revisão é discutir os métodos de diagnóstico de bem-estar animal e apontar os principais pontos críticos que afetam o bem-estar dos bovinos leiteiros. O diagnóstico de bem-estar compreende a observação do comportamento animal e de indicadores fisiológicos e sanitários, como análise hematológica e dosagem de hormônios, análise do escore de locomoção, a observação de lesões corporais e o estado geral de saúde dos animais. Tais ferramentas permitem verificar quais são os principais pontos críticos que afetam o bem-estar dos animais e construir estratégias de melhoria. As vacas em lactação podem sofrer restrições ambientais, nutricionais e sanitárias. Os bezerros passam pelo distresse do desmame precoce e do isolamento social. Alguns pontos críticos de bem-estar de gado leiteiro reconhecidos internacionalmente parecem prováveis no cenário brasileiro. Entretanto, é possível a existência de diferenças importantes em relação aos sistemas de produção praticados no Brasil e no exterior, uma vez que o acesso ao pasto é um fator comum na produção brasileira e pode estar associado a um maior grau de bem-estar animal. Dessa forma, é importante a condução de trabalhos de diagnóstico de bem-estar específico para os animais envolvidos com a produção de leite no Brasil.
The welfare of farm animals is under broad discussion within the commercial, social and academic environments, and discussion may be enriched by specific guidelines and legislation based on well-defined assessment protocols. The objective of this review is to discuss the methods for assessing animal welfare and to point out the main critical points that affect the welfare of dairy cattle. The assessment of animal welfare is based on behavioral observations and physiological and health parameters such as analysis of blood parameters and hormone concentrations, locomotion scoring, presence of body lesions and general health state of the animals. These tools allow for the analysis of the main critical points that affect animal welfare and the proposal of improvement strategies. The lactating cows may suffer from environmental, nutritional and sanitary restrictions. Dairy calves go through weaning distress and social isolation. Some of the critical welfare points recognized internationally seems likely to occur in the Brazilian scenario. However, some differences possibly exist, once the access to pasture is a common factor in Brazilian production and may be associated with a higher welfare degree. Thus, it is important to carry on specific welfare assessment of the animals involved in milk production in Brazil.