RESUMO
The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and factors associated with infection in goats, and to isolate protozoan strains in tissue samples from seropositive goats that were destined for human consumption in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 229 slaughtered goats were tested using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), with a cutoff point of 1:64. Epidemiological questionnaires were applied to the producers, to acquire information about the sanitary management used in their herds. Tissue samples from the animals were collected during slaughter, in order to perform bioassays in mice. The seroprevalence found was 21.39% (49/229), with antibody titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:32,768. The municipalities of origin, Patos (OR: 3.047; CI: 1.384-6.706) and Sousa (OR: 3.355; CI: 1.536-7.327), were considered to be factors associated with infection by T. gondii. Thirty-eight bioassays were performed in mice, using tissues from seropositive goats, with an isolation rate of 50% (19/38). There was no correlation between isolation rate and antibody titers. Only one mouse died, at 30 days post-infection, which demonstrated that the strains isolated had low virulence towards mice. It was concluded that there is high seroprevalence in goats in northeastern Brazil, as well as a high percentage of viable tissue cysts in slaughtered animals destined for human consumption. These results demonstrate that there is an imminent one health problem relating to toxoplasmosis, especially in the most populous municipalities in the study (Patos and Sousa), which were identified as factors associated with T. gondii infection in goats.
Assuntos
Doenças das Cabras/epidemiologia , Toxoplasma/isolamento & purificação , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologia , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Parasitologia de Alimentos , Doenças das Cabras/parasitologia , Cabras , Prevalência , Carne Vermelha/parasitologia , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Toxoplasmose Animal/parasitologiaRESUMO
Background: Infestation by Otodectes cynotis is one of the main causes of external otitis in small animals, causing greatdisconfort and predisposition to secondary bacterial or fungal infections, with relevant importance in the small animalmedicine. In dogs, a small number of this parasite in the ears may cause inflammation, while in cats, otoacariasis accountsfor half of the external otitis cases. Due to the insufficiency of data about the prevalence of this disease in the Northeastregion of Brazil, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical aspects of O. cynotis in dogsand cats from the Semi-arid region of Paraíba, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: The research was conducted in the municipality of Sousa, Paraíba State, Brazil. A total of102 dogs and 152 cats had their external ear canals examined by bilateral otoscopy, using an otoscope with a veterinarycone that allows inspection of the external ear canal. Parasitological swabs were also used to determine the prevalence ofparasitism by Otodectes cynotis. Samples collected in swabs were stored in a 70% alcohol preservative solution and sentto the Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, in wich were examinated on direct research, using microscopes in the 10xobjective (magnification of 100x). In all animals, clinical examinations were performed and their owners answered anepidemiological questionnaire to collect information about food and sanitary management. During the clinical examination,characteristics such as otopodal reflex, and the presence of pruritus and/or cerumen were also evaluated. The prevalence ofdogs and cats positive for O. cynotis was 33.3% (34/102) and 52.6% (80/152), respectively. Bilateral infestations occurredin 52.9% (18/34) of the positive dogs. Most of the positive animals showed evidence of the mite in both tests, Otoscopy +Swab [dogs: 58.8% (20/34) and cats: 66.2% (53/80)].Discussion: A high prevalence of...(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Gatos , Cães , Otite/diagnóstico , Otite/epidemiologia , Otite/veterinária , Infestações por Ácaros/epidemiologia , Infestações por Ácaros/veterinária , BrasilRESUMO
Background: Infestation by Otodectes cynotis is one of the main causes of external otitis in small animals, causing greatdisconfort and predisposition to secondary bacterial or fungal infections, with relevant importance in the small animalmedicine. In dogs, a small number of this parasite in the ears may cause inflammation, while in cats, otoacariasis accountsfor half of the external otitis cases. Due to the insufficiency of data about the prevalence of this disease in the Northeastregion of Brazil, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical aspects of O. cynotis in dogsand cats from the Semi-arid region of Paraíba, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: The research was conducted in the municipality of Sousa, Paraíba State, Brazil. A total of102 dogs and 152 cats had their external ear canals examined by bilateral otoscopy, using an otoscope with a veterinarycone that allows inspection of the external ear canal. Parasitological swabs were also used to determine the prevalence ofparasitism by Otodectes cynotis. Samples collected in swabs were stored in a 70% alcohol preservative solution and sentto the Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, in wich were examinated on direct research, using microscopes in the 10xobjective (magnification of 100x). In all animals, clinical examinations were performed and their owners answered anepidemiological questionnaire to collect information about food and sanitary management. During the clinical examination,characteristics such as otopodal reflex, and the presence of pruritus and/or cerumen were also evaluated. The prevalence ofdogs and cats positive for O. cynotis was 33.3% (34/102) and 52.6% (80/152), respectively. Bilateral infestations occurredin 52.9% (18/34) of the positive dogs. Most of the positive animals showed evidence of the mite in both tests, Otoscopy +Swab [dogs: 58.8% (20/34) and cats: 66.2% (53/80)].Discussion: A high prevalence of...