High frequency of seropositive and carriers of Leptospira spp. in pigs in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil

The transit of infected animals may be a route for the introduction and dispersal of diseases, which necessitates protocols for the controlled entry of infected animals into herds. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Leptospira and anti-Brucella ovis antibodies in small ruminants sold at an animal fair in the Sertão region of the Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil, and to identify the possible risk factors associated with seropositivity. Serum samples were collected from 233 goats and 119 sheep, belonging to twelve different owners from November 2014 to June 2015. Diagnosis of Leptospira spp. infection was established using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT); for B. ovis infection, the agar gel immuno-diffusion (AGID) test was conducted. A total of 16/233 (6.87%; 95% CI = 4.27% – 10.83%) goats and 16/119 (13.45%; 95% CI = 8.67% – 21.24%) sheep were identified as seropositive for Leptospira spp. The most frequent serotype was Icterohaemorrhagiae. In goats, intensive management system (odds ratio = 15.8; p < 0.001) and consorted rearing of equines and goats (odds ratio = 7.3; p = 0.005) were identified as risk factors. There were no risk factors identified for sheep. Seven (5.88%; 95% CI = 2.88% – 11.65%) sheep were seropositive for B. ovis, and the intensive management system was identified as the risk factor (odds ratio = 11.5; p = 0.005). This suggests that Leptospira spp. and B. ovis infections occur in small ruminants commercialized in the Sertão region of the Pernambuco State. Thus, improvements to the sanitary conditions of the facilities and the control of synanthropic rodents are recommended.

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Cross-sectional survey for canine leptospirosis in an Atlantic Rainforest area of the semiarid of Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-6640 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

Author(s):

Maria G.S. Bernardino ◽

Diego F. Costa ◽

Denise B. Nogueira ◽

Maria L.C.R. Silva ◽

Edijanio G. Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Free Access ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Leptospira Spp

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp. that affects humans, domestic and wild animals. The present work aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey for leptospirosis in the canine population of the Brejo Paraibano microregion, semiarid of Northeastern Brazil. From May to October 2017, blood samples from 414 dogs were collected in the counties of Alagoa Grande (n=100), Areia (n=79), Bananeiras (n=72), Alagoa Nova (n=73), Serrraria (n=25), Pilões (n=25), Borborema (n=20) and Matinhas (n=20). The tutors of the sampled dogs answered an epidemiological questionnaire, obtaining information about the animals, owner, residence and breeding of the dogs. Subsequently, the serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using a collection of 23 serovar pathogenic antigens and using the 1:50 dilution as the cutoff point. Of the 414 dogs analyzed 52 were seroreactive, resulting in an apparent prevalence of 12.6% and a real prevalence of 12.2%. Seroreactive dogs were found in the eight counties. Dogs were reactive for the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (76.9%), Autumnalis (13.55%), Pomona (3.8%), Grippotyphosa (3.8%) and Serjoe (1.9%) Antibody titers ranged from 50 to 800. The statistical analysis (robust Poisson regression) detected six factors associated with seropositivity, including the rainy season (prevalence ratio; PR=1.94, P=0.013), male dogs (PR=2.10, P=0.005), animals with age greater than five years (PR=4.21, P=0.012), consumption of untreated water (PR=1.87, P=0.043), free access of dogs to street (PR=2.15, P=0.011) and contact with wildlife (PR=3.54, P=0.050). The serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae has a high zoonotic potential and was the most frequent in seropositive animals. The high real prevalence of Leptospira spp. in a transmission region of the semiarid region of Paraíba and the occurrence of seroreactive animals in all the counties suggest wide distribution of the infection and reinforce the need for preventive measures to avoid infection in pets and, consequently, to humans. The analysis of factors associated with the prevalence suggest greater manegment cares with the dogs.

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The Roles of Bees and Hoverflies in the Pollination of Jacquemontia evolvuloides (Moric.) Meisn. (Convolvulaceae) in a Semiarid Region

Sociobiology ◽

10.13102/sociobiology.v65i2.2076 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 244

Author(s):

Joicelene Regina Lima Da Paz ◽

Camila Magalhães Pigozzo ◽

Miriam Gimenes

Keyword(s):

High Frequency ◽

Floral Morphology ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Easy Access ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Disturbed Areas ◽

Behavioral Aspects ◽

Pollination Systems ◽

Insect Visitors

Jacquemontia species are often found in disturbed areas, and their flowers are ephemeral and very attractive to insects. We investigated the interaction between the flowers of Jacquemontia evolvuloides and its visitors, with emphasis on potential pollinators, considering morphological, temporal, and behavioral aspects, between September/2009 and August/2010 in an anthropized area in Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil. Jacquemontia evolvuloides flowers are diurnal, ephemeral (approximately five to six hours duration), are present throughout the year, and offer nectar and pollen rewards. Because of the floral morphology of J. evolvuloides insect visitors have easy access to its resources, and its pollination could be considered generalized. While J. evolvuloides flowers are visited by several insects, only small bees (Augochlora spp.) and syrphids (Toxomerus spp.) appear to play a role in pollination of flowers. Although bees have been considered efficient pollinators of that plant, the significant presence of syrphids (considered occasional pollinators but showing high frequency visitation), may indicate their role as potential pollinators, especially when bees are not abundant in the fall/winter. As such, even in pollination systems that are considered generalized (with flowers allowing easy access to various visitor groups), visitor size may be an important factor for efficient pollination, especially when associated with high visitation frequencies.

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Calibration of the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) using data mining techniques and ecophysiological data from the Brazilian semiarid region, for use in Dynamic Global Vegetation Models

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.14414 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 76 (2) ◽

pp. 341-351

Author(s):

L. F. C. Rezende ◽

B. C. Arenque-Musa ◽

M. S. B. Moura ◽

S. T. Aidar ◽

C. Von Randow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Mining ◽

Native Species ◽

Classification And Regression Tree ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Global Changes ◽

Data Mining Techniques ◽

Dynamic Global Vegetation Models ◽

Vegetation Models ◽

Global Vegetation

Abstract The semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, the Caatinga, is extremely important due to its biodiversity and endemism. Measurements of plant physiology are crucial to the calibration of Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) that are currently used to simulate the responses of vegetation in face of global changes. In a field work realized in an area of preserved Caatinga forest located in Petrolina, Pernambuco, measurements of carbon assimilation (in response to light and CO2) were performed on 11 individuals of Poincianella microphylla, a native species that is abundant in this region. These data were used to calibrate the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) used in the INLAND model. The calibration techniques used were Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and data mining techniques as the Classification And Regression Tree (CART) and K-MEANS. The results were compared to the UNCALIBRATED model. It was found that simulated Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) reached 72% of observed GPP when using the calibrated Vcmax values, whereas the UNCALIBRATED approach accounted for 42% of observed GPP. Thus, this work shows the benefits of calibrating DGVMs using field ecophysiological measurements, especially in areas where field data is scarce or non-existent, such as in the Caatinga.

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Systemic acanthamoebiasis associated with canine distemper in dogs in the semiarid region of Paraíba, Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2015000200011 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 160-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria T.S. Frade ◽

Luiza F. de Melo ◽

Clarice R.M. Pessoa ◽

Jeann L. de Araújo ◽

Rafael A. Fighera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymph Nodes ◽

Parietal Cortex ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Canine Distemper ◽

Free Living ◽

Gross Lesions ◽

Microscopic Findings

Infections by free-living amoebae can cause systemic disease in animals and humans. We describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of disseminated acanthamoebiasis associated with canine distemper in three dogs of the semiarid region of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Affected dogs developed progressive neurological and respiratory signs that progressed to death within in two to 20 days. Gross lesions were irregular and with yellow-reddish nodules randomly distributed in the lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, adrenals, and intestine. One dog had foci of malacia in the parietal cortex and another one in nucleus of brain basis. Histologically, pyogranulomas with areas of necrosis and hemorrhage in all organs affected were observed, associated with myriads of intralesional amoebic trophozoites. All three cases were concomitant canine distemper, that possibly triggered immunosuppression in the dogs. The diagnosis was performed through microscopic findings of infection by free-living amoebae and confirmed Acanthamoeba sp. by immunohistochemistry

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Phytoplankton responses to an extreme drought season: A case study at two reservoirs from a semiarid region, Northeastern Brazil

Journal of Limnology ◽

10.4081/jlimnol.2019.1869 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 78 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carlos Y. B. Oliveira ◽

Cicero D. L. Oliveira ◽

Ayanne J. G. Almeida ◽

Alfredo O. Gálvez ◽

Danielli M. Dantas

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Phytoplankton Biomass ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽

Extreme Drought ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Drought Period ◽

Reactive Phosphorus

The temporal phytoplankton biomass variation at two Neotropical reservoirs during an extreme drought season were analyzed. Here we sought to evaluate the main abiotic factors involved in dynamics of phytoplankton during this drought period. The main difference between the reservoirs was the intensive fish and shrimp farming in one of the reservoirs. For quantitative analysis, sampling with bottles were carried out at an average depth of 0.5m. Water temperature, pH and electrical conductivity parameters were measured in situ and water samples were collected for dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus analyses. Aquaculture was probably one among the causes for the reservoirs were so different in the physical and chemical variables, as shown by the principal components analysis. The results showed specific groups dominance in both reservoirs. In the Cachoeira II reservoir, an invasive dinoflagellate, Ceratium furcoides, was present in all analyzed months, while, in the Saco I reservoir, cyanobacteria group represented more than 50% of phytoplankton biomass, mainly Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum sp. In two reservoirs precipitation, soluble reactive phosphorus and electrical conductivity were positively related with phytoplankton. Phytoplankton biomass was considerably larger in the Cachoeira II reservoir, due to the greater size and biovolume of the dominant dinoflagellate. These findings suggest that species dominance in extreme drought events may be favored.

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Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Blattaria, Termitidae) termite nests as substrates for lichen fixation in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.222440 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 685-687

Author(s):

A. M. Barbosa-Silva ◽

L. A. Santos ◽

M. E. S. Cáceres ◽

A. Vasconcellos

Keyword(s):

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region

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Analysis of the environmental thermal comfort conditions in public squares in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil

Building and Environment ◽

10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.02.016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 152 ◽

pp. 145-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nely Alexandre Marçal ◽

Richarde Marques da Silva ◽

Celso Augusto Guimarães Santos ◽

Joel Silva dos Santos

Keyword(s):

Thermal Comfort ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region

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Virulence Factors in Staphylococcus aureus and Quality of Raw Milk from Dairy Cows in a Semiarid Region of Northeastern Brazil

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.80637 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Renata De Moraes Peixoto Araújo ◽

Rodolfo De Moraes Peixoto ◽

Luciana Jatobá e Silva Peixoto ◽

Gisele Veneroni Gouveia ◽

Mateus Matiuzzi da Costa

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

Virulence Factors ◽

Raw Milk ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Phenotypic Characterization ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Dairy Herds ◽

Staphylococcus Spp

Background: Milk quality is considered unsatisfactory in Brazil due to factors of a social, economic, cultural, and climatic nature. Mastitis is the main disease that affects dairy herds. Microorganisms of the genus Staphylococcus are the most frequently isolated pathogens in cases of mastitis in bovines. Staphylococcus aureus requires more attention because they have the ability to develop resistance to antimicrobials used in the treatment of mastitis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate virulence factors in isolates of S. aureus as well as analyze the hygienic-sanitary quality of raw milk produced on dairy farms in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil.Material, Methods & Results: Samples were taken from milk containers at 44 properties. Fifty-eight isolates of Staphylococcus spp. were analyzed and genotypically identified as S. aureus. In the phenotypic characterization, 56.8% (33/58) of the isolates demonstrated moderate biofilm production. In the genotypic characterization (icaA, icaD and bap genes), icaA was the most representative among the isolates. No resistance to cephalothin or oxacillin was found, but 62% (36/58) of the isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin. In the genotypic evaluation in response to β-lactam antibiotics, 50% (29/58) of the isolates exhibited the blaZ gene. Total bacterial counts were determined based on the standard plate count and flow cytometry, for which a significant positive correlation was found (r = 0.61, P < 0.01). The somatic cell count was also performed using flow cytometry and demonstrated that 6.8% (3/44) of the properties had values above one million cells per mL. The analysis of Staphylococcus spp. revealed that 20% (9/44) of the properties had significant counts for the production of staphylococcal enterotoxins. Regarding total coliforms, 56.8% (25/44) of the milk analyzed had counts above 1.0 x 103 CFUs/mL. There were no cases of the isolation of Pseudomonas spp. Streptococcus spp. was isolated on 6.8% (3/44) of the properties. The results of the sequencing revealed one isolate to be Lactococcus lactis and two to be Enterococcus spp.Discussion: None of the 58 isolates of S. aureus was classified as negative in the phenotypic characterization of biofilmforming capacity, which suggests the presence of genes involved in this process. Studies have shown that the molecular techniques used to identify ica genes encoding biofilm synthesis are very important for the identification of virulent strains. The isolates demonstrated resistance to β-lactam antibiotics of the class of penicillins, which are the most widely employed antimicrobial agents for the treatment of diseases in dairy herds. The presence of the blaZ gene in 50% of the isolates is in agreement with data reported in other studies developed in northeastern Brazil. In 50% (29/58) of the isolates, the presence of the blaZ gene was not observed. Of these, (8/29) were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin and penicillin. This is due to the existence of other bacterial mechanisms. Research has shown that some isolates possessed three mechanisms (blaZ, mecA and msrA) of antimicrobial resistance simultaneously. The results of the quality analyses demonstrate that some properties produce milk of low quality, which underscores the need for management strategies directed at reducing the contamination of the product.

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