Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Neospora caninum in commercial sheep from northwest of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to estimate neosporosis seroprevalence and its associated risk factors in milk herds (Bos taurus taurus) located in the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Three hundred twenty-two blood samples were collected from dairy cows on 18 farms in 17 cities of this region. An epidemiologic questionnaire was completed for each farm. It consisted of questions about the general characteristics of the herd, reproduction, and animal management. Serum samples were tested for Neospora caninum using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results indicated a seroprevalence of Neospora in 88.9% (16/18) of herds and 31.1% (100/322) of individuals. Risk factor analyses demonstrated that culling by reproductive disorder (OR = 0.6), flooding (OR = 0.5), and commercial sale (OR = 0.4) were associated with seroprevalence. Nevertheless, the purchase of replacement animals in the herd played an important role in disease occurrence (OR = 2.2). Results of this study suggested that Neospora caninum was present in the studied herds under investigation and that there are risk factors associated with its seroprevalence on the farms of the northwestern of Rio Grande do Sul.

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ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BILIARY ATRESIA IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL

Clinical & Biomedical Research ◽

10.4322/2357-9730.71572 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 87-90

Author(s):

Larisse Longo ◽

Jéssica Tonin Ferrari ◽

Giovana Regina Weber Hoss ◽

Leila Xavier Sinigaglia Fratta ◽

Sandra Maria Gonçalves Vieira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Biliary Atresia ◽

Environmental Risk ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Environmental Risk Factors ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Factors Associated

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Risk factors and infection due to Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs and cats in southern Rio Grande do Sul

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-296120180012 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 112-117

Author(s):

Andrios da Silva Moreira ◽

Cristiane Telles Baptista ◽

Carolina Litchina Brasil ◽

Júlia de Souza Silveira Valente ◽

Fábio Raphael Pascoti Bruhn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Southern Region ◽

Control Measures ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Real Frequency ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp ◽

Untreated Water

Abstract This study investigated the frequency of oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. in feces from dogs and cats in five municipalities in the southern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The risk factors associated with infection were also investigated. Feces samples from 110 dogs and 18 cats were stained using the auramine method. At the time of feces sampling, a questionnaire with semi-open-ended questions was applied to the animal guardians and all data obtained underwent statistical analysis. The real frequency of oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. was 24.63% (27 dogs and two cats). Only four samples of dog feces were diarrheic and no presence of oocysts was observed in any of them. Variables that represented risk factors for infection were: homemade food, untreated water, circulation of animals on grassy terrain and living in the same environment as other animals (cattle). The results made it possible to inferring that within the population studied, the frequency of parasitism due to Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs was relevant and emphasize the asymptomatic nature of this infection. The adopting control measures are highlighted, particularly in relation to variables that represent risk factors for this infection.

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Epidemiological status of bovine tuberculosis in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n5supl2p3647 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (5Supl2) ◽

pp. 3647 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mariana Ramos Queiroz ◽

Ana Cláudia Mello Groff ◽

Nariléia Dos Santos Silva ◽

José Henrique Hildebrand Grisi-Filho ◽

Marcos Amaku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Tuberculin Test ◽

The State ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Minimum Interval

A study was conducted to determine the epidemiological status of bovine tuberculosis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The state was divided in seven regions, and in each of them, a pre-established number of farms was randomly sampled. In each farm, cows with age equal to or greater than 24 months were selected at random and submitted to the comparative cervical tuberculin test. The animals whose tests were inconclusive were retested with the same diagnostic procedure within a minimum interval of 60 days. In all, 9,895 animals from 1,067 farms were tested. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied in the farms in order to identify risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis. The prevalence of infected herds in the state was 2.8% [1.8; 4.0] and that of infected animals was 0.7% [0.4; 1.0]. There was a trend towards a concentration of infected herds in the northern part of the state, with a predominance of dairy and mixed herds. The risk factors associated with the condition of infected herds were being a dairy herd (OR = 2.90 [1.40; 6.13]) and herds with 16 or more cows (OR = 2.61 [1.20; 5.49]). Thus, the best strategy to be adopted by the state is the implementation of surveillance systems to detect and remediate the infected herds, preferably incorporating elements of risk-based surveillance. In addition, the state must carry out a solid action of health education so that the producers test animals for bovine tuberculosis before introducing them in their herds.

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Epidemiological situation of bovine brucellosis after implementation of a vaccination program in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n5supl2p3519 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (5Supl2) ◽

pp. 3519

Author(s):

Nairléia Dos Santos Silva ◽

Ana Cláudia Mello Groff ◽

Ana Carla Martins Vidor ◽

José Henrique Hildebrand Grisi-Filho ◽

Marcos Bryan Heinemann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rio Grande ◽

The State ◽

Vaccination Program ◽

Confirmatory Test ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Bovine Brucellosis ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Predetermined Number

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a bovine brucellosis vaccination program in Rio Grande do Sul, with prevalence as the indicator, and to identify risk factors for the disease. The state was divided into seven regions. For each region, a predetermined number of properties were randomly sampled, in which a pre-established number of randomly selected females aged over 24 months were tested. The serodiagnosis protocol consisted of a screening test using buffered acidified antigen, followed by a confirmatory test using 2-mercaptoethanol. An epidemiological questionnaire was utilized to identify possible risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the prevalence of infected herds was found to be 3.54% [2.49-4.88], and the prevalence of infected animals was 0.98% [0.57-1.57]. In assessments of specific regions, the infected herd prevalence ranged from 0.66% to 3.09%, and among the animals, from 0.06% to 2.03%. In herds comprising 15 or more cows, beef type and pasture sharing emerged as risk factors for bovine brucellosis in the state. The epidemiological status of bovine brucellosis in Rio Grande do Sul has remained unchanged since 2004, even though adequate vaccination coverage has been recorded since 2009. Thus, the state should continue its vaccination program, with emphasis on the quality of the process and on encouraging the use of non-antibody inducing vaccines. In addition, the state must make a greater effort to educate producers on the importance of testing for brucellosis in breeding animals before introducing them onto their properties, and on the importance of avoiding shared grazing among herds whose health conditions are unknown.

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Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep flocks from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n3p1397 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 1397 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maiara Sanitá Tafner Ferreira ◽

Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel ◽

Luis Antonio Sangioni ◽

Alfredo Skrebsky Cezar ◽

Fernanda Rezer de Menezes

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Potential Damage ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are coccidian parasites (protozoa: Apicomplexa) that cause reproductive losses in ruminants. Although, in sheep, abortion is generally related to T. gondii, potential damage caused by N. caninum must be considered. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequencies of antibodies against Neospora spp. and T. gondii, and to identify the risk factors related to neosporosis and toxoplasmosis in sheep from ten flocks located in Central-Western, Northwestern, Southwestern, and Southeastern mesoregions of the Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 300 sheep (30 per flock) and an epidemiological questionnaire was completed by the farmers. The presence of canids, felids, and rodents, the sources of water for the animals, and their reproductive history were investigated as potential epidemiological factors related to the studied infections. Serum samples were tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody test for the presence of antibodies against Neospora spp. (cutoff 1:50) and T. gondii (cutoff 1:64), with respective frequencies detected being 16.3% (49/300) and 41.3% (124/300). Seropositivity to both parasites was observed in 8% (24/300) of the animals. Neospora spp. and T. gondii were present in 90% (9/10) and 100% (10/10) of the flocks, respectively. The presence of cats in the pastures, pens, and barns was significantly associated (p=0.047) with high frequencies (53.3% to 70%) of antibodies against T. gondii in the flocks. However, no associations were detected (p>0.05) between each of the other risk factors and the frequency of antibodies against Neospora spp. or T. gondii. Results of this study showed a broad distribution of both protozoa in evaluated sheep flocks.

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Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. infection in sheep from northwest of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20190144 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Angélica Consalter ◽

Eraldo Lourenso Zanella ◽

Gabriel Mendes de Souza Martins ◽

Hugo Libonati de Araujo ◽

Walter Lilenbaum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Subclinical Infection ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Individual Level ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Reproductive Losses ◽

And Control

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that is widely distributed in tropical countries. This infection is also associated with reproductive losses in livestock, which has a significant economic impact. The objective of this study is to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with leptospiral infection in commercial sheep flocks from the northwestern mesoregion of Rio Grande do Sul. Serum samples were analyzed in 319 sheep using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). At the time of sampling, an individual and herd questionnaire was carried out to investigate the risk factors. On an individual level, positive reactions were observed in 5.6% (18/319) of the studied sera, with Sejroe being the most prevalent serogroup. Animals >3 years old were more likely to be seropositive than animals 1-3 years old (OR 14.4; 95% CI 1.9-110). The predominance of Sejroe serogroup in this manner draws attention to how subclinical infection is associated with economic losses. Therefore, the importance of maintaining measures for the prevention and control of leptospirosis among the sheep flocks of the studied region is reiterated.

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Occurrence of Leptospira spp. and factors associated with the infection in horses from a military contingent in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science ◽

10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2021.180884 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. e180884

Author(s):

Mariane Pacheco Bastiani ◽

Luciane Teresinha Lovato ◽

Ana Eucares Von Laer ◽

Luciana Pötter ◽

Rogério Oliveira Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Infection Risk ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

High Seroprevalence ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Leptospira Spp ◽

Infection Risk Factors ◽

Military Unit

The seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and infection risk factors were investigated in horses from a military contingent in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A total of 446 horses were evaluated and categorized into 309 mares, 11 stallions, and 126 horses with an average age of three years. To determine seroprevalence, serum samples from all horses were submitted to the microscopic agglutination test against 12 serovars belonging to nine serogroups, usually circulating in equine populations. To investigate the possible risk factors of infection by Leptospira spp., questionnaires were applied in that military unit. The seroprevalence in the horses with an average age of 3 years, mares, and stallions were 57.94% (73/126), 54.05% (165/309), and 45.45% (5/11), respectively. The main risk factors identified were contact with different water sources, the presence of rodents, and contact with wild and domestic animals. The high seroprevalence of anti‑Leptospira spp. antibodies may be associated with the presence of these risk factors. Therefore, the exposure of horses to possible reservoirs of Leptospira spp. should be minimized. Also, the immunoprophylaxis protocol should be reviewed and a shorter interval between vaccinations adopted to control leptospirosis in this herd.

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Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection by Neospora caninum of dairy cattle in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2012001000011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (10) ◽

pp. 1009-1013 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Maria E. Sousa ◽

J.N. Porto Wagnner ◽

Pedro P.F. Albuquerque ◽

Orestes L. Souza Neto ◽

Eduardo B. Faria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Infection Risk ◽

Control Measures ◽

Risk Indicators ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Serological Investigation

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle from milk producing farms of the microregion of Batalha, state of Alagoas, Brazil, as well as to identify the risk factors associated with the infection. Blood samples were collected from 1,004 cattle of 17 farms for the serological investigation regarding the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies by the Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction Technique (IMRT). From the total amount of samples analyzed, 77/1,004 (7.67%) were positive and 927/1,004 (92.33%) were negative. The logistical regression identified that cattle from farms without consortium breeding have an infection risk 6.33 (p<0.001; C.I. 2.89-13.10) times higher than cattle from farms with that type of breeding. Cattle from farms where the aborted fetuses are not adequately buried have an infection risk 3.04 (p<0.001; C.I. 1.64-5.63) times higher than cattle from farms with adequate destination of these fetuses. Infection by N. caninum occurs in cattle of the investigated region. The factors identified in our study can be used as risk indicators, so that control measures could be implemented to avoid infection by N. caninum in the herds of this region.

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