The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis and Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cows from dairy herds in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. In total, 383 samples of cervico-vaginal mucus were collected from cows on 21 herds in 19 districts. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples and submitted for polymerase chain reaction analysis. An investigative questionnaire was used to analyze the risk factors, using questions related to reproductive and hygiene/sanitation management. A prevalence of 1.8% (0.8-3.9%; confidence interval (CI) 95%) and 33.4% (28.7-38.4%; CI 95%) was found for C. fetus subsp. venerealis and T. foetus, respectively. In terms of the number of foci, 28.6% of the herds contained at least one animal that was positive for C. fetus subsp. venerealis and 90.5% for T. foetus. The present study identified herds larger than 100 animals as a risk factor for bovine genital campylobacteriosis (OR = 7.2; CI 1.3-38.4%; p = 0.020) and the use of natural breeding as a risk factor for bovine trichomonosis (OR = 2.4; CI 1.1-5.9%; p = 0.041). In conclusion, C. fetus subsp. venerealis and T. foetus infections occurred in the region studied and high numbers of foci were found. Thus, prophylaxis and control measures, such as diagnosis, separation, and sexual rest for infected females, are suggested. An artificial insemination program with early rigorous sanitary care should be implemented on the properties in order to avoid the spread of agents in the herds.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an emerging virus associated with acute hepatic disease, leads to thousands of deaths worldwide. HEV has already been reported in Brazil; however, there is a lack of epidemiological and molecular information on the genetic variability, taxonomy, and evolution of HEV. It is thus unclear whether hepatitis E is a neglected disease in Brazil or it has low relevance for public health in this country. Here, for the first time, we report the presence of HEV in Northeast Brazil. A total of 119 swine faecal samples were screened for the presence of HEV RNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and further confirmed by conventional RT-PCR; among these, two samples were identified as positive. Molecular evolution analyses based on capsid sequences revealed that the samples had close proximities to HEV sequences belonging to genotype 3 and were genetically related to subtype 3f isolated in humans. Parsimony ancestral states analysis indicated gene flow events from HEV cross-species infection, suggesting an important role of pig hosts in viral spillover. HEV’s ability for zoonotic transmission by inter-species host switching as well as its possible adaptation to new animal species remain important issues for human health.

BackgroundThe present study aimed to direct detect Mycobacterium bovis in milk (n = 401) and blood (n = 401) samples collected from 401 dairy cows of 20 properties located in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the region of difference 4 (RD4). Risk factors possibly associated with bovine tuberculosis (BTB) were also evaluated.ResultsOf the 802 samples analyzed, one milk (0.25 %) and eight blood (2 %) samples were positive for M. bovis in the qPCR and their identities were confirmed by sequencing. Animals positive for M. bovis were found in six (30 %) of the 20 properties visited. None of the risk factors evaluated were statistically associated with BTB.ConclusionsM. bovis DNA was detected in one milk sample what may pose a risk to public health because raw milk is commonly consumed in Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of infection by the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) on family farms, as well as to study the risk factors associated with the infection. In total, 319 blood serum samples were collected from cattle, of reproductive age (>24 months) in 24 herds from 11 cities of the brejo microregion in Pernambuco. The samples were subjected to the seroneutralization test to detect anti-BVDV antibodies. In order to identify the risk factors associated with the BVDV, a questionnaire epidemiologic was applied and followed by statistical analysis of logistic regression, with the serological test considered as the dependent variable (reagent or non-reagent). A prevalence of 51.1% (163/319; C.I. 45.5% -56.7%) was found in the present study. Of the 24 herds sampled, 100.0% contained at least one reagent animal. The prevalence in the counties ranged from 23.1% to 70.0%. The following risk factors were identified in the present study: not providing colostrum (OR 3.85; p=0.018); disease unknown (OR 2.54; p=0.001) and consortium breeding (OR 1.76; p=0.013). Based on these results, it was clear that BVDV infection is widespread in herds on family farms in the microregion studied herein. Health education policies must be implemented for producers and professionals who provide technical assistance. In addition, based on the risk factors identified in the present study, hygiene-sanitary measures should be implemented in order to reduce the prevalence of the BVDV. Key words: BVDV. Cattle. Diagnosis. Risk factors. ResumoObjetivou-se com este estudo determinar a soroprevalência e estudar os fatores de risco associados à infecção pelo vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) nas unidades produtivas de agricultura familiar. Foram coletadas 319 amostras de soro sanguíneo, de bovinos em idade reprodutiva (>24 meses), procedentes de 24 rebanhos bovinos em 11 municípios da microrregião brejo pernambucano. As amostras foram submetidas ao teste de soroneutralização para detecção de anticorpos anti-BVDV. Para a identificação dos fatores de risco associados ao BVDV, foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico e foi realizada uma análise estatística de regressão logística, considerando como variável dependente o exame sorológico (reagente ou não reagente). Observou-se com este estudo uma prevalência de 51,1% (163/319; I.C. 45,5% -56,7%). Dos 24 rebanhos amostrados, 100% apresentaram pelo menos um animal reagente. A prevalência nos municípios variou de 23,1% a 70,0%. Os fatores de risco identificados neste estudo foram: não fornecer colostro (OR 3,85; p=0,018); não conhecer a enfermidade (OR 2,54; p=0,001) e criação consorciada (OR 1,76; p=0,013). Diante dos resultados obtidos, constatou-se que a infecção pelo BVDV está disseminada nos rebanhos de agricultura familiar na microrregião estudada e que políticas de educação em saúde devem ser implementadas tanto para os produtores como para os profissionais que prestam assistência técnica. Além disso, medidas higiênico-sanitárias com base n...

RESUMO: Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar a ocorrência e os fatores de risco associados à infecção por Campylobacter spp. em criações de ovinos no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram coletadas 421 amostras fecais de ovinos procedentes de 20 rebanhos para o isolamento de Campylobacter spp. As espécies Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus e Campylobacter jejuni foram identificadas por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). Para análise dos fatores de risco foi realizada uma análise univariada e posteriormente regressão logística a partir de questionário com perguntas objetivas sobre o manejo higiênico-sanitário e reprodutivo. A ocorrência para Campylobacter spp. foi de 4,5% (19/421; I.C. 2,8% - 7,1%). Das 19 amostras positivas no cultivo, oito (1,9%; I.C. 0,9% - 3,9%) foram classificadas como C. fetus subsp. fetus e sete (1,7%; I.C. 0,7% - 3,6%) como C. jejuni, com co-infecção em quatro amostras (0,95%). O número de focos identificados foi de 35,0% (7/20) das criações de ovinos que apresentavam pelo menos um animal positivo. Na análise de regressão logística não foi identificada nenhuma das variáveis como fator de risco. Este é o primeiro registro da infecção por Campylobacter spp. em rebanhos ovinos no Nordeste do Brasil, concluindo-se que a infecção ocorre nesses rebanhos. Dessa forma, se faz necessário à implementação de medidas de controle e prevenção, para impedir a propagação do agente entre as criações, evitando prejuízos para ovinocultura e riscos para saúde pública, uma vez que a campilobacteriose é considerada uma zoonose emergente.