Mycoplasma suis, the etiological agent of swine hemoplasmosis, has been neglected in swine herds around the world. Swine hemoplasmosis is frequently associated with hemolytic anemia, disgalacty, infertility and immunosuppression, and it results in significant economic losses. This study investigates the occurrence of M. suis in non-technified swine herds in the northeastern region of Brazil using quantitative PCR (qPCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene. Between March and August 2013, blood samples from 147 swine were collected during slaughter in the city of Mossoró, state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. One hundred and twelve samples (76.19%) were positive for M. suis by qPCR assays. The range of Cqs and quantification (copies of a M. suis-16S rRNA gene fragment/µL) was 20.86–37.89 and 1.64×101–6.64×107, respectively. One can conclude that M. suis infection have high occurrence (76,19%) in non-technified swine-rearing systems in Mossoró in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Feline morbillivirus was discovered in 2012 in cats from Hong Kong, and it was initially found to be associated with chronic kidney disease. Although subsequent molecular surveys showed a common occurrence in cat populations from distinct countries, there were controversial results regarding the relationship between viral shedding through urine and reduced kidney function. In this study, 276 domestic cats of diverse origins from Western Brazil had their urine evaluated for the presence of paramyxoviral RNA by reverse transcription seminested PCR and direct sequencing.Additionally, a selected Brazilian feline morbillivirus strain was isolated in Crandell Rees feline kidney cells, and a nearly complete genome sequence was obtained. To

Bacteria of the genus Brucella are widespread in many countries. These microorganisms can infect humans and many wild and domestic animal species. These bacteria have zoonotic potential, and can cause economic and public health problems since they can be transmitted by direct contact with sick animals, through consumption of contaminated milk, raw meat and its derivatives (Soares et al., 2015). Brucellosis is considered a chronic evolving disease, unusual in horses, predominantly caused by Brucella abortus. However, it is not characterized by reproductive disorders in horses, but primarily by abscess in the cervical region, bursa, tendons, and joints. Transmission is likely to occur via ingestion of contaminated water and pastures, especially in areas endemic for bovine brucellosis (Ribeiro et al., 2008). The slaughterhouse is a strategic point for obtaining information about the animal and animal products, edible or not. This study investigated the presence of anti-Brucella spp. immunoglobulins in the serum samples from horses slaughtered in a slaughterhouse in southern Brazil, to estimate the frequency of Brucella spp. antibodies and determine the spatial distribution of the cases.Keywords: equine, abattoirs, brucellosis, equine, fluorescence polarization, complement fixation RESUMO Objetivou-se investigar a presença de imunoglobulinas anti-Brucella

ResumoO presente avaliou a prevalência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em 406 cães da cidade de Cuiabá, Estado de Mato Grosso pela Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) com ponto de corte na diluição inicial de 1:50. Foram observados 27 cães positivos (6,6%, IC95% 4,6-9,6%) com títulos variando entre 50 e 1600. Segundo a raça estudada, a maior frequência foi observada para cães Pit Bull onde 4 cães (16,7%) foram positivos (P=0,06). Não houve diferença significativa entre a soropositividade e a faixa etárias dos cães. Dos cães positivos, 10 eram fêmeas (5,6%) e 17 (7,5) eram machos (P > 0.05), 7 (9,0%) se alimentavam de ração e 20 (6,1%) de alimentação caseira. Variáveis relacionadas ao ambiente demonstraram que dentre os positivos 15 (7,5) tinham acesso a rua, 21 (7,5%) residiam em casa próximas a terrenos baldios, 20 (6,2%) em casas muradas e 20 (6,8) em casas que apresentavam roedores no quintal. Nenhuma das variáveis apresentou associação significativa (P > 0,05). Os resultados do presente estudo demonstram uma baixa prevalência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum na população canina da cidade de Cuiabá e as diversas variáveis estudadas não se apresentaram associadas à infecção. Ressalta-se a menor prevalência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum nas áreas urbanas do Brasil. Palavras-chave: Neospora caninum, cão, anticorpos, prevalência, Cuiabá AbstractThe present study evaluated the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in 406 dogs from Cuiabá city, Mato Grosso State by means Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) with cut-off at the initial dilution of 1:50. Twenty seven dogs were positive (6.6%, 95% CI%: 4.6-9.6%) with titers of antibodies ranging between 50 and 1600. According to the breed, Pit Bull dogs were the most frequent where 4 dogs (16.7%) were positive (P=0.06). There was no difference between positivity and age of dogs. From the positive dogs, 10 were females (5.6%) and 17 were males (7.5%), 7 dogs (9.0%) fed commercial ration and 20 (6.1%) homemade food (P > 0.05). Environmental variables showed that 15 positive dogs (7.5%) had access to the street, 21 positive dogs (7.5%) lived near to the wasteland, 20 (6.2%) lived in walled house and 20 (6.8%) had contact with rodents in house backyard. None of environmental variables had significant associations (P < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrate a low prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in canine population from Cuiabá city and the analyzed variable did not presented association for infection. The study noteworthy the lower prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in urban area from Brazil.

The objective of this study was to standardize and validate the dot-blot test for the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis, compare the results with those found in the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and complement fixation test (CF), and estimate the relative sensitivity and specificity of the dot-blot compared to these tests. Fifty bovine blood serum samples were used for the test standardization, and 1315 samples were used for evaluation and comparison between the tests; the results were compared using the Kappa indicator. At the end of standardization, it was established as optimal for the antigen obtained from Brucella abortus B19 after passing through a microorganism rupture process, the blood serum samples diluted at 1:100, and the conjugate at 1:30,000. The comparison of the dot-blot results with 2-ME showed Kappa index of 0.9939, sensitivity of 99.48%, and specificity 99.91%, with CF, Kappa index of 0.8226, sensitivity 100% and specificity 95.32%. Using the combination of the test results 2-ME and CF to establish the true condition of the animal, the dot-blot showed relative sensitivity of 100%, and relative specificity of 99.91%. The evaluated test proved to be effective and reliable, besides being easy to handle and interpret the results.