The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and to identify risk factors associated to the infection in the three meso-regions of the State of Alagoas, Brazil. A total count of 23 towns and 27 meat sheep farms were visited where blood samples were collected in order to perform the indirect immunofluorescence test to evaluate the antibodies presence. Questionnaires exploring the production system and nutritional, sanitary, and reproduction handling were handed out. The prevalence rate was 32.9% and the number of foci was 100%. In the multivariate statistical analysis, there was a significant association for the following variables: age (OR = 4.01; C.I. 2.03-7.94), size of the property (or the farm; OR = 0.48; C.I. 0.26-0.90), semi-intensive rearing system (OR = 3.17; C.I. 1.24-8.13), running water source (OR = 3.13; C.I.-1.66-5.87), and presence of cats (OR = 1.72; C.I. 1.08-2.75). It is concluded that sheep of the three meso-regions of the State of Alagoas are exposed to the infection caused by T. gondii with high prevalence. Control and prophylactic measures must be adopted seeking the improvement of the rearing system and the implantation of health promoting programs in cooperation with sheep farmers in order to elucidate the transmission means of this disease.

The aim of this paper was to study some epidemiological aspects of the infection by Brucella abortus in risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins. For antibody research, 645 serum samples were analyzed by the complement fixation test (CF). A 4.0% frequency was found (26/645) in patients' serum and among those 4.1% (23/551) were slaughterhouses employees and 8.1% (3/37) rural workers. Of the total positive samples, three (2.0%) were women and 23 (4.7%) men; ten (2.9%) were between the ages of 18 and 30, six (3.4%) between 31 and 40, and nine (8.0%) were above 41 years of age. Risk factors for brucellosis in the study groups were age, background (OR = 2.45; CI 95% = 0.98 to 6.10) and previous work conducted with production animals (OR 2.36; CI 95% = 0.95 to 6.02). It was concluded that the infection by Brucella abortus is found in some risk occupational groups in the microregion of Araguaína, Tocantins, and control and prophylactic measures must be implemented emphasizing risk factors identified in the study.

No abstract

Reports of β-lactam-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in artisanal goat cheese are increasing, and this phenomenon is relevant to public health. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus strains carrying the blaZ and mecA resistance genes, as well as the genes encoding the staphylococcal enterotoxins SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, SEE, and TSST-1 in artisanal coalho cheese made from goat milk produced in northeastern Brazil. We used biochemical and molecular tests to characterize 54 S. aureus isolates found in artisanal coalho cheese collected from commercial establishments producing animal products in 11 municipalities of Pernambuco State, Brazil. A PCR analysis revealed that 42.6% (23/54) of the isolates were positive for the blaZ gene, and 7.4% (4/54) were resistant to methicillin by phenotypic testing. We did not detect mecA or any genes encoding enterotoxins. The presence of S. aureus carriers of the blaZ gene and the identification of methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains are of concern for the health of consumers of this type of cheese.

The results of the present study highlight the need for improving sanitary measures during the production of artisanal cheese to prevent zoonotic tuberculosis in humans, resulting from the consumption of food contaminated with M. bovis.