The efficiency of larval Taenia crassiceps (Tcra) antigens was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to diagnose bovine cysticercosis. Three types of antigens were evaluated: total (T), total sonicated (Ts), and membrane (M); these samples included positive and negative control sera for cysticercosis, as well as sera for other pathologies. The sensitivity rates of ELISA were determined to be 85.0 and 81.25% for T antigen, 82.5 and 78.75% for Ts antigen, and 80.0 and 80.0% for M antigen, using cut-off points with standard deviations (SD) of 2 and 3, respectively; the specificity rates of ELISA were 47.5 and 58.75% for T antigen, 65.0 and 73.75% for Ts antigen, and 58.75 and 62.5% for M antigen, using 2 and 3 SD cut-off points, respectively. These results demonstrated that ELISA, which displayed a better performance in the detection of experimentally infected animals, had a higher sensitivity than the anatomical and pathological examination performed (during routine post-mortem inspections) in other studies. However, the post-mortem investigation is highly specific, and the specificity was higher than that of ELISA. Therefore, a combination of these diagnostic tests must be utilized for the accurate detection of bovine cysticercosis, demonstrating the practical applicability of ELISA. Key words: Bovine cysticercosis, ELISA, performance rates, Taenia crassiceps ResumoEnsaios foram conduzidos para avaliar a eficiência de antígenos de larva de Taenia crassiceps (Tcra) no teste ELISA para o diagnóstico da cisticercose bovina. Três antígenos foram avaliados: total (T), total sonicado (Ts) e de membrana (M). As amostras analisadas foram soros-controle positivos e negativos para a cisticercose, além de soros de bovinos com outras patologias. As taxas de sensibilidade para o teste ELISA foram respectivamente, com 2 e 3 desvios-padrão, 85,0 e 81,25% para o antígeno T, 82,5 e 78,75% para o antígeno Ts e 80,0 e 80,0% para o antígeno M; as taxas de especificidade, com 2 e 3 desvios-padrão, foram respectivamente: 47,5 e 58,75% para o antígeno T, 65,0 e 73,75% para o antígeno Ts e 58,75 e 62,5% para o antígeno M. Estes resultados demonstram que o ELISA, apesar de apresentar melhor desempenho em detectar animais experimentalmente infectados, apresentou taxa de sensibilidade superior ao exame anatomopatológico realizado durante a rotina de inspeção relatada

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The aim of this survey was to identify spatial clustering of bovine cysticercosis-positive herds in the state of Paraíba. The state was divided into three sampling groups: sampling stratum 1 (Sertão mesoregion), sampling stratum 2 (Borborema mesoregion) and sampling stratum 3 (Zona da Mata and Agreste mesoregions), and 2382 cows aging ≥ 24 months from 474 farms were sampled. Serological diagnoses of bovine cysticercosis were initially done by means of indirect ELISA, and positive serum samples were confirmed by a immunoblot test. Herds were deemed positive for cysticercosis if they presented at least one positive animal in herds of up to 29 females, and two positive animals in herds with more than 29 females. The spatial clustering was assessed using the Cuzick-Edwards k-nearest neighbor method and spatial scan statistics. A significant clustering of positive herds was detected in the southern part of the Borborema mesoregion. Given that serological tests for bovine cysticercosis are not widely available, and also that replacement and maintenance of herds through animal purchases is common in the region, it can be concluded that prevention measures should be applied at herd level.

Multiplicação in vitro de bromélias Aechmea aquilega e Bromelia balansae In vitro multiplication of bromeliads Aechmea aquilega and Bromelia balansae

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