Abstract The physicochemical quality parameters of meat from finishing lambs supplemented with quebracho tannin extract (QTE) were evaluated. Lambs were assigned to four treatment groups: CON—animals fed basal diet (BD); QTE 1% (T1%)—BD + tannins at 1% dry matter intake (DMI); QTE 3% (T3%)—BD + tannins at 3% DMI; and QTE 6% (T6%)—BD + tannins at 6% DMI. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum samples were vacuum packaged and stored at 4 °C for 28 days. The samples were evaluated weekly for proximate composition, pH, color, myoglobin forms, cooking loss, shear force, lipid (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances—TBARS), and protein (carbonyl and thiol) oxidation. Chemical composition and pH did not vary among treatments. The meat from lambs fed with higher proportion of QTE (T6%) presented lower redness, chroma, and oxymyoglobin content, and higher yellowness, hue angle, cooking loss, shear force, TBARS, and carbonyl content than the meat from the other groups. Our findings indicate that higher dose of QTE may exert pro-oxidative effects in lamb meat, negatively affecting its quality.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar dados sobre a eficácia de anti-helmínticos em rebanhos ovinos no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e discutir a interpretação do teste de redução da contagem de ovos nas fezes (TRCOF) para cada gênero de nematoide. A contagem de ovos fecais (OPG) e coprocultura pré e pós-tratamento foram realizadas para avaliar a eficácia e a prevalência geral do parasito, respectivamente. Um teste de eficácia adicional foi realizado na Fazenda # 1 após um ano do teste inicial. Resistência anti-helmíntica grave foi encontrada, não havendo sensibilidade no TRCOF em nenhuma das 22 fazendas avaliadas. No entanto, na análise das larvas infectantes observou-se que algumas drogas foram eficazes contra certos gêneros parasitários; por exemplo, o levamisol foi mais eficaz contra Haemonchus spp. e a moxidectina contra Trichostrongylus spp. No TRCOF adicional realizado na Fazenda 1, a moxidectina e o nitroxinil foram ineficazes separadamente, mas quando aplicados em combinação, foram altamente eficazes devido à sua eficácia contra Haemonchus spp. (nitroxinil) e Trichostrongylus spp. (moxidectina), respectivamente. O TRCOF visando às espécies de nematoides parasitas prevalentes nas fazendas pode possibilitar a escolha de anti-helmínticos mais eficazes.

Abstract The aim here is to present data on the efficacy of anthelmintics in sheep flocks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to discuss the interpretation of the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) for each nematode genus. Fecal eggs counts and pre- and post-treatment coprocultures were performed, the former to evaluate the efficacy of and the latter to determine the overall parasite prevalence. An additional efficacy test was performed at Farm # 1 a year after the initial test. Severe anthelmintic resistance was found for the flocks, with no FECRT sensitivity at any of the 22 farms evaluated. However, an analysis of the infective larvae showed that some drugs were effective against certain parasitic genera; i.e., levamisole was more effective against Haemonchus spp. and moxidectin against Trichostrongylus spp. In the additional FECRT performed at Farm # 1, moxidectin and nitroxynil were ineffective separately, but when applied in combination they were highly effective due to their efficacy against Haemonchus (nitroxynil) and Trichostrongylus (moxidectin), respectively. The use of the FECRT targeting the parasitic nematode species prevalent on farms may make it possible to choose more effective anthelmintics.

Abstract The shelf life extending effect of different modified atmospheres packages (MAP): vacuum (MAP-1), 69.6% N2 + 30% CO2 + 0.4% CO (MAP-2) and 70% O2 + 30% CO2 (MAP-3) on lamb meat at two slaughter ages (4 and 8-month-old) was assessed. pH decreased as slaughter age (SA) increased, and increased during longer storage time (ST), with no MAP effects. Lamb meat stored in MAP-1 and MAP-3 showed greater drip loss than that stored in MAP-2. Shear force was not influenced by SA and MAP treatments, but decreased during ST. Meat from 8-month-old lambs packaged in MAP-3 at longer ST resulted in lipid oxidation increase. MAP-2 enhanced color saturation and lamb meat redness, whereas MAP-3 showed lowest redness and chroma values, and highest aerobic psychrotropic count. Meat from 4-month-old lamb stored in MAP-3 presented shortest shelf life based on psychrotropic bacteria growth. The association of higher SA with high O2 MAP proved to compromise oxidative stability of lamb meat, adversely affecting its shelf life. Vacuum and CO packaging showed similar effects on lamb meat preservation; however, CO had advantage in maintaining fresh red color of meat.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis (DI) in domestic canines in the municipalities of Cuautepec and Acapulco de Juárez, Guerrero, Mexico. Cluster sampling was used according to the selected addresses. Blood samples were obtained only from dogs older than one year of the two municipalities. In the study, 15.68 % were found in the municipality of Cuautepec and 7.44% in domestic canines positive for microfilariae in Acapulco de Juárez. The highest percentage of positive animals was found in males, in animals> 3 years of age and small and medium animals in Cuautepec municipality (P <0.05). Likewise, in the municipality of Acapulco de Juárez, a higher percentage of positive females was found, with an age> 3 years of age, of an indefinite mestizo race and living outside the home (P <0.05). It is concluded that domestic canines in the municipalities of Cuautepec and Acapulco de Juárez, Guerrero, found a high prevalence of DI, and males had a higher percentage in the municipality of Cuautepec and females in Acapulco de Juárez.

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de Dirofilaria immitis (DI) en caninos domésticos en los municipios de Cuautepec y Acapulco de Juárez, Guerrero, México. Se usó muestreo por conglomerados de acuerdo a los domicilios seleccionados. Se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas solo de caninos mayores de un año de los dos municipios. En el estudio se encontró en el municipio de Cuautepec el 15.68% y en Acapulco de Juárez el 7.44% de caninos domésticos positivos a microfilarias. El mayor porcentaje de animales positivos se encontró en machos, en animales >3 años de edad y animales de talla chica y mediana en el municipio de Cuautepec (P<0.05). Asimismo, en el municipio de Acapulco de Juárez se encontró un mayor porcentaje de hembras positivas, con edad >3 años de edad, de raza mestizo indefinido y que vivian en el exterior del hogar (P<0.05). Se concluye que los caninos domésticos en los municipios de Cuautepec y Acapulco de Juárez, Guerrero se encontró una alta prevalencia de DI, y los machos tuvieron un mayor porcentaje en el municipio de Cuautepec y las hembras en Acapulco de Juárez.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho descreveu características e comparou mensurações do fígado, vesícula biliar, rins, vesícula urinária e jejuno de coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Branco (NZB) jovens e adultos. O grupo dos jovens foi composto por 39 coelhos de ambos os sexos (20 machos e 19 fêmeas), desmamados aos 30-31 dias de idade, sendo as avaliações realizadas aos 35, 56 e 77 dias de idade. O grupo dos adultos foi composto por 23 fêmeas e 15 machos, com idade superior a 6 meses, sendo realizada uma avaliação ultrassonográfica por animal. O exame consistiu na avaliação do fígado, vesícula biliar, rins direito e esquerdo, jejuno e vesícula urinária. Todos os animais foram pesados antes dos exames. O peso médio dos animais aumentou (p<0,05) dos 35 dias até a idade adulta. Tanto nos adultos quanto nos jovens, o fígado apresentou-se predominantemente isoecogênico ao rim direito e com textura homogênea. A vesícula biliar apresentou-se em formato ovoide alongado, variando de piriforme à amendoado, com conteúdo anecogênico, não sendo visível em 2,6% dos coelhos jovens e em 26,3% dos adultos. O comprimento e a largura da vesícula biliar nas idades de 35, 56, 77 dias e adultos foram: 1,06 e 0,39; 1,44 e 0,53; 1,41 e 0,58; 1,57 e 0,67cm, respectivamente. Considerando jovens e adultos, as mensurações da vesícula biliar e dos rins esquerdo e direito apresentaram correlação positiva (p<0,05) com o peso. Os rins apresentaram-se no formato de elipse e com superfície regular, com aumento (p<0,05) dos 35 dias à idade adulta. Houve correlação positiva (p<0,05) entre os volumes renais direito e esquerdo. A descrição da vesícula urinária mais encontrada (86%) foi a com conteúdo anecogênico, com pequenas estruturas ecogênicas livres no lúmen, tanto em jovens quanto em adultos. Não houve diferença (p>0,05) da espessura das camadas do jejuno entre as idades, apresentando média de 0,23 cm para todos os animais. Estes são os primeiros dados brasileiros de características ultrassonográficas de fígado, vesícula biliar, rins, jejuno e vesícula urinária para coelhos NZB de 35, 56 e 77 dias de vida e adultos.

ABSTRACT: This study described characteristics and measurements of the liver, gallbladder, kidney, urinary bladder and jejunum of young and adults New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. The young rabbits’s group was composed of 39 rabbits of both sexes (20 males and 19 females), weaned at 30-31 days of age, and the evaluations carried out at 35, 56 and 77 days of age. The adults group was composed of 23 females and 15 males, with more than 6 months of age, and one ultrasonographic evaluation per animal. The exam consisted in the evaluation of liver, gallbladder, right and left kidneys, jejunum and urinary bladder. All the animals were weighed before the evaluations. The average weight increased (p<0.05) from 35 days to adults. Both in adult and in young rabbits, the liver presented predominantly isoechogenic in relation of right kidney and with homogeneous texture. The gallbladder had an elongated ovoid shape, ranging for pear-shaped to almond, with anechogenic content, not being visible in 2.6% of young rabbits and 26.3% of adults. The length and width were 1.06 and 0.39; 1.44 and 0.53; 1.41 and 0.58; 1.57 and 0.67cm, respectively at 35, 56, 77 days and adults. For young and adults rabbits, the gallbladder and the left and right kidneys were positively correlated (p<0.05) with weight. The kidneys had an ellipse shape with smooth surface, increasing (p>0.05) from 35 days to adulthood. There was a positive correlation (p<0.05) between the right and left kidney volumes. The description of urinary bladder more frequently (86%) observed was anechogenic content, with small free echogenic structure within the lumen, both in young and in adult rabbits. There was no difference (p>0.05) in the thickness of the layers of the jejunum among ages, with the mean of 0.23cm for all animals. With the results, the first Brazilian ultrasonographic data for liver, gallbladder, kidney, jejunum and urinary bladder were defined to NZW rabbits in 35, 56 and 77days of life, as well as adults.

Resumo Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a quantidade de tecido linfoide associado à mucosa retal obtido pela técnica de biopsia retal e a possibilidade de se realizarem duas biopsias consecutivas, em diferentes intervalos de tempo, para monitoramento e diagnóstico ante mortem de scrapie. Para isso, foram estudados 56 ovinos e 32 caprinos. No dia zero, todos os animais foram submetidos a biopsias e, posteriormente, divididos em grupos. As colheitas foram realizadas aos dias sete, 14, 21 e 28 para os ovinos, e 14, 21 e 28 para os caprinos. De 176 amostras, 151 (85,8%) foram colhidas da mucosa retal e, em 25 (14,2%), houve falha de colheita. Considerando-se as amostras colhidas da mucosa retal (151), em 56,86% das amostras de ovinos e 51,61% de caprinos, no dia 0, havia ≥3 folículos linfoides (FL). Na segunda colheita, 58,97% das amostras de ovinos possuíam ≥3 FL e, para caprinos, 33,33%. Na comparação do número de FL entre a primeira e a segunda colheitas houve diferença (p<0,05) entre os dias 0 e 7 (com mais FL no dia 0) e 0 e 28 (com mais FL no dia 28) para ovinos, e entre os dias 0 e 28 (com mais FL no dia 0) para caprinos. Comparando-se as duas espécies, não houve diferença no número de FL nos dias 0, 14 e 21. No dia 28, a proporção de amostras com ≥3 FL foi maior nos ovinos (p<0,05) que nos caprinos. Concluiu-se que a técnica de biopsia retal compreende método útil para a obtenção de tecido linfoide associado à mucosa para avaliação imuno-histoquímica voltada ao monitoramento e diagnóstico ante mortem de scrapie em ovinos e caprinos. Porém, a colheita inadequada e a obtenção de número insuficiente de FL podem ocasionar a necessidade de repetição da técnica, o que pode ser realizado após 14 dias da primeira colheita, sem redução no número de FL.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the amount of lymphoid tissue associated with the rectal mucosa obtained by rectal biopsy and the possibility of two consecutive biopsies at different time intervals, for monitoring and ante-mortem diagnosis of scrapie. Rectal mucosa samples were collected from 56 sheep and 32 goats in two steps. In the first step, on day 0, all animals were tested and, for the second step, the animals were divided into groups and each group was subjected to collection on different dates: for sheep 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the first one and, for goats, on days 14, 21, and 28. From 176 samples, 151 (85.8%) were collected from the rectal mucosa, and in 25 (14.2%) there was a collection failure. Considering the rectal mucosa samples (151), 56.86% of the sheep samples and 51.61% of the goat samples, on day 0, had more then ≥3 lymphoid follicles (LF). In the second collection, 58.97% of the sheep samples showed ≥ 3 LF and 33.33% of the goat samples. Comparing the number of LF of the same animals between the first and second collections, there was a significant difference (p <0.05) between days 0 and 7 for sheep (with more FL on day 0) and days 0 and 28 (with more LF on day 28) and days 0 and 28 for goats (with more FL on day 0). There was no significant difference in the number of FL assessed on dates 0, 14, and 21 when comparing the different species, sheep and goats. On day 28, sheep samples showed a higher number (p <0.05) of LF than goats. It was concluded that rectal biopsy technique involves useful method for obtaining lymphoid tissue associate to mucosa for immunohistochemistry assessment to monitoring and ante-mortem diagnosis of scrapie in sheep and goats. However, inappropriate sampling or insufficient numbers of FL can generate the necessity to repeat the technique, which could be done 14 days after the first collection, without reduction in the number of the FL.

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii, um protozoário com vasta distribuição geográfica e pouca especificidade parasitária, que pode afetar muitas espécies de animais selvagens e domésticos. Em animais de produção, especialmente pequenos ruminantes, como caprinos, pode provocar abortos e nascimento de crias fracas, causando perdas econômicas para os criadores, além de ser uma importante fonte de infecção humana. Este é um estudo soroepidemiológico para toxoplasmose caprina no Estado do Paraná. Soros de 405 caprinos da mesorregião metropolitana de Curitiba, no leste paranaense foram avaliados pelas técnicas de imunoensaio enzimático (ELISA) e reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), além da avaliação de questionários com dados das propriedades e animais estudados. A prevalência encontrada foi de 39,41 e 35,96% para as técnicas ELISA e RIFI, respectivamente. A prevalência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii aumenta com a idade dos animais. Os fatores de risco para infecção por T. gondii em caprinos encontrados neste estudo são: idade acima de um ano, presença de gatos, tipo de manejo e propósito da criação. Outros fatores epidemiológicos e medidas de controle são discutidos no presente trabalho.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan with wide geographical distribution and minimal parasitic specificity that affects many species of wild and domestic animals. In livestock, especially in small ruminants like goats, toxoplasmosis can cause abortion and the birth of weak animals, leading to economic losses to farmers, and is a major source of human infection. This is a seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in goats in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Sera from 405 goats from the metropolitan mesoregion of Curitiba, eastern state, were tested by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Information on properties and goat characteristics was also collected using questionnaires. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 39.41 and 35.96% by ELISA and IFAT, respectively. T. gondii antibody prevalence increased with age. The risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats were: age over one year; exposure to cats, type of management and purpose of breeding. Other epidemiological factors and relevant control measures are discussed in the current study.

O teste de redução da contagem de ovos de helmintos por grama de fezes (FECRT) foi usado para testar a eficiência dos antihelmínticos em 42 propriedades produtoras de ovinos, em cinco diferentes regiões no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. O estudo foi realizado entre Julho 1996 a Julho de 2000. Foram avaliados animais com infecção natural. Cinco drogas foram usadas só ou em combinação (benzimidazole, imidazothiazole, ivermectin, milbemicina e closantel). Resultados mostraram que a prevalência de resistência foi alta para todos os antihelmínticos avaliados: 88.1% para benzimidazoles (oxfendazole), 78.6% para ivermectin, 56.4% para closantel, 38.7% para closantel + oxfendazole, 38% para levamisole, e 23.6% para moxidectin. Havia resistência múltipla em todas fazendas estudadas. Na identificação das larvas de helmintos recuperadas das culturas de fezes após o tratamento verificou-se que maioria pertenciam a Haemonchus sp. e Trichostrongylus sp. O fracasso das drogas existentes no mercado em combater a verminose é considerado um assunto importante. No presente artigo algumas sugestões são discutidas para melhorar a situação, elas incluem uma mudança de atitude em relação ao uso indiscriminado de antihelmínticos.

The fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was used in a survey for anthelmintic resistance in 42 sheep farms, in five different regions in Paraná State, Brazil between July 1996 - July 2000. Animals with natural infection were tested. Five drugs were used individually or in combination - benzimidazole, imidazothiazole, ivermectin, milbemicina and closantel. Results showed that the prevalence of resistance to all anthelmintic was as high as 88.1% for benzimidazoles (oxfendazole), 78.6% for ivermectin, 56.4% for closantel, 38.7% for closantel + oxfendazole, 38% for levamisole, and 23.6% for moxidectin. There was multiple resistance in all tested farms. The most important infective larvae recovered from culture were Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. The failure of the existing drugs in the State of Paraná is considered an important issue. Some proposals to improve the situation are suggested which include a change of attitude on anthelmintic use by sheepherders, veterinarians and sanitary authorities.