Abstract To compare the sensitivity of conjunctival swab (CS) and conventional samples (blood, spleen, liver, lymphoid and cutaneous tissue) in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out using PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, VHL/BVS (Virtual Health Library), CAPES, and Scielo databases. Articles published from 2002 to 2022 were considered and the review was updated in Jul 2023. From the total of 371 identified studies, 8 met all the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Data from 658 CVL-positive dogs and 2541 PCR results were considered. Using a random effect model, data on the sensitivity of the test was compared between intervention (CS samples) and comparison (all the other samples) groups. Overall, the use of CS in the PCR diagnosis of CVL produced 12% higher sensitivity (p=0.013) in the test than all the other samples in combination. The animals' clinical condition did not influence (p>0.142) this overall result. However, when CS was individually compared to each of the conventional samples, the consistent result was observed (p=0.012) only in the CS versus bone marrow comparison. Given their rapid acquisition, minimal invasiveness, and lower cost relative to conventional samples, CS samples present a promising alternative for the molecular diagnosis of CVL.

Resumo Para comparar a sensibilidade do swab conjuntival (SC) e amostras convencionais (sangue, baço, fígado, tecido linfoide e cutâneo) no diagnóstico da leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC), pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), uma revisão sistemática e metanálise foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, BVS (Biblioteca virtual da saúde), CAPES e Scielo. Artigos publicados entre 2002 e 2022 e a revisão foi atualizada em julho de 2023. Do total de 371 estudos identificados, 8 preencheram todos os critérios de elegibilidade e foram incluídos nesta revisão. Dados de 658 cães LVC-positivos e 2.541 resultados de PCR foram considerados. Usando-se um modelo de efeito aleatório, os dados sobre a sensibilidade do teste foram comparados entre os grupos de intervenção (amostras de SC) e de comparação (todas as outras amostras). No geral, o uso de SC no diagnóstico por PCR de LVC produziu sensibilidade 12% maior (p=0,013) no teste do que todas as outras amostras combinadas. A condição clínica dos animais não influenciou (p>0,142) neste resultado global. Porém, quando o SC foi comparado individualmente com cada uma das amostras convencionais, o resultado consistente foi observado (p=0,012) apenas na comparação do SC versus medula óssea. Dada a sua rápida aquisição, invasividade mínima e menor custo em relação às amostras convencionais, as amostras de SC apresentam uma alternativa promissora para o diagnóstico molecular da LVC.

ABSTRACT Two studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of levels of soybean meal produced from damaged soybean grains replacing normal soybean meal on in vitro and in situ digestibility of ruminant diets as well as on intake, digestibility, and animal performance of growing/finishing lambs. In trial 1, we evaluated the in vitro digestibility of each soybean meals (normal and damaged), as well as diets containing levels of the damaged replacing the normal (0, 333, 667 and 1,000 g.kg−1) soybean meal on kinetic parameters of in vitro cumulative gas production, in vitro dry matter and crude protein digestibility, in situ rumen-degradable protein, rumen-undegradable protein, and in vitro intestinal digestibility of rumen-undegradable protein. In trial 2, we used 48 growing/finishing lambs to evaluate the effects of damaged soybean meal levels (0, 333, 667, and 1,000 g.kg−1) replacing normal soybean meal in feedlot diets (20:80 roughage:concentrate ratio) on intake and digestibility of nutrients and on animal performance. The damaged soybean meal presented lower values for total gas production and in vitro dry matter digestibility than normal soybean meal. Higher rumen-undegradable protein was estimated for damaged soybean meal than for the normal and consequently lower rumen-degradable protein for damaged compared to normal. Because of the lower rumen-degradable protein, damaged soybean meal promoted lower in vitro ammonium nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations than the normal in feedlot diets. In the in vivo trial, there were no effects of damaged soybean meal levels in the diets on intake and digestibility of nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and fiber) as well as on total weight gain, average daily gain, carcass yield, or feeding efficiency. Thus, damaged soybean meal can fully replace the normal one in lamb feedlot diets (in up to of 1,000 g.kg−1 of the normal soybean meal) without causing adverse effects on intake and digestibility of nutrients and on animal performance.

ABSTRACT We evaluated the effect of adding proteases in diets of laying hens at peak production on the performance, egg quality, relative weight of digestive organs, and intestinal morphometry. Hy-Line W36 layer hens (390; 28-39 weeks old) were distributed in five treatments, with 13 animals each, with six replicates. The treatments were: control (standard formulation without nutritional reduction or protease inclusion), negative control A - NCA (nutritional reduction according to protease A matrix, without protease), negative control B - NCB (nutritional reduction according to protease B matrix, without protease), NCA + protease A, and NCB + protease B. The experimental period lasted 12 weeks, divided into three cycles of 28 days. Hens subjected to treatments (NCA and NCB) showed a decrease in feed intake. However, the addition of proteases A and B promoted improvement in this trait. The diets NCA and NCB had a negative influence on the production rate of the hens, but the diet supplementation with protease B resulted in significant improvement on egg laying rate. Hens subjected to nutritional reduction presented the worst results regarding mass and conversion by egg mass. However, the addition of enzymes reversed these results. Although the diets did not affect the relative weights of yolk, albumen, eggshell, Haugh unit, and specific gravity of the eggs, a higher eggshell thickness was observed in hens that received NCA, NCB, and NCB + protease B diets. The diets did not influence the relative weights of digestive organs and the small intestine morphometry. Hens fed diets supplemented with A and B have performance recovered in relation to those that received diets with reduced levels of nutrients.