Resumen Describimos un caso de encefalitis asociada a infección por astrovirus bovino neu-rotrópico en una vaca lechera, raza Jersey, del departamento de San José, Uruguay. Esterepresenta el segundo caso reportado de esta condición en el hemisferio sur. La vaca, únicaafectada de un rodeo de 70 bovinos, manifestó signos clínicos neurológicos con curso de 2 días,luego de los que murió espontáneamente. El examen histopatológico reveló meningoencefalitislinfocítica, histiocítica y plasmacítica, con necrosis neuronal, sin cuerpos de inclusión. No sedetectaron en el cerebro otros agentes infecciosos, incluyendo el virus de la rabia (Lyssavirus),alfaherpesvirus bovino-1 y alfaherpesvirus bovino-5 (Varicellovirus), virus de la diarrea viralbovina (Pestivirus), virus del Nilo Occidental (Flavivirus), Listeria monocytogenes, Histophi-lus somni y otras bacterias. Dado que el descubrimiento de astrovirus neurotrópicos en variasespecies de mamíferos, incluidos humanos, es reciente, proponemos que los casos de encefalitis por astrovirus pudieron haber pasado inadvertidos en Sudamérica. Discutimos brevementeel diagnóstico patológico diferencial de encefalitis infecciosas en bovinos.

Abstract We describe a case of neurotropic bovine astrovirus-associated encephalitis in a Jer-sey dairy cow from the department of San José, Uruguay. This represents the second case of thiscondition reported in the Southern Hemisphere. The cow was the only one affected in a herd of70 cows, showing neurological signs with a 2-day clinical course, before dying spontaneously.Histopathological examination revealed lymphocytic, histiocytic, and plasmacytic meningoen-cephalitis with neuronal necrosis, without detectable inclusion bodies. Other infectious agents,including Rabies virus (Lyssavirus), Bovine alphaherpesvirus-1 and Bovine alphaherpesvirus-5(Varicellovirus), Bovine viral diarrhea virus (Pestivirus), West Nile virus (Flavivirus), Listeriamonocytogenes, Histophilus somni and other bacteria, were not detected in the brain. We pro-pose that given the recent discovery of neurotropic astroviruses in various mammalian species,including humans, cases of astrovirus encephalitis may have gone undetected in South America.We briefly discuss the differential pathologic diagnosis of infectious bovine encephalitis.

Resumen: La fiebre Q es una zoonosis distribuida mundialmente, causada por Coxiella burnetii. Los bovinos, ovinos y caprinos son la fuente más frecuente de infección en humanos, en los que la enfermedad es de notificación obligatoria ante el Ministerio de Salud Pública. Revisamos las publicaciones que describen casos de fiebre Q en humanos en Uruguay, con foco en sus características epidemiológicas, y discutimos las pruebas diagnósticas disponibles localmente. Se incluyeron nueve trabajos publicados e información del registro de enfermedades profesionales. Colectivamente fueron analizadas 2.715 personas con sospecha de fiebre Q entre 1956-2019, siendo 959 (35,3%) seropositivas. Los diagnósticos se basaron en serología, clínica y/o antecedentes de exposición laboral. Epidemiológicamente, el ganado o material proveniente del mismo fueron considerados las fuentes más probables de exposición en la mayoría de los casos. Según el ámbito de ocurrencia, no sistemáticamente reportado, los casos se registraron principalmente por exposición a ovinos y bovinos en frigoríficos o en la cadena cárnica (positivos/evaluados: 863/1540; seropositivos sintomáticos: 585); y en menor medida a bovinos lecheros (sector lácteo (positivos/evaluados:20/58; seropositivos sintomáticos: 17) y laboratorio diagnóstico (positivos/evaluados:2/4; seropositivos sintomáticos: 1)), o rumiantes silvestres (seropositivos/evaluados:25/117; seropositivos sintomáticos: 17). Hipertermia, cefaleas y sudoración fueron reportados. La inhalatoria fue asumida como la vía de infección en todos los casos. Actualmente no están disponibles localmente pruebas de PCR para detección de C. burnetii en humanos, siendo una limitante en el diagnóstico, particularmente en etapas tempranas. La colaboración interdisciplinaria de profesionales de salud humana y animal es esencial en el abordaje de esta zoonosis.

Summary: Q fever is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Bovines, sheep and goats are the most frequent source of infection in humans, and it is mandatory for the latter to report the disease to the Ministry of Public Health. We reviewed the literature describing cases of Q fever in humans in Uruguay, focusing on epidemiological characteristics, and we discussed the diagnostic tests locally available. Nine published studies were included in the review, as well as the information in the professional diseases registry. 2.715 people with a suspicion of Q fever were collectively analyzed between 1956-2019, 959 (55.3%) of them being seropositive. Diagnosis were based on serology, clinical examination and/or a history of exposure while working. Epidemiologically, the cattle or material originating in it were considered as the most probable sources of exposure in most cases. Depending on the context cases arose, which were not systematically reported, they were mainly caused by exposure to sheep and cows in meat processing plants or in the meat chain (positive/evaluated: 863/1540; seropositive or symptomatic: 585); and to a lesser extent dairy cattle (milk sector (positive/evaluated: 20/58; symptomatic seropositive: 17) and diagnostic laboratory (positive/evaluated: 2/4; symptomatic seropositive: 1)) or wild ruminants (positive/evaluated: 25/117; symptomatic seropositive: 17). Hyperthermia, headaches and sweating were reported. In all cases inhalation was adopted as the source of infection. Today, there are no PCR tests to detect C. burnetii in humans available locally, what constitutes a limitation to diagnosis, in particular in early stages. Interdisciplinary collaboration between animal and human health professionals is key to approach this zoonosis.

Resumo: A febre Q é uma zoonose mundial causada por Coxiella burnetii. Bovinos, ovinos e caprinos são a fonte mais frequente de infecção em humanos, nos quais a doença é de notificação compulsória ao Ministério da Saúde Pública. Revisamos as publicações que descrevem casos de febre Q em humanos no Uruguai, enfocando em suas características epidemiológicas, e discutimos os testes diagnósticos disponíveis localmente. Foram incluídos nove trabalhos publicados e informações do registro de doenças ocupacionais. Foram analisadas 2.715 pessoas com suspeita de febre Q entre 1956-2019, das quais 959 (35,3%) eram soropositivas. Os diagnósticos foram baseados na sorologia, sintomas e/ou história de exposição ocupacional. Do ponto de vista epidemiológico, o gado ou material preveniente de gado foram considerados as fontes mais prováveis de exposição na maioria dos casos. De acordo com o lugar de ocorrência, não notificado sistematicamente, os casos foram registrados principalmente por exposição a ovinos e bovinos em matadouros ou na cadeia da carne (positivos/avaliados: 863/1540; soropositivos sintomáticos: 585); e em menor proporção gado leiteiro (setor leiteiro (positivo/avaliado: 20/58; soropositivo sintomático: 17) e laboratório de diagnóstico (positivo/avaliado: 2/4; soropositivo sintomático: 1)), ou ruminantes silvestres (soropositivo/avaliado: 25/117; soropositivos sintomáticos: 17). Hipertermia, dores de cabeça e sudorese foram relatados. A inalação foi assumida como via de infecção em todos os casos. Atualmente, os testes de PCR para detecção de C. burnetii em humanos não estão disponíveis localmente, sendo uma limitação no diagnóstico, principalmente em estágios iniciais. A colaboração interdisciplinar de profissionais de saúde humana e animal é essencial no enfrentamento dessa zoonose.

Resumen Campylobacter fetus fetus (Cff) es una importante causa de abortos en ovinos y un patógeno oportunista en humanos. La información sobre Cff como abortifaciente en ovinos en Sudamérica es limitada. Describimos un caso de aborto causado por una cepa de Cff mul tirresistente a antibióticos en una oveja en Uruguay. En agosto de 2017, 3/57 ovejas prenadas (5,3%) abortaron en una semana. El examen histopatológico de la placenta de una de ellas reveló placentitis neutrofílica fibrinonecrosante severa, vasculitis y trombosis. Cff fue aislado en microaerobiosis en agar Skirrow, y confirmado mediante amplificación del ADNr 16S por PCR seguida de secuenciación, y por PCR punto final y qPCR. Las pruebas de sensibilidad antimicrobiana revelaron resistencia a tetraciclinas, ácido nalidíxico, telitromicina y clindamicina. No se detectaron otros abortifacientes. Son necesarios más estudios para determinar la distribución geográfica, ecología, epidemiología, el impacto económico y la resistencia antimicrobiana de Cff en majadas ovinas de Uruguay.

Abstract Campylobacter fetus fetus (Cff) is a major infectious cause of abortion in sheep worldwide, and an opportunistic human pathogen. Information on Cff as an ovine abortifacient in South America is limited. We describe a case of abortion caused by a multidrug resistant strain of Cff in a sheep in Uruguay. In August 2017, 3/57 pregnant ewes (5.3%) aborted whithin one week. Histopathologic examination of the placenta of an aborted ewe revealed severe neutrophilic and fibrinonecrotizing placentitis with vasculitis and thrombosis of the chorionic arterioles. Cff was isolated on microaerobic culture in Skirrow agar, and further confirmed by 16S rDNA PCR amplification and sequencing, and endpoint and real time PCR assays. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing revealed resistance to tetracyclines, nalidixic acid, telithromycin and clindamycin. Other abortifacients were not detected. Further studies are necessary to determine the geographic distribution, ecology, epidemiology, economic impact, and antimicrobial resistance of Cff in sheep flocks in Uruguay.

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections are responsible for acute illnesses and deaths in humans. Cattle and humans are exposed to STEC through faeces and contaminated food and water. The big six and O157 STEC serogroups are important food and water-borne human pathogens. Additionally, Stx1a, Stx2a and Stx2c subtypes are highly associated with the haemolytic uremic syndrome. This study aimed to determine Shiga toxin-subtypes, the presence of antigen 43 families, the genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, O-serogrouping, phylotypes and phylogenetic relatedness of STEC of calf origin. Sixteen STEC isolates from calf origin were analysed. PCR was performed to determine Stx subtypes, serogroups, the presence of ag43 I and II and phylotypes. The antimicrobial profile was evaluated and the presence of PMQR and fosfomycin genes was determined by PCR. The clonal relatedness of STEC was studied by PFGE. The genotypes stx1a+c, stx1a+, stx1a+/stx2e+, stx1a+c/stx2e and stx2a were detected. Ag43 II was the most prevalent among subfamilies. STEC isolates were serotyped as O103 (n=5) and O111 (n=6). Fifty per cent of the isolates were classified as B1 phylogroup, 4/16 as E, 1/16 as C, and 1/16 as F. Non-O157 STEC isolates showed a high level of diversity, independent of the geographical and farm-origin. Isolates were resistant to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and fosfomycin-trometamol. The gene fosA7 was detected in 1 isolate. The virulence profiles, including Shiga toxin-subtypes and serogroups, denote the potential harm of non-O157 STEC isolates to humans. We also confirmed that circulating non-O157 STEC from cattle present genetic heterogeneity and are susceptible to antibiotics.

Resumen: La tricomoniasis bovina es una enfermedad venérea causada por Tritrichomonas foetus, responsable de pérdidas económicas principalmente por infertilidad y aborto en vacas y vaquillonas. El diagnóstico se basa en el cultivo del protozoario y/o su detección por técnicas moleculares. En Uruguay el reporte más reciente del parásito data de 2005 en un feto bovino abortado. El objetivo de este trabajo es comunicar la detección de T. foetus en esmegma prepucial de toros de Uruguay. Se evaluaron 310 muestras de esmegma prepucial de 121 toros de tambos y 189 toros de sistemas productivos de carne, mediante PCR y cultivo para T. foetus. Los animales provenían de 56 establecimientos (32 lecheros, 29 carniceros y 5 mixtos) distribuidos en 12 departamentos. En 2,25% (7/310) de las muestras se identificó T. foetus por PCR seguida de secuenciación genómica de los amplicones para la confirmación, mientras que ninguna muestra fue positiva por cultivo. Se observó un 5% (6/121) de positivos en los animales destinados a la producción lechera, todos ellos provenían del mismo establecimiento. El ADN del parásito se detectó en 1 (0,5%) de los 189 toros de carne que se analizaron. El 3,4% (1/29) y 3,1% (1/32) de los establecimientos evaluados que tenían toros de carne y leche, respectivamente, fueron positivos a T. foetus. La PCR permite la detección de ADN de T. foetus en muestras prepuciales de toros negativas por cultivo. La infección por T. foetus podría estar subestimada debido al uso del cultivo como único método de diagnóstico.

Abstract: Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal disease caused by Tritrichomonas foetus. It is responsible for economic losses worldwide, causing mainly infertility and abortion in cows and heifers. The diagnosis of this disease is mainly based on microbiological culture and on molecular testing. In Uruguay the parasite has not been reported since 2005. The aim of this study is to report the detection of T. foetus by PCR in preputial smegma from bulls from dairy and beef Uruguayan farms. A total of 310 smegma samples, 121 from dairy-production-bulls and 189 from meat-production-bulls, were sampled. Animals came from 56 farms distributed within 12 different departments of Uruguay. While, the PCR analysis of preputial smegma identified 2.25% (7/310) positive for T. foetus, no culture-positive samples were detected. The parasite was detected in 5% (6/121) of the sampled bulls for dairy production, these six animals were from the same dairy farm. Tritrichomonas foetus was only detected in one out of 189 animals from beef production. This study showed that 3.4% (1/29) and 3.1% (1/32) of beef and dairy farms respectively, were positive for T. foetus infection. PCR is advantageous over culture; therefore, it is an efficient and quick method for the detection of T. foetus in preputial samples. The results of this work suggest that the parasite detection may be underestimated due to the use of only culture-based diagnostics.

Abstract In November 2015, an abortion outbreak occurred in a commercial dairy herd of 650 Holstein cows in Florida department, Uruguay. Forty-five (45) cows aborted within 3 wk. Five fetuses were subjected to gross and microscopic pathologic examination, and microbiological testing. One fetus had fibrinous epicarditis and peritonitis, and neutrophilic bronchopneumonia. Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis was detected by direct immunofluorescence, isolated and identified by PCR and sequencing of the 16S rDNA in the abomasal fluid and/or lung. Histologic examination of two other fetuses revealed non-suppurative necrotizing encephalitis, lymphohistiocytic myositis and myocarditis, and lymphocytic interstitial nephritis. In these fetuses, N. caninum antigen was detected intralesionally by immunohistochemistry, and N. caninum DNA was amplified by PCR on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain. Antibodies against N. caninum were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 10 of 27 cows, with titers ranging from 1/200 to 1/3200. The results indicate that two abortigenic microorganisms may coexist and cause contemporaneous abortion in a herd. It is relevant to highlight the importance of performing multiple diagnostic tests in various aborted dams and fetuses from the same herd for the etiologic confirmation of bovine abortion syndrome.

Resumen En noviembre de 2015 ocurrió un brote de abortos en un hato lechero comercial de 650 vacas Holstein en el departamento de Florida, Uruguay. Cuarenta y cinco (45) vacas abortaron en un lapso de 3 semanas. Cinco fetos fueron sometidos a un examen patológico macro y microscópico y a pruebas microbiológicas. Un feto tenía epicarditis fibrinosa y peritonitis, así como bronconeumonía neutrofílica. Se detectó Campylobacter fetus subesp. venerealis utilizando inmunofluorescencia directa; se lo aisló e identificó mediante PCR y secuenciación del 16S rDNA en el líquido abomasal y en el pulmón. El examen histológico de otros dos fetos reveló encefalitis necrotizante no supurativa, miositis linfohistiocítica y miocarditis, y nefritis linfocítica intersticial. En estos fetos se detectó intralesionalmente el antígeno de N. caninum mediante análisis inmunohistoquímico, y se amplificó el ADN de N. caninum mediante PCR en tejido cerebral fijado con formalina y embebido en parafina. Se detectaron anticuerpos contra N. caninum mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta en 10 de 27 vacas, con títulos de entre 1/200 y 1/3200. Los resultados indican que dos microorganismos abortígenos pueden coexistir y provocar abortos contemporáneos en un hato. Subrayamos la importancia de realizar pruebas diagnósticas múltiples en diversas madres abortadas y fetos del mismo hato para obtener una confirmación etiológica del síndrome de aborto bovino.

Abstract In the Southern Hemisphere, ruminants are mostly raised in grazing systems where animals consume forage and are supplemented with low amounts of concentrates. Concentrates are usually given separately and are rapidly ingested. This practice leads to changing rumen environment conditions during the day, may alter the rumen microbial metabolism and could affect host performance. The native ruminal Prevotella bryantii strain 3C5 was administered every 48 h to wethers under experimental conditions simulating Southern-Hemisphere feeding to evaluate its potential as a rumen fermentation modulator. The inoculum potential was assessed on day 17. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids and ruminal pH were monitored on a 24-h basis 19 days after the beginning of the experiment, and the microbial community structure was assessed by pyrosequencing. The administration of P. bryantii modified the fermentation products and daily pH values compared to the control. The NH3-N concentration in the rumen of treated animals was significantly higher than that of the untreated animals. Modification of the ruminal environment and fermentation pathways was achieved without altering the general structure of the microbial community or the potential methane production. P. bryantii 3C5 could be considered in potential probiotic formulations for ruminants in semi-intensive systems.