This study aimed to report three cases of contagious agalactia (CA) by Mycoplasma agalactiae in goat kids born with polyarthritis. The nanny goats belonging to two different herds presented clinical signs of CA during pregnancy and in parturition they were apparently healthy. The carpal articulations of the three goat kids, the tarsus articulation in one, and thigh-femoral articulation in another showed swelling, pain and impairment of the flexion-extension movements. The articular liquid was collected from two goat kids at birth and revealed a content which varied from transparent to fibrinopurulent, presenting a yellow coloring. The samples were plated on modified Hayflick. The colonies had the appearance of "fried egg" and were confirmed as being M. agalactiae by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA PCR. Blood was collected from three animals soon after birth and submitted to the indirect ELISA test for the determination of the titration of the anti- M. agalactiae antibodies. The results confirmed that the goat kids were infected during pregnancy by M. agalactiae and resulted in the birth of an offspring with clinical signs of CA being immune tolerant.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a eficácia de três vacinas inativadas contra agalaxia contagiosa, preparadas com amostra de Mycoplasma agalactiae isolada no Brasil e diferentes adjuvantes. A vacina 1, adsorvida com hidróxido de alumínio, foi administrada em 23 caprinos (Gc1) e 13 ovinos (Gov1); a vacina 2, contendo Montanide IMS-2215-VG, foi administrada em 22 caprinos (Gc2) e 12 ovinos (Gov2); e a vacina 3, contendo Montanide Gel-01 foi administrada em 22 caprinos (Gc3) e 12 ovinos (Gov3). Todos os animais eram negativos para Ma no ELISA indireto e receberam duas doses de 2mL cada, por via subcutânea, com intervalo de 21 dias. Cinco animais de cada espécie foram utilizados como controle. Setenta e cinco dias após o reforço, quatro animais de cada grupo vacinado e dois do grupo controle foram desafiados com 5mL de cultura de Ma contendo 10(7)ufc/mL, por via oral e pela imersão dos tetos das fêmeas em lactação. A resposta sorológica foi analisada nos dias da vacinação (zero e 21) e aos 51, 81, 111, 141 e 171 dias pós-vacinação. As coletas e análises dos animais desafiados foram realizadas no dia do desafio (D0) e sete, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 e 56 dias pós-desafio. As três vacinas induziram produção de anticorpos, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa entre caprinos e ovinos (P>0,05). Animais dos grupos Gc1, Gc2 e Gov2 produziram níveis de anticorpos mais elevados, com diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação aos demais grupos vacinados e ao grupo controle (P<0,05). Após o desafio, os animais do grupo controle apresentaram aumento de linfonodos regionais e conjuntivite, mastite e artrite. Em quatro animais vacinados, foi observada discreta conjuntivite e congestão dos vasos episclerais. Conclui-se que as vacinas 1 e 2 induziram níveis de anticorpos protetores em caprinos e ovinos suficientes para proteção clínica dos animais submetidos à infecção experimental, podendo ser indicadas para prevenção da agalaxia contagiosa.

This paper aims to evaluate the efficiency of three inactive vaccines against contagious agalactia prepared with samples of Mycoplasma agalactiae isolated in Brazil and different adjuvants. Vaccine 1 adsorbed with aluminum hydroxide was administered in 23 goats (Gc1) and 13 sheep (Gov1); vaccine 2 containing Montanide IMS-2215-VG was administered in 22 goats (Gc2) and 12 sheep (Gov2) and vaccine 3, containing Montanide Gel-01 was administered in 22 goats (Gc3) and 12 sheep (Gov3). All animals were negative for Ma at indirect ELISA and received two doses of 2mL each, subcutaneously, within a 21 day interval. Five animals from each species were used as control. Seventy-five days after the booster, four animals from each vaccinated group and two from the control group were challenged with 5mL of Ma culture containing 10(7)cfu/mL, orally and through immersion of the female's udder in lactation. The serological response was analyzed during vaccination days (0 and 21) and at 51, 81, 111, 141 and 171 days after vaccination. The collection and analysis of the challenged animals were conducted at the day of the challenge (D0) and 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after the challenge. The three vaccines induced the production of antibodies, having no significant statistical difference (p<0.05). Animals from groups Gc1, Gc2 and Gov2 developed higher levels of antibodies, with significant statistical difference compared to the other vaccinated group and control group (p<0.05). After the challenge, the animals from the control presented an increase in regional lymph nodes and conjunctivitis, mastitis and arthritis. In four vaccinated animals, discrete conjunctivitis and congestion of the episcleral veins was observed. It is concluded that vaccines 1 and 2 induced levels of protective antibodies in goats and sheep, sufficient for clinical protection of the animals submitted to the experimental infection, indicating its use on the prevention of contagious agalactia.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a frequência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de fêmeas bovinas soropositivas para a brucelose no Estado de Roraima, bem como identificar fatores de risco. Foram utilizados dados da Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Estado de Roraima (ADERR), coletados de suas quatro microrregiões, durante o período de janeiro de 2007 a julho de 2009. Durante esse período, foram examinadas 387 propriedades, e 9.087 soros de fêmeas bovinas com idade > 24 meses foram submetidos ao diagnóstico sorológico da brucelose. Para a análise de fatores de risco, foi utilizada a regressão logística múltipla. Uma propriedade foi considerada foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. Das propriedades investigadas, 106 (27,4%) apresentaram pelo menos um animal soropositivo e, dos animais analisados, 369 (4,1%) foram soropositivos. Os fatores de risco identificados foram: possuir mais de 51 animais no rebanho (odds ratio = 1,87; p = 0,015) e alugar pasto (odds ratio = 2,20; p = 0,003). Sugere-se que esforços sejam concentrados na intensificação da vacinação de bezerras no Estado de Roraima com o intuito de que seja alcançada uma prevalência compatível com as ações de teste e sacrifício de animais.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of positive herds (foci) and seropositive bovine females for brucellosis in the state of Roraima, Northern region of Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors. Data from the Agency of Agricultural Protection in the state, collected from its four microregions during the January 2007 to July 2009 period, were used. During this period, 387 herds were examined, and 9,087 adult bovine female sera were submitted to the serological diagnosis of brucellosis. For risk factor analysis the multiple logistic regression was used. A herd was considered focus when presented at least one seropositive animal. Of the herds investigated, 106 (27.4%) had at least one seropositive animal, and of the animals examined, 369 (4.1%) were seropositive. Risk factors identified were: herd size larger than 51 animals (odds ratio = 1.87; p = 0.015) and pasture rental (odds ratio = 2.20; p = 0.003). It is suggested that efforts must be concentrated on the intensification of heifer vaccination in the State of Roraima in order to reach a prevalence value compatible with actions of test and sacrifice of animals.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a ocorrência de Mycoplasma agalactiae, com o uso da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), em 30 rebanhos caprinos leiteiros nas microrregiões do Cariri Ocidental e Oriental do estado da Paraíba. Das 120 amostras de leite testadas, nove (7,5%) apresentaram amplificação de apenas um fragmento com 360pb. As amostras que amplificaram este fragmento estavam presentes em 6/30 (20%) fazendas localizadas nos municípios de Amparo, Santo André e Gurjão.

This work was performed in 60 goat farms located in 15 counties of the micro regions of Western and Eastern Cariri, in Paraiba, to describe and analyze the sanitary profile of the flocks. Visits were done and the answers, obtained from questionnaires that were applied to the farmers, were used. It was observed a mortality of 20% in young animals in 80% of the farms. The presence of technical assistance in 93.3% in the studied farms, adoption of prophylactic calendar in 85% and parasitic control in 83.3% of the flocks were also observed.

In June of 1997 the prevalence of antibodies to bluetongue virus was between 3.94 and 4.82% in 137 bovine serum samples from 12 herds in Paraiba State, Brazil. This is the first report of antibodies to bluetongue virus in Paraiba State herds.