The aim of the study was to determine the species spectrum of ixodid ticks that infest horses and donkeys in South Africa and to identify those species that act as vectors of disease to domestic livestock. Ticks were collected opportunistically from 391 horses countrywide by their owners or grooms, or by veterinary students and staff at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. Ticks were also collected from 76 donkeys in Limpopo Province, 2 in Gauteng Province and 1 in North West province. All the ticks were identified by means of a stereoscopic microscope. Horses were infested with 17 tick species, 72.1% with Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, 19.4% with Amblyomma hebraeum and 15.6% with Rhipicephalus decoloratus. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi was recovered from horses in all nine provinces of South Africa and R. decoloratus in eight provinces. Donkeys were infested with eight tick species, and 81.6% were infested with R. evertsi evertsi, 23.7% with A. hebraeum and 10.5% with R. decoloratus. Several tick species collected from the horses and donkeys are the vectors of economically important diseases of livestock. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi is the vector of Theileria equi, the causative organism of equine piroplasmosis. It also transmits Anaplasma marginale, the causative organism of anaplasmosis in cattle. Amblyomma hebraeum is the vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium, the causative organism of heartwater in cattle, sheep and goats, whereas R. decoloratus transmits Babesia bigemina, the causative organism of babesiosis in cattle.

Spotted fever group rickettsioses are a group of tick-borne zoonotic diseases caused by intracellular bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. The diseases are widely reported amongst international travellers returning from most sub-Saharan Africa with fever, yet their importance in local populations largely remains unknown. Although this has started to change and recently there have been increasing reports of the diseases in livestock, ticks and humans in Kenya, they have not been investigated in wildlife. We examined the presence, prevalence and species of Rickettsia present in wildlife in two regions of Kenya with a unique human–wildlife–livestock interface. For this purpose, 79 wild animals in Laikipia County and 73 in Maasai Mara National Reserve were sampled. DNA extracted from blood was tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the intergenic spacer rpmE-tRNAfMet and the citrate synthase-encoding gene gltA. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 2 of the 79 (2.5%) animals in Laikipia and 4 of the 73 (5.5%) in Maasai Mara. The PCR-positive amplicons of the gltA gene were sequenced to determine the detected Rickettsia species. This revealed Rickettsia sibirica in a Topi (Damaliscus lunatus ssp. jimela). This is the first report of spotted fever group rickettsioses in wildlife and the first to report R. sibirica in Kenya. The finding demonstrates the potential role of wild animals in the circulation of the diseases.

This study was aimed at the molecular characterisation of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) isolated from papilloma cases in the northwestern region of Turkey. BPV-1 is a widely occurring oncogenic virus in cattle and is associated with benign epithelial neoplasia which causes significant economic losses in dairy and beef cattle because of treatment costs. In this study, 29 suspected papilloma specimens were collected from cattle in northwestern Turkey. These samples underwent molecular characterisation via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis as well as macroscopic and histopathological examination. The histopathological examinations confirmed papilloma as the main lesion type in the specimens. Of the 29 papilloma-like tissue samples that were collected, 11 (i.e. 37.93%) were detected as positive and determined as containing BPV-1 (11 of 11, 100%). Using a partial sequence for the L1 gene acquired from GenBank, phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of BPV-1 and revealed that the infection might have originated in cross bred domestic and imported cattle. This study provides potentially useful information on the origin and spread of this disease. Its results can potentially aid in the development of appropriate control measures and therapeutic or vaccination strategies against the BPV-1 strain of bovine papillomatosis.

A total of 118 sera were collected during 2016 from two groups of dromedaries from Kebili and Medenine governorates in the south of Tunisia. The aim of this study was to provide the first serological investigation of four emerging vector-borne diseases in two groups of dromedaries in Tunisia. Sera were tested by ELISA and serum neutralisation test to identify West Nile virus (WNV), bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). In the first group, the seroprevalence for BTV was 4.6%, while in the second group, it was 25.8% for WNV and 9.7% for BTV. Only serotype 1 was detected for BTV in the two groups. No evidence for circulation of RVF and EHD viruses was revealed. Results indicated that dromedaries can be infected with BTV and WNV, suggesting that this species might play a significant role in the epizootiology of these viral diseases in Tunisia and neighbouring countries.

The intensification of cattle production has raised concern for animal welfare due to the stress that is associated with farming practices. The welfare of an animal is determined by the animal’s ability to cope with or adapt to its continuously changing environment and the biological cost that is associated with this adaptation and maintenance. Stressors arise from various psychological, physiological and physical aspects of farming practices due to management and human–cattle interactions. Measuring the activity of the hypothalamopituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis with plasma cortisol levels is a useful method for determining the effects of stress on animals as it is stimulated at the onset of a perceived stress. The activation of the HPA axis affects various target tissues or systems and can result in suppression of the immune system, increased susceptibility to disease and adverse effects on reproductive success in prenatal and neonatal calves. Although some levels of stress associated with farming practices are unavoidable, improvements in farming methods need to be implemented in order to maintain or increase the efficiency of cattle production in a way that does not compromise the welfare of the animal.

Adrenalectomia é o tratamento mais indicado para neoplasias adrenais unilaterais. Objetivou-se descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos e o comportamento perioperatório em cães submetidos a adrenalectomia no Hospital Veterinário Anhembi Morumbi. Dos 13 casos, oito eram cães de raças puras e cinco eram SRD; 12 eram fêmeas e de idade de 9,5 ± 2,5 anos. Das massas adrenais, sete eram em lado direito. Os exames histopatológicos revelaram adenoma cortical em 11 cães e adenocarcinoma em dois. Dois casos recidivaram a condição de hipercortisolemia, associada à hiperplasia, na adrenal contralateral, confirmados pelo teste de estimulação por ACTH. Concluiu-se que a adrenalectomia é um procedimento seguro, com poucas complicações perioperatórias, ressalvando-se a possiblidade de recidiva do quadro de hipercortisolismo. | Adrenalectomy is the most appropriate treatment for unilateral adrenal tumors. This study aimed at describing the epidemiological characteristics and perioperative behavior of canine patients submitted to adrenalectomy at Anhembi Morumbi Veterinary Hospital. Out of 13 dogs, eight were pure breeds and five were mixed breeds; 12 females, aged 9.5 ± 2.5 years old. Regarding the tumors, seven were located on the right and histopathological analysis revealed cortical adenoma in 11 and adenocarcinoma in only two dogs. Two cases had hypercortisolism recurrence associated with hyperplasia in the contralateral adrenal, as confirmed by ACTH stimulation test. The results of this study indicate that adrenalectomy is a safe procedure with few perioperative complications, despite the possibility of hypercortisolism recurrence.

Os gatos apresentam papel relevante como animal de estimação na sociedade atual. Neste sentido, o conhecimento das principais enfermidades e causas de morte desses animais é fundamental para prevenção de várias patologias. No entanto, quanto ao gato doméstico, essas pesquisas ainda são escassas na medicina veterinária. Assim, este trabalho realizou um estudo retrospectivo das causas de morte de gatos registradas das necropsias efetuadas pelo Laboratório de Patologia Animal da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, em um período de 36 anos, no qual 350 gatos foram necropsiados. As doenças do sistema digestivo foram as mais frequentes (48 gatos – 13,71%) e destas, a lipidose hepática foi a etiologia de maior ocorrência (18,75%). O sistema respiratório foi o segundo mais afetado (10,86%), sendo pneumonia aguda, edema pulmonar e hérnia diafragmática as principais doenças deste sistema responsáveis pela morte de gatos. Outras causas de óbito importantes foram raiva, carcinoma de células escamosas, osteodistrofia fibrosa, fraturas e traumatismos, choque hipovolêmico e síndrome urológica felina. Este tipo de análise pode fornecer informações básicas sobre as enfermidades que mais acometem os felinos de uma determinada região, contribuindo para que os profissionais médicos veterinários passem a adotar as respectivas ações de prevenção e controle. | Cats play an important role as pets in the present society. Thus, the knowledge about their main diseases and causes of death is fundamental to prevent various pathologies. However, when dealing with domestic cats there are very few researches in Veterinary Medicine. The aim of this study is to identify the causes of death of cats through a retrospective study of necropsies in the Animal Pathology Laboratory in the Federal University of Uberlândia (Brazil), in a period of 36 years, in which 350 cat necropsies were conducted. The most frequent causes of death of these animals were digestive system diseases (48 cats – 13.71%), and among them, feline hepatic lipidosis was the most frequent etiology (18.75%). The second most affected system was the respiratory (10.86%) and acute pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and diaphragmatic hernia were the main diseases to cause death of cats with some kind of disorder in this system. Other decease causes were rabies, squamous cell carcinoma, fibrous osteodystrophy, fractures and traumatism, hypovolemic shock, and feline lower urinary tract disease. This type of analysis can provide basic information about the most common diseases in felines, contributing with veterinarians as they adopt control and prevention actions against diseases.

Durante a fecundação, os espermatozoides interagem com a zona pelúcida (ZP) por meio da ligação entre o acrossomo e as proteínas 2 e 3 (ZP2 e ZP3). A membrana perivitelínica da gema de ovo de galinhas é homóloga à ZP3 de mamíferos, possibilitando a ligação espermática de diversas espécies. Este trabalho padronizou e avaliou a eficiência do teste de ligação espermática à membrana perivitelínica da gema de ovo de galinhas como avaliação funcional do sêmen de cães. Para tal, foram utilizadas nove amostras seminais previamente criopreservadas. Cada amostra foi dividida em duas alíquotas: a primeira foi mantida em banho-maria à 37ºC (vivos) e a segunda submetida a choque térmico com o intuito de induzir dano celular (mortos). As duas alíquotas foram misturadas, correspondendo a 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% de células viáveis. As amostras foram avaliadas quanto ao número de espermatozoides ligados à membrana perivitelínica por meio da análise computadorizada da motilidade (CASA) ou microscopia convencional. Ademais, as amostras foram avaliadas quanto à motilidade espermática, integridade das membranas acrossomal e plasmática e atividade mitocondrial espermática. O teste de ligação espermática à membrana perivitelínica de ovos de galinha foi considerado um teste de análise seminal exequível tanto para avaliar a capacidade fecundante dos espermatozoides como atributos seminais gerais, especialmente quando realizado em microscopia convencional, expandindo sua praticidade para a maioria dos laboratórios de análise de sêmen canino. | During fertilization, spermatozoa interact with the zona pellucida (ZP) through the binding between the acrosome and proteins 2 and 3 (ZP2 and ZP3). The perivitelline membrane of chicken egg yolk is homologous to the mammalian ZP3, which allows the binding of sperm of several species. The aim of this study was to standardize and evaluate the efficiency of sperm-binding to the perivitelline membrane of chicken eggs as a functional method for canine semen evaluation. For this purpose, nine post-thaw sperm samples were used, which were divided into two aliquots: the first was kept in water bath at 37ºC (live sample) and the second was submitted to cold shock to induce cellular damage (dead sample). The two aliquots were mixed on five proportions, corresponding to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of viable cells, and the binding test was performed by analyzing the number of spermatozoa bonded to the perivitelline membrane by means of computerized assessment of sperm motility (CASA) or conventional microscopy. Additionally, samples were submitted to sperm motility analysis, evaluation of plasmatic and acrosomal membrane integrity, and sperm mitochondrial activity. The sperm-binding test to the perivitelline membrane of chicken egg yolk was considered a feasible sperm analysis test for both fertilizing capacity and overall sperm attributes evaluation, mainly when the analysis is performed by a conventional microscope, which expands its practicality to the majority of canine reproduction laboratories.

Neste trabalho foi realizada uma avaliação sobre a presença de anticorpos anti-Leishmania infantum chagasi em cães domésticos das áreas urbanas e rurais da região do Pantanal brasileiro usando técnicas sorológicas. Um total de 429 cães foram amostrados em três áreas do bioma do Pantanal, incluindo os municípios de Poconé, Santo Antônio de Leverger e Barão de Melgaço, em Mato Grosso, e o município de Corumbá, em Mato Grosso do Sul. A reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) foi utilizada para detectar anticorpos (ponto de corte de 40) de Leishmania infantum chagasi como antígeno. Devido à possibilidade de reação cruzada entre as espécies do gênero Leishmania, as amostras positivas na RIFI para L. infantum chagasi foram também avaliadas na RIFI utilizando L. amazonensis e L. braziliensis como antígenos. As amostras positivas na RIFI para L. infantum chagasi foram avaliadas utilizando o ensaio de imunoadsorção ligado à enzima (ELISA). Os resultados mostraram a presença de anticorpos contra L. infantum chagasi em 23 (5,36%; IC 95%: 3,50% -8,05%) cães e pelo menos um cão soro-reativo foi encontrado em todos os municípios avaliados neste estudo. Os títulos de anticorpos variaram de 40 a 5.120 e todas as amostras positivas na RIFI foram positivas no ELISA. Entre os 23 cães positivos, nove também reagiram para L. amazonensis e L. braziliensis. A ocorrência de anticorpos anti-L. infantum chagasi em cães foi maior nas áreas rurais (7,06%) do que nas áreas urbanas (2,50%) (P < 0,05). Com base neste estudo, concluímos que cães de áreas rurais do Pantanal tiveram contato com espécies de Leishmania, o que é uma informação relevante, dada a sua importância para a saúde pública. | An evaluation was made of the presence of anti-Leishmania infantum chagasi antibodies in domestic dogs from the urban and rural areas of Brazil’s Pantanal wetland region using serological techniques. A total of 429 dogs were sampled in three areas of the Pantanal biome, including the municipalities of Poconé, Santo Antônio de Leverger, and Barão de Melgaço, in the state of Mato Grosso, and in the municipality of Corumbá, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to detect antibodies (cut-off point 40) using Leishmania infantum chagasi antigen. Because of the possibility of cross-reactivity between species of the genus Leishmania, samples that were positive in the IFA against L. infantum chagasi were also tested by IFA in the same conditions, using L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis antigens. IFA-positive samples to L. infantum chagasi were also evaluated using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results showed the presence of antibodies against L. infantum chagasi in 23 (5.36%; 95% CI: 3.50%-8.05%) dogs and at least one seroreactive dog was found in each of the municipalities evaluated in this study. Antibody titers ranged from 40 to 5,120, and all IFA positive samples were positive in the ELISA. Among the 23 positive dogs, nine were also were seroreactive for L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis antigens. The occurrence of anti- L. infantum chagasi antibodies in dogs was higher in rural areas (7.06%) than in urban areas (2.50%) (P < 0.05). Based on this study, we concluded that dogs from rural areas of the Pantanal wetlands were in contact with Leishmania species, which is relevant information given their importance to public health.

A utilização do lactato sérico é cada vez mais comum na Medicina Veterinária, por ser um excelente marcador de oxigenação tecidual, elevando-se em situações de hipóxia tecidual e realizando a glicólise anaeróbica como fonte de energia. Pesquisas científicas em cães o apontam como fator prognóstico em diversas afecções, sendo pouco utilizado em felinos domésticos devido ao elevado limiar de estresse da espécie, podendo interferir em seus valores. Assim, este trabalho avaliou os valores de lactato sérico em felinos domésticos durante contenção física e após contenção química, utilizando a associação de 8 mg/kg de cetamina-S, 0,4 mg/kg de midazolam e 2 mg/kg de cloridrato de tramadol. Foram estudados 20 felinos, fêmeas, sem raça definida,  de seis meses a cinco anos de idade, clinicamente saudáveis, divididos em dois grupos, com GPR (n = 10) representado por felinos que passaram apenas por contenção física e com GCR por felinos que passaram por contenção física (TPR) e após 30 horas por contenção química (TCR). Foi observado em ambos os grupos (GPR e GCR) e durante a contenção física a hiperlactatemia sérica (GPR = 6.23 ± 0.9 mmol / L – GCR – TPR = 6.66 ± 1.59 mmol / L) com valores médios de 4,42 ± 1,28 mmol/L durante a contenção química (GCR – TCR). Conclui-se que a contenção física interfere nos valores do lactato sérico, com redução dos valores na utilização da contenção química na espécie felina. | The use of serum lactate has become increasingly common in Veterinary Medicine, since it is an excellent marker of tissue oxygenation, elevated in situations of tissue hypoxia, where anaerobic glycolysis is used as an energy source. Studies point out its use in dogs as a prognostic factor in several affections; however it is not commonly used in domestic felines due to the high stress threshold of the species, which may interfere with their values. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum lactate values in domestic cats during physical restraint and after chemical restraint using the combination of 8mg/kg ketamine-S, 0.4 mg/kg midazolam, and 2 mg/kg Tramadol. To this end, 20 clinically healthy female cats without defined race, from six months to five years of age, were divided into two groups, GPR (n = 10) represented by felines that had only physical restraint and the GCR (n = 10) by felines that underwent physical restraint (TPR) and after 30 hours by chemical restraint (TCR). It was observed that in both groups (GPR and CPR) during physical restraint presented hyperlactatemia (GPR = 6.23 ± 0.9 mmol/L – GCR – Tpr = 6.66 ± 1.59 mmol/L) and mean values of 4.42 ± 1.28 mmol/L during chemical restraint (GCR – Tcr). It was concluded that physical restraint interferes with serum lactate values, with the reduction of such values with the use of chemical restraint in the feline species.