The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo predatory viability of the nematophagous fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, after storage (36 months) and refrigeration (2-8 °C). This viability was evaluated using the infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in the Northeastern semi-arid region of Brazil. Sixteen Santa Inês sheep with negative counting of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were divided into four experimental groups, each group comprised of four animals. The pellets were administered at the dose of 3 g/10 kg of live weight (20% fungal micelyum), and a single administration was performed for each animal. Group I was administered pellets that had been stored for 36 months; Group II, freshly produced pellets; Group III, freshly produced pellets that did not contain fungi; and Group IV, pellets were not administered, and this was the control group. Feces were collected for 5 days, every 24 h for analysis. There was a significant decrease in the number of infective larvae of sheep nematodes that received D. flagrans pellets in a sodium alginate matrix, 82% was observed for Group I and 71% for Group II, compared to the control group. It is therefore concluded that the fungus, D. flagrans, pelleted in sodium alginate matrix after 36 months of storage at 2-8 °C, showed efficacy in reducing the number of infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.

Aquarium ornamental pet fish constitute a major segment in the pet industry, with the United States, Europe, and Japan dominating the market. There are approximately 1,500 marine fish species and over 4,500 freshwater fish species commercialized as aquarium ornamental pet fish. Fish are the fourth most common pet present in Brazilian homes. In Brazil, aquarium ornamental pet fish can be marketed and distributed from different parts of the Brazilian territory and the world. Commercialization and circulation of living animals without the use of adequate prophylactic management procedures enables dissemination of a number of agents responsible for infectious diseases. Aquarium pet fish can also carry pathogenic agents, of bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic etiology, that may have a zoonotic feature endangering the persons handling the animals. This review presents the main pathogenic infectious agents of bacterial, viral, and fungal etiology that affect aquarium pet fish, as well as the prevention and control measures to ensure sanitary excellence in this segment.

Tis study evaluated the presence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 320 domestic dogs living in urban and rural areas of the municipality of Poconé, located in the Pantanal wetlands of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Anti-N. caninum (cut-of point 50) and anti-T. gondii (cut-of point 16) antibodies were detected by means of immunofuorescence assays (IFA), using NC-Bahia and RH strains as antigens, respectively. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 69 (21.56%; 95% CI: 17.27%-26.56%) dogs, 31 (44.93%) of which lived in urban areas and 38 (55.07%) in rural areas, and endpoint titers ranged from 50 to 3200. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in 132 (41.25%; 95% CI: 35.84%-46.87%) dogs, 58 (43.94%) from urban areas and 74 (56.06%) from rural areas, and endpoint titers ranged from 16 to 8192. A total of 33 dogs (10.3%) (12 urban and 21 rural animals) reacted to both agents (P <0.05). Tis study showed a higher prevalence of anti-T. gondii compared to anti-N. caninum antibodies in the dogs living in the Pantanal region, suggesting that both protozoans circulate in the studied region. Tis information is relevant, in view of its implications for animal and public health.

This study analyzed the ectoparasitic fauna of freshwater ornamental fish marketed by a wholesaler in the São Paulo city. This study was undertaken from January to December 2016. A total of 268 freshwater ornamental fishes of various species that showed signs of disease after arrival at the establishment were evaluated. From the individuals, ectoparasites were collected by scraping off the skin and gills and visualized using an optical microscope at increasing magnification of 40x, 100x, 200x, and 400x. Parasites were found in 220 animals (82%); 11 different parasites were recorded, which included Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Monogenes, Metacercariae (Centrocestrus formousus), Epistylis spp., Chilodonella spp., Lernaea spp., Tetrahymena spp., Piscinoodinium spp., Trichodina spp., Ichthyobodo spp. and Argulus spp. The occurrence of the parasites in the establishment studied can indicates that the suppliers’ lack of good sanitary and hygiene practices in the management of their facilities, consequently distributing infested animals and putting the whole supply chain at risk.

Brazil is one of the largest milk producers in the world and most establishments are small producers of family farming. Milk is a perishable product and due to its nutritional characteristics provides a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria. The objective of this research was to evaluate the consumption habits of milk in family farms, identifying the consumption forms, evaluating the risks and the perception of risk by the producers, besides evaluating the sanitary management adopted in the properties with respect to the diseases transmitted by the milk and milk products. One hundred eleven producers from the city of Realeza-PR were interviewed. Almost half (48.64%, 54/111) had a small production with up to 10 lactating animals. Most of the producers had animals with a low productivity, and the average milk production per animal was less than 10 liters. The milk produced was consumed internally by 93.67% (104/111) of those interviewed, and 7.2% (8/111) claim to ingest raw milk without any previous heat treatment. Some producers (18%, 20/111) still made dairy products, like cheese and dulce de leche. Although 82.87% (92/111) reported having knowledge about the transmission of diseases through milk, only 49.54% (55/111) named the diseases. Not all producers conducted tests in the herd for disease control. The present study also found that only 4 people interviewed (3.6%, 4/111) associated the consumption of raw milk with some illness and reported having some symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, skin allergy, colic and gas. Thus, it is necessary to inform and guide producers about the risks associated with raw milk consumption, so that not only the health of the producer is assured, but also the family and the population that may acquire this product informally.

The Guarapiranga Dam region, in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, has been an endemic area for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. In this particular area, R. rickettsii is known to be transmitted to humans by Amblyomma aureolatum, a typical dog tick that is not associated with horses. In other BSF-endemic areas, R. rickettsii transmission is associated with Amblyomma sculptum, a tick species that typically infest capybaras and horses. The Guarapiranga Dam bears abundant populations of capybaras and horses; however, since nothing is known about a possible cycle of transmission of R. rickettsii by A. sculptum in this area, this study evaluated such transmission by performing a serosurvey of horses living in the Guarapiranga Dam region. A total of 206 equids living in the margins of the Guarapiranga Dam were serologically tested for antibodies reactive to five Rickettsia species, four of the spotted fever group (R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. amblyommatis, R. rhipicephali) and one basal group species, R. bellii. Overall, 171 (83%) equids reacted positively to at least one Rickettsia species. A total of 160 (78%), 123 (60%), 80 (39%), 72 (35%), and 71 (34%), equid sera reacted to R. bellii, R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. rhipicephali, and R. amblyommatis, respectively, with endpoint titers ranging from 64 to 1024 for R. bellii, and 64 to 512 for the remaining four Rickettsia species. Endpoint titers to R. bellii (median: 256) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the endpoint titers to the other four Rickettsia species, for which the median values varied from 64 to 128. A total of 65 (32%) equid sera showed endpoint titers to R. bellii at least 4-fold higher than those to any of the other four antigens, indicating that they have been exposed to R. bellii or a very closely related species. Our results provide serological evidence that the sampled equids were not frequently exposed to R. rickettsii-infected ticks. Since horses are a highly suitable sentinel for R. rickettsii transmission by A. sculptum, we conclude that this tick species has no epidemiological role in the transmission of R. rickettsii in the BSF-endemic area of the Guarapiranga Dam in the metropolitan area of São Paulo Municipality.

This study investigated the existence of difference of fat deposition and lipid metabolism in horses with different races and skills that were used for the same kind of sport. 20 Purebred Arabian and 20 Thoroughbred horses trained for flat race were evaluated. The analyses performed were body condition score, weight and blood collected for determination of triglycerides, total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids. Ultrasonography of the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer was performed on the Longissimus dorsi muscle between the 17th and 18th rib, the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer on the Gluteus medius muscle using the acetabulum as reference, and the cross section of the same muscle. Race-trained Arabian horses showed greater fat layer deposition in the Gluteus medius and Longissimus dorsei muscles than Thoroughbred horses. These facts indicate that there is a metabolic difference, besides the phenotype, between the races. They also indicate the need to study specific physical conditioning programs for each kind of race.

The various studies on the manipulation of the estrous cycle culminated in the development of estrous and ovulation synchronization protocols, to the point of defining an optimum moment for artificial insemination. The induction of ovulation is a primordial part for the determination of the moment of the TAI, so to study which hormones and how they behave allows a better understanding of this physiological process and, to manipulate it efficiently. The aim of the present study was to compare the use of estradiol benzoate (EB) and cypionate (ECP) as ovulation inducer in Girolando cows submitted to Timed Artificial Insemination (TAI). Ovulations of 108 Girolando cows were synchronized and the initial day of treatment, recorded as D0, which was when the animals received an intravaginal device containing 1g of progestogen and an intramuscular application (im) of 2mg of EB. After 8 days (D8), the device was removed and 500μg of cloprostenol (im) was administered to all females. Then, the animals were randomly divided into two treatments: BG Group (n = 52) and CG Group (n = 56). The CG animals received 1mg of ECP (im) as the ovulation inducer at the time of device removal, while BG Group cows received 1mg of EB (im) 24 h later (D9). TAI occurred at D10. After device removal, ultrasound evaluations were performed every 12 h up to ovulation. The following reproductive parameters were evaluated: interval from intravaginal device removal to ovulation - IDO (hours); interval from ovulation to TAI-IOT (hours); diameter of the largest follicle at intravaginal device removal (mm); maximum diameter of the DF (mm) at D10; the dominant follicle growth rate (mm/day); synchronization rate - SR (%); ovulation rate - OR (%) and PR - pregnancy rate (%). Only the ovulation rate presented a statistical difference (p<0.05). In conclusion, despite the ovulation rate difference, both estradiol esters administered were effective and presented similar pregnancy rates in Girolando cows submitted to TAI.

Clove oil is distilled from clove flowers (Syzigium aromaticum) and characterized by physical properties and GC-MS. Distillation was carried out by steam distillation method for 8 hours. Analysis of clove oil was carried out by GC-MS method. The distillation results obtained 163 mL of clove oil with physical properties that meet the requirements of SNI 06-4267-1996. The results of the analysis using GC-MS showed that clove oil contained 6 components, namely, Eugenol 88.20%, Alpha Copaene 0.49%, Caryophyllene 3.77%, Alpha Humulene 0.48%, Eugenyl acetate 6.76%, and Caryophyllene Oxide 0.30%. Another fact shows that clove flower oil has anthelmintic activity.

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is considered an educational strategy that has potential benefit for improving teamwork and collaboration in practice, leading to improved patient outcomes. As the development and implementation of curricula that integrate IPE requires significant resources, its adoption should be based on evidence of effectiveness. The purpose of this literature review is to identify what constitutes effective interprofessional education amongst health related disciplines. A literature search was conducted using Science Direct, BMC, Elsevier and Joint Commission Journal for the years 2009-2018. A total of 15 studies met the established inclusion criteria. The use of IPE among health related disciplines is one effective way to solve several problems, and its particularly improves patient safety. What constitutes effective interprofessional education amongst health related disciplines are possibly viewed from some aspects, such as efficiency, effectiveness, learning strategy, power, patient and learner safety and readiness to practice, interprofessional curriculum, roles and relationships, and learning outcomes.