Artrite encefalite caprina, toxoplasmose, micoplasmose em rebanhos caprinos leiteiros do Estado da Paraíba.

Abstract

Studies were conducted to determine the prevalence of caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE), caprine toxoplasmosis and contagious agalactia, determine the risk factors associated with Mycoplasma agalactiae and investigate of Mollicutes and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster in lung samples from goats in Paraiba, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 17 of 191 goats from rural farms in the state of Paraiba. Agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) was used for the diagnosis of CAE in serum samples of 97 goats from four rural farms. Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A prevalence of 8.38% (16/191) for CAE and 16.49% (16/97) for caprine toxoplasmosis was found. The prevalence rates of CAE and caprine toxoplasmosis for rural farms where the present study was conducted were 23.53% and 100%, respectively. What demonstrates the importance of these two diseases in the Paraiba State. The lack of studies on these disorders reflect the need for monitoring dairy goat herds in Paraiba, as these diseases are underdiagnosed and the animals are asymptomatic carriers of the pathogens. Moreover, the accurate diagnosis of these diseases contribute to the elaboration of control and prevention measures. The study aimed to investigate the occurrence and risk factors associated with infection by M. agalactiae, were utilized for Mycoplasma agalactiae diagnosis, 251 milk samples, were submitted to DNA extraction using a commercially available kit, following the manufacturer‟s instructions, and Chain Polimerase Reaction (PCR) was performed. In addition, questionnaires were applied to identify the main risk factors associated to contagious agalactia infection. Observed that 19.9% (50/251) of the milk samples tested PCR positive for M. agalactiae. (P <0.001, OR = 7.1). Analysis of risk factors showed association for the following variables: size of herd (P <0.001, OR= 7.1), replacement of farm animals (P <0.001, OR = 4.7) and participation of the animals in fairs and exhibitions (P = 0.029, OR = 2.0). The results allowed confirming the occurrence of M. agalactiae in milk samples of goats in the state of Paraiba. Therefore, monitoring of dairy goat herds and the awareness of producers to the economic importance of the disease is necessary since M. agalactiae can bring economic losses for rural farmers. The identification of risk factors is essential for the adoption of control measures and for the correction of management-related factors in rural farms with animals that tested positive for the pathogens, in order to avoid its spread. For the diagnosis of Mollicutes and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster, were collected aseptically in falcon tubes 100 samples of lungs of crossbred goats, of different ages and both sexes, with and without lung lesions from cities in the state of Paraiba, Brazil. For molecular diagnosis was utilized the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. All the 100 analyzed lung samples tested PCR negative for Mycoplasma mycoides cluster and 3% (3/100) tested PCR positive for Mollicutes. Respiratory diseases in small ruminants caused by Mycoplasma species are becoming increasingly common in goat herds, but are underdiagnosed. In Brazil, there are no reports of respiratory problems, pneumonia or pleuropneumonia in goats by Mycoplasma spp. Therefore, studies on the occurrence of these pathogens in goats with respiratory problems are needed to support the elaboration of control measures to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases caused by these agents.