SOUZA, M. F.; SOUZA, Maria de Fátima de.
Resumen:
Abortions and congenital malformations in ruminants are described. This thesis consists of three articles. In the first chapter, submitted to Research in Veterinary Science, cases of abortions and congenital malformations in ruminants caused by jurema preta (Mimosa
tenuiflora), catingueira (Poincianella pyramidalis) and pereiro (Aspidosperma pyrifolium)
and genetic causes are described, as well as cases of abortions, stillbirths and perinatal
mortality associated with infections such as toxoplasmosis, chlamydiosis, leptospirosis, and
neosporosis. A survey and monitoring of all necropsied cases conducted at the Veterinary
Hospital of the Federal University of Paraíba in five years and during two years in properties
were carried out. The main malformation observed was arthrogryposis of toxic origin and
anasarca of genetic origin. There were cases of abortions and losses due to stillbirth and
perinatal mortality with lesions suggestive of toxoplasmosis, chlamydosis, leptospirosis, and
neosporosis. Leptospirosis was the infectious disease with the highest number of cases and
diagnoses. The second chapter submitted to Ciência Rural describes cases of anasarca
associated with multiple malformations in goat fetuses. There were four stillborn kids from
dystocic twin births in two goats, three kids with anasarca associated with lymph node
aplasia, one kid with pulmonary hypoplasia, and one kid with anasarca that also developed
polydactyly; these cases probably have hereditary etiology. The third chapter to be submitted
to Research in Veterinary Science describes the presence of Leptospira ssp. in goat fetuses
from dairy herds with abortion outbreaks in Paraíba. Fourteen goat fetuses from properties
with a history of abortions were necropsied and eight had lesions suggestive of leptospirosis.
Frozen tissues of seven fetuses with histopathological lesions suggestive of leptospirosis were
subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Leptospiral DNA was detected in the lungs,
liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Three goats tested positive for the
Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup in the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), indicating that
there was circulating leptospirosis in the herd. Fetal leptospirosis as diagnosis of cases of
infectious abortions can be suggested by histopathological evaluation of fetal tissues and later
confirmation by the PCR technique, and screening of the herd by MAT. The PCR results
demonstrated the occurrence of vertical transmission in goat fetuses.