Aborto e malformações congênitas em ruminantes.

Abstract

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.