The genus Ehrlichia includes tick-borne bacterial pathogens affecting humans, domestic and wild mammals. Ehrlichia minasensis has been identified in different animal species and geographical locations, suggesting that this is a widely distributed and generalist Ehrlichia. In the present study, we evaluated Ehrlichial infection in 148 Equidae presented to the Medical Clinic Department of a Veterinary Hospital from a midwestern region of Brazil. Blood samples and ticks collected from the animals were tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the presence of Ehrlichia spp. A multigenic approach including Anaplasmataceae-specific (i.e., 16S rRNA, groEL, gltA) and Ehrlichia-specific (i.e., dsb and trp36) genes was used for accurate bacteria identification. Sera samples were also collected and evaluated for the detection of anti-Ehrlichia antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA). Possible associations between molecular and serological diagnostics and clinical and hematological manifestations were tested using chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests. Sequence analysis of the dsb fragment revealed that three horses (2.03%) were exposed to E. minasensis. Sixty-one (41.2%) Equidae (58 equines and three mules), were seropositive for Ehrlichia spp., with antibody titers ranging between 40 and 2560. Seropositivity to ehrlichial antigens was statistically associated with tick infestation, rural origin, hypoalbuminemia and hyperproteinemia (p ≤ 0.05). The present study reports the first evidence of natural infection by E. minasensis in horses from Brazil.

This report aimed to assess the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in 708 swine matrices in Nova Mutum and Diamantino in the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil. Serum samples were examined by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). It was found a seroprevalence of 12.8%, considering titers >64. Therefore, the data reinforce the need for appropriate management of swine raising to minimize the risk of infection of pigs with T. gondii.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of sodium bicarbonate on systemic acidosis due to ruminal acidosis, which was induced by ingestion of concentrate after prolonged fasting. Fourteen sheep were divided into three experimental groups: control group (Cg), with four sheep, submitted to fasting without development of ruminal acidosis; no-treated group (NTg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis without preventive treatment; and treated group (Tg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis and preventively treated with sodium bicarbonate. Assessments of ruminal pH and arterial hemogasometry were performed for 48 hours after ingestion of the concentrate. There was a reduction in the ruminal pH in all groups, whereas the Cg showed a reduction only after 24 hours. A reduction in the arterial pH, bicarbonate and base excess in all groups was also noted, indicating systemic metabolic acidosis, but the NTg presented the greatest alteration. It is concluded that sodium bicarbonate prevents systemic metabolic acidosis, reducing its severity in sheep subjected to ruminal acidosis.

Neosporosis is a parasitic disease caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Neospora caninum, which is responsible for miscarriage cases in cattle countrywide. The vertical or transplacental route with prevalent miscarriages between the 3rd and 6rd months of pregnancyis the main transmission form in cattle. The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence of anti-N.caninum antibodies in (Bos indicus) Nellore female animals and fetuses in Nossa Senhora do Livramento County - MT. Blood samples from 489 female bovines and from 128 bovine fetuses over three months of pregnancy were colleted. The research about the anti N. caninum antibodies in bovine females and fetuses was conducted through the Immunofluorescence technique (IFA). We found 2.45% (12) seropositive and 3.91% (5) seropositive to N. caninum in the present study.

Os cães são considerados importantes reservatórios de tripanosomose e têm um relevante papel na manutenção e interação entre o ciclo doméstico e silvestre desta doença. Neste trabalho é descrito as alterações clínicas e anatomopatológicas de miocardite chagásica em um cão, domiciliado em área urbana, no Brasil. Durante o exame clínico o animal apresentava apatia, debilidade e mucosas oculares pálidas, com rápida evolução para o óbito. Na necropsia foram observados ascite, hidrotórax e hidropericárdio. O coração estava globoso com áreas multifocais pálidas no epicárdio e miocárdio ventricular e ao corte observou-se dilatação das câmaras átrio-ventriculares. Histologicamente, no coração havia miocardite não supurativa e necrose de cardiomiócitos. Frequentemente, infiltrando o sarcoplasma de cardiomiócitos, haviam pseudocistos de T. cruzi contendo múltiplas amastigotas. No exame de imuno-histoquímica, do miocárdio, houve imunomarcação positiva para o anticorpo anti-T. cruzi. A ocorrência da doença de Chagas em um canino domiciliado em área urbanizada eleva os riscos de transmissão da doença para o homem, o que consequentemente torna este diagnóstico uma nota de importância em saúde pública e de diferencial para outras patologias caninas.