Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, poses a significant threat to sheep flocks, affecting reproductive performance and meat quality, and leading to economic losses. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in the serum and colostrum of naturally infected ewes and to assess passive immunity in newborn lambs. Blood and colostrum samples were collected from 162 ewes and 182 lambs across 20 sheep farms in Paraíba, Brazil. Samples were tested for anti-T. gondii and anti-Neospora caninum IgG using indirect fluorescence antibody tests (IFATs), with titers ≥ 1:64 considered positive. Among the ewes, 45.1% tested positive for anti-T. gondii IgG in serum, with titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:16,384. The colostrum from 94.6% of the ewes also tested positive, although 74% had higher titers in their serum than in their colostrum. Concordance between serum and colostrum was high, with a kappa coefficient of 0.950. Lamb serum showed a perfect agreement with maternal colostrum (kappa = 0.962), demonstrating effective passive transfer of antibodies. This study confirms that colostrum is a reliable matrix for detecting anti-T. gondii antibodies and assessing passive immunity in lambs. The high concordance between serum, colostrum, and lamb titers suggests that IFATs on colostrum can be a practical tool for monitoring maternal antibody transfer, contributing to the better management of T. gondii infections in sheep flocks.

The Brazil Northeast region has the higher goat national herd with the endoparasitosisas one of the main factors interfering in these productive chain. Aiming to compare diagnostic techniques to quantify goats endoparasites eggs and oocysts. Eggs and oocysts recovered from feces were identified from 45 goats, Capra aegagrus hircus, by counting eggs per gram of feces (EPG) McMaster (conversion factors 100x and 25x) and Mini-FLOTAC (conversion factors 5x and 10x). The statistical analysis were performed in the SPSS program version 21.0 and the statistical differences and accordance between the techniques, by Friedman (p

Productivity in small ruminants can be compromised due to lice infestations. This pest infestation is controlled by the administration of insecticides, and their excessive use causes resistance. New control alternatives are being investiga-ted, especially the use of phytotherapeutics. Research using the oil from Carapa guianensis (andiroba) has shown insecticidal action on feline and goat lice specimens. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of C. guianensis seed oil, in vitro, on Damalinia (Bovicola) ovis.Nine hundred specimens of D. (Bovicola) ovis were randomly assigned into groups and were subjected to different treatments: (G1) 1,000 to 15.6 mg/mL of C. guianensis oil; (G2) 3% Tween 80 (negative control); and (G3) amitraz 1.25 g/mL (positive control). Data presentation was expressed as mean efficacy ± standard deviation using the statistical program SPSS version 23.0 and statistical differences of the experimental groups were obtained by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman. Probit Regression was performed to obtain CI50 and CI90, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The oil with a concentration of 1,000 mg/mL had an efficacy of 94% after 24 hours of exposure, differing statistically from the positive and negative control (p < 0.05). The IC50 and IC90 values were 439.21 mg/mL and 807.09 mg/mL, respectively. The action of the oil on the specimens was independent whether it was an adult female, male, or nymph. It is concluded that C. guianensis oil showed in vitro insecticidal effect against D. (Bovicola) ovis.

The main pathological, epidemiological, and clinical findings of haemonchosis in goats and sheep in a semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil are described. Necropsy records conducted between January 2012 and December 2021 at the Animal Pathology Laboratory (APL) of the UFCG, were reviewed. In 2022, a prospective study monitored the necropsies performed on these species. In total, necropsies were conducted on 410 goats and 319 sheep, haemonchosis was observed in 50 (12%) goats and 49 (15%) sheep. For goats, females (45/50, 90%; p ≤ 0.05), the age range of 13–35 months (25/50, 50%; p ≤ 0.05), and crossbred animals (38/50, 76%; p ≤ 0.05) were most affected. Both goat and sheep, respectively, raised in a semi-intensive system were more infected (41/50, 82%; 36/49, 76.5%; p ≤ 0.05). The animals came from the States of Paraíba, Pernambuco, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte. The proportion of goats (32/50, 64%) and sheep (30/49, 61.2%) with a normal body condition score was significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). The main pathological alterations (p ≤ 0.05) were the mucosal and carcass paleness, and the presence of H. contortus specimens in the abomasum. Haemonchosis remains a significant parasitic disease affecting small ruminants in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil, leading to mortality and decreased production rates, posing substantial economic challenges that adversely impact goat and sheep farming.

New alternatives for controlling resistant populations of gastrointestinal nematodes are being studied, including the use of plant compounds and biological control with nematophagous fungi. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic effect of linalool and its association with the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (isolated AC001) in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. The ovicidal activity of linalool was assessed via the Egg Hatch Test (EHT), and the larvicidal activity of linalool, alone and in combination with D. flagrans conidia, was evaluated via the Larval Motility Inhibition Test (LMIT) on infective larvae (L3). In the EHT, 100% inhibition occurred (at 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL), with an LC50 of 0.49 mg/mL. In the LMIT, linalool alone inhibited 100% of larval motility (at 4% and 8%), with an LC50 of 0.42% or 4.2 mg/mL. In the combination of linalool with D. flagrans, there was a significant reduction in larvae, starting at 24 h, with 100% reduction after 14 days, thus being more effective in reducing L3 compared to the use of the fungus alone. It is concluded that linalool exhibits ovicidal and larvicidal activity, and its association with D. flagrans enhances the fungal predation capacity and potentiates anthelmintic efficacy.

As doenças parasitárias causadas por piolhos resistentes aos fármacos são causadoras de declínio na produtividade dos rebanhos ovinos no Nordeste do Brasil. Objetivou-se avaliar a eficácia “in vitro” de Amitraz 12,5%, Cipermetrina 15% e Ivermectina 0,5 %, sobre o piolho Bovicola ovis (Schrank, 1781). B. ovis (Schrank, 1781) oriundos de ovinos de Mossoró/RN foram empregados nessa avaliação. Os fármacos testados foram diluídos seguindo as recomendações do fabricante. Os controles negativos consistiram em piolhos imersos em água e piolhos não submetidos a quaisquer tratamentos, incluindo a água. Foram realizadas cinco repetições por grupo (tratamento), totalizando 625 piolhos distribuídos aleatoriamente em 25 placas. As análises foram realizadas no Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal (LPA) da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA). A mortalidade foi avaliada após 1, 3, 6, 24 e 48 horas após o início do experimento. Os dados foram expressos em valores de média ± desvio padrão (SPSS versão 23.0) e diferenças estatísticas dos grupos experimentais foram obtidas por Kruskal-Wallis e Friedman, com nível de significância de 5%. Ivermectina apresentou melhor eficácia quando comparada aos outros tratamentos a partir de 1 hora de observação e nos tempos 3 e 6 horas. Porém, as 24 e as 48 horas, Cipermetrina se equivaleu a Ivermectina em eficácia. Os demais tratamentos obtiveram resultados equivalentes aos obtidos com uso da ivermectina em 1 e 3 horas de avaliação. Destaca-se a similaridade de resultados entre o Amitraz e controles negativos até 6 horas. Por meio do presente estudo observou-se que a Ivermectina pode ser uma alternativa para o controle de piolhos B. ovis (SCHRANK 1781) em ovinos.