A fragilidade do tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) e seu visível desaparecimento de certas regiões, inclusa sua área de distribuição original mostram com clareza a necessidade de medidas que possam garantir proteção desse animal. O estudo do papel das doenças nesse aspecto constitui um eixo importante das estratégias para conservação dessa espécie, principalmente considerando-se que estudos ecológicos reconhecem as doenças como o mecanismo regulatório de populações naturais. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a freqüência de anticorpos anti- Leptospira, anti-Brucella abortus e anti-Chlamidophila. Foram analisadas 21 amostras de soro de tamanduás-bandeira de vida livre oriundos dos Parques Nacionais da Serra da Canastra e das Emas e da Reserva SESC Pantanal. Destes 12 (57,14%) amostras foram reagentes para o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica anti-Leptospira sp, 1 (0,04%) foi reagentes para o teste do Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado (TAA) - anti- Brucella abortus e todas as amostras foram consideradas negativas para a presença de anticorpos anti-Chlamidophila sp. Por se tratar de uma espécie que possui baixo potencial reprodutivo, apresentando cuidado parental prolongado, longos períodos de gestação e somente uma cria por ano, patógenos que possam afetar o sucesso reprodutivo, podem ser extremamente nocivos para populações de tamanduás-bandeira em vida livre. / The fragility of the giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and the disappearance of this animal from certain regions, including areas of original distribution, clearly indicates the necessity of adopting protective measures. Ecology studies consider diseases as regulatory mechanisms for natural populations, thus indicating that the study of the role of diseases constitutes an important axle on the strategies for conservation of the species, few studies correlates the environmental conservation state and the health of wild animal populations. The purpose the present study was to assess the frequency of occurrence of anti-Leptospira, anti-Brucella abortus and anti- Chlamidophila. Serum samples from 21 free-ranging giant anteater from the Serra da Canastra and the Emas National Parks, as well as the SESC Pantanal Reserve were evaluated for the presence of antibodies. From these 12 (57,14%) samples reacted to the anti-Leptospira sp microscopic serum agglutination test ,1 (0.04%) reacted to the anti-Brucella abortus Tampon Acidified Antigen Test (TAA) test, and all samples were negative for anti-Chlamidophila sp antibodies. As the giant anteater is a species that presents low reproductive potential, long parental care and pregnancy periods and produces only one offspring per year, the pathogens that can affect reproduction can be extremely deleterious free-ranging populations of giant anteaters.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:13:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE Bruno Medrado.pdf: 1863730 bytes, checksum: 142fb795d040f53ab90b6225b9c56530 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-10 / The main economic activity of the state of Tocantins, in Brazilian Amazon is cattle farms, with extensive breeding. Looking for contribution to cattle sanity, this study was devoted to the prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira in livestock of those farms, as production animals (cattle and equids), dogs and animal workers, from a rural governmental settlement in Aragominas, in the northwestern part of Tocantins. The statistically proofed sample was composed by 242 cows, 78 equids, 59 dogs and 41 animals workers, distributed in 38 small properties. All sampling was performed after informed consent, written in the case of human beings. For the diagnosis of leptospirosis, microscopic seroagglutination was performed in the Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Leptospirose do Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva da Escola de Medicina Veterinária da UFG, Goiânia-GO. The seroprevalence for Leptospira spp in cattle was 76,5% [70,7% 81,7%], with serovar predominance of Hardjo (26,2%), followed by Wolffi (23,4%) Hebdomadis (14,1%), Castellonis (11,7%), Grippotyphosa (9,1%) e Pyrogenes (4,8%). In equids the seroprevalence was 79,3% [68,9% 87,4%], with agglutinins more intense to wild life serovars Castellonis (24,4%), Grippotyphosa (13,7%), Patoc (13,1%), Butembo (8,9%), Pomona (7,1%), Hardjo (6,6%), Pyrogenes (6,6%) e Wolffi (6,6%). Dogs presented seroprevalence of 30,5% [19,2 43,9], prevailing Canicola (26,3%), Hardjo (13,3%), Bratislava (10,0%) and Pyrogenes (10,0%). Human leptospirosis seroprevalence in animal workers was 31,7% [18,1%-48,1%], cwith detections of serovars Hardjo (26,3%), Grippotyphosa (15,8%), Pyrogenes (10,5%), Wolffi (10,5%), Autumnalis (10,5%) e Bratislava (10,5%). Looking for association with environmental and breeding conditions, the seroprevalence was associated in cattle to Bos indicus cattle (OR=7,51; [0,99-56,97]), in equids to the use of antihelminths (OR=7,64[0,95 61,50]) and for dogs with use for shepherd cattle (OR=4,44[1,35 14,58]). These data point to endemicity of Leptospira infection in the area and are highly suggestive of extensive environmental contamination with wildlife and production animal serovars. These results also emphasize the importance of the control of livestock leptospirosis, lowering environmental contamination and allowing better animal sanitation, with measures that could be implemented in new adequate settlements. / A exploração pecuária bovina constitui-se em uma atividade fundamental para o Estado do Tocantins, que tem sua economia pautada no agronegócio. Visando contribuir para a sanidade bovina na região, objetivou-se neste estudo determinar a prevalência de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em animais de interesse econômico (bovinos e equinos), em cães e em humanos que tinham contato direto com animais, oriundos de assentamento rural do município de Aragominas, Tocantins, Brasil. A amostragem estatisticamente representativa foi constituída por 242 bovinos, 78 equídeos, 59 cães e 41 humanos, distribuídos em 38 propriedades. As colheitas de sangue dos animais e a aplicação de questionários foram realizadas após o aceite dos proprietários e, no caso dos humanos, após a leitura e assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. Para diagnóstico da leptospirose foi empregada a técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM) realizada no Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Leptospirose do Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva da Escola de Medicina Veterinária da UFG, em Goiânia-GO. A prevalência de infecção por Leptospira spp. em bovinos foi de 76,5% [70,7% 81,7%], com predominância de anticorpos aos sorovares Hardjo (26,2%), seguido do Wolffi (23,4%), Hebdomadis (14,1%), Castellonis (11,7%), Grippotyphosa (9,1%) e Pyrogenes (4,8%); em equídeos foi de 79,3% [68,9% 87,4%], com maior detecção de aglutininas para os sorovares Castellonis (24,4%), Grippotyphosa (13,7%), Patoc (13,1%), Butembo (8,9%), Pomona (7,1%), Hardjo (6,6%), Pyrogenes (6,6%) e Wolffi (6,6%). Já em cães, foi detectada soroprevalência de 30,5% [19,2 43,9], com maiores respostas aos sorovares Canicola (26,3%), seguido Hardjo (13,3%), Bratislava (10,0%) e Pyrogenes (10,0%) e em humanos constataram-se 31,7% [18,1%-48,1%] de reagentes, com detecção de anticorpos para os sorovares Hardjo (26,3%), Grippotyphosa (15,8%), Pyrogenes (10,5%), Wolffi (10,5%), Autumnalis (10,5%) e Bratislava (10,5%). Dentre os fatores avaliados, a prevalência mostrou-se associada na espécie bovina à raça zebu (OR=7,51; [0,99-56,97]), nos equídeos ao uso de vermífugo (OR=7,64[0,95 61,50]) e para cães a lida com gado (OR=4,44[1,35 14,58]). Os resultados encontrados apontam para uma situação de endemicidade e são sugestivos de alta contaminação ambiental por sorovares que possuem como hospedeiro natural animais de produção e silvestres; evidenciando a necessidade de controle da infecção animal, com a finalidade de diminuir a contaminação ambiental e a consequente infecção em seres humanos.

Campylobacter are probably the most important bacterial pathogen related to food-borne illnesses; specifically, gastroenteritis and diarrheal diseases. These bacteria can be isolated from various environments, but always originate from the intestine of warm blooded animals. Particularly, Campylobacter are found in the intestinal tract of poultry, and due to contamination of poultry meat and also further contamination of other food they can cause human infections. Sometimes this results in larger outbreaks, such as during 2016-2017 in Sweden where thousands of persons got infected by a single strain of Campylobacter jejuni sequence type 918 (ST-918). The same strain was also identified amongst a large number of poultry farms and suspicions were directed towards dirty transport cages for poultry as a main route for transmitting the strain between different farms. Similar scenarios with large outbreaks related to one or two single strains (ST-50 and ST-257) had also been observed in previous years and this raised questions about certain strains being especially adapted to survive outside the intestine. The aim here was to examine whether outbreak strains and other strains of C. jejuni have different potential to resist different stress conditions that may be encountered between the poultry farm and the human intestine.

The aim of this study was to investigate human-animal interactions in the triad comprising the veterinarian, the animal and the preschool and in so doing to elucidate the role of the veterinarian in the health and education of preschool children. The area of focus was a comparison of preschools in high and low income areas in and around Pretoria by means of qualitative and quantitative observational methods. It was found that all preschools investigated, included animals in the curriculum and a majority visited the zoo. Interactions included direct contact between children and animals kept permanently or temporarily at school, animal themes and topics, animal protagonists in books, videos, toys and games and excursions to the zoo, urban farms, agricultural museums and animal welfare societies. Teachers felt that child-animal interactions contributed positively to the holistic development of the preschool child, but were worried about management of animals at school and the possibility of zoonotic diseases. As protein of animal origin, such as milk, eggs, meat and fish, formed part of the diet of preschool children, this could also result in a risk of zoonotic disease, particularly in developing areas, where meat and milk hygiene were found to be inadequate. In order to address these fears, the literature was reviewed with regard to zoonotic diseases which could affect preschool children in South Africa. Incidence and prevalence were not well documented and the comparative significance could not be assessed. Therefore the comparative morbidity of diseases diagnosed by the paediatric department of a hospital serving the low income areas studied and a private practice serving the high income areas, were investigated. It was discovered that zoonotic disease formed a very minor proportion of diseases diagnosed. The diagnoses were, however, based on symptoms rather than aetiology and zoonotic causes for, in particular, respiratory and gastro-intestinal disease, could not be excluded. In the light of this, criteria were proposed for the prevention of zoonotic disease outbreaks at preschools. An outbreak of zoonotic disease at a preschool was documented and the application of primary health care principles suggested. Constraints were found to be mainly administrative. Co-operation between the departments of Health and Agriculture was complicated by financial implications which had not been budgeted. Despite this, the intervention was successful in controlling the disease and preventing further outbreaks. The presence of a veterinarian as part of the primary health care team was advocated. Within the preschool it was found that teachers lacked knowledge in the fields of animal ethology and management. Cost, ease of management and appeal to children were taken into account in the choice of animals by preschools. Rodents and birds were considered preferable to carnivores. Housing was evaluated and criteria suggested for management systems which would benefit both children and animals. Death and euthanasia of animals kept permanently at preschool was investigated and suggestions made for a teaching strategy to facilitate understanding by children of the abstract concepts of life, death and grief. A method was developed for the analysis of animal content in literature, games and toys at preschools. It was found that animals were central to the theme of a majority of the books and toys. Realistic fiction where anthropomorphic animals were the central protagonists, had most appeal for children and it was suggested that these could be used in veterinary extension materials for prevention of zoonotic diseases or promotion of animal welfare. An evaluation system was proposed which included the input of veterinary ethologists. Animal facilities visited by preschools during excursions were evaluated. It was found that they were not sufficiently child-centred and environmen¬tally safe for young children. It was suggested that veterinary public health officials should become involved in order to improve animal well-being, particularly with regard to handling facilities and hygiene. In conclusion, a schematic representation of the multitude of roles for veterinarians in the holistic development of the preschool child was drawn up. The roles for different veterinary specialities were also tabulated in order to illustrate the important part played by this profession in the health and education of preschool children. / Die doel van die studie was om mens-dier-interaksies in die driehoek tussen veearts, dier en die kleuterskool te ondersoek om sodoende die rol van die veearts in die gesondheid en opvoeding van die voorskoolse kind aan te dui. Kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is gebruik om kleuterskole in die lae en hoë inkomste-gebiede in en om Pretoria te vergelyk. Alle kleuterskole wat ondersoek is, het diere in die kurrikulum ingesluit en die meerderheid skole het uitstappies na die dieretuin onderneem. Kind-dierinteraksies het die volgende ingesluit: direkte kontak tussen kind en dier op skool; diere in temas, stories, boeke, speletjies en speelgoed; asook uitstappies na die dieretuin, landelike museums, stedelike plase en dierwelsynsorganisasies. Onderwyseresse het gemeen dat die interaksies positief bygedra het tot die holistiese ontwikkeling van die voorskoolse kind, maar het kommer uitgespreek oor bestuur en siektes van diere. Omdat proteïene van dierlike oorsprong deel uitmaak van die dieet van voorskoolse kinders, was soönose ook 'n moontlikheid, veral in kinders van ontwikkelende areas waar dit uitgewys was dat higiëne met betrekking tot vleis en melk, nie na wense was nie. 'n Literatuurstudie het aangetoon dat die algemeenheid en omvang van soönotiese siektes, wat moontlik gevaarlik kon wees vir voorskoolse kinders, nie volledig genoeg omskryf was nie. Die vergelykende morbiditeit van siektes by Ga-Rankuwa Hospitaal se kinderafdeling (pasiënte van lae-inkomste gebiede) en 'n private praktyk in die oostelike voorstede van Pretoria (hoë inkomste gebied), is dus ondersoek. Soönotiese siektes het 'n klein deel uitgemaak van die siektes wat gediagnoseer was, maar die diagnose was op simptome, eerder as die etiologie van die siektes, gebaseer. Die vermoede bestaan dat veral siektes wat gediagnoseer is as respiratories en gastro-enteries, 'n soönotiese oorsprong kon gehad het. 'n Uitbreek van 'n soönotiese siekte by 'n kleuterskool is ondersoek en daar is voorgestel dat primêre gesondheidsorgmetodes gebruik word om dit te bekamp. Teenkanting op administratiewe vlak was die belangrikste probleem wat ondervind was, maar ten spyte daarvan kon die ondersoek suksesvol verloop. Die rol van die veearts as deel van die primêre gesondheidspan is ook hierdeur beklemtoon. Binne die kleuterskool is gevind dat daar 'n gebrek aan kennis is oor diere-etologie en dierebestuur. Kostes, praktiese versorgingsmetodes en die stimuluswaarde van diersoorte, was belangrike aspekte in die keuse van diere wat by skole aangehou is. Daarom was knaagdiere, voëls en vissies meer gewild as honde en katte. Die behuising van die diere is geëvalueer volgens voorgestelde kriteria wat tot voordeel van beide diere en kinders kan strek. Die dood en genadedood van diere by twee kleuterskole is ondersoek en voorstelle is gemaak uit 'n opvoedingkundige oogpunt, om die kinders konsepte betreffende lewe, dood en rou te laat begryp en ook om dit te kan verwerk. 'n Metode is ook ontwerp vir die analise van boeke en speelgoed en daar is bewys dat diere 'n hoofrol gespeel het in die meerderheid boeke en speelgoed by voorskole. Kinders het boeke verkies waar die hoofkarakters antropomorfiese diere was en die omgewing vergelykbaar was met die lewenswêreld van kinders. 'n Voorstel is dus gemaak dat sulke karakters gebruik word om veeartsenykunde voorligtingsboodskappe oor soönotiese siektes of dierwelsyn oor te dra aan jong kinders.Stedelike plasies, die dieretuin, landboumuseums en die Dierebeskermingsvereniging in Pretoria is besoek en daar is bevind dat dit nie veilig genoeg vir jong kinders is nie. Daar word dus aanbeveei dat veeartse in diens van plaaslike owerhede se gesondheidsdienste sulke plekke besoek, om voorstelle oor verbeterde veiligheid en higiëne te maak.Ten slote is 'n skematiese voorstelling van die veelsydige rol van veeartsenykundiges in die holistiese ontwikkeling van die voorskoolse kind saamgestel. Die verskillende rolle vir verskillende spesialiteite is ook voorgelê om die belangrike bydrae van veeartsenykunde tot die gesondheid en opvoeding van voorskoolse kinders aan te dui. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 1995. / Production Animal Studies / unrestricted

Le virus du Nil occidental (VNO) est un flavivirus présent au Canada depuis 2001, affectant principalement les oiseaux, les chevaux et les humains. En 2003, l’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA) a inscrit le VNO sur la liste des maladies à notification immédiate (MANI) et depuis, les cas chez les animaux domestiques sont rapportés dès l’obtention d’un résultat positif à l’autorité fédérale. Aucune étude au Canada n’a encore colligé tous les cas de VNO chez une espèce animale afin d’améliorer la compréhension de la distribution du VNO au pays et de formuler des recommandations pour la prévention de futures infections. Dans le cadre de cette étude, tous les cas de VNO rapportés à l’ACIA chez les chevaux ont été analysés afin de décrire, dans un premier temps, l’incidence des cas rapportés de VNO au Canada (2003 à 2019) et les caractéristiques principales des cas récents (2015 à 2019). Dans un second temps, une analyse géospatiale a été effectuée afin de décrire les patrons spatiotemporels de la distribution des cas de VNO rapportés de 2003 à 2020 chez les chevaux. Au cours de la période d’étude, 848 cas de VNO chez les chevaux ont été rapportés à l’ACIA. Ces cas étaient répartis dans toutes les provinces, à l’exception des quatre provinces de l’Atlantique (Nouveau-Brunswick, Nouvelle-Écosse, Île-du-Prince-Édouard, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador). La région de l’Ouest (Colombie-Britannique, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) a déclaré un plus haut taux d’incidence (15,4 cas/100 000 chevaux-année) que la région de l’Est (8,3 cas/100 000 chevaux-année) (Ontario, Québec, Atlantique). Les taux d’incidence étaient particulièrement élevés en Saskatchewan avec en moyenne 33,2 cas/100 000 chevaux-année entre 2003 et 2019. L’analyse descriptive des caractéristiques des cas a démontré que 96 % de ceux-ci n’étaient pas vaccinés et que le taux de létalité était de 31,9 %. La distribution spatiotemporelle des cas a été décrite par région en analysant d’abord la récurrence annuelle des cas dans les divisions de recensement et ensuite la présence d’agrégats spatiotemporels pour investiguer les excès de risque. L’analyse des patrons spatiotemporels a révélé une dispersion vaste et rapide ainsi qu’une récurrence élevée du VNO dans la région de l’Ouest. En revanche, pour la région de l’Est, la dispersion du VNO a été plus lente et graduelle. Les agrégats spatiotemporels identifiés ont permis de démontrer que, malgré la présence répétée des cas dans certaines divisions de recensement, des excès de risque spatiotemporels peuvent être observés. Ces patrons indiquent que les cas de fièvre du VNO peuvent être anticipés dans les endroits où la récurrence annuelle est plus élevée et, parfois, conduire à des éclosions de la maladie. En somme, cette étude a mis en évidence l’importance de la surveillance du VNO chez les chevaux en décrivant notamment la saisonnalité du VNO et en délimitant des zones avec une forte récurrence de cas. Ces caractéristiques illustrent l’apport considérable de la surveillance chez les chevaux à un système de surveillance intégrée. Les résultats pourront aussi aider les autorités sanitaires et les médecins vétérinaires praticiens à cibler leurs efforts de prévention et de contrôle dans les zones les plus touchées. / West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus which has been present in Canada since 2001, affecting mostly birds, horses and humans. In 2003, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) included WNV on its list of immediately notifiable diseases (INDs), and since then, cases in domestic animals are reported to the federal authority as soon as positive samples are obtained from diagnostic laboratories. To date, no study in Canada has compiled all reported WNV cases in an animal species to describe the distribution of this virus in the country and formulate recommendations for future prevention strategies. In this study, all WNV cases reported to the CFIA in horses were analyzed to describe their incidence in Canada (2003 to 2019) and the main characteristics of the recent ones (2015 to 2019). A geospatial analysis was also conducted to describe the spatiotemporal patterns of reported WNV cases in horses from 2003 to 2020. Over the study period, 848 cases of WNV in horses were reported to the CFIA. These cases were distributed in all provinces, except for the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador). The western region of Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) reported a higher incidence rate (15.4 cases/100,000 horse-year) than the eastern region (8.3 cases/100,000 horse-year) (Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic). The reported incidence rates were particularly high in Saskatchewan, with an average of 33.2 cases/100,000 horse-year between 2003 and 2019. The descriptive analysis of case characteristics showed that 96% of cases were not vaccinated, and the case fatality rate was 31.9%. The regional spatiotemporal distribution of cases was described by first analyzing the annual recurrence of cases in census divisions and then the presence of spatiotemporal high-risk clusters. The analysis of spatiotemporal patterns revealed a swift spread and a high recurrence of WNV cases in the western region. In contrast, in the eastern region, the dispersion was slower and more gradual. The identified clusters showed that, despite the repeated presence of cases in some census divisions, excess in spatiotemporal risk can be observed. These patterns indicate that cases of WNV fever can be anticipated in areas with higher annual recurrence, and in some instances, can result in disease outbreaks. This study highlights the importance of WNV surveillance in horses, enabling a better understanding of the seasonality of WNV in horses and the identification of areas with a high recurrence of cases. The findings are a considerable contribution in an integrated surveillance system. The results can also assist health authorities and veterinary practitioners in targeting prevention and control efforts to the most affected areas.

APOBEC3 (A3) proteins are a family of host-encoded cytidine deaminases that protect against retroviruses and other viral intruders. Retroviruses, unlike other viruses, are able to integrate their genomic proviral DNA within hours of entering host cells. A3 proteins hinder retroviral infectivity by editing retroviral replication intermediates, as well as by inhibiting retroviral replication and integration through deamination-independent methods. These proteins thus constitute the first line of immune defense against endogenous and exogenous retroviral pathogens. The overall goal of my Master's project was to better understand the critical role A3 proteins play in restricting inter- and intra-host transmission of retroviruses. There are two specific aspects that I focused on: first, investigating the role of mouse APOBEC3 (mA3) in limiting the zoonotic transmission of murine leukemia retroviruses (MLVs) in a rural environment; second, to identify the molecular features in MLVs that confer susceptibility or resistance to deamination by mA3. For the first part of my project, we collected blood samples from dairy and production cattle from four different geographical locations across Canada. We then designed a novel PCR screening strategy targeting conserved genetic regions in MLVs and Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) and MMTV-like betaretroviruses. Our results indicate that 4% of animals were positive for MLV and 2% were positive for MMTV. Despite crossing the species barrier by gaining entry into bovine cells, our study also demonstrates that the bovine A3 protein is able to potently inhibit the spread of these murine retroviruses in vitro. The next question we asked was whether mA3 could also mutate and restrict murine endogenous retroviruses and thereby partake in limiting zoonotic transmission. Moloney MLV and AKV MLV are two highly homologous murine gammaretroviruses with opposite sensitivities to restriction by mA3: MoMLV is resistant to restriction and deamination while AKV is sensitive to both. Design of MoMLV/AKV hybrid viruses enabled us to map the region of mA3 resistance to the region encoding the glyco-Gag accessory protein. Site-directed mutagenesis then allowed us to correlate the number of N-linked glycosylation sites with the level of resistance to deamination by mA3. Our results suggest that Gag glycosylation is a possible viral defence mechanism that arose to counteract the evolutionary pressure imposed by mA3. Overall, my projects show the important role A3 proteins play in intrinsic immunity, whether defending the host from foreign retroviral invaders or endogenous retroviral foes.