Os abatedouros e frigoríficos caracterizam-se por agroindústrias potencialmente poluidoras devido a carga orgânica componente dos efluentes líquidos e resíduos sólidos gerados em seu processo. Para a minimização do impacto ambiental gerado por estes empreendimentos faz-se necessária a implementação de processos de tratamento que possibilitem a redução da carga orgânica, a transformação de resíduos em produtos de valor agregado e o aproveitamento energético. A implementação de biodigestores para o tratamento dos resíduos sólidos e efluentes líquidos gerados nos frigoríficos de suínos é uma opção interessante, haja visto o processo de digestão anaeróbia que compõe o sistema e os benefícios possíveis com sua aplicação. Neste intuito, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação de um digestor anaeróbio de fluxo contínuo, em escala real, utilizado para o tratamento dos resíduos sólidos e efluentes líquidos oriundos do processo. Para isto procedeu-se a caracterização físico-química dos substratos de alimentação do biodigestor bem como do afluente e efluente do sistema, além da realização de análises com o intuito de avaliar as características do biofertilizante e do biogás originados no processo. Os resultados demonstraram que o substrato de alimentação do biodigestor é composto por diversas origens e, cada qual, possui características físico- químicas específicas e diferenciadas porém, quando unificadas, propiciam o desenvolvimento de um ambiente suscetível ao desempenho da digestão anaeróbia. Avaliando a eficiência do sistema em geral, considerando os valores obtidos nas análises do afluente e efluente do mesmo, observou-se que alguns parâmetros apresentam eficiência enquanto, outros, resultaram em aumento de concentração. Este fato pode ter sido desencadeado por fatores externos ao sistema. Quanto ao biofertilizante oriundo do biodigestor, foi caracterizado como resíduo sólido não inerte sendo possível, com algumas restrições, a sua aplicação em solo. O biogás, por sua vez, apresentou concentrações interessantes de metano, sendo, portanto, passível de utilização em diversos processos industriais. / Slaughterhouses are potentially polluting agricultural industries due to the organic load present in the wastewater and solid waste generated in the process. To minimize the environmental impact generated by this type of activity, it is necessary to provide a treatment processes that enables the reduction of the organic matter present in slaughterhouse waste, transforms waste into value-added products and exploits energy use efficiently. The implementation of biodigesters to treat solid waste and wastewater generated in slaughterhouses is an interesting option, given the anaerobic digestion process that makes up the system and the possible benefits it provides. Therefore, the present study evaluated the efficiency of an anaerobic continuous flow digester, in real scale, used for the treatment of solid waste and liquid effluents from the process. In order to do so, physicochemical characterization of the digester feed substrates, as well as, characterization of the influent and effluent of the system were performed. In addition, analyzes were executed to evaluate the characteristics of the bio-fertilizer and biogas originating in the process. The results showed that the digester feed substrate is composed of various origins and, each has a specific and distinct physicochemical characteristic, but when these different characteristics are combined they favor the development of an environment prone to the performance of the anaerobic digestion. By assessing the overall system efficiency, while considering the values obtained for the influent and effluent analysis, some parameters were considered efficient, whereas others result in the increase of concentration. This may have been triggered by factors which are external to the system. The bio-fertilizer originating from the digester was characterized as non-inert solid waste, which might require certain restrictions in its application in soil. Biogas, in turn, presented interesting methane concentration and is therefore likely to be used in various industrial processes.

The effects of month on body weight, body condition scores, internal parasite prevalence and on nutritionally related blood metabolites were studied in Angus, Bonsmara and Nguni steers raised on sweet veld. Pre-slaughter stress was also determined using catecholamines, cortisol, dopamine, packed cell volume and serum creatinine levels. The blood chemical constituents evaluated included glucose, cholesterol, total protein, creatinine, urea, globulin, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine kinase (CK). The Nguni steers maintained their body condition throughout the study period whereas Angus steers had the least body condition scores. Parasite levels were high during the rainy season and low during the dry season. The predominant internal parasites were Haemonchus (39.3 percent), Trichostrongylus (37.8 percent), Cooperia pectinita (25.5 percent), Fasciola gigantica (16.3 percent) and Ostertagia ostertagi (11.2 percent). The Nguni had the least parasite infestation levels and had high PCV levels. Nguni had higher levels of cholesterol and glucose (2.86 and 4mmol/l, respectively) than the other two breeds. Nguni and Bonsmara steers had higher (P<0.05) mineral levels. There were significant breed and month differences for glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, calcium, albumin, phosphorus, albumin-globulin ratio and ALP levels. Bonsmara was more susceptible to transport and pre-slaughter stress as it had the highest (P<0.05) levels of adrenalin (10.8nmol/mol), noradrenalin (9.7nmol/mol) and dopamine (14.8nmol/mol) levels, whereas the Nguni had the least levels of adrenalin (6.5nmol/mol), noradrenalin (4.6nmol/mol) and dopamine (4nmol/mol) levels. In conclusion, Nguni steers were better adapted to the local environmental conditions

The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of farm to abattoir environmental conditions and their subsequent effects on behavioural and physiological responses, as well as the quality of meat from Nguni (NG) and non-descript (ND) beef steers reared extensively on natural pastures. The forty 16 – 19 months old steers (20 ND and 20 NG) used in the current study were grouped together, medically treated, allowed three weeks acclimatizing period and were used in this trial over a four-month period. The weather and periodical variations influence on time budgets and body weights of these steers were determined. Furthermore, the effects of on-farm successive handling on behavioural scores and physiological responses of the same steers were determined. Later in the trial, some pre-slaughter effects on response-behaviour, bleed-out times and selected blood physiological responses were determined. Finally, the effect of genotype, muscle type, lairage duration, slaughter order and stress responsiveness on pH24, temperature, colour (L*, a*, b*, C, HA), thawing (TL) and cooking (CL) losses and Warner Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) of the meat harvested from the same steers were determined. The daily time budgets of steers in natural pastures changed with temperature, humidity, observation week and time of the day. The grazing behaviour was observed throughout the observation days (> 37 percent); though it was reduced (26.9±2.64 percent) on days with higher temperatures and low humidity. Higher proportions of drinking (1.5±1.04 percent) and standing (20.8±4.63 percent) behaviours prolonged in such weather conditions, which were mostly during midday. The avoidance-related behaviour of the steers during handling varies, with the steers showing more avoidance and aggression in other weeks than some. These variations could however be traced back to the events of that particular day/time of handling. Only Weighing Box (WBS) and stepping (SS) scores differed (P<0.05) with genotype; with more calm NG steers (> 40 percent) and not kicking than the ND steers that were more vocal (20–60 percent) and kicking (> 5 percent). In addition, the weekly behavioural responses were reflected (P<0.05) in the measured cortisol, glucose and lactate. However, regardless of the prominent negative behaviour seen over time, the levels of the measured blood constituents continued to drop. Furthermore, steers of different genotypes displayed similar (P>0.05) response to the identical pre-slaughter conditions they were exposed to. However, steers that were Transport Group 1 (TG1) showed more avoidance (63.2 percent) pre-slaughter than those in TG2 (23.9 percent). Furthermore, all the steers that were in slaughter Group 2 (SG2) showed less avoidance behaviour than those in other groups. Vocalization was observed only for ND steers (5 percent), in TG1 and SG2. Some connections between the observed pre-slaughter activities and some behavioural and physiological changes of these steers were established; with TG1 and SG1 steers showing higher cortisol (140±14.50 and 175.9±17.24 nmol/L, respectively) and lactate (12.4±0.83 and 13.5±1.12 mmolL) levels than the other groups. Lastly, the muscle type, genotype, lairage duration, slaughter order and stress responsiveness have an effect on some meat quality characteristics of the two genotypes; with the L. dorsi muscle having highest WBSF (38.0±1.35N) than the Superficial pectoral muscle (Brisket muscle) (30.7±1.35N). Additionally, steers lairaged for a shorter time produced a L. dorsi with higher WBSF (41.6±2.34N) and a Brisket with lower TL (2.7±0.24 percent). It can therefore be concluded that the conditions and activities at the farm, during transportation, lairaging and slaughter at the abattoir have an influence on some behavioural and physiological changes and the quality of beef harvested from the Nguni and non-descript steers that were extensively-reared in natural pastures. However, the relationship patterns between these different conditions are not clear.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T16:53:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-12-05Bitstream added on 2015-05-14T16:59:03Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000829410.pdf: 511554 bytes, checksum: 8af199dd873a4a75c37c1be5aadce934 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O presente estudo teve por objetivos determinar a ocorrência de Streptococcus suis em funcionários (portadores sadios) e ambiente de abatedouros com SIF do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, descrever a distribuição dos diferentes tipos do agente e o perfil de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos das linhagens isoladas, bem como pesquisar os fatores de risco associados à ocorrência do patógeno. Suabes de tonsilas de 139 funcionários e 261 suabes ambientais foram coletados para detecção de S. suis e seus tipos através das técnicas de monoplex e multiplex PCR, respectivamente. Não houve detecção de funcionários portadores sadios. S. suis foi isolado de 27,03% das amostras coletadas no abatedouro A; 17,31% no abatedouro B; 15,31% no abatedouro C; e 36,36% no abatedouro D. Diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) foi observada para as ocorrências de S. suis entre os abatedouros e entre as áreas de risco baixo, médio e alto da etapa de matança no abatedouro A. Os tipos 4 (20,00%), 5 (20,00%), 12 (20,00%) e 29 (20,00%) foram os mais frequentes seguidos pelos tipos 21 (10,00%) e 31 (10,00%). Os antimicrobianos mais eficazes foram amoxicilina com clavulanato (100,00%), doxiciclina (100,00%), ceftiofur (93,75%), ampicilina (81,25%) e cefalexina (75,00%). Multirresistência foi observada em 100,00% das linhagens isoladas. Os abatedouros e as diferentes áreas da etapa de matança podem ser fatores de risco para a ocorrência de S. suis, consequentemente, para infecção humana pelo patógeno. No entanto, é importante ressaltar que todos os funcionários estão expostos à infecção. O presente trabalho é o primeiro estudo epidemiológico realizado no Brasil acerca dos fatores de risco associados à ocorrência de S. suis envolvendo grande número de indivíduos pertencentes ao principal grupo de risco / The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of Streptococcus suis in employees (healthy carriers) and environment of swine slaughterhouses with federal inspection service of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to describe the distribution of the different types of the agent and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolated strains, as well as to research the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the pathogen. Tonsillar swabs of 139 employees and 261 environmental swabs were collected for detection of S. suis and its types by monoplex and multiplex PCR, respectively. There was no detection of healthy carriers employees. S. suis was isolated from 27.03% of the samples collected at slaughterhouse A; 17.31% at slaughterhouse B; 15.31% at slaughterhouse C; and 36.36% at slaughterhouse D. Significant statistical differences (p<0.05) were observed for the occurrence of S. suis among slaughterhouses and among areas of low, medium and high risk of the slaughterhouse A. The types 4 (20.00%), 5 (20.00%), 12 (20.00%) and 29 (20.00%) were the most frequent followed by types 21 (10.00%) and 31 (10.00%). The most effective antimicrobials were amoxicillin-clavulanate (100.00%), doxycycline (100.00%), ceftiofur (93.75%), ampicillin (81.25%) and cephalexin (75.00%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 100.00% of the isolates. The slaughterhouses and the different areas of the pig slaughtering may be risk factors for the occurrence of S. suis and, consequently, for human infection. However, it is noteworthy that all employees are exposed to S. suis infection. This project is the first epidemiological study in Brazil about the risk factors associated with the occurrence of S. suis involving a large numbers of individuals belonging to the main risk group / FAPESP: 2011/50787-1

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Paes / Banca: Jane Megid / Banca: Márcio Garcia Ribeiro / Banca: Sandra de Moraes Gimenes Bosco / Banca: Rogério Giuffrida / Resumo: O presente estudo teve por objetivos determinar a ocorrência de Streptococcus suis em funcionários (portadores sadios) e ambiente de abatedouros com SIF do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, descrever a distribuição dos diferentes tipos do agente e o perfil de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos das linhagens isoladas, bem como pesquisar os fatores de risco associados à ocorrência do patógeno. Suabes de tonsilas de 139 funcionários e 261 suabes ambientais foram coletados para detecção de S. suis e seus tipos através das técnicas de monoplex e multiplex PCR, respectivamente. Não houve detecção de funcionários portadores sadios. S. suis foi isolado de 27,03% das amostras coletadas no abatedouro A; 17,31% no abatedouro B; 15,31% no abatedouro C; e 36,36% no abatedouro D. Diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) foi observada para as ocorrências de S. suis entre os abatedouros e entre as áreas de risco baixo, médio e alto da etapa de matança no abatedouro A. Os tipos 4 (20,00%), 5 (20,00%), 12 (20,00%) e 29 (20,00%) foram os mais frequentes seguidos pelos tipos 21 (10,00%) e 31 (10,00%). Os antimicrobianos mais eficazes foram amoxicilina com clavulanato (100,00%), doxiciclina (100,00%), ceftiofur (93,75%), ampicilina (81,25%) e cefalexina (75,00%). Multirresistência foi observada em 100,00% das linhagens isoladas. Os abatedouros e as diferentes áreas da etapa de matança podem ser fatores de risco para a ocorrência de S. suis, consequentemente, para infecção humana pelo patógeno. No entanto, é importante ressaltar que todos os funcionários estão expostos à infecção. O presente trabalho é o primeiro estudo epidemiológico realizado no Brasil acerca dos fatores de risco associados à ocorrência de S. suis envolvendo grande número de indivíduos pertencentes ao principal grupo de risco / Abstract: The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of Streptococcus suis in employees (healthy carriers) and environment of swine slaughterhouses with federal inspection service of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to describe the distribution of the different types of the agent and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolated strains, as well as to research the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the pathogen. Tonsillar swabs of 139 employees and 261 environmental swabs were collected for detection of S. suis and its types by monoplex and multiplex PCR, respectively. There was no detection of healthy carriers employees. S. suis was isolated from 27.03% of the samples collected at slaughterhouse A; 17.31% at slaughterhouse B; 15.31% at slaughterhouse C; and 36.36% at slaughterhouse D. Significant statistical differences (p<0.05) were observed for the occurrence of S. suis among slaughterhouses and among areas of low, medium and high risk of the slaughterhouse A. The types 4 (20.00%), 5 (20.00%), 12 (20.00%) and 29 (20.00%) were the most frequent followed by types 21 (10.00%) and 31 (10.00%). The most effective antimicrobials were amoxicillin-clavulanate (100.00%), doxycycline (100.00%), ceftiofur (93.75%), ampicillin (81.25%) and cephalexin (75.00%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 100.00% of the isolates. The slaughterhouses and the different areas of the pig slaughtering may be risk factors for the occurrence of S. suis and, consequently, for human infection. However, it is noteworthy that all employees are exposed to S. suis infection. This project is the first epidemiological study in Brazil about the risk factors associated with the occurrence of S. suis involving a large numbers of individuals belonging to the main risk group / Doutor

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The poultry industry is one of the largest industries in the South African agricultural sector. To sustain their various operations, this industry utilises a large quantity of potable water to process slaughtered birds in order to satisfy hygiene and sanitation requirements in processing facilities. Thus, the consumption of potable water during poultry slaughterhouse operations results in the production of high-strength poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW), which is laden with a variety of pollutants, including fats, oil and grease (FOG), carcass debris, feathers and organic matter, including proteins, that should be removed from the wastewater, or at least reduced in concentration, prior to the PSW being discharged into the environment. This is to avoid and/or minimise levies and non-compliance penalties from monitoring institutions in charge of controlling the quality of effluents in the area from which the PSW was collected for this study. Furthermore, the option of treating and recycling the PSW to address the current issue of water scarcity in the Western Cape (South Africa), and to minimise possible harmful effects on the environment, will reduce the overreliance on slaughterhouses in the region on potable/drinking water, thus also lessening running costs associated with water procurement for operations. Various technologies, involving physical, chemical or biological processes, have been evaluated for the treatment of PSW, with this study focusing on anaerobic treatment (part of the biological treatment) of PSW, using a high-rate anaerobic bioreactor system (HRABs), which provides for low production of sludge, the production of biogas as a source of energy and the provision of high performance in terms of organic matter removal. Moreover, HRABs are cheaper, when compared to other aerobic treatment technologies. However, numerous potential challenges were encountered when using HRABs, such as low production of biogas due to gas entrapment, head losses across the granular bed, sludge washout in upflow HRABs, uneven wastewater distribution, and thus poor dispersion of the organic matter, which impacts on the adequacy of treatment, poor release of toxic substances contained in the entrapped biogas (NH3 or H2S), clogging of the underdrain system for down-flow HRABs, or the formation of dead zones within the granular bed, resulting in short-circuiting.

Thesis (DTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The process of anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable technologies to treat wastewater in the agricultural sector. In South Africa, in some industries in the agricultural sector, such as the poultry industry in particular, slaughterhouses have the highest consumption of potable water, culminating in the production of a large quantity of high strength wastewater. This high consumption of potable water has become a concern in South Africa due to water scarcity and reduced rainfall attributed to global warming, including weather changes. Furthermore, the generation of a large volume of wastewater poses environmental pollution concerns. The wastewater from poultry slaughterhouses can be quite easily treated to a suitable quality for reuse, using various bioreactor systems that utilise low cost anaerobic digestion processes. However, as this wastewater contains a high quantity of biodegradable organic matter – with the primary pollutants being proteins, blood, fats, oil and grease (FOG) – selecting a suitable anaerobic reactor configuration (up-flow vs down-flow) plays an important role in achieving high reactor performance. In this study, both the up-flow, (i.e. Expanded Granular Sludge Bed Reactor) and the down-flow (i.e. Static Granular Static Granular Bed Reactor), were studied to quantitatively determine their performance in treating poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. Firstly, the feasibility of treating poultry slaughterhouse wastewater with an up-flow Expanded Granular Sludge Bed Reactor (EGSB) coupled with anoxic and aerobic bioreactors was investigated at an HRT of 7 (168 hr), 4 (96 hr) and 3 (72 hr) days using organic loading rates of 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 gCOD/L.day. The averaged tCOD removal for the EGSB reactor was 40%, 57% and 55%, respectively, at the various OLRs and HRTs investigated. The overall tCOD removal of the system (EGSB-anoxic/aerobic) at high OLR of 1.0 gCOD/L.day was increased to 65%. The redundant performance of the up-flow EGSB reactor was attributed to the periodical sludge washout experienced during its operation due to high FOG and TSS concentrations in the influent. Due to the periodic sludge washout, the reactor required continuous re-inoculation resulting in the EGSB being operated for a short period (i.e. 26 days). As a result of such system deficiency, it was recommended that to improve the performance of the up-flow EGSB reactor in treating poultry slaughterhouse wastewater, a pre-treatment system – such as a Dissolved Air Floatation system (DAFs) or a FOG skimmer – is required to reduce the FOG and total suspended solids (TSS) load prior to the wastewater fed to the EGSB. This will minimise system failure and the need for a continuous re-inoculation of the system (see Appendix C for improved operation strategy of the EGSB reactor). Furthermore, a system redesign was recommended, thus the use of the SGBR. Secondly, after the EGSB system evaluation, the performance of a down-flow system (i.e. SGBR) for the new design, the following were deemed appropriate for improved system (SGBR) design: 1) reduced HRT for high wastewater treatment through-put rates; 2) the ability to adequately treat the wastewater with higher organic loading rates; and 3) reduction of the plant footprint by using a membrane filtration system (i.e. a single process unit) to effectively reduce process requirements needed for the anoxic/aerobic bioreactors (i.e. n=2 process unit) used with the EGSB. Similarly, for large-scale operations, it is advisable to have a backwash system to adequately handle declogging processes (i.e. these systems modifications were evaluated in the SGBR). The SGBR, coupled with an ultra-filtration (UF) membrane system, was then investigated for treating the poultry slaughterhouse wastewater at an HRT of 55 hrs and 40 hrs, including average OLRs of 1.01 and 3.14 gCOD/L.day, respectively. The average maximum performance of the SGBR in terms of tCOD, TSS and FOG removal was > 90% at the OLRs and HRTs investigated. The UF membrane system used as a post-treatment system further yielded a system performance improvement for tCOD, TSS and FOG of 64%, 88% and 60%, respectively. The overall performance of the combined system (SGBR and UF membrane system) in terms of tCOD, TSS and FOG removal was 98%, 99.8% and 92.4%, respectively. The highest performance for the down-flow SGBR was attributed to its ability to retain granulated sludge in the reactor while maximizing the digestion of the organic matter fed into the reactor, even at higher OLRs. Furthermore, for effective declogging, the implementation of a periodic backwash system to effectively remove dispersed fine sludge particles in the underdrain and excessive suspended solids entrapment was observed to ease the system operational deficiencies.

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / In the recent past, the poultry industry in South Africa has grown due to an increased demand of poultry products as a result of population growth and improved living standards. Furthermore, this has led to poultry slaughterhouses generating high strength wastewater which is laden with a high concentration of organic and inorganic pollutants from the slaughtering process and sanitation of equipment and facilities. As a result, South Africa has promulgated restrictions and a set of quality standards for effluent discharged into the environment to minimize ecological degradation and human health impact. Hence, there is a need for improved Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater (PSW) pre-treatment prior to either discharge into municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) or on-site secondary treatment processes such as anaerobic digesters. Additionally, amongst the pre-treatment methods for Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) laden wastewater, flotation remains the most popular with Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system being the most applied. However, modelling and optimization of a biological DAF system has never been attempted before in particular for a bioflocculant supported DAF (BioDAF) for PSW pre-treatment. Process modelling and optimization involves process adjustment to optimize influential parameters. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to develop an empirical model of a BioDAF for pre-treatment of PSW, for which a bioflocculant producer including production conditions, flocculant type and its floc formation mechanism, were identified. Twenty-one (n = 21) microbial strains were isolated from the PSW and their flocculation activity using kaolin clay suspension (4g/L) was quantified, with a mutated Escherichia coli (mE.coli) [accession number LT906474.1], having the highest flocculation activity even in limited nutrient conditions; hence, it was used for further analysis in other experiments. Furthermore, the optimum conditions for bioflocculant production achieved using RSM were pH of 6.5 and 36°C conditions which induced instantaneous bioflocculant production with the highest flocculation activity. The bioflocculant produced by the mE.coli showed the presence of carboxyl/amine, alkyne and hydroxyl functional groups, which was indicative that the bioflocculant contained both polysaccharides and some amino acids.

Orientador: Helio Langoni / Banca: Antonio Carlos Paes / Banca: Márcio Garcia Ribeiro / Banca: Lisiane de Almeida Martins / Banca: Luiz Fernando Pita Gondim / Resumo: Toxoplasma gondii é um parasito de grande importância no contexto de produção animal e saúde pública, sendo importante patógeno oportunista em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Este estudo objetivou determinar a soroprevalência de toxoplasmose em ovinos de abatedouros do estado de São Paulo, e a variabilidade genotípica dos isolamentos obtidos. A presença de anticorpos para T. gondii foi pesquisada em 602 amostras de soro pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), aglutinação direta modificada (MAT), com antígeno fixado pelo metanol (AM) e formalina (AF). Bioensaio em camundongos e pesquisa do DNA do parasito pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) do gene 529 pares de bases (pb), repetitivo 300 vezes no genoma do parasito, foi realizado com cérebro, pulmão e músculo ("pool" de diafragma e coração) dos ovinos soropositivos. Das amostras positivas à PCR realizou-se a genotipagem pelas técnicas de multilocus-, nested-PCR e polimorfismo de comprimento dos fragmentos de restrição (RFLP-PCR) em 12 loci (SAG1, 5'SAG2, 3'SAG2, alt-SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, CS3), adicionado de ROP18Del e ROP18UPS, além da confirmação do parasito pelo locus 18S rRNA, diferenciando de Hammondia hammondi, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis neurona, S. moulei, S. miescheriana, S. hominis, S. capracanis e S. tenella. 66/602 (11,0%) amostras de soro foram positivas para algum teste sorológico, com maior sensibilidade da MAT-AF, utilizado como teste de triagem. Amostras teciduais de 20/66 (30,3%) animais foram positivas ao isolamento, sendo detectados cistos em 12, taquizoítos em quatro e somente sorologia positiva em outras quatro. Detectouse o DNA do parasito em amostras de 22/66 (33,3%) animais. O genótipo completo foi obtido em somente 13/22 (59,1%). Dez genótipos diferentes foram identificados, sendo seis novos genótipos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite with high importance to the animal production and public health, being important opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in ovines in slaughterhouses from State of de São Paulo, and the genotypic variability of the obtained isolates. T. gondii antibodies were researched in 602 serum samples by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and modified agglutination test (MAT), with methanol- (AM) and formalin-fixed antigen (AF). Bioassay in mice and the research of DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of gene 529 base pairs (bp), 300 times repetitive in parasite genome, was assayed with brain, lung and muscle ("pool" of diaphragm and heart) from seropositive ovines. Genotyping of the PCR positive samples was performed by multilocus-, nested-PCR and restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) in 12 loci (SAG1, 5'SAG2, 3'SAG2, alt-SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico and CS3), added of ROP18Del and ROP18UPS, beyond the confirmation by 18S rRNA locus, to differentiate Hammondia hammondi, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis neurona, S. moulei, S. miescheriana, S. hominis, S. capracanis and S. tenella. 66/602 (11.0%) serum samples were positive to, at least, one serological test with high sensitivity to MAT-AF, used as screening test. Tissue samples of 20/66 (30.3%) animals were positive to the isolation, being detected cysts in 12, tachyzoites in four and in other four only positive result to the serology. DNA of the parasite was detected in samples of 22/66 (33.3%) animals. The complete genotype was detected in only 13/22 (59.1%). Ten different genotypes were identified, with six new genotypes. Two samples presented type II, isolated from Polwarth (Ideal) breed, bred extensively in Santana do Livramento and Uruguaiana, RS. Two other samples, from... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Abstract Although the present day management of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus L.) and its operational environment have changed from the past, knowledge of the ecological mechanisms typical of traditional herding is still important. The main objective of this study was to examine factors related to stock productivity and carrying capacity of pastures in the Finnish semi-domesticated reindeer management area during 1960-1990's in order to clarify the basis of the present management strategies in Finland. In the Oraniemi district, before 1987, calf production was more affected by the snow conditions of the previous winter, than the weather conditions of the previous summer. Slaughtering mass of calves was more affected by the weather and precipitation in spring and summer than the snow conditions of the previous winter. Thick snow cover and unfrozen soil in early winter also probably affect the quality of natural winter food of reindeer by favouring the growth of certain micro fungi on pastures. Before the mid-1990's in the northern part of the management area, calf production decreased and its variability increased between the districts when reindeer densities on forest and heath land increased, amount of lichen (Cladonia spp.) pastures per reindeer decreased and condition of these pastures deteriorated. Variability in calf production increased especially when the amount of arboreal lichen (Alectoria, Bryoria spp.) pastures per reindeer decreased. The slaughtering mass of reindeer decreased when reindeer densities on all pastures increased. Intensive calf slaughtering increased reindeer stock productivity although it was density dependent. Because of intensified feeding, reindeer densities on winter pastures did not affect stock productivity in the whole management area between 1993 and 1999. Stock productivity could be increased markedly by feeding. Still, slaughtering mass and meat production per reindeer decreased when reindeer densities on summer pastures increased. In the Finnish grazing system, reindeer densities should have remained well below 10 reindeer/km2 lichen range for maintaining lichen ranges in a good condition. The average lichen biomass of lichen ranges in the management area in the mid-1990's was 13% of the lichen biomass at the maximum production. Lichen ranges should have been ungrazed for an average 18 years to recover to the maximum production. The time needed for the lichen ranges to recover to a good condition, would have been 7 years. This study showed that the amount and condition of pastures had a fundamental part in the productivity of Finnish reindeer stock. Calf slaughtering and feeding were effective ways to increase and stabilize stock productivity in the situation where the economic carrying capacity of winter ranges has obvuously been exceeded due to overgrazing and the effects caused by the other land use. This has made reindeer management more and more dependent on feeding. Improvements of the state and condition of winter ranges would only be possible during a long period by regulating reindeer stock size, developing pasture rotation and protecting reindeer pastures from the other land use.