PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Lisbôa R.S., Guedes Júnior D.S., Silva F.J.M., Cunha N.C., Machado C.H. & Fonseca A.H. 2008. [Alterations in hematological parameters of Gallus gallus domesticus experimentally infected with Borrelia anserina.] Alterações nos parâmetros hematológicos de Gallus gallus domesticus experimentalmente infectados por Borrelia anserina. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(10):527-532. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: raquellisboa@ufrrj.br Avian spirochaetosis is a cosmopolite acute septicemic disease of many avian species, caused by Borrelia anserina Sakharoff, 1891. The present study assesses the estimate of the hematological alterations of Gallus gallus domesticus experimentally infected with B. anserina by vector Argas (Persicargas) miniatus. Twenty-seven fowls of the species G. g. domesticus, 67 days old, were randomly allocated into three groups composed by nine animals each. One group was exposed to B. anserina infected ticks (Group 1), other one to ticks free of this agent (Group 2), and another group not exposed to ticks (Group 3). Blood smears of the fowls were taken daily, since the first day the fowls were exposed to the ticks, up to the 25th day after exposure (DAE). Blood samples were collected three days before exposure, and three, eight and 18 DAE, for hematologic tests. The examination of Group 1 smears revealed large number of spirochaetes. Group 2 and 3 blood smears were negative during the whole period under exam. In agreement with the hematological evaluation results, the fowls exposed to infected ticks showed a normocytic normochromic anemia in eight DAE, leucocytosis with heterophilia and monocytosis concomitant with the spirochaetemia. We concluded that B. anserina infection determined on fowls of Group 1 hematological alterations compatible with bacterial infection of moderate gravity, developing to self-cure, in the experimental conditions established in this study.

• Borrelia anserina Argas (Persicargas) miniatus avian hematology domestic fowls avian spirochaetosis

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Lisbôa R.S., Guedes Júnior D.S., Silva F.J.M., Cunha N.C., Machado C.H. & Fonseca A.H. 2008. [Alterations in hematological parameters of Gallus gallus domesticus experimentally infected with Borrelia anserina.] Alterações nos parâmetros hematológicos de Gallus gallus domesticus experimentalmente infectados por Borrelia anserina. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(10):527-532. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: raquellisboa@ufrrj.br Avian spirochaetosis is a cosmopolite acute septicemic disease of many avian species, caused by Borrelia anserina Sakharoff, 1891. The present study assesses the estimate of the hematological alterations of Gallus gallus domesticus experimentally infected with B. anserina by vector Argas (Persicargas) miniatus. Twenty-seven fowls of the species G. g. domesticus, 67 days old, were randomly allocated into three groups composed by nine animals each. One group was exposed to B. anserina infected ticks (Group 1), other one to ticks free of this agent (Group 2), and another group not exposed to ticks (Group 3). Blood smears of the fowls were taken daily, since the first day the fowls were exposed to the ticks, up to the 25th day after exposure (DAE). Blood samples were collected three days before exposure, and three, eight and 18 DAE, for hematologic tests. The examination of Group 1 smears revealed large number of spirochaetes. Group 2 and 3 blood smears were negative during the whole period under exam. In agreement with the hematological evaluation results, the fowls exposed to infected ticks showed a normocytic normochromic anemia in eight DAE, leucocytosis with heterophilia and monocytosis concomitant with the spirochaetemia. We concluded that B. anserina infection determined on fowls of Group 1 hematological alterations compatible with bacterial infection of moderate gravity, developing to self-cure, in the experimental conditions established in this study.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Campos T.A., Lago J.C., Nakazato G., Stehling E.G., Brocchi M., Castro A.F.P. & Silveira W.D. 2008. Occurrence of virulence-related sequences and phylogenetic analysis of commensal and pathogenic avian Escherichia coli strains (APEC). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(10):533-540. Departamento de Microbiologia e Immunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Unicamp, Cidade Universitrária Zeferino Vaz s/n, Campinas, SP 13081-862, Brazil. E-mail: wds@unicamp.br The presence of iron uptake (irp-2, fyuA, sitA, fepC, iucA), adhesion (iha, lpfAO157/O141, lpfAO157/O154, efa, toxB) and invasion (inv, ial-related DNA sequences and assignment to the four main Escherichia coli phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2 e D) were determined in 30 commensal E. coli strains isolated from healthy chickens and in 49 APEC strains isolated from chickens presenting clinical signs of septicemia (n=24) swollen head syndrome (n=14) and omphalitis (n=11) by PCR. None of the strains presented DNA sequences related to the inv, ial, efa, and toxB genes. DNA sequences related to lpfAO157/O154, iucA, fepC, and irp-2 genes were significantly found among pathogenic strains, where iucA gene was associated with septicemia and swollen head syndrome and fepC and irp-2 genes were associated with swollen head syndrome strains. Phylogenetic typing showed that commensal and omphalitis strains belonged mainly to phylogenetic Group A and swollen head syndrome to phylogenetic Group D. Septicemic strains were assigned in phylogenetic Groups A and D. These data could suggest that clonal lineage of septicemic APEC strains have a multiple ancestor origin; one from a pathogenic bacteria ancestor and other from a non-pathogenic ancestor that evolved by the acquisition of virulence related sequences through horizontal gene transfer. Swollen head syndrome may constitute a pathogenic clonal group. By the other side, omphalitis strains probably constitute a non-pathogenic clonal group, and could cause omphalitis as an opportunistic infection. The sharing of virulence related sequences by human pathogenic E. coli and APEC strains could indicate that APEC strains could be a source of virulence genes to human strains and could represent a zoonotic risk.

• Avian colibacillosis Escherichia coli APEC virulence related-genes pathogenic clones

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Campos T.A., Lago J.C., Nakazato G., Stehling E.G., Brocchi M., Castro A.F.P. & Silveira W.D. 2008. Occurrence of virulence-related sequences and phylogenetic analysis of commensal and pathogenic avian Escherichia coli strains (APEC). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(10):533-540. Departamento de Microbiologia e Immunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Unicamp, Cidade Universitrária Zeferino Vaz s/n, Campinas, SP 13081-862, Brazil. E-mail: wds@unicamp.br The presence of iron uptake (irp-2, fyuA, sitA, fepC, iucA), adhesion (iha, lpfAO157/O141, lpfAO157/O154, efa, toxB) and invasion (inv, ial-related DNA sequences and assignment to the four main Escherichia coli phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2 e D) were determined in 30 commensal E. coli strains isolated from healthy chickens and in 49 APEC strains isolated from chickens presenting clinical signs of septicemia (n=24) swollen head syndrome (n=14) and omphalitis (n=11) by PCR. None of the strains presented DNA sequences related to the inv, ial, efa, and toxB genes. DNA sequences related to lpfAO157/O154, iucA, fepC, and irp-2 genes were significantly found among pathogenic strains, where iucA gene was associated with septicemia and swollen head syndrome and fepC and irp-2 genes were associated with swollen head syndrome strains. Phylogenetic typing showed that commensal and omphalitis strains belonged mainly to phylogenetic Group A and swollen head syndrome to phylogenetic Group D. Septicemic strains were assigned in phylogenetic Groups A and D. These data could suggest that clonal lineage of septicemic APEC strains have a multiple ancestor origin; one from a pathogenic bacteria ancestor and other from a non-pathogenic ancestor that evolved by the acquisition of virulence related sequences through horizontal gene transfer. Swollen head syndrome may constitute a pathogenic clonal group. By the other side, omphalitis strains probably constitute a non-pathogenic clonal group, and could cause omphalitis as an opportunistic infection. The sharing of virulence related sequences by human pathogenic E. coli and APEC strains could indicate that APEC strains could be a source of virulence genes to human strains and could represent a zoonotic risk.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Rocha A.C.G.P., Rocha S.L.S., Lima-Rosa C.A.V., Souza G.F., Moraes H.L.S., Salle F.O., Moraes L.B. & Salle C.T.P. 2008. Genes associated with pathogenicity of avian Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated from respiratory cases of poultry. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(3):183-186. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 8824, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: ana.crocha@terra.com.br The virulence mechanisms of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) have been continually studied and are believed to be multi-factorial. Certain properties are primarily associated with virulent samples and have been identified in avian isolates. In this study a total of 61 E. coli, isolates from chicken flocks with respiratory symptomatology, were probed by Polimerase Chain Reation (PCR) for the presence of genes responsible for the adhesion capacity, P fimbria (papC) e F11 fimbria (felA), colicin production (cvaC), aerobactin presence (iutA), serum resistance (iss), temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (tsh), and presence of K1 and K5 capsular antigens (kpsII). The iss gene was detected in 73,8%, tsh in 55,7%, iutA in 45,9%, felA in 39,3%, papC in 24,3%, cvaC in 23% and kpsII in18%.

• Escherichia coli virulence PCR poultry pathogenicity

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Rocha A.C.G.P., Rocha S.L.S., Lima-Rosa C.A.V., Souza G.F., Moraes H.L.S., Salle F.O., Moraes L.B. & Salle C.T.P. 2008. Genes associated with pathogenicity of avian Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated from respiratory cases of poultry. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(3):183-186. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 8824, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: ana.crocha@terra.com.br The virulence mechanisms of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) have been continually studied and are believed to be multi-factorial. Certain properties are primarily associated with virulent samples and have been identified in avian isolates. In this study a total of 61 E. coli, isolates from chicken flocks with respiratory symptomatology, were probed by Polimerase Chain Reation (PCR) for the presence of genes responsible for the adhesion capacity, P fimbria (papC) e F11 fimbria (felA), colicin production (cvaC), aerobactin presence (iutA), serum resistance (iss), temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (tsh), and presence of K1 and K5 capsular antigens (kpsII). The iss gene was detected in 73,8%, tsh in 55,7%, iutA in 45,9%, felA in 39,3%, papC in 24,3%, cvaC in 23% and kpsII in18%.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Montassier M.F.S., Brentano L., Montassier H.J. & Richtzenhain L.J. 2008. Genetic grouping of avian infectious bronchitis virus isolated in Brazil, based on RT-PCR/RFLP analysis of the S1 gene. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(3):190-194. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil. E-mail: leonardo@usp.br Twelve Brazilian isolates and one reference vaccine strain of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were propagated in embryonating chicken eggs. The entire S1 glycoprotein gene of these viruses was analysed by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RT-PCR-RFLP), using the restriction enzymes HaeIII, XcmI and BstyI. The RFLP patterns led to the classification of these isolates into five distinct genotypes: A, B, C, D and Massachusetts. Five of twelve isolates were grouped in Massachusetts genotype and the remaining seven viruses were classified into four distinct genotypes: A (2), B (2), C (2) or D (1). Such genotyping classification agreed with previous immunological analysis for most of these viruses, highlighting the occurrence of a relevant variability among the IBV strains that are circulating in Brazilian commercial poultry flocks.

• Avian infectious bronchitis virus spike glycoprotein genotyping and RFLP

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Montassier M.F.S., Brentano L., Montassier H.J. & Richtzenhain L.J. 2008. Genetic grouping of avian infectious bronchitis virus isolated in Brazil, based on RT-PCR/RFLP analysis of the S1 gene. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(3):190-194. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil. E-mail: leonardo@usp.br Twelve Brazilian isolates and one reference vaccine strain of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were propagated in embryonating chicken eggs. The entire S1 glycoprotein gene of these viruses was analysed by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RT-PCR-RFLP), using the restriction enzymes HaeIII, XcmI and BstyI. The RFLP patterns led to the classification of these isolates into five distinct genotypes: A, B, C, D and Massachusetts. Five of twelve isolates were grouped in Massachusetts genotype and the remaining seven viruses were classified into four distinct genotypes: A (2), B (2), C (2) or D (1). Such genotyping classification agreed with previous immunological analysis for most of these viruses, highlighting the occurrence of a relevant variability among the IBV strains that are circulating in Brazilian commercial poultry flocks.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Parizzi R.C., Miglino M.A., Maia M.O., Souza J.A., Santos J.M., Oliveira M.F. & Santos T.C. 2007. [Morphology of the ovary in rhea (Rhea americana).] Morfologia do ovário da ema (Rhea americana). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(3):89-94. Departamento de Cirurgia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, USP, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270. E-mail: tcsantos@usp.br The ovarian morphology of the sexually mature rhea (Rhea Americana) is described. Ovaries from 24 adult rheas in their reproductive age were collected in the slaughterhouse. Follicular diameters (n = 18) were measured and samples (n = 6) were fixed in 10% formaldehyde with 0.1M phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 for light microscopy. Results showed that the left ovary occupied the dorsal portion of the celomatic cavity in contact with the cranial portion of the left kidney and the suprarenal gland, being supported in the cavity through the mesovary. On the free surface of the ovary 72.4±17.09 follicles in different phases of development and 30.4±3.65 atretic follicles were observed. The follicles were linked to the ovarian surface by the follicular stalk and had a wide band surrounding its surface, the Stigma folliculare. Histologically, the ovary is constituted by a medulla, composed by connective tissue and vessels, and by a cortex with oocytes and follicles. The follicular wall is composed by the Theca externa and Theca interna, Stratum granulosum and the Zona radiata. The ovary surface is covered by a cubic epithelium, the germinal epithelium, on the connective tissue of the Tunica albuginea. The morphologic characteristics of the ovary of the rhea are due to the egg size in this species and generally similar to other birds.

• Ovary follicle morphology avian anatomy rhea Rhea americana

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Parizzi R.C., Miglino M.A., Maia M.O., Souza J.A., Santos J.M., Oliveira M.F. & Santos T.C. 2007. [Morphology of the ovary in rhea (Rhea americana).] Morfologia do ovário da ema (Rhea americana). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(3):89-94. Departamento de Cirurgia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, USP, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270. E-mail: tcsantos@usp.br The ovarian morphology of the sexually mature rhea (Rhea Americana) is described. Ovaries from 24 adult rheas in their reproductive age were collected in the slaughterhouse. Follicular diameters (n = 18) were measured and samples (n = 6) were fixed in 10% formaldehyde with 0.1M phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 for light microscopy. Results showed that the left ovary occupied the dorsal portion of the celomatic cavity in contact with the cranial portion of the left kidney and the suprarenal gland, being supported in the cavity through the mesovary. On the free surface of the ovary 72.4±17.09 follicles in different phases of development and 30.4±3.65 atretic follicles were observed. The follicles were linked to the ovarian surface by the follicular stalk and had a wide band surrounding its surface, the Stigma folliculare. Histologically, the ovary is constituted by a medulla, composed by connective tissue and vessels, and by a cortex with oocytes and follicles. The follicular wall is composed by the Theca externa and Theca interna, Stratum granulosum and the Zona radiata. The ovary surface is covered by a cubic epithelium, the germinal epithelium, on the connective tissue of the Tunica albuginea. The morphologic characteristics of the ovary of the rhea are due to the egg size in this species and generally similar to other birds.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Peres M.F., Carrijo A.S., Higa A.H. & Oliveira J.M. 2006. [Serological evidence of avian pneumovirus infections in broiler flocks in counties of Mato Grosso do Sul.] Evidência sorológica de Pneumovírus aviário em lotes de frangos de corte em municípios de Mato Grosso do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(4):254-258. Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Av. Filinto Müller 2443, Campo Grande, MS 79070-900, Brazil. E-mail: acarrijo@nin.ufms.br Avian pneumovirus (APV) is an important respiratory pathogen of hens and broilers. Although it was not clearly elucidated whether APV may cause economical losses in broiler flocks, it is known that APV infection can induce specific antibody production on these birds, and these serological reactions may provide some information about the epidemiological status of the APV infections. This work was carried out in search for antibodies to APV in broiler flocks in counties of Mato Grosso do Sul. Five hundred and thirty six serum samples from 54 broiler flocks at 42 and 51 days of age were tested with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that 330 samples (61.6%) were negative, 108 (20.1%) were suspect and 98 (18.3%) were considered positive for the presence to APV antibodies. Of all the flocks analyzed, 49 (90.7%) were considered either positive or suspect. The ELISA test demonstrated that there was a similar percentage of positive or suspect flocks among those flocks between 42 and 46 days of age, and among those between 47 and 51 days. No seasonal differences were observed, since the percentages of positive or suspect flocks either in summer or in winter months were similar. Most of the flocks were considered positive despite the type of broiler housing (conventional, environmental controlled or semi-controlled). It is concluded that there are strong evidences indicating circulation of APV in Mato Grosso do Sul. The percentages of positive flocks were similar regardless of the age groups of the birds examined, the type of broiler housing and the season when sampling was performed.

• Antibody diagnosis epidemiology avian pneumovirus PVA swollen head syndrome

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Peres M.F., Carrijo A.S., Higa A.H. & Oliveira J.M. 2006. [Serological evidence of avian pneumovirus infections in broiler flocks in counties of Mato Grosso do Sul.] Evidência sorológica de Pneumovírus aviário em lotes de frangos de corte em municípios de Mato Grosso do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(4):254-258. Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Av. Filinto Müller 2443, Campo Grande, MS 79070-900, Brazil. E-mail: acarrijo@nin.ufms.br Avian pneumovirus (APV) is an important respiratory pathogen of hens and broilers. Although it was not clearly elucidated whether APV may cause economical losses in broiler flocks, it is known that APV infection can induce specific antibody production on these birds, and these serological reactions may provide some information about the epidemiological status of the APV infections. This work was carried out in search for antibodies to APV in broiler flocks in counties of Mato Grosso do Sul. Five hundred and thirty six serum samples from 54 broiler flocks at 42 and 51 days of age were tested with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that 330 samples (61.6%) were negative, 108 (20.1%) were suspect and 98 (18.3%) were considered positive for the presence to APV antibodies. Of all the flocks analyzed, 49 (90.7%) were considered either positive or suspect. The ELISA test demonstrated that there was a similar percentage of positive or suspect flocks among those flocks between 42 and 46 days of age, and among those between 47 and 51 days. No seasonal differences were observed, since the percentages of positive or suspect flocks either in summer or in winter months were similar. Most of the flocks were considered positive despite the type of broiler housing (conventional, environmental controlled or semi-controlled). It is concluded that there are strong evidences indicating circulation of APV in Mato Grosso do Sul. The percentages of positive flocks were similar regardless of the age groups of the birds examined, the type of broiler housing and the season when sampling was performed.

Abstract in English:

Abstract.- Brocchi M., Ferreira A., Lancellotti M., Stehling E.G., Campos T.A., Nakazato G., Pestana de Castro A.F. & Silveira W.D. 2006. Typing of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strains by REP-PCR. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(2):69-73. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Campinas, Cx. Postal 6109, Campinas, SP 13081-862, Brazil. E-mail: wds@unicamp.br In the present study the repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to establish the clonal variability of 49 avian Escherichia coli (APEC) strains isolated from different outbreak cases of septicemia (n=24), swollen head syndrome (n=14) and omphalitis (n=11). Thirty commensal strains isolated from poultry with no signs of these illnesses were used as control strains. The purified DNA of these strains produced electrophoretic profiles ranging from 0 to 15 bands with molecular sizes varying from 100 bp to 6.1 kb, allowing the grouping of the 79 strains into a dendrogram containing 49 REP-types. Although REP-PCR showed good discriminating power it was not able to group the strains either into specific pathogenic classes or to differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. On the contrary, we recently demonstrated that other techniques such as ERIC-PCR and isoenzyme profiles are appropriate to discriminate between commensal and APEC strains and also to group these strains into specific pathogenic classes. In conclusion, REP-PCR seems to be a technique neither efficient nor universal for APEC strains discrimination. However, the population clonal structure obtained with the use of REP-PCR must not be ignored particularly if one takes into account that the APEC pathogenic mechanisms are not completely understood yet.

• Avian Escherichia coli typing REP-PCR.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Abstract.- Brocchi M., Ferreira A., Lancellotti M., Stehling E.G., Campos T.A., Nakazato G., Pestana de Castro A.F. & Silveira W.D. 2006. Typing of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strains by REP-PCR. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(2):69-73. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Campinas, Cx. Postal 6109, Campinas, SP 13081-862, Brazil. E-mail: wds@unicamp.br In the present study the repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to establish the clonal variability of 49 avian Escherichia coli (APEC) strains isolated from different outbreak cases of septicemia (n=24), swollen head syndrome (n=14) and omphalitis (n=11). Thirty commensal strains isolated from poultry with no signs of these illnesses were used as control strains. The purified DNA of these strains produced electrophoretic profiles ranging from 0 to 15 bands with molecular sizes varying from 100 bp to 6.1 kb, allowing the grouping of the 79 strains into a dendrogram containing 49 REP-types. Although REP-PCR showed good discriminating power it was not able to group the strains either into specific pathogenic classes or to differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. On the contrary, we recently demonstrated that other techniques such as ERIC-PCR and isoenzyme profiles are appropriate to discriminate between commensal and APEC strains and also to group these strains into specific pathogenic classes. In conclusion, REP-PCR seems to be a technique neither efficient nor universal for APEC strains discrimination. However, the population clonal structure obtained with the use of REP-PCR must not be ignored particularly if one takes into account that the APEC pathogenic mechanisms are not completely understood yet.

Abstract in English:

Beltrão N., Furian T.Q., Leão J.A., Pereira R.A., Moraes L.B. & Canal C.W. 2004. [Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chickens in Brazil.] Detecção do vírus da laringotraqueíte das galinhas no Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):85-88. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária (CDPA), Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: nilzaneb@hotmail.com A study was carried out in search for evidences of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) infections in some Brazilian chicken flocks. Tracheal tissues and swabs were collected from 10 different flocks of layers and broilers displaying respiratory signs of disease. Samples were processes for virus isolation in embryonated eggs and the membranes examined by histopathology. In addition, specimens were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three flocks had ILTV positive chickens by virus isolation and PCR. These results confirm the occurrence of ILTV in chickens in Brazil.

• Infectious laryngotracheitis virus PCR virus isolation avian pathology.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Beltrão N., Furian T.Q., Leão J.A., Pereira R.A., Moraes L.B. & Canal C.W. 2004. [Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chickens in Brazil.] Detecção do vírus da laringotraqueíte das galinhas no Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):85-88. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária (CDPA), Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: nilzaneb@hotmail.com A study was carried out in search for evidences of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) infections in some Brazilian chicken flocks. Tracheal tissues and swabs were collected from 10 different flocks of layers and broilers displaying respiratory signs of disease. Samples were processes for virus isolation in embryonated eggs and the membranes examined by histopathology. In addition, specimens were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three flocks had ILTV positive chickens by virus isolation and PCR. These results confirm the occurrence of ILTV in chickens in Brazil.

Abstract in English:

Canal C.W., Ferreira D.J., Macagnan M., Fallavena L.C.B., Moraes H.L.S. & Wald V.B. 2004. Prevalence of antibodies against chicken anaemia virus (CAV) in broiler breeders in Southern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):89-92. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária (CDPA), Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: claudio.canal@ufrgs.br Chicks infected during the first two weeks of life with chicken anaemia virus (CAV) manifest clinical disease that can be avoided if the breeder hens transfer enough antibodies to their progeny. The objective of the present work was to establish the prevalence and titer of anti-CAV antibodies in some Brazilian broiler hen breeder flocks and verify in which phase of life the birds were infected. A total of 1,709 serum samples from 12 broiler hen flocks vaccinated against CAV and 64 unvaccinated flocks were analyzed for CAV antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All non-vaccinated breeder flocks were found to be infected with CAV, with 89% of the hens tested presenting antibodies, 52% of these with titers considered high enough to protect their progeny against CAV infection. Likewise, all vaccinated hens had antibody titer to CAV capable of conferring protection to their progeny. Thus, vaccination of hens seems capable of conferring protection to chicks against clinically apparent CAV-associated disease.

• Antibodies avian pathology chicken anemia virus CAV epidemiology prevalence.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Canal C.W., Ferreira D.J., Macagnan M., Fallavena L.C.B., Moraes H.L.S. & Wald V.B. 2004. Prevalence of antibodies against chicken anaemia virus (CAV) in broiler breeders in Southern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 24(2):89-92. Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária (CDPA), Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: claudio.canal@ufrgs.br Chicks infected during the first two weeks of life with chicken anaemia virus (CAV) manifest clinical disease that can be avoided if the breeder hens transfer enough antibodies to their progeny. The objective of the present work was to establish the prevalence and titer of anti-CAV antibodies in some Brazilian broiler hen breeder flocks and verify in which phase of life the birds were infected. A total of 1,709 serum samples from 12 broiler hen flocks vaccinated against CAV and 64 unvaccinated flocks were analyzed for CAV antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All non-vaccinated breeder flocks were found to be infected with CAV, with 89% of the hens tested presenting antibodies, 52% of these with titers considered high enough to protect their progeny against CAV infection. Likewise, all vaccinated hens had antibody titer to CAV capable of conferring protection to their progeny. Thus, vaccination of hens seems capable of conferring protection to chicks against clinically apparent CAV-associated disease.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Soares C.O., lshikawa M.M., Fonseca A.H. & Yoshinari, N.H. 2000. [Borrelioses, agents and vectors: a review.] Borrelioses, agentes e vetores. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 20(1):1-19. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Univ. Fed. Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km 47, Seropédica, RJ 23851-970, Brazil. Borrelioses are infectous diseases caused by spirochaetes of the genus Borrelia. They are born mainly through ticks at animals and/or human beings. In this review are shown and discussed five groups of diseases determined by borrelia, general characteristics of the spirochaetes, aspects related to transmission by arthropods, biological and pathological aspects of the diseases in domestic and wild animals, Lyme disease as an important zoonosis, the association of borrelia with other hematozoa agents, the diagnostic methods and the comparative epidemiologywith data obtained from Brazil and other countries. The borrelioses have pathological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics which vary according to physiographic regions due to the existence of different species, genospecies and strains of borrelia, of arthropod vectors, vector-agent relationship and of different ecocystems.

• Borreliosis ticks Borrelia spp. relapsing fever avian borreliosis bovine borreliosis Lyme disease epizootic bovine abortion Borreliose carrapatos febrerecurrente borreliose aviária borreliose bovina doença de Lyme aborto epizoótico bovino.

Abstract in Portuguese:

RESUMO.- Soares C.O., lshikawa M.M., Fonseca A.H. & Yoshinari, N.H. 2000. [Borrelioses, agents and vectors: a review.] Borrelioses, agentes e vetores. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 20(1):1-19. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Univ. Fed. Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km 47, Seropédica, RJ 23851-970, Brazil. As borrelioses são enfermidades infecciosas determinadas por espiroquetas do gênero Borrelia, agentes transmissíveis, principalmente, por carrapatos aos animais e/ou ao homem. Nesta revisão são apresentadas e discutidas as enfermidades determinadas por borrélias, bem como as características gerais das espiroquetas, os aspectos relacionados a transmissão por artrópodes, as enfermidades nos animais domésticos e silvestres, quanto aos aspectos biológicos e patológicos, a doença de Lyme como principal zoonose do grupo, a associação de borrélia com outros agentes hematozoários e os métodos diagnósticos e a epidemiologia comparativa entre dados obtidos no Brasil com os de outros países. Estas borrelioses possuem características patológicas, clínicas e epidemiológicas variadas de acordo à região fisiográfica, devido à existência de distintas espécies, genoespédes e cepas; estes aspectos variam ainda em função dos artrópodes vetores, da interação vetor-patógeno e dos ecossistemas distintos.