Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Neospora caninum in crossbred dairy cows in Uberlândia

Neospora caninum causes reproductive disorders in dairy cattle such as repeat breeding, abortion, and anestrus, which are risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of N. caninum in Brazil and worldwide. This study aimed to verify the risk factors related to the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in crossbred dairy cows in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. During, January to July 2013, 740 blood samples were collected from 57 herds with a history of reproductive disorders and determinations of antibody titers against N. caninum were obtained by ELISA assay. The seroprevalence of N. caninum was 18.4% (136/740). Risk factors for N. caninum were cows greater than 2 years of age (P = 0.034), mechanical milking (P = 0.012), and frequent purchase of animals (P = 0.004), in addition to individual history of abortion (P = 0.007) and repeat breeding (P = 0.030). The highest probability of occurrence of associated risk factors was associated with individual history of abortion and repeated breeding and the frequent purchase of animals, with odds of 12.8, 5.9, and 3.8 times, respectively. In conclusion, the risk factors associated with N. caninum: members of the female sex and cows with more than 2 years-of-age, mechanical milking, and the frequent purchase of animals, in addition to individual history of abortion and repeated breeding.

Seroepidemiology ofLeishmaniaspp. in equids from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the occurrence of Leishmania spp. in equids from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 257 healthy equids of Uberlândia were assessed for the presence of antibodies against Leishmania spp. by using the indirect fluorescent-antibody test. Additionally, an epidemiological survey was done to evaluate the possible risk factors (species of equids, age, gender, economic activity, and contact with domestic and wild animals) associated with the presence of antibodies against Leishmania spp. The total seroprevalence against Leishmania spp. was 24.1% (62/257); representing seroprevalence levels of 22.7% (55/242) in horses, 50% (4/8) in mules, and 42.9% (3/7) in ponies from all regions evaluated. The species of equid was the only factor that contributed to an elevated seroprevalence of Leishmania spp.

Vaginal leiomyosarcoma in a cow from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical findings associated with a vaginal leiomyosarcoma in a 12-year-old, Senepol breed of cow from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais are described. The animal had a large ulcerative neoplastic growth that originated between the base and the left-lateral vaginal wall. Histopathology revealed a tumor formed by muscle-like cells that demonstrated cellular pleomorphism, anisokaryosis, prominent and multiple nucleoli, with rare tumor giant cells. The neoplastic growth invaded adjacent adipose tissue, and contained areas of hemorrhage with discrete accumulations of inflammatory cells. By immunohistochemistry, most neoplastic cells expressed actin, while immunoreactivity to desmin was weakly expressed. These findings support a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma, and represent the first description of a bovine vaginal leiomyosarcoma from Brazil.