Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Canine visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania infantum, is a chronic and endemic zoonotic disease in some regions of the world. The biological cycle is complex and hosts and vectors participate. The clinical manifestations stand out for being very broad and variable. The aim of the study was to analyze the presentation of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs seropositive to L. infantum in the city of Salto, Uruguay. A sampling was carried out in a subpopulation of dogs that had previously detected the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies and the identification data and the clinical evaluation were recorded. The study was carried out during the period from August 2017 to March 2018. The dog population analyzed was composed of 67.44% males, with 55.91% mixed race and an average age of 4.97 years, being 46.51% between 2 and 4 years. A total of 86% of dogs were found with clinical signs, including a variety of skin lesions, thinning, mucous membrane pallor and lymphadenomegaly. The dermatological signs were mainly represented by desquamative dermatitis, onychogriphosis and nasal hyperkeratosis. Although a set of frequent clinical signs is recognized, the presentation variability of canine visceral leishmaniasis leads to include it in the differential diagnosis of conditions with compatible manifestations, mainly in epidemiologically compromised areas.

Canine Distemper is one of the most important infectious diseases affecting dogs worldwide. The virus affects several organs, including the nervous system. The demyelinating leukoencephalomyelitis is the most frequent neurological presentation of Distemper. The neuropathological changes that occur in this presentation are similar to the ones present in human demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) can provide information about axonal and/or myelin lesions. In multiple sclerosis patients, the SSEPs allow the early detection of subclinical lesions. The aim of this study was to determine if there was an alteration in the response of SSEPs of the tibial nerve in canines with Distemper. Cranial and Spinal SSEPs were recorded by means of tibial nerve stimulation in dogs with Distemper and in healthy dogs. There was an increase in the P1 wave latency and a decrease in the N1-P2 amplitude of the cranial SSEPs. Furthermore, an increase in N2-P2 amplitude was observed in the spinal SSEPs. These results showed that the use of SSEPs in dogs with Distemper can be an useful diagnostic tool to detect subclinical central conduction impairment.

Leishmaniasis is a complex of diseases caused by parasitic protozoan of genus Leishmania. The typical disease presentations are cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Lesions and progression of each disease vary depending of the Leishmania species. These parasites are transmitted by dipetera (phlebotominae sand flies). Until now, there are several sand fly genera identified, being, Phlebotomus (Old World) and Lutzomyia (New World) the most important for Leishmania spp. transmission. Some of the Leishmania species are exclusive of the Old World, meanwhile others, are for the Americas. However, the most cosmopolitan species is L. infantum, one of the most important etiological agent of VL, since can be transmitted by sand flies of the Old and New World. The life cycle of L. infantum involves a biological vector (Lutzomyia longipalpis) and a vertebrate host (in this region, the dog). Similarly as in humans, VL in dogs is a chronic and multisystemic malaise. Severity and range of symptoms varies, finding poly, oligo and asymptomatic dogs. The aim of this review is to discuss different epidemiological aspects and control of L. infantum as well as its main vector, Lu. longipalpis.

The Agricultural Awareness initiative led by the MGAP, carried out in conjunction with public and private institutions, seeks to promote "a social transformation to actively mobilize Uruguayans around the opportunities for labor and professional development offered by agriculture. We adhere to and participate in this program convinced of its importance and opportunity. In this editorial, we will not refer to that awareness, but to that which refers to how up-to-date we are in Uruguay on the road to incorporating technological development and innovation into agricultural production. Our contry is an agro-exporting country, in which agricultural income represents 80% of total exports. We are the first exporters of milk and rice, and the second largest exporters of meat on the continent. In spite of these titles, we know that the path for the country's development will not only be linked to quantity, which must continue to increase, but also to the value that we can incorporate into our products. All this is tied to the indispensable ethical commitment to the environment and society.

Respiratory diseases are a major health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates, with great economic losses. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of antibodies against the main viral etiological agents related to bronchopneumonia in cattle (bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine herpesvirus type-1 and bovine respiratory syncytial virus), searching for associations between these agents and the clinical signs observed. We studied 63 calves from two herds from São Paulo, Brazil. After physical examination, the calves were divided into healthy calves and calves with respiratory disease. Serum was obtained for subsequent detection of antibodies by viral neutralization. The association between clinical signs and serological findings was studied. Antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine herpesvirus type-1 and bovine respiratory syncytial virus were detected in 57.10%, 66.70% and 93.70% of the samples. A higher frequency of antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus was observed in animals with serous / mucous nasal discharge (P = 0.01). The dehydrated animals (P = 0.008) and those with a rectal temperature above 39.5 ºC (P = 0.03) presented a higher frequency of antibodies against the bovine respiratory syncytial virus. The present work presented results superior to those found in studies in farms with extensive system, confirming the importance of management in the transmission of microorganisms.

Campero chicken is a type of meat producing bird with a lower body weight gain and a greater rusticity than their industrial broilers counterparts do, intended for semi-intensive production systems that prioritizes aspects related to animal welfare. The traditional feeding scheme includes the use of three types of diets specially formulated for this purpose (Starter, Grower and Finisher). Taking into account the complexity of managing three types of food in small farms, the producers consider the possibility of managing only two: “Starter” and “Finisher”. The aim of this work was to characterize the productive behavior and the physical quality of the meat, of males of two threeway experimental hybrids of free range chickens -Campero Casilda y Campero Pergamino- as alternatives to the twoway cross Campero INTA. Both experimental crosses were evaluated under two feeding regimens (a) traditional, with three diets (Starter, Grower and Finisher) and three rations, and (b) alternative, with only two diets (Starter and Finisher) combined in five rations. The experimental crosses performed in an equivalent manner for almost all traits, being both heavier than Campero INTA, which transforms them into valid options for poultry systems alternative to the industrial one. The lack of meaningful productive differences when Grower feed was replaced by three Starter + Finisher combinations, indicates the feasibility of avoiding its inclusion in the feeding scheme, thus simplifying the production of this type of free-range birds.

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius are important pathogens in both humans and animals mainly due to its high prevalence and their widespread antibiotic resistance. Other species belonging to this genus could play a fundamental role in the expansion of resistance genes, acting as carriers and disseminators; thus, this genus has a major impact on veterinary medicine. The aim of this work was to detect and characterize strains of Staphylococcus spp. methicillin-resistant isolated from dogs of Montevideo, including healthy dogs (carriers) and diseased dogs (with ears and skin infections). Samples were collected from animals that where admitted to the Hospital Center of the School of Veterinary Medicine – Universidad de la República during a one year period. Identification at the species level was carried out through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the resistance profiles were determined by antibiogram. Sixty seven isolates belonging to nine species were identified: S. pseudintermedius, S. argenteus, S. cohnii, S. haemolyticus, S. epidermidis, S. arlettae, S. scheiflieri, S. xylosus and S. nepalensis. Seven strains were resistant to methicillin, and all of these were found to carry the mecA gene. Ten other strains were classified as MDR (multi drug resistance) since phenotypic studies indicated resistance to more than three classes of antibiotics. We conclude that the conditions for the transfer of methicillin resistance genes in canines are given by the existence of genes and the mobile genetic elements in which they are transported, as well as the presence of bacterial strains able to incorporate them.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxicogenic fungi species. They can contaminate humans and animals’ food and once ingested can cause health harms. There are more than 250 mycotoxins, being aflatoxins one of the most studied due to their potential carcinogenic effect. It is known that the aflatoxins consumed by animals are metabolized and excreted in part by milk as aflatoxin M1 , representing a potential risk for human health. Aflatoxins source for animals is feed, therefore, the maximum permitted levels are regulated, as well as the presence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and derivatives. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the natural presence of aflatoxins in the feeds destined to dairy cows in production in 18 commercial dairy farms of Uruguay. It also aimed to determine the correlation between the consumption of those feeds and the presence of aflatoxin M1 in the milk of the animals. In order to achieve this objective, feed and milk samples were taken randomly from 18 dairy farms located in the south central area and the east region of Uruguay. Milk was taken from the cold tank. Aflatoxins were quantified by Elisa technique. The totally of the feed samples and 91.8% of the milk samples were contaminated with some aflatoxin levels. The levels of aflatoxins did not correlate with those of aflatoxin M1 . The levels of aflatoxin M1 in milk did not exceed the maximum consumption levels allowed in Uruguay, thus did not represent a risk for human health.

Listeriosis is a disease associated with the consumption of food contaminated with bacteria of the genus Listeria. This study was carried out in an extensive beef cattle operation. The aims were to confirm the clinical suspicion of nervous listeriosis in a beef cattle, to detect asymptomatic carriers of Listeria sp. within the herd and to establish the presence of bacteria of the genus Listeria in pastures and drinking water from the farm. A cow showed circling, decubitus and death. Necropsy was performed and Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from the central nervous system (CNS). Suppurative meningoencephalitis with multiple microabscesses was observed in the brainstem and positive L. monocytogenes immunostaining was detected. Two asymptomatic cows were shedding L. monocytogenes and six were shedding L. inocua in feces. Listeria sp. was not isolated from pasture samples, while L. innocua was isolated in the water sample from the stream. L. monocytogenes isolates from CNS and another from an asymptomatic carrier cow were typified as serotype 4b profile, and the other one as serotype 1/2a. Both serotypes belong to the most commonly reported worldwide in humans and animals diseases, as well as in foods for human consumption nationwide. More epidemiological studies are necessary in beef and dairy cattle operations of Uruguay in order to investigate the dispersion of the agent, establish its relationship with cases of listeriosis in humans and design/apply control measures that reduce its dissemination among animals.

This paper attempts to present levels of functionality and accuracy of 193 milk meters (ML), verified and tested in a basic test platform milk meters (PPML) in Uruguay. The MLs belonged to 8 dairy producers and 9 independent controlling companies, which specialize in offering milk control services in the country. The universe evaluated, corresponding to 2 of the main brands in the market, used in permanent milking cycles in different dairy farms to estimate milk production of each animal. The results obtained showed that 50,8% of ML, was above 3% error, being classified as “unfit” to perform measurements at dairy farm level by following the recommended criteria of the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR). ML admitted to PPML, had never been valued by an independent organization; only 26% of them were evaluated for a second time and 4% for a third, in the period covered by this evaluation from 2008 to 2012. The results of the checks carried out, allow to the conclusion that it is necessary and indispensable, created in Uruguay, a regulatory organization that establishes limits of error and technical requirements, following international standards. The ML had been experiencing an intense wear and tear for the continuous and permanent use, between dairy farms, leading an author to suggest following up a verification by year, ensuring the accuracy used to establish management measures in the herd and making productive, reproductive, nutritional and genetic management.