Midwest Brazil Research Articles

Assessment of UAV-Based Deep Learning for Corn Crop Analysis in Midwest Brazil

Crop segmentation, the process of identifying and delineating agricultural fields or specific crops within an image, plays a crucial role in precision agriculture, enabling farmers and public managers to make informed decisions regarding crop health, yield estimation, and resource allocation in Midwest Brazil. The crops (corn) in this region are being damaged by wild pigs and other diseases. For the quantification of corn fields, this paper applies novel computer-vision techniques and a new dataset of corn imagery composed of 1416 256 × 256 images and corresponding labels. We flew nine drone missions and classified wild pig damage in ten orthomosaics in different stages of growth using semi-automatic digitizing and deep-learning techniques. The period of crop-development analysis will range from early sprouting to the start of the drying phase. The objective of segmentation is to transform or simplify the representation of an image, making it more meaningful and easier to interpret. For the objective class, corn achieved an IoU of 77.92%, and for background 83.25%, using DeepLabV3+ architecture, 78.81% for corn, and 83.73% for background using SegFormer architecture. For the objective class, the accuracy metrics were achieved at 86.88% and for background 91.41% using DeepLabV3+, 88.14% for the objective, and 91.15% for background using SegFormer.

Pollen inventory in urban remnants of Cerrado in midwest Brazil

Studies focusing on plant-pollinator interactions in urban environments aim to understand how the anthropized landscape affects interactions and, consequently, the reproductive success of plants. In these studies, the identification of plant species visited can be performed through focal observations and the analysis of pollen loads carried by vectors. Therefore, pollen inventories are essential for assisting in studies focused on the analysis of pollen grains carried by pollinators and palynological studies, favoring the scientific interpretation of the biodiversity in each area. Data was collected over 12 months in 14 remnants of different physiognomies of the Cerrado domain within the urban perimeter of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. In these places, the 118 plant species distributed in 39 families that received visits from pollinating insects had their pollen grains photographed and characterized. The families with the highest number of species were Asteraceae, with 19 species (22.42%); Fabaceae, with 15 species (17.7%), and Malvaceae, with nine species (10.62%). The high representation of Asteraceae can be explained as its being the largest botanical family among Angiosperms, being adapted to various types of environments, and being very common in anthropized areas. This pollen guide can support future studies focused on plant-pollinator interactions, mostly in urban remnants of the Cerrado.

Indicators of sarcopenia and purpose in life levels in older adults: the influence of sociodemographic factors

This study aimed to compare the indicators of sarcopenia and the level of purpose in life among older adults, considering sociodemographic factors. It is a quantitative, analytical, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted with 128 older adults (≥60 years old) of both sexes residing in Brazil's Midwest and South regions. The study employed a unique methodology, including a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Purpose in Life Scale, and the SARC-f, which were administered to the participants. Data collection took place online from January 2024 to April 2024. The study's data analysis included the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, measures of skewness and kurtosis, bootstrapping procedures, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post-hoc test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The older adults showed a low risk of sarcopenia (1.23±1.97) and a moderate level of purpose in life (3.77± 0.63). Younger older adults (p = 0.005), those with completed higher education (p = 0.018), and those with higher income (p = 0.007) had a lower risk of sarcopenia. Younger older adults (p = 0.035) and those with higher incomes (p = 0.007) also had higher levels of purpose in life. Purpose in life showed a significant negative weak correlation with age (r = -0.24) and sarcopenia risk (r = -0.33) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, younger older adults and those with higher monthly incomes demonstrated a lower risk of sarcopenia and a higher level of purpose in life.

Peak oxygen pulse response during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill: applicability analysis of the FRIEND registry prediction equation in a Brazilian healthy sample

Abstract Background Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), measured by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), is an established variable for prognostic assessment. Other VO2peak-derived variables, such as the peak oxygen pulse (peakO2pulse), also provide valuable information for risk stratification in patients with cardiac diseases. For individualized assessment, the measured peakO2pulse can be compared to reference standards using predictive equations, such as the FRIEND Registry [peakO2pulse = 23.2 – (0.09 × Age) – (6.6 × Sex (female:1; male: 0)]. However, the applicabilty of this equation in a Brazilian population sample has never been evaluated. Purpose To conduct an external validation of the FRIEND registry prediction equation for treadmill peakO2pulse in a sample of healthy Brazilian individuals. Methods Cross-sectional study involving subjects assessed by treadmill CPET in the Brazilian Midwest region from January 2011 to March 2020. Inclusion criteria: healthy individuals aged ≥ 20 years with a peak respiratory exchange ratio ≥ 1.00. Exclusion criteria: history of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, presence of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, and obesity), and abnormalities on CPET. Variables were described as median and interquartile range (IQR). Statistical comparisons between measured and predicted values were conducted using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, including the calculation of the median differences and the 95% confidence interval (CI). Furthermore, Bland-Altman agreement analysis was utilized to assess the concordance between measured and estimated values. Results A total of 7,843 CPETs were performed. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3,544 assessments were included (1,574 females and 1,970 males) aged between 20 to 80 years. In the females, the median and IQR of measured peakO2pulse and predicted values were 10.4 (9.0; 12.1) and 13.1 (12.3; 13.7) ml/beat, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001), with a median difference of 2.54 mL/beat (95% CI: 2.40; 2.69). For males, the measured and predicted values were 17.3 (15.1; 19.7) and 19.7 (19.0; 20.2) ml/beat, respectively. The median difference was statistically significant at 2.26 mL/beat (95% CI: 2.11; 2.46) (p < 0.001) (Figure 1). Bland-Altman agreement analysis indicated a bias of 2.33 mL/beat (95% limits of agreement: -2.17 to 6.83) in females and 2.15 mL/beat (95% limits of agreement: -4.34 to 8.65) in males (Figure 2). Conclusions The study reveals that measured median peakO2pulse values are consistently lower than predicted across both sexes, highlighting a significant bias, which limits the applicability of the FRIEND registry prediction equation in the Brazilian population and underscores the international heterogeneity of the variable. The findings advocate for the development of region-specific reference standards to enhance accuracy in predicting peakO2pulse values.

Scorpion Envenoming as an Emerging Public Health Problem in Paraguay, Bolivia, and Midwest Brazil: Involvement of Tityus confluens and the Need for a Panregional Evaluation of Available Antivenoms.

This contribution highlights the emergence of a newly endemic region for scorpion envenoming in South America, covering eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and the midwestern Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. These areas have not historically been known to harbor life-threatening scorpion species. Tityus confluens, a parthenogenetic species of medical significance in Argentina, has been identified in severe and lethal human cases in Bolivia and Paraguay. Given that the clinical use of scorpion antivenom preparations in the region has often lacked preclinical data and considering the significant burden of scorpion envenoming, we propose a panregional evaluation of available anti-Tityus antivenoms. This evaluation, along with interdisciplinary efforts at a multinational scale to control scorpionism, aims to determine their true neutralization capacity and potential clinical efficacy against known culprits in the Southern Cone of South America and other regions endemic for scorpion envenoming on the continent.

Geological Heritage of the Três Barras Farm section, Ordovician-Silurian record in the Paraná Basin, Brazil

The Três Barras Farm section is an outcrop located at the northern border of the Paraná Basin, in Midwest Brazil. Rocks of the Ordovician-Silurian age are found in this section, represented by the Iapó and Vila Maria formations of the Rio Ivaí Group, which directly overlay the crystalline basement. The Devonian rocks of the Furnas Formation are also observable at the top of the Três Barras section. Although the first fieldwork conducted there dates back to 1985, the section has been visited by different generations of researchers, often executing paleontological studies. The fossil record in this section comprises invertebrates such as mollusks and brachiopods, mineralized microfossils such as ostracods, and palynomorphs such as acritarchs and cryptospores. The different analyses conducted until the 2000s yielded a Lower Silurian age to the section's complete Vila Maria Formation strata, and no invertebrate fossil records were reported. Since then, much of the knowledge regarding the Rio Ivaí Group and the Três Barras Farm section has evolved. Recent work has questioned the assigned Silurian age, and fossil ostracods and brachiopods indicate the Hirnantian age to the Iapó and Vila Maria formations strata. Recent palynological research reported palynomorphs in the Iapó Formation for the first time, and the overall assemblage endorses the post-glacial paleoenvironment interpretation. Significant knowledge gaps persist despite notable advancements in understanding the palaeobiodiversity of the Iapó and Vila Maria formations, particularly due to recent discoveries at the Três Barras Farm. International correlation studies, especially in coeval basins of the Gondwana, need to be conducted to reinforce the chronobiostratigraphic repositioning of the upper portion of the Rio Ivaí Group on the north flank of the Paraná Basin.

Racial Affirmative Action and the Consensus on Phenotypic Hetero-Identification: Notes on the State Universities of the Brazilian Midwest

Racial affirmative action policies in Brazil have recently reached consensus in their technical procedures for defining black subjects of law, through phenotypic heteroidentification panels. Such panels aim to minimize reports of fraud, legitimize the subjects of affirmative policy law and provide legal security to institutions. This article revisits the construction of this consensus. Before 2012, the landmark Law 12,711, which standardizes affirmative actions in Federal Higher Education Institutions, there was a diversity of understandings and selection procedures. Currently, there is a unified model for these federal institutions and homogeneity regarding the phenotypic heteroidentification procedure. As federal legislation is not imposed on state universities, we highlight similarities and differences between the hegemonic model of phenotypic heteroidentification of federal and state universities in the Midwest. Methodologically, we conducted documentary and bibliographical research on the selection processes of State Universities in the Central-West region, with an emphasis on the different models of phenotypic heteroidentification implemented throughout the 21st century. The results indicate, in many ways, an essentialization of black identity and a depoliticization of the public debate on racial issues in Brazil. We therefore assess that this resulted in a decrease of criticism of the formation of Brazilian national identity and the establishment of objective parameters for the definition of black subjects of law.

A new species of Mimosa (Leguminosae, ser. Piresianae) from the Brazilian Midwest

A new species of Mimosa (Leguminosae, ser. Piresianae) from Brazil is described and illustrated in this article, along with a short description about the morphological and anatomical traits to fire-resilience in dry forests in Rupestrian Grasslands. In addition, we report the synopsis for the ser. Piresianae, its distribution, its habitat and provide an identification key for the species.

Did the entry of the corn ethanol industry in Brazil affect the relationship between domestic and international corn prices?

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between corn prices in Brazil and the international market, considering a rise in corn ethanol production in Brazil's Midwest region since 2017. Did the entry of the corn ethanol industry in Brazil affect the relationship between domestic and international corn prices? A cointegration analysis was made with a monthly time series from May 2005 to August 2023 controlling for different exogenous events or shocks that may have affected global agricultural markets. The study's findings indicate a stable long‐term relationship between the international and Brazilian corn prices, with changes in international prices being predictors of variations in Brazilian domestic prices, while the opposite was not statistically supported. The study also found no evidence to support the claim that the entry of the corn ethanol industry into Mato Grosso state in 2017 impacted the prices paid to local producers. Therefore, the increase in Brazilian corn prices cannot be attributed to additional demand for corn by local mills, an important result that contributes to discussions such as food versus fuel and indirect land use change.

TP53 p.R337H Germline Variant among Women at Risk of Hereditary Breast Cancer in a Public Health System of Midwest Brazil.

Despite the high prevalence of TP53 pathogenic variants (PV) carriers in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil, germline genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer (HBC) is not available in the Brazilian public health system, and the prevalence of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is not well established in other regions of Brazil. We assessed the occurrence of TP53 p.R337H carriers among women treated for breast cancer (BC) between January 2021 and January 2022 at public hospitals of Brasilia, DF, Brazil. A total of 180 patients who met at least one of the NCCN criteria for HBC underwent germline testing; 44.4% performed out-of-pocket germline multigene panel testing, and 55.6% were tested for the p.R337H variant by allelic discrimination PCR. The median age at BC diagnosis was 43.5 years, 93% had invasive ductal carcinoma, 50% had estrogen receptor-positive/HER2 negative tumors, and 41% and 11% were diagnosed respectively at stage III and IV. Two patients (1.11%) harbored the p.R337H variant, and cascade family testing identified 20 additional carriers. The TP53 p.R337H detection rate was lower than that reported in other studies from south/southeast Brazil. Nonetheless, identifying TP53 PV carriers through genetic testing in the Brazilian public health system could guide cancer treatment and prevention.

Effects of urban streams on muscle non-protein thiols, gill and liver histopathology in zebrafish (Danio rerio) assessed by active biomonitoring

Aquatic biota are exposed to toxic substances resulting from human activities, reducing environmental quality and can compromise the health of the organisms. This study aimed to employ Danio rerio as an environmental bioindicator, analyzing the effects of water from distinct urban aquatic environments. An active biomonitoring system was set up to compare the temporal dynamics of histological biomarkers for gill and liver and the patterns of non-protein thiols (NPSH) in muscle in specimens exposed for 3, 6, and 12 days. Three large urban basins in the city of Campo Grande (Midwest of Brazil) were selected. Two sites are in a very populous area (i.e Lagoa and Bandeira) and another on in an area with agricultural activities (i.e Anhanduí). All the streams displayed distinct qualitative characteristics. The presence of metals, including Mn, Zn, Fe, and Al, as well as pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, accounted for 38% of the variability (PC1), while total solids, conductivity, ammonia, nitrite, and explained 24 % (PC2). Degree tissue changes index (DTC) in gill and the concentration of NPSH increased in all streams during 3, 6 and 12 days of exposure. DTC in liver increases in all exposure times in most populous stream (i.e Lagoa and Bandeira). Histopathological evidence in the gill, including proliferation, desquamation, and necrosis of the primary lamellar epithelium; fusion and aneurysms in the secondary lamellar epithelium were observed after three days of exposure. Degenerative nuclear figures were noted in the liver after three days of exposure, followed by hepatocellular hypertrophy, lipidosis, and necrosis at twelve days. Our findings showing time-dependent effects of urban aquatic environments in histopathological (i.e DTC) and biochemical biomarkers in zebrafish. The biomonitoring model enabled a comparison of the temporal dynamics of various health markers, using zebrafish as bioindicator. Future studies might use this experimental model and biomarkers for environmental biomonitoring program.

Dynamic monitoring of tropospheric ozone concentrations in northeast and Midwest Brazil: insights into seasonal variations and climatic influences

Dynamic monitoring of tropospheric ozone concentrations in northeast and Midwest Brazil: insights into seasonal variations and climatic influences

Abordagem alternativa para mensurar odesenvolvimento municipal brasileiro: o Índice Relativo de Desenvolvimento Municipal

Amartya Sen's theory of Development as Freedom states the prediction of development by evaluating the expansion of individual freedoms. This study operationalizes this theory and its instrumental freedoms through the construction of a development index and multivariate statistics. Spatiality of municipal development provides empirical evidence for interrelations between instrumental freedoms defended by this theory. The determinants of development related mainly to income and its distribution, but also housing conditions and social vulnerabilities. The findings unmask the geographic structure of (under) development in a frontier in Mid-West Brazil, marked by higher deprivation of opportunities, precarious services and greater economic stagnation.

Influenza A, influenza B, and SARS-COV-2 circulation patterns in midwest Brazil during the 2022-2023 period.

Until 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, had profoundly impacted the world. Consequently, Brazil, including the state of Goiás, was also significantly affected. Furthermore, in the second half of 2022, the state of Goiás experienced an unusual rise in influenza cases, despite it being an off-season period for influenza viruses in this region. As SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza infection have similar clinical manifestations, surveillance strategies are crucial for public health. Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza viruses co-circulate is important for surveillance and monitoring of these patterns of respiratory infections. In this context, this investigation monitored Influenza A and B cases from symptomatic individuals diagnosed as negative for COVID-19. Between September 2022 and May 2023, among the 779 samples tested, 126 (16.2%) were positive for Influenza A, whereas 93 samples (11.9%) were positive for Influenza B. In this period, the peak Influenza infection cases did not coincide with the peak of SARS-CoV-2 infections, suggesting a seasonal shift in viral circulation patterns.

Mapping a tropical regolith architecture: A comparative LANDSAT-8 and SENTINEL-2 analysis

Understanding of the lateritic regolith units is important for regional geological and pedological mapping and provides valuable insights into landscape evolution and mineral exploration, especially in tropical environments. To contribute to these issues, this study used Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2 MSI imagery to map the different lateritic regolith units in an area of 133 thousand km2 in the Midwest of Brazil. The approach used the Directed Principal Component Analysis (DPCA) technique and SRTM data as predictor variables for the Random Forest (RF) classification model, with the aim of comparing the efficiency of both sensors following identical classification methods. The results showed a similar overall accuracy of 73% for Landsat-8 and 74% for Sentinel-2, however the Sentinel-2-based maps are the most accurate with a kappa of 0.63 and a tau of 0.68. The significant levels of accuracy highlight the efficiency and feasibility of the multispectral imagery and machine learning approach to lateritic regolith mapping. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the spectral and spatial characteristics of sensors when selecting the most appropriate one for geological, pedological and geomorphological studies in tropical regions.

Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and detection of virulence genes of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from white-lipped peccaries and collared peccaries.

Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli are implicated in human and animal infections and require antimicrobial treatment in many situations. Faecal samples of healthy white-lipped peccaries (Pecari tajacu) (n = 30) and collared peccaries (Tayassu pecari ) (n = 60) obtained in three farms located in the Midwest Brazil. The antimicrobial profiles of commensal E. coli from P. tajacu and T. pecari from commercial herds in Brazil were isolated and analyzed and virulence genes were detected. Among 90 healthy animals, no Salmonella spp. were isolated. However, 30 samples (27%) tested positive for E. coli, with 18 isolates from P. tajacu and 12 from T. pecari, representing frequencies of 58.0% and 38.7%, respectively. Additionally, other Enterobacteriaceae family bacteria were detected but not included in this analysis. However, individual samples from 30 animals tested positive for E. coli, of which 16 were isolated from P. tajacu presenting multidrug resistance and six were isolated from T. pecari presenting a similar pattern. The E. coli virulence genes detected were papC (pilus-associated pyelonephritis) in five isolates, tsh (temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin) in one isolate, and eae (enteric attachment and effacement) in one isolate. The serum resistance gene, iss (increased serum survival), was detected in four isolates. An association between these genes and the presence of hemolysin was also observed in one isolate. Thus, T. pecari and P. tajacu are potential reservoirs of pathogenic and multidrug-resistant and E. coli. Faecal E. coli of healthy P. tajacu and T. pecari could act as a possible reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes in environment.

Differences in risky sexual behaviors and HIV prevalence between men who have sex with men and transgender women in the Midwest Brazil.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are disproportionally affected by HIV infection. This cross-sectional study evaluated the HIV-1/2 prevalence, risk factors and HIV molecular features of MSM and TW from Midwest Brazil. Four hundred and thirty participants (278 MSM and 152 TW) from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, were interviewed and tested for HIV-1/2 infection between November 2011 and September 2013. Participants who were assigned male at birth, older than 18 years old and self-declared as MSM or TW were recruited from LGBT+ associations, as well as public (parks, square, streets, etc) and private [nightclubs, saunas, brothels, etc] places. The prevalence of HIV-1 was 14.4% (9.0% among MSM and 24% among TW; p<0.001). The factor independently associated with HIV-1 infection among MSM was being 30 years-old or older. Among TW, having suffered sexual coercion, lifetime syphilis infection and hepatitis C virus exposure were associated with HIV-1 infection. Phylogenetic analyses classified 65% sequences as subtype B and 35% as possible recombinants. All but one recombinant sample were from TW individuals. High HIV-1 prevalences were observed in both groups, highlighting the urgent need to devise specific HIV interventions targeting these key populations. Notably, TWs are more vulnerable to HIV infection, which was associated with sexual violence and co-infection with other STIs. With regard to MSM, being 30 years old or older was significanty associated to HIV, reinforcing the idea that MSM are less exposed [or exposed later] to STIs than TWs, although MSM are clearly more vulnerable than the general population.

Unraveling Parent Rock and Mineral Influences in Tropical Weathering Profiles: REE, Nd and Sr Isotopic Geochemistry

This study aims to investigate the effects of parent rock and minerals on lateritic weathering. The study presents X-ray diffraction (XRD), whole-rock geochemistry, and Nd-Sr isotopic data for examining two profiles, 10 and 12 m thick, respectively, that illustrate the regional tropical weathering status in the Midwest of Brazil. The profiles, developed from metasedimentary and sedimentary rocks, are constituted by saprolite, mottled horizon, lateritic duricrust, and oxisol. Across the profiles, the minerals controlling the weathering geochemistry are muscovite, microcline, quartz, kaolinite, hematite, goethite, and gibbsite. Red and yellow zones in the saprolite and mottled horizon as well as the lateritic duricrust with breccia/fragmental, pisolitic, and oolitic textures make profile 1 more complex. In contrast, profile 2 has an oxisol that mantles the homogeneous vermiform lateritic duricrust. Fe2O3, accumulated during surface weathering, is a potent element in the geochemical profile control since it forms the harder goethite to hematite lateritic duricrust, bearing most of the trace elements (As, Cu, Cs, Pb, Sc, Sr, Th, U, V, and Zn) with similar ionic radii and electrovalence. The LREE have affinity for the elements of the Fe2O3 group of the lateritic duricrust. On the other hand, the K2O group together with Zr and TiO2 e in the phyllite, saprolite, and mottled horizon of profile 1, are associated with the HREE. Additionally, in profile 2, the HREE are mostly associated with the Al2O3 group and the residual minerals in the oxisol. The indication that REE is associated with phosphates, zircon, rutile/anatase, cereanite, and muscovite/illite, which have variable weathering behavior, caused the REE fractionation to occur across and between the profiles. Despite the REE fractionation, the ƐNd(0) values along the profiles consistently maintain the signature of the parent rock. Muscovite and microcline weathering, in profiles 1 and 2, respectively, control the decrease in 87Sr/86Sr signatures of both profiles and the distinct radiogenic ratios. The development of lateritic duricrust in both profiles indicates a similar weathering intensity, although the gibbsite–kaolinite predominance in the oxisol of profile 2 highlights a geochemical reorganization under humid conditions, as well as near-intense soluble silica leaching.

Fim3–24/ptxP-3 genotype is associated to whooping cough outbreak in Brazilian Midwest: The selection of Bordetella pertussis strains driven by vaccine immunization

Whopping cough (or Pertussis) is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The disease is highly transmissible and can be fatal in children under two years old. Since the introduction of vaccine immunization in 1940, Pertussis incidence decreased worldwide. In Brazil, the immunization was introduced in 1977 using the whole cell (wP) vaccine. Despite the high vaccination coverage, an unexpected increase in the number of observed Pertussis cases was observed in 2012. In this year, 2257 cases were reported exceeding the average incidence rate of <1000 cases per year until 2010. This outbreak reached a peak level in 2014 and ended in 2018 according to the Brazilian National Surveillance System (SINAN). To understand the relationship between the outbreak and the vaccination, bacterial isolates (n = 136) from the Brazilian Midwest region obtained during the outbreak were submitted to genotyping of two vaccine loci: ptxP and fim3. Most of isolates (102) were obtained from nursing children (29 days to 2 years old). Genotyping of 94 isolates revealed that fim3–24/ptxP-3 was the most prevalent genotype (68%) associated with the outbreak peak. Two additional genotypes were also observed: fim3–1/ptxP-3 (15%) and fim3–3/ptxP-3 (17%). Conversely, the fim3–1/ptxP-2 genotype, which is harbored by the strain used in the wP vaccine (Bp137), was not observed. These results showed that B. pertussis circulating strains in the outbreak analyzed were different from the strain used for Pertussis immunization in Brazil. These observations provide insights that could be used to target vaccination programs to prevent future whooping cough outbreaks in Brazil.

Prevalence and clinical findings of feline otitis externa in Midwest Brazil

This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of otitis externa (OE) in cats using cytology, direct otoscopic examination, and parasitological examination through swabs and curettage, and to compare the accuracy between collection methods for parasitological examination. Direct otoscopic evaluation of the external auditory canal (right and left), swabs for cytological examination of the external auditory canal, and collection of cerumen for parasitological examination through swabs and curettage of 137 cats from a veterinary hospital care were conducted between March 2021 and March 2022. The influences of age, sex, habitat, street access, and the presence of fleas on OE were evaluated. Cytological evidence of OE was observed in 25.5 % of cats and was statistically associated with flea and mite parasitism. Otodectes cynotis was found in 13.9 % of the cats. Cocci and Bacilli were the secondary factors in 34.3 % and 22.9 % of cats with OE, respectively. The Malassezia genus was a secundary factor in 57.1 % of the cats with OE. The frequency of OE was high in cats receiving hospital care. O. cynotis was a frequent primary cause of OE in cats. The curette sampling method is a great option for diagnosing O. cynotis infestation due to its ease of use.