Shepherds Research Articles

Serological Evidence for Circulation of Influenza D Virus in the Ovine Population in Italy.

Influenza D virus (IDV) is a novel orthomyxovirus initially isolated from pigs exhibiting influenza-like disease in the USA. Since then, IDV has been detected worldwide in several host species, including livestock animals, whilst specific antibodies have been identified in humans, raising concerns about interspecies transmission and zoonotic risks. Few data regarding the seroprevalence of IDV in small ruminants have been available to date. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of antibodies against IDV in ovine serum samples in Sicily, Southern Italy. Six hundred serum samples, collected from dairy sheep herds located in Sicily in 2022, were tested by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization (VN) assays using reference strains, D/660 and D/OK, representative of two distinct IDV lineages circulating in Italy. Out of 600 tested samples, 168 (28.0%) tested positive to either IDV strain D/660 or D/OK or to both by HI whilst 378 (63.0%) tested positive to either IDV strain D/660 or D/OK or to both by VN. Overall, our findings demonstrate that IDV circulates in ovine dairy herds in Sicily. Since IDV seems to have a broad host range and it has zoonotic potential, it is important to collect epidemiological information on susceptible species.

Large-scale serological survey on Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in sheep and goat herds in Sicily, Southern Italy.

Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a worldwide chronic, contagious enteric disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) mainly affecting ruminant species. PTB is a WOAH-listed disease with direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock sector, negative impact on animal welfare and significant public health concerns. In spite of this, MAP prevalence in small ruminants is still unknown and the prevalence appears to be underestimated in many countries. The aim of this study is providing a first large-scale serological survey on MAP infection in small ruminants in Sicily, a region of Southern Italy with the 11.3 and 8.9% Italian national heritage of sheep and goats, respectively. For this purpose, we analyzed a total of 48,643 animals reared in 439 flocks throughout Sicily. MAP seroprevalence was estimated both at herd-level and animal-level within breeds reared in all the nine sampled provinces. Our results revealed a high overall apparent prevalence at herd-level of 71.8% in sheep and 60.8% in goat farms with an animal-level prevalence of 4.5 and 5.1% in sheep and goats, respectively. Significant statistical differences were found between the provinces and within the breeds both in sheep and goats. Our study provides the first large-scale serological survey on PTB infection in small ruminants in Sicily and showed a high prevalence of disease depending to the species, breed and province. This study represents the first step to better understand the MAP epidemiology in a typical Mediterranean breeding context, suggesting the need of in-depth study on the herds risk factors, including the eventual presence of candidate genes for resistance/susceptibility to PTB in native breeds.

Low prevalence of bacteria harbouring the main transferable genes coding for β-lactams resistance in ovine bulk tank milk produced in Central Italy

Sheep farming for milk production is an important sector of the Italian agricultural industry. Italy has a significant annual sheep milk production, which amounted to 477.000 ton in 2021 and almost exclusively employed for cheeses production. The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of beta-lactams-resistant bacteria (methicillin-resistant staphylococci and Gram-negative bacteria) in bulk tank ovine milk collected from 97 farms located in central Italy (Tuscany and Lazio). Samples were screened for the presence of resistant microorganisms employing selective media, bacteria were identified by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and tested for susceptibility for different beta-lactams (penicillins, carbapenems, cephalosporins, as well as beta lactams association with beta-lactamase inhibitors). Resistant microorganisms were subjected to PCR for the detection of the main transferable gene coding for beta-lactams resistance mechanisms spread among Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A low prevalence of methicillin resistant staphylococci (4%) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (1%) in bulk tank milk from sheep herds raised in Central Italy was highlighted. This resistance was related to the presence of mecA gene in S. aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci. All the tested samples resulted negative for the presence of bacteria able to produce carbapenemases or ESBLs due to the presence of some of the main mobile genetic determinants in their genomes and targeted in this study. Most of the phenotypic resistance observed were instead related to the common presence of psychrotrophic bacteria in bulk tank milk belonging to Stenothrophomonas spp. which harboured L1 and L2 genes coding for inducible β-lactamases located on the bacterial chromosome. In conclusion, a low prevalence of bacteria resistant to β-lactams due to the presence of horizontally transferable genes was detected, suggesting a low selective pressure for resistant microrganisms whitin this farming system.

Detection and molecular typing of epidemic Brucella strains among camels, sheep, and cattle in Xinjiang, China.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that can result in symptoms including infertility, abortion, testicular inflammation, and arthritis in affected sheep and cattle. The disease can spread through a range of mechanisms, making outbreaks difficult to control such that affected farms often suffer severe economic losses. In addition, humans can be affected by brucellosis, and the number of cases continues to rise annually. As rates of brucellosis in Xinjiang, China have been increasing substantially in recent years, this study was developed to assess brucellosis seroprevalence among herds of cattle, sheep, and camels in Xinjiang through the use of common diagnostic procedures like the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and PCR. A cross-sectional approach was used to analyze the seroprevalence of brucellosis across 720 total farm animals (320 camels, 250 sheep, and 150 cattle). RBT incidence rate for brucellosis was detected in 60 serum samples, 14 (4.38%) from camels, 45 (18%) from sheep, and 1 (0.67%) from cattle. PCR was performed as a confirmatory approach for these RBT-positive samples, with 55 ultimately being confirmed to be positive 13 (4.06%), 41 (16.4%), and 1 (0.67%) samples from camels, sheep, and cattle, respectively. In this survey, sheep exhibited the highest brucellosis seroprevalence using these two analytical techniques, while cattle exhibited the lowest seroprevalence and camels exhibited an intermediate rate. AMOS-PCR analyses identified Brucella melitensis as the unknown bacterium in some of these samples. These results offer new insight regarding brucellosis seroprevalence among farm animals that can be used to formulate more appropriate prevention and control policies, while also improving awareness of epidemic prevention efforts, the need for routine quarantine and disinfection, the benefits of scientific breeding and management, and approaches to improving breeding efficiency for the camel, cattle, and sheep industries.

Application of Multivariate Logistic Regression and Decision Trees to Assess Factors Influencing Prevalence of Abortion and Stillbirth in Yankasa sheep

AbstractThis study was carried out to assess factors influencing prevalence of abortion and stillbirth in Yankasa sheep using multivariate logistic regression and decision trees. 191 kidding records of Ewes from a total of 50 traditional Yankasa sheep herders within Nasarawa South agro-ecological zone from the year 2020-2021 were utilized in the study. Sampling was restricted to only farmers that were able to give information on Lamb, Ram and Ewe identification as well as occurrence of abortion, stillbirth (defined as a kid born dead or dying within 24 hours after birth), kidding date or period, parity and number of foetuses. Three seasons of abortion or stillbirth were generated according to the month of the year: rainy season (from May to October), dry season (from February to April) and harmattan season (from November to January). The logit of the probability of an abortion or stillbirth was modelled using logistic regression assuming an asymptotic binomial distribution. The Chi-square goodness of fit test was performed to check if the multivariate logistic model fitted the data well (P>0.05). Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) algorithm was also employed to model incidence of abortion or stillbirth. The chi-square analysis revealed that parity did not significantly (P>0.05) affect the incidence of abortion. However, season of the year significantly (P<0.05) affected prevalence of abortion, which was higher in the harmattan (38.5%) compared to the rainy (11.5%) and dry season (16.5%), respectively. Parity and season of the year did not affect significantly (P>0.05) the prevalence of stillbirth. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that season affected significantly (P<0.05) the prevalence of abortion, especially in the harmattan period with a high odds ratio (4.539). This was also confirmed by the result of the CHAID analysis. The present information could be exploited in management practices to reduce to the incidence of abortion in order to improve the production level of the sheep farmers.

Differences in some biochemical parameters in two herds of Karakachan sheep depending on environment

The aim of the present study was to estimate the values of some biochemical parameters - ALT, AST, ALP, Fe and glucose of two Karakachan sheep herds – IAS-Kostinbrod (I.) and Milanovo (M.), reared at different altitudes (740 and 1150 m above sea level, resp.) with different body condition score (BCS) and hematocrit (HCT) levels. Analysis of biochemical parameters was performed in extracted plasma with a BTS-350 Semi Automated Biochemical Analyser. The body condition score was performed during sampling. The BCS of the sheep from the herd of I. was better than that of the animals from M., as the difference was significant for the herds overall (p<0.05). The HCT levels of the sheep from the I. herd were also higher (but not significantly) than those of the animals from M. The activity of ALT was higher than reference values and significantly lower in the sheep from M. compared to those from I. in general for the herds (p<0.001) and in the group with low HCT (p<0.01). The activities of AST and ALP were lower than reference values, as well as the levels of plasma iron and glucose. The differences were significantly higher in the sheep from M. compared to those from I. in general for the herds (AST, ALP, Fe and glucose - p<0.001) and in the group with low HCT (ALP - p<0.05, AST and Fe - p<0.01 and AST - p<0.001). In the group with a high HCT, there were no significant differences in all biochemical parameters.

Effects of community camel and sheep grazing on vegetation cover in Al-Mayla rangeland in northern Saudi Arabia

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of community camel and sheep grazing on vegetation cover and production at Al-Mayla rangeland enclosure in Arar, northern Saudi Arabia, protected for 40 years. Following a first vegetation sampling conducted in August 2022, two different sites (Artemisia and Atriplex sites) were identified and management plan involving grazing for one month on the Artemisia site by 769 heads of camels and the Atriplex site by 2739 heads of sheep was proposed. Upon pressure from the pastoral community, the number of sheep was increased to 7500 head and the grazing period was reduced to 2 weeks in September 2022. Field data collection was conducted after grazing. Total plant cover and soil surface states, species cover and density, and biomass available for grazing were measured and compared to the situation before introducing animals. Results showed that long-term protection (40 years) had a negative effect on vegetation cover dynamics through the development of more competitive and stress-tolerant low-range value species and hard soil crust which reduces infiltration, emergence of seedlings, and growth of plants. The findings suggested that short-period grazing with a high stocking density of mixed herds of camel and sheep which reduced animal selectivity and improved soil structure is not harmful to vegetation cover and range production and had social implications by allowing the grazing of more herds from the community

Early husbandry practices in highland areas during the Neolithic: the case of Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain)

Research on animal management strategies in high mountain areas during the early Neolithic (5,700–4,500 cal BC) has been conditioned by the presumption that human occupations in highland areas had a prominent seasonal character and the economic practices focused mainly on the exploitation of wild resources. The results obtained in the framework of research developed recently on settlement dynamics during the early Neolithic in the highland areas indicate the existence of relatively permanent occupations and the exploitation of domestic resources. Regarding livestock, the role of caprine transhumance in highland areas has been highlighted traditionally, conferring a marginal role to husbandry activities and emphasizing principally the temporary maintenance of herds of sheep and goats. In this study, we use the archaeozoological data and δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes composition of the faunal bones collagen to characterize the husbandry practices in Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). The results obtained demonstrated the presence of diverse herd foddering strategies within husbandry practices characterized by taxonomic diversity and multipurpose exploitation suggests that during the Neolithic, Coro Trasito cave played a more complex role than sheepfold. Moreover, the presence of the four main domestic species indicates the adaptation of herds of Coro Trasito to the cave environment, flocks with diverse dietary needs and reproductive behaviors. The results are discussed with an integrated analysis of the data related to animal management strategies in highland areas (more than 1,500 m. asl) during the early Neolithic, in particular in the central Pyrenees area. This study offers new elements to study the complexity of neolithization processes in the central Pyrenees and how these areas were quickly integrated into a broader economic system.

An Anthropogenically Created Landscape as a Habitat for the European Ground Squirrel Population Using the Example of the Muránska Planina National Park in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia)

The main goal of the study, based on historical-geographical research, was to reconstruct the history of an anthropogenically created cultural landscape on the southern edge of the Muránska Planina National Park in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia) as a potential European ground squirrel habitat. Humans began to change the original forest landscape in the second half of the 13th century in connection with the construction of Muráň castle, which became the economic center of the study area. The first written mention of the existence of Muráň castle (castro Muran) dates to 1271. The original deciduous forests were gradually removed and transformed into agricultural land. At the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, we can almost certainly assume the existence of an agricultural landscape in the territory called Biele Vody (part of the study area) on the right side of the Muránsky Potok valley in such spatial dimensions as it is at present. The landscape created in this way provided suitable ecological conditions for the successful survival of the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus). The analysis and reconstruction of the origins and development of the agricultural landscape were carried out based on detailed archival and terrain research. Map outputs are also the result of the reconstructions. Whether the European ground squirrel was already present in the locality before its conservation translocation (773 individuals were released at the site in 2000–2007) is discussed in detail in this paper. The current ground squirrel colony is dependent on feeding, mainly sunflowers (since 2011), on active management and maintenance of the landscape provided by a herd of donkeys (March–December) and sheep (May–July). The ground squirrel locality Biele Vody is currently a center of ecotourism and ecological education.

Coxiella burnetii occurrence in dairy herds in Gabrovo Region, Bulgaria, evaluated by serological and molecular analyses of bulk-tank milk samples

This study investigated the occurrence of Coxiella burnetii in dairy cattle, goat herds and sheep flocks in the Gabrovo Region, central Bulgaria, to identify the potential sources of Coxiella burnetii infection diagnosed in veterinarians and farm workers in this region. To detect infection on livestock farms, we tested bulk-tank milk (BTM) for the presence of antibodies and/or the Coxiella burnetiid genome using ELISA and PCR, respectively. A total of 81 herds were tested, including 23 dairy cattle herds, 43 sheep herds, 9 goat flocks, and 6 mixed flocks (sheep and goats). By ELISA, antibodies against Coxiella burnetii were detected in 30.4% of the BTM tested samples from cattle farms, 60.4% of the sheep farms, and 11.1% of the goat BTM samples. The results were inconclusive in 6.98% of the tested sheep milk samples and 11.1% of the goat milk samples. There was a statistically significant correlation between the herd size and the ELISA S/P % values on the dairy cattle farms. Excretion of the pathogen in milk was detected by PCR in 9 out of 67 BTM samples, including 5 out of 19 cattle BTM samples, 3 out of 39 sheep BTM samples and 1 out of 5 goat BTM ones. The results indicate that C. burnetii infection is widely prevalent in the region, which calls for adequate control and prophylactic measures to reduce the health risks from the transmission of this zoonosis to humans.

A preliminary report of the excavation at Spitzkloof D rockshelter, Namaqualand, South Africa

This paper describes the first excavations of Spitzkloof D rockshelter located in the semi-arid desert of northern Namaqualand, South Africa. The site is in a dry river valley 30 km south of the Orange River, which currently acts as a lifeline for pastoralists with mixed sheep and goat herds. A surface survey of the site revealed pottery, lithics, domesticate remains, ostrich eggshell (OES) fragments and jewellery, glass beads and iron fragments. The stratigraphy is complex reflecting multiple occupations with six layers consisting of large hearths, ash deposits, and multiple pits, some with potential votive (faunal) offerings in their base. Faunal analysis reveals a broad subsistence strategy consisting of low-intensity sheep-keeping combined with the hunting of wild species found on the landscape today. The presence of Equus zebra, a locally extinct water obligate species, suggests occupation during a climatic period that was more humid than today. Radiocarbon dates from the upper layers confirm a Little Ice Age occupation between AD 1667-1936, when the region was cooler and wetter, and a peak in radiocarbon dates indicates a population pulse in the region. Glass trade beads, iron implements, OES beads, as well as fish remains and a limpet shell, potentially indicate that the people occupying Spitzkloof D were part of an extensive trade/interaction network. Future analysis will include increasing sample sizes through continued excavation, detailed lithic analysis, and further radiocarbon dating.

Aspectos gerais do sistema de produção e manejo e sua relação com a infecção por Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis e ocorrência de mastite de rebanhos da raça Morada Nova branca em região semiárida

This study aimed to characterize the production and management systems of white Morada Nova sheep herds and to present data on the occurrence of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) and clinical mastitis (CM) in a population maintained in a semi-arid region. Blood samples were collected from adult females from herds of the Brazilian northeastern region. The first venous blood sample was used for a complete blood examination. The second blood sample was used to detect the presence of anti-C. pseudotuberculosis specific antibodies. The production and management systems of the herds were characterized using questionnaires, divided into three blocks of indicators: Facilities; Characterization of the production system; Health management. Body weight and hematological results were submitted to an analysis of variance, on which the fixed effect was clinical diagnosis, and the principal component analysis was performed to determine the main variables. For CLA, three herds stood out as having the highest rates of seropositivity (85.71, 79.41 and 60.45%). The same herds also had the highest occurrences of CM (9.30, 8.82 and 5.71%). The main variables that showed differences according the diagnosis of both diseases were blood granulocytes and lymphocytes. The study made it possible to observe the relationship between the best sanitary practices and the lowest occurrence rates of both CLA and CM. The diseases present considerable occurrence​ in sheep populations.

Indicators of zootechnical evaluation of fur coat and meat type sheep

Nowadays, due to the current economic situation in the Republic, the sheep breeding of Belarus is developing intensively, since there is a need for mutton in the global market. In some regions, work is already underway to create a promising herd of sheep with high meat productivity. An obligatory element of breeding activities is the evaluation of stud rams for the quality of the progeny, the accuracy of which determines the effectiveness of the selection process. The article contains the results on the development of zootechnical rules for evaluation of selection traits of the Romanov breed sheep that was conducted at the RUE “Vitebsk breeding enterprise”. The object of research was purebred Romanov breed animals that had been used in pedigree breeding since 2017. As a result of research, parameters for sheep ranking by a set of selection traits, algorithms for determining individual and complex estimated breeding values of rams, ewes, and young animals were developed. This will allow the most rational zootechnical measures and evaluation of fur coat and meat type breeding sheep.

Settling down in Southwest Asia: the Epipalaeolithic-Neolithic transformation

Permanent settlement began in southwest Asia across the end of the Pleistocene (the Epipalaeolithic) and the beginning of the Holocene (the Neolithic). Aggregation represents a transformation of the cultural niche, involving major social and cultural innovations and profound developments of the strategies of subsistence. At first, the scalar stress of living in large, permanent communities was diffused through corporate effort in the construction and maintenance of monumental communal buildings, a complex material symbolism, and increasing intensity of communal rituals; participation demonstrated commitment and conformity to community norms. As cultivated crops and managed herds of sheep and goat gradually became the predominant source of subsistence, the old sharing ethos was overtaken by the household as the central socio-economic unit; the household became the focus for ritual and symbolism. As population aggregations grew larger, their supra-regional networks of socio-economic sharing and exchange also became more complex, extensive and intensive. The new cultural niche based on networked aggregations produced a marked acceleration in both the rate of cultural accumulation and the rate of demographic growth. At the end of the Neolithic, plow-agriculture began in place of horticulture; there are the first signs of mixed agro-pastoral economies, the marking of private property, new technologies (ceramics and copper metallurgy), and, in southern Iraq, irrigation agriculture. At this time, too, the accelerating expansion of the population of farmers is marked by the appearance of their new settlements in all directions.

Identification of Blood Protozoa Infestation Transmitted by Vector Tikes among Awassi Sheep Herds in Kifri City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Blood protozoan disease is a common disease among animals in the Kifri city, Kurdistan region of Iraq that this disease is mostly transmitted by ticks. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the level of blood protozoan and to identify vector ticks in the native breed sheep (Awassi sheep) in Kifri city. For this purpose, blood samples were taken from 150 sheep suspected suffering from protozoan infection according to their clinical symptoms. In the present study, we prepared blood slides from suspected sheep and stained with Giemsa staining, and then at the same time, hard ticks were collected from the sheep’s body. Then, the protozoan type was diagnosed and the vector tick species were identified by microscopically. The obtained results were statistically analyzed by the chi-square test. The results showed that 35 (23.33%) of that samples were infected with Babesia protozoa as 25 samples (16.66%) were infected with Babesia ovis, seven samples (4.66%) with Babesia mutasi, and three samples (2%) with B. ovis and B. mutasi. No infestation with Theileria and Anaplasma species was found. Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis ticks were isolated and identified from the studied sheep. The results showed that the presence of the Rhipicephalus bursa tick is significantly (P < 0.05) related to the existence of Babesiosis disease in sheep. This study concluded that most of the studied sheep in Kifri city are infected with Babesia protozoa, especially B. ovis.

Development of antigen-capture ELISA using monoclonal antibodies for the detection of brucellae in milk

In this study, a Brucella antigen-capture ELISA (Ag-cELISA) prototype was developed. To study the validity of the developed Ag-cELISA, milk samples collected from Brucella-positive goats (n=120) and cattle (n= 64), as well as from unknown Brucella-status cattle (n=105) and sheep (n=65) herds were tested by Ag-cELISA, I-ELISA, and culture method. All Brucella-positive samples were confirmed using PCR. It was found that the developed Ag-cELISA could detect 50-100 bacteria per well (equivalent to 103 to 2×103 cells per mL) as the lowest limit of detection (LOD) and was therefore considered moderately sensitive to detect brucellae in milk. In an infected goat herd, out of 120 milk samples, 41, 32, and 17 were positive by Ag-cELISA, I-ELISA, and culture, respectively. Ag-cELISA detected 15 positive cases out of 17 culture-positive milk samples. Two culture-positive milk samples were not detected in Ag-cELISA. The relative sensitivity and specificity between Ag-cELISA and I-ELISA were 78% and 100%, respectively. In an infected cow herd, out of 64 milk samples, 32, 23, and 11 were found positive by Ag-cELISA, I-ELISA, and culture, respectively. Ten out of 11 culturally positive milk samples were found positive by Ag-cELISA. The relative sensitivity and specificity between the Ag-cELISA and I-ELISA were 71.9% and 100%, respectively. From randomly collected 105 cow and 110 sheep milk samples from herds of unknown Brucella-infection status, three (2.85%) and five (4.5%) samples were found positive using Ag-cELISA, respectively. These results showed that Ag-cELISA could be used to detect brucellae in milk more practically and safely than bacterial culture. On the other hand, this information re-affirms that milk can be an important source of brucellosis and creates a public health risk in humans; therefore, increased public awareness is of utmost importance.

Serological Investigation of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in Lambs in Iraq-Kirkuk Region

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminant (PPR) in sheep herds in different areas in the Iraq - Kirkuk region by using the ELISA test technique. According to clinical findings, the presence of seropositive samples by PPR test kit and ELISA method was revealed in the sera obtained from blood samples of lambs suspected of PPR disease. According to the obtained the test results, 47% of the antibodies against the PPR virus of all lambs used in the study were positive. Presence of PPR antibody was detected as 41.5% in 2-6 month old lambs. The disease was detected at the highest level in April with a rate of 56.50%. As a result, it was revealed that PPR is endemic in the Kirkuk-Iraq region. In conclusion; In the fight against Peste des Petits Ruminant (PPR) disease; It was concluded that in addition to preventive vaccine studies, disinfection systems, quarantine, training of sheep breeders and development of a plan for global disease prevention are required.

Fish evacuate smoothly respecting a social bubble

Crowd movements are observed among different species and on different scales, from insects to mammals, as well as in non-cognitive systems, such as motile cells. When forced to escape through a narrow opening, most terrestrial animals behave like granular materials and clogging events decrease the efficiency of the evacuation. Here, we explore the evacuation behavior of macroscopic, aquatic agents, neon fish, and challenge their gregarious behavior by forcing the school through a constricted passage. Using a statistical analysis method developed for granular matter and applied to crowd evacuation, our results clearly show that, unlike crowds of people or herds of sheep, no clogging occurs at the bottleneck. The fish do not collide and wait for a minimum waiting time between two successive exits, while respecting a social distance. When the constriction becomes similar to or smaller than their social distance, the individual domains defined by this cognitive distance are deformed and fish density increases. We show that the current of escaping fish behaves like a set of deformable 2D-bubbles, their 2D domain, passing through a constriction. Schools of fish show that, by respecting social rules, a crowd of individuals can evacuate without clogging, even in an emergency situation.

Degree of technification of the sheep herd may be associated with seropositivity for the maedi-visna virus In South Brasil

Maedi-Visna (MV) is a chronic progressive multisystem disease that may be asymptomatic for several months or years, but progress rapidly, and may result in death, when signs and symptoms evolve. Viral elimination occurs mainly through direct contact with positive animal secretions. There is no vaccine or treatment, and prophylaxis is necessary for the health of the herd. The present study aimed to verify the seropositivity of MV and evaluate the factors associated with the risk in sheep herds in Paraná. A total of 1549 serum samples were collected from 90 properties. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to each property, and the variables were analyzed using the Epi-info program and R environment. Of the 1549 samples analyzed, 22 were positive (1.4%) for the micro-AGID test in 13.3% of the properties. Our study demonstrated variables associated with the prevention and the risk of seropositivity to MVV. Conducting a breeding season, supplying concentrated feed, and separating the breeding stock before birth were factors associated with protection, whereas the previous occurrence of problems with lice, breeding on pasture, and keeping cats close to the flock were factors associated with risk. The seropositivity observed in the present study suggests the circulation of MVV in sheep herds in Paraná, which reinforces the need to implement prevention and control measures since the level of technification may be associated with the occurrence of anti-MVV antibodies in herds.

Investigation of virulence factors of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from sheep

All over the world, Escherichia coli (STEC), which produces Shiga toxin, is recognized as an important zoonotic pathogen. Ruminants, particularly cattle, are their main reservoirs, but the role of small ruminants in the epidemiology of human infections has not been extensively evaluated in many countries. In this study, it was aimed to determine the Shiga toxin subtypes of Stx1, Stx2, eae and ehxa genes of Shiga toxin producing isolates within Escherichia coli strains in sheep and to determine the comparative effect of variables such as race and sex on them. In this study, virulence genes of STEC strains and Shiga toxin subtypes were identified in 215 E. coli isolates isolated from 272 rectal swab from 12 different sheep herds in and around Ankara. Of the 215 isolates, only 19 (8.84%) Stx1, 3 (1.4%) Stx2, 5 (2.33%) eae and 9 (4.19%) ehxa genes, 13 (6%, 05) Stx1-Stx2-ehxa, 5 (2.33%) Stx1-eae -ehxa, 3 (1.4%) Stx2-eae-ehxa together and 1 (0.47%) Stx1- eae, 30 (13.95%) Stx1- ehxa, 1 (0.47%) Stx2- eae, 15 (6.98%) Stx2-ehxa and 10 (4.65%) eae – ehxa were detected together. Of the 101 (46.98%) isolates, none of the Stx1, Stx2, eae and ehxa genes were detected. In stx1 subtyping in sheep, a high rate (82.35%) of stx1c was isolated. In stx2 subtyping stx2f (%62,86), stx2c (%54,29), stx2b (%45,71), stx2d (%22,86), stx2h (%22,86) subtypes are more common in different combinations. Detected at a high rate. These data indicate the presence of STEC in sheep and their potential to cause serious infection in humans