Loading...
21 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 21
- Leishmania seroprevalence in dogs: comparing shelter and domestic communitiesPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Quintas, Helder; Cardoso, Luís MiguelCanine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a chronic, systemic, and often severe disease. The main causative agent of CanL is a protozoan parasite, Leishmania infantum, with phlebotomine sand flies acting as vectors. In Europe and other continents, L. infantum is also responsible for leishmaniosis in other animals, such as cats, horses, and humans. In Portugal, animal and human leishmaniosis is endemic, and high prevalence levels of infections and disease have been reported in dogs. There is a prejudice against stray animals and also those housed in shelters, assuming they have higher levels of infection with vector-borne pathogens, including L. infantum, when compared to domestic animals. In northeastern Portugal, serum samples were obtained from March to May 2022 in three shelters (n = 179) and thirteen veterinary clinics (n = 164), resulting in 343 dogs being analyzed for antibodies to Leishmania spp. by the direct agglutination test (DAT). The overall seroprevalence was 9.9%, with 15.2% seroprevalence in domestic dogs and 5.0% in the shelter ones (p = 0.003). The fact that shelter dogs had a lower seroprevalence could be explained by more regular veterinary care provided in shelters regarding preventive measures, including insecticides with an antifeeding effect, in comparison with domestic dogs.
- Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Infections in Small Ruminants in EuropePublication . Quintas, Helder; Benavides, Júlio; Jacob-Ferreira, João; Afonso, Paulo; Coelho, Ana CláudiaParatuberculosis, also known as Johne’s disease, is a granulomatous enteritis in both domestic and wild ruminants caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Understanding the prevalence of this disease in small ruminants is essential for disease control and prevention strategies. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases to identify all articles reporting Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) seroprevalence in sheep and goats in Europe, published from January 2006 to December 2023. The initial search for existing publications reporting systematic reviews and primary studies was carried out by searching the available databases. For the final selection of studies, an initial screen for basic eligibility and a detailed appraisal of quality were performed. After the study selection, the relevant data was extracted. The detailed appraisal generated 21 publications that reported 55 studies, 22 (40.0%) from sheep (12 at the animal-level and 10 at the flock-level) and 28 (50.9%) from goats (17 at the animal-level and 11 at the flock-level), and 5 (9.1%) from mixed small ruminant species at the animal level. In total, 34 (61.8%) were animal-level studies and 21 (38.2%) were flock-level studies. Population and inclusion criteria were highly variable among studies. Sample sizes ranged from 291 to 15,585 animals. Most studies reported testing adult animals (over 24 months of age). Commercial ELISA kits were used in most studies. The highest prevalence was obtained in sheep (100%) in Türkiye, and the lowest was found also in sheep (0.7%) in Austria. Overall, the results suggest that MAP antibodies have been frequently detected among small ruminants in some countries and there is a need for standardisation of case definitions to improve the accuracy of prevalence estimates. Further research is needed to understand the risk factors associated with MAP infection in small ruminants and to develop effective control and prevention strategies.
- Occurence of canine parvovirus and canine coronavírus in dogs from a portuguese intermunicipal shelterPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Quintas, HelderTo better understand the occurrence of canine parvovirus and canine coronavirus in dog shelters, an epidemiological study was conducted in an intermunicipal official shelter in Northeast Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples were collected as part of routine plan for control and monitoring of infectious diseases in dogs at the lntermunicipal Official Shelter of Terra Quente Transmontana. This shelter house stray dogs from the five municipalities of Terra Quente Transmontana (Aifandega da Fe, Carrazeda de Ansiaes, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Mirandela and Vila Flor), which has permanent veterinary medical and nursing assistance with daily exams, identification, registration, vaccination, deworming and neutering procedures. Feces were sampled during periodic checks carried out by the veterinarian in charge of the shelter, from October 2018 to May 2021 . A total of 1 09 samples were collected from stray dogs housed at the shelter. A fecal sample was collected individually from each dog during medical routine check-ups. Blood was collected from the cephalic vein. To detect of Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) antigens in feces, a kit based on the immunochromatographic technique (Uranotest® Parvo-Corona, Urano®vet, S.L, Barcelona, Spain) was used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. This test allows simultaneously qualitative detection of qualitative detection of CPV and CCoV in feces. The Uranotest® Parvo-Corona reported a sensitivity of 1 00% versus hemagglutination and specificity of 99% versus hemagglutination, for CPV, and a sensitivity of 94% versus RT-PCR and a specificity of 97% versus RTPCR, for CCoV RESULTS: A total of 1 09 stray dogs from lntermunicipal Official Shelter were tested during the study period. The sample consisted of 60 females (55.0%) and 49 males (45.0%). The mean age was 2 months (ranging from 25 to 99 days). The overall occurrence of canine parvovirus and canine coronavirus was 17.4% (19/1 09, 95% Cl: 11.5-25.6%) of the dogs tested. The proportion of dogs only positive to CPV was 3.7% (411 09, 95% Cl: 1.4-9.1 %), the proportion of dogs only positive to CCoV was 6.4% (711 09, 95% Cl: 3.2-12. 7%), and to both CPV and CCoV was 7.3% (8/1 09, 95% Cl: 3.7-13.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the overall occurrence of CPV and CCoV in stray dogs entering the lntermunicipal Official Shelter was very high and risk factors associated to occurrence need to be analyzed in further studies.
- Inseminação artificial cervical em ovelhas da raça Churra Galega Bragançana: utilização de ponta anti-refluxo DarioPublication . Valentim, Ramiro; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Mateus, Óscar; Álvaro, Armindo; Silva, Daiane; Afonso, Paulo; Quintas, HelderAs ovelhas que produzem refluxo cervical apresentam taxas de fertilidade mais baixa, pelo que este deve ser evitado. De acordo com a informação da empresa Humeco, a ponta anti-refluxo Dario permite uma penetração suficientemente profunda do canal cervical, ao mesmo tempo que tampona Os externo do cérvix, prevenindo o refluxo cervical de sémen e melhorando a taxa de fertilidade até 12%. O objetivo deste estudo é comparar os efeitos da utilização da ponta anti-refluxo Dano sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-IA cervical em ovelhas da raça Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB). Foram usadas 41 ovelhas CGB, com 3,7 ± 2,0 anos de idade. A 30 de setembro, nestas ovelhas foram colocadas esponjas vaginais com 20 mg de FGA. Nessa altura, as ovelhas foram ínjetadas com 100 (Ag de cloprostenol. O tratamento durou 5 dias. Quando da remoção dos dispositivos vaginais, foram ínjetadas 500 UI de eCG. A IA cervical foi realizada 55 + l horas pós-injeção de eCG. Dezanove ovelhas foram ínseminadas com o pistolete IMV® coberto apenas com uma bainha IMV®. As demais 22 ovelhas foram inseminadas com a extremidade da bainha IMV® coberta com uma ponta anti-refluxo Dano. O diagnóstico de gestação foi feito por ecografía 41 dias pós-IA. Quarenta e um dias pós-IA, 82,9% das ovelhas estavam gestantes. A utilização da ponta antí-retluxo Dario não alterou a taxa de fertilidade (Sem ponta: 84,2% Vs'. Ponta Dario: 81,8%;x2=0,1;P>0,05). O uso de ponta anti-refluxo Dario não melhorou a taxa de fertilidade.
- Timed artificial insemination in Serrana nanny-goats: the effects of vaginal specula and artificial insemination techniciansPublication . Quintas, Helder; Silva, Daiane; Afonso, Paulo; Álvaro, Armindo; Mateus, Óscar; Valentim, RamiroThe success of artificial insemination (AI) depends on the equipment used, especially regarding the facilitation of artificial insemination technicians’ work and the positioning of insemination guns in the genital tract of animals. This study aimed to evaluate how vaginal specula and artificial insemination technicians affected the fertility rates of timed artificially inseminated Serrana Transmontano goats (which are indigenous to Portugal). For this, 58 adult nanny-goats aged between three and nine years were used. They were reproductively controlled by a short progestogen treatment (FGA) (seven days) with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Timed cervical AI (43 hours after the end of the hormonal treatment) was performed with chilled semen. Nanny-goats were inseminated by two artificial insemination technicians (A vs. B) alternating two vaginal specula (Minitub vs. “Reyes”). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound 41 days later. About 98% of nanny-goats responded to our treatment with FGA and eCG. In total, 82.8% of nanny-goats were pregnant 41 days after AI. Neither vaginal specula (Minitub: 81.2% vs. “Reyes”: 84.6%) nor artificial insemination technicians (A: 82.8% vs. B: 82.8%) affected fertility rates. Thus, we conclude that neither the vaginal specula used in this research nor the artificial insemination technicians affected Serrana goat pregnancy rates.
- Efeito das características seminais de bodes dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial cervical em Cabras SerranasPublication . Mateus, Óscar; Afonso, Paulo; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Álvaro, Armindo; Quintas, Helder; Silva, Daiane; Valentim, RamiroAs características seminais dos carneiros dadores de sémen afetam a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial (IA). As mais importantes são o volume do ejaculado, a concentração espermática, a motilidadeespermática e a percentagem de espermatozoides vivos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é estudar o efeito das características seminais de carneiros dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-IA cervical em ovelhas da raça Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB). Foram usadas 26 ovelhas da raça CGB, com 2,0 + 2,0 anos de idade, A 20 de setembro, as ovelhas receberam uma esponja vaginal com 20 mg de FGA e uma injeção de 100 ^tg de cloprostenol. Os tratamentos tiveram uma duração de 5 dias. Quando da remoção das esponjas vaginais, as ovelhas foram injetadas com 500 UI de eCG. Dois carneiros Churros Bragançanos foram usados como dadores de sémen (Quadro I). A IA cervical foi realizada 55+1 horas pós-administração de eCG. O diagnóstico de gestação foi feito por ecografia 41 dias pós-IA. As características seminais dos carneiros dadores de sémen condicionaram a taxa de fertilidade das ovelhas CGB ínseminadas artificialmente.
- Whisking away the veil: exploring feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus prevalence among shelter cats in PortugalPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Quintas, Helder; Coelho, Ana CláudiaFeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are important pathogens affecting feline hosts worldwide, compromising the health, well-being, quality of life, and lifespan of infected cats. This study explores the prevalence of these viral agents among shelter cats in Portugal, aiming to un-ravel their complexities and implications. The prevalence of FIV and FeLV was assessed by collecting blood samples (n = 326) from cats during medical routine check-ups at shelter admission and testing them with an immun-ochromatographic kit. The overall seroprev-alence of FIV and FeLV was 15.3% (50/326, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.6–19.7). The proportion of cats positive to FIV, FeLV, and both FIV and FeLV was 9.8% (32/326, 95% CI: 6.8-13.6), 2.1% (7/326, 95% CI: 0.9-4.4) and 3.4% (11/326, 95% CI: 1.7-6.0), respectively. The prevalence of FIV and both FeLV and FIV appeared to be higher in the adult population. No statistical association was found between sex, breed, hair, or municipality, and FeLV, FIV and both FeLV and FIV prevalence. This is the first report on retroviral prevalence in shelter cats in Portugal, which provides important information regarding FIV and FeLV among stray cats in Portugal, highlighting the need for surveillance of those viruses, improved compliance with vaccination programmes, and vigilant management strategies to limit and control these viruses in the feline population.
- Efeito das Características seminais de carneiros dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de Fertilidade Pós-inseminação Artificial Cervical em Ovelhas da raça Churra Galega BragançanaPublication . Quintas, Helder; Mateus, Óscar; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Afonso, Paulo; Silva, Daiane; Valentim, RamiroAs características semínais dos bodes dadores de sémen condicionam a taxa de fertilidade pós-ínseminação artificial (IA). Como norma, os ejaculados devem ter um volume ^ 2,0 ml, uma motilidade ï 75% e uma percentagem de espermatozoides (SPZ) vivos ^75%. O objetivo do presente trabalho é estudar o efeito das características seminais de bodes dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-IA cervical em cabras da raça Serrana, ecótipo Transmontano. Foram usadas 40 cabras da raça Serrana, com 4,1 ± 3,2 anos de idade. A 21 de setembro, as cabras receberam uma esponja vaginal com 20 mg de FGA e uma injeção de 100 ^ig dê cloprostenol. Os tratamentos tiveram uma duração de 5 dias. Quando da remoção das esponjas vaginais, as cabras foram injetadas com 300 UI de eCG. Dois bodes Serranos foram usados como dadores de sémen (Quadro I). A IA cervical foi realizada 43 + l horas pós-administração de eCG. O diagnóstico de gestação foi feito por ecografia 41 dias pós-IA. As características seminais dos bodes dadores de sémen influenciaram a taxa de fertilidade das cabras Serranas inseminadas artificialmente.
- Controlo reprodutivo e inseminação artificial cervical em ovelhas da raça Churra Galega Bragançana: tratamentos hormonais curtos com FGA ou CIDR e ECGPublication . Valentim, Ramiro; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Mateus, Óscar; Álvaro, Armindo; Afonso, Paulo; Silva, Daiane; Quintas, HelderOs tratamentos curtos com progesterona/progestagénios previnem os efeitos negativos dos tratamentos longos sobre a atividade ovárica, a dinâmica espermática no trato genital feminino e a taxa de fertilidade. O objetivo deste estudo é comparar os efeitos de dois tratamentos hormonais curtos - FGA e CIDR - e eCG sobre o controlo reprodutivo e a taxa de fertilidade pós-IA cervical em ovelhas Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB). Foram usadas 81 ovelhas CGB, com 3,2 ± 1,9 anos de idade. O estado fisiológico inicial foi avaliado por doseamentos de progesterona (P4). A 30 de setembro, em 41 ovelhas foram colocadas esponjas vaginais com 20 mg de FGA. As demais 40 ovelhas receberam um CIDR (0,35 g). Nessa altura,, todas as ovelhas foram injetadas com 100 ^g de cloprostenol. Os tratamentos duraram 5 dias. Quando da remoção dos dispositivos vaginais, foram ínjetadas 500 UI de eCG. A resposta aos tratamentos foi avaliada por doseamentos de P4. A IA cervical foi realizada 55+1 horas pós-ínjeção de eCG. O diagnóstico de gestação foi feito por ecografia 41 dias pós-IA. No início do estudo, 92,6% das ovelhas estavam cíclicas. Cerca de 95,1% responderam ao tratamento aplicado. A diferença entre tratamentos revelou-se não significativa (FGA: 92,7% vs. CIDR: 97,5%; x2=2,9; P>0,05). Quarenta e um dias pós-IA, 86,4% das ovelhas estavam gestantes e a diferença entre tratamentos foi não significativa (FGA: 82,9% vs. CIDR; 90,0%; x2=2,1; P>0,05). Os tratamentos aplicados revelaram-se igualmente eficazes.
- Fixed-time artificial insemination in Churra Galega Bragançana ewes: DARIO tip effectPublication . Silva, Daiane; Quintas, Helder; Santos, Liliana; Álvaro, Arlindo; Afonso, Paulo; Valentim, RamiroThis work was carried out with the objective of studying the effect of the anti-reflux device for ovine insemination (DARIO) on the fertility rate in ewes of the native Portuguese breed Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB) artificially inseminated at fixedtime. Eighty-one ewes aged between one and five years were used. At the end of April 2021, ewes’ reproductive control was carried out, using a short progestagen treatment (five days) + equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Cervical artificial insemination (AI) was performed at fixed-time (55 hours after the end of the hormonal treatment), with cooled semen. All ewes were inseminated by the same inseminator: 39 ewes with the DARIO tip on the end of the sheath and 42 without this tip. The pregnancy diagnosis was made by ultrasonography 41 days after AI. Age and body condition (BC) did not affect the ewes’ response to the applied hormonal treatment or the fertility rate. Approximately 95.1% of the ewes responded to the progestagen + eCG treatment. Forty-one days after AI, 86.4% of the ewes were pregnant. The use of the DARIO tip did not affect the fertility rate.
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »