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Toxoplasma gondii has a worldwide distribution with different genotypes reported in animals and humans. The parasite is of great importance to food production and public health, highlighted by the high diversity of hosts, i.e. ostriches. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in ostriches from a Brazilian slaughterhouse, the genotype, and the associated risk factors. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 38/344 (11.05%) serum samples using the modified agglutination test using formalin-fixed tachyzoites (MAT-HS); the parasite was isolated from 14/38 (36.84%) ostrich brain samples using the mouse bioassay; and the DNA was detected from 25/38 (65.79%), using PCR. In farms, the water tank was considered the main risk factor (OR = 141.87; p-value < 0.05), and oocysts were detected in 30% (6/20) in soil of paddocks before animals were slaughtered (1st sampling), and 40% (8/20) one-year after (2nd sampling) using microscopy and PCR. Non-ostrich fecal samples on the ground resulted negative. Bioassay isolation was confirmed by PCR. All PCR positive samples were sequenced and resulted in 100% homology to Toxoplasma gondii repetitive DNA sequence (GenBank access number EF648168-1). These samples were also typed through RFLP-PCR using 11 markers: SAG1, SAG2 (5′–3′SAG2 and alt.SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, c22-8, c29-6, PK1, Apico and CS3. Two isolates had a complete genotype, typed from the ostrich tissue. In ostrich samples, the parasite load ranged from 19,043 (TgOsBr1, avirulent) to 54,829 parasites mL −1 (TgOsBr2, virulent) using qPCR, whereas soil samples ranged from 11 to 2,275 parasites mL −1 . Both typed isolates resulted on atypical clones, one previously reported to cause congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazilian patients (TgOsBr1, ToxoDB #206). Thus, these findings support the occurrence of T. gondii in slaughtered ostriches from Brazil, ostriches as sentinel for environmental contamination with T. gondii , the genotypic variability in Brazilian isolates, and the first isolation and genotyping of T. gondii from Brazilian slaughtered ostriches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to fit growth curves using nonlinear and linear functions to describe the growth of ostriches in a Brazilian popula-tion. The data set consisted of 112 animals with BW measurements from hatching to 383 d of age. Two non-linear growth functions (Gompertz and logistic) and a third-order polynomial function were applied. The parameters for the models were estimated using the least-squares method and Gauss-Newton algorithm. The goodness-of-fit of the models was assessed using R2 and the Akaike information criterion. The R2 calculat-ed for the logistic growth model was 0.945 for hens and 0.928 for cockerels and for the Gompertz growth model, 0.938 for hens and 0.924 for cockerels. The third-order polynomial fit gave R2 of 0.938 for hens and 0.924 for cockerels. Among the Akaike information criterion cal-culations, the logistic growth model presented the low-est values in this study, both for hens and for cockerels. Nonlinear models are more appropriate for describing the sigmoid nature of ostrich growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ostriches are susceptible to a wide variety of diseases that can affect their commercial breeding. The aim of this study was to identify morphologically Codiostomum struthionis and examine its seasonal occurrence among animals of three age categories in two commercial farms in Areal and Itaboraí, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fresh fecal samples were collected monthly, from June 2004 to May 2006. Eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were counted after centrifugal flotation in saturated sugar solutions and infective larvae were evaluated after coproculture. A total of 432 fecal samples were collected from three groups according to ostrich age: up to 90 days, 91–365 days and over 365 days (adults). The dry and rainy seasons were defined according to official meteorological data. Typical eggs of the Strongylida order were identified in 242 samples (235 from adult ostriches). Once obtained, infective larvae were identified as C. struthionis. Adult ostriches exhibited significantly greater numbers of eggs in their feces during the rainy season compared to the dry season (p <0.05). In the Areal farm, significant (p <0.05) values were found when adults ostriches EPG were compared to ostriches up to 90 days and also for ostriches from 91 to 365 days. When comparing adult EPGs between the two commercial breeding farms, Areal exhibited greater EPGs during both the dry (p =0.0215) and rainy (p =0.0011) seasons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ostrich's meat has low contents of colestherol and intramuscular fat and high percentages of poliunsaturated fat acid -3 so it's known as a healthy red meat with consumer great acceptability. Considering that ostrich trim (meat resulting from boning) is considered a less noble part, three formulations of ostrich (trim) Brazilian sausage were produced. Physicochemical analyses and color evaluation (L*, a*, b*) were made to determine formulations' physicochemical characteristics and colorimetric profile. The physicochemical results of all formulations were in accord with the Brazilian legislation pattern's (BRASIL, 2000) and no differences (P>0,05) between formulations have been found except in the ash content, higher in mixed sausages. Differences (P>0,05) have been found also between the pH of the treatments, which increased with the heightening of the percentage of ostrich meat in formulation. The sausages formulated with 100% ostrich meat were darker and redder in appearance than the mixed ones. The mixed of ostrich, pork and chicken Brazilian sausage were the lightest. The Brazilian sausages prepared with ostrich meat, pure or mixed, are a viable option for production and sale, and can be placed in the market and compete with the traditional sausages with the prospect of being successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ostriches were imported to Brazil in the early 1990s without appropriate parasite control leading to a co-importation of parasites. Libyostrongylus douglassii, Libyostrongylus dentatus and Codiostomum struthionis are nematodes of the ostriches that have been reported on some Brazilian farms but no national survey has been performed. Moreover, little is known about anthelmintic usage to control these parasites in Brazil. Therefore, the occurrence of L. douglassii, L. dentatus and C. struthionis and the anthelmintic management practices in Brazilian ostrich farms were studied. A questionnaire about management practices and information on how to collect, store and ship feces to the laboratory were sent to 17 farms located in 9 Brazilian states. Received fecal samples were submitted to fecal cultivation and larval harvested. Infective larvae were morphologically analyzed and quantified. The majority of the farms (88%) used an anthelmintic at least once a year. Ivermectin was the principal anthelmintic. Libyostrongylus sp. and C. struthionis were found in samples from 76 and 18% of the examined farms, respectively. The presence of L. douglassii (61–97%) was higher than L. dentatus (3–57%) and C. struthionis (2–30%). At the farm level, both species of Libyostrongylus were always found together. Sheath tail measurements of their infective larvae were crucial for morphological diagnosis. L. dentatus and L. douglassii are well adapted to Brazil and are widely distributed in the Brazilian territory, proving that this mixed infection in Brazilian ostrich''s farms is common. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article provides information on a study which examined ostrich gastric dysfunctions diagnosed at the Escola de Veterinária at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais from 1997 to 2009. The study analyzed clinical records with data of necropsies, clinical and laboratory results collected from 1997 to 2009. The analysis of the records showed that 46.2% of diagnosed dysfunctions in ostriches were gastroenteric diseases and 53.9% were dysfunctions of various origins.

Serological studies in ostriches (Struthio camelus) are important tools to assess the risk of Newcastle disease in these herds and to the national poultry industry. In the present study blood samples were obtained from male and female ostriches without symptoms of the disease, raised in Bahia and São Paulo in order to evaluate the presence of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus using an indirect ELISA. There were collected 339 samples in Bahia and 105 samples in São Paulo. Although the owners guarantee that animals were not vaccinated, it was verified the presence 17,9% positives in Bahia and 4,7% in São Paulo, suggesting contact with vaccinal or field strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostriches are originated from Africa, and in Brazil they are mostly found in commercial farms which are developing in Brazil due to the great reproductive potential and the great economic value of its products that include meat, leather, feathers and eggs. However, parasitosis causes death of the birds and economic failure. Therefore, the aim of this research was to identify these ectoparasites that infect ostriches from commercial farms in the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Feathers and heads were collected randomly from 34 ostriches slaughtered in the city of Julio de Castilhos, RS. The feathers, heads and nasal cavity were individually cleaned in water with detergent. Following this, the material was sieved in a 150μm sieve and examined by stereomicroscope to search for ectoparasites search. Lice and mites were found in the feathers. The lices were clarified using metil salicilate and the mites by lactophenol. The lices were identified as Struthiolipeurus rheae and the mites as Struthiopterolichus sculpturatus. This is the first description of these arthropods in ostriches in Rio Grande do Sul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty-four staphylococcal isolates were obtained from milk samples from cows, sheep, goats, and buffalo with subclinical mastitis and from colonization samples from ostriches. The animals were hosted in 18 small dairy herds and an ostrich breeding located in 10 municipalities of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thirty isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus by biochemical and molecular techniques and were comparatively characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods. The molecular characterization by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), spa typing, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed five clonal types (PFGE A, spa type t359, sequence type 747 [ST747]; PFGE B, spa type t1180, ST750; PFGE C, spa type t605, ST126; PFGE D, spa type t127, ST751; and PFGE F, spa type t002, ST5). None of the isolates harbored the Panton-Valentine leukocidin or exfoliative toxin D gene. The detection of major clone A (in 63% of the isolates) in different herds, among all animal species studied, and in infection and colonization samples evidenced its geographical spread among Rio de Janeiro State and no host preference among the animal species. Comparison with S. aureus from a human origin suggested that all but one clone found in the present study might be animal specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Domestic production of ostrich in Brazil started in the beginning of the last decade, but its sanitary state has not been reported. Libyostrongylus sp. is an ostrich specific nematode whose parasitism can severely affect the birds. Thus, Libyostrongylus spp. larvae were identified in commercial ostriches in the north region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The EPG was determined and fecal cultivation was performed. The eggs presented typical characteristics of strongylid and were present in five out of six farms. The mean EPG varied from 22 to 2395 and Libyostrongylus spp. prevalence was from 0 to 100%, with adult birds more infected. Two types of infective larvae with tail finishing in a tipped spiny knob were distinguished. The first had a mean length of 848μm (710–1010) with a long sheath tail of about 66μm (52–112). The other had a mean length of 826μm (620–940) with a short, more abruptly ending sheath tail of 32μm (22–40) and a less rounded cephalic end. The differences between these larvae suggest two Libyostrongylus species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Libyostrongylus genus contains three species of gastrointestinal nematodes that infect ostriches. Of these, only Libyostrongylus douglassii has been implicated in diseases and lower productivity. A morphological diagnosis method allowing the discrimination of infective larvae of L. douglassii and Libyostrongylus dentatus and the evaluation of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) was used to determine the population dynamics of both species from two ostrich farms located in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The presence of these nematodes was monitored every 15 days for two years. The average EPG was 4631 and 587 on farms 1 and 2, respectively. Overall, the highest values of EPG were associated with the rainy season on both farms. However, only on farm 1 the rainy season correlated statistically with EPG. Both species of Libyostrongylus occurred on both farms with a higher predominance (86%) of L. douglassii on farm 1, whereas the distribution of infection on farm 2 was more heterogeneous with a slight predominance of L. douglassii. The infection and the prevalence of these species may vary considerably according to the farm facilities, management adopted, and season., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)