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Goat farming is of great importance for agriculture in Northeast of Brazil, which owns more than 90 % of the national herd, however, most studies on leptospirosis in goats in this region are local surveys with unplanned sampling. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in goats in Northeast region of Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 4121 goats from 222 herds, belonging to the states of Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí , Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe. Serological diagnosis was carried out using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In 82.9 % (95 % CI = 77.3–87.2 %) of the herds there was at least one animal seropositive for at least one of the serogroups of Leptospira sp., and 18.73 % (95 % CI = 17.5–19.9 %) of the animals were seropositive. Antibody titers ranged from 100 to 800 and the most frequent serogroups were Autumnalis (23.06 %) and Australis (20.98 %). According to the robust Poisson regression analysis, four factors were associated with seroprevalence: animal sex (female) (P = 0.040), educational level of the farmer (elementary school) (P < 0.001), contacting institution for technical support (P = 0.040) and presence of irrigation area (P = 0.002). There was a high frequency of Leptospira sp. in goats in the states of Northeast region of Brazil, and it's suggested the need for better technological and preventive assistance of herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to report the chronology of Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus elimination and compare the blood and semen viral profiles of animals naturally and experimentally infected by SRLV raised in the semi-arid region of Brazil. The experiment was carried out at the Brazilian Center for Goat Research (Embrapa). Nine bucks were selected, four naturally infected by CAEV and five animals proven negative that were inoculated with the goat lentivirus (CAEV-Cork strain). Every week the animals were submitted to semen collection using an artificial vagina. The blood was collected by puncturing the jugular vein with tubes containing EDTA, 7 days after inoculation (experimentally infected group) or at the start of the experiment (naturally infected group) and then at every 30 days. The genomic viral DNA was extracted from semen and blood and then Nested-PCR was applied. An agar gel microimmunodiffusion was performed to detect anti-CAEV antibodies. The results were described in percentage and analyzed by the Chi square test (P <0.05). The presence of anti-CAEV antibodies was detected in the 16th week after inoculation that characterized the seroconversion from four of the five naturally infected goat bucks (80%). The fifth reproducer presented late seroconversion, totaling 32 weeks post-inoculation. A quantity was observed in the total of samples collected of 12.50 and 17.14% positive results in the blood and 10.98 and 11.25% positive results in the semen of the naturally and experimentally infected animals, respectively, and there was no statistical difference. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the presence of proviral DNA in the blood and semen of the naturally and experimentally infected animals. A viral elimination pattern was not identified during the assessment period, but the presence of proviral DNA was shown at shorter intervals after the 18th week and the 22nd week, for the experimentally and naturally infected bucks, respectively. Therefore, recently infected goats in the period prior to seroconversion eliminated small ruminant lentivirus proviral DNA in the semen and are important sources of infection that should be considered in a control program of this lentivirus, and the Nested-PCR technique is a relevant tool to select virus-free ejaculates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Herd-level prevalence was 83.4% and animal-level prevalence was 17.7%. • Autumnalis and Australis were the most frequent serogroups. • Leptospirosis is widespread in goat herds in Northeast region of Brazil. • The semi-arid climate seems to be suitable for the maintenance of Leptospira spp. The objective of this survey was to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp., the most frequent serogroups, and the geospatial distribution in goats in seven states in the Northeast region of Brazil. Samples (n = 4,718) were collected in the states of Alagoas, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe and were analyzed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a cut-off point of 1:100. Additionally, geographic data were analyzed to construct epidemiological maps for characterization of leptospirosis in the municipalities with greater importance for goat farming in each state. Of the sampled animals, 17.7% were serologically reactive for Leptospira spp. Animal-level prevalence ranged within the states, from 7.07% (Alagoas) to 30.23% (Paraíba) with statistical difference (P < 0.001). For herds, 83.4% had at least one serologically reactive animal. Paraíba had the highest herd-level prevalence (98.36%) and Piauí the lowest (65.91%) (P < 0.001). The states of Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe had 91.18%, 69.64%, and 92.59% of positive herds, respectively. The most frequently identified serogroups were Autumnalis (23.06%) and Australis (20.98%) and titers ranged from 100 to 1,600. In conclusion, leptospirosis is present in states in the Northeast region of Brazil, especially in environments with dry and deforested areas, demonstrating a possible adaptation of the infectious agent to areas of adverse climates and an apparent interspecies transmission. Also, it was possible to verify the circulation of serogroups that may be adapted to small ruminants maintained in semiarid conditions, causing the asymptomatic disease with reproductive losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flock-level prevalence was 76.3 %, and animal-level prevalence was 14.94 %. • Ceará and Paraíba states presented the highest flock and animal level prevalence. • Most of factors associated with Leptospira sp. seroprevalence are related to management issues. Sheep farming has shown expressive growth, even in the Northeast region of Brazil, with rainfall below expectations in the last decade. This growth has been observed not only in the number of herds, but also in the number of properties involved in sheep farming. Although expressive, the production of small ruminants still presents low levels of performance, mainly due to the occurrence of diseases, which constitute an obstacle to this activity. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in sheep in Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 3438 sheep in 190 herds from 48 municipalities, belonging to the states of Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe. Serological diagnosis was performed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In 76.3 % (95 % CI = 69.79–81.81) of the herds there was at least one animal seropositive for at least one of the Leptospira spp. serogroups and 14.94 % (95 %CI = 13.8–16.18) of the animals were seropositive. The state of Paraíba had the highest herd (95.7 %) and animal (26.6 %) prevalences, followed by Ceará (93.9 % and 23.7 %, respectively). The most frequent serogroups were Autumnalis (18.68 %), Australis (17.9 %) and Pyrogenes (15.18 %). There was no association between the studied variables and the herd-level prevalence of leptospirosis. High herd and animal-level seroprevalences was found for sheep leptospirosis in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, and there is a need to implement control and prevention measures, such as quarantine, serology, vaccination and adequate treatment, in addition to the introduction of proven healthy animals, mainly in the states of Paraíba and Ceará, aiming to reduce the prevalence of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flock-level and animal-level prevalences of Caseous lymphadenitis in five Northeastern Brazil states were 93.88% (95% CI = 89.60–96.46%) and 37.46% (95% CI = 35.51–39.45%), respectively. • Purebred sheep, ram acquisition from animal expositions, offspring is separated from ewes, water supplied to sheep from ponds, and disposal of infected animals were associated with seroprevalence. • Information and improvement policies for producers regarding disease control and monitoring should be encouraged. Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) is one of the main infectious diseases in sheep, responsible for great economic losses, mainly in Northeast region of Brazil, which has the largest sheep flock in the country. Thus, the aim of this survey was to determine the factors associated with the seroprevalence of this disease in sheep from Northeastern Brazil using a planned sample of flocks and animals. Samples were collected from 2312 adult and young sheep of both sex from 196 farms, located in 51 municipalities in five Northeastern Brazilian states (Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe). Serological diagnosis was performed using the indirect ELISA technique. Factors associated with seropositivity were identified by variables extracted from epidemiological questionnaires administered to breeders, using univariable and multivariable analyses. Factors associated with prevalence were purebred sheep (Prevalence ratio - PR = 1.189; P = 0.017), ram acquisition from animal expositions (PR = 1.192; P = 0.020), offspring is separated from ewes (PR = 1.132; P = 0.048), water supplied to sheep from ponds (PR = 1.365; P = 0.002), and delayed disposal of infected animals (PR = 1.263; P = 0.027). Flock-level and animal-level prevalences were 93.88 % (95 % CI = 89.60–96.46%) and 37.46 % (95 % CI = 35.51–39.45%), respectively. In view of the high prevalence found here and based on the associated factors, the implementation of an efficient CL control programme in Northeastern Brazil is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]