Prevalence and risk factors associated with Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle in the state of Paraíba, Brazil
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infection and to evaluate risk factors associated with this infection among cattle in the state of Paraiba in northeastern Brazil. Samples of cervicovaginal mucus from 290 females and smegma from 59 males [beef, 31; mixed aptitude (beef and dairy), 10; and dairy, 18] from 31 farms were collected. Modified Diamond’s medium and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for the laboratory diagnosis of T. foetus infection. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to test for potential risk factors in addition to prevalence mapping. No sample was positive for T. foetus in culture, and the prevalence of T. foetus infection using PCR was 3.7% (13/349) [confidence interval (CI) 95%, 2.1%–6.4%]. In total, 19.3% (6/31) of the farms had at least one animal positive for T. foetus. The contact of females with males from other farms [Odds ratio, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.5–22.4; p = 0.009] was identified as a risk factor for T. foetus infection. This study demonstrates that T. foetus infection is prevalent among dairy cows in the state of Paraiba, Brazil. Sexual resting, removal of positive females, and avoiding contact of females with males from other farms are recommended to reduce the risk of infection.
Prevalence and risk factors for Trichomonas foetus infection in cattle in northeastern Costa Rica
Abstract Two studies (one pilot and one cross-sectional) were conducted in the two main livestock-rearing areas of Costa Rica using an improved method (In-Pouch TF) for the detection of Trichomonas foetus infection in bulls. Herd prevalence rates of 6.7% ( 6 98 ) and 15.9% ( 10 63 ), and bull prevalence rates of 3.9% ( 6 153 ) and 6.2% ( 14 225 ) were found in the pilot and cross-sectional studies, respectively. Adjusted prevalences in the cross-sectional study were 18.4% and 7.2% for aarms and bulls, respectively. Breed ( Bos taurus ) and age (over 4 years) were the main risk factors identified using random-effects logistics regression. The nature of the disease and the high prevalence indicated that trichomoniasis could have a serious economic impact on cattle production in Costa Rica.
Characterization and gene cloning of a maltotriose-forming exo-amylase from Kitasatospora sp. MK-1785
A maltotriose-forming amylase (G3Amy) from Kitasatospora sp. MK-1785 was successfully isolated from a soil sample by inhibiting typical extracellular α-amylases using a proteinaceous α-amylase inhibitor. G3Amy was purified from the MK-1785 culture supernatant and characterized. G3Amy produced maltotriose as the principal product from starch and was categorized as an exo-α-amylase. G3Amy could also transfer maltotriose to phenolic and alcoholic compounds. Therefore, G3Amy can be useful for not only maltotriose manufacture but also maltooligosaccharide-glycoside synthesis. Further, the G3Amy gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Analysis of its deduced amino acid sequence revealed that G3Amy consisted of an N-terminal GH13 catalytic domain and two C-terminal repeat starch-binding domains belonging to CBM20. It is suggested that natural G3Amy was subjected to proteolysis at N-terminal region of the anterior CBM20 in the C-terminal region. As with natural G3Amy, recombinant G3Amy could produce and transfer maltotriose from starch.