Parasitoses

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 29(11):887-893, novembro 2009

Aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos da estefanofilariose em vacas leiteiras e comparação entre métodos de diagnóstico1
Vanessa Issuzu Miyakawa2, Antonio Carlos Faria dos Reis3 e Júlio Augusto
Naylor Lisbôa4*
ABSTRACT.- Miyakawa V.I., Reis A.C.F. & Lisbôa J.A.N. 2009. [Epidemiological and clinical features of stephanofilariasis in dairy cows and diagnosis methods confrontation.] Aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos da estefanofilariose em vacas leiteiras e comparação entre métodos de diagnóstico. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira
29(11):887-893. Departamento de Clínicas Veterinárias, Centro de Ciências Agrárias,
Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Campus Universitário, Cx. Postal 6001, Londrina,
PR 86051-990, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]
Stephanofilariasis is a worldwide disease caused by the nematode Stephanofilaria that determines skin lesions. In cattle, the chronic dermatitis is characteristic begining with papules that progress to nodules, alopecia and ulcers with crusts. Despite it’s long time recognition, there are few studies and reports about this disease, specially in Brazil. This work was conducted in order to investigate epidemiological and clinical features of stephanofilariasis in dairy cows and to compare two methods for the diagnosis confirmation.
Fifty-eight naturally affected dairy cows from seven herds located in Santana do Itararé, state of Paraná, and Itaberá, state of São Paulo, were studied from January 2006 through
August 2008. Two methods for the diagnosis confirmation were compared using biopsied tissues from the border of the skin lesion: the histopathological examination (n=24) and the direct sediment examination of an isotonic saline solution in which the tissue fragment remained soaked (n=20). The prevalence was higher from December to March (57%) and lactating cows were primarily affected (87,9%). The cranial aspect of the fore mammary glands was the main site of