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de Andrade Morais D, Nunes BC, Soares RR, de Oliveira MD, da Costa DF, de Araújo HG, Júnior JPA, Malossi CD, Silva MLCR, de Azevedo SS, Alves CJ. Strong Evidence of the Role of Donkeys in the Epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in Semiarid Conditions. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1853. [PMID: 37513025 PMCID: PMC10384114 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Donkeys (Equus asinus) are historically known for their close relationship to humanity, which raises the need to study zoonotic diseases that affect them. In this perspective, leptospirosis stands out as a disease with an economic and public health impact, and its occurrence is facilitated in times of higher rainfall indexes, especially in large urban centers. In view of the scarcity of information about leptospirosis in donkeys, the objective of this study was to detect the presence of Leptospira spp. and anti-leptospiral antibodies in donkeys rescued by a zoonosis center located in the Caatiga biome, Brazilian semiarid region. Overall, 30 donkeys of both sexes, aged between 4 months and 15 years, were used, from which 64 serum samples were collected and submitted to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In addition, 64 samples of urine, vaginal and preputial fluid, in duplicates, were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microbiological. Sixteen (53.3%) animals tested positive in at least one diagnostic test, 12 (40%) of which were positive at MAT and seven (23.3%) in the molecular and bacteriological detection (urine, vaginal, and preputial fluid samples). This is the first report identifying donkeys infected with Leptospira spp. by molecular and bacteriological diagnosis in Brazil, and the first in the world to detect this agent in their genital fluids. The study also shows that donkeys are commonly exposed to leptospires in the Caatinga biome, and this constitutes a One Health-based concern, demonstrating the importance of broad studies where large numbers of humans and animals coexist when investigating zoonotic infections and when planning and implementing control measures for donkeys-associated leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davidianne de Andrade Morais
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Bruno Cesar Nunes
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Soares
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Murilo Duarte de Oliveira
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Diego Figueiredo da Costa
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Rodovia BR 079, Km 02, Areia 58397-000, PB, Brazil
| | - Hosaneide Gomes de Araújo
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo Júnior
- Campus de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Dantas Malossi
- Campus de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Luana Cristiny Rodrigues Silva
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
| | - Clebert José Alves
- Centro de Saúde Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Av. Universitária, s/n, Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, PB, Brazil
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The Possibility of Including Donkey Meat and Milk in the Food Chain: A Southern African Scenario. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091073. [PMID: 35565500 PMCID: PMC9100258 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The demand for donkey products such as meat and milk has increased in recent years, as new information on the health benefits of the products is becoming more available. Recent nutritional trends have shown a preference for nutritional and functional foods, giving consumers more options to choose from. Donkey products are seen as valuable foods that contain appreciable nutraceutical properties. However, less information is available on their optimal management practices, and their level of introduction to the food chain remains minimal. Increasing awareness of the importance of donkey products will increase their productivity and accelerate the introduction of these products into the food chain. This review aims to document available information on donkey products and factors affecting their introduction into the food chain, quoting different scenarios from the Southern African region. Abstract Animal proteins are essential for the optimal growth and health of humans. Meat and milk are common sources of protein, mostly produced by ruminants. The agrarian challenges experienced around the world warrant sourcing alternative proteins from animals that can withstand harsh environmental conditions to produce quality proteins. Donkeys (Equus asinus) are known to survive on low husbandry and inferior quality forage to produce meat and milk, which have been used since ancient times. However, the commercialisation of these products has not flourished due to product scarcity, low production rates, and consumer preferences. Recent discoveries and the quest to look for alternative sources of protein have sparked studies on donkey products. In addition, milk and meat from donkeys have active ingredients that could also contribute to curing diseases. Donkey milk is believed to contain antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and antidiabetic properties. In many countries, particularly in Africa, the consumption of donkey meat and milk has not been fully adopted due to a lack of knowledge and legislation regarding production.
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