Anemia infecciosa equina na fronteira oeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Abstract

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an equine disease present in Brazil. It is caused by EIA virus (EIAV) and infection may produce clinical manifestation or develops without clinical signs. EIAV replication is followed by integration of proviral DNA into host cell chromatin. After infection, the equine become permanent infected and is considered the main source of infection. Transmission occurs mainly through mechanical vectors (Tabanus spp. and Stomxys spp.) or using syringes, needles and surgical material contaminated. EIA is a notifiable disease to the Official Veterinary Service (OVS) and subject to official control. The present study aimed to characterize EIA outbreaks identified during 2009 and 2015 in the municipalities of Itaqui, Maçambará, São Borja and Uruguaiana, at Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Tweenty-four positive properties were detected with 26 healthy horses and each property was considered a focus. One outbreak was identified in horses transported illegally from Argentina to Brazil and all others were considered domestic. The diagnostics were done using IDGA test, previous transportation or as sanitary measures in cases of suspect cases. Outbreaks were identified on farms or baiting place and infected animals were used for working, sports or reproduction. Fifteen foci occurred in properties not registered in the SVO. During 2015 were diagnoses 12 of the 24 outbreaks, and nine focus were identified at São Borja. At two properties, the initial positive result was not confirmed in the retest and were discharged. In three proprieties, the sanitation procedures identified another 12 positives horse out of 1,108 susceptible animals. It can be concluded that the infection is present in the region at low level, occurs subclinically and is associated with illegally animal movement animal. Due to the importance of equines for the region, the findings may help in the prevention and control of EIA.