ABSTRAT Arthritis implies inflammation of the intra-articular structures and is one of the causes of condemnation in broilers. The disease is associated with infectious agents such as Staphylococcus aureus, which may pose a potential public health risk. This work was conducted with the objective to determine the occurrence of arthritis in broiler chickens, predominantly of bacterial staphylococcal origin and if there is a difference between the degrees of injury regarding the presence of the bacterium and the histological lesion. Sixty samples of chickens diagnosed with arthritis by Federal Inspection Service from commercial slaughterhouse were collected according to their severity (of mild and severe degree) and submitted to bacteriological and histopathological analysis. There was bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus in 3.3% of the samples classified as mild degree in 10% of the samples classified as severe grade of lesion (p=0,29). For histopathological evaluation, 16.67% and 70% of the samples presented inflammatory infiltrate in mild and severe degrees, respectively (p=0,0001). Mild degree arthritis is related to non-infectious lesions in their higher prevalence while severe-grade arthritis has infectious causes. The condemnation criteria were efficient since S. aureus could be present regardless of the degree of the lesion diagnosed in arthritis.

Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de baixa acuidade visual (AV) em uma amostra populacional, com um padrão socioeconômico diferenciado. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo de prevalência, sendo verificada a AV de 213 voluntários examinados em um posto no interior de um shopping center em Porto Alegre, por meio do aparelho Ortho-Rater, da Bausch & Lomb. Foi medida a AV para longe em todos os indivíduos e naqueles com 40 anos ou mais, a AV para perto, ambos sem e com correção. Determinou-se como baixa AV, aquela inferior a 10 (equivalente a 20/20 na Tabela de Snellen). Resultados: A idade variou de 6 a 75 anos, com uma média ± desvio-padrão de 27,8 ± 15,16 anos, pertencendo a maioria dos examinados à faixa entre 10 e 40 anos. Encontrou-se uma prevalência de 38,7% (IC 95%: 32,1-45,7) de baixa AV para longe nos dois olhos. 24,9% (IC 95%: 19,2-31,3) apresentavam déficit visual binocular e não faziam uso de correção. Para perto, observou-se que 70,8% (IC 95%: 55,9-83) dos indivíduos testados apresentaram déficit visual binocular sem correção e 41,7% (IC 95%: 27,6-56,8) apresentaram baixa AV independente do uso de correção. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou que existe considerável parcela da população com déficit visual, necessitando de avaliação e manejo adequados. Conclui-se que programas de medida da AV e orientação sobre saúde ocular são importantes em qualquer ambiente e atingindo diferentes classes socioeconômicas.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of low visual acuity (VA) in a populational sample, with a differentiated social pattern. Methods: This was a prevalence study, in which the 213 volunteers' VA, examined in a shopping mall in Porto Alegre, was verified through the Ortho-Rater device, from Bausch & Lomb. Far sight VA was measured in all the individuals and in those who were 40 years old or older, near sight VA, both of them without and with correction. VA was considered low when it was less than 10 (equivalent to 20/20 on the Snellen chart). Results: The age group varied from 6 to 75 years, presentig a mean ± standard deviation of 27.8 ± 15.16 years, most belonging to the range between 10 and 40 years. A prevalence of 38.7% (IC 95%: 32.1-45.7) of low far sight VA in both eyes was detected. 24.9% (IC 95%: 19.2-31.3) presented binocular visual deficit and they didn't use any optic correction. For near sight VA, it was observed that 70.8% (IC 95%: 55.9-83) of the tested individuals presented binocular visual deficit without correction and 41.7% (IC 95%: 27.6-56.8) presented low VA, independent of the correction used. Conclusion:This study demonstrated that a considerable part of the population has low visual acuity, needing adequate evaluation and handling. It is concluded that visual screening programs and ocular health orientation are important for any group and should reach different socioeconomic levels.