Abstract

ROCHA, Flávio Soares da et al. Campylobacter fetus and Tritrichomonas foetus investigation in prepucial mucous of bulls from Médio Paraíba/RJ region, Brazil. Cienc. Rural [online]. 2009, vol.39, n.5, pp. 1587-1590.  Epub May 29, 2009. ISSN 0103-8478.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782009005000103.

Thirty nine breeding bulls from dairy farms (n=9) and beef farms (n=30) located in Médio Paraíba region at Rio de Janeiro - Brazil state were investigated for the presence of Campylobacter fetus and Tritrichomonas foetus. For Campylobacter investigation, smegma samples were examined by culture and prepucial washings were examined by direct immunofluorescence technique (DIF). The prepucial washings were also examined for Tritrichomonas foetus presence by direct examination. C. fetus was identified in 14 samples (35.9 %) by DIF technique and C. fetus subspecies venerealis was isolated from four samples (10.3%). T. foetus was not detected in bull samples. The high frequency of C. fetus observed in bull samples suggests the occurrence of Campylobacteriosis among herds which have reproductive problems at the Médio Paraíba region.

Keywords : Campylobacter fetus; Tritrichomonas foetus; prepucial mucous; bulls.