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 the skin lesions (96,7%), chiefly near the ventral midline (55%). The characteristic wound was of circular shape, ulcerated with crusts and serosanguineous exudation. Chronic dermatitis with eosinophilic and mononuclaer cell infiltrates was the histopathologic change pattern present. The parasite was not detected in any histologic section examined. The direct sediment examination otherwise proved to be efficient for the diagnosis confirmation revealing the nematode adult and larval forms in all the specimens.
Stephanofilariasis; Stephanofilaria sp.; udder skin lesion; dairy cow; diagnosis
