Banca de DEFESA: MARIA DE NAZARE SANTOS FERREIRA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MARIA DE NAZARE SANTOS FERREIRA
DATE: 05/02/2026
TIME: 08:30
LOCAL: Auditório do prédio de Sanidade e Tecnologia de Caprinos e Ovinos do Departamento de Medicina Veteri
TITLE:

Epidemiological-molecular study of Parapoxvirus orf isolated from goats and sheep and study of the perception of rural producers and veterinarians about contagious ecthyma in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.

KEY WORDS:

Contagious Ecthyma Virus; Small Ruminants; PCR; Perception Study; One Health.

PAGES: 110
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Medicina Veterinária Preventiva
SPECIALTY: Doenças Infecciosas de Animais
SUMMARY:

The objective of this research was to conduct an epidemiological and molecular study of Parapoxvirus orf in goat and sheep herds in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. In addition, to conduct an analysis of the perception of veterinarians and rural producers in Pernambuco regarding contagious ecthyma. Crust samples were collected from 15 goats and 44 sheep distributed across 14 municipalities in the state of Pernambuco. Of the 59 crust samples, 100% were positive for the B2L gene of Parapoxvirus orf using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Phylogenetic analysis revealed six main clades. With regard to viral isolation, 69.50% (41/59) of the samples were subjected to cell culture, and of these, 85.36% (35/41) showed cytopathic effects. At the end of isolation, the supernatants of the 41 samples were analyzed by PCR, and 100% tested positive for the B2L gene. In the perception analysis with rural producers and veterinarians, it was observed that 63.2% of producers and 64.1% of veterinarians performed only one professional activity. Prior knowledge of the disease was reported by 85.3% of farmers and 100% of veterinarians. Regarding the zoonotic nature of the disease, 66.2% of farmers and 97.4% of veterinarians correctly recognized this condition, while 53.7% and 94.9%, respectively, identified the viral etiology. The environmental resistance of the etiological agent was recognized by 92.4% of producers and 94.9% of veterinarians; 75% of rural producers and 69.3% of veterinarians stated that transmission occurs mainly through contact with sick animals, and 72.1% and 97.4% believe that transmission in humans occurs through the same route mentioned above, respectively; 11.8% of farmers and no veterinarians stated that they had observed the disease in their family circle; 5.9% and 5.1% in their professional circle and 73.5% and 79.5% in animals. Forty percent and 10.26% use iodine as the treatment of choice, while 59.7% and 51.3% responded that diagnosis is based on clinical examination. There was high agreement on biosafety measures, with 100% of respondents in both groups recognizing the importance of wearing gloves when handling sick animals, as well as the need to separate sick animals from healthy ones. In addition, 95.6% of rural producers and 94.9% of veterinarians recognized that lesion scabs contribute to environmental contamination and favor disease transmission. Regarding prophylaxis and production impacts, 72.1% of rural producers and 64.1% of veterinarians believe in the existence of a vaccine against contagious ecthyma, while 98.5% and 100% recognize the disease's potential to cause significant economic losses in production systems. During the research, health education practices were carried out through the preparation and delivery of educational materials and training with human and animal health professionals and rural producers, covering seven municipalities in the state of Pernambuco with a total of 416 participants. It was concluded that Parapoxvirus orf occurs in goat and sheep species on farms in the state of Pernambuco, presenting phylogenetically multiple active strains and patterns of infectivity in vitro. In addition, the perception study revealed gaps in technical knowledge, especially among rural producers and, to a lesser extent, among veterinarians, with emphasis on weaknesses related to therapeutic aspects, clinical management, and disease prevention. These gaps reinforce the need for continuous and integrated clinical, epidemiological, and molecular surveillance strategies based on the context of One Health. In addition, the results of the study demonstrate the importance of implementing multidisciplinary and interinstitutional training programs, similar to those carried out in this study, as strategic tools for strengthening health surveillance with a view to reducing production losses associated with contagious ecthyma, thereby contributing effectively to animal, human, and environmental health in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - JOSE WILTON PINHEIRO JUNIOR
Externo ao Programa - 1538630 - DANIEL FRIGUGLIETTI BRANDESPIM - UFRPEExterna ao Programa - 1647041 - RITA DE CASSIA CARVALHO MAIA - UFRPEExterna à Instituição - KARLA PATRICIA CHAVES DA SILVA
Externo à Instituição - RODOLFO DE MORAES PEIXOTO