Showing papers by "Fernando Ferreira published in 2015"

Location-Allocation and Accessibility Models for Improving the Spatial Planning of Public Health Services

Abstract: This study integrated accessibility and location-allocation models in geographic information systems as a proposed strategy to improve the spatial planning of public health services. To estimate the spatial accessibility, we modified the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) model with a different impedance function, a Gaussian weight for competition among service sites, a friction coefficient, distances along a street network based on the Dijkstra’s algorithm and by performing a vectorial analysis. To check the accuracy of the strategy, we used the data from the public sterilization program for the dogs and cats of Bogot´a, Colombia. Since the proposed strategy is independent of the service, it could also be applied to any other public intervention when the capacity of the service is known. The results of the accessibility model were consistent with the sterilization program data, revealing that the western, central and northern zones are the most isolated areas under the sterilization program. Spatial accessibility improvement was sought by relocating the sterilization sites using the maximum coverage with finite demand and the p-median models. The relocation proposed by the maximum coverage model more effectively maximized the spatial accessibility to the sterilization service given the non-uniform distribution of the populations of dogs and cats throughout the city. The implementation of the proposed strategy would provide direct benefits by improving the effectiveness of different public health interventions and the use of financial and human resources.

Rickettsial infection in animals, humans and ticks in Paulicéia, Brazil

Abstract: A previous study in Pauliceia Municipality, south-eastern Brazil, reported 9.7% of the Amblyomma triste ticks to be infected by Rickettsia parkeri, a bacterial pathogen that causes spotted fever in humans. These A. triste ticks were shown to be associated with marsh areas, where the marsh deer Blastocerus dichotomus is a primary host for this tick species. During 2008-2009, blood serum samples were collected from 140 horses, 41 dogs, 5 opossums (Didelphis albiventris) and 26 humans in farms from Pauliceia Municipality. Ticks were collected from these animals, from vegetation and from additional wildlife in these farms. Overall, 25% (35/140) of the horses, 7.3% (3/41) of the dogs, 3.8% (1/26) of the humans and 100% (5/5) of the opossums were seroreactive (titre ≥64) to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that horses that were allowed to forage in the marsh were 4.8 times more likely to be seroreactive to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp than horses that did not forage in the marsh. In addition, horses that had been living in the farm for more than 8.5 years were 2.8 times more likely to be seroreactive to SFG Rickettsia spp than horses that were living for ≤8.5 years. Ticks collected from domestic animals or from vegetation included Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus microplus. By PCR analyses, only one pool of A. coelebs ticks from the vegetation was shown to be infected by rickettsiae, for which DNA sequencing revealed to be Rickettsia amblyommii. Ticks (not tested by PCR) collected from wildlife encompassed A. cajennense and Amblyomma rotundatum on lizards (Tupinambis sp), and A. cajennense and A. triste on the bird Laterallus viridis. Our results indicate that the marsh area of Pauliceia offers risks of infection by SFG rickettsiae.

Satellite Hyperspectral Imagery to Support Tick-Borne Infectious Diseases Surveillance.

Abstract: This study proposed the use of satellite hyperspectral imagery to support tick-borne infectious diseases surveillance based on monitoring the variation in amplifier hosts food sources. To verify this strategy, we used the data of the human rickettsiosis occurrences in southeastern Brazil, region in which the emergence of this disease is associated with the rising capybara population. Spatio-temporal analysis based on Monte Carlo simulations was used to identify risk areas of human rickettsiosis and hyperspectral moderate-resolution imagery was used to identify the increment and expansion of sugarcane crops, main food source of capybaras. In general, a pixel abundance associated with increment of sugarcane crops was detected in risk areas of human rickettsiosis. Thus, the hypothesis that there is a spatio-temporal relationship between the occurrence of human rickettsiosis and the sugarcane crops increment was verified. Therefore, due to the difficulty of monitoring locally the distribution of infectious agents, vectors and animal host’s, satellite hyperspectral imagery can be used as a complementary tool for the surveillance of tick-borne infectious diseases and potentially of other vector-borne diseases.

Monitoring techniques in the capture and adoption of dogs and cats

Abstract: The continuous improvement of the information systems of organizations that work toward the control of stray dog and cat populations facilitates the implementation of programs aimed at reducing the number of animals that roam free in public streets. This study aimed to present techniques to improve the understanding of the spatial distribution of stray dogs and cats and of people who adopt these animals and the fate of these animals in zoonosis control centers (ZCC). Ripley's K function was used with a Euclidean distance graph to detect the distribution pattern of dogs and cats captured and of the people who adopted these animals. An estimate of the kernel density was used to allow a better assessment of the spatial distribution of the phenomenon studied. The results showed that the distribution of captured animals and of the people who adopted these animals form a spatial cluster (p = 0.01). Most of the animals were captured near the premises of the ZCC and near the downtown area. Factors such as the abandonment of animals near animal control agencies and the availability of food sources are the main hypotheses associated to the distribution of the captures. The awareness of the people who live in places where there is a greater number of stray animals and the distribution of the urban population are the main hypotheses to explain the distribution of the adoptions. The results will help to implement control measures over these populations in the most problematic areas.

Characterization of cattle raising in Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract: The aim of this work was to characterize the cattle raising in Paraiba State, Northeastern Brazil. The State was divided into three cattle production regions according to its mesoregions: production region 1 (Sertao mesoregion), production region 2 (Borborema mesoregion) and production region 3 (Agreste and Zona da Mata mesoregions). Overall, 689 rural properties from the three production regions were randomly selected. The variables used in the characterization were production system, farming system, type of milking, use of artificial insemination, milk cooling, number of lactating cows, daily milk production, herd size and number of bovine females > 24 months of age. It was found that most farms in Paraiba State are family or subsistence farms, predominantly mixed production, semi-intensive farming, with utilization of hand milking and natural mating, without use of milk cooling, low number of lactating cows and daily milk production. It were found differences and similarities among production regions so that it is suggested that such aspects must be taking into account in livestock development public policy planning, as well as in the implementation of disease control strategies.

Demographic characteristics of owned dogs and cats of Votorantim, São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract: A two-stage cluster sample design was used to estimate population parameters of dogs and cats of the urban area of Votorantim, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, to support the planning and implementation of population management programs for companion animals. For dogs, the total and density estimates were 27,241 dogs (95% confidence interval [CI]=23,903-30,578) and 951 dogs km-2 (95% CI=835-1,068), respectively. For cats, these estimates were 5,579 cats (95% CI=3,595-7,562) and 195 cats km-2 (95% CI=126-264). Cost was the most prevalent reason for not sterilizing the animals (33%, 95% CI=23%-44%, Deff=6.1). The percentage of interviewees that expressed reasons for abandoning their animals was equal to 9 (95% CI=5-13, Deff=2.1). Other estimates were obtained, including indirect estimates of abandonment. The estimates associated with abandonment suggest that the prevalence of this phenomenon can significantly affect population dynamics. Distribution of dogs per household can be used to construct hypothetical populations and to validate estimation procedures. The estimates generated allow parameterizing mathematical models and constructing population management indicators

Cartografia das neoplasias em cães das diferentes regiões da cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil: um levantamento (2002-2003) dos dados do Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract: Improvements in veterinary medicine have resulted in a significant benefit in the life of pets in the last 20 years, and increased pet life expectancy led to an increased prevalence of canine neoplasia. Cancer epidemiology and spatial analysis tools, although well developed for human oncology research, is just beginning to be explored in veterinary oncology. Sao Paulo city, capital of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is divided into five regions: North, South, East, West and downtown. The Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (HOVET-SVMAS-USP), is located in the West region of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and admits cases of small and large animals. Canine mammary tumors are so numerous that they are not routinely treated at the HOVET. The aim of this work was to perform a cartographic study to describe the spatial distribution of prevalent cases of neoplasms in dogs from the HOVET. Of the 3,620 cases seen in 2002 and 2003, 380 cases (10.5%) were of dogs affected with benign and malignant neoplasms. No statistical difference was found for the 380 addresses distributed among the five regions of the city. These results showed that the HOVET receives canine patients from all regions of Sao Paulo and there is a homogeneous spatial distribution of neoplasms. Authors encourage additional broader studies, involving several veterinary hospitals, clinics or laboratories in order to obtain more accurate data on distribution of canine neoplasms in Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Teor de metionina + cistina para codornas de corte do nascimento aos 21 dias de idade

Abstract: The effect of total methionine + cystine level on the performance traits of European quails during the initial phase of the growth period (from hatch to 21 days of age) was evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design with six levels of total methionine + cystine (.86; .96; 1.06; 1.16;1.26;1.36), with four replicates and 15 quails per experimental unit. Body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed: weight gain ratio were evaluated. Significant quadratic effects of total methionine + cystine level on the performance traits recorded from hatch to 21 days of age were observed. Highest body weight and weight gain were estimated for quails fed 1.21% total methionoine + cystine diets, lowest feed intake was estimated for quails fed 1.36% diets and best feed: weight gain ratio was estimated for quails fed 1.1% total methionoine + cystine diet. The total methionine + cystine requirement for weight gain from hatch to 21 days of age is 1.21%.

Caracterização dos sistemas de criação de bovinos com atividade reprodutiva na região Centro-Sul do Brasil

Abstract: Between October 2001 and December 2004, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply conducted a study to evaluate the epidemiological situation of bovine brucellosis in 14 Brazilian states. The work included an epidemiological questionnaire intended to assess possible risk factors for the disease in herds. This also fostered the development of a descriptive analysis of livestock in various regions. The results demonstrated the high heterogeneity of the production chain and inequalities between various actors of the productive chain. Overall, we found that most farm holdings raise few animals extensively, with low investment in technology, specialization and intensification of management. Considering the increasing participation of Brazil in global food production, the results reflect an optimistic outlook about the potential for production of meat and milk by the country if policies aimed at increasing productivity levels of small producers are introduced. Given the scarcity of such projects, we reflected on the need for further work with this approach and on the establishment of an integrated information system with respect to information regarding the health and productivity of cattle farms, whereas the greater knowledge about the environment will be the most effective actions to correct problems in the industry.