Prevalência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em bovinos, cães e humanos da região sudoeste do Estado de Mato Grosso

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos e laboratoriais de cães sororreagentes para leishmaniose visceral, em foco de transmissão no Distrito Federal-DF, Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Soroprevalência de HTLV/II, e fatores de risco, em gestantes do município de Botucatu atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde

Pós-graduação em Doenças Tropicais - FMB

Estudo quantitativo da infecção por Babesia bovis em bovinos de corte de diferentes grupos genéticos

Pós-graduação em Genética e Melhoramento Animal - FCAV

Caracterização genotípica de amaostras de Toxoplasma gondii isoladas de ovinos de abatedouro

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Risk factors for anaplasmosis in dairy cows during the peripartum

Anaplasma marginale is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Some studies have suggested that cows during peripartum may present a transient immunosuppression state and development of clinical signs of anaplasmosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between some risk factors and the seroprevalence of A. marginale in dairy cows during peripartum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The risk factors analyzed in association with the prevalence of antibodies against A. marginale in dairy cows were calving season, reproductive experience, breed standard, tick infestations, stocking density, and milk yield. The antibodies against A. marginale were tested in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A primary screening using a 2 x k contingency table of the exposed variables with the outcomes was performed. All variables for which p < 0.20 were included in a fixed effects log regression. The risk factors investigated to anaplasmosis were calving (OR 2.61, IC 1.08-7.63), breed standard (OR 3.83, IC 0.08-0.28), reproductive experience (OR 33.7, IC 2.14-5.16), milk yield (OR 3.9, IC 2.24-7.03), Rhipicephalus microplus infestations (OR 10.3, IC 0.05-0.17), and stocking density (OR 22.3, IC 0.05-0.17). Low titers of antibodies against A. marginale during peripartum had been characterized as a period previous to development of clinical anaplasmosis. Thus, studies on anaplasmosis should consider each farm as an epidemiological unit, where environmental and immunological factors may influence the endemic status of the pathogen.

Molecular and serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale in water buffaloes in northern Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Serological survey and risk factors for brucellosis in water buffaloes in the state of Para, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ocorrência de infecção por Leishmania sp. em cães no município de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Seroepidemiological analysis of toxoplasmosis in college students

Background Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which affects warm-blooded animals including humans. Its prevalence rates usually vary in different regions of the planet. Methods In this study, an analysis of the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among Brazilian students was proposed by means of IgG specific antibodies detection. The presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondiiantibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was also evaluated in order to compare it with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to assess the use of 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and o-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride chromogens. Results The IFAT method showed a seroprevalence of 22.3%. These results were similar to those obtained by ELISA (24.1%). The seroprevalence was directly estimated from the IgG avidity, which showed that in a sample of 112 students, three of them had acute infection, an incidence of 1.6% in the studied population. Conclusion In this study, the use of different chromogenic substrates in immunoenzymatic ELISA assays did not display different sensitivity in the detection of T. gondii-reagent serum. The extrapolation of results to this population must be carefully considered, since the investigation was conducted on a reduced sample. However, it allows us to emphasize the importance of careful and well prepared studies to identify risk factors for toxoplasmosis, to adopt preventive measures and to offer guidance to at-risk populations about the disease.

Bartonella clarridgeiae and Bartonella vinsonii subsp berkhoffii exposure in captive wild canids in Brazil

Wild canids are potential hosts for numerous species of Bartonella, yet little research has been done to quantify their infection rates in South America. We sought to investigate Bartonella seroprevalence in captive wild canids from 19 zoos in São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 97 wild canids belonging to four different native species and three European wolves (Canis lupus). Indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing was performed to detect the presence of B. henselae, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. clarridgeiae, and B. rochalimae. Overall, Bartonella antibodies were detected in 11 of the canids, including five (12·8%) of 39 crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), three (11·1%) of 27 bush dogs (Speothos venaticus), two (8·7%) of 23 maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and one (12·5%) of eight hoary foxes (Lycalopex vetulus), with titres ranging from 1:64 to 1:512. Knowing that many species of canids make excellent reservoir hosts for Bartonella, and that there is zoonotic potential for all Bartonella spp. tested for, it will be important to conduct further research in non-captive wild canids to gain an accurate understanding of Bartonella infection in free-ranging wild canids in South America.

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The shadows of a ghost: a survey of canine leishmaniasis in Presidente Prudente and its spatial dispersion in the western region of São Paulo state, an emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis and its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions. Most of the individuals infected in Latin America are in Brazil. Despite the control measures that have been adopted, the disease is spreading throughout new regions of the country. Domestic dogs are involved in the transmission cycle and are considered to be the main epidemiologic reservoir of Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CL) and Ehrlichiosis infection in Presidente Prudente as well as the spatial dispersion of the disease in the western region of São Paulo state. Dogs underwent clinical examination and symptoms related to CL were recorded. Anti- Leishmania antibodies were detected using ELISA, rK39-immunocromatographic tests (DPP), and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti-E. canis antibodies were detected by IFAT. A follow-up was conducted in dogs that were positive in the ELISA at the baseline study. Data on the spatial distribution of L. longipalpis and CL in São Paulo state were obtained from Brazilian public health agencies. Serum samples from 4547 dogs were analyzed. The seroprevalence of CL was 11.2 % by ELISA and 4.5 % by IFAT. In the follow-up, seroprevalence was 32.9 % by ELISA, 15.3 % by IFAT, 11.8 % by DPP test, and 66.5 % for E. canis. There was a significant positive association between Leishmania and E. canis infection (P < 0.0001). In the follow-up, clinical examinations revealed symptoms compatible with CL in 33.5 % of the dogs. L. longipalpis was found in 24 and CL in 15 counties of the Presidente Prudente mesoregion. The dispersion route followed the west frontier of São Paulo state toward Paraná state. Low CL and high ehrlichiosis prevalence rates were found in Presidente Prudente city. This emerging focus of CL is moving through the western region of São Paulo state toward the border of Paraná state. Integrated actions to fight the vector, parasites, infected dogs, and humans are needed to monitor the disease and implement strategies for epidemiologic control.

Soroprevalência da brucelose bovina em frigoríficos com diferentes níveis de serviço de inspeção no estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Leishmania sp. infection in dogs from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Leishmania sp. infection in dogs (N = 491) living in the municipality of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, which was considered a disease-free region for visceral leishmaniasis until 2011, when autochthonous cases of canine disease were notified. Seroprevalence in this population was assessed by ELISA (0.4%; 2/491) and IFAT (4.09%; 24/491). Only one dog exhibited seroreactivity in both serological methods, comprising a total of 25 (5.3%) seroreagent animals. Leishmania sp. DNA, obtained from a sample of whole blood of this animal, was amplified by both conventional and Real-Time PCR. Sequencing of the amplified DNA and, thereby, determination of the Leishmania species involved, was not possible. Our results suggest the necessity of a thorough epidemiological investigation in Florianópolis. (AU).