First detection of Leishmania spp. DNA in Brazilian bats captured strictly in urban areas

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

Participation of dectin-1 receptor on NETs release against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: role on extracellular killing

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a dimorphic fungus from the Paracoccidioides genus, which is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a chronic, subacute or acute mycosis, with visceral and cutaneous involvement. This disease that is acquired through inhalation primarily attacks the lungs but, can spread to other organs. Phagocytic cells as neutrophils play an important role during innate immune response against this fungus, but studies on antifungal activities of these cells are scarce. In addition to their ability to eliminate pathogens by phagocytosis and antimicrobial secretions, neutrophils can trap and kill microorganisms by release of extracellular structures composed by DNA and antimicrobial proteins, called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Here, we provide evidence that P. brasiliensis virulent strain (P. brasiliensis 18) induces NETs release. These structures were well evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, and specific NETs compounds such as histone, elastase and DNA were shown by confocal microscopy. In addition, we have shown that dectin-1 receptor is the main PRR to which fungus binds to induce NETS release. Fungi were ensnared by NETs, denoting the role of these structures in confining the fungus, avoiding dissemination. NETs were also shown to be involved in fungus killing, since fungicidal activity detected before and mainly after neutrophils activation with TNF-α, IFN-γ and GM-CSF was significantly inhibited by cocultures treatment with DNAse.

Serological evidence of Infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (Synonym: Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi) in free-ranging wild mammals in a nonendemic region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

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

Sodium intake, brain c-Fos protein and gastric emptying in cell-dehydrated rats treated with methysergide into the lateral parabrachial nucleus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação do grau de conhecimento sobre Leishmaniose e Toxoplasmose em moradores do município de Araçatuba, SP

Considering the importance of zoonotic infections by Leishmania spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in Araçatuba region, São Paulo, this study determined the degree of knowledge of residents of Araçatuba about these two diseases. Questionnaires about these diseases were applied to 123 people. Regarding schooling, all the respondents were literate, and 69.9% (86/123) did not attend higher education and 30.8% (37/123) completed an undergraduate degree. Of these, 91.9% (34/37) knew the meaning of the term zoonosis, with significant difference compared to those who were not trained. This word was unknown by 57% (29/123) of total respondents. Most non-graduates, 59.3% (51/86) did not know what is toxoplasmosis and among graduates, 35.1% (13/37) ignored the subject.There were significant difference between these groups. Regarding the prevention of Leishmania infection, a greater proportion of the residents advocated environmental cleanup, the collar repellent and use of citronella. In relation to toxoplasmosis, 54.5% did not know the ways of transmission of this disease and among those with graduate degree, 13 ignoring any transmission medium. When it comes to prevention of this disease, 55.3% (68/123) did not know any prophylactic. In the group of higher education, 14 did not know how to prevent toxoplasmosis. The results of this study show that the majority of respondents are not aware about the mode of transmission of these diseases, especially in relation to toxoplasmosis.

Detecção de co-infecções por Leishmania (l.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães

Co-infections by Leishmania (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs were investigated. Amastigotes forms of Leishmania spp. were detected by cytopathological analysis of lymph nodes in 46,42% (39/84) of dogs. In a male dog, adult, without defined breed, from rural area and positive for Leishmania, were observed flagellated forms of T. evansi in blood smear. By immunofluorescence antibody test, 5,95% (5/84) of dogs were considered reactive to T. gondii, with titer equal to or higher than 1:64, while 3,57% (3/84) were reactive to N. caninum, with titer ≥1:50. Among the animals with visceral leishmaniasis, one showed positive serological response to T. gondii and two for N. caninum. All dogs reactive to N. caninum were from rural area and the predominance of infection by T. gondii was in dogs from urban area. A young male dog from the rural area and seropositive for T. gondii showed Ehrlichia spp. morulae in the cytology and positive reaction for canine distemper virus. Thus, further studies are needed to assess the epidemiology of these infections in canine population, especially with respect to the reservoirs of Trypanosoma spp. in rural areas.

Programa de conscientização de idosos sobre posse responsável de animais de estimação em bairro periférico do município de Araçatuba, SP

Currently, responsible ownership of pets has been widely discussed. In the past, they were brought to our society and it is our duty nowadays to establish this relationship between man and animal. This study aimed at evaluating the level of knowledge of elderly dog owners about responsible ownership with emphasis on control of canine visceral leishmaniasis and at the same time make them aware of the precautions to be taken. An individual questionnaire on the subject was applied to 68 elderly people. They all belong to Nossa Senhora Aparecida Village, located on the suburb of Araçatuba-SP. Along with the interview, veterinary students advised them on the control of canine visceral leishmaniasis, the importance of sterilization in cats and dogs and the responsible ownership, with distribution of informative leaflets. Fecal samples from dogs were collected by the owners and they were sent to the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases at Odontology Faculty at Araçatuba UNESP to be processed through the Willis-Mollay technique. Anthelmintic were acquired in the project and donated for the treatment of animals tested positive. 56.25% (63/112) out of the total number of dogs examined were females, aged between one and ten years. Only 32.14% (36/112) had access to the streets, 90.18% (101/112) were not castrated and 58% (65/112) were mixed breed (SRD). Among the owners, 88.24% (60/68) did not know what zoonosis is and 14.71% (10/68) were not aware what leishmaniasis is. Regarding the researched animals, 62.50% (70/112) had ectoparasites (fleas and ticks). It was also observed that 67.86% (76/112) of dogs had been dewormed, but in 59.82% (36/112) of cases, the intervals between these processes were irregular. For females, 85.71% (54/63) had no prevention heat and it was noted that 19.51% (8 / 41) had already given birth, had dystocia. With these data we can confirm the lack of information by these elderly and the need to establish community awareness and continued programs.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of feline leishmaniasis in Brazil

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

Subclinical diagnosis of Caseous lymphadenitis based on Elisa in Sheep from Brazil

Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is a chronic contagious disease that affects small ruminants and still remains an important problem for many lamb-producing countries. Animals are considered clinically infected when occurs abscesses in superficial lymph nodes. Visceral or internal form can coexist which no apparent clinical signs of infection are seen. The best procedure to avoid spread of the disease is elimination of infected animals. However, as the chronic and subclinical nature of the infection of CLA alternative methods are required for detection and screening. In this study, we described the performance of indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for diagnosis of CLA in asymptomatics sheep. Also, test culture and biochemical identification were achieved to confirm CLA infection. The serological diagnostic was performed in sheep symptomatics (n=50) and asymptomatics (n=374) from nine flocks. Analysis reported high positivity of 71% for ELISA in 85% of asymptomatic animal for CLA with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 31%. Results from ELISA test in asymptomatic animals against culture for caseous lymphadenitis were more specific (97%) and permitted to exclude healthy animals without symptoms. This study concluded that C. pseudotuberculosis infection could be widely disseminated in sheep flocks in Northwestern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil and only one screening test is not enough. The association with indirect ELISA test and culture could better indicate the real problem of CLA in sheep flocks.

Leishmania sp. amastigotes identification in canine transmissible venereal tumor

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease with Leishmania chagasi being the etiological agent of canine visceral leishmaniasis in South America. Canine venereal tumor is a transplantable round cell tumor of histiocytic origin which is mostly observed in sexually active male and female intact dogs. It has been shown that Leishmania amastigotes have higher tropism for the canine male genital tract tissues and venereal leishmaniasis transmission has been documented in dogs but, to date, a canine venereal tumor-dependent transmission route has not been fully demonstrated. In this report, a 10-year-old, mixed breed, intact female dog presented a vaginal venereal transmissible tumor but no other clinical abnormalities otherwise. Unexpectedly, tumor tissue imprint smears examination revealed Leishmania sp. amastigotes within infiltrating macrophages. In addition to the cytological direct identification, the protozoan was confirmed within the neoplastic tissue by means of immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. This report illustrates an asymptomatic Leishmania sp. infection that may have started on or from the canine venereal tumor tissue, the latter option further supporting previous evidence of such an alternative vector-independent route of transmission for canine visceral leishmaniasis in areas where these diseases coexist.

CD95 (FAS) and CD178 (FASL) induce the apoptosis of CD4+ and CD8+ cells isolated from the peripheral blood and spleen of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania spp

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

Drosophila melanogaster lipins are tissue-regulated and developmentally regulated and present specific subcellular distributions

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

Type of light in sand fly captures (Diptera:Psychodidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Clinical and parasitological evaluation of dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi submitted to treatment with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol

Aiming to assess the efficacy of the treatment, to verify the occurrence of possible disease relapses and to search for the presence of parasites after the treatment, seven dogs naturally infected by Leishmania sp., were submitted to a treatment with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol. For this, lymph node and bone marrow aspiration biopsies were carried out at seven moments. After the end of the six-month observation period all dogs were submitted to euthanasia. Then, spleen and liver “imprints” and in vitro cultures were carried out to search for amastigote forms of the parasite. All animals presented remission of the symptoms and during all the observation period no dog presented relapse of the disease, although amastigote forms of the parasite were observed in two of the animals at the end of the experiment. Thus, it was possible to conclude that the treatment promotes clinical healing but it does not eliminate the parasites completely.

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).