Presence of antibodies against H5, H7 and H9 influenza a virus in wild birds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Although the natural reservoirs of the avian influenza (AI) virus have been extensively studied in many countries, there is a clear lack of information on this subject in South America, particularly in Brazil. The objective of this study was to conduct a serological survey for H5, H7 and H9 antibodies to AI-subtype viruses in wild birds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Serum samples were tested using the hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Out of the 31 wild birds sampled between January and December of 2006, seven (22.58%), were seropositive for H5, H7 and H9; four (12.90%) were seropositive for H5 and H7; 13 (41.94%), were seropositive only for H7; three (9.7%), were seropositive only for H9; and four (12.90%) were negative for all three hemagglutinin subtypes. These results indicate that AI viruses belonging to H5, H7 and H9 subtypes circulate among wild birds in the state of São Paulo in the form of either concurrent or consecutive infections. This study contributes to the knowledge of AI epidemiology in Brazil, and stresses the need of further detailed and long-term epidemiological and ecological investigation to determine the current status of this virus.

Imunocaptura do vírus de Influenza aviária para dia diagnóstico em RT-PCR em tempo real

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Produção da nucleoproteína recombinante do vírus da influenza aviária para aplicação no imunodiagnóstico

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Eritrograma e medição dos eritrócitos de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) em Sãojosé do Rio Preto-SP, Brasil

Ostriches' erythrocytic parameters help on the diagnosis of specific pathologies and serve as basic knowledge for studies in comparative avian pathology. To obtain reference values of erythrocyte indices for ostriches (Struthio camelus) raised in a commercial system in Brazil and verify if there are differences between gender and age groups, 240 healthy from both sexes animals were bled. Heparinized blood samples were analyzed using standard techniques to determine the red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values, besides the red cell morphometry analysis using a computer software that calculates the greater and the smaller diameters of the erythrocytes. Prior to data analysis, ostriches were divided into three different age groups: from four to 13 months, from 13 to 23 months and from 23 to 30 months the. Younger ostriches presented lower erythrocyte indices than the older ones. The age group effect was only significant in females for the erythrocyte, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC variables. The female ostriches presented PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC values significantly higher than males in some age groups. It was observed that the erythrocytes of the female ostriches are more elongated and larger than males. It was concluded that erythrocytic parameters of ostriches in São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brazil are influenced by gender and age, highlighting the importance of consider besides these factors also the geoclimatic conditions to an adequate interpretation of the erythrogram.

Estudo da eficácia de espuma para a depopulação de aves para situações de emergência sanitaria

There are several difficulties in the control of quick spreading and highly contagious poultry diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease, which require large numbers of poultry to be rapidly killed inside the poultry houses in order to minimize human exposure and disease spreading. We have built and tested an equipment that uses a waterbased foam from high expansion fire detergent that induces poultry anoxia measured by sensorial signs, time to death, lethality and macro and microscopically lesions. Two hundred 78-weeks old hens were divided into ten groups and exposed to different times of death according to exposure to water-foam varying from 5min30s to 8min15s. All poultry died after six minutes of water-foam cover. Foam bubbles were observed in oral cavity and trachea of all poultry at each time of exposure to foam, revealing physical asphyxia. Macroscopically, congestion in oral cavity and in trachea mucosa was observed. Histopathology revealed diffuse and moderate hemorrhage in lungs and no lesion in trachea. The efficacy of water-foam procedure for poultry depopulation was demonstrated validating its recommendation in case of emergency.

Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica de um composto produzido a partir de resíduos animais e vegetais

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Effect of moderate and severe heat stress on avian embryonic Hsp70 gene expression

Stress response is a universal mechanism developed by all organisms to deal with adverse changes in the environment, which lead to the synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps). In this study, the effect of moderate (41degreesC) and severe (44degreesC) heat stress on Hsp70 transcript expression pattern was investigated during chicken embryogenesis. Acute exposure to severe heat stress for one hour resulted in a fifteen-fold increase in Hsp70 mRNA levels. The return of stressed embryos to normal incubation temperature resulted in Hsp70 mRNA levels five-fold higher than control after three hours and normal levels after six hours. Moderate heat stress did not induce enhancements on Hsp70 mRNA levels. The spatial expression of Hsp70 transcripts was detected in embryos under normal incubation conditions. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis showed that Hsp70 transcripts were constitutively present in somite and in distinct encephalic domains (predominantly in prosencephalon and mesencephalon areas) of the chicken embryo. These results showed that Hsp70 induction is dependent on incubation temperature conditions, suggesting that early chicken embryos may induce a quick emergence response to cope with severe heat stress by increasing Hsp70 mRNA levels.

Serosurvey of selected avian pathogens in brazilian commercial Rheas (Rhea americana) and Ostriches (Struthio camelus)

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

Disseminated avian tuberculosis in captive Ara macao

Avian mycobacteriosis was diagnosed in a captive scarlet macaw (Ara macao) that presented multifocal granulomas on subcutaneous tissue, sciatic nerves, infraorbital sinus, trachea, air sacs, muscles, spleen and liver. Microscopically, central areas of caseous necrosis surrounded by epithelioid macrophage, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytes were observed. Acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated by Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Inoculation into Lowenstein-Jensen, Stonebrink and Petragnani media, yielded Mycobacterium spp, which was identified as Mycobacterium avium by polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR).

Thyroid status, but not insulin status, affects expression of avian uncoupling protein mRNA in chicken

The aim of this study was to investigate the hormonal regulation of the avian homolog of mammalian uncoupling protein (avUCP) by studying the impact of thyroid hormones and insulin on avUCP mRNA expression in chickens (Gallus gallus). For 3 wk, chicks received either a standard diet (control group), or a standard diet supplemented with triiodothyronine (T-3; T3 group) or with the thyroid gland inhibitor methimazole (MMI group). A fourth group received injections of the deiodinase inhibitor iopanoic acid (IOP group). During the 4th wk of age, all animals received two daily injections of either human insulin or saline solution. The results indicate a twofold overexpression of avUCP mRNA in gastrocnemius muscle of T3 birds and a clear downregulation (-74%) in MMI chickens compared with control chickens. Insulin injections had no significant effect on avUCP mRNA expression in chickens. This study describes for the first time induction of avUCP mRNA expression by the thermogenic hormone T3 in chickens and supports a possible involvement of avUCP in avian thermogenesis.

Cold-induced enhancement of avian uncoupling protein expression, heat production, and triiodothyronine concentrations in broiler chicks

The relationships among avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) mRNA expression, heat production, and thyroid hormone metabolism were investigated in 7-14-day-old broiler chicks (Gallus gallus) exposed to a low temperature (cold-exposed chicks, CE) or a thermoneutral temperature (TN). After 7 days of exposure, CE chicks exhibited higher heat production (+83%, P < 0.01), avUCP mRNA expression (+20%, P < 0.01), and circulating triiodothyronine (T-3) levels (+104%, P = 0.07) for non-statistically different body weights and feed intake between 3 and 7 days of exposure as compared to TN chicks. Plasma thyroxine (T-4) concentration was clearly decreased in CE chicks (-33%, P = 0.06). The lower hepatic inner-ring deiodination activity (-47%) and the higher renal outer-ring deiodination activity (+75%) measured in CE compared to TN chicks could partly account for their higher plasma T3 concentrations. This study describes for the first time the induction of avUCP mRNA expression by low temperature in chickens, as it has been previously shown in ducklings, and supports the possible involvement of avUCP in avian thermogenesis. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. (USA). All rights reserved.

Knowledge and attitudes of health care workers from intensive care units regarding nosocomial transmission of influenza: a study on the immediate pre-pandemic period

The transmission of influenza in health care settings is a major threat to patients, especially those with severe diseases. The attitude of health care workers (HCWs) may influence the transmission of countless infections. The current study aimed to quantify knowledge and identify attitudes of HCWs involved in intensive care units (ICUs) regarding the risk of nosocomial influenza transmission. A questionnaire was applied through interviews to HCWs who worked in one of the five ICUs from a teaching hospital. Questions about influenza were deliberately dispersed among others that assessed several infectious agents. Forty-two HCWs were interviewed: nine physicians, ten nurses and 23 nursing technicians or auxiliaries. Among the 42 HCWs, 98% were aware of the potential transmission of influenza virus in the ICUs, but only 31% would indicate droplet precautions for patients with suspected infection. Moreover, only 31% of them had been vaccinated against influenza in the last campaign (2008). Nursing technicians or auxiliaries were more likely to have been vaccinated, both by univariate and multivariable analysis. When asked about absenteeism, only 10% of the study subjects stated that they would not go to work if they had an influenza-like illness. Those findings suggest that, in non-pandemic periods, influenza control in hospitals requires strategies that combine continuous education with changes in organizational culture.

Predictors of adherence to influenza vaccination for healthcare workers from a teaching hospital: a study in the prepandemic era

Introduction: Even before the 2009 pandemics, influenza in healthcare workers (HCW) was a known threat to patient safety, while Influenza vaccine coverage in the same group was generally low. Identification of predictors for HCW adherence to Influenza vaccination has challenged infection control committees. Methods: Our group conducted a cross-sectional survey in December 2007, interviewing 125 HCWs from a teaching hospital to identify adherence predictors for Influenza vaccination. The outcomes of interest were: A - adherence to the 2007 vaccination campaign; B - adherence to at least three yearly campaigns in the past five years. Demographic and professional data were assessed through univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: of the HCWs interviewed, 43.2% were vaccinated against Influenza in 2007. However, only 34.3% of HCWs working in healthcare for more than five years had adhered to at least three of the last five vaccination campaigns. Multivariate analysis showed that working in a pediatric unit (OR = 7.35, 95% I = 1.90-28.44, p = 0.004) and number of years in the job (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.00-1.74, p = 0.049) were significant predictors of adherence to the 2007 campaign. Physicians returned the worst outcome performances in A (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.16-0.97, p = 0.04) and B (OR = 0.17, 95%CI = 0.05-0.60, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Strategies to improve adherence to Influenza vaccination should focus on physicians and newly-recruited HCWs. New studies are required to assess the impact of the recent Influenza A pandemics on HCW-directed immunization policies.

Fatores associados à vacinação contra influenza em idosos em município do Sudeste do Brasil

OBJETIVO: Mesmo gratuita e disponível no Brasil desde 1999, a cobertura vacinal contra a influenza ainda é inadequada em diversos municípios do País. O objetivo da pesquisa foi estimar a cobertura vacinal e identificar fatores relacionados à vacinação contra a influenza em idosos. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se inquérito domiciliar em amostra aleatória sistemática (N=365) da população urbana maior de 60 anos em Botucatu, São Paulo. Foi aplicado modelo de regressão logística múltipla, cuja variável dependente foi ter sido vacinado em 2002. Foram testadas no modelo as covariáveis: sexo, idade, socioeconômicas (renda per capita, número de pessoas por cômodo, escolaridade, estado civil, ocupação, tempo de moradia), antecedentes mórbidos, de internação, hábito de fumar, sintomas respiratórios nos últimos 15 dias e atividades comunitárias (trabalho voluntário, atividades no bairro, igreja). RESULTADOS: Registrou-se cobertura vacinal de 63,2% (IC 95%: 58,3-68,2). Foi observado menor percentual de vacinados entre os idosos na faixa etária de 60 a 64 anos. As variáveis que se mostraram associadas à vacinação e permaneceram no modelo final foram: idade (OR=1,09 por ano; IC 95%: 1,06-1,13); hipertensão arterial (OR=1,92; IC 95%: 1,18-3,13); inserção em atividades na comunidade (OR=1,63; IC 95%: 1,01-2,65). A vacinação em portadores de doenças crônicas não atingiu níveis adequados conforme esperado para este grupo de risco, com exceção dos hipertensos. A participação em atividades comunitárias e sociais foi relacionada com o estado vacinal. CONCLUSÕES: Condições socioeconômicas, hábitos e idade não restringiram o acesso à campanha vacinal. Por outro lado, campanhas específicas, endereçadas a indivíduos da faixa de 60 a 64 anos, podem ampliar a cobertura da vacinação.

Vacinação contra influenza em idosos por área de residência: prevalência e fatores associados

A vacinação contra influenza é a principal forma de prevenir e reduzir a morbidade e mortalidade associadas à doença entre os idosos e grupos de risco. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar fatores demográficos, socioeconômicos, comportamentais e de saúde associados à vacinação, entre idosos residentes em diferentes áreas do Estado de São Paulo, no período de 2001 a 2002. Trata-se de um delineamento transversal de base populacional que considerou os idosos residentes em duas áreas do Estado: uma composta pelo município de Campinas e distrito do Butantã, na cidade de São Paulo, e outra pelos municípios de Taboão da Serra, Embu e Itapecerica da Serra (região metropolitana do município de São Paulo). A amostra foi composta por 849 e 641 indivíduos com 60 anos ou mais, residentes em tais localidades, respectivamente. Na análise bruta foram utilizadas razões de prevalência e intervalos de confiança de 95% e a análise multivariada foi realizada pela regressão de Poisson. A prevalência de vacinação auto-referida foi de 66,9% entre os residentes em Campinas e no distrito do Butantã e 67,6% naqueles das demais localidades. Após análise ajustada, para os idosos de Campinas e Butantã, apenas menor escolaridade (RP = 1,25; IC 95%: 1,02-1,54) esteve associada à vacinação. Já na área composta pelos municípios menos populosos, idade mais avançada (RP = 1,15; IC 95%: 1,02-1,31), hipertensão arterial (RP = 1,21; IC 95%: 1,02-1,45), diabetes (RP = 1,16; IC 95%: 1,01-1,33) e doença crônica de pulmão (RP = 1,30; IC 95%: 1,03-1,64) referidas, estiveram também associadas. Apesar de a prevalência de vacinação contra influenza entre os idosos das diversas localidades ser praticamente a mesma, pôde-se observar diferenças no perfil do idoso quanto à referência desse procedimento preventivo.