Neotropical felid specimens at the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi: species, distribution, and morphometric data

Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi (MPEG), situated at Brazilian state of Pará, houses the third largest South-American mammal scientific collection, being a primary source of information for the study of Amazonian and Neotropical mammalians. The collection holds 245 felid specimens, comprising 210 skulls, 53 skins, 10 skeletons, and two anatomical pieces, representing 90% of wild Brazilian cat species, mainly from localities of Northern Brazil. We presented a list of this material, indexed by the genera and species. We also provided craniodental measurements of all the specimens with skull, and comment on the conservation status of the species and other remarkable data, including the first record of Leopardus tigrinus in the Brazilian state of Rondônia.(AU)

Neotropical felid specimens at the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi: species, distribution, and morphometric data

Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi (MPEG), situated at Brazilian state of Pará, houses the third largest South-American mammal scientific collection, being a primary source of information for the study of Amazonian and Neotropical mammalians. The collection holds 245 felid specimens, comprising 210 skulls, 53 skins, 10 skeletons, and two anatomical pieces, representing 90% of wild Brazilian cat species, mainly from localities of Northern Brazil. We presented a list of this material, indexed by the genera and species. We also provided craniodental measurements of all the specimens with skull, and comment on the conservation status of the species and other remarkable data, including the first record of Leopardus tigrinus in the Brazilian state of Rondônia.

Salmonella Enteritidis in Layer Farms of Different Sizes Located in Northern China: On-Farm Sampling and Detection by the PCR Method

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) has caused foodborne infections over decades. It is transmitted mainly from contaminated eggs to humans. SE is commonly present in layer houses, and closely interacts with environmental factors. The objective of the present study was to develop a viable PCR method to identify SE in environmental samples collected in layer farms of different sizes, and to evaluate SE contamination status in four main egg-production provinces of northern China. After specificity retrieval using Primer-BLAST against the NCBI database, three SE specific oligonucleotide primers were selected as candidate primers. The primers targeting Prot6e gene were adopted and primers targeting Sdf I were also selected to validate the results, after testing eight different types of pooled poultry environmental samples (overshoe, air, drinking nipple, feed, egg collection belt, eggshell, air inlet, and air outlet) by PCR. A PCR detection limit of 1 CFU/mL was determined using cell lysates from pure cultures. Testing time was less than 48 h. On-farm samples were collected from two layer farm sizes (one housing more than 50,000 layers, and the other, less than 50,000 layers) in each province. The applied PCR method was shown to be simple, inexpensive and effective for screening SE in a large amount of farm samples. The study identified only one SE-positive farm, which a large farm and where nine samples were found to be contaminated with SE: drinking nipples (3), egg collection belt (1), air inlet (1), air (1), overshoe (1) and eggshell (2).(AU)

Salmonella Enteritidis in Layer Farms of Different Sizes Located in Northern China: On-Farm Sampling and Detection by the PCR Method

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) has caused foodborne infections over decades. It is transmitted mainly from contaminated eggs to humans. SE is commonly present in layer houses, and closely interacts with environmental factors. The objective of the present study was to develop a viable PCR method to identify SE in environmental samples collected in layer farms of different sizes, and to evaluate SE contamination status in four main egg-production provinces of northern China. After specificity retrieval using Primer-BLAST against the NCBI database, three SE specific oligonucleotide primers were selected as candidate primers. The primers targeting Prot6e gene were adopted and primers targeting Sdf I were also selected to validate the results, after testing eight different types of pooled poultry environmental samples (overshoe, air, drinking nipple, feed, egg collection belt, eggshell, air inlet, and air outlet) by PCR. A PCR detection limit of 1 CFU/mL was determined using cell lysates from pure cultures. Testing time was less than 48 h. On-farm samples were collected from two layer farm sizes (one housing more than 50,000 layers, and the other, less than 50,000 layers) in each province. The applied PCR method was shown to be simple, inexpensive and effective for screening SE in a large amount of farm samples. The study identified only one SE-positive farm, which a large farm and where nine samples were found to be contaminated with SE: drinking nipples (3), egg collection belt (1), air inlet (1), air (1), overshoe (1) and eggshell (2).

Perdas econômicas ocasionadas por lesões em carcaças de bovinos abatidos em matadouro-frigorífico do norte de Mato Grosso / Economic losses caused by injuries in carcasses of cattle slaughtered in northern Mato Grosso, Brazil

Este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar as perdas econômicas decorrentes de lesões de transporte e manejo pré-abate em carcaças de bovinos abatidos em matadouro-frigorífico inspecionado na região norte do Estado de Mato Grosso/MT, Brasil. De um total de 1.021 animais avaliados identificou-se que 433(42,4%) apresentavam carcaças com lesões relacionadas ao transporte e manejo pré-abate. A frequência de lesões encontradas evidenciou uma diferença (P<0,05)de acordo com o tempo de transporte, em que, com o transporte de até duas horas foi observado 1,82 lesão/carcaça lesionada e 2,05 lesão/carcaça lesionada com o tempo de 2 a 8 horas, sendo que para tempo de transporte maior que 8 horas, foi observado 2,07 lesões/carcaça lesionada, sendo esse valor igual (P>0,05)aos valores encontrados para transporte entre 2 a 8 horas.Os animais lesionados apresentaram de uma até seis lesões em sua carcaça, com uma maioria (96,9%) variando entre 1 a 4 lesões, sendo que os animais transportados por mais de 2 horas apresentaram mais lesões que os animais transportados por até 2 horas (P<0,05).Foi observado que o local de maior incidência de lesões foi o lombo, com 50,35% das lesões, seguido pela região do coxão com 36,38% das lesões encontradas neste estudo. Encontrou-se também uma perca no valor de 115,76 kg para o total de animais estudados, estima-se que para um matodouro-frigorífico de médio porte, acumula-se uma perda anual superior a 200 mil reais com lesões em carcaças bovinas decorrentes do transporte e manejo pré-abate.(AU)

This study evaluates the economic losses caused by lesions during shipping and pre-management in cattle slaughtered in Mato Grosso, Brazil. From 1,021 carcasses evaluated, 433 (42.4%) presented injuries caused hrough transportation and pre-slaughter management. Lesion frequency varied significantly with shipping times (P<0.05). Animals transported for up to 2 hours presented 1,82 lesion/carcass. In turn, animals transported 2 to 8 hours exhibited 2.05 lesion/carcass, what however did not differ statistically from the number of lesions in animals transported for more than 8 hours (2.07 lesion/carcass; P>0.05). Injured animals presented up to six lesions, although most (96.9%) had up to four lesions. Cattle transported for more than 2 hours presented more lesions than animals shipped for less than 2 hours (P<0.05). Most lesions were obsetrved on the loin (50.35% of lesions), followed by the rump (36.38%). Total weight loss of animals accounted for 115.76 kg, Annual economic losses in a midsized slaughterhouse were estimated at R$ 200,000 by lesions caused during transport and pre-slaughter management of cattle.(AU)

Paederus beetles: the agent of human dermatitis

Background Rove beetles of the genus Paederus cause dermatitis when they come in contact with human skin. This condition is prevalent in some tropical and subtropical regions, such as in northern Pakistan, where it was recorded for the first time by US troops. Despite much research from other countries on this subject, few studies, mostly clinical, have been performed in a Pakistani context. A survey was carried out in villages, towns and cities of Punjab province, Pakistan, to explore the rove beetle population dynamics and to develop a model to elucidate the symptoms, preventive measures and treatment strategies for this dermatitis. Methods The prospective observational and patient surveys were performed bimonthly over a period of two years, in different districts of Punjab province. Collection was carried out in fields, gardens and houses during every visit with the aid of a pitfall trap, light trap, flight intercept trap, Berlese funnel trap and sweep netting. These traps were installed for four days during every visit. Interviews of ten individuals of different ages and sexes from each site were recorded during each visit. Results Out of 980 individuals, 26.4% were found to suffer from Paederus dermatitis. Lesions were most commonly found on the neck followed by the face. In July-August during the rainy season, this skin irritation was most prevalent and the population of these beetles peaked (36.2%). During May-June, the beetle population was lowest (7.85%) due to soil dryness. About 70% of such irritation cases were from individuals living in farming villages or in farmhouses. Their houses typically (80%) had broken doors and screen-less windows while 97% of the residents were unaware of how they may have come into contact with these beetles. In most cases (91% from villages/small towns and 24% from cities and adjoining areas) the local residents were unaware of modern treatment strategies. Conclusions Paederus dermatitis is extremely frequent in villages with poor housing facilities and could be avoided via community awareness.(AU)

Análise dos índices de condenação de carcaças de frango em abatedouro da região norte paranaense

Foi realizado, entre janeiro de 2010 e março de 2012, um levantamento contabilizando os casos de condenações, totais e parciais, de carcaças de frango em um abatedouro avícola, na região Norte do Paraná (PR). Este teve como objetivo investigar as principais causas que geram essas condenações. A média diária de abate do estabelecimento é de 55.000 aves totalizando 32.088.655 frangos abatidos durante o período de estudo. Observou-se que as principais causas de condenações totais (109.272) foram aspecto repugnante, que representou 32,32% dos casos de condenação, seguido de contaminação, com 19,22% e síndrome ascítica, responsável por 16,74% do total. Para as condenações parciais, dos 2.541.656 casos que geraram algum tipo de condenação parcial, 30,40% foram causados por contusões/fratura nas aves, celulite em segundo lugar, condenou parcialmente 22,97% e contaminações somadas representaram 15,66%. Conclui-se que aspecto repugnante, contaminação e ascite são os maiores índices de desvio total dentro do abatedouro estudado. Já para condenações parciais, contaminação, contusão/fratura e celulite aparecem como as principais causas, sugerindo um problema comum na linha de abate e inspeção e que deveriam receber maior atenção por parte da indústria a fim de reduzir as perdas e minimizar os prejuízos causados pelo descarte desses produtos.(AU)

A survey was conducted, between January 2010 and March 2012, to count the cases of total and partial convictions of poultry carcasses in a poultry slaughterhouse in Northern Parana (PR). The aim was to identify the main causes behind these convictions. The daily average slaughter of this establishment was 55.000 birds totaling 32088655 chickens slaughtered during the study period. The main causes of total convictions were disgusting aspect which represented 32,32% of all cases of condemnation, followed by contamination with 19,22% and ascites, which accounted for 16,74% of the total 109.272 cases of convictions. For partial condemnations of 2.541.656 cases producing any kind of partial condemnation, 30,40% was caused by birds injuries, 22,97% by cellulite, and contamination added accounted for 15,66%. Concludes that disgusting aspect, contamination and ascites are the highest rates of total variance within the slaughterhouse studied. As for partial convictions, contamination, injury/fracture and cellulite appear as the main causes suggesting a common inspection problem in the slaughter and should receive more attention from the industry in order to reduce losses and minimize the damage caused by the disposal of these products.(AU)

DIAGNÓSTICO DE SITUAÇÃO EPIDEMIOLÓGICA DA LEISHMANIOSE VISCERAL CANINA EM RIO VERDE-GO

A Leishmaniose Visceral Canina (LVC) preocupa as autoridades sanitárias devido ao aumento de sua incidência nos últimos anos, aliado ao fato da situação epidemiológica da enfermidade ser desconhecida na maioria das regiões. Desta forma, o presente estudo objetou realizar o diagnóstico de situação epidemiológica da leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) no Município de Rio Verde/GO. Para tanto, a pesquisa foi desenvolvida em bairros pré-definidos da região norte do município com a avaliação das condições das três esferas da saúde (animal, humana e ambiental) relacionadas à LVC, por meio de questionários semiestruturados com a participação dos tutores dos animais; a avaliação clínica dos cães e classificação segundo a sintomatologia; a realização do diagnóstico sorológico (ELISA, RIFI e TR DPP) e o geoprocessamento da localidade dos cães reagentes. Na avaliação das condições da saúde animal, os resultados evidenciaram superpopulação canina, especialmente aqueles animais considerados sem controle de mobilidade e sem supervisão, com trânsito livre, sem assistência médico-veterinária. Com relação à saúde humana, destacou-se o convívio íntimo entre o ser humano e o seu animal de estimação, além do agravante do desconhecimento da enfermidade pela população, de seus mecanismos de transmissão, de controle e de prevenção. Sob o olhar ambiental, observou-se problemas de infraestrutura, sendo a falta de saneamento básico a principal delas, além da presença de árvores frutíferas e animais de produção favorecendo o acúmulo de matéria orgânica, facilitando e promovendo o desenvolvimento do vetor. A classificação segundo a avaliação clínica dos cães reagentes (ELISA e RIFI) foi de 65% (13/20) assintomáticos e 35% (7/20) oligossintomáticos. Na avaliação sorológica, 10,38% (55/530) foram reagentes no ELISA, desses 36,37% (20/55) foram reagentes também na RIFI, e desses todas (17/17) as amostras foram consideradas não reagentes no TR DPP®. Os cães positivos no ELISA e RIFI estavam localizados em moradias próximas, reforçando os resultados dos testes. A população, cão e ser humano, e a região estudada apresentam características favoráveis ao desenvolvimento da LVC. Desta forma, existe a necessidade de profissionais capacitados para realizar diagnóstico preciso da enfermidade, iniciando as ações de controle e prevenção, aliado à readequação do protocolo de diagnóstico, pelas autoridades competentes, para as diferentes situações epidemiológicas.

This study focused on perform the diagnostic of epidemiological situation of canine visceral leishmaniosis (CVL) in the northern region of the municipality of Rio Verde, state of Goiás, Brazil, and provide information to the authorities in public and animal health to improve this disease control. So, Clínica Itinerante (CI) or Itinerant Clinic (IC) was developed in pre-selected neighborhoods to obtain the studied material. Semi-structured questionnaires to the animal owners, clinical evaluation of the animals and serological diagnosis (ELISA, Indirect Immunofluorescence and TR DPP) were performed to diagnostic the epidemiological situation including the three areas in health (animals, human beings and environment). A canine overpopulation, especially on those animals that lives free in streets, without supervision of owners and veterinaries were highlighted. These animals are probably more exposed to the vector. In relation to human health, the closing living among humans and animals and the ignorance about this disease epidemiology and control by the population were shown. About the environmental situation, infrastructural problems, as the needs of basic sanitation, were observed. Also, fruit trees and production animals presence were observed, which favors organic matter accumulation and allows the vectors development. The clinical classification of the reagents animals (ELISA and Indirect Immunofluorescence) was 65% (13/20) asymptomatic and 35% (7/20) oligosymptomatic during evaluation on CI. On serological evaluation, 10.38% (55/530) were positive on ELISA and 36.37% (20/55) on Indirect Immunofluorescence. No samples were positive on TR DPP®. The animals considered as positives in ELISA and Indirect Immunofluorescence were located in nearby houses. The human beings and canine populations in the studied areas have favorable characteristics for the development of CVL and consequently of VL. So, trained professionals to perform accurate diagnosis of this disease are necessary to continuously control and prevent the disease, coupled with readjustments of the diagnostic protocol for different situations by authorities.

VARIABILIDADE GENÉTICA EM POPULAÇÕES DE Aedes aegypti (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) DA REGIÃO MEIO NORTE DO BRASIL

O Aedes aegypti é um vetor de grande importância epidemiológica por ser responsável pela transmissão dos vírus da febre amarela, febre chikungunya e dengue. O presente estudo analisou a variabilidade genética e a dinâmica populacional de Ae. aegypti da região meio norte do Brasil com base em sequências do DNA mitocondrial (NADH4) e nuclear (microssatélites). As coletas foram realizadas em quatro estados da região meio norte (Pará, Piauí, Maranhão e Tocantins), acompanhadas de um agente de endemias, nas quais foram obtidas amostras de larvas, pupas e, na oportunidade, distribuídas armadilhas para ovos que foram deixadas por cinco dias no peridomicílio das residências. O material coletado foi transportado ao laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular do Centro de Estudos Superiores de Caxias CESC/UEMA, onde foram aplicados os procedimentos laboratoriais como extração de DNA e PCR. Para gene NADH4 foram sequenciados 119 espécimes distribuídos entre 11 populações do estado do Maranhão, dos quais foram obtidos um fragmento de 337 pb, nove haplótipos, 12 sítios informativos, = 0,673 e = 0,01628. A AMOVA indicou que a maior variação observada ocorreu dentro das populações (67,46% - FST = 0,325) com P significativo (<0,001). Os valores de FST par a par indicaram restrito fluxo gênico entre as populações. As análises filogenéticas agruparam os haplótipos encontrados no presente estudo com haplótipos de outros estudos realizados no Brasil e pelo mundo em dois clados bem suportados com 99% de bootstrap, indicando a presença de duas linhagens no estado do Maranhão. Para os três locos de microssatélites (T3A7, 3472, C2A8) foram genotipados 237 espécimes distribuídos entre 11 populações da região meio norte, dos quais foram obtidos 18, nove e 19 alelos, respectivamente. Todos os locos (T3A7, 3472, C2A8) apresentaram desvio significativo para o Equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (EHW). A heterozigosidade observada (Ho) variou de 0,036 a 1,000 e a heterozigosidade esperada (He) variou de 0,185 a 0,876. O coeficiente de endocruzamento (FIS) mostrou um excesso de heterozigotos (valor do f negativo) para todos os locos analisados em algumas das populações. A AMOVA indicou maior variação genética dentro das populações (76% - FST = 0,175) com P significativo (<0,001). Os valores de FST par a par para as análises de microssatélites indicaram fluxo gênico restrito entre as populações, com indício de estruturação populacional. Portanto, os níveis de diferenciação genética observados nas populações de Ae. aegypti neste estudo mostram a necessidade da implementação de novas estratégias de controle do vetor, pois os intensos tratamentos químicos aos quais o vetor vem sendo submetido nas ultimas décadas e a pressão causada por esses programas de prevenção favorecem a ocorrência de mutações e, consequentemente, uma maior adaptação da espécie ao ambiente.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector of great epidemiological importance for it transmits viruses which cause the yellow fever, dengue and the chikungunya fever. This study analyzed the genetic variability and the population dynamics of Ae. aegypti at the mid-northern region of Brazil using mitochondrial (NADH4) and nuclear (microsatellites) DNA sequences. Samples of larvae and pupae were collected in four states of the mid-northern region (Pará, Piauí, Maranhão and Tocantins), and sampling was accompanied by an endemism agent. Traps to collect eggs were placed at the vicinity of the visited houses, where they were left for five days. The collected material was transported to the laboratory Genética e Biologia Molecular do Centro de Estudos Superiores de Caxias CESC/UEMA, where laboratory procedures for DNA extraction and PCR were performed. The NADH4 genes were sequenced using 119 specimens of 11 populations from the state of Maranhão. One fragment of 337 bp, nine haplotypes, 12 informative sites, h= 0.673 and = 0.01628, were obtained. The AMOVA indicated that the largest variation occurred within populations (67.46% - FST = 0.325), with significant P (<0.001). The paired FST values indicated that the gene flow between populations is restricted. The phylogenetic analyzes grouped the haplotypes found in this study with the haplotypes found in other studies from Brazil and worldwide into two clades, which were supported by 99% bootstrap, indicating the presence of two lineages in the state of Maranhão. Variable number of alleles (18, nine, 19) were obtained from three microsatellite loci (T3A7, 3472, C2A8, respectively), by genotyping 237 specimens from 11 populations from the mid-northern region. All loci (T3A7, 3472, C2A8) showed significant deviation to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.036 to 1.000, and the expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.185 to 0.876. The coefficient of inbreeding (FIS) showed excessive heterozygotes (negative value of f) in all of the loci analyzed in some populations. The AMOVA indicated greater genetic variation within populations (76% - FST = 0.175), with significant P (<0.001). The paired values of FST for the analysis of microsatellites suggested restricted gene flow between populations, indicating population structuration. The distinct levels of genetic differentiation observed in the populations of Ae. aegypti point out for the necessity of new strategies to its control. The intense chemical treatments and the pressure caused by such prevention programs during the last decades favor the occurrence of mutations, and consequently greater adaptation of the vector mosquito to the environment.

Frequência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em suínos abatidos sem inspeção em Belém / Serologic diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii in swines slaughtered without inspection in Northern Brazil

To survey the occurrence of IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in pigs slaughtered without inspection, 110 serum samples from different localities were submitted to indirect hemaglutination test. A frequency of 50.0% (confidence interval 40.7% /.../ 59.3%, 95% significance) of positive sera was detected, with a distribution of frequency of 1.83% and 1.83%, 6.36% and 15.45%, 20.0% and 25.4%, 17.3% and 7.3%, and 4.5% and 0.0% for IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively in 1:16, 1:64, 1:256, 1:1024, and 1:2048 serum dilutions. The toxoplasmic infection was present among pigs in the city of Belém.

Frequência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em suínos abatidos sem inspeção em Belém / Serologic diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii in swines slaughtered without inspection in Northern Brazil

To survey the occurrence of IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in pigs slaughtered without inspection, 110 serum samples from different localities were submitted to indirect hemaglutination test. A frequency of 50.0% (confidence interval 40.7% /.../ 59.3%, 95% significance) of positive sera was detected, with a distribution of frequency of 1.83% and 1.83%, 6.36% and 15.45%, 20.0% and 25.4%, 17.3% and 7.3%, and 4.5% and 0.0% for IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively in 1:16, 1:64, 1:256, 1:1024, and 1:2048 serum dilutions. The toxoplasmic infection was present among pigs in the city of Belém.(AU)

Predation by the centipede Scolopendra viridicornis (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) on roof-roosting bats in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Few invertebrates are currently known to feed upon bats,particularly on adult individuals, fully capable of flying. Herein wepresent new records of bat predation by centipedes, an interactiononly previously known from observations on a Venezuelan cave.Two predation events were recorded, both relating Scolopendraviridicornis (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) tobats roosted in the roof of houses in the Reserva Natural Vale, anAtlantic Forest remain located in northern Espírito Santo state,southeastern Brazil. Information available from the second eventincludes the identification of the predated bat (adult female Eptesicusfurinalis - Vespertilionidae) and the body parts (viscera and musclesof the skull, neck, shoulder, upper arm, and chest) ingested by theScolopendra.

Estudo genético da variante do vírus da raiva mantida por populações do morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus / Genetic study from Rabies vírus variant maintained by hematophagous bats Desmodus rotundus population

Dados da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) mostram que a raiva é um problema de saúde pública podendo acarretar sérios prejuízos ambientais e econômicos, a despeito da existência de vacinas eficazes de uso humano e veterinário. Segundo seu último informe, estima-se que no mundo em torno de 55.000 pessoas por ano morrem de raiva. O cão permanece como principal transmissor da raiva para o homem e também como principal vítima da doença. Nos países que conseguiram controlar a raiva em animais domésticos, o vírus se mantém circulante na natureza por meio dos animais silvestres, sendo os morcegos apontados como a segunda espécie transmissora da raiva a humanos. Os Lyssavirus têm sido detectados em morcegos, em diversos continentes, sendo identificados como transmissor em dez das onze espécies de Lyssavirus. Fósseis de morcego mostram sua presença há 50 milhões de anos. Mas somente em 1911, Carini relacionou pela primeira vez a raiva aos morcegos, levantando a hipótese destes serem os transmissores da doença a outros animais. Há registros de que o vírus da raiva foi isolado em pelo menos 41 das 167 espécies de morcegos brasileiras, sendo que a maioria dessas espécies está relacionada a atividades humanas com a presença destes animais próximos ao local de trabalho e moradia das pessoas. Os morcegos hematófagos Desmodus rotundus são encontrados do norte do México até a costa norte do Chile, região central da Argentina e costa do Uruguai e com exceção do Chile. Esta espécie de morcego tem sido apontada como reservatório natural do vírus da raiva nesta região. Alguns pesquisadores observaram que a raiva em morcegos não hematófagos precede a raiva bovina e em animais de estimação, sugerindo que os morcegos não hematófagos podem ser o elo entre a raiva silvestre e a raiva urbana e o fato de se detectar a variante mantida por morcegos hematófagos Desmodus rotundus em cães e gatos mostra que o papel deste morcego no ciclo da raiva não está limitado à raiva silvestre. As características dos Lyssavirus adaptados a morcegos têm mostrado diferenças quando comparadas à raiva relacionada aos carnívoros, confirmando a necessidade do desenvolvimento de metodologias que permitam estudos complementares mais precisos a respeito da biologia e epidemiologia da raiva em quirópteros. A escassez de dados na literatura, até o momento, a respeito do genoma completo da variante do vírus da raiva mantida por populações de morcegos hematófagos Desmodus rotundus, deixa uma lacuna no entendimento da epidemiologia molecular deste vírus. A importância epidemiológica desta espécie na transmissão da raiva é inquestionável. Neste estudo foi sequenciado e analisado, o genoma da variante do vírus da raiva mantido por populações de morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus isolado de um morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus. A amostra, procedente de área endêmica no Estado de São Paulo, foi filogeneticamente comparada com o genoma da amostra padrão para a espécie viral 1 - Rabies virus e outras amostras pertencentes ao ciclo aéreo ou terrestre de transmissão, disponíveis no GenBank, identificando possíveis padrões de diferenciação, próprios do ciclo aéreo, e em alguns casos relacionados somente à variante estudada

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that rabies is a public health problem which can cause serious environmental and economic damage, despite the existence of effective vaccines for human and veterinary use. According to WHO latest report, estimated that worldwide around 55,000 people per year died of rabies. The dog remains the main transmitter of rabies to humans as well as the main victim of the disease. In countries that were successful in controlling rabies in domestic animals, the virus is still circulating in nature by wild animals and the bats are seen as the second species transmitting rabies to humans. The Lyssavirus have been detected in bats in several continents and is identified as a transmitter in ten of eleven species of Lyssavirus. Bat fossils show their presence for 50 million years. But only in 1911, in the first time Carini related to rabies at bats, raising the possibility of these being the transmitters of the disease to other animals. Reports show that the Rabies virus was isolated in at least 41 of the 167 species of bats in Brazil, with the majority of these species is related to human activities with the animals living near the local job and houses of people. The vampire bat Desmodus rotundus is found from northern Mexico to northern Chile coast, central coast of Argentina and Uruguay and with the exception of Chile. This bat species has been identified as a natural reservoir of the Rabies virus in this region. Some researchers observed that rabies into non-hematophagous bats precedes the bovine rabies and in pets, suggesting that the non-hematophagous bats may be the link between wildlife rabies and urban rabies and the fact that detect the variant maintained by vampire bats Desmodus rotundus in dogs and cats shows that the role of bat rabies in the cycle is not limited to wildlife rabies. The characteristics of Lyssavirus bat adapted have been shown differences when compared to rabies related to the carnivores, confirming the need to develop methods that enable more accurate follow-up studies about the biology and epidemiology of rabies in bats. The paucity of data in the literature to date about the complete genome of the Rabies virus variant maintained by populations of vampire bats Desmodus rotundus leaves a gap in understanding the molecular epidemiology of this virus and the epidemiological importance of this species in the transmission of Rabies virus is unquestionable. In this study we sequenced and analyzed the genome of the Rabies virus variant maintained by populations of bat Desmodus rotundus isolated from a bat Desmodus rotundus. The sample, coming from an endemic area in São Paulo, was phylogenetically compared with the genome of the standard sample for spcies 1 - Rabies virus and other samples belonging to the Terrestrial and Aerial cycles of transmission, available in GenBank, to identify possible patterns of differentiating themselves Aerial cycle and in some cases linked only to variant studied

Study on contaminant materials within sun dried meat (jerked beef) at the Northern Houses / Avaliação da contaminação por matérias estranhas em carne de sol comercializada em casas do norte

The sun dried meat (carne de sol) is a handmade food produced by salting and dehydration procedures, and commonly consumed by people from the North and Northeast areas of Brazil. Taking into account the lack of advanced technology for preparing it and also lacking any official standards for product identity and quality, in addition to the unsuitable sanitary conditions for food processing, marketing and distribution, it might cause risk to consumers health. This paper evaluates the sanitary conditions of sun dried meat, by analyzing the occurrence of the extraneous materials in 44 samples of sun dried meat collected from 22 Northern Houses in Diadema - SP- Brazil. The additional information on food safety, product exposure and sale conditions at the Northern Houses were assessed. Several kinds of contaminants were found in 44 analyzed samples as whole insects and their debris, larvae, arthropods exuviae, mites, rodent fur, pieces of bird feather, fungi, and pointed and sharp objects. Mechanical vectors were detected in 11 sale spots. Among 44 sun dried meat samples, 90.9% showed unsatisfactory sanitary conditions, considering the occurrence of health hazardous contaminants. These findings and including the inadequate hygienic conditions of the Northern Houses, indicate these products are unsuitable for consumption.

A carne de sol é um produto artesanal, obtido de técnicas de salga e desidratação, empregado por populações do Norte e Nordeste do Brasil. A falta de emprego de tecnologia mais avançada no processamento e no estabelecimento de padrões oficiais de identidade e de qualidade contribuem na produção, comercialização e distribuição em condições sanitárias insatisfatórias, os quais põem em risco a saúde do consumidor. Com o objetivo de avaliar as condições sanitárias da carne de sol comercializada em casas do norte, foi pesquisada a ocorrência de matérias estranhas. Foram analisadas 44 amostras de carne de sol coletadas de 22 casas do norte localizadas em Diadema SP/Brasil. As condições de exposição e de comercialização do produto nas casas do norte foram investigadas, as quais serviram de informação complementar na apreciação do grau de segurança alimentar do produto. Em todas as amostras analisadas foram encontradas matérias estranhas, tais como, insetos, fragmentos, larvas, exúvias, ácaros, pelos de roedor, bárbula de ave, fungos filamentosos e, também, objetos pontiagudos e cortantes. Em 11 locais de venda foi verificada a presença de vetores mecânicos. Das amostras analisadas, 90,9% apresentaram condições sanitárias insatisfatórias em função da presença de perigos físicos. Esses achados, associados às condições observadas nas casas do norte, indicam que os produtos anali

Predation by the centipede Scolopendra viridicornis (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) on roof-roosting bats in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Few invertebrates are currently known to feed upon bats,particularly on adult individuals, fully capable of flying. Herein wepresent new records of bat predation by centipedes, an interactiononly previously known from observations on a Venezuelan cave.Two predation events were recorded, both relating Scolopendraviridicornis (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) tobats roosted in the roof of houses in the Reserva Natural Vale, anAtlantic Forest remain located in northern Espírito Santo state,southeastern Brazil. Information available from the second eventincludes the identification of the predated bat (adult female Eptesicusfurinalis - Vespertilionidae) and the body parts (viscera and musclesof the skull, neck, shoulder, upper arm, and chest) ingested by theScolopendra.