Molecular survey of tick-borne pathogens in small mammals from Brazilian Amazonia / Levantamento molecular de patógenos transmitidos por carrapatos em pequenos mamíferos da Amazônia brasileira

Abstract Small non-volant mammals (marsupials and small rodents) were captured at three different timepoints from 23 forest fragments across three municipalities (Alta Floresta, Sinop and Cláudia) covering the Amazonian biome of the Mato Grosso State in Midwestern Brazil. The animal tissues (liver and spleen) and blood were screened using molecular tools for the detection of Babesia, Coxiella, Cytauxzoon, Hepatozoon, Theileria, and Anaplasmataceae agents. A total of 230 specimens (78 rodents and 152 marsupials) were trapped. Hepatozoon and Piroplasmorida agents were detected in the common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis). In turn, all samples (blood, liver, or spleen) collected from the small mammals were negative for the genus Coxiella and the family Anaplasmataceae, as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Phylogenetic analyses inferred from partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene highlighted the occurrence of new Hepatozoon and Piroplasmorida haplotypes. Future studies determining the role of common opossum (D. marsupialis) in the epidemiological cycles of Hepatozoon and Babesia under natural conditions in the Amazonian biome are necessary.

Resumo Pequenos mamíferos não voadores (marsupiais e pequenos roedores) foram capturados em três diferentes períodos, ao longo de 23 fragmentos florestais de três municípios (Alta Floresta, Sinop e Cláudia), localizados no bioma amazônico do Estado de Mato Grosso, no centro-oeste do Brasil. Os tecidos dos animais (fígado e baço) e sangue foram selecionados e submetidos a ensaios moleculares para a detecção do DNA de Babesia, Coxiella, Cytauxzoon, Hepatozoon, Theileria e agentes Anaplasmataceae. Um total de 230 espécimes (78 roedores e 152 marsupiais) foram capturados. Hepatozoon e agentes Piroplasmorida foram detectados em gambás (Didelphis marsupialis). Ao contrário, todas as amostras (sangue, fígado ou baço) coletadas dos pequenos mamíferos foram negativas para o gênero Coxiella e a família Anaplasmataceae, conforme detectado pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Análises filogenéticas inferidas pelas sequências parciais do gene 18S rRNA evidenciaram a ocorrência de novos haplótipos de Hepatozoon e Piroplasmorida. Futuros estudos determinando a importância do gambá-comun (D. marsupialis) nos ciclos epidemiológicos de Hepatozoon e Babesia em condições naturais, no bioma amazônico, são necessários.

Seroprevalencia de Coxiella burnetii en trabajadores de fincas ganaderas del departamento de Antioquia / Seroprevalence of Coxiella Burnetii in cattle farm workers in the department of Antioquia

Introducción: Coxiella burnetii es el agente etiológico de la fiebre Q, zoonosis asociada principalmente al contacto con ganado bovino y caprino. El principal modo de transmisión es el contacto con productos del parto, sangre, leche, lana, además de la inhalación de las esporas de la bacteria, que permite que se produzca infección aun en sitios alejados del reservorio. Objetivo: describir la seroprevalencia de C. burnetii en una población de riesgo como los trabajadores de fincas ganaderas del departamento de Antioquia 2011-2012. Metodología: se determinaron los niveles de anticuerpos IgG, por inmunofluorescencia, determinantes del contacto previo con C. burnetti, en 102 trabajadores de fincas ganaderas localizadas en tres municipios del departamento de Antioquia. Resultados: se encontraron 15 (14.70%) muestras positivas para Ig G (fase I y II) contra Coxiella burnetii en un grupo de 92 hombres y 10 mujeres, sin que se estableciera relación entre el género y su seropositividad (p=0.167), edad (p: 0.889) y tiempo de exposición (p: 0.118). Conclusión: la infección por C. burnetti es una zoonosis de importancia en nuestro medio y debe pensarse en ella al momento de enfrentarse a cuadros febriles tanto agudos como crónicos, en poblaciones de riesgo. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40: 20-23).

Abstract Introduction: Coxiella burnetii is the etiologic agent of Q fever, zoonosis mainly associated to contact with cattle and goats. The main mode of transmission is contact with products of delivery, blood, milk, wool, in addition to inhalation of spores of the bacterium, that allows to occur the infection even in places far from the reservoir. Objective: to describe the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in a population at risk such as farm workers in Antioquia department 2011-2012. Methodology: IgG antibody levels were determined by immunofluorescence, determinants of previous contact with C. burnetii in 102 workers of farms localized in three municipalities of Antioquia. Results: 15 (14.70%) samples positive for IgG (phase I and II) were found against Coxiella burnetii in a group of 92 men and 10 women, with no relationship between gender and seropositivity (p = 0.167), age (p = 0.889) and exposure time (p = 0.118) established. Conclusion: C. burnetii infection is a zoonosis of importance in our environment and should be thought of when faced with febrile pictures both acute and chronic, in populations at risk. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40: 20-23).

Fiebre Q / Q fever

Q fever is caused by the rickettsia Coxiella burneti, an obligate intracelullar parasite microorganism. It usually takes the form of an acute systemic disease with sudden onset and symptoms of general malaise, chills and fever, myalgia and most chracteristically, severe headache. An interstitial pneumonia usually develops, the febrile period may last from 5 to 25 days or longer. Q fever is primarily a zoonosis an it is tipically an inapparent infection which is solidly established in domestic livestock the world over. Man is incidental to the natural maintenance of the disease whose principal animal reservoirs are ungulaes, rodents and in Australia, marsupials Tetracycline is the antibiotic preferred for Q fever therapy, it is administered orally (2.5 to 4 ger per day) divided in 4 dosis. Human cases of Q fever have been reported in all Latin american countries. Most human infection are derived from infected livestock, thus individuals such as slaughterhouse and dairy workers, herders, tanners, etc. should be protected