Density measurement of Demodex canis by qPCR and analysis of serum cytokine levels in dogs with different clinical forms of demodicosis.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify (by qPCR) the density of Demodex canis mites in the skin of dogs with demodicosis and in healthy dogs, as well as measuring the serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and tumour necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α). METHODS: Fifty-four dogs were divided into three groups: localized demodicosis (LD, n = 16), generalized demodicosis (GD, n = 22), and control group (CG, n = 16). All dogs were subjected to skin scraping, blood collection, and skin biopsy. DNA extraction was performed and the parasite density was established by qPCR. Serum cytokine concentrations were obtained by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The median number of mites in the skin of the GD (6.2 × 104 copies/µL) and LD dogs (1.2 × 104 copies/µL) was statistically higher than that in the CG dogs (8.7 × 102 copies/µL). Whereas there were no significant differences in median IL-1ß, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α levels among the study groups, there was a statistically higher IL-6 concentration in the LD dogs than in the healthy dogs. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, qPCR is an effective method for measuring the density of D. canis in the canine integument. In addition, the activation of the acute-phase immune response in localized demodicosis can be induced by IL-6 activity.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in dogs of riverside communities of Mato Grosso Pantanal, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution and dogs act as sentinels of human infection. This search aimed to determine the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii in dogs of the communities on the Cuiabá River, Mato Grosso and variables associated with infection. The dogs of the riverside communities in Cuiabá River, which includes Barranco Alto, Praia do Poço, Engenho Velho, Varginha, Bom Sucesso, Passagem da Conceição and São Gonçalo Beira Rio, were evaluated for the presence of T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The prevalence and factors associated with infection were calculated by chi-squared test (χ2) or Fisher's exact test, and univariate and multiple analysis. Of the 248 dogs surveyed, 107 (43.1%) were seropositive for T. gondii. The seroprevalence ranged from 25.6% to 64.3%. There was no statistically significant difference between the communities studied (p > 0.05). As for the associated factors, the only statistically significant factor was that of dogs living with cats (p = 0.02), with approximately twice the risk of acquiring infection. In conclusion, the seroprevalence in dogs of riverside communities in the Baixada Cuiabana demonstrated that high rates of infection, being the factor associated with infection, contact with domestic cats.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in dogs of riverside communities of Mato Grosso Pantanal, Brazil / Soroprevalência de Toxoplasma gondii em cães de comunidades ribeirinhas do Pantanal de Mato Grosso, Brasil

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution and dogs act as sentinels of human infection. This search aimed to determine the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii in dogs of the communities on the Cuiabá River, Mato Grosso and variables associated with infection. The dogs of the riverside communities in Cuiabá River, which includes Barranco Alto, Praia do Poço, Engenho Velho, Varginha, Bom Sucesso, Passagem da Conceição and São Gonçalo Beira Rio, were evaluated for the presence of T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The prevalence and factors associated with infection were calculated by chi-squared test (χ2) or Fisher’s exact test, and univariate and multiple analysis. Of the 248 dogs surveyed, 107 (43.1%) were seropositive for T. gondii. The seroprevalence ranged from 25.6% to 64.3%. There was no statistically significant difference between the communities studied (p > 0.05). As for the associated factors, the only statistically significant factor was that of dogs living with cats (p = 0.02), with approximately twice the risk of acquiring infection. In conclusion, the seroprevalence in dogs of riverside communities in the Baixada Cuiabana demonstrated that high rates of infection, being the factor associated with infection, contact with domestic cats.

Resumo Toxoplasma gondii é um protozoário intracelular com distribuição mundial e o cão atua como sentinela para infecção humana. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos contra T. gondii em cães de comunidades ribeirinhas ao Rio Cuiabá, Mato Grosso e as variáveis associadas à infecção. Os cães das comunidades ribeirinhas do Rio Cuiabá, que inclui Barranco Alto, Praia do Poço, Engenho Velho, Varginha, Bom Sucesso, Passagem da Conceição e São Gonçalo Beira Rio, foram avaliados para a presença de anticorpos para T. gondii pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI). A prevalência e fatores associados com a infecção foram calculados pelo teste de qui-quadrado (χ2) ou exato de Fisher, e análise univariada e multivariada. Dos 248 cães estudados, 107 (43,1%) foram soropositivos para T. gondii. A prevalência variou de 25,6% a 64,3%. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as comunidades estudadas (p > 0,05). Quanto aos fatores associados, o único fator estatisticamente significante o convívio com gatos (p = 0,02), com cerca de duas vezes mais risco de adquirir a infecção. Em conclusão, a soroprevalência em cães de comunidades ribeirinhas da Baixada Cuiabana demonstram altas taxas de infecção, sendo o fator associado à infecção, o contato com gatos domésticos.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in Jaciara, State of Mato Grosso.

INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected disease. Jaciara, State of Mato Grosso has the most cases. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in urban and rural areas. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of domestic dogs used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence test. RESULTS: The prevalence was 54.7% among 345 analyzed samples. Short coat, age of 1-6 years, and living less than 100m from vegetation posed the highest infection risks. CONCLUSIONS: Certain dog behaviors and characteristics, and their correlation with environmental conditions, were relevant in the high prevalence of canine leishmaniasis in Jaciara.