Estimating sequence diversity of prion protein gene (PRNP) in Portuguese populations of two cervid species: red deer and fallow deer.

Among the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids is now a rising concern in wildlife within Europe, after the detection of the first case in Norway in 2016, in a wild reindeer and until June 2022 a total of 34 cases were described in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The definite diagnosis is post-mortem, performed in target areas of the brain and lymph nodes. Samples are first screened using a rapid test and, if positive, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblotting. The study of the genetics of the prion protein gene, PRNP, has been proved to be a valuable tool for determining the relative susceptibility to TSEs. In the present study, the exon 3 of PRNP gene of 143 samples from red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) of Portugal was analysed. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in red deer - codon A136A, codon T98A, codon Q226E - and no sequence variation was detected in fallow deer. The low genetic diversity found in our samples is compatible with previous studies in Europe. The comparison with results from North America suggests that the free-ranging deer from our study may present susceptibility to CWD, although lack of experimental data and the necessity of continuous survey are necessary to evaluate these populations.

Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in kidney samples of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal: Evaluation of different methods.

Paratuberculosis or Johne's disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), is a chronic granulomatous enteritis affecting both domestic and wild ruminants. The present work is part of a wider set of studies designed to assess the prevalence of paratuberculosis in free ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus). With that purpose, 877 free-ranging red deer legally hunted in the Centre-eastern Portugal were submitted to necropsy and sampled for molecular methods, microbiology and histopathology. Thirty-seven (4.2%) kidneys revealed acid-fast bacilli when screened with the Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Map was detected by IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in thirty (81.1%) of the Ziehl-Neelsen positive kidneys. Subsequent PCR and/or culture from the different organs of the 37 examined animals allowed us to detect 86.4% (32 animals) infected red deer. Our results suggest that renal involvement in Map infected deer may be underdiagnosed and thus the routine examination of this organ and its inclusion in PCR techniques designed for Map detection could substantially improve the diagnostic of paratuberculosis in red deer.

Granuloma Coinfection with Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in Five Hunted Red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal.

We report granulomatous lymphadenitis in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal caused by coinfection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, as demonstrated by molecular methods.

Disseminated Mycobacterium bovis infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with cerebral involvement found in Portugal.

A total of 49 road-killed red foxes were used for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) in Portugal. MTC infection was detected by PCR in 10 red foxes (20.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.8-31.2%) and confirmed in three (6.1%; 95% CI 0.0-7.9%) of them by microbiological culture. The complex was detected in 20 tissues out of 441 by PCR techniques (4.5%; 95% CI 16.3-23.7%) and in seven tissues out of 441 (1.6%; 95% CI 4.6-9.4%) by culture. MTC was most frequently detected in the brain (8.2%) and in the mediastinal lymph nodes (8.2%). The seven cultures obtained were positive for M. bovis by PCR-based genotyping of the MTC targeting genomic deletions. This study confirms the presence of disseminated M. bovis in red foxes in Portugal, and it is the first report in the world of the natural infection in the animals' brains.

Age and years in practice as factors associated with needlestick and sharps injuries among health care workers in a Portuguese hospital.

Health care workers are attributed to the group at highest risk of occupationally acquired bloodborne diseases as the result of contact with blood and body fluids. A cross sectional study was conducted between November 2009 and February 2010 in the North of Portugal, to identify potential risk factors for needlestick and sharps injuries. A questionnaire was provided to 363 health care professionals. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated to needlestick and sharps injuries, calculating odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Sixty-five percent of health care workers (64.5%, 234/363) reported needlestick and sharps injuries in the previous 5 years. Of the injured workers, 74.8% were nurses. Of the total injuries reported, the commonest were from syringe needle unit. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the strongest risk factor was having more than 10 years or more of work in health services (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.82, 6.24). Another significantly related factor was being over 39 years-old (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.03, 3.63). In Portugal, there is a lack of epidemiological evidence related to needlestick and sharps injuries. Considering that patients infected with hepatitis B and C virus are commonly encountered in the hospital environment and that the prevalence of HIV infection in Portugal is one of the highest in Europe, these results should be considered in the design of biosafety strategies at the Hospital Center.

A seroepidemiological survey of mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in sheep from North of Portugal / Rastreio seroepidemiológico de mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em ovinos no Norte de Portugal

The aim of this study was evaluate the risk factors for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) seroprevalence in sheep in the North of Portugal. The effects on seroprevalence of several variables such as individual characteristics, management practices, farm characteristics, animal health, and available veterinary services were evaluated. This information was then used in a multivariable logistic regression model in order to identify risk factors for Map seropositivity. Univariable analysis was used to screen the variables used in the logistic regression model. Variables that showed p values of <0.15 were retained for the multivariable analysis. Fifteen variables were associated with paratuberculosis in univariable analysis. The multivariable logistic regression model identified a number of variables as risk factors for seropositivity like sheep pure local and/or a cross of a local breed (OR=2.02), herd size with 31-60 head (OR=2.14), culling during the Spring-Summer season (OR=1.69) and the use of an anti-parasitic treatment such as Ivermectin as the only anti-parasitic medication (OR=5.60). Potential risk factors identified in this study support current recommendations for the control of paratuberculosis.

Neste trabalho efectuou-se o estudo dos factores associados à seroprevalência da infecção ovina por Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map). Foram investigadas variáveis como as características individuais, práticas de maneio, características da granja, saúde animal e intervenções de sanidade efectuadas no animal. A análise multivariada de regressão logística foi usada para identificar estes factores associados com a seroprevalência da infecção. De acordo com os resultados da análise univariada associaram-se, com o resultado positivo à infecção (p<0,15), 15 variáveis. Após a aplicação do modelo de análise multivariada encontraram-se quatro factores de risco com significância estatística: rebanhos de raças autóctones e seus cruzamentos (OR=2,02); tamanho do efectivo entre 31-60 animais (OR=2,14); época de abate na Primavera-Verão (OR=1,69); uso de ivermectina como único antiparasitário (OR=5,60). Os potenciais factores de risco identificados neste estudo suportam as recomendações currentes para o controlo da paratuberculose.

Dermatitis in a dog induced by Straelensia cynotis: a case report and review of the literature.

This case report describes a highly pruritic, papular and crusted dermatitis affecting the dorsum of a dog and microscopically diagnosed as dermatitis induced by Straelensia cynotis. Histologically, each papule was characterized by a dilated hair follicle with marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, perifollicular mucinosis and an abundant mononuclear infiltration by plasma and mast cells. Each dilated follicle contained a larval mite. A therapy including systemic ivermectins and oral antibiotic therapy was initiated, but the clinical response was poor. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of straelensiosis in Portugal, and the second in Europe.