RESUMO
We describe molecular testing for felid alphaherpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), alphacoronavirus 1 (feline coronavirus [FCoV]), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) in whole blood samples of 109 free-ranging and 68 captive neotropical felids from Brazil. Samples from 2 jaguars ( Panthera onca) and 1 oncilla ( Leopardus tigrinus) were positive for FHV-1; 2 jaguars, 1 puma ( Puma concolor), and 1 jaguarundi ( Herpairulus yagouaroundi) tested positive for CPPV-1; and 1 puma was positive for FIV. Based on comparison of 103 nucleotides of the UL24-UL25 gene, the FHV-1 sequences were 99-100% similar to the FHV-1 strain of domestic cats. Nucleotide sequences of CPPV-1 were closely related to sequences detected in other wild carnivores, comparing 294 nucleotides of the VP1 gene. The FIV nucleotide sequence detected in the free-ranging puma, based on comparison of 444 nucleotides of the pol gene, grouped with other lentiviruses described in pumas, and had 82.4% identity with a free-ranging puma from Yellowstone Park and 79.5% with a captive puma from Brazil. Our data document the circulation of FHV-1, CPPV-1, and FIV in neotropical felids in Brazil.
Assuntos
Felidae/virologia , Viroses/veterinária , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Animais de Zoológico , Brasil , Calicivirus Felino/genética , Calicivirus Felino/isolamento & purificação , Coronavirus Felino/genética , Coronavirus Felino/isolamento & purificação , Vírus da Cinomose Canina/genética , Vírus da Cinomose Canina/isolamento & purificação , Felidae/sangue , Herpesviridae/genética , Herpesviridae/isolamento & purificação , Vírus da Imunodeficiência Felina/genética , Vírus da Imunodeficiência Felina/isolamento & purificação , Vírus da Leucemia Felina/genética , Vírus da Leucemia Felina/isolamento & purificação , Parvovirinae/genética , Parvovirinae/isolamento & purificação , Testes Sorológicos/veterinária , Varicellovirus/genética , Varicellovirus/isolamento & purificação , Viroses/diagnóstico , Viroses/virologiaRESUMO
Toxocara canis is a highly prevalent worldwide canine nematode responsible for enzootic and zoonotic infections. It is considered to be one of the main agents of human visceral and ocular larva migrans. False negative diagnosis may occur because adult infected dogs with "dormant" larvae may have negative fecal test results since they usually do not shed parasite eggs in their stools. During pregnancy, the larvae become active and infect the offspring through the placenta. A serological test can distinguish infected animals, thus increasing the accuracy of the diagnosis for epidemiological studies and prophylactic purposes. In the present work a serological investigation was carried out to study the risk factors for the acquisition of this infection in 301 dogs inhabiting the city of Salvador, northeast Brazil. A validated questionnaire was applied to the donors and caretakers to assess animal management practices. All dogs were submitted to clinical evaluation and blood collection. Serum samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies against excretory-secretory products of T. canis larvae, used as antigens, by indirect ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of anti-T. canis IgG antibodies was 82.7%. Risk factors for T. canis infection included sex, area of origin within the city, homemade leftover food intake, failure to receive regular vaccination against infectious diseases and lack of preventive anti-helminthic treatment. Most of these risk factors suggest a lack of veterinary care and poverty. The high frequency of seropositivity found for toxocariasis in dogs suggests that results based on parasitological fecal examination could underestimate the actual prevalence of the infection.
