Serosurvey of anti-treponema pallidum (syphilis), anti-hepatitis C virus and anti-HIV antibodies in homeless persons of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil.

Homeless persons have been considered as one of the most susceptible populations to sexually transmitted infections. In Brazil, these population experienced an increase of 140% from 2012 to 2020. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Treponema pallidum, anti-HCV, anti-HIV antibodies, and the risk factors associated with homeless persons in a daytime attendance shelter of São Paulo city during the syphilis epidemic in Brazil. Blood samples of 116 volunteers and epidemiological data were conveniently collected in the shelter from June through August 2018. Detection of syphilis, HCV, and HIV antibodies was performed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). CMIA-reagent samples for anti-T. pallidum antibodies were confirmed by Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) non-treponemal test. VDRL non-reagent samples were confirmed by treponemal rapid immunochromatographic test. A rapid immunoblot assay confirmed seropositivity to HIV. Overall, anti-T. pallidum antibodies were observed in 29/116 (25.0%), anti-HCV antibodies in 4/116 (3.4%), and anti-HIV antibodies in 2/116 (1.7%) individuals, both co-infected with anti-T. pallidum antibodies. Associated risk factors for syphilis in homeless persons were being born or previously living in another city (p = 0.043) and becoming homeless due to family conflicts (p = 0.035). Besides homeless vulnerability, worldwide shortage of benzathine penicillin supply and increasing of syphilis testing access through rapid testing in primary health care services may have also impacted disease spreading at the time. The prevalence of syphilis found herein is the highest worldwide to date in this population.

EXPOSURE OF WILD BOAR (SUS SCROFA) TO THE COMMON VAMPIRE BAT AND LACK OF IMMUNE PROTECTION TO RABIES VIRUS IN BRAZILIAN HUNTERS.

Rabies virus is recognized as one of the most fatal zoonotic agents affecting all mammals. Wild boars (Sus scrofa), classified as a large-size exotic invasive species in Brazil with nationwide hunting permitted, may serve as an extra blood source for the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). Our aim was to document wild boar exposure to vampire bats to determine the seroprevalence of rabies virus antibodies in wild boars and to determine the immune status of hunters in southern and central-western Brazilian regions. Serum samples were collected from 80 wild boars and 49 hunters from natural and degraded areas of the Atlantic Forest biome of southern Brazil and in degraded areas of the Cerrado biome of central-western Brazil. The rabies-modified rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test was performed to detect the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies in wild boars and considered seropositive when ≥0.10 IU/mL. The simplified fluorescence inhibition microtest was used for samples from hunters with a titer of ≥0.50 IU/mL and considered indicative of seroconversion. While 11% (9/80) of wild boars had serum titers for rabies exposure (≥0.10 IU/mL), 88% (43/49) of corresponding hunters lacked immune protective titers (<0.50 IU/mL). Wild boars showed serum titers for rabies likely due to contact with contaminated saliva of vampire bats or from infected carcass consumption. Additionally, Brazilian wild boars can be exposed to rabies and may play an important role in the sylvatic rabies cycle by providing a blood supply for vampire bats, highlighting the possibility of direct transmission of rabies virus to hunting dogs and hunters. These findings suggested hunters are a potential risk group for contracting rabies, and the World Health Organization may consider adding this occupation to their recommendations of who should receive the pre-exposure rabies vaccination.

Serosurvey of anti-treponema pallidum (syphilis), antihepatitis C virus and anti-HIV antibodies in homeless persons of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Homeless persons have been considered as one of the most susceptible populations to sexually transmitted infections. In Brazil, these population experienced an increase of 140% from 2012 to 2020. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Treponema pallidum, anti-HCV, anti-HIV antibodies, and the risk factors associated with homeless persons in a daytime attendance shelter of São Paulo city during the syphilis epidemic in Brazil. Blood samples of 116 volunteers and epidemiological data were conveniently collected in the shelter from June through August 2018. Detection of syphilis, HCV, and HIV antibodies was performed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). CMIA-reagent samples for anti-T. pallidum antibodies were confirmed by Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) non-treponemal test. VDRL non-reagent samples were confirmed by treponemal rapid immunochromatographic test. A rapid immunoblot assay confirmed seropositivity to HIV. Overall, anti-T. pallidum antibodies were observed in 29/116 (25.0%), anti-HCV antibodies in 4/116 (3.4%), and anti-HIV antibodies in 2/116 (1.7%) individuals, both co-infected with anti-T. pallidum antibodies. Associated risk factors for syphilis in homeless persons were being born or previously living in another city (p = 0.043) and becoming homeless due to family conflicts (p = 0.035). Besides homeless vulnerability, worldwide shortage of benzathine penicillin supply and increasing of syphilis testing access through rapid testing in primary health care services may have also impacted disease spreading at the time. The prevalence of syphilis found herein is the highest worldwide to date in this population.

Serosurvey of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Homeless Persons of São Paulo City, Southeastern Brazil.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii has been extensively studied in a variety of different human populations. However, no study has focused on homeless populations. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies and the risk factors associated in homeless persons from homeless shelter of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil. In addition, anti-HIV antibodies and associated risk of T. gondii and HIV coinfection have been evaluated. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected by indirect fluorescent antibody test. In addition, anti-HIV levels were tested by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with positive samples confirmed by rapid immunoblot assay. Overall, IgG anti-T. gondii seropositivity was found in 43/120 (35.8%) homeless persons, with endpoint titers varying from 16 to 1,024. The only two pregnant women tested were negative for IgM by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with normal parturition and clinically healthy newborns in both cases. There were no statistical differences in the risk factors for anti-T. gondii serology (p > 0.05). Anti-HIV seropositivity was found in 2/120 (1.7%) homeless persons, confirmed as HIV-1. One HIV seropositive individual was also sero-reactive to IgG anti-T. gondii, and both were negative to IgM anti-T. gondii. This is the first study that reports the serosurvey of T. gondii in homeless persons worldwide. Despite the limited sample size available in the present study, our findings have shown that the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in homeless persons herein was lower than the general population, probably due to homeless diet habit of eating mainly processed food intake. No statistical differences were found regarding risk factors for anti-T. gondii exposure in homeless persons. Future studies should be conducted to fully establish risk factors for anti-T. gondii exposure in homeless persons.

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs, and hunters of Brazil.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii has been extensively studied in wild boars worldwide due to the emerging risk for human infection through meat consumption. However, this is the first study that reports toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in wild boars, wild boar hunters and their hunting dogs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in the complex wild boars, hunting dogs and hunters, and to determine the risk factors associated with seropositivity in southern and central-western Brazil. Overall, anti-T. gondii seropositivity was observed in 15/71 (21.1%) wild boars by modified agglutination test (MAT); and 49/157 (31.2%) hunting dogs and 15/49 (32.7%) hunters by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Brazilian wild boars was within the national and international range, posting wild boars as potential environmental sentinels for T. gondii presence. In addition, the findings have comparatively shown that wild boars have been less exposed to infection than hunting dogs or hunters in both Brazilian regions. Seropositivity for T. gondii was statistically higher in 12/14 (85.7%) captured wild boars when compared to 5/57 (7.0%) free-range wild boars (p = 0.000001). Similarly, captured wild boars from anthropized areas were more likely to be seropositive than of natural regions (p = 0.000255). When in multiple regression model, dogs with the habit of wild boar hunting had significant more chance to be positive (adjusted-OR 4.62 CI 95% 1.16-18.42). Despite potential as sentinels of environmental toxoplasmosis, seroprevalence in wild boars alone may provide a biased basis for public health concerns; thus, hunters and hunting dogs should be always be included in such studies. Although hunters should be aware of potential T. gondii infection, wild boars from natural and agricultural areas may present lower protozoa load when compared to wild boars from anthropized areas, likely by the higher presence of domestic cats as definitive hosts.

Resistência antimicrobiana e caracterização molecular do grupo filogenético de STEC e EPEC típicas e atípicas isoladas de queijos Minas Frescal clandestinos / Antimicrobial resistance and molecular characterization of the phylogenetic group of STEC and EPEC typical and atypical isolated from clandestines Minas Frescal cheeses

Esse estudo avaliou a resistência antimicrobiana e o grupo filogenético de Escherichia coli enteropatogênicas (EPEC) e produtoras de toxina shiga-like (STEC) em 10 amostras de queijos Minas Frescal clandestinos. A média da contagem de E. coli foi de 1,1 x 105 UFC/g. Duas (1,8%) das 111 cepas foram identificadas como EPEC (gene eaeA) sendo uma EPEC típica (gene bfpA) e outra atípica. Outras três (2,7%) foram identificadas como STEC (gene stx2). A t-EPEC foi resistente à estreptomicina e a a-EPEC à cefoxitina e ampicilina. Uma STEC foi considerada multirresistente (ampicilina, estreptomicina e tetraciclina), outra resistente à tetraciclina e outra sensível. A presença de t-EPEC, juntamente com o predomínio de cepas do grupo filogenético A (60%), confirmam a possível origem fecal humana dos isolados de E. coli nos queijos clandestinos.