Spatiotemporal distribution of a non-haematophagous bat community and rabies virus circulation: a proposal for urban rabies surveillance in Brazil.

In Brazil, rabies surveillance is based on monitoring domestic and wild animals, although the most prevalent lineage of the rabies virus (RABV) currently diagnosed in Brazil is associated with bats, particularly non-haematophagous bats. Disease control is based on the mass vaccination of dogs and cats. We used data collected by the passive surveillance system of the city of Campinas from 2011 to 2015, to describe the temporal and geographic distributions of the bat specimens and RABV and discuss the current rabies surveillance with the advent of the declaration of canine and feline rabies-free areas in Brazil. We described the species, locations and health statuses of the collected bat specimens. Moreover, all samples were submitted for RABV diagnosis. Then, we performed a time series decomposition for each bat family. Additionally, we determined the spatiotemporal relative risk for RABV infection using the ratio of the kernel-smoothed estimates of spatiotemporal densities of RABV-positive and RABV-negative bats. From the 2537 bat specimens, the most numerous family was Molossidae (72%), followed by Vespertilionidae (14%) and Phyllostomidae (13%). The bat families behaved differently in terms of seasonal and spatial patterns. The distribution of bats varied geographically in the urban environment, with Molossidae and Phyllostomidae being observed downtown and Vespertilionidae being observed in peripheral zones. Concurrently, a significant relative risk of RABV infection was observed downtown for Vespertilionidae and in peripheral zones for Molossidae. No RABV-positive sample clusters were observed. As a result of the official declaration of RABV-free areas in southern Brazil, mass dog and cat vaccinations are expected to halt in the near future. This stoppage would make most dog and cat populations susceptible to other RABV lineages, such as those maintained by non-haematophagous bats. In this scenario, all information available on bats and RABV distribution in urban areas is essential. Currently, few studies have been conducted. Some local health authorities, such as that in Campinas, are spontaneously basing their surveillance efforts on bat rabies, which is the alternative in reality scenario of increased susceptibility to bat-associated RABV that is developing in Brazil.

Comparison among three different serological methods for the detection of equine influenza virus infection.

The equine influenza virus (EIV) H3N8 subtype is responsible for all EIV outbreaks worldwide while the H7N7 subtype is less pathogenic and is considered extinct as it has not been confirmed in outbreaks since 1980. Although EIV is enzootic in Brazil, few reports describe the actual EIV antibody status in the country. The aims of this study were: - to evaluate the efficiency of different serum treatments described by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to remove non-specific haemagglutination inhibitors for the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay for EIV - to evaluate the presence of EIV antibodies by HI, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and agar gel immunodiffusion in 83 non-vaccinated equines from São Paulo State - to evaluate a strategy to better analyse equine sera for EIV antibodies. Although there was no statistical difference among treatments, receptor-destroying enzyme treatment followed by chicken erythrocyte adsorption showed more consistent results, which corroborate the OIE and WHO recommendation to use this treatment preferentially. The HI results suggest equine H3N8 virus circulation among the animals tested from São Paulo State. The algorithm suggested here could be used to guide antibody detection against equine influenza virus in equines, improving the test specificity by aiming to avoid false positive results.

Tous les foyers de grippe équine dans le monde sont dus au sous-type H3N8 du virus. Le sous-type H7N7, moins pathogène, est considéré comme éteint, sa présence n'ayant été confirmée dans aucun des foyers enregistrés depuis 1980. Au Brésil, la grippe équine est enzootique mais la prévalence d'anticorps dans le pays est peu documentée. La présente étude avait trois objectifs : ­ évaluer l'efficacité de plusieurs traitements de sérums décrits par l'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OIE) et l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) sur la suppression des inhibiteurs d'hémagglutination non spécifiques, afin de pouvoir utiliser l'épreuve d'inhibition de l'hémagglutination pour la détection de la grippe équine, ­ évaluer la présence d'anticorps dirigés contre la grippe équine chez 83 chevaux non vaccinés de l'état de São Paulo en utilisant l'inhibition de l'hémagglutination, l'épreuve immuno-enzymatique (ELISA) et l'épreuve d'immunodiffusion en gélose (IDG) ; ­ évaluer une stratégie visant à améliorer les techniques sérologiques de détection des anticorps dirigés contre la grippe équine. S'il n'y a pas eu de différence statistique significative entre les traitements, celui faisant appel à l'enzyme de destruction du récepteur suivi d'une adsorption sur érythrocytes de poule a permis d'obtenir les résultats les plus cohérents, ce qui corrobore les recommandations de l'OIE et de l'OMS en faveur de ce traitement. Les résultats obtenus au moyen de l'inhibition de l'hémagglutination indiquent que le virus H3N8 est présent parmi les animaux testés de l'état de São Paulo. L'algorithme présenté par les auteurs pourrait servir de modèle pour détecter la présence d'anticorps dirigés contre le virus de la grippe équine chez les chevaux : en effet, il permet d'éviter les résultats faussement positifs, ce qui améliore la spécificité du test utilisé.

El subtipo H3N8 del virus de la gripe equina (VGE) es el agente etiológico de todos los brotes que se producen en el mundo, mientras que el subtipo H7N7, menos patogénico, se da por extinto, en la medida en que desde 1980 no se ha confirmado su intervención en brote alguno. Aunque en el Brasil el VGE es enzoótico, existen pocos trabajos que den cuenta de la situación real del país en cuanto a la presencia de anticuerpos contra el virus. Los autores describen un estudio que perseguía los siguientes objetivos: ­ evaluar la eficacia de distintos tratamientos séricos descritos por la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) para eliminar los inhibidores inespecíficos de la hemaglutinación con objeto de aplicar la técnica de inhibición de la hemaglutinación a la detección del VGE; ­ evaluar la presencia de anticuerpos contra el VGE por inhibición de la hemaglutinación, ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA) e inmunodifusión en gel de agar en 83 ejemplares equinos no vacunados del estado de São Paulo; ­ evaluar una estrategia encaminada a analizar más eficazmente sueros equinos para detectar en ellos anticuerpos anti-VGE. Aunque no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tratamientos, el uso de enzimas destructores de receptores seguido de la técnica de adsorción de eritrocitos de pollo arrojó resultados más coherentes, cosa que avala la recomendación de la OIE y la OMS de privilegiar este tratamiento. Los resultados obtenidos por inhibición de la hemaglutinación parecen indicar que el virus H3N8 equino circula entre los animales analizados del estado de São Paulo. El algoritmo aquí propuesto podría servir de guía para detectar en equinos la presencia de anticuerpos contra el VGE. Puesto que apunta a evitar falsos positivos, su aplicación mejoraría la especificidad de la prueba.

Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from goats from Brazil.

Goats are economically important in many countries, and little is known of caprine toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in the sera of 143 goats from 3 Brazilian states, using modified agglutination test (MAT titer > or = 1:25); 46 (32.2%) tested positive. Samples of brain, heart, diaphragm, and masseter of seropositive animals were pooled, digested in pepsin, and bioassayed in mice. Viable T. gondii specimens were isolated from tissue homogenates of 12 goats; the isolates were designated TgGtBr1-12. Ten of the 12 isolates killed 100% of infected mice, indicating that goats can harbor mouse-virulent T. gondii and, hence, can serve as a source of infection for humans.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of zinc gluconate associated with dimethyl sulphoxide for sexually mature canine males chemical neutering.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc gluconate associated with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for chemical neutering in canine males. Fifteen sexually mature male dogs were divided in two groups, named control and treated. An injection was administered to both testicles, at a concentration of 26.2 mg zinc gluconate per ml and 0.5% DMSO in the treated group (11 dogs). The control group was given injections of saline solution (four dogs). Clinical examination and blood collection for a haemogram were done both before and after drug injection. There were 12 spermograms performed to analyse sperm motility, sperm vigour, ejaculate volume, testicle size, pathology and sperm concentrations. Libido was also measured. An ultrasound examination and histopathology were performed at the end of the experiment. Dogs' libido after chemical injection was reduced by over 50%. The spermogram analysis showed final mean results of 14.54% for sperm motility, 0.72 of sperm vigour and 37,150 per million spermatozoa per millilitre, values considered below the necessary levels at which fertilization can occur. Ultrasound and histopathology analyses of testicles for the treated group revealed more intense injuries when compared with the control group, with compromised testicular parenchyma and a decrease of germ cell number leading to total atrophy, indicating that the treatment reduced the fertilizing potential of male dogs, promoting a possible subfertile status.

Evaluation of DNA extraction protocols for Brucella abortus pcr detection in aborted fetuses or calves born from cows experimentally infected with strain 2308.

The objective of the present study was to improve the detection of B. abortus by PCR in organs of aborted fetuses from infected cows, an important mechanism to find infected herds on the eradication phase of the program. So, different DNA extraction protocols were compared, focusing the PCR detection of B. abortus in clinical samples collected from aborted fetuses or calves born from cows challenged with the 2308 B. abortus strain. Therefore, two gold standard groups were built based on classical bacteriology, formed from: 32 lungs (17 positives), 26 spleens (11 positives), 23 livers (8 positives) and 22 bronchial lymph nodes (7 positives). All samples were submitted to three DNA extraction protocols, followed by the same amplification process with the primers B4 and B5. From the accumulated results for organ, the proportion of positives for the lungs was higher than the livers (p=0.04) or bronchial lymph nodes (p=0.004) and equal to the spleens (p=0.18). From the accumulated results for DNA extraction protocol, the proportion of positives for the Boom protocol was bigger than the PK (p< 0.0001) and GT (p=0.0004). There was no difference between the PK and GT protocols (p=0.5). Some positive samples from the classical bacteriology were negative to the PCR and vice-versa. Therefore, the best strategy for B. abortus detection in the organs of aborted fetuses or calves born from infected cows is the use, in parallel, of isolation by classical bacteriology and the PCR, with the DNA extraction performed by the Boom protocol.

Seroprevalence and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from sheep from São Paulo state, Brazil.

Sheep are important in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection but little is known of ovine toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed in sera of 495 sheep from 36 counties of São Paulo State, Brazil, using the modified agglutination test (MAT titer > or =1:25) and found in 120 (24.2%). Samples of brain, heart, and diaphragm of 82 seropositive sheep were pooled, digested in pepsin, and bioassayed in mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from tissue homogenates of 16 sheep and the isolates were designated TgShBr1-16. Six of the 16 T. gondii isolates killed 100% of infected mice. Results indicate that asymptomatic sheep can harbor mouse-virulent T. gondii, and hence they can serve as a source of infection for humans.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cats and pigs from rural Western Amazon, Brazil.

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 63 cats and 80 pigs from 71 farms located at Rondônia State, Western Amazon, Brazil, by the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (MAT > or = 1: 25) were found in 55 of 63 cats (87.3%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 2, 1:100 in 7, 1:200 in 1, 1:400 in 2, 1:800 in 9, 1:1,600 in 6, and 1:3,200 or higher in 26 cats. By IFAT, antibodies were found in 55 cats (87.3%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 1, 1:100 in 4, 1:200 in 4, 1: 400 in 1, 1:800 in 13, 1:1,600 in 12, and 1:3,200 or higher in 18 cats. In pig sera, by MAT, antibodies were found in 30 of 80 pigs (37.5%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 3, 1:100 in 2, 1:200 in 8, 1:400 in 3, 1:800 in 5, 1:1,600 in 3, and 1:3,200 or higher in 4 pigs. By using the IFAT (titers > or = 1:64), antibodies were found in 35 (43.7%) pigs. The ingestion of undercooked tissues of infected pigs can be a source of T. gondii infection for humans and cats. However, the high seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats from the Amazon seems most likely to be indicative of high contamination of the environment by oocysts.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in humans from rural Western Amazon, Brazil.

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 266 humans from 71 farms located at Rondônia State, Western Amazon, Brazil, by the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies were found in 195 humans (73.3%), with MAT titers of 1:25 in 11, 1:50 in 11, 1:100 in 16, 1:200 in 27, 1:400 in 38, 1:800 in 37, 1:1,600 in 22, and 1:3,200 or higher in 33. From the 71 farms visited, 69 had seropositive humans. Prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies increased with age of the people (P < 0.05), and no difference was observed in the occurrence by gender (P > 0.05). A sanitary questionnaire was applied in each farm, and statistical association between the serologic status and several variables were analyzed. Home-grown vegetable consumption and origin of drinking water (well or river) were the independent variables that displayed significant association (P = 0.002 and 0.02, respectively). Higher values of occurrence were found in people with consumption of home-grown vegetables (76.1%) and people that drink well water (75.4%) compared with people that did not consume this type of food (61.9%) and drink river water (55.2%). By IFAT (> or = 1:16), 194 of 266 (73%) humans were seropositive and there was a good correlation between MAT and IFAT.

Economic analysis of vaccination to control bovine brucellosis in the States of Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes important economic losses in Brazil, and the country has therefore established a national program for its control and eradication. Using data generated in the last national brucellosis survey, we conducted an economic analysis in two Brazilian States with different brucellosis status, Mato Grosso (with high prevalence) and Sao Paulo (with low prevalence). The economic analysis was based on the calculation of the additional benefits and costs of controlling bovine brucellosis through the vaccination of heifers aged between 3 and 8 months with S19 vaccine, considering maximal and minimal impacts of the disease. The analysis showed that vaccinating 90% of the replacement heifers aged 3-8 months of age offers the best economic performance in a vaccination program against bovine brucellosis if compared to vaccination rates of 70% and 80%. Moreover, regions with higher prevalences of bovine brucellosis would experience significant economic advantages when implementing a vaccination strategy to control the disease. This economic analysis will allow decision makers to plan more economically effective vaccination programs.

Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in ovine from São Paulo State, Brazil.

Serum samples from 597 sheep from São Paulo State, in the southeastern region of Brazil, were tested to determine the prevalence of antibodies directed against Toxoplasma gondii (> or = 1:64) and Neospora caninum (> or = 1:50) using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The animals were divided into three groups based on their age: < or = 1 year, 1-4 years, and > or = 4 years. Antibodies to T. gondii were observed in 34.7% of the samples with titers ranging from 64 to 16,384 and IgG antibodies directed against N. caninum were observed in 9.2%, with titers ranging from 50 to 3200. Only 3.5% of the sheep were positive for both agents. All farms had at least one positive animal for T. gondii, and 26 of the 30 farms had at least one positive animal for N. caninum. An association between seroprevalence and age was observed for T. gondii (P = 0.001), but not to N. caninum (P = 0.343). It was not possible to associate seroprevalence to T. gondii and the presence of domestic or feral cats, since in all farms there was at least one positive sheep. There was no association between seropositivity to N. caninum and the presence of domestic (P = 1.000) and feral dogs (P = 0.550).

Detecting livestock production zones.

Communities are sets of nodes that are related in an important way, most likely sharing common properties and/or playing similar roles within a network. Unraveling a network structure, and hence the trade preferences and pathways, could be useful to a researcher or a decision maker. We implemented a community detection algorithm to find livestock communities, which is consistent with the definition of a livestock production zone, assuming that a community is a group of farm premises in which an animal is more likely to stay during its lifetime than expected by chance. We applied this algorithm to the network of animal movements within the state of Mato Grosso for 2007. This database holds information concerning 87,899 premises and 521,431 movements throughout the year, totaling 15,844,779 animals moved. The community detection algorithm achieved a network partition that shows a clear geographical and commercial pattern, two crucial features for preventive veterinary medicine applications; this algorithm provides also a meaningful interpretation to trade networks where links emerge based on trader node choices.

Comparative evaluation of infected and noninfected Amblyomma triste ticks with Rickettsia parkeri, the agent of an emerging rickettsiosis in the New World.

The distribution of Rickettsia parkeri in South America has been associated with Amblyomma triste ticks. The present study evaluated under laboratory conditions two colonies of A. triste: one started from engorged females that were naturally infected by R. parkeri (designated as infected group); the other started from noninfected females (designated as control group). Both colonies were reared in parallel for five consecutive generations. Tick-naïve domestic rabbits were used for feeding of each tick stage and generation. R. parkeri was preserved by transstadial maintenance and transovarial transmission in A. triste ticks for five consecutive generations, because all tested larvae, nymphs, and adults from the infected group were shown by PCR to contain rickettsial DNA. All rabbits infested by larvae, nymphs, and adults from the infected group seroconverted, indicating that these tick stages were all vector competent for R. parkeri. Expressive differences in mortality rates were observed between engorged nymphs from the infected and control groups, as indicated by 65.9% and 92.4% molting success, respectively. Our results indicate that A. triste can act as a natural reservoir for R. parkeri. However, due to deleterious effect caused by R. parkeri on engorged nymphs, amplifier vertebrate hosts might be necessary for natural long-term maintenance of R. parkeri in A. triste.

Evaluation of four DNA extraction protocols for Brucella abortus detection by PCR in tissues from experimentally infected cows with the 2308 strain.

This study compared 4 protocols for DNA extraction from homogenates of 6 different organs of cows infected with the Brucella abortus 2308 strain. The extraction protocols compared were as follows: GT (guanidine isothiocyanate lysis), Boom (GT lysis with the carrying suspension diatomaceous earth), PK (proteinase K lysis), and Santos (lysis by boiling and freezing with liquid nitrogen). Positive and negative gold standard reference groups were generated by classical bacteriological methods. All samples were processed with the 4 DNA extraction protocols and amplified with the B4 and B5 primers. The number of positive samples in the placental cotyledons was higher than that in the other organs. The cumulated results showed that the Santos protocol was more sensitive than the Boom (p=0.003) and GT (p=0.0506) methods and was similar to the PK method (p=0.2969). All of the DNA extraction protocols resulted in false-negative results for PCR. In conclusion, despite the disadvantages of classical bacteriological methods, the best approach for direct diagnosis of B. abortus in organs of infected cows includes the isolation associated with PCR of DNA extracted from the cotyledon by the Santos or PK methods.

Prevalence and risk-mapping of bovine brucellosis in Maranhão State, Brazil.

Between 2007 and 2009, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in Maranhão State, Brazil to estimate the seroprevalence of and risk factors for bovine brucellosis. In total, 749 herds and 6779 cows greater than two years of age were blood sampled. At the time of sampling a questionnaire to collect details on possible risk factors for bovine brucellosis was administered to the participating herd manager. A logistic regression model was developed to quantify the association between herd demographic and management characteristics and the herd-level brucellosis status. Spatial analyses were carried out to identify areas of the state where the presence of brucellosis was unaccounted-for by the explanatory variables in the logistic regression model. The estimated herd-level prevalence of brucellosis in Maranhão was 11.4% (95% CI 9.2-14) and the individual animal-level prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI 1.7-3.6). Herds with more than 54 cows older than two years of age, herds that used rented pasture to feed cattle, and the presence of wetlands on the home farm increased the risk of a herd being brucellosis positive. Infected farms were identified throughout the state, particularly in the central region and on the northwestern border. Spatial analyses of the Pearson residuals from the logistic regression model identified an area in the center of the state where brucellosis risk was not well explained by the predictors included in the final logistic regression model. Targeted investigations should be carried out in this area to determine more precisely the reasons for the unexplained disease excess. This process might uncover previously unrecognized risk factors for brucellosis in Maranhão.

Risk assessment of the introduction of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza as a tool to be applied in prevention strategy plan.

Risks of the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 through migratory birds to the main wintering site for wild birds in southern Brazil and its consequences were assessed. Likelihoods were estimated by a qualitative scale ranging from negligible to high. Northern migrants that breed in Alaska and regularly migrate to South America (primary Charadriiformes) can have contact with birds from affected areas in Asia. The likelihood of the introduction of HPAI H5N1 through migratory birds was found to be very low as it is a probability conditioned to successful transmission in breeding areas and the probabilities of an infected bird migrating and shedding the virus as far as southern Brazil. The probability of wild species becoming exposed to H5N1-infected birds is high as they nest with northern migrants from Alaska, whereas for backyard poultry it is moderate to high depending on proximity to wetlands and the presence of species that could increase the likelihood of contact with wild birds such as domestic duck. The magnitude of the biological and economic consequences of successful transmission to poultry or wild birds would be low to severe depending on the probability of the occurrence of outbreak scenarios described. As a result, the risk estimate is greater than negligible, and HPAI H5N1 prevention strategy in the region should always be carefully considered by the veterinary services in Brazil.

Helminths of Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) from the south and southeastern coasts of Brazil.

From May 1997 to October 2000, 49 Sotalia guianensis (tucuxi dolphin) incidentally caught in fishing nets or stranded in São Paulo (SP) and Paraná (PR) states in Brazil were necropsied. In total, 17 lungs, 35 stomachs, and 30 intestines were analyzed. Contents were washed through a sieve (mesh, 150 mm) and examined under a stereoscopic microscope for parasites. Histopathologic analyses were performed in the lungs of five infected dolphins. The nematode Halocercus brasiliensis was found in 88% of all lungs examined, inducing moderate-to-severe pneumonia. Braunina cordiformis, Anisakis sp., and acanthocephalans were found in the stomachs. The trematode Synthesium tursionis was the only parasite found in the intestines, and it was identified in 73% of the animals necropsied. No macroscopic lesions were seen due to parasites in the stomachs and intestines analyzed.

Evaluation of DNA damage by the alkaline comet assay of the olfactory and respiratory epithelia of dogs from the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Animals kept as pets may be considered sentinels for environmental factors to which humans could be exposed. Olfactory and respiratory epithelia are directly subjected to airborne factors, which could cause DNA lesions, and the alkaline comet assay is considered a reliable tool for the assessment of DNA damage. The objective of this work is to evaluate the extent of DNA damage by the comet assay of the olfactory and respiratory epithelia of dogs from different regions of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Thirty-three clinically healthy dogs, aged 5 years or more, were used in the study, with 7 from the North region of São Paulo, 7 from the South region, 3 dogs from the East region, and 16 dogs from the West city region. Three dogs younger than 6 months were used as controls. DNA damage was analyzed by the alkaline comet assay. We observed no difference in histopathological analysis of olfactory and respiratory epithelia between dogs from different regions of São Paulo. Dogs older than 5 years presented significantly higher comet length in both olfactory and respiratory epithelia, when compared with controls, indicating DNA damage. When separated by regions, olfactory and respiratory epithelia presented similar DNA damage in dogs from different regions of São Paulo, corroborating with similar levels of particulate matter index (PM10) in all regions of the city. In this study, we report for the first time that the comet assay can be used to quantify the extent of DNA damage in dog olfactory and respiratory epithelia, and that comet length (DNA damage) increases with age, probably due to environmental factors. Air pollution, as measured by PM10, can be responsible for this DNA damage.

Associação de variáveis ambientais à ocorrência de leptospirose canina e humana na cidade de São Paulo / Association of environmental variables with the leptospirosis occurrence in dogs and humans at São Paulo city

Foi realizada uma análise espacial da ocorrência de leptospirose humana e canina na Supervisão de Vigilância em Saúde do Butantã, situada no município de São Paulo, no ano de 2007, associada a variáveis ambientais de risco, tais como: focos de enchente e áreas de desratização. Foram encontrados aglomerados espaciais de pontos de alagamentos em 12 setores censitários e de casos de leptospirose humana em quatro setores censitários, sem correlação entre ambos. Não foram encontrados agrupamentos de casos em cães, possivelmente devido à subnotificação. As proporções casos humanos de leptospirose : população humana dentro e fora da área de desratização foram 7:199.600 e 9:257.980, respectivamente. Conclui-se que medidas de controle de roedores como a desratização foram responsáveis pela minimização dos efeitos dos fatores de risco para a transmissão de leptospirose para humanos.

A spatial analysis of the human and canine leptospirosis occurrence was performed in São Paulo city in 2007, associated with environmental risk variables such as flooding and rodent control sites. Clusters of flooding sites were found in 12 census sectors, and human leptospirosis in 4 census sectors, without correlation between them. Clusters of canine cases were not found, possibly due to lack of notification. The proportions of human cases in and out of rodent control areas were, respectively, 7:199,600 and 9:257,980. Rodent control measures minimized the effects of the risk factors in the leptospirosis transmission to humans.

Caracterização demográfica das populações de cães e gatos supervisionados do município de São Paulo / Demographic characterization of supervised dog and cat populations in Sao Paulo city, Brazil

A caracterização das populações canina e felina domiciliadas do município de São Paulo (SP) foi realizada utilizando-se amostragem complexa com seleção aleatória em dois estágios. Em cada distrito administrativo, foram visitados seis setores censitários e 20 domicílios em cada setor sorteado, de setembro de 2006 a setembro de 2009, totalizando 11.272 entrevistas. A razão homem:cão foi de 4,34, e a razão homem:gato de 19,33. A população canina foi estimada em 2.507.401, e a felina em 562.965. A população canina era composta por 52,7% de machos, e a felina por 45,1%. A proporção de fêmeas esterilizadas, 23,4% das cadelas e 46,1% das gatas, é maior que a de machos, 11,4% dos cães e 31,5% dos gatos. A idade média dos cães era de 4,99 anos e a dos gatos de 3,53 anos. A proporção de cães com restrição de acesso à rua, 64,4%, foi maior que a de gatos, 42,5%. A média de animais/domicílio foi estimada em 1,60 para cães e 1,69 para gatos. A guarda destes animais está associada a fatores culturais, assim a caracterização da população de animais é base da estruturação adequada de programas de controle populacional e de zoonoses.

This study aimed to estimate the owned dog and cat populations of São Paulo city using a complex sample with random selection in two stages. In each administrative district, six census sectors and 20 households in each sampled sector were visited from September 2006 to September 2009, totalizing 11,272 interviews. The human:dog ratio was 4.34 and the human:cat ratio was 19.33. The dog population was 2,507,401 and the cat population, 562,965. The dog population was composted of 52.7% males, while among the cat population it was 45.1%. The proportion of sterilized females (23.4% among dogs and 46.1% among cats) was higher than males (11.4% among dogs and 31.5% among cats). The mean age of dogs was 4.99 years, and for cats, 3.53 years. The proportion of restricted (without access to the street) dogs, 64.4%, was higher than restricted cats, 42.5%. The average number of animals/household was 1.60 for dogs and 1.69 for cats. The animal ownership is associated with cultural factors, therefore the characterization of canine and feline population is essential to implement an adequate animal population management program and zoonosis control.

Avaliação de testes sorológicos de triagem para diagnóstico da brucelose bubalina / Evaluation of screening serological tests for brucellosis diagnosis in buffaloes

The study compared the performance of three screening serological tests: buffered plate antigen (BPA), Rose-Bengal produced with 1119-3 Brucella abortus strain (RB1119-3), and Rose-Bengal produced with 99 Brucella abortus strain (RB99). Sera from 696 adult female animals were submitted to BPA, RB1119-3, RB99, 2-mercaptoethanol test (ME), and complement fixation test (FC). The gold standard was the combination of CF and ME. The Kappa values for BPA, RB99, and RB1119-3 were 0.82, 0.74, and 0.70, respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity for the same tests were 0.98 and 0.96, 0.92 and 0.94, and 0.95 and 0.92, respectively. These results indicate that BPA is a better screening test than RB for buffalo, regardless of the B. abortus strain in RB.