Rabies in Bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) in Brazil: Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors Based on Twenty Years of Research in the Northwestern Region of São Paulo, Brazil.

The number of rabies cases in bats has increased recently in Brazil and in the state of São Paulo, representing a new epidemiological scenario for this zoonosis. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of rabies in bats according to food habits, taxonomic classification, sex and season of the year to identify possible risk factors for rabies occurrence in bats. A retrospective analysis of 6389 records of bat samples, from different municipalities of São Paulo, submitted to rabies diagnosis and taxonomic identification was carried out at the Rabies Diagnostic and Chiroptera Laboratories of Unesp Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, from 1998 to 2017. Seventy-six (1.1%) positive rabies cases were detected in bats from ten species and seven genera of three families. The number of rabies-positive cases was higher in the dry season, with a significant association. The prevalence was higher in the Vespertilionidae family (37), especially Myotis nigricans (19) and Eptesicus furinalis (14). Frugivorous bats had a greater association with positivity for rabies, whereas the variable "sex" had no association. We recommend that the surveillance and control of rabies should be undertaken primarily during the dry season, especially in the Vespertilionidae family species and other species with a frugivorous food habit.

Community knowledge on dengue in territories under risk in the state of São Paulo

In the last decades, the global incidence of arboviruses transmitted by the vector Aedes aegypti has increased dramatically with the increased oh human mobility and urbanization. The study of the mosquito population is of great importance for public health in countries where climatic and environmental conditions are favorable for the spread of these diseases transmitted by A. aegypti. This was a cross-sectional study that assessed causal relationships between why mosquitoes are prevalent in the region studied and socioeconomic variables, practices, knowledge, attitudes, and the effect of the cause in two regions chosen according to vulnerability (São Paulo Social Vulnerability Index). Of the 435 residents interviewed, 95% (413/435) were informed about vector control and claimed to contribute to the day-to-day sanitary practices necessary to combat it, in addition to being able to identify it. Most participants in both regions believed they were at risk, but vector control practices did not match those recorded in the survey. A correlation was found between the population's level of education and the practices observed. Despite the high levels of knowledge and the perceptions of the interviewed population about A. aegypti, the erroneous behavior of the residents persisted, thus hindering disease prevention and vector control actions, promoting the conditions conducive to the proliferation of the vector, and, consequently, increasing the risk of disease. The study indicated that one of the most effective means to control the A. aegypti vector is a society informed about preventive measures in the surveillance sectors.

Conhecimento de manipuladores de carne sobre o complexo teniose-cisticercose e Boas Práticas de Manipulação de alimentos em Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brasil / Meat handlers knowledge of taeniosis-cysticercosis complex and goodmanufacturing practices in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil

O estudo objetivou avaliar o conhecimento de manipuladores de carne do Município de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, sobre o complexo teniose-cisticercose e sobre as Boas Práticas de Manipulação dos alimentos. Participaram do estudo 25 estabelecimentos, dos quais nove de pequeno porte, dez de médio porte e seis de grande porte. A coleta de dados foi feita por aplicação de questionários estruturados com 21 questões fechadas que contemplaram dados quantitativos e qualitativos. Cada questão foi considerada como uma variável e as respostas foram analisadas descritivamente e pelo método de Análise de Correspondência. Através dos resultados pode-se verificar que os profissionais entrevistados desconheciam o assunto, sinalizando falta de capacitação para identificar possíveis perigos, como a cisticercose. Numericamente, as empresas de porte médio foram as que apresentaram melhor nível de conhecimento sobre boas práticas de manipulação, apesar de não ter sido constatada diferença estatística relevante no nível de conhecimento sobre o complexo teniose-cisticercose em relação ao porte da empresa.  Conclui-se que há necessidade de um trabalho de educação sanitária direcionado a esses profissionais.

This study aimed to evaluate meat handler’s knowledge of teniasis-cysticercosis complex and Good food Handling Practices insupermarkets, grocery stores, and butcher shops from Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. For that, were evaluated 25 commercialestablishments, of which nine are small merchants, ten are medium-sized shops, and six were considered as large super-markets.Data were collected with closed questionnaires with 21 questions on quantitative and qualitative information. Each question wasconsidered as a single variable and the answers were analyzed descriptively and by correspondence analysis multivariate statistics.The data show the interviewed professionals were unaware of the issue, indicating lack of training for recognition of possible risks,as the cysticercosis. Despite the medium-sized establishments showed better results, the overall results are equivalent on thestatistical analysis. Therefore, sanitary educational practices directed to these professionals are strongly recommended to improvefood safety.

Importância da Listeria monocytogenes na indústria da carne bovina / Importance of Listeria monocytogenes in the beef industry

A listeriose é uma saprozoonose de origem alimentar relativamente rara, porém grave, com elevada taxa de mortalidade. Afeta principalmente grupos de risco bem definidos, como gestantes e fetos, imunodeprimidos e idosos. Embora a maioria dos surtos esteja associada à ingestão de produtos prontos para o consumo, a Listeria sp. pode ser transmitida por uma extensa variedade de alimentos, dentre eles os de origem animal como carne, leite, queijo, com destaque para os alimentos processados. A Listeria monocytogenes é a espécie de maior importância dentro do gênero, a qual tem papel relevante na indústria da carne pela formação de biofilmes. Em bovinos de corte, a infecção alimentar não é bem descrita, no entanto, as práticas nutricionais têm sido mencionadas como as causas mais prováveis. Apesar de sua patogenicidade, no Brasil não há uma preocupação adequada com sua disseminação em abatedouros-frigoríficos, refletido pelo programa de "tolerância zero" em produtos prontos para o consumo, não aplicável às carnes in natura. Contudo, é necessária uma maior preocupação por parte das autoridades em saúde pública no país e o desenvolvimento de pesquisas que forneçam subsídios para mudanças na legislação atual.

Listeriosis is a foodborne saprozoonoses relatively rare, but serious, with a high mortality rate. It mainly affects well-defined risk groups, such as pregnant women and fetuses, older people and immunocompromised patients. Although most outbreaks are associated with ingestion of products ready for the consumption, Listeria sp. can be transmitted by a wide variety of foods, including those of animal origin such as meat, milk, cheese, especially processed foods. Listeria monocytogenes is the most important species in the genus, which has an important role in the beef industry through the formation of biofilms. Despite its pathogenicity in Brazil, there is not an adequate concern for its spread in abattoirs, reflected by the program of "zero tolerance" products ready for consumption, does not apply to meat "in natura". However, there should be more concern on the part of public health authorities in the country and the development of research grants that provide for changes in current legislation.

Ocorrência de Listeria spp e de Listeria monocytogenes, em um matadouro-frigorífico de bovinos do estado de São Paulo / Occurrence of Listeria spp and Listeria monocytogenes, at a slaughterhouse bovine of the state of São Paulo

A ocorrência de Listeria spp. e de Listeria monocytogenes, foi avaliada em amostras ambientais por meio de suabes colhidos em matadouro-frigorífico de bovinos habilitado à exportação, localizado no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Após o pré-enriquecimento a 30 ± 1oC por 22 à 26h as amostras foram analisadas empregando o BAX® System Listeria. As amostras positivas para Listeria spp. foram submetidas à uma nova reação de PCR para a confirmação da presença de Listeria monocytogenes. Das 411 amostras ambientais analisadas, 62 (15,1%) foram positivas para Listeria spp. e 21 (5,1%) para Listeria monocytogenes (5,1%), o que mostrou sua persistência na planta de abate. Não foi detectada diferença estatística entre os períodos seco e chuvoso e entre as superfícies amostradas, porém diferença estatística foi encontrada entre setores. A superfície do piso e o setor de cortes apresentaram os maiores índices de positividade.

We evaluated the presence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in environmental samples by means of swabs collected the bovine slaughter plant enabled to export, located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. After the pre-enrichment at 30±1oC for 22 to 26h the samples were analyzed using the BAX System Listeria. Those positive for Listeria spp. were submitted a second PCR reaction to confirm the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. From 411 environmental samples analyzed, 62 (15.1%) were positive for Listeria spp. and 21 (5.1%) for Listeria monocytogenes, which showed their persistence in the slaughter plant. There were no statistical differences between the rainy and dry