Socio-geographical factors and vulnerability to leptospirosis in South Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, is an acute infectious disease that is mainly transmitted by exposure to contaminated soil or water, thereby presenting a wide range of subsequent clinical conditions. This study aimed to assess the distribution of cases and deaths from leptospirosis and its association with social vulnerability in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between 2010 and 2019. METHODS: The lethality rates and incidence of leptospirosis and their association with gender, age, education, and skin color were analyzed using chi-square tests. The spatial relationship between the environmental determinants, social vulnerability, and the incidence rate of leptospirosis in the different municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed through spatial regression analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 4,760 cases of leptospirosis, along with 238 deaths, were confirmed. The mean incidence rate was 4.06 cases/100,000 inhabitants, while the mean fatality rate was 5%. Although the entire population was susceptible, white-colored individuals, males, people of the working-age group, along with less-educated individuals, were more affected by the disease. Lethality was higher in people with dark skin, and the prime risk factor associated with death was the direct contact of the patients with rodents, sewage, and garbage. The social vulnerability was positively associated with the incidence of leptospirosis in the Rio Grande do Sul, especially in municipalities located in the center of the state. CONCLUSIONS: It is evident that the incidence of the disease is significantly related to the vulnerability of the population. The use of the health vulnerability index showed great relevance in the evaluation of leptospirosis cases and can be used further as a tool to help municipalities identify disease-prone areas for intervention and resource allocation.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of leptospirosis in South Brazil: A forecasting and nonlinear regression analysis.

Although leptospirosis is endemic in most Brazilian regions, South Brazil shows the highest morbidity and mortality rates in the country. The present study aimed to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of leptospirosis cases in South Brazil to identify the temporal trends and high-risk areas for transmission and to propose a model to predict the disease incidence. An ecological study of leptospirosis cases in the 497 municipalities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was conducted from 2007 to 2019. The spatial distribution of disease incidence in southern Rio Grande do Sul municipalities was evaluated, and a high incidence of the disease was identified using the hotspot density technique. The trend of leptospirosis over the study period was evaluated by time series analyses using a generalized additive model and a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model to predict its future incidence. The highest incidence was recorded in the Centro Oriental Rio Grandense and metropolitan of Porto Alegre mesoregions, which were also identified as clusters with a high incidence and high risk of contagion. The analysis of the incidence temporal series identified peaks in the years 2011, 2014, and 2019. The SARIMA model predicted a decline in incidence in the first half of 2020, followed by an increase in the second half. Thus, the developed model proved to be adequate for predicting leptospirosis incidence and can be used as a tool for epidemiological analyses and healthcare services.Temporal and spatial clustering of leptospirosis cases highlights the demand for intersectorial surveillance and community control policies, with a focus on reducing the disparity among municipalities in Brazil.

Serological Investigation into Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection in Dogs from Southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a dimorphic fungus and major cause of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), which is a systemic and endemic mycosis in Brazil. In Southern Brazil, an increased number of cases were detected since the 1990 s. Therefore, in order to determine areas with the presence of the fungus, this study aimed to investigate infection by P. brasiliensis in dogs from Southern Brazil. Indirect ELISA was used to detect antibodies against P. brasiliensis gp43. One hundred and ninety-six stray and semi-domiciled dogs from the municipalities of Pelotas and Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul were included in this study. P. brasiliensis infection was detected in 58 animals (29.6%) with no significant difference for gender, age and breed. Seropositive animals were detected in all neighborhoods in the city of Pelotas as well as in the neighboring municipality Capão do Leão. The detection of antibodies against gp43 in dogs suggests the presence and wide distribution of the fungus in Pelotas and Capão do Leão, warning for the possibility of PCM disease in dogs as well as in humans from this region.

Susceptibility of dermatophytic fungi to commonly used disinfectants / Suscetibilidade de fungos dermatófitos a desinfetantes comumente utilizados

This study aimed evaluate the antidermatophytic activity of three commercial disinfectants commonly used for environmental control of microorganisms in veterinary medicine. Sodium hypochlorite at 40 µL/mL, chloro-phenol derived at 30 µL/mL and chlorhexidine digluconate at 66.7 µL/mL were tested against 14 strains of dermatophytes, identified as Microsporum canis (n: 3) and Microsporum gypseum (n: 11). The tests was performed in accordance with guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), documents M38-A2 and M51-A, adapted to disinfectants. In the microdilution broth test, chlorhexidine digluconate had MIC values (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of 4.16 µL/mL and MCF (Minimum Fungicidal Concentration) from 4.16 to 8.33 µL/mL, while chloro-phenol derived obtained MIC and MCF of 1.87 µL/mL, and both disinfectants had fungicidal activity at concentrations below the recommended. Sodium hypochlorite obtained MIC from 10 to 80 µL/mL and MFC of 40 to 80 µL/mL, requiring at most isolates twice the recommended concentration to achieve same activity. In the disc diffusion test, the mean inhibition zones for chlorhexidine digluconate was 10.53 mm, for chloro-phenol of 9.9 mm and for sodium hypochlorite was 6.2 mm. Chlorhexidine digluconate and chloro-phenol presented a significant reduction in the growth of dermatophytes, while sodium hypochlorite in concentration recommended showed a low antifungal activity against tested isolates.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a atividade antidermatofítica de três desinfetantes comerciais frequentemente utilizados no controle ambiental de micro-organismos em medicina veterinária. Hipoclorito de sódio a 40 µL/mL, derivado de clorofenol a 30 µL/mL e digluconato de clorexidine a 66.7 µL/mL foram testados contra 14 cepas de dermatófitos, identificados como Microsporum canis (n: 3) e Microsporum gypseum (n: 11). Foram utilizadas as diretrizes do Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI), documentos M38-A2 e M51-A, com adaptações para desinfetantes. Na microdiluição em caldo, digluconato de clorexidine apresentou valores de CIM (Concentração Inibitória Mínima) de 4.16 µL/mL e CFM (Concentração Fungicida Mínima) entre 4.16 a 8.33 µL/mL; derivado de clorofenol obteve CIM e CFM de 1.87 µL/mL, demonstrando que ambos os desinfetantes apresentaram atividade fungicida em concentrações inferiores às recomendadas. O hipoclorito de sódio demonstrou CIM entre 10 a 80 µL/mL e CFM de 40 a 80 µL/mL, requerendo duas vezes a concentração recomendada pelo fabricante para obter atividade fungicida frente a maioria dos isolados fúngicos testados. No teste de disco-difusão, a média das zonas de inibição do digluconato de clorexidine foi de 10.53 mm; do derivado clorofenol 9.9 mm e do hipoclorito de sódio 6.2 mm. O digluconato de clorexidine e o derivado cloro-fenol apresentaram redução significante no crescimento dos dermatófitos testados, enquanto o hipoclorito de sódio, na concentração recomendada, demonstrou baixa atividade antifúngica contra os dermatófitos testados.

Microsporose mista canina - relato e caso / Microporosis mixta canina ? relato de caso / Canine mcrosporose mixed - case report

Dermatofitoses são micoses causadas por fungos como: Epidermophyton, Microsporum e Trichophyton. M. canis e M. gypseum são os principais responsáveis pelas infecções dermatofíticas em pequenos animais e acometem principalmente animais jovens. Essas micoses cursam com lesões nas camadas queratinizadas da pele e pelos e em infecções mistas, a intensidade das lesões pode ser aumentada, pois os agentes causais atuam potencializando o quadro clínico. Descreve-se um caso de microsporose mista canina em um filhote de cão da raça Rottweiler. Um canino da raça Rottweiller atendido em uma clínica particular, pois apresentava lesões alopécicas e descamativas em diferentes sítios do corpo. Foi realizada coleta por meio de raspado cutâneo e o material foi encaminhado para exame micológico. O exame direto do pelo revelou estruturas características de dermatofitose com hifas artrosporadas e aglomerados de artroconídeos. O cultivo micológico resultou em crescimento de colônias fúngicas sugestivas de M. gypseum e M. canis nos meios de cultura semeados com confirmação das características macro e micromorfológicas das duas diferentes espécies fúngicas. Assim, mediante processamento micológico estabeleceu-se, juntamente com o histórico do caso, o diagnóstico de microsporose mista canina. Desse modo, conclui-se a necessidade de exames laboratoriais para a confirmação do diagnóstico definitivo de dermatofitose, sendo a profilaxia, prevenção, controle e potencial zoonótico dessa micose dependente da espécie infectante, tendo importância o seu controle também por seu impacto em saúde pública.

Dermatophytosis mycoses are caused by fungi such as Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton. M. canis and M. gypseum are the main responsible for dermatophytic infections in small animals and affect mainly young animals. These mycoses occur with lesions in the keratinized layers of the skin and the mixed infections and the intensity of the lesions can be increased because the causative agents act enhancing the clinical picture. We describe a case of mixed microsporose dog in a puppy dog breed Rottweiler. A canine breed Rottweiller served in a private clinic because he had alopecia, scaly lesions at different body sites. It was collected through skin scrapings and the material was sent for mycological examination. Direct examination of the structures revealed by the characteristics of dermatophytosis with of hyphae artrosporadas and arthroconidia clusters. The mycological cultivation resulted in growth of fungal colonies suggestive of M. canis and M. gypseum in culture media seeded with confirmation of macro and micromorphological characteristics of the two different fungal species. Thus, by processing mycological established together with the case history, the diagnosis of canine microsporose mixed. Through the described case is concluded the need for laboratory tests to confirm the definitive diagnosis of dermatophytosis and prophylaxis, prevention, control and zoonotic potential of this mycosis dependent on the infecting species, taking control of the same importance also for their impact on public health.

Dermatofitosis son micosis causadas por hongos como: Epidermophyton, Microsporum y Trichophyton. M.canis y M. gypseum que son los principales responsables en las infecciones por dermatofitos en animales pequeños y afectan principalmente animales jóvenes. Esas micosis se producen con lesiones en las capas queratinizadas de la piel, pelos y en infecciones mixtas, la intensidad de las lesiones puede ser aumentada, pues los agentes causantes actúan potencializando el cuadro clínico. Se describe un caso de microsporosis mixta canina en un cachorro de perro de la raza Rottweiller. Un canino de la raza Rottweiller atendido en una clínica privada que presentaba lesiones de alopecia y lesiones escamosas en diferentes partes del cuerpo. Se realizó recolección por medio de raspado cutáneo y el material fue enviado para examen micológico. El examen directo del pelo reveló estructuras características de dermatofitosis hifas artrosporadas y aglomerados de artroconidios. El cultivo micológico resultó en crecimiento de colonias fúngicas sugestivas de M. gypseum y M canis en los medios de cultura sembrados, con confirmación de características macro y micro morfológicas de dos especies fúngicas. Así, mediante procesamiento micológico establecido junto con el histórico del caso, el diagnóstico de microsporosis mixta canina. Se concluye la necesidad de exámenes de laboratorio para confirmación del diagnóstico definitivo de dermatofitosis, siendo que la profilaxis, prevención, control y potencial zoonótico de esa micosis depende de la especie infectante, siendo importante su control por el impacto que causa a la salud pública.