First detection of Leishmania major in dogs living in an endemic area of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: Dogs are considered the main domestic animals that may be a reservoir for Leishmania infantum, the agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) in several countries of the world. The dog may host other Leishmania species, but its epidemiological role in the maintenance and spreading of these parasites is not completely elucidated. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), caused by Leishmania major, affects thousands of people every year and is particularly diffused in many countries of North Africa and Middle East Asia. In ZCL endemic countries, few reports of L. major-positive dogs have been reported, probably because most human cases occur in poor rural areas where the social role of the dog and its medical management is not well considered. The aim of the present study is to better understand the possible involvement of domestic dogs in the epidemiology of ZCL. METHODS: Our research focused on a well-established endemic focus of ZCL, in the area of Echrarda, Kairouan Governorate, central Tunisia. A total of 51 dogs with no or mild clinical signs of vector borne diseases were selected in small villages where human cases of ZCL are yearly present. All dogs were sampled for the Leishmania spp. diagnosis, by using the following procedures: blood sample for serology and buffy coat quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), popliteal fine needle aspiration, and cutaneous biopsy punch for lymph node and skin qPCR. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a high percentage (21.6%) of dogs positive at least at one or more test; the most sensitive technique was the lymph node qPCR that detected 8/11 positive dogs. Nine, out of the eleven positive dogs, resulted as infected by Leishmania infantum; ITS1-PCR-sequencing allowed Leishmania major identification in the remaining two cases, both from the popliteal lymph node samples, which can suggest a possible visceral spread of a cutaneous Leishmania species in the dog. Interestingly, one of the two L. major-positive dogs was living in the same house where 6-year-old children showed cutaneous lesions referred to as ZCL. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. major-positive dogs in Tunisia, the  epidemiological role of which remains under investigation.

Treatment and management of coenurosis by Taenia multiceps: field data from outbreaks in endemic regions and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Taenia multiceps coenurosis is endemic in sheep from various regions worldwide. Dogs, the key hosts, shed T. multiceps eggs in their feces contaminating the pasture, and lambs are mostly infected during their first turnout into pastures. The disease is manifested in two forms: acute (due to the migrating oncospheres in the CNS) or chronic (due to the developing coenuri in the brain or spinal cord). Both forms are frequently accompanied by neurological symptoms. METHODS: Field trials conducted in an endemic region (Sardinia, Italy) to treat replacement lambs in six sheep flocks infected with acute coenurosis are summarized in this article. The article also reviews earlier reports on various approaches developed to treat and immunize sheep against coenurosis. RESULTS: Accurate detection of the time in which lambs become infected is crucial in deciding which treatment approach should be used. Acute disease can be successfully treated via chemotherapy. Results of field trials conducted in Sardinia revealed the efficacy of three (1-week apart) oxfendazole doses (14.15 mg/kg) in protecting apparently healthy lambs in the infected flocks from developing neurological symptoms. A single praziquantel dose (18.75 mg/kg) worked well for the same purpose and was also found significant in treating 5 of 16 clinically ill lambs in one flock. Earlier reports documented high rates of recovery (up to 100%) in clinically diseased lambs that received much higher doses (50-100 mg/kg) of praziquantel. However, chemotherapy is not preferred in chronic coenurosis since it can lead to rupture of the coenuri, giving rise to serious inflammation in the CNS. Surgical intervention is highly recommended in this case, and the pooled success rates for surgery in chronic-infected cases was estimated at 82.1% (95% CI 73.1-91.0%). However, various trials have been conducted to immunize sheep against T. multiceps coenurosis, and the 18k (Tm18) family of oncosphere antigens was found promising as a vaccine candidate. CONCLUSIONS: In acute coenurosis, selection of the proper anthelmintic should be done after consulting the owner for several reasons: (1) costs of the used anthelmintic: treating a small flock of 100 sheep costs around 1170 and 660 € for praziquantel and oxfendazole, respectively; (2) withdrawal time of the used anthelmintic: No time is required before consuming meat and milk from praziquantel-treated sheep, whereas meat and milk from oxfendazole-treated sheep should not be consumed for 44 and 9 days, respectively, causing additional costs for the farmers. Since no commercial vaccines have yet been developed against T. multiceps coenurosis in sheep, preventive measures remain the cornerstone of controlling this serious disease.

The role of cattle in the transmission of cystic echinococcosis in a highly endemic area of the Peruvian Andes.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) causes significant losses in Andean livestock production and affects Andean food security. However, more studies are needed to understand the epidemiology of the disease. In addition, the potential contribution of Andean cattle to the transmission of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato needs to be known. This study aimed to determine the CE-prevalence and its association with risk factors, such as age and sex of the animals, the parasite load (number of cysts/organ) of condemned organs, and the viability and fertility of Echinococcus cysts from cattle in the Andes. The prevalence was examined in 348 cattle from an authorized slaughterhouse of Huancayo at 3300 m altitude. Cyst burden was determined by extracting all cysts from the total of the CE-infected organs. Cyst fertility and protoscolices viability were analysed from 90 randomly selected CE-infected organs. The CE prevalence was 35.6% (124/348; 95% CI: 30.6%-40.6%). There was no significant effect of age and sex on CE prevalence. CE was significantly more prevalent (p < 0.05) in lungs than livers, 34.8% (121/348; 95% CI: 29.8%-39.8%) vs 8.9% (31/348; 95% CI: 5.9%-11.9%). Most (75%) infected organs had one to five cysts. The mean cyst burden was significantly (p = 0.018) higher in the lungs than livers, 6.4 ± 4.9 vs 3.7 ± 2.9. Cyst fertility was 1.6% (10/608; 95% CI: 0.6%-2.6%). Despite the high CE prevalence, infected organs from Andean cattle play a minor role in CE transmission to dogs in the central Peruvian Andes.

First record of antibodies to the bluetongue virus in ewe (Ovis aries) in the state of Amazonas, Brazil / Primeiro registro de anticorpos para o vírus da língua azul em ovino (Ovis aries) no estado do Amazonas, Brasil

The objective of this work was to describe the first record of antibodies to the Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in ewe, in the state of Amazonas. The ewe, which was in twin pregnancy, gave birth on May 9, 2015, but a lamb died hours after delivery. Veterinary service was then requested by the owner, where emaciation, loss of wool, pyrexia, apathy, dyspnea, mucoid nasal secretion, facial, lingual and submandibular edema were observed. There was a visit by the Agricultural Defense Agency of the State of Amazonas to the property and blood samples were collected from the animal. The whole blood and serum were sent to the National Agricultural Laboratory, where it was possible to detect the presence of specific antibodies to BTV, through the Agar Gel Double Immunodiffusion. The ewe was submitted to a new blood collection, following the same protocols and the samples were sent to the Biological Institute of São Paulo, confirmed diagnosis. The animal in a serious clinical condition, could not resist and died in July 2015. The occurrence of an allochthonous case, in an area where vector insects occur, can trigger an endemic process in the Amazon region. With this, the epidemiological control of these occurrences is necessary, in order to avoid the spread of the disease in the country.

O objetivo do trabalho foi descrever o primeiro registro de anticorpos para o Vírus da Língua Azul (VLA) em ovino, no estado do Amazonas. A ovelha, que se encontrava em gestação gemelar, pariu no dia 9 de maio de 2015, porém um cordeiro faleceu horas após o parto. Foi então solicitado serviço veterinário por parte do proprietário, onde foi observado emaciação, perda de lã, pirexia, apatia, dispneia, secreção nasal mucoide, edema facial, lingual e submandibular. Houve visita da Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Estado do Amazonas na propriedade e coletadas amostras de sangue do animal. O sangue total e soro foram enviados ao Laboratório Nacional Agropecuário, no qual foi possível detectar a presença de anticorpos específicos para VLA, através do teste de Imunodifusão Dupla em Gel de Ágar. A ovelha foi submetida a uma nova coleta de sangue, seguindo os mesmos protocolos e as amostras foram enviadas ao Instituto Biológico de São Paulo, confirmando diagnóstico. O animal em estado clínico grave, não resistiu e veio a óbito em julho de 2015. A ocorrência de um caso alóctone, em uma área de ocorrência de insetos vetores, pode desencadear um processo de endemia na região amazônica. Com isso, o controle epidemiológico destas ocorrências, se fazem necessários, afim de se evitar a disseminação da doença no país.

Estimating the burden of multiple endemic diseases and health conditions using Bayes' Theorem: A conditional probability model applied to UK dairy cattle.

The Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) is an international collaboration aiming, in part, to measure and improve societal outcomes from livestock. One GBADs objective is to estimate the economic impact of endemic diseases in livestock. However, if individual disease impact estimates are linearly aggregated without consideration for associations among diseases, there is the potential to double count impacts, overestimating the total burden. Accordingly, the authors propose a method to adjust an array of individual disease impact estimates so that they may be aggregated without overlap. Using Bayes' Theorem, conditional probabilities were derived from inter-disease odds ratios in the literature. These conditional probabilities were used to calculate the excess probability of disease among animals with associated conditions, or the probability of disease overlap given the odds of coinfection, which were then used to adjust disease impact estimates so that they may be aggregated. The aggregate impacts, or the yield, fertility, and mortality gaps due to disease, were then attributed and valued, generating disease-specific losses. The approach was illustrated using an example dairy cattle system with input values and supporting parameters from the UK, with 13 diseases and health conditions endemic to UK dairy cattle: cystic ovary, disease caused by gastrointestinal nematodes, displaced abomasum, dystocia, fasciolosis, lameness, mastitis, metritis, milk fever, neosporosis, paratuberculosis, retained placenta, and subclinical ketosis. The diseases and conditions modelled resulted in total adjusted losses of £ 404/cow/year, equivalent to herd-level losses of £ 60,000/year. Unadjusted aggregation methods suggested losses 14-61% greater. Although lameness was identified as the costliest condition (28% of total losses), variations in the prevalence of fasciolosis, neosporosis, and paratuberculosis (only a combined 22% of total losses) were nearly as impactful individually as variations in the prevalence of lameness. The results suggest that from a disease control policy perspective, the costliness of a disease may not always be the best indicator of the investment its control warrants; the costliness rankings varied across approaches and total losses were found to be surprisingly sensitive to variations in the prevalence of relatively uncostly diseases. This approach allows for disease impact estimates to be aggregated without double counting. It can be applied to any livestock system in any region with any set of endemic diseases, and can be updated as new prevalence, impact, and disease association data become available. This approach also provides researchers and policymakers an alternative tool to rank prevention priorities.

Epidemiology and spatial distribution of Echinococcus granulosus in sheep and goats slaughtered in a hyperendemic European Mediterranean area.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato affecting livestock, particularly sheep and goats. However, often this parasitosis is underestimated. For this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological features and spatial distribution of CE in sheep and goats slaughtered in a hyperendemic Mediterranean area. METHODS: A survey was conducted in the Basilicata region (southern Italy) from 2014 to 2019. A total of 1454 animals (1265 sheep and 189 goats) from 824 farms were examined for hydatid cyst detection by visual inspection, palpation and incision of target organs. All the CE cysts were counted and classified into five morphostructural types (unilocular, multiseptate, calcified, caseous and hyperlaminated). Molecular analysis was performed on 353 cysts. For spatial analysis, a kriging interpolation method was used to create risk maps, while clustering was assessed by Moran's I test. RESULTS: CE prevalence of 72.2% (595/824) and 58.4% (849/1454) was observed at the farm and animal levels, respectively, with higher values in sheep (62.9%) than goats (28.0%). The liver and lungs were the most frequently infected organs in both sheep and goats. Most of recovered cysts were of the calcified and multiseptate morphotypes. All the isolates were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto (genotypes G1-G3). Spatial distribution showed a moderate clustering of positive animals. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can be used to better understand the eco-epidemiology of echinococcosis and to improve CE surveillance and prevention programs in regions highly endemic for CE.

A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil

A new species of Characidium is described from the tributaries of the rio Tocantinzinho, rio Tocantins basin, located in the southern portion of the Chapada dos Veadeiros, at about 1,200 meters of elevation, Goiás, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed by an unusual combination of two apomorphic features present in distinct clades of Characidium, the presence of a scaleless isthmus in allied to with a single row of dentary teeth. Additionally, the new species has a unique color pattern of inconspicuous vertical bars disconnected from the dorsal midline, forming seven to nine square blotches along body sides, and the presence of a dark saddle-shaped mark at the dorsal-fin base. Osteologically, it can be diagnosed by having the first and second anal-fin proximal radials fused and contacting the third hemal spine, which is branched. The new species also has a peculiar, unusual variation of fin-ray counts among its congeners.(AU)

Uma nova espécie de Characidium é descrita dos riachos tributários do rio Tocantins, bacia do rio Tocantins, localizados na vertente sul da Chapada dos Veadeiros, a aproximadamente 1.200 metros de altitude, Goiás, Brasil. A nova espécie pode ser diagnosticada pela combinação não usual de dois caracteres apomórficos presentes em clados distintos de Characidium, a presença do istmo sem escama em conjunto com uma única série de dentes no dentário. Adicionalmente, a nova espécie tem um padrão de coloração único de barras verticais desconectadas na região dorsal, formando sete a nove manchas quadradas ao longo do lado do corpo, e pela presença de uma mancha em forma de sela na base da nadadeira dorsal. Osteologicamente, ela pode ser diagnosticada por possuir o primeiro e segundo radiais da nadadeira anal fusionados e em contato com o terceiro espinho hemal, que é ramificado. A espécie nova também possui uma variação peculiar e pouco usual no número de raios das nadadeiras entre os congêneres.(AU)

A transmissible cancer shifts from emergence to endemism in Tasmanian devils.

Emerging infectious diseases pose one of the greatest threats to human health and biodiversity. Phylodynamics is often used to infer epidemiological parameters essential for guiding intervention strategies for human viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2). Here, we applied phylodynamics to elucidate the epidemiological dynamics of Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), a fatal, transmissible cancer with a genome thousands of times larger than that of any virus. Despite prior predictions of devil extinction, transmission rates have declined precipitously from ~3.5 secondary infections per infected individual to ~1 at present. Thus, DFTD appears to be transitioning from emergence to endemism, lending hope for the continued survival of the endangered Tasmanian devil. More generally, our study demonstrates a new phylodynamic analytical framework that can be applied to virtually any pathogen.

Frequency, active infection and load of Leishmania infantum and associated histological alterations in the genital tract of male and female dogs.

Visceral leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum is a zoonosis. The domestic dog is the primary reservoir in urban areas. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, active infection and load of L. infantum in the genital tract of male and female dogs seropositive for this parasite, as well as to identify histological genital alterations associated with this protozoan. We studied 45 male and 25 female L. infantum-seropositive noncastrated dogs from the same endemic area in Brazil. Tissue samples from the testis, epididymis, prostate, vulva, vagina, and uterus were examined by singleplex qPCR and parasitological tests (histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and parasitological culture). The latter were performed for the detection of active infection (parasites able to multiply and to induce lesions). Forty-four (98%) males and 25 (100%) females were positive for L. infantum in the genital tract (epididymis: 98%; vulva: 92%; vagina: 92%; testis: 91%; uterus: 84%; prostate: 66%). Active infection in the genital tract was confirmed in 69% of males and 64% of females (32% in the uterus). Parasite loads were similar in the testis, vulva, epididymis and vagina and lower in the prostate. Only the parasite load in the vagina was significantly associated with the number of clinical signs. Granulomatous inflammation predominated in all organs, except for the prostate. Only in the testis and epididymis was the inflammatory infiltrate significantly more intense among dogs with a higher parasite load in these organs. The high frequency, detection of active infection and similarity of L. infantum loads in the genital tract of infected males and females suggest the potential of venereal transmission of this parasite by both sexes and of vertical transmission by females in the area studied. Additionally, vertical transmission may be frequent since active L. infantum infection was a common observation in the uterus.

Infection Dynamics of Opisthorchis viverrini Metacercariae in Cyprinid Fishes from Two Endemic Areas in Thailand and Lao PDR.

The infection dynamics of Opisthorchis viverrini metacercariae was analyzed in cyprinid fish from endemic areas in Mukdahan Province, Thailand, and Khammouane Province, Lao PDR. The fish were collected during the cool-dry (November-February), hot-dry (March-May), and rainy (June-October) seasons in 2017. They were examined by the digestion method, and the infection status was statistically analyzed by study area, season, and fish size. The prevalence (no. of fish positive/no. of fish examined × 100) and metacercarial intensities (no. of metacercariae detected/no. of fish positive) of O. viverrini in both study areas depended on season, being high in the cool-dry season and varying in the hot-dry and rainy seasons. In Mukdahan Province, the average prevalence was 18.3% (range 11.0-46.7%, n = 420) and the intensity was 4.07 ± 5.86 cysts/fish (mean ± SD), whereas in Khammouane Province, the prevalence was 51.9% (range 9.1-70.6%, n = 673) and the intensity was 6.67 ± 12.88 cysts/fish. Among the cyprinid fish species examined, the infection was associated with fish body size and predominantly found in Hampala dispar (86.5%), Cyclocheilichthys armatus (73.2%), and Puntius brevis (42.7%). The distribution of O. viverrini metacercariae in fish was skewed, with most of the fish having a low worm burden with an average of four to six cysts/fish. The findings that seasonality, sampling locality, fish size, and species of fish play roles in the risk of O. viverrini infection imply that these host and environmental factors are important for the transmission dynamics and control of O. viverrini.

Assessment of histological liver alterations in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum.

BACKGROUND: The liver plays a central role in the development of canine visceral leishmaniasis. Studies of natural infection in animals and humans indicate a direct relationship between resolution of infection and the formation and maturation of granulomas in the liver. However, in contrast to other reports in the literature, the present study found no differences in the characteristics of hepatic granulomas that could be related to resistance or susceptibility to Leishmania. Here, we describe the hepatic alterations observed in dogs with differing clinical manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area in the state of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: We examined 148 animals in an endemic area. The animals were clinically examined, and the infection was determined by ELISA, spleen aspirate culture and quantitative PCR. The animals were grouped into asymptomatic or symptomatic based on the number of signs of LV. The histological liver evaluation was performed in a blinded way. RESULTS: Our results indicated no association between the characteristics of granulomas and clinical presentation. We found an association between the intensity of this inflammatory response and parasite load in the animals' spleens. It is important to note that while hepatic alterations, such as portal and perivascular inflammation and the presence of larger amounts of granulomas, were linked with higher parasite loads, we found the inverse to be true with respect to intrasinusoidal lymphocytosis, the formation of intrasinusoidal inflammatory cell aggregates and Kupffer cell hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the presence of mononuclear inflammatory cells inside the sinusoids is more important than that of organized granulomas in terms of the containment of parasitism by the host. We suggest that the presence of granulomas indicates the failure of a first line of defense mechanism in the control of parasite infection, which could be related to the presence of inflammatory cells and Kupffer cell hypertrophy inside the sinusoids. We further demonstrated that dogs with active Leishmania spp. infection present a higher frequency of inflammatory changes in the liver. In addition to being correlated with the severity of clinical manifestation, these hepatic alterations were also associated with changes in hematological and biochemical parameters.

Estudio histopatológico de tejido cardiaco de roedores infectados con Trypanosoma cruzi capturados en barrios suburbanos de Mérida, México / Histopathological study in cardiac tissue of rodents infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, captured in suburbs of Mérida, México

Resumen Introducción. Trypanosoma cruzi es el agente causal de la tripanosomiasis americana, enfermedad endémica en México. Los roedores Mus musculus y Rattus rattus son reservorios del parásito, el cual invade las fibras cardiacas y desarrolla nidos parasitarios produciendo diversas lesiones. Los estudios histopatológicos en roedores naturalmente infectados son escasos. Objetivo. Describir los tipos y las frecuencias de las lesiones microscópicas en muestras de tejido cardiaco de M. musculus y R. rattus infectados con T. cruzi capturados en Mérida, México. Materiales y métodos. Los roedores se capturaron en los barrios suburbanos de Mérida. Se extrajo el tejido cardiaco y se procesó por la técnica de inclusión en parafina y tinción con hematoxilina y eosina. Su examen se hizo con un microscópico convencional y se determinaron todas las lesiones y su grado de afección. Resultados. Se trabajaron ocho muestras de tejido de M. musculus y siete de R. rattus. Se encontraron nidos parasitarios en siete del total de las muestras: en 3 de las 8 de M. musculus y en 4 de las 7 de R. rattus. Se observaron infiltrados inflamatorios en todas las muestras. Otras lesiones fueron la degeneración de las fibras cardiacas (8/15), la congestión de los vasos sanguíneos (6/15) y la necrosis (5/15). Discusión. Las lesiones observadas están descritas en los modelos animales experimentales y en los humanos con tripanosomiasis americana. Los infiltrados inflamatorios se han descrito como la lesión más significativa en los humanos y en los reservorios en la etapa crónica de la enfermedad. Conclusión. Las lesiones observadas están asociadas con la infección con T. cruzi, lo cual confirma que los roedores estudiados son reservorios de este parásito.

Abstract Introduction: Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of the American trypanosomiasis, an endemic disease in México. The commensal rodents Mus musculus and Rattus rattus are reservoirs of this parasite, which invades cardiac fibers and develops parasite nests causing various lesions. Histopathological studies in naturally infected rodents are scarce. Objective: To describe the types and frequencies of microscopic lesions in cardiac tissue of M. musculus and R. rattus infected with T. cruzi captured in Mérida, México. Materials and methods: The rodents were captured in suburban environments of Mérida. Cardiac tissue was extracted and processed by the paraffin inclusion technique and hematoxylin and eosin stained. The observation was made with a conventional microscope and all the lesions, as well as their degree, were identified. Results: Eight tissue samples of M. musculus and seven of R. rattus were studied. Parasite nests were found in 7/15, specifically 3/8 in M. musculus and 4/7 in R. rattus. The inflammatory infiltrate was the most frequent lesion. Other lesions were: Degeneration of cardiac fibers (8/15), congestion of blood vessels (6/15), and necrosis (5/15). Discussion: The lesions we observed have been described in experimental animal models and in humans with American trypanosomiasis. The inflammatory infiltrate has been identified as the most significant lesion in humans and reservoirs in the chronic stage of the disease. Conclusion: The lesions we described are associated with T. cruzi infection, which confirms that the rodents studied are reservoirs of this parasite.

First report of Echinococcus multilocularis in cats in Poland: a monitoring study in cats and dogs from a rural area and animal shelter in a highly endemic region.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar echinococcosis is a dangerous zoonotic disease caused by larval forms of Echinococcus multilocularis. In its life-cycle, the principal definitive host is the red fox; however, domesticated carnivorous animals (dogs and cats) can also act as definitive hosts. Until now, there were no data concerning this infection in cats in Poland. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of E. multilocularis in cats and dogs originating from rural areas and animal shelters in a region characterised by a high prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes. METHODS: Samples of faeces were collected from 67 cats and 268 dogs from a rural area (villages and animal shelters) of a highly endemic region in southeastern Poland. Samples were examined using nested PCR (E. multilocularis), multiplex PCR (E. multilocularis, Taenia spp.) and PCR [E. granulosus (s.l.)]. Additionally, faeces were examined microscopically (flotation). Moreover, intestines from 110 red foxes shot in the investigated area were examined (sedimentation and counting technique). RESULTS: Positive PCR results for E. multilocularis were obtained in 4 cats (6.0%) and 4 dogs (1.5%). There were no significant differences between groups of animals (from a shelter and with an owner) concerning the prevalence of E. multilocularis in both cats and dogs. Taenia spp. were found in 10 cats (14.9%) (Taenia taeniaeformis and T. hydatigena) and 26 dogs (9.7%) (T. hydatigena, T. serialis, T. taeniaeformis, T. crassiceps, T. pisiformis and T. ovis) and Mesocestoides litteratus was found in 4 cats (6.0%) and 3 dogs (1.1%). All samples were negative for E. granulosus by PCR. Taking into consideration PCR and flotation results, 29 cats (43.3%) and 73 dogs (27.2%) were infected with helminths (26.9 and 11.9%, respectively, were infected with tapeworms). The highly endemic status of the investigated area was confirmed by examination of red foxes: 48.2% of examined red foxes were infected with E. multilocularis. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study reports the presence of E. multilocularis in cats for the first time in Poland and confirms the role of dogs in this infection in highly endemic areas.

Molecular epidemiology of endemic and very virulent infectious bursal disease virus genogroups in backyard chickens in California, 2009-2017.

Pathogenic strains of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and immunosuppression in susceptible chickens. Backyard poultry is increasing in popularity in the United States, but very little is known about the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of IBDV within these flocks. We performed a retrospective study and phylogenetic analyses of IBDV detected in backyard chickens (BYCs) submitted to the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) diagnostic laboratory system in 2009-2017. There were 17 CAHFS autopsy cases of very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) segment A detected by RT-rtPCR in BYC flocks from 7 counties in California from 2009-2017. During this same time period, non-vvIBDV genotypes were detected by RT-rtPCR in 16 autopsy cases originating from BYC premises in 10 counties in California. Subsequent RT-PCR and phylogenetic analysis of a segment of the hvVP2 and VP1 gene identified vvIBDV, interserotypic reassortant IBDV (vvIBDV segment A and serotype 2 segment B), and non-vvIBDV (variant/subclinical IBDV and classic IBDV) strains in BYC flocks in California.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Leishmania spp. em felinos em área endêmica do estado de São Paulo / Occurrence of anti-Leishmania spp antibodies in felines in an endemic area of the State of São Paulo

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma zoonose de grande impacto em saúde pública. A infecção nos gatos tem sido relatada nos países onde a doença é endêmica. Seu papel como reservatório não está satisfatoriamente elucidado, embora a transmissão do parasito de um felino infectado para vetor tenha sido reportada por xenodiagnóstico. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a presença de anticorpos anti-Leishmania spp. em animais da espécie felina em área endêmica para LV (Bauru-SP), por meio dos testes sorológicos de reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA), e associá-los às variáveis: gênero, idade, raça e forma de criação. Foram testados soros de 276 felinos, dos quais 82 foram reagentes pelo método ELISA (29,71%), 17 pelo RIFI (6,15%) e 10 em ambos os testes (3,6%). Houve associação estatística significativa para a variável forma de criação, em que 100% dos animais errantes foram soropositivos a pelo menos um dos testes (P<0,005). Tal associação não foi encontrada para as demais variáveis analisadas (P>0,05). Não houve concordância entre o resultado dos testes, pois o método ELISA é mais sensível que o método RIFI.(AU)

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis with a great impact on public health. Infection in cats has been reported in countries where the disease is endemic. Its role as reservoir is not satisfactorily elucidated, although transmission of the parasite from an infected feline to vector has been reported by xenodiagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of anti-Leishmania spp antibodies in feline animals in an area endemic to LV (Bauru-SP), using the serological tests of Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IFR) and ELISA and variables: gender, age, race and form of creation. Samples of 276 felines were tested, of which 82 were ELISA reagents (29,71%), 17 by IFR (6,15%) and 10 in both tests (3,6%). There was a significant statistical association for the variable form of breeding, where 100% of the wandering animals were seropositive to at least one of the tests (P <0,005). Such association was not found for the other variables analyzed (P >0,05). There was no concordance between the results of the tests, since the ELISA method is more sensitive than the RIFI method.(AU)

Leishmania infantum-specific IFN-γ production in stimulated blood from cats living in areas where canine leishmaniosis is endemic.

BACKGROUND: Feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is considered a rare disease in endemic areas, whereas subclinical infections are common. Immune response plays a key role in driving the course of L. infantum infection in other host species; however, the feline cell-mediated immune response to L. infantum infection has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the cell-mediated immune response specific to L. infantum by means of interferon (IFN)-γ release in whole blood assay from cats living in endemic areas (66 in Sicily and 113 in Catalonia) and to compare with antibody levels to L. infantum [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT)], blood parasite load and retroviral infections. RESULTS: Most cats (n = 140) were L. infantum antibody negative and only 22% (n = 39) were positive. Only 9 and 2% of tested cats had a feline immunodeficency virus (FIV) infection or a feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, respectively. Thirty-two cats out of 179 (18%) produced IFN-γ after stimulation with L. infantum soluble antigen (LSA) while the majority of cats (93%) produced IFN-γ after stimulation with concanavalin A (ConA). Six LSA-IFN-γ-producer cats were seropositive (three to ELISA and five to IFAT) but they were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative, while only one cat was antibody- and PCR-positive. Significant positive correlations were found between IFN-γ concentrations after stimulation with LSA and ConA, and between serology and PCR testing. No association was found between FIV status and LSA or ConA-IFN-γ production. Combining PCR, serology and specific IFN-γ concentration results, we found that 36% of cats studied were exposed to L. infantum. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, cats from endemic areas produce IFN-γ after ex vivo blood stimulation with LSA and therefore are able to activate a cell-mediated adaptive immune response against the parasite that is variably associated with antibody or blood PCR positivity. The association of this assay to serological and molecular tests provides a better estimate of cat exposure to L. infantum.

Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot for diagnosis of cysticercosis in swine from North India.

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a major public health problem in developing countries. Swine cysticercosis results in economic losses for pig farmers in disease endemic areas. Consumption of cysticercotic pork leads to taeniasis in humans. Eggs excreted in the faeces of T. solium carriers disseminate to humans and pigs through the faecal-oral route, thus maintaining the life cycle in endemic areas. An enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay was developed using whole crude T. solium cysticercus antigens (WCA) for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis. Sera from 30 swine with cysticercosis confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were subjected to EITB assay. Sera from 50 swine that were raised in a government farm and not allowed to roam freely were included as negative controls. Two or more bands of 8, 11, 14, 24, 26 and 29 kDa were immunoreactive on blot with sera from all infected swine except two, and none from swine raised on the government farm. The overall sensitivity and specificity of EITB assay for diagnosis of swine cysticercosis were 93.3% and 100%, respectively. Hence, EITB assay based on WCA may be a suitable diagnostic tool for swine cysticercosis in endemic areas.

Circulation of spotted fever group rickettsiae among dogs seropositive for Leishmania spp. in an urban area of Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Dogs play an epidemiological role in several vector-borne diseases that affect human and animal health worldwide. We aimed to identify rickettsial circulation among dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) from a region endemic for both diseases. METHODS: CVL-seropositive dogs were screened for spotted fever group rickettsiae using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Among the CVL-positive dogs, anti-Rickettsia rickettsii antibodies were identified in one asymptomatic and one oligosymptomatic dog. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows low circulation of antibodies to R. rickettsii in CVL-seropositive dogs. It is recommended that surveillance studies in dogs should continue in order to monitor this scenario.

Epidemiological aspects of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in State of Alagoas, Northeast, Brazil / Aspectos epidemiológicos da leishmaniose visceral canina e humana no estado de Alagoas, Nordeste, Brasil

Abstract Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL), caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania, it is a worldwide of great importance disease. In the northeast region of Brazil, the state of Alagoas has an endemic status for ZVL. Thus, this work aimed to analyze the epidemiological situation of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in Alagoas, Northeast, Brazil, from 2007 to 2013. We conducted a descriptive, observational, retrospective study using secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System, the Center of Zoonosis Control of Maceió, and the Central Laboratory of Public Health of Alagoas. During the studied period, it was observed that the highest incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis was in 2011 and the lowest in 2013. On the other hand, canine visceral leishmaniasis had its highest incidence in 2007 and its lowest in 2012. Of the 55 municipalities in the State of Alagoas that showed human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL), São José da Tapera presented an average of 4.4 cases over the past five years, being classified as of intense transmission. Regarding canine visceral leishmaniasis, in the same studied period, 45,112 dogs were examined in the State, of which 4,466 were positive. It resulted, thus, in a 9.9% positivity rate. Conclusions: Our data are important because canine infection is an important risk factor for the human disease.

Resumo Leishmaniose visceral zoonótica, causada por protozoários do gênero Leishmania, é uma doença importante no mundo. Na região nordeste do Brasil, do estado de Alagoas é endêmico para LVZ. Neste sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a situação epidemiológica da leishmaniose visceral humana e canina em Alagoas, Nordeste, Brasil, no período de 2007 a 2013. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, observacional, retrospectivo, usando-se secundário do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Maceió (CCZ) e Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública de Alagoas (LACEN/AL). Durante o período de estudo, observou-se que o ano de maior incidência de Leishmaniose visceral humana (LVH) foi o de 2011 e o de menor foi no ano de 2013. Já a LVC teve maior incidência em 2007 e menor em 2012. Dos 55 municípios do Estado de Alagoas que apresentaram LVH, São José da Tapera apresentou uma média de casos de 4,4 nos últimos cinco anos classificado como de transmissão intensa; No que diz respeito à leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC), no mesmo período de estudo, foram examinados 45.112 cães no Estado, dos quais 4.466 foram positivos. Resultou assim, em uma taxa de 9,9% de positividade. Nossos dados são importantes porque a infecção canina é um importante fator de risco para a doença humana.

Seroprevalence and spatial distribution of canine leishmaniasis in an endemic region in Brazil: how has the situation changed after 10 years?

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Herein, we assessed the seroprevalence and spatial distribution of Leishmania infantum in dogs in Garanhuns, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Sera samples (n = 242) were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The spatial distribution of dogs seropositive for anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies was evaluated using kernel density estimation. RESULTS: A total of 2.4% (6/242) of the animals were seropositive for anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies. The kernel map showed their distribution to be heterogeneous over the city, with a hotspot in the northeastern region. CONCLUSIONS: The reported data illustrate the circulation of parasites of the genus Leishmania in a canine population.