Identification of a new Sarcocystis sp. in marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) from wetlands of Argentina.

The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is the largest South American native deer species and is listed as "Vulnerable" by IUCN due to the population reduction. As part of a conservation and disease surveillance program, muscle samples from 14 marsh deer found dead in 2016 and 2017 in northeast Argentina were obtained at necropsy. Samples from each animal were processed as pooled muscles (heart, diaphragm, tongue and hindlimb) by homogenization and direct microscopical observation to detect intracellular Sarcocystis spp. cysts. Sarcocysts were observed in six samples, and several cysts recovered from two samples were processed by transmission electron microscopy. The cysts were thin-walled and showed a cyst-wall ultrastructure with ribbon-like protrusions similar to other species using cervids as intermediate host and canids as definitive hosts. Genomic DNA from individual sarcocysts from three marsh deer were successfully amplified by PCR of 18S rRNA and COI gene fragments and further sequenced. Sequence comparison revealed a 99.3-100% identity among them and only 93.7-96.6% and 88.8-89.7% identity at 18S rRNA and COI markers, respectively, with other Sarcocystis spp. Despite morphological similarities, the high sequence divergence at 18S rRNA and COI fragments allowed the assumption that Sarcocystis sp. from marsh deer is a different species from others using cervids as intermediate hosts. Therefore, we propose the name Sarcocystis blastoceris n. sp. for the species infecting marsh deer.

COVID-19 outbreaks among crew members in non-cruise vessels anchoring in Salvador, Brazil, 2021

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has affected the maritime sector due to virus transmission onboard and traffic restrictions. However, reports of SARS-CoV-2 transmission on board have been mostly restricted to those occurring on cruise ships. OBJECTIVES To report COVID-19 outbreaks in eight non-cruise vessels and discuss measures to prevent and control the onboard transmission of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS We investigated outbreaks of COVID-19 on vessels anchoring in Baía de Todos-os-Santos, Salvador, Brazil, between February and November 2021. FINDINGS Most vessels were cargo ships that had docked several times before anchoring in Salvador (five had docked in ≥ 9 ports). The crew ranged from 22 to 63 members. The infection attack rate on each vessel ranged from 9.7 to 88.9%. The risk of symptomatic infection largely varied among the crew of each vessel (0 to 91.6%). Overall, the risk of developing COVID-19 signs and symptoms was lower among crew members vaccinated (age-adjusted risk ratio: 0.19; 95% confidence interval 0.06-0.65). SARS-CoV-2 variants not previously identified in Salvador were detected (C.14, B.1.617.2 and B.1.351). MAIN CONCLUSIONS Despite maritime guidelines to avert COVID-19 on board, outbreaks have happened. The multiple stopovers of non-cruise vessels during their routes may contribute to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants worldwide. Reducing the onboard transmission of SARS-CoV-2 depends on joint efforts by the crew and local health authorities and, equally important, achieving high vaccination coverage to prevent infections and illness.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of enrofloxacin in southern crested caracaras (Caracara plancus).

To determine the dosage of enrofloxacin in southern crested caracaras (Caracara plancus), plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography after intravenous (IV) (5 mg/kg) and intramuscular (IM) (10 mg/kg) administration. This compound presented a relatively high volume of distribution (2.09 L/kg), a total body clearance of 0.24 L/kg x h, and a long permanence as shown by an elimination half-life of 7.81 hours after IV administration and a terminal half-life of 6.58 hours after IM administration. The areas under the concentration-time curves (AUC) were 21.92 and 34.38 microg x h/mL for IM and IV administration, respectively. Enrofloxacin was rapidly absorbed after IM administration with a time to reach maximum concentration of 0.72 hours and bioavailability of 78.76%. After IM administration, the peak drug concentration (C(max)) was 3.92 microg/mL. Values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), C(max), and AUC have been used to predict the clinical efficacy of a drug in treating bacterial infections, with a C(max)/MIC value of 10 and an AUC/MIC ratio of 125-250 associated with optimal bactericidal effects. By using the study data and a MIC breakpoint of 0.25 microg/mL, values of C(max)/MIC were 13.74 and 15.94 and for AUC/MIC were 90.73 and 139.63, for the IV and IM routes respectively. For the treatment of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms with MIC < or = 0.25 microg/mL, the calculated optimal dosages were 7.5 and 9.5 mg/kg q24h by the IV and IM routes, respectively. For less susceptible bacteria, a dose increase should be evaluated. To treat caracara by the IV route against microorganisms with MIC < or = 0.25 microg/mL, the dose should be higher than the 5 mg/kg used in our study, but possible side effects derived from an increase in the IV dose and efficacy in sick birds should be assessed.