Identification of pathogens and virulence profile of Rhodococcus equi and Escherichia coli strains obtained from sand of parks

The identification of pathogens of viral (Rotavirus, Coronavirus), parasitic (Toxocara spp.) and bacterial (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Rhodococcus equi) origin shed in feces, and the virulence profile of R. equi and E. coli isolates were investigated in 200 samples of sand obtained from 40 parks, located in central region of state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using different diagnostic methods. From 200 samples analyzed, 23 (11.5%) strains of R. equi were isolated. None of the R. equi isolates showed a virulent (vapA gene) or intermediately virulent (vapB gene) profiles. Sixty-three (31.5%) strains of E. coli were identified. The following genes encoding virulence factors were identified in E. coli: eae, bfp, saa, iucD, papGI, sfa and hly. Phylogenetic classification showed that 63 E. coli isolates belonged to groups B1 (52.4%), A (25.4%) and B2 (22.2%). No E. coli serotype O157:H7 was identified. Eggs of Toxocara sp. were found in three parks and genetic material of bovine Coronavirus was identified in one sample of one park. No Salmonella spp. and Rotavirus isolates were identified in the samples of sand. The presence of R. equi, Toxocara sp, bovine Coronavirus and virulent E. coli isolates in the environment of parks indicates that the sanitary conditions of the sand should be improved in order to reduce the risks of fecal transmission of pathogens of zoonotic potential to humans in these places.

Toxocariasis/cysticercosis seroprevalence in a long-term rural settlement, São Paulo, Brazil.

Seroprevalence of Toxocara and Taenia solium and risk factors for infection with these parasites were explored in a long-term rural settlement in São Paulo state, Brazil. An ELISA for the detection of anti-Toxocara IgG and IgE and anti-T. solium cysticerci was standardized using Toxocara excretory-secretory antigens (TES) obtained from the cultured second-stage larvae of T. canis and by vesicular fluid antigen from Taenia crassiceps cysticerci (VF). For cysticercosis, the reactive ELISA samples were assayed by Western blot using 18 kDa and 14 kDa proteins purified from VF. Out of 182 subjects, 25 (13.7%) presented anti-Toxocara IgG and a positive correlation between total IgE and the reactive index of specific anti-TES IgE (P=0.0265) was found amongst the subjects found seropositive for anti-Toxocara IgG. In these individuals 38.0% showed ocular manifestations. The frequency of anti-T. solium cysticerci confirmed by Western blot was 0.6%. Seropositivity for Toxocara was correlated with low educational levels and the owning of dogs. Embryonated eggs of Toxocara spp. were found in 43.3% of the analysed areas.

Demodectic mange in fattening pigs in São Paulo, Brazil.

An investigation was conducted of mange in five Large White adult sows refractory to pyrethroid treatment (cypermethrin 15%). The most important clinical signs consisted of erythema, hyperkeratosis, alopecic macules, micaceous scaling, follicular pluging, and numerous comedones, especially on the facial region. Skin samples were scraped and punched. Elongate mites were found that were classified as Demodex sp., according to the morphological and histopathological characteristics. The protein, vitamin, and mineral levels contained in the rations were considered to be lower than those recommended to attend the requirements of fattening pigs. Adjustment of the rations was adopted, and the treatment of animals with ivermectin premix (450g/tonne of food) daily orally for a further 7 days was prescribed. The success of treatment was observed 15 days after adoption of these measures, when the beginning of remission of signs was observed. No mites were found on scrapings or biopsy punches after the treatment of the sows.

Contaminação, por ovos de Toxocara spp, de parques e praças públicas de botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil / Contamination, by Toxocara spp eggs, in public parks and squares in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

The frequency of Toxocara spp eggs in public parks was determined from March 1995 to February 1996. One hundred and twelve samples were collected from 10 public parks in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Samples were processed by the decinormal sodium hydroxide concentration method. Out of the 120 soil samples analyzed, 21 were contaminated with Toxocara spp eggs, corresponding to a 17.5% rate of infestation. Of the ten squares submitted to analysis during the year, six presented contamination. Most of the ova found presented characteristics of inviability, with a consequent low chance of human infection, although the population is not free from the risk of contracting this zoonosis.

A freqüência de contaminação de parques e praças públicas de Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil, por ovos de Toxocara spp foi estudada durante 12 meses, com colheitas mensais de amostras de solo de dez praças, que foram processadas pela técnica de concentração em solução decinormal de hidróxido de sódio. Das 120 amostras analisadas, 21 estavam contaminadas, correspondendo a 17,5%, em um total de seis praças. A maioria desses ovos porém apresentaram características de inviabilidade infectiva. Embora a chance de aquisição dessa zoonose nas praças estudadas seja pequena, existe o risco de infecção da população.