Serological evidence of exposure to tick-borne agents in opossums (Didelphis spp. ) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil / Evidência sorológica de exposição a agentes transmitidos por carrapatos em gambás (Didelphis spp. ) no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract This work involved a serological investigation of tick-borne pathogens in opossums in eight municipalities of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Serum samples from 109 opossums (91 Didelphis aurita and 18 Didelphis albiventris) were tested to detect antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii (Taiaçu strain, 1:64 cut-off) and Ehrlichia canis (São Paulo strain, 1:40 cut-off), by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA); and against Borrelia burgdorferi (strain G39/40) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of antibodies to anti-R. rickettsii, anti-E. canis and anti-B. burgdorferi was detected in 32 (29.35%), 16 (14.67%) and 30 (27.52%) opossums, respectively. Opossum endpoint titers ranged from 64 to 1,024 for R. rickettsii, from 40 to 160 for E. canis, and from 400 to >51,200 for B. burgdorferi. These serological results suggest that opossums have been exposed to Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and B. burgdorferi-related agents in the state of São Paulo. Our study underscores the need for further research about these agents in this study area, in view of the occurrence of Spotted Fever and Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome disease in humans in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Resumo O presente estudo investigou evidência sorológica de agentes transmitidos por carrapatos em gambás em oito municípios do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Amostras de soro de 109 gambás (91 Didelphis aurita e 18 Didelphis albiventris) foram testadas para detecção de anticorpos contra Rickettsia rickettsii (cepa Taiaçu, ponto de corte 1:64) Ehrlichia canis (cepa São Paulo, ponto de corte 1:40), pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI); e contra Borrelia burgdorferi (cepa G39/40) pelo teste imunoenzimático (ELISA). A presença de anticorpos anti-R. rickettsii, anti-E. canis e anti-B. burgdorferi foi detectada em 32 (29,35%), 16 (14,67%) e 30 (27,52%) gambás, respectivamente. Os títulos finais variaram de 64 a 1.024 para R. rickettsii, de 40 a 160 para E. canis, e de 400 a >51.200 para B. burgdorferi. Esses resultados sugerem que os gambás foram expostos a agentes relacionados à Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., e B. burgdorferi no Estado de São Paulo. Neste estudo salienta a necessidade de novas pesquisas sobre esses agentes nessas áreas de trabalho, devido à ocorrência da Febre Maculosa e da Síndrome Baggio-Yoshinari em humanos no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

Heterogenic colonization patterns by Leptospira interrogans in Rattus norvegicus from urban slums

Abstract We evaluated the renal colonization by Leptospira interrogans in Rattus norvegicus (rats), as it is the major natural reservoir of urban leptospirosis. We caught 72 R. norvegicus, out of which 32 were found to be positive for L. interrogans by immunofluorescence assay. From these rats, we selected 17 and divided them into six groups based on the mass-age/sex. We performed the immunohistochemistry test against L. interrogans in the kidney sections of the rats and systematically counted the colonized tubules (CTs) in 20 fields. The proportion of positive fields varied from 5% to 95%. The number of CTs in 20 fields varied from 0.5 to 85.5. These differences were not related to age or sex of the animals. The characterization of leptospiral colonization patterns in the natural reservoirs is important to better understand the host-pathogen interactions in leptospirosis.

Detection of Corynebacterium bovis infection in athymic nude mice from a research animal facility in Korea

Corynebacterium (C.) bovis infection in nude mice causes hyperkeratosis and weight loss and has been reported worldwide but not in Korea. In 2011, nude mice from an animal facility in Korea were found to have white flakes on their dorsal skin. Histopathological testing revealed that the mice had hyperkeratosis and Gram-positive bacteria were found in the skin. We identified isolated bacteria from the skin lesions as C. bovis using PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. bovis infection in nude mice from Korea.

Histopathological kidney alterations in rats naturally infected with Leptospira / Alteraciones histopatológicas en ratas naturalmente infectadas con Leptospira

Introduction: Histopathological changes by Leptospira in naturally infected rodent reservoirs have been poorly described. Objective: The aim of the current study is to describe renal histopathology associated with leptospirosis infection of naturally infected rodents captured in the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia. Materials and methods: We performed hematoxilin-eosin (H-E) on kidney samples collected from 254 captured rodents. The positive samples were processed by Warthin Starry (W-S) staining and PCR- LipL 32. Results: Fifty one rodent kidneys showed H-E histopathological changes that consisted of inflammatory infiltrate with lympho-plasmocitary cells and histiocytes. We performed W-S staining and PCR- LipL 32 to 67 kidney samples, including the 51 that had shown detectable changes by H-E and 16 (8%) of 203 rodents with negative results. Eight of the samples that tested positive for H-E (15.7%) were also positive for W-S staining. All negative for H-E were also negative for W-S staining. Of the W-S positive samples also tested for culture only three tested positive for both. Additionally, 47 (92.1%) samples positive for H-E were positive for PCR; while eleven of the 16 (68.8%) negative for H-E were positive for PCR. The samples positive for PCR were subsequently tested for culture and 11 (23.4%) were positive. Seven samples were positive for PCR and W-S and three were positive for PCR, W-S and culture. All of the PCR- LipL 32 fragments were sequenced and showed specific amplicons for L. interrogans . Conclusions: The Leptospira infection was confirmed in all of the animals tested. The only histological kidney lesion attributable to leptospiral infection in the reservoir was interstitial nephritis.

Introducción. Los hallazgos histopatológicos ocasionados por Leptospira spp. han sido poco estudiados en poblaciones de roedores naturalmente infectados. Objetivo. Describir la histopatología renal asociada con las infecciones naturalmente adquiridas en un grupo de roedores capturados en el área urbana de Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se llevaron a cabo coloraciones de hematoxilina y eosina de los riñones de 254 roedores recolectados en el área de estudio. Las muestras positivas se procesaron con la coloración de Warthin-Starry y mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR)-LipL32. Results. Se observaron cambios histopatológicos con hematoxilina y eosina en 51 riñones de roedores, que consistieron en infiltrado inflamatorio con linfoplasmocitos e histiocitos. Se utilizó coloración de Warthin-Starry y PCR-LipL32 en 67 muestras de riñón que incluyeron las 51 muestras que tuvieron cambios detectables por hematoxilina y eosina y 16 de 203 (8 %) muestras con resultados negativos. Ocho de las muestras positivas por hematoxilina y eosina (15,7 %) también fueron positivas por la coloración de Warthin-Starry. Las muestras negativas por hematoxilina y eosina (8 %) también fueron negativas con la coloración de Warthin-Starry. Tres de las ocho muestras positivas por esta última, también lo fueron por cultivo. Además, 47 (92,1 %) muestras positivas por hematoxilina y eosina fueron positivas por PCR. Del grupo de 16 negativos por hematoxilina y eosina, 11 (68,8 %) fueron positivos por PCR. De las muestras positivas por PCR, 11 también lo fueron por cultivo (23,4 %). Siete muestras fueron positivas por PCR y Warthin-Starry y tres lo fueron por PCR, Warthin-Starry y cultivo. Todos los fragmentos de la PCR-LipL32 fueron secuenciados y mostraron secuencias específicas de L. interrogans . Conclusiones. Se confirmó la infección por Leptospira y la única lesión presente en el reservorio atribuible fue la nefritis intersticial.

Molecular serovar characterization of Leptospira isolates from animals and water in Colombia / Caracterización molecular de serovariedades de Leptospira spp. aisladas de muestras de animales y agua en Colombia

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans that may result in severe hemorrhagic, hepatic/renal and pulmonary disease. There are 20 known Leptospira species and hundreds of serovars, some of which belong to different species. It is essential to identify pathogenic Leptospira serovars and their potential reservoirs to prepare adequate control strategies. Objective: To characterize the Leptospira serovars isolated from rodents, dogs, pigs and water samples in Colombia. Materials and methods: Leptospira organisms were isolated and cultured, and pathogenic strains were identified using a polymerase chain-reaction (PCR). Leptospira DNA and Salmonella Braenderup H9812 (molecular weight standard) DNA were cleaved using NotI and subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The PFGE patterns were analyzed based on bacterial strain-typing criteria and Dice coefficients (DCs) between these isolates and over 200 Leptospira organisms isolated from other parts of the world. Results: All of the isolates were pathogenic strains, and five were genetically characterized. The P275 (84% DC) and P282 (95% DC) pig isolates were related to the Leptospira interrogans Pomona serovar; the I15 (DC: 100%) rat isolate was identical to the Leptospira interrogans Icterohameorrhagiae or Copenhageni serovars, while the C67 (64% DC) dog and A42 (60% DC) water isolates were not related (< 73.7% DC) to any of the 200 reference serovars; the closest serovars were the Leptospira noguchii Nicaragua and Orleans serovars, respectively. Conclusion: This was the first molecular characterization of Colombian Leptospira spp isolates; these isolates will be used to develop a Colombian diagnostic panel.

Introducción. La leptospirosis es una infección bacteriana transmitida directa o indirectamente de animales a humanos, la cual puede resultar en una enfermedad hemorrágica grave, hepática o renal y pulmonar. Hay 20 especies de Leptospira conocidas y cientos de serovariedades, algunas de las cuales pertenecen a diferentes especies. Es esencial identificar las serovariedades patógenas y sus reservorios potenciales para enfocar estrategias de control. Objetivo. Caracterizar las serovariedades de Leptospira aisladas de muestras de roedores, perros, cerdos y agua en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Las cepas de leptospiras aisladas fueron identificadas como patógenas usando la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PRC). Sus ADN y el ADN de Salmonella Braenderup H9812 (marcador de peso molecular) fueron cortados con NotI y corridos en electroforesis de campo pulsado. Los patrones de la ECP se analizaron con base en los criterios de tipificación para cepas bacterianas y el coeficiente de Dice, cuando se compararon con 200 cepas aisladas en otras partes del mundo. Los perfiles de ADN con un coeficiente de Dice entre 73,7 % y 100 % se consideraron pertenecientes a la misma especie. Resultados. Todos los aislamientos fueron cepas patógenas y cinco se caracterizaron genéticamente. El aislamiento P275 (coeficiente de Dice: 84 %) y el P282 (coeficiente de Dice: 95 %) de cerdos, se relacionaron con Leptospira interrogans de serovariedad Pomona; el aislamiento de rata (I15) fue indistinguible de Leptospira interrogans de serovariedades Icterohaemorrhagiae o Copenhageni (coeficiente de Dice: 100 %), mientras que los aislamientos de perro (C67) y agua (A42) no se relacionaron (coeficiente de Dice <73,7 %) con ninguna de las 200 cepas de referencia; las más cercanas fueron Leptospira noguchii de serovariedades Nicaragua (coeficiente de Dice: 63 %) y Orleans (coeficiente de Dice: 60 %). Conclusiones. Esta fue la primera caracterización molecular de serotipos de aislamientos colombianos, los cuales serían los primeros miembros de un panel diagnóstico colombiano.

Penicillium marneffei--an indicator disease of AIDS: a case report.

Penicillium marneffei (PM), the only dimorphic species of the genus penicillium is the etiological agent of penicilliosis marneffei. This opportunistic fungal infection occurs among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and other immunocompromised patient in several regions of South-east Asia, where the infection is considered as an indicator disease of AIDS. A case of penicilliosis marneffei is reported in a patient whose HIV status was unknown and later turned to be in the late stage of AIDS. This demonstrates that it is indeed an indicator disease of AIDS. In India, penicilliosis has been reported among the inhabitants of Manipur state where the prevalence of HIV infection / AIDS is very high. The causative agent was first isolated from a captive bamboo rat. Investigation of the prevalence of the organism among bamboo rats of different countries of South East Asia revealed four species of bamboo rats to be harboring the organism. These four species of bamboo rats are Rhizomys sinensis, R. pruinosus, R. sumatrensis and Cannomys badius. In Manipur, Penicillium marneffei has been isolated from Cannomys badius. Any patient presenting with penicilliosis marneffei should be subjected to HIV counselling and testing if the HIV status is not known and further study regarding the ecology and epidemiology of the fungus is needed.