Encefalitis asociada a astrovirus bovino neurotrópico, ¿una enfermedad subdiagnosticada en Sudamérica? / Neurotropic bovine astrovirus-associated encephalitis: An underdiagnosed diseasein South America?

Resumen Describimos un caso de encefalitis asociada a infección por astrovirus bovino neu-rotrópico en una vaca lechera, raza Jersey, del departamento de San José, Uruguay. Esterepresenta el segundo caso reportado de esta condición en el hemisferio sur. La vaca, únicaafectada de un rodeo de 70 bovinos, manifestó signos clínicos neurológicos con curso de 2 días,luego de los que murió espontáneamente. El examen histopatológico reveló meningoencefalitislinfocítica, histiocítica y plasmacítica, con necrosis neuronal, sin cuerpos de inclusión. No sedetectaron en el cerebro otros agentes infecciosos, incluyendo el virus de la rabia (Lyssavirus),alfaherpesvirus bovino-1 y alfaherpesvirus bovino-5 (Varicellovirus), virus de la diarrea viralbovina (Pestivirus), virus del Nilo Occidental (Flavivirus), Listeria monocytogenes, Histophi-lus somni y otras bacterias. Dado que el descubrimiento de astrovirus neurotrópicos en variasespecies de mamíferos, incluidos humanos, es reciente, proponemos que los casos de encefalitis por astrovirus pudieron haber pasado inadvertidos en Sudamérica. Discutimos brevementeel diagnóstico patológico diferencial de encefalitis infecciosas en bovinos.

Abstract We describe a case of neurotropic bovine astrovirus-associated encephalitis in a Jer-sey dairy cow from the department of San José, Uruguay. This represents the second case of thiscondition reported in the Southern Hemisphere. The cow was the only one affected in a herd of70 cows, showing neurological signs with a 2-day clinical course, before dying spontaneously.Histopathological examination revealed lymphocytic, histiocytic, and plasmacytic meningoen-cephalitis with neuronal necrosis, without detectable inclusion bodies. Other infectious agents,including Rabies virus (Lyssavirus), Bovine alphaherpesvirus-1 and Bovine alphaherpesvirus-5(Varicellovirus), Bovine viral diarrhea virus (Pestivirus), West Nile virus (Flavivirus), Listeriamonocytogenes, Histophilus somni and other bacteria, were not detected in the brain. We pro-pose that given the recent discovery of neurotropic astroviruses in various mammalian species,including humans, cases of astrovirus encephalitis may have gone undetected in South America.We briefly discuss the differential pathologic diagnosis of infectious bovine encephalitis.

Fiebre Q: revisión histórica de casos humanos en Uruguay. Abordaje desde la complementariedad entre las ciencias médicas y veterinarias / Q fever: historical review of human cases in Uruguay. A complementary approach from the medical and veterinarian sciences / Febre Q: revisão histórica de casos humanos no Uruguai. Abordagem a partir da complementaridade entre as ciências médicas e veterinárias

Resumen: La fiebre Q es una zoonosis distribuida mundialmente, causada por Coxiella burnetii. Los bovinos, ovinos y caprinos son la fuente más frecuente de infección en humanos, en los que la enfermedad es de notificación obligatoria ante el Ministerio de Salud Pública. Revisamos las publicaciones que describen casos de fiebre Q en humanos en Uruguay, con foco en sus características epidemiológicas, y discutimos las pruebas diagnósticas disponibles localmente. Se incluyeron nueve trabajos publicados e información del registro de enfermedades profesionales. Colectivamente fueron analizadas 2.715 personas con sospecha de fiebre Q entre 1956-2019, siendo 959 (35,3%) seropositivas. Los diagnósticos se basaron en serología, clínica y/o antecedentes de exposición laboral. Epidemiológicamente, el ganado o material proveniente del mismo fueron considerados las fuentes más probables de exposición en la mayoría de los casos. Según el ámbito de ocurrencia, no sistemáticamente reportado, los casos se registraron principalmente por exposición a ovinos y bovinos en frigoríficos o en la cadena cárnica (positivos/evaluados: 863/1540; seropositivos sintomáticos: 585); y en menor medida a bovinos lecheros (sector lácteo (positivos/evaluados:20/58; seropositivos sintomáticos: 17) y laboratorio diagnóstico (positivos/evaluados:2/4; seropositivos sintomáticos: 1)), o rumiantes silvestres (seropositivos/evaluados:25/117; seropositivos sintomáticos: 17). Hipertermia, cefaleas y sudoración fueron reportados. La inhalatoria fue asumida como la vía de infección en todos los casos. Actualmente no están disponibles localmente pruebas de PCR para detección de C. burnetii en humanos, siendo una limitante en el diagnóstico, particularmente en etapas tempranas. La colaboración interdisciplinaria de profesionales de salud humana y animal es esencial en el abordaje de esta zoonosis.

Summary: Q fever is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Bovines, sheep and goats are the most frequent source of infection in humans, and it is mandatory for the latter to report the disease to the Ministry of Public Health. We reviewed the literature describing cases of Q fever in humans in Uruguay, focusing on epidemiological characteristics, and we discussed the diagnostic tests locally available. Nine published studies were included in the review, as well as the information in the professional diseases registry. 2.715 people with a suspicion of Q fever were collectively analyzed between 1956-2019, 959 (55.3%) of them being seropositive. Diagnosis were based on serology, clinical examination and/or a history of exposure while working. Epidemiologically, the cattle or material originating in it were considered as the most probable sources of exposure in most cases. Depending on the context cases arose, which were not systematically reported, they were mainly caused by exposure to sheep and cows in meat processing plants or in the meat chain (positive/evaluated: 863/1540; seropositive or symptomatic: 585); and to a lesser extent dairy cattle (milk sector (positive/evaluated: 20/58; symptomatic seropositive: 17) and diagnostic laboratory (positive/evaluated: 2/4; symptomatic seropositive: 1)) or wild ruminants (positive/evaluated: 25/117; symptomatic seropositive: 17). Hyperthermia, headaches and sweating were reported. In all cases inhalation was adopted as the source of infection. Today, there are no PCR tests to detect C. burnetii in humans available locally, what constitutes a limitation to diagnosis, in particular in early stages. Interdisciplinary collaboration between animal and human health professionals is key to approach this zoonosis.

Resumo: A febre Q é uma zoonose mundial causada por Coxiella burnetii. Bovinos, ovinos e caprinos são a fonte mais frequente de infecção em humanos, nos quais a doença é de notificação compulsória ao Ministério da Saúde Pública. Revisamos as publicações que descrevem casos de febre Q em humanos no Uruguai, enfocando em suas características epidemiológicas, e discutimos os testes diagnósticos disponíveis localmente. Foram incluídos nove trabalhos publicados e informações do registro de doenças ocupacionais. Foram analisadas 2.715 pessoas com suspeita de febre Q entre 1956-2019, das quais 959 (35,3%) eram soropositivas. Os diagnósticos foram baseados na sorologia, sintomas e/ou história de exposição ocupacional. Do ponto de vista epidemiológico, o gado ou material preveniente de gado foram considerados as fontes mais prováveis de exposição na maioria dos casos. De acordo com o lugar de ocorrência, não notificado sistematicamente, os casos foram registrados principalmente por exposição a ovinos e bovinos em matadouros ou na cadeia da carne (positivos/avaliados: 863/1540; soropositivos sintomáticos: 585); e em menor proporção gado leiteiro (setor leiteiro (positivo/avaliado: 20/58; soropositivo sintomático: 17) e laboratório de diagnóstico (positivo/avaliado: 2/4; soropositivo sintomático: 1)), ou ruminantes silvestres (soropositivo/avaliado: 25/117; soropositivos sintomáticos: 17). Hipertermia, dores de cabeça e sudorese foram relatados. A inalação foi assumida como via de infecção em todos os casos. Atualmente, os testes de PCR para detecção de C. burnetii em humanos não estão disponíveis localmente, sendo uma limitação no diagnóstico, principalmente em estágios iniciais. A colaboração interdisciplinar de profissionais de saúde humana e animal é essencial no enfrentamento dessa zoonose.

Placentitis and abortion caused by a multidrug resistant strain of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus in a sheep in Uruguay / Placentitis y aborto causado por una cepa de Campylobacter fetus subespecie fetus multirresistente a antibióticos en una oveja en Uruguay

Abstract Campylobacter fetus fetus (Cff) is a major infectious cause of abortion in sheep worldwide, and an opportunistic human pathogen. Information on Cff as an ovine abortifacient in South America is limited. We describe a case of abortion caused by a multidrug resistant strain of Cff in a sheep in Uruguay. In August 2017, 3/57 pregnant ewes (5.3%) aborted whithin one week. Histopathologic examination of the placenta of an aborted ewe revealed severe neutrophilic and fibrinonecrotizing placentitis with vasculitis and thrombosis of the chorionic arterioles. Cff was isolated on microaerobic culture in Skirrow agar, and further confirmed by 16S rDNA PCR amplification and sequencing, and endpoint and real time PCR assays. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing revealed resistance to tetracyclines, nalidixic acid, telithromycin and clindamycin. Other abortifacients were not detected. Further studies are necessary to determine the geographic distribution, ecology, epidemiology, economic impact, and antimicrobial resistance of Cff in sheep flocks in Uruguay.

Resumen Campylobacter fetus fetus (Cff) es una importante causa de abortos en ovinos y un patógeno oportunista en humanos. La información sobre Cff como abortifaciente en ovinos en Sudamérica es limitada. Describimos un caso de aborto causado por una cepa de Cff mul tirresistente a antibióticos en una oveja en Uruguay. En agosto de 2017, 3/57 ovejas prenadas (5,3%) abortaron en una semana. El examen histopatológico de la placenta de una de ellas reveló placentitis neutrofílica fibrinonecrosante severa, vasculitis y trombosis. Cff fue aislado en microaerobiosis en agar Skirrow, y confirmado mediante amplificación del ADNr 16S por PCR seguida de secuenciación, y por PCR punto final y qPCR. Las pruebas de sensibilidad antimicrobiana revelaron resistencia a tetraciclinas, ácido nalidíxico, telitromicina y clindamicina. No se detectaron otros abortifacientes. Son necesarios más estudios para determinar la distribución geográfica, ecología, epidemiología, el impacto económico y la resistencia antimicrobiana de Cff en majadas ovinas de Uruguay.

Causes of abortion in dairy cows in Uruguay / Causas de aborto em bovinos de leite no Uruguai

A case series study was conducted to determine the frequency of causes of abortion in dairy cattle in Uruguay. The sample size of 102 cases was composed of 53 fetuses, 35 fetuses with placentas, and 14 placentas without an associated fetus. All cases underwent gross and microscopic pathologic examinations as well as microbiological and serological testing. The etiology was determined in 54 (53%) of cases, 51 of which were caused by infectious agents. Within the observed 102 cases, 30 (29%) were caused by Neospora caninum, six (6%) by Coxiella burnetii and two (2%) by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis. Bovine Parainfluenza-3 virus and Salmonella enterica serovar Newport caused one abortion each. Opportunistic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Mannheimia sp., Trueperella pyogenes, and Providencia stuartii) were associated with 11 abortions. In two cases the fetal death was attributed to dystocia, and in one case the fetus had a congenital mesothelioma. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection was identified in three fetuses; two of which were co-infected with and had typical lesions of N. caninum. No lesions were observed in the other fetus infected by BVDV. Leptospira interrogans was identified in one fetus without lesions. Despite the relatively low overall success rate in establishing an etiological diagnosis in cases of abortion in cattle, a systemic workup of bovine abortion is necessary to establish prevention and control strategies. This also facilitates monitoring and surveillance of reproductive diseases in dairy cattle, some of which represent a risk to public health.(AU)

Uma série de casos foi estudada para determinar a frequência de causas do aborto em bovinos leiteiros no Uruguai. A amostra, de 102 casos, foi composta por 53 fetos, 35 fetos com placentas e 14 placentas sem feto associado. Todos os casos foram submetidos a exames patológicos macroscópicos e microscópicos, além de testes microbiológicos e sorológicos. A etiologia foi determinada em 54 (53%) dos casos, 51 dos quais foram causados por agentes infecciosos. Nos 102 casos observados, 30 (29%) foram causados por Neospora caninum, seis (6%) por Coxiella burnetii e dois (2%) por Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis. O vírus da Parainfluenza-3 e Salmonella enterica serovar Newport causaram um aborto cada. Bactérias oportunistas (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Mannheimia sp., Trueperella pyogenes e Providencia stuartii) foram associadas a 11 abortos. Em dois casos, a morte fetal foi atribuída a distocia e, em um caso, o feto apresentava mesotelioma congênito. A infecção pelo vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) foi identificada em três fetos; dois dos quais foram co-infectados e apresentavam lesões típicas de N. caninum. Não foram observadas lesões no outro feto infectado pelo BVDV. Leptospira interrogans foi identificada em um feto sem lesões. Apesar da relativamente baixa taxa de sucesso no diagnóstico etiológico nos casos de aborto em bovinos, é necessário o diagnóstico sistemático dos abortos para estabelecer estratégias de prevenção e controle. Isso também facilita o monitoramento e a vigilância de doenças reprodutivas em bovinos leiteiros, algumas das quais representam um risco para a saúde pública.(AU)

The use of Prevotella bryantii 3C5 for modulation of the ruminal environment in an ovine model

Abstract In the Southern Hemisphere, ruminants are mostly raised in grazing systems where animals consume forage and are supplemented with low amounts of concentrates. Concentrates are usually given separately and are rapidly ingested. This practice leads to changing rumen environment conditions during the day, may alter the rumen microbial metabolism and could affect host performance. The native ruminal Prevotella bryantii strain 3C5 was administered every 48 h to wethers under experimental conditions simulating Southern-Hemisphere feeding to evaluate its potential as a rumen fermentation modulator. The inoculum potential was assessed on day 17. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids and ruminal pH were monitored on a 24-h basis 19 days after the beginning of the experiment, and the microbial community structure was assessed by pyrosequencing. The administration of P. bryantii modified the fermentation products and daily pH values compared to the control. The NH3-N concentration in the rumen of treated animals was significantly higher than that of the untreated animals. Modification of the ruminal environment and fermentation pathways was achieved without altering the general structure of the microbial community or the potential methane production. P. bryantii 3C5 could be considered in potential probiotic formulations for ruminants in semi-intensive systems.

The use of Prevotella bryantii 3C5 for modulation of the ruminal environment in an ovine model

Abstract In the Southern Hemisphere, ruminants are mostly raised in grazing systems where animals consume forage and are supplemented with low amounts of concentrates. Concentrates are usually given separately and are rapidly ingested. This practice leads to changing rumen environment conditions during the day, may alter the rumen microbial metabolism and could affect host performance. The native ruminal Prevotella bryantii strain 3C5 was administered every 48 h to wethers under experimental conditions simulating Southern-Hemisphere feeding to evaluate its potential as a rumen fermentation modulator. The inoculum potential was assessed on day 17. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids and ruminal pH were monitored on a 24-h basis 19 days after the beginning of the experiment, and the microbial community structure was assessed by pyrosequencing. The administration of P. bryantii modified the fermentation products and daily pH values compared to the control. The NH3-N concentration in the rumen of treated animals was significantly higher than that of the untreated animals. Modification of the ruminal environment and fermentation pathways was achieved without altering the general structure of the microbial community or the potential methane production. P. bryantii 3C5 could be considered in potential probiotic formulations for ruminants in semi-intensive systems.