Household outbreak of sporotrichosis: towards the One Health approach.

Although sporotrichosis requires a broad approach for control, few reports have described the relationship between the index case and secondary contacts. In the present work, we report an outbreak involving a woman, a dog, and two cats from the same household environment, including the clinical and epidemiological aspects and outcomes, and discuss the importance of a One Health approach to face this neglected disease. The joint efforts of professionals such as veterinarians and physicians are essential for early diagnosis and surveillance, which contributes to the rapid identification and control of zoonotic sporotrichosis outbreaks.

Diagnosis of animal abuse: A Brazilian study.

Due to their intimate relationship with human beings, animals can experience abuse, especially in the family environment. Research on the variables involved in this topic is scarce in Latin America. The objective of this study was to identify the main types of animal abuse in Brazilian municipalities and to characterize animals and perpetrators in addition to identifying the socioeconomic factors associated with the incidents. The occurrences of animal abuse were analyzed from the records of the Police Station Specialized in Fauna Crimes Investigation Department of the Civil Police of Minas Gerais operating in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, from September 2016 to September 2018. Events involving cruelty to animals were categorized as active maltreatment, while acts of omission, which refer to neglected animals, were categorized as passive maltreatment, defined according to sets of nutritional, health, behavioral, and comfort indicators. Cruel crimes were the most frequently registered (45.7 %, 101/221), with intoxication and aggression being the most common types. Active maltreatment generated more deaths compared to passive maltreatment (OR: 3.900, 95 % CI: 1.873-8.588, p<0.05). Regarding abuse, dogs were the most affected animals (59.7 %, 132/221), followed by felines (14.9 %, 33/221), equine (5.4 %, 12/221), birds (5.8 %, 13/221), poultry (2.7 %, 6/221), reptiles (2.2 %, 5/221), and other groups of animals (9.0 %, 20/221). Adults were the most frequently reported (55.2 %, 122/221) age of abused animals. Cats were the main cruelty victims, with the highest chance of death (OR: 6.829, 95 %CI: 2.916-16.696, p<0.05) and were those who suffered most from intoxication abuse (OR: 4.72, 95 % CI 1.585-14.996, p=0.001). The perpetrators of abuse were predominantly males (66.8 %, 137/205) aged between 40 and 59 years (38.6 %, 53/137). Perpetrators of committing animal cruelty were 3.57 times more likely to be male and 2.5 times more likely to have no college education. The perpetrators of animal abandonment had a 25 times greater chance of being between 18 and 24 years old compared to the category between 40 and 59 years old and perpetrators of animal intoxication had 5 times greater chance of being also between 18 and 24 years old. Among all victimized animals, dogs and cats were the most affected, probably due to their close relationships with humans. Understanding the profile of victims and suspects involved in neglect maltreatment and cruelty to animals is fundamental to the establishment of policies and strategies to prevent and restrain these activities.

Characterization of animal sporotrichosis in a highly urbanized area.

An epidemiological characterization of animal sporotrichosis was carried out between 2017 and 2018, in a highly urbanized area in Brazil, including outcomes and the spatial distribution of the cases according to the health vulnerability index (HVI) of the study territory. One hundred and sixty-five cats and four dogs suspected of sporotrichosis were identified by a surveillance and control program previously implemented in the study area. One hundred and five of these animals (62.1 %) were considered positive for Sporothrix spp., of which 103 were cats and two were dogs. Cases predominated among male cats (53.4 %), although gender did not present a statistically significant association (p > 0.05) with sporotrichosis cases. Considering the positive cats, 55.4 % were not neutered and free access to the street was reported as a habit for 86.4 % of them. Roaming free in the streets increased the chance of infection by 2.54 times. We observed a high frequency of euthanasia or death (48.8 %) among 86 infected cats available to be included in the follow-up stage of the study, even when they were treated (46.5 %) and a low cure rate (31 %). The disease spread, unrelated to the HVI in the territory. Data produced suggested that avoiding access to the street seems to have greater importance to sporotrichosis control in cats than neutering and reinforces the importance of health education, especially in relation to responsible feline ownership. The free offer of diagnosis and treatment also should be taken into consideration as important measures to control the disease.

Factors associated with tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from patients treated at the Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, located in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, between October of 2012 and October of 2014. We evaluated sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and radiological variables. The outcome considered to identify associations between tuberculosis and the explanatory variables was the treatment prescribed. To evaluate the associations between MDR-TB and the same explanatory variables, the change in MDR-TB treatment was considered. RESULTS: The factors associated with tuberculosis were alcoholism, comorbidities, pulmonary cavitations, and a radiological pattern suggestive of tuberculosis. Cavitation and previous treatment for tuberculosis were associated with MDR-TB. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the significant progress made in the fight against tuberculosis, there is a need for coordinated actions that include social protection measures and patient support.

Household outbreak of sporotrichosis: towards the One Health approach

ABSTRACT Although sporotrichosis requires a broad approach for control, few reports have described the relationship between the index case and secondary contacts. In the present work, we report an outbreak involving a woman, a dog, and two cats from the same household environment, including the clinical and epidemiological aspects and outcomes, and discuss the importance of a One Health approach to face this neglected disease. The joint efforts of professionals such as veterinarians and physicians are essential for early diagnosis and surveillance, which contributes to the rapid identification and control of zoonotic sporotrichosis outbreaks.

Factors associated with tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil / Fatores associados à tuberculose e à tuberculose multirresistente em pacientes atendidos em um hospital de referência terciária em Minas Gerais, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from patients treated at the Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, located in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, between October of 2012 and October of 2014. We evaluated sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and radiological variables. The outcome considered to identify associations between tuberculosis and the explanatory variables was the treatment prescribed. To evaluate the associations between MDR-TB and the same explanatory variables, the change in MDR-TB treatment was considered. Results: The factors associated with tuberculosis were alcoholism, comorbidities, pulmonary cavitations, and a radiological pattern suggestive of tuberculosis. Cavitation and previous treatment for tuberculosis were associated with MDR-TB. Conclusions: Despite the significant progress made in the fight against tuberculosis, there is a need for coordinated actions that include social protection measures and patient support.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco de pacientes atendidos em um hospital de referência terciária para o desenvolvimento de tuberculose e tuberculose multirresistente (TBMR). Métodos: Estudo transversal baseado em dados obtidos de pacientes atendidos no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek, na cidade de Belo Horizonte (MG), entre outubro de 2012 e outubro de 2014. As variáveis utilizadas foram agrupadas em características sociodemográficas, comportamentais, clínicas e radiológicas. O desfecho considerado para verificar associações entre tuberculose e variáveis explicativas foi o tratamento prescrito para tuberculose. Para avaliar a associação entre a tuberculose resistente e as mesmas variáveis explicativas considerou-se a mudança de tratamento para TBMR. Resultados: Alcoolismo, padrão radiológico sugestivo de tuberculose, presença de comorbidades e presença de cavitações pulmonares foram fatores associados à tuberculose. A TBMR foi associada a tratamento prévio para tuberculose e presença de cavitações. Conclusões: Apesar dos importantes progressos na luta contra a tuberculose, é necessário um conjunto de ações articuladas que incluam medidas de proteção social e suporte aos pacientes.

Virulence factors and phylotyping of Escherichia coli isolated from non-diarrheic and diarrheic water buffalo calves / Caracterização dos fatores de virulência e filogrupos de Escherichia coli isoladas de bezerros bubalinos sem diarreia e diarréicos

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the virulence factors, phylogenetic groups, and the relationships between pathovars and phylogenetic groups of E. coli strains isolated from feces of buffalo calves. A total of 217 E. coli strains were obtained from feces after culture and were screened by PCR for detection of virulence factors EAST-1, enterohemolysin, Saa, CNF2, F41, F5, STa, intimin, Stx1 and Stx2. One hundred and thirty-four isolates were positive for one or more virulence factors: eighty-four from diarrheic animals, and fifty from non-diarrheic calves. The pathovars of E. coli identified in diarrheic feces were ETEC (F5+) (2/84), NTEC (16/84), STEC (20/84), EPEC (3/84), EHEC (3/84), and EAEC (EAST-1+) (33/84). Pathovars identified in non-diarrheic animals were NTEC (21/50), STEC (17/50), EHEC (1/50) and EAEC (7/50). E. coli strains positive for EAST-1 (P=0.008) and phylogroup C (P = 0.05) were associated with the presence of diarrhea. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 58.95% of the isolates belonged to phylogroup B1, followed by E (9.70%), B2 (5.90%), C (5.90%), D (5.22%), A (2.24%), and F (1.50%). Phylogroup B1 predominated in pathogenic E. coli isolated from water buffalo, and phylogroup C constituted an enteropathogenic E. coli for water buffalo calves.

RESUMO: O objetivo foi determinar os fatores de virulência, os grupos filogenéticos e as possíveis relações entre os patovares e os grupos filogenéticos identificados de cepas de Escherichia coli isoladas de fezes de bezerros bubalinos. Um total de 217 amostras de E. coli foram identificadas a partir de cultura das fezes e submetidas a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para detecção dos fatores de virulência EAST-1, enterohemolisina, Saa, CNF2, F41, F5, STa, intimina, Stx1 e Stx2. Foram identificadas 134 cepas positivas para um ou mais fatores de virulência: 84isoladas de bezerros bubalinos diarreicos e 50 de bezerros bubalinos saudáveis. Os patovares de E. coli obtidos de fezes diarreicas foram ETEC (F5+) (2/84), NTEC (16/84), STEC (20/84), EPEC (3/84), EHEC (3/84), e EAEC (EAST-1+) (33/84). Os patovares isolados de fezes não diarreicas foram NTEC (21/50), STEC (17/50), EHEC (1/50) e EAEC (7/50). Cepas de E. coli positivas para EAST-1 (P = 0,008) e filogrupo C (P = 0,05) foram associadas com a presença de diarreia. A análise de filogrupos revelou que 58,95% dos isolados pertencem ao filogrupo B1, seguido por E (9,70%), B2 (5,90%), C (5,90%), D (5,22%), A (2,24%) e F (1,50%). O filogrupo B1 predomina em cepas de E. coli patogênicas isoladas de bezerros búfalos e o filogrupo C constitui um filogrupo de E. coli patogênica entérica para bezerros.

Estimating the abortion risk difference in Neospora caninum seropositive dairy cattle in Brazil / Estimativa da diferença do risco de aborto em vacas leiteiras soropositivas para Neospora caninum no Brasil

Neosporosis in cattle herds is associated with large economic losses, with abortion being the only clinical sign perceptible to the producer. Losses are estimated at over one billion dollars worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the abortion risk difference in seropositive animals using specific data for dairy herds in Brazil. Differences in the risk of abortion between seropositive and seronegative animals were calculated through a meta-analysis of previous data from several Brazilian states, and an increase of 10.04% (0.091 to 0.118) in the specific risk was identified. This finding indicates that more than 474,000 abortions caused by neosporosis may be occurring only in dairy cattle herds in Brazil, causing a major economic loss in the milk production chain. The use of this specific measure for Brazilian herds opens the possibility of developing cost-benefit analysis for neosporosis in Brazil using data that are more reliable

A neosporose está relacionada a grandes perdas econômicas em rebanhos bovinos, tendo o abortamento como único sinal clínico perceptível ao produtor, com prejuízos estimados em mais de um bilhão de dólares em todo o mundo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estimar a diferença no risco de aborto em animais soropositivos, especificamente com dados procedentes de rebanhos leiteiros do Brasil. A diferença do risco de aborto foi calculada através de uma meta-análise, com dados precedentes de vários estados brasileiros, tendo como resultado um aumento de 10,04% (0,091-0,118) no risco específico. Este resultado demonstra que podem estar ocorrendo mais de 474 mil abortamentos no Brasil, devido à neosporose, apenas em rebanhos bovinos leiteiros, causando grandes perdas econômicas para cadeia produtora de leite. A utilização dessa medida específica de rebanhos brasileiros abre a possibilidade de modelagem econômica do custo da doença no Brasil com dados mais fidedignos