Brazilian spotted fever: A spatial analysis of human cases and vectors in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a highly lethal disease caused by Rickettsia spp. and is transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma. Understanding the epidemiology of BSF in each region can help direct health surveillance actions. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of vectors and the incidence of BSF in the state of São Paulo. Spatial analysis included confirmed BSF cases between 2009 and 2019; occurrences were registered by municipalities of the state. There were 752 confirmed BSF cases, with incidences ranging between 0.01 and 10.37/10,000 inhabitants. Moran's Global Index for BSF was 0.20 (p = .001), which was indicative of spatial dependence. Moran's map located a cluster of 20 high priority municipalities for BSF and showed that Amblyomma sculptum is the vector involved in Rickettsia rickettsii transmission in these locations. Spatial analysis identified clusters formed by 47, 20 and seven significant municipalities for the presence of A. sculptum, Amblyomma aureolatum and Amblyomma ovale vectors, respectively. Surveillance and prevention actions are necessary in areas that are at high risk for BSF and in areas where the presence of vectors was significant.

Spatial and temporal trend analysis of bovine brucellosis in Brazil, 2014 to 2018 / Análise espacial e temporal da brucelose bovina no Brasil, 2014 a 2018

Bovine brucellosis, a zoonotic disease endemic to Brazil, is a serious public health problem. It is a notifiable disease that, like tuberculosis, is regulated through a national control and eradication program. The epidemiological status of bovine brucellosis must be characterized in order to direct measures aimed at controlling the disease. This study focused on analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of bovine brucellosis in Brazil. An ecological and time series study was conducted based on secondary data reported by the National Animal Health Information System for cases of bovine brucellosis diagnosed in Brazil (2014 - 2018). The gross and average incidence rate of brucellosis was estimated per state. Joinpoint regression was applied to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) in incidence and to identify states with significant trend changes. Spatial analysis of animals with brucellosis was performed using Kernel density estimation. A total of 19,631 animals with bovine brucellosis were confirmed, and the average incidence rate varied from 0.03 to 33.93/100,000 cattle in Brazil. The highest density of positive animals was found in the states of Santa Catarina and Paraná, which can be considered areas of greater transmission of Brucella abortus. Reductions in gross incidence rates were observed in Paraná (APC: -13.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -20.3 ­ -5.4; p=0.01), Rondônia (APC: -44.7; 95%CI: -62.0 - -19.4; p=0.01), Mato Grosso do Sul (APC: -59.0; 95%CI: -77.7 - -24.5; p=0.01), Acre (APC: -40.0; 95%CI: -50.0 - -28.0; p=0.00), and Ceará (APC: -37.9; 95%CI: -50.9 - -21.4; p=0.00). The incidence rate significantly increased in Tocantins (APC: 122.1; 95%CI: 4.5 - 372.2; p=0.04). The findings of this study will be helpful in guiding surveillance and prevention measures aimed at reducing the incidence of bovine brucellosis in Brazil.(AU)

A brucelose bovina é uma zoonose endêmica no Brasil, constituindo um grave problema de saúde pública. É uma doença de notificação obrigatória e regulamentada nacionalmente por programa de controle e erradicação em conjunto com a tuberculose. A caracterização da situação epidemiológica da brucelose bovina é um aspecto importante para direcionar as ações de controle desta zoonose. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a distribuição espacial e temporal da brucelose bovina no Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico e de séries temporais com base em dados secundários relatados pelo Sistema de Informação em Saúde Animal para casos de brucelose bovina diagnosticados no Brasil (2014 - 2018). A incidência bruta e média da brucelose por unidade federativa foi estimada. A regressão joinpoint foi aplicada para calcular a variação percentual anual (APC) da incidência e identificar as unidades federativas com mudanças significativas de tendência. A análise espacial dos animais com brucelose foi realizada usando a estimativa de densidade de Kernel. Foram confirmados 19.631 animais com brucelose bovina e a incidência média variou entre 0,03 a 33,93/100.000 bovinos no Brasil. A maior densidade de animais positivos foi observada nos estados de Santa Catarina e Paraná, considerados áreas de maior transmissão para Brucella abortus. Reduções nas taxas de incidência bruta foram observadas no Paraná (APC: -13.2; intervalo de confiança [IC]95%: -20.3 - -5.4; p=0.01), Rondônia (APC: -44.7; IC95%: -62.0 - -19.4; p=0.01), Mato Grosso do Sul (APC: -59.0; IC95%: -77.7 - -24.5; p=0.01), Acre (APC: -40.0; IC95%: -50.0 - -28.0; p=0.00) e Ceará (APC: -37.9; IC95%: -50.9 - -21.4; p=0.00). Aumento significativo da tendência foi constatado em Tocantins (APC: 122.1; IC95%: 4.5 - 372.2; p=0.04). Espera-se que os resultados obtidos neste estudo auxiliem no direcionamento de ações de vigilância e de prevenção para reduzir a incidência da brucelose bovina no Brasil.(AU)

Meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine neosporosis.

Neospora caninum is one of the main infectious agents that cause reproductive disorders in cattle. However, knowledge about the prevalence and causal factors of bovine neosporosis is needed in order to establish control measures. The purpose of this study was to estimate the pooled prevalence and determine the risk factors of bovine neosporosis using meta-analytic methods. Searches for data on N. caninum seroprevalence and potential risk factors were conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, and SciElo databases. The random effects model was used for the meta-analysis of the included studies. The pooled prevalence of N. caninum in cattle was 24% (95% confidence interval (CI), 19-29) in North and Central America, 24% (95% CI, 20-28) in South America, 18% (95% CI, 14-21) in Asia, 15% (95% CI, 12-18) in Europe, 13% (95% CI, 11-16) in Africa, and 8% (95% CI, 4-14) in Oceania. A significant correlation was found between N. caninum infection and abortion in cows (odds ratio (OR) = 2.66, 95% CI, 1.97-3.59). The following risk factors were signicantly associated with N. caninum seroprevalence: presence of dogs on the farm (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.40-5.80) and the type of cattle production system, with dairy cattle being more susceptible to bovine neosporosis (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.16-2.19) than beef cattle. The adoption of measures to prevent the dissemination of N. caninum in cattle herds is suggested, aiming to reduce the economic losses incurred to the dairy and beef industry.

Padronização da densidade mineral óssea (DMO) do acessório do carpo em eqüinos atletas da raça Quarto de Milha / Padronization of bone mineral density (BMD) of the acessory carpus in Quarter Horse equines

Eqüinos da raça Quarto de Milha, 30 machos e 30 fêmeas com idade entre 42 e 48 meses, apresentando a epífise distal do rádio fechada, em plena atividade esportiva, foram analisados quanto à densidade mineral óssea (DMO) do acessório do carpo, tendo os valores expressos em milímetros de alumínio (mmAl). As radiografias da estrutura óssea, juntamente com uma escala de alumínio (penetrômetro) foram analisadas por meio de um programa computacional, especialmente desenvolvido para medida da densidade óptica em imagem radiográfica. O valor médio encontrado para as fêmeas foi de 4,49±0,69mmAl, com idade média de 43±2 meses e, para os machos, de 4,43 ± 0,81mmAl, com idade média de 45±2 meses, não havendo diferença significativa na DMO entre os sexos.