First detection of feline sporotrichosis (Sporothrix brasiliensis) at the zoonoses control service in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do sul, Brazil.

Sporotrichosis is a traumatic mycosis affecting the skin or subcutaneous tissues caused by Sporothrix dimorphic fungus. The fungal complex includes several pathogenic species, out of which S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii are predominant in Brazil. In Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) state, the first human and animal cases were reported in 2016 in Corumbá and Ladário cities. Accordingly, we present the first occurrences of feline sporotrichosis detected in the state capital Campo Grande, MS, by the Zoonoses Control Service (ZCS) of the Municipal Public Health Department. The study included four allochthonous cases of feline sporotrichosis originating from Corumbá, MS, attended by the ZCS. All four cats presented classical clinical signs of sporotrichosis, as ulcerative nodular cutaneous lesions. Three slides tested positive by direct microscopy and PCR, followed by Sanger sequencing confirmed Sporothrix brasiliensis in two samples. The initial suspicion and diagnosis of feline sporotrichosis at the ZCS highlights the importance of accurate surveillance of sporotrichosis in non-endemic areas to enhance the capacity to prevent, detect and respond to emerging diseases in Campo Grande.

Molecular detection and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs of positive owners during the first COVID-19 wave in Brazil.

Despite previous reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats worldwide, the type of swab sample used for its detection through RT-qPCR needs to be better compared and described. Accordingly, as part of a multicenter study in Brazil, the aim of the present study was to assess which rectal or oropharyngeal swabs would be more appropriate for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs, through viral load comparison. Pets of owners diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 7 days were eligible. A total of 148 animals from four of the five Brazilian geographical regions were analyzed, among which 10/48 cats (20.83%) and 11/100 dogs (11.00%) were positive. The results suggested that oropharyngeal swabs should be considered for SARS-CoV-2 detection, particularly in cats, due to the higher cDNA viral load. Also, the genomic results showed similarities between SARS-CoV-2 animal variants and human variants that were circulating at the time of sampling, thus corroborating the existence of zooanthroponotic transmission. In conclusion, the present study highlighted the importance of SARS-CoV-2 monitoring among cats and dogs, as virus modification may indicate the possibility of mutations in animals and spillover back to owners. Thus, positive individuals should always self-isolate from their pets during COVID-19, to prevent trans-species transmission and mutation.

Infection of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic dogs associated with owner viral load.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive pet owners are reported to be a risk factor for infection of their pets; however, the influence of the viral load and associated risks has not been fully established. This study aimed to assess potential association of viral load in owners with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in their dogs. Of 20 SARS-CoV-2-positive pet owners from 13 families in Curitiba, Brazil, 5 of 22 (22.7%) dogs were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Viral presence was detected in oropharyngeal samples for 2 of 5 (40.0%) dogs at 8 and 9 days after the first positive sample. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in these dogs was associated with higher viral loads in the owners and close owner contact. All 5 RT-qPCR-positive dogs had antibodies to at least one viral protein tested in the serological assay. Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs was statistically associated with clinical signs in owners such as cold, cough, or diarrhea (P = 0.039), number of positive persons in the household (P = 0.002), and higher viral load (P = 0.039). Such findings serve as a warning for risks of human to dog infection, mainly due to sharing beds and other close interactions without protection. In conclusion, people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in households with multiple residents and high viral load, should take the same preventive measures when interacting with their dogs during self-isolation as they do with people.

First report of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 detection in two asymptomatic cats in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite worldwide case reports, including Brazilian cases, no frequency study on infection of pets by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been conducted to date in Brazil. Accordingly, the present study was aimed to assess dogs and cats belonging to positive owners in Recife, Northeastern Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal prospective study on dogs and cats in the city of Recife whose owners were in isolation at home due to a confirmed laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 through reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Oral and rectal swabs from the pets were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific RNA by means of RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Among the pets tested, 0/16 dogs and 2/15 cats were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, the two positive cats were owned by two unrelated asymptomatic veterinary students, which, therefore, post a warning to veterinarians worldwide. CONCLUSION: The findings herein indicate that cats may act as sentinels for human cases, particularly sharing households with asymptomatic human cases. Although with small sampling and convenient recruiting, the presence of infected cats by SARS-CoV-2 was most likely due to close cat-human contact with positive owners, posting a human-animal health threat when pets share the same bed and interact with owners without protection, particularly during owner self-isolation. Thus, infected owners should follow the same human preventive guidelines with their pets to avoid spreading infection.

From the Approach to the Concept: One Health in Latin America-Experiences and Perspectives in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

Professionals throughout the world have been working to assess the interdisciplinary interaction and interdependence between health and wellbeing in a constantly changing environment. The One Health concept was developed to encourage sustainable collaborative partnerships and to promote optimal health for people, animals, plants, the environment, and the whole planet. The dissemination of scientific discoveries and policies, by working directly with diverse communities, has been one of the main goals for Global One Health. The One Health concept has also been referred or related to as "One Medicine, One Medicine-One Health, One World-One Health, EcoHealth," and Planetary Health," depending on each fundamental view and approach. In Latin America, despite the concept still being discussed among health professionals and educators, several One Health initiatives have been used daily for more than decades. One Health action has been applied especially in rural and underserved urban areas where low socioeconomic status, lack of health professionals, and scarcity of medical resources may require professionals to work together. Local communities from diverse social and economic statuses, including indigenous populations have been working with institutions and social organizations for many years, accomplishing results through grassroots movements. These "bottom-up" socio-community approaches have also been tools for the prevention and control of diseases, such practice has preceded the One Health concepts in Latin American countries. It is strongly believed that collaborative, multidisciplinary, political, and economic initiatives with prosocial focus may become investments toward obtaining significant results in the face of global, economic and health challenges; working for a healthier world with inclusivity, equity, and equality. In this study, it is briefly presented how the One Health approach has been initiated and developed in Latin America, highlighting the events and actions taken in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

Gastrointestinal parasites in the opossum Didelphis aurita: Are they a potential threat to human health?

Currently, a great proportion of the emerging infectious human diseases are zoonotic, with most of the pathogens originated from wildlife. In this sense, synanthropic animals such as marsupials play important role in the dissemination of pathogens due to their proximity to human dwellings. These hosts are affected by many gastrointestinal parasites, including species with zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites infecting the black-eared opossum D. aurita captured in urban areas of Southeastern, Brazil. In addition, the potential risk for the human population based on the One Health perspective has been discussed. Forty-nine marsupial specimens were captured with Tomahawk live traps and fecal samples were collected. The samples were evaluated by parasitological procedures. Eggs and oocysts were analyzed at different magnifications (400 × and 1000 ×), and their identification, together with adult nematodes, was established on morphological and morphometric data. Forty-three hosts (87.76%) scored positive for at least one gastrointestinal parasite, being 83.67% (41/49) for helminths, and 65.30% (32/49) for protozoa. For Cryptosporidium sp., only 13 samples were evaluated due to insufficient amount of feces obtained of some animals. A prevalence of 23.08% (3/13) was reported for this parasite. PCR analysis revealed Ancylostomatidae eggs to belong to the genus Ancylostoma. Our results demonstrated that multiparasitism is frequently found in these animals and a high percentage of potentially zoonotic parasites are observed, implying that D. aurita may be involved in zoonotic cycles in urban environments.

Ticks, fleas and endosymbionts in the ectoparasite fauna of the black-eared opossum Dipelphis aurita in Brazil.

Ticks and fleas are essential vectors of pathogens that affect humans and animals, and among their hosts, synanthropic animals such as the black-eared opossum, Didelphis aurita, play a role in public health due to their ability to move between urban centers and forested areas in Brazil. This study aimed to assess the ectoparasite fauna of D. aurita, as well as the presence of pathogens and endosymbionts in ticks and fleas. Opossums (n = 58) captured in Tomahawk livetraps were examined for ectoparasites, and their blood sampled for further analysis. Additionally, spleen samples were collected in individuals found dead. Samples were PCR screened for Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Anaplasmataceae, and Babesia spp. Two tick species were morphologically identified as Ixodes loricatus 24/58 (41.4%) and Amblyomma sculptum 1/58 (1.7%). For fleas, Ctenocephalides felis was detected in 60.3% (35/58) of the animals, and Xenopsylla cheopis in 5.2% (3/58). PCR analysis detected Anaplasmataceae DNA in 34% (16/47) of pooled samples of C. felis, and in 66.7% (2/3) pooled samples of X. cheopis. Sequence analysis revealed Wolbachia pipientis symbiont in all positive samples. Tick, blood and spleen samples were all negative for the microorganisms assessed. These findings suggest that these arthropods circulate among wildlife and urban environments, which may implicate in their participation in the cycle of zoonotic pathogens among opossums, humans and companion animals.

SALMONELLA SPP. INFECTION IN PSITTACIDAE AT A WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER IN THE STATE OF MATO GROSSO DO SUL, BRAZIL.

The growing interest in wild birds as pets and the increasingly complex interspecific relationships due to human activities in wild environments underscore the need for better knowledge about the health of these animals. Salmonella stands out among the infectious agents of considerable importance to both animal and human health. The importance of these enterobacteria to the health of humans and livestock animals has long been known. In wild birds in countries such as Brazil, however, little is known regarding the frequency of infection and the main serotypes of occurrence. In the present study, the frequency of infection and the main serotypes of Salmonella spp. were investigated in 258 birds at a wild animal rehabilitation center using conventional microbiological methods and molecular diagnostic techniques. Four birds infected with Salmonella enterica were identified using PCR. The birds were of the species Brotogeris chiriri, Ara ararauna, and Eupsittula aurea. Sequencing of DNA revealed identity with the Javiana, Newport, and Arizonae serotypes. These results are of considerable importance to the implementation of management and control measures directed at human and animal health.

Canine Rabies in the Brazil-Bolivia Border Region from 2006 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: After 2006 the cross-border region between the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) and the Germán Busch Province (Bolivia) became risk areas for canine rabies antigenic variant 1, previously unknown in the Brazilian territory. OBJECTIVES: To perform a descriptive analysis of canine rabies from 2006 to 2014, analyzing the database of the official rabies diagnostic laboratory of the State Agency of Animal and Plant Health Protection of Mato Grosso do Sul. METHODS: A descriptive analysis of canine rabies from 2006 to 2014 was performed using the database of the official rabies diagnostic laboratory of the State Agency of Animal and Plant Health Protection of Mato Grosso do Sul. Location, time and residence status of the animals were analyzed. Monthly frequencies were calculated as the ratio of the number of positive samples to the total of sent samples and were then statistically compared. FINDINGS: In the period, 539 samples of nervous system from dogs and cats were sent for rabies diagnosis, of which 37 (6.9%; CI95% 5.0-9.3) canine and no positive feline samples were found positive. Twenty-four (64.9%, CI95% 48.8-78.2) positive samples were from Bolivia and 13 (31.1%, CI95% 21.8-51.2) from Brazil. Most positive animals were owned. The years 2008 and 2009 showed the highest occurrence of canine rabies, with 18 cases recorded in 2008 and 6 in 2009 (17 in Bolivia and 7 in Brazil). Annual samples sent in Brazil presented a decreasing trend (R2 = 0.53) and, over the months, a higher concentration of samples was observed between May and August (R2 = 0.69). No annual or monthly trends were observed for Bolivian samples (R2 < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: AgV1 canine rabies due to antigenic variant 1 is still considered an endemic disease in the Brazil-Bolivia border region, requiring an international One Health Approach to mitigate canine rabies in Latin America.

Análise comparativa entre isolamento microbiológico convencional e PCR para detecção de Salmonella spp. em produtos cárneos / Comparative analysis between conventional microbiological isolation and PCR for detection of Salmonella spp. in meat products

Salmonella spp. está entre os principais agentes causadores de doenças de origem alimentar no mundo, representando um sério problema para saúde pública, portanto, a fiscalização de alimentos deve contar com métodos sensíveis e eficientes para detecção deste micro-organismo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma análise comparativa entre o isolamento microbiológico convencional e Reação em Cadeia Polimerase (PCR) para detecção de Salmonella spp. em produtos cárneos. Foram analisadas 22 amostras recebidas pela Agência Estadual de Defesa Sanitária Animal e Vegetal de Mato Grosso do Sul, sendo duas amostras de carne in natura resfriada, duas de charque, duas de mortadela, duas de salsichão e 14 de linguiça frescal. O cultivo microbiológico foi realizado conforme as normas vigentes no Brasil e para a PCR foram utilizados 1,5mL de solução salina peptonada tamponada a 1% e 1,5mL dos caldos Rappaport Vassiliadis (RSV) e Selenito Cistina (SC) de cada amostra. No método convencional não foram detectadas amostras positivas, enquanto na PCR, das 22 amostras, 13 foram positivas (59,1%). O caldo SC e solução salina permitiram melhor detecção do DNA de Salmonella spp., principalmente para as amostras de linguiça frescal, que apresentaram maior número de positivos. As duas amostras de salsichão e mortadela provenientes do caldo Rappaport Vassiliadis e uma de salsichão do caldo SC tiveram o DNA degradado, não sendo possível determinar se realmente estavam contaminadas pela bactéria. Não foi observada correlação entre a data de fabricação dos produtos e a data do início dos testes para detecção de Salmonella spp. De acordo com os resultados obtidos a PCR foi superior ao método microbiológico convencional para detecção de Salmonella spp. em produtos cárneos, apesar do protocolo de extração de DNA escolhido não ter sido eficiente para algumas amostras de salsichão e mortadela.

Salmonella spp. is one of the main agents causing foodborne diseases in the world and represents a serious problem for public health. Therefore, food control must have sensitive and efficient methods to detect this microorganism. The objective of the present study was to perform a comparative analysis between conventional microbiological isolation and PCR for the detection of Salmonella spp. in meat products. Twenty-two samples received from the State Agency for Animal and Plant Health Protection of Mato Grosso do Sul were analyzed, two samples of fresh meat, two of beef jerky, two of mortadella, two of sausage and 14 of fresh sausage. Microbiological culture was carried out according to the Brazilian norms, and 1.5mL of buffered peptone saline solution at 1% and 1.5mL of the Rappaport Vassiliadis (RVS) and Selenito Cistina (SC) broths of each sample were used for PCR. In the conventional method, no positive samples were detected, while for PCR, of the 22 samples, 13 were positive (59.1%). The SC broth and saline solution allowed a better detection of Salmonella spp. DNA, especially for the fresh sausage samples, which presented a higher number of positives. The two samples of sausage and mortadella from the RVS and one from SC had the DNA degraded and it was not possible to determine if these meat products were actually contaminated by the bacteria. No correlation was observed between the date of manufacture of the products and the start date of the tests for Salmonella spp. According to the results, PCR was superior to the conventional microbiological method for the detection of Salmonella spp. in meat products, although the chosen DNA extraction protocol was not efficient for some samples of sausage and mortadella.

Spatial and simultaneous seroepidemiology of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in dog owners and their dogs from randomly selected households in a major city of southern Brazil.

Although leishmaniasis has been described as a classic example of a zoonosis requiring a comprehensive approach for control, to date, no study has been conducted on the spatial distribution of simultaneous Leishmania spp. seroprevalence in dog owners and dogs from randomly selected households in urban settings. Accordingly, the present study aimed to simultaneously identify the seroprevalence, spatial distribution and associated factors of infection with Leishmania spp. in dog owners and their dogs in the city of Londrina, a county seat in southern Brazil with a population of half a million people and ranked 18th in population and 145th in the human development index (HDI) out of 5570 Brazilian cities. Overall, 564 households were surveyed and included 597 homeowners and their 729 dogs. Anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies were detected by ELISA in 9/597 (1.50%) dog owners and in 32/729 (4.38%) dogs, with significantly higher prevalence (p = 0.0042) in dogs. Spatial analysis revealed associations between seropositive dogs and households located up to 500 m from the local railway. No clusters were found for either owner or dog case distributions. In summary, the seroepidemiological and spatial results collectively show a lack of association of the factors for infection, and the results demonstrated higher exposure for dogs than their owners. However, railway areas may provide favorable conditions for the maintenance of infected phlebotomines, thereby causing infection in nearby domiciled dogs. In such an urban scenario, local sanitary barriers should be focused on the terrestrial routes of people and surrounding areas, particularly railways, via continuous vector surveillance and identification of phlebotomines infected by Leishmania spp.

Pesquisa de Salmonella spp. e microrganismos indicadores em carcaças de frango e água de tanques de pré-resfriamento em abatedouro de aves / Research of Salmonella spp. and indicators microorganisms in poultrycarcasses and chilling tanks water in poultry slaughterhouse

O objetivo desse trabalho foi pesquisar Salmonella spp. e microrganismos indicadores (coliformestotais-CT, coliformes termotolerantes-CTT, aeróbios mesófilos-AM e microrganismos psicrotróficos-MP) em carcaças de frango e água dos tanques de pré-resfriamento em um frigorífico do norte do Paraná.Foram analisadas 120 carcaças de frango (60 antes do pré-chiller e 60 após a saída do chiller) e 120amostras de água (60 pré-chiller e 60 do chiller), totalizando 20 coletas. Para as análises utilizaram-se ametodologia recomendada pela legislação brasileira e sistema PetrfilmTMAC. Salmonella spp. foi isoladaem uma carcaça antes do pré-chiller e outra após a saída do chiller, ambas identificadas como SalmonellaO8, 20: z4, z23. Nas amostras de água foram isolados e identificados seis sorovares no pré-chiller, cincoSalmonella O8,20;z4,z23 e um S. Tennessee. As médias de CT nas carcaças antes do pré-chiller e após asaída do chiller e na água destes tanques foram 3,74 NMP/g, 3,10 NMP/g e 4,00 NMP/100mL / 2,81 NMP/100mL respectivamente; CTT 3,65 NMP/g / 3,00 NMP/g e 3,81 NMP/100mL / 2,73 NMP/100mL; AM 6,40UFC/g / 5,60 UFC/g e 4,40 UFC/mL / 4,13 UFC/mL; MP 4,21 UFC/g e de 3,66 UFC/g. Nas carcaças defrango antes do pré-chiller e após o chiller e na água do pré-chiller e chiller não foi observadadiferença significativa (p>0,05) nos índices de contaminação com relação aos microrganismos indicadoresestudados. Pelos resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que no frigorífico estudado não houve reduçãoda contaminação bacteriana das carcaças durante a passagem pelos tanques.

The purpose of this work was to research the Salmonella spp. and indicators microorganisms (total coliforms-CT, thermotolerant coliforms-CTT, mesophlic aerobes-AM and psychotrophic microorganisms) in poultry carcasses and chilling tanks water in a poultry slaughterhouse in north of Paraná state. Had been analyzed 120 poultry carcasses (60 before the entrance in the chilling tank and 60 after the exit of the chilling tank) and 120 water samples (60 from pre-chiller tank and 60 from chiller tank), totalizing 20 collections. For the analyses was used the brazilian legislation and PetrifilmTMAC. Salmonella spp. was isolated in one poultry carcass before the entrance in the chilling tank and other after the exit of the chilling tank, both identified as Salmonella O8,20;z4,z23. In the water samples was recognized six serovars in pre-chiller tank, five as Salmonella O8,20;z4,z23 and one S. Tennessee. The means of TC on carcasses before the entrance and after the exit of the tanks and in the water samples from pre-chiller tank and in chiller were 3,74 MPN/g / 3,10 MPN/g and 4,00 MPN/100mL / 2,81 MPN/100mL respectively; the mean of TCC was 3,65 MPN/g / 3,00 MPN/g and 3,81 MPN/100mL / 2,73 MPN/100mL; the mean of MA was 6,40 CFU/g / 5,60 CFU/g and 4,40 CFU/mL e 4,13 CFU/mL; the mean of MP was 4,21 CFU/g /3,66 CFU/g and . It was not observed any significant difference (p>0,05) in contamination index neither in poultry carcasses nor in tank water samples. It is possible to conclude that chilling tanks were not able to remove the microorganisms from the carcasses and could contribute to cross-contamination due to elevate water contamination.

Eficácia dos tanques de pré-resfriamento na redução de contaminação bacteriana em carcaças de frango / Chilling tanks effectiveness on the reduction of bacterial contamination of poultry carcasses

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a eficácia dos tanques de pré-resfriamento na redução da contaminação microbiana de carcaças de frango. As amostras foram coletadas de um abatedouro no período de março a setembro de 2005, totalizando 20 coletas. Foram coletadas amostras de carcaças em três horários representando o início, meio e final do turno matutino de abate sendo 60 amostras (20 em cada horário) antes da entrada no pré-chiller e 60 amostras (20 em cada horário) após a saída do chiller. As amostras de frango foram submetidas à pesquisa de coliformes totais (CT), coliformes termotolerantes (CTT), aeróbios mesófilos (AM) e psicrotróficos (MP). A enumeração de CT e CCT foi realizada através da técnica dos tubos múltiplos, a de AM através do sistema Petrifilm tmC e a contagem de MP em Agar Padrão para Contagem. As médias mais elevadas do número mais provável de CT e CTT (3,83 log NMP/g e 3,78 log NMP/g, respectivamente) e das contagens de AM e MP (6,61 log UFC/g e 4,58 log UFC/g, respectivamente) nas carcaças ocorreram no primeiro horário de coleta, antes da entrada no pré-chiller. Observou-se uma diminuição significativa (p<0,05) do NMP de CT e CTT e contagem de AM nas carcaças, após a saída dos tanques de resfriamento, no primeiro horário de coleta, indicando que os tanques de pré-resfriamento, no frigorífico estudado, foram eficazes na remoção de microrganismos das carcaças apenas no início dos trabalhos de abate. Não foi detectada a presença de CT e CTT nas amostras de águas de abastecimento.