Hemotropic Mycoplasmas (Hemoplasmas) in Free-Ranging Azara's Agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) from an Urban Area of Southern Brazil.

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are opportunistic bacteria that attach to the erythrocyte surface, causing infectious anemia in several mammalian species, including rodents. Studies surveying native Azara's agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) in Brazil are lacking. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess hemoplasmas infection in free-ranging agoutis from an urban environmental conservation area in Curitiba, southern Brazil. Overall, 11/35 (31.43%) agoutis were positive to hemoplasmas by quantitative PCR (cycle threshold≤34.4). Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene indicated Mycoplasma haemomuris infection, closely related to M. haemomuris subsp. ratti, suggesting hemoplasma transmission from urban rats to agoutis. Because the main route of M. haemomuris transmission has been direct rodent-to-rodent infection, the relatively lower positivity that we detected may be the result of low intraspecies contact due to the smaller social units of agoutis, generally consisting of two to four individuals, and low interspecies contact due to only sporadic agouti-rat interactions in urban settings, compared with other rodent species interactions. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether the hemoplasma infection that we found can cause clinical onset and life-threatening anemia in agoutis.

Gene duplication as a major force driving the genome expansion in some giant viruses.

IMPORTANCE: Giant viruses are noteworthy not only due to their enormous particles but also because of their gigantic genomes. In this context, a fundamental question has persisted: how did these genomes evolve? Here we present the discovery of cedratvirus pambiensis, featuring the largest genome ever described for a cedratvirus. Our data suggest that the larger size of the genome can be attributed to an unprecedented number of duplicated genes. Further investigation of this phenomenon in other viruses has illuminated gene duplication as a key evolutionary mechanism driving genome expansion in diverse giant viruses. Although gene duplication has been described as a recurrent event in cellular organisms, our data highlights its potential as a pivotal event in the evolution of gigantic viral genomes.

Case Study of Two Post Vaccination SARS-CoV-2 Infections with P1 Variants in CoronaVac Vaccinees in Brazil.

The rapid development of efficacious and safe vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been instrumental in mitigating the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Moreover, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants raised concerns on the efficacy of these vaccines. Herein, we report two cases of breakthrough infections with the P1 variant in patients vaccinated with CoronaVac, which is one of the two vaccines authorized for emergency use in the Brazilian immunization program. Our observations suggest that the vaccine reduced the severity of the disease and highlight the potential risk of illness following vaccination and subsequent infection with the P1 variant as well as for continued efforts to prevent and diagnose infection in vaccinated persons.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Vaccinal Newcastle Disease Virus Strain Isolated from an Owl (Rhinoptynx clamator).

A Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was isolated in chicken embryonated eggs after detection by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RRT-PCR) from a captive owl swab. The complete genome sequence of APMV-1/Rhinoptynx clamator/Brazil/22516/2009 (APMV-1, avian paramyxovirus type 1) was obtained using Illumina sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome classified the isolate within NDV class II genotype II.

Exploring the virome of diseased horses.

Metagenomics was used to characterize viral genomes in clinical specimens of horses with various organ-specific diseases of unknown aetiology. A novel parvovirus as well as a previously described hepacivirus closely related to human hepatitis C virus and equid herpesvirus 2 were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid of horses with neurological signs. Four co-infecting picobirnaviruses, including an unusual genome with fused RNA segments, and a divergent anellovirus were found in the plasma of two febrile horses. A novel cyclovirus genome was characterized from the nasal secretion of another febrile animal. Lastly, a small circular DNA genome with a Rep gene, from a virus we called kirkovirus, was identified in the liver and spleen of a horse with fatal idiopathic hepatopathy. This study expands the number of viruses found in horses, and characterizes their genomes to assist future epidemiological studies of their transmission and potential association with various equine diseases.

Análise espacial do risco de leptospirose canina na Vila Pantanal, Curitiba, Paraná / Spatial analysis of the risk of canine leptospirosis in the Vila Pantanal, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

A leptospirose é uma grave zoonose associada às áreas de baixa renda dos centros urbanos. Embora roedores urbanos sejam considerados como principal reservatório para a leptospirose, o cão também pode desenvolver a doença e se tornar carreador assintomático. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi utilizar a metodologia estatística baseada na teoria de processos pontuais espaciais, buscando identificar a forma como se distribuem os cães sororreagentes para a leptospirose e seus determinantes de risco em uma vila na cidade de Curitiba. A análise do modelo possibilitou identificar as regiões de sobre-risco, onde o risco de soropositividade canina à leptospirose é significativamente maior. A relação significativa do efeito espacial no desenvolvimento da doença, além das variáveis estudadas, revela que não apenas um, mas a ação conjunta dos fatores relacionados ao animal, ao proprietário e ao ambiente influencia o risco maior da doença nos locais de maior efeito espacial. O resultado da análise indica claramente os territórios em maior risco na região da Vila Pantanal, possibilitando o planejamento de ações mais específicas e dirigidas a essas áreas em um contexto de vigilância da saúde.

Leptospirosis is a serious zoonotic disease associated to low income areas of urban settings. Although rodents are considered the main reservoir for urban leptospirosis, dogs may also develop the disease and become asymptomatic carriers. The objective of this study was to apply a statistical method based on the spatial point processes theory for canine leptospirosis to identify how seroreagents dogs are spatially distributed and their risk determinants in a village of Curitiba city. The model analysis allowed the identification of over-risk regions, where seropositivity risk for canine leptospirosis was significantly higher, revealing that not just one, but the combination of animal, owner and environment factors influenced the disease risk within areas with greater spatial effect. Analysis of results clearly identified the highest risk areas in the Pantanal Village, allowing the establishment of more specific preventive actions and focused on risk areas as priority for public health surveillance.

Epidemiology of leptospirosis at Sorocaba Zoo, São Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil / Epidemiologia da leptospirose no Zoológico de Sorocaba, Estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil

Leptospirosis is considered a worldwide distributed zoonosis, caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp. Since several species of wildlife animals are reportedly reservoirs, the aim of the present study was to know the epidemiology of leptospirosis at the Sorocaba Zoo, Southern Brazil. Serum samples of wild mammals from Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Perissodactyla, Pilosa, Primates, Proboscidea and Rodentia orders, kept in captivity as well as from zoological staff were assayed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Whole blood, urine and tissue samples from wild mammals and synanthropic animals were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An epidemiological survey was applied to evaluate the risk factors for animal infection and staff level of knowledge on leptospirosis. A total of 13/229 (5.68%; CI95% 3.37-9.47%) serum samples from wild mammals were reagent on MAT. Serology from synanthropic animals, zoo staff and molecular analysis of animal samples were all negative. Leptospirosis knowledge of zoo park staff was considered medium. In conclusion, leptospiral infection occurs at the studied zoo but due to the low occurrence found, the lowest reported in literature, wild captive mammals do not act as source of infection of leptospirosis to other animals and human beings.

A leptospirose é considerada uma zoonose de distribuição mundial, causada por bactérias do gênero Leptospira spp. Uma vez que muitas espécies de animais selvagens são consideradas como reservatórios, o objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer a epidemiologia da leptospirose no Zoológico de Sorocaba, sudeste do Brasil. Amostras de soro de mamíferos selvagens cativos das ordens Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Perissodactyla, Pilosa, Primates, Proboscidea e Rodentia, assim como dos funcionários do zoo foram analisados pela soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM). Sangue total, urina e amostras de tecidos dos animais selvagens e sinantrópicos foram analisados pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR). Um questionário epidemiológico foi aplicado para se avaliar os fatores de risco de infecção por leptospira dos animais e também para avaliar o grau de conhecimento dos funcionários do parque sobre a leptospirose. Um total de 13/229 (5,68%; CI95% 3.37-9.47%) amostras de soro dos mamíferos selvagens foram reagentes na SAM. A sorologia dos animais sinantrópicos, funcionários do zoológico e a análise molecular lograram-se negativas. O conhecimento dos funcionários sobre a leptospirose foi considerado médio. Em conclusão, a infecção leptospírica ocorre no parque zoológico estudado, porém devido à baixa ocorrência encontrada, a menor descrita na literatura, os mamíferos cativos não desempenham um papel de fonte de infecção para outros animais e para o homem.

Serological profile of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in commercial sheep from São Paulo State, Brazil.

Neosporosis and toxoplasmosis are two important infections in young and adult sheep, leading to low production and abortion. This study aimed to determine the frequency of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in sheep from the eastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Serum samples (382) were collected from the sheep and assayed for T. gondii through modified agglutination test (MAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and for N. caninum antibodies, through IFAT, with cut-off titers equal to 16 (T. gondii) and 25 (N. caninum). All frozen samples were sent to the Center for Zoonoses Research (NUPEZO), Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health (DHSVP), FMVZ, UNESP, for serological tests. A total of 71/382 (18.6%) samples reacted to T. gondii, especially at titers 16 (28; 39.4%), 64 (15; 21.1%), 256 (21; 29.6%) and 1024 (6; 8.5%) by MAT, and 16 (34; 47.9%), 64 (18; 25.4%), 256 (14; 19.7%) and 1024 (5; 7%) by IFAT. As regards N. caninum, 49/382 (12.8%) samples reacted at titers 25 (17; 34.7%), 50 (11; 22.5%), 100 (11; 22.5%), and ≥ 200 (10; 20.4%). These animals presented infection but no clinical signs. Six and ten animals had high titers for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis. No significant association was observed between antibodies for both parasites (P=0.535) according to Fisher's exact test, and no correlation was found between T. gondii (MAT) and N. caninum antibody titers (r=-0.0068; P=0.895), T. gondii (IFAT) and N. caninum antibody titers (r=-0.0025; P=0.961). Thus, T. gondii and N. caninum infections were observed in farms located in São Paulo State, where sheep play an important economical role for the national and regional business.

[Continued vigilance actions, dogs role as sentinel animal to toxoplasmosis]. / Ações de vigilância continuada, papel do cão como animal sentinela para toxoplasmose.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii and its definitive host is the domestic and wild felids infecting human beings and other warmblooded animals. Dogs are considered a potential risk on the transmission due they can mechanically transmit oocysts to man. In this study, a retrospective analysis of toxoplasmic infection in dog serum samples sent to Serviço de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses/FMVZ-UNESP/Botucatu, SP, in the period of 1998 to 2007 was performed. During this period 1097 serum samples were analyzed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), with 299 (27.25%) positive. The most frequent titer was 16 (42.80%), followed by 64 (37.79%). The results indicate that T.gondii is distributed in the environment showing the role of the dog as sentinel animal to toxoplasmosis to monitor public health actions to the control of this zoonosis.