Seroprevalence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Toxoplasma gondii in sheep in semi-arid region of Ceará state / Soroprevalência de Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis de Toxoplasma gondii em ovinos de região semi-árida do estado do Ceará

ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted to investigate in 20 extensive sheep farms for the seroprevalence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (n=402) and Toxoplasma gondii (n=228). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of antibodies to C. pseudotuberculosis/T. gondii. It was observed that C. pseudotuberculosis showed the highest prevalence in the region (34.07%) with statistically significant presence (p<0.05) in ewes. Antibodies to T. gondii was reported in 14.91% of the animals studied. About C. pseudotuberculosis/T. gondii coinfection the categories of rams showed significant (p<0.05) differences, suggesting that this gender could perpetuate the diseases in the flocks. It was concluded that the knowledge about the diseases in the region under study would facilitate the execution of prophylactic measures, especially against the diseases that pose risks to the public health and cause damages to the producer.

RESUMO: O presente estudo foi conduzido para investigar a soroprevalência em 20 fazendas de criação extensiva de ovinos quanto à presença de anticorpos para Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (n=402) e Toxoplasma gondii (n=228). Ensaio de imunoabsorção enzimático (ELISA) foi utilizado para a detecção de anticorpos contra C. pseudotuberculosis/T. gondii. Observou-se que C. pseudotuberculosis apresentou a maior prevalência na região (34,07%), com presença estatisticamente significante (p <0,05) nas categorias de ovelha. Anticorpos contra T. gondii foram encontrados em 14,91% dos animais estudados. Sobre a coinfecção de C. pseudotuberculosis/T. gondii, as categorias carneiro apresentaram diferenças significativas (p <0,05), sugerindo que esse gênero poderia perpetuar as doenças nos rebanhos. Concluiu-se que o conhecimento sobre as doenças na região em estudo facilitaria a execução de medidas profiláticas, principalmente contra as doenças que apresentam riscos à saúde pública e causam danos ao produtor.

Serological and molecular investigation of Leishmania spp. infection in cats from an area endemic for canine and human leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil / Investigação sorológica e molecular da infecção por Leishmania spp. em gatos provenientes de uma área endêmica para leishmaniose canina e humana no nordeste brasileiro

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Leishmania spp. antibodies, and its association with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), in domestic cats from an area endemic for canine and human leishmaniasis in Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. Ninety-one cats were subjected to a complete clinical exam, and blood samples were collected. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to investigate the risk factors. IgG anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), with a cut-off value of 1:40. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect genetic material of Leishmania spp. in the blood samples. The presence of antibodies against FIV and antigens of FeLV was evaluated using an immunochromatographic test. Seropositivity for Leishmania spp., FIV, and FeLV was observed in 14/91 (15.38%), 26/91 (28.57%), and 3/91 (3.29%) cats, respectively. All samples gave negative results on PCR analysis. Based on these data, no significant statistical association was observed between seropositivity for Leishmania spp., and sex, age, presence of clinical signs, evaluated risk factors, and positivity for retroviruses. These findings demonstrated for the first time that cats from Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, are being exposed to this zoonosis and might be part of the epidemiological chain of transmission of visceral leishmaniasis.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a ocorrência de anticorpos contra Leishmania spp., e sua associação com o vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) e o vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV), em felinos domésticos provenientes de uma área endêmica no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, para a leishmaniose visceral canina e humana. Noventa e um gatos foram submetidos a exame clínico completo e amostras de sangue foram coletadas. Um questionário epidemiológico foi feito para investigar fatores de risco. Anticorpos IgG anti-Leishmania spp. foram identificados por meio da imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), adotando-se como ponto de corte a diluição de 1:40. A reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi executada visando detectar o material genético de Leishmania spp. a partir de amostras de sangue total. Para avaliar a presença de anticorpos contra o FIV e antígenos do FeLV foi utilizado um teste imunocromatográfico. Observou-se soropositividade em 14/91 (15,38%), 26/91 (28,57%) e 3/91 (3,29%) animais para Leishmania spp., FIV e FeLV, respectivamente. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva na PCR. Baseado nestes dados, não foi observada nenhuma associação estatística significativa entre a soropositividade para Leishmania spp. e gênero, idade, presença de sinais clínicos, fatores de risco avaliados e positividade para as retroviroses. Esses achados demonstram pela primeira vez que felinos da cidade Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, estão sendo expostos a esta zoonose, sugerindo que os mesmos podem estar participando da cadeia epidemiológica de transmissão da leishmaniose visceral.

Serological and molecular investigation of Leishmania spp. infection in cats from an area endemic for canine and human leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Leishmania spp. antibodies, and its association with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), in domestic cats from an area endemic for canine and human leishmaniasis in Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. Ninety-one cats were subjected to a complete clinical exam, and blood samples were collected. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to investigate the risk factors. IgG anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), with a cut-off value of 1:40. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect genetic material of Leishmania spp. in the blood samples. The presence of antibodies against FIV and antigens of FeLV was evaluated using an immunochromatographic test. Seropositivity for Leishmania spp., FIV, and FeLV was observed in 14/91 (15.38%), 26/91 (28.57%), and 3/91 (3.29%) cats, respectively. All samples gave negative results on PCR analysis. Based on these data, no significant statistical association was observed between seropositivity for Leishmania spp., and sex, age, presence of clinical signs, evaluated risk factors, and positivity for retroviruses. These findings demonstrated for the first time that cats from Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, are being exposed to this zoonosis and might be part of the epidemiological chain of transmission of visceral leishmaniasis.

Research on viral agents associated with feline reproductive problems reveals a high association with feline panleukopenia virus.

Although reproductive failures (RF) such as abortion, stillbirth and neonatal mortality in cats are still under researched, it is known that many RF are caused by viral agents. This research surveyed the viral agent prevalence in queens with RF. Queens were excluded from the study if their RF was caused by issues other than infection, such as genetic, traumatic, hormonal or nutritional problems, or if they had a history of RF. Blood samples from 26 pregnant females with RF were collected for complete blood counts (BCC), renal/hepatic biochemistry and glycaemic analysis. Ultrasonography was performed to evaluate gestational age and foetal viability. When possible, placentas, humours and foetal tissues were collected. Blood samples were tested by PCR and qPCR for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline alphaherpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) and carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1). All maternal samples were negative for FeLV, FIV and FeHV-1 and positive for CPPV-1. In addition, foetuses from one queen and three females were positive for CPPV-1 by qPCR and for feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) through DNA sequencing. The BCC and biochemistry results revealed significant neutrophilia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and liver enzymes. These results provide the first description of an FPV agent causing only RF-related clinical signs in queens.

Hepatozoon spp. infections in wild rodents in an area of endemic canine hepatozoonosis in southeastern Brazil.

Hepatozoon canis is a tick-borne parasite that occurs worldwide. In rural areas of Brazil, H. canis vectors remain unknown, which has led to speculation about alternative routes of transmission. Small rodents can play a role in the transmission (via predation) of Hepatozoon americanum, which led us to question whether predation might be an alternative mode of transmission for H. canis. Thus, this study investigated whether Hepatozoon spp. are present in wild small rodents in forest fragments that surround rural areas in Botucatu County, São Paulo, Brazil, where canine hepatozoonosis is endemic. The study included blood samples from 158 dogs, which were screened by microscopy and molecular analysis. Blood samples and tissues from 67 rodents were obtained for histopathology and molecular detection. The prevalence of H. canis was high (66.45%) in dogs from rural areas of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. The molecular analysis showed that wild rodent species in Brazil were infected with Hepatozoon spp. other than H. canis. Therefore, although the hypothesis that sylvatic rodents act as reservoirs for H. canis was not supported, the presence of monozoic cysts in the rodents suggests that, in addition to intermediate hosts, wild small rodents in Brazil might act as paratenic hosts of Hepatozoon spp. because they harbor infective stages for intermediate host predators.