First isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera).

There are currently no reports on the isolation and molecular examination of Toxoplasma gondii from bats. Here, we report the isolation and genotypic characterisation of two T. gondii isolates from bats. A total of 369 bats from different municipalities in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, were captured and euthanised, and collected tissues (heart and pectoral muscle) were processed for each bat or in pools of two or three bats and bioassayed in mice (a total of 283 bioassays). Eleven PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) markers were used to genotype positive samples: SAG1, SAG2 (5'-3'SAG2 and alt. SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, c22-8, c29-2, PK1, CS3 and Apico. The parasite was isolated from two bats from São Paulo city: an insectivorous bat, the velvety free-tailed bat Molossus molossus, and a hematophagous bat, the common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus. Isolates were designated TgBatBr1 and TgBatBr2, respectively. The genotype of the isolate from M. molossus (TgBatBr1) has been previously described in an isolate from a capybara from São Paulo state, and the genotype from the D. rotundus isolate (TgBatBr2) has already been identified in isolates from cats, chickens, capybaras, sheep, a rodent and a common rabbit from different Brazilian states, suggesting that this may be a common T. gondii lineage circulating in some Brazilian regions. Isolation of T. gondii from a hematophagous species is striking. This study reveals that bats can share the same isolates that are found in domesticated and wild terrestrial animals. This is the first report of the isolation and genotyping of T. gondii in chiropterans.

[Occurrence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an agricultural settlement in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil]. / Ocorrência de leishmaniose visceral canina em assentamento agrícola no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.

During previous research on phlebotomine fauna in a settlement of the Brazilian National Agrarian Reform Institute (INCRA) on the Bodoquena Range, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, dogs were observed with clinical aspects suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis. A serological survey to leishmaniasis in 97 dogs, by indirect immunofluorescence test, showed 23 (23.7%) serum positive dogs. Samples of the parasites were identified as Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi.

Ocorrência de leishmaniose visceral canina em assentamento agrícola no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil / Occurrence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an agricultural settlement in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

During previous research on phlebotomine fauna in a settlement of the Brazilian National Agrarian Reform Institute (INCRA) on the Bodoquena Range, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, dogs were observed with clinical aspects suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis. A serological survey to leishmaniasis in 97 dogs, by indirect immunofluorescence test, showed 23 (23.7%) serum positive dogs. Samples of the parasites were identified as Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi.

Durante estudos sobre a fauna flebotomínea em assentamento do Instituto Nacional de Reforma Agrária (INCRA) na Serra da Bodoquena, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, foram observados cães com manifestações clínicas sugestivas de leishmaniose visceral. Inquérito sorológico para leishmaniose em 97 cães, utilizando reação de imunofluorescência indireta, mostrou 23 (23,7%) soros reagentes. Amostras do parasita foram identificadas como Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi.

[Serological survey for American cutaneous leishmaniasis in stray dogs in the S. Paulo State, Brazil]. / Inquérito sorológico sobre leishmaniose tegumentar americana em càes errantes no Estado de Sào Paulo, Brasil.

A serological survey was made in 973 stray dogs caught near green areas in S. Paulo county by the indirect immunofluorescence test. No positive serum was found, however autochthonous human cases of ACL that occurred in the county show the circulation of the parasite in the environment. This fact, associated with the existence of the vectors and the apparent absence of infected dogs in the areas studied, suggest that stray dog plays an insignificant role in the spread of the parasite. The cycle of the parasite in São Paulo county has been maintained by wild animals, hence the dog would be an accidental host just as humans.