The Presence of Mycobacterium leprae in Wild Rodents.

Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. There is a lack of data regarding environmental reservoirs, which may represent a serious public health problem in Brazil, especially in the state of Pará, which occupies the fourth position in incidence of cases in the country. Previous studies report evidence of infection occurring among armadillos, mangabei monkeys, and chimpanzees. In the present study, wild animals were captured and tested for the presence of anti-PGL-1 antibodies and M. leprae DNA. Fieldwork was carried out from October to November of 2016 in the cities of Curionópolis and Canaã dos Carajás, southeast of Pará state. Small and medium-sized wild animals were captured using appropriate traps. A total of 15 animals were captured. Sera and viscera fragments were collected and tested by ELISA and PCR methods. The presence of M. leprae DNA was confirmed by sequencing of specific gyrase gene in three animals of two different species, including one Necromys lasiurus (liver sample) and two Proechimys roberti (kidney and liver samples). This unprecedented finding suggests that species other than those previously reported are responsible for maintaining M. leprae in nature.

[Serological survey for arboviruses in Juruti, Pará State, Brazil]. / Vigilância sorológica para arbovírus em Juruti, Pará, Brasil.

This study aimed to measure the prevalence of antibodies to arboviruses in the area affected by the Juruti Project before local mining operations. A total of 1,597 human and 85 wild animal sera were examined, using the hemagglutination inhibition test against 19 antigens from the most prevalent arboviruses in the Brazilian Amazon and IgM-ELISA for dengue and yellow fever. Positive sera for Mayaro and Oropouche viruses were also tested by IgM-ELISA. Prevalence of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies to alphaviruses, flaviviruses, and orthobunyaviruses in humans was 28.7%, while for wild animals it was 8.2% for flaviviruses. Recent infections based on presence of IgM was confirmed for Mayaro (n = 5), Oropouche (n = 23), and dengue (n = 20). The results showed active circulation of the dengue, Mayaro, and Oropouche viruses in Juruti, as well as flaviviruses in wild animals, suggesting the circulation of these viruses in the Municipality of Juruti.

Vigilância sorológica para arbovírus em Juruti, Pará, Brasil / Serological survey for arboviruses in Juruti, Pará State, Brazil

O objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos para arbovírus na área de influência do Projeto Juruti antes da exploração mineral local. Foram examinados 1.597 soros humanos e 85 de animais silvestres. A pesquisa de anticorpos foi realizada pelo teste de inibição da hemaglutinação contra antígenos dos arbovírus mais prevalentes na Amazônia brasileira e IgM-ELISA para dengue e febre amarela. Soros humanos inibidores da hemaglutinação positivos para Mayaro e Oropouche foram também testados por IgM-ELISA. Anticorpos inibidores da hemaglutinação para alfavírus, orthobunyavirus e/ou flavivírus foram detectados, sendo 28,7 por cento reações monotípicas. Infecções recentes para Oropouche (n = 23), Mayaro (n = 5), e dengue (n = 20) foram confirmadas por IgM-ELISA. A prevalência de anticorpos inibidores da hemaglutinação em soros de animais silvestres foi de 8,2 por cento para flavivírus. Os resultados obtidos mostram que houve circulação ativa dos vírus Mayaro, Oropouche e dengue no período do estudo em humanos em Juruti, Pará, Brasil, e de diversos arbovírus em animais silvestres, indicando presença desses vírus em áreas do Município de Juruti.

This study aimed to measure the prevalence of antibodies to arboviruses in the area affected by the Juruti Project before local mining operations. A total of 1,597 human and 85 wild animal sera were examined, using the hemagglutination inhibition test against 19 antigens from the most prevalent arboviruses in the Brazilian Amazon and IgM-ELISA for dengue and yellow fever. Positive sera for Mayaro and Oropouche viruses were also tested by IgM-ELISA. Prevalence of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies to alphaviruses, flaviviruses, and orthobunyaviruses in humans was 28.7 percent, while for wild animals it was 8.2 percent for flaviviruses. Recent infections based on presence of IgM was confirmed for Mayaro (n = 5), Oropouche (n = 23), and dengue (n = 20). The results showed active circulation of the dengue, Mayaro, and Oropouche viruses in Juruti, as well as flaviviruses in wild animals, suggesting the circulation of these viruses in the Municipality of Juruti.