Molecular detection of Leucocytozoon in red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata), a non-migratory bird species in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Avian Haemosporidian parasites - Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Fallisia - have a wide distribution except for Antarctica. Leucocytozoon sp. has been poorly described in Brazil, and few studies have indicated infections in birds from the Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, Pampa and Amazon biomes. This study describes, for the first time, the occurrence of Leucocytozoon infection in red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata) in the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado biome) using molecular diagnosis. Leucocytozoon spp. lineage CARCRI01 was detected in three C. cristata, a non-migratory bird, confirming transmission in mid-elevation areas in central Brazil. Further studies are needed to certify whether infections in red-legged seriemas were not abortive and to elucidate Leucocytozoon infection at low altitudes in the Brazilian lands.

Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in small wild mammals from preserved and non-preserved areas in the Caatinga biome, a semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil.

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 152 free-living small wild mammals from distinct regions in the Caatinga biome, a semi-arid region in the Northeast of Brazil: the National Park of Serra das Confusões (NPSC), which is a preserved area in the state of Piauí, and the municipalities of Petrolina and Lagoa Grande, two non-preserved areas in the state of Pernambuco. Using the modified agglutination test (MAT), we found that 5.3% (4/75) and 3.3% (2/60) of small wild mammals were positive for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in the NPSC and Petrolina, respectively. All mammals from Lagoa Grande (0/17) tested negative on the MAT. Indirect infection of T. gondii was determined by MAT in Galea spixii, Monodelphis domestica and Thrichomys laurentius (from NPSC) and in Didelphis albiventris (from Petrolina). Seropositive animals were observed in both preserved and non-preserved areas within the Caatinga biome. Low seroprevalences observed can be related to the extreme temperature and humidity in this particular biome.

Epidemiological aspects and risk factors for infection by Leishmania infantum chagasi in dogs from municipality of Petrolina, Northeastern Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease of great concern for public health because of its high incidence and lethality. Here, we performed a serologic study of domestic dogs in the municipality of Petrolina in northeastern Brazil to evaluate the possible risk factors associated with canine seropositivity for Leishmania infantum chagasi. Blood samples from 1245 dogs in urban and rural areas were collected and examined by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The dogs were subjected to physical examination and classified according to their clinical manifestations. A questionnaire was administered to the owners to detect potential risk factors for infection with Leishmania spp. using logistic regression models. Of the 1245 dogs evaluated, 11.2% (140/1245) were seropositive in both tests (CI 95%: 9.5% to 13.1%). Approximately 60.7% of the reactive dogs were clinically suspect, with lymphadenomegaly, cutaneous ulcerations, onychogryphosis, pale mucous membranes and alopecia being the most obvious symptoms of infection. The seroprevalences in urban and rural areas were 5.4% (CI 95%: 4% to 7.1%) and 23.6% (CI 95%: 19.5% to 28.1%), respectively. The possible risk factors for the presence of anti L. infantum chagasi antibodies were the presence of a green area close to the home of the animal (OR=3.63; p<0.001), a mongrel breed (OR=2.11; p=0.025) and male gender (OR=1.51, p=0.034). The seroprevalence of L. infantum chagasi in the canine population is distributed in a heterogeneous manner, with a higher prevalence in rural areas.

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in domestic mammals from two distinct regions in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil.

The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in goats, sheep, dogs and cats from two distinct regions in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil: Serra das Confusões National Park (SCNP), a preserved area; and municipality of Petrolina, a non-preserved area. Overall, by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), the prevalence for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in goats was 5.1% (19/376) and 2.4% (9/376); in sheep, it was 10.2% (34/332) and 14.2% (47/332); in dogs, it was 19.7% (25/127) and 3.9% (5/127) and, in cats, it was 25.7% (9/35) and 5.7% (5/35), for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. For T. gondii infection, the risk factors associated with the seroprevalence was gender (female) and study area (Petrolina) for goats and only the study area (Petrolina) for dogs; and for N. caninum infection the risk factors were the age (six months to one year) and the study area (Petrolina) for sheep. The circulation of T. gondii and N. caninum was observed in both areas, with significative risk factors demonstrated of a degraded environment.

Babesia canis vogeli infection in dogs and ticks in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil / Infecção por Babesia canis vogeli em cães e carrapatos de uma região semiárida de Pernambuco

This study aimed to report the prevalence of Babesia canis vogeli in dogs and ticks in the urban and rural areas of Petrolina, Pernambuco. Serum and peripheral blood samples of 404 dogs were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and by blood smears, respectively. The presence of tick infestation was evaluated, and some specimens were submitted to DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence of antibodies anti-B. canis vogeli was determinate in 57.9% (234/404) of dogs. The direct detection of Babesia spp was obtained in 0.5% (2/404) dogs by visualization of intraerythrocytic forms. Infestation by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was observed in 54.5% (220/404) of dogs in both urban and rural areas. DNA of Babesia canis vogeli were obtained by PCR in 6% individual (3/50) and 8.7% of pool of ticks (7/80). The risk factors for the presence of anti-B. canis vogeli antibodies, as determined through the application of logistic regression models (P<0.05), were the following: medium breed size variables (P<0.001); contact with areas of forest (P=0.021); and access on the street (P=0.046). This study describes, for the first time, the confirmation of infection of B. canis vogeli in dogs and ticks in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a prevalência de Babesia canis vogeli em cães e carrapatos de áreas urbanas e rurais do município de Petrolina, Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil. Amostras de soro e sangue periférico de 404 cães foram testadas pela Reação de Imunoflorescência Indireta (RIFI), e por esfregaço sanguíneo. A presença de infestação por carrapatos foi avaliada, e alguns espécimes foram submetidos à amplificação do DNA pela Reação em Cadeia pela Polimerase (PCR). A presença de anticorpos anti-B. canis vogeli foi determinada em 57,9% (234/404) dos cães. A soroprevalência em áreas urbanas e rurais foi 48,5% e 67,3%, respectivamente. A detecção direta de Babesia spp foi obtida em 0,5% dos cães pela visualização de formas intraeritrocitárias. A infestação pelo carrapato Rhipicephalus sanguineus foi observada em 54,5% (220/404) dos cães. DNA de Babesia canis vogeli obtido pela PCR foi 6% (3/50) em carrapatos processados individualmente e 8,7% (7/80) em pools. Os fatores de risco para presença de anticorpos anti- B. canis vogeli utilizando modelo de regressão logística (P < 0,05) foram porte médio (P <0,001), contato com áreas de floresta (P = 0,021), e acesso dos cães à rua (P = 0,046). Este estudo descreve pela primeira vez a confirmação da infecção de Babesia canis infectando cães e carrapatos em uma região semiárida de Pernambuco, Brasil.