The impact of ZIKV infection on gene expression in neural cells over time.

Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak caused one of the most significant medical emergencies in the Americas due to associated microcephaly in newborns. To evaluate the impact of ZIKV infection on neuronal cells over time, we retrieved gene expression data from several ZIKV-infected samples obtained at different time point post-infection (pi). Differential gene expression analysis was applied at each time point, with more differentially expressed genes (DEG) identified at 72h pi. There were 5 DEGs (PLA2G2F, TMEM71, PKD1L2, UBD, and TNFAIP3 genes) across all timepoints, which clearly distinguished between infected and healthy samples. The highest expression levels of all five genes were identified at 72h pi. Taken together, our results indicate that ZIKV infection greatly impacts human neural cells at early times of infection, with peak perturbation observed at 72h pi. Our analysis revealed that all five DEGs, in samples of ZIKV-infected human neural stem cells, remained highly upregulated across the timepoints evaluated. Moreover, despite the pronounced inflammatory host response observed throughout infection, the impact of ZIKV is variable over time. Finally, the five DEGs identified herein play prominent roles in infection, and could serve to guide future investigations into virus-host interaction, as well as constitute targets for therapeutic drug development.

Attraction of phlebotomine sandflies to volatiles from skin odors of individuals residing in an endemic area of tegumentary leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated what could attract insects of medical importance and a crucial role has lately been attributed to human skin odors. Most of these researches have been concerned with mosquitoes, e.g., vectors of dengue and malaria. Little is known about volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from human skin odors and their effects on leishmania vectors. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify the VOCs from human skin that can be attractive to female anthropophilic phlebotomine sandflies. RESULTS: Forty-two VOCs were identified from skin odors of 33 male volunteers, seven of which were tested in wind tunnel assays employing field-captured phlebotomine sandflies (75.4% identified as Lutzomyia intermedia). Hexane and (E)-oct-3-en-1-ol (octenol) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. 2-Phenylacetaldehyde (hereafter called phenylacetaldehyde), 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one (also known as sulcatone), nonadecane and icosane were found to activate female phlebotomine sandflies, but only phenylacetaldehyde, 6-methylhepten-5-en-2-one and icosane elicited attraction responses. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that phenylacetaldehyde, 6-methylhepten-5-en-2-one and icosane may be suitable candidates for attractiveness experimentation in the field which can be an important tool to develop strategies concerning human beings protection against phlebotomine sandflies bites and consequently against leishmaniasis.

Infection by Mycobacterium bovis in a dog from Brazil

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease caused by bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MtbC). This disease rarely affects dogs. Canine infections are usually caused by M. tuberculosis. Mycobacterium bovis infections are rare in dogs and associated with consumption of raw milk or contaminated products. Here, we report a Boxer dog who had a M. bovis infection and was admitted to a Brazilian veterinary hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of chronic ehrlichiosis. Despite receiving treatment for chronic ehrlichiosis, it progressed to death. TB was diagnosed during post-mortem examinations using histopathological analysis. Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed acid-fast bacilli in the kidneys, liver, mesentery, and a mass adhered to the liver. Further, PCR-restriction analysis was performed to identify mycobacteria in the samples. A restriction profile compatible with MtbC was found in the lungs. In addition, PCR-based MtbC typing deletions at different loci of chromosome 9 enabled the identification of M. bovis in the lungs. Therefore, it is very essential to perform differential diagnosis of TB in dogs with non-specific clinical signs and who do not respond to treatment, particularly those who had been in contact with TB-infected cattle or owners. Further, we highlight the use of molecular methods for the identification of bacilli, improving the diagnosis and aiding epidemiological studies.

Infection by Mycobacterium bovis in a dog from Brazil.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease caused by bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MtbC). This disease rarely affects dogs. Canine infections are usually caused by M. tuberculosis. Mycobacterium bovis infections are rare in dogs and associated with consumption of raw milk or contaminated products. Here, we report a Boxer dog who had a M. bovis infection and was admitted to a Brazilian veterinary hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of chronic ehrlichiosis. Despite receiving treatment for chronic ehrlichiosis, it progressed to death. TB was diagnosed during post-mortem examinations using histopathological analysis. Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed acid-fast bacilli in the kidneys, liver, mesentery, and a mass adhered to the liver. Further, PCR-restriction analysis was performed to identify mycobacteria in the samples. A restriction profile compatible with MtbC was found in the lungs. In addition, PCR-based MtbC typing deletions at different loci of chromosome 9 enabled the identification of M. bovis in the lungs. Therefore, it is very essential to perform differential diagnosis of TB in dogs with non-specific clinical signs and who do not respond to treatment, particularly those who had been in contact with TB-infected cattle or owners. Further, we highlight the use of molecular methods for the identification of bacilli, improving the diagnosis and aiding epidemiological studies.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Brucella abortus e anti-Brucella canis em cães rurais e urbanos do Município de Monte Negro, Rondônia, Brasil / Anti-Brucella abortus and anti-Brucella canis antibodies occurrence in rural and urban dogs from Monte Negro county, Rondônia, Brazil

Foram avaliados 304 cães de ambiente rural e urbano do município de Monte Negro, Rondônia, através do Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado (AAT), Soroaglutinação Lenta em Tubos (SAL) e 2-Mercaptoetanol (2-ME) para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Brucella abortus e da Imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA) e Imunodifusão em gel de ágar com soro tratado com 2-Mercaptoetanol (IDGA-ME) para Brucella canis. Foram consideradas positivas as amostras reagentes nas provas confirmatórias do 2-ME e IDGA-ME. Verificaram-se 56 (18,4 por cento) animais reagentes ao AAT e 12 (4,0 por cento) reagentes a SAL. Apenas um cão (0,3 por cento) foi considerado positivo, confirmado pela prova do 2-ME. Foram observadas 11 (3,6 por cento) reações á IDGA, porém não houve confirmação na prova do IDGA-ME. Ressalta-se a baixa ocorrência de cães positivos ao 2-ME e a ausência de animais reagentes á IDGA-ME.