High frequency of genital carriers of Leptospira sp. in sheep slaughtered in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil.

Although some studies in sheep have indicated leptospire colonization of the genital tract, further studies are needed to clarify the role of genital carriers in this species. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the colonization of pathogenic leptospires in the genital and urinary tract of slaughtered sheep. Fifty-seven adult, female woolless sheep destined for slaughter were used. Renal (n = 57), bladder (n = 57), ovary (n = 34), uterine tube (n = 44), and uterus (n = 33) samples were collected for molecular detection of Leptospira sp. DNA, and blood samples (n = 57) for serological testing. The molecular testing was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the serological testing was performed using microscopic serum agglutination test (MAT). Samples with amplifying DNA were subjected to genetic sequencing. In total, leptospiral DNA was found in the tissues of 44 (77.2%) sheep, whereas only nine animals were positive on both PCR and MAT; there was slight agreement between PCR and MAT techniques (k = 0.0268; p = 0.684). In 61 (54.9%) genital tract and in five (4.4%) urinary tract samples, the leptospiral DNA was detected, with significant difference (p < 0.001). The genes of one sample from the uterine tube and another from the bladder were sequenced and demonstrated 99% similarity to Leptospira interrogans. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in 11 (19.3%) of the tested animals. The results reinforce the importance of the genital tract as an extra-renal site of colonization, suggesting the possibility of venereal transmission in sheep.

Abortion and fetal death in bitches due anemia caused by vector-borne diseases / Abortamento e morte fetal em cadelas devido anemia causada por doenças transmitidas por vetores

Doenças infecciosas são as maiores responsáveis por falhas reprodutivas (FR) em cadelas, causando aborto, morte fetal e natimortalidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a associação entre agentes infecciosos, FR inexplicáveis e anemia em cadelas. Todas as amostras maternas e fetais foram negativas para a presença dos principais agentes infecciosos causadores de FR: herpes vírus canino 1, Neospora caninum, Brucella spp. e B. canis, enquanto agentes como o de Leishmania spp., parvovírus canino, Ehrlichia canis e Anaplasma platys foram encontrados em sangue materno. Coinfecções de A. platys/E. canis e A. platys/Leishmania spp. foram diagnosticadas. Os resultados indicam que os animais com anemia causadas por doenças transmitidas por vetores podem ser mais suscetíveis a sofrerem FR do que animais com valores hematológicos normais.(AU)

Isolation and Characterization of Madariaga Virus from a Horse in Paraíba State, Brazil.

Madariaga virus (MADV), the new species designation for the South American isolates of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), is genetically divergent and substantially different in ecology and pathogenesis from North American EEEV strains. We isolated and characterized a MADV isolate obtained from a horse in Brazil. Our results support previous phylogenetic studies showing there are three genetically distinct MADV lineages. The MADV isolate from Paraíba State belongs to the South American lineage III and is closely related to Peruvian, Colombian and Venezuelan isolates.

Ocorrência do subtipo B do vírus da imunodeficiência felina em gatos domésticos da região sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Occurrence of subtype B of the feline immunodeficiency virus in domestic cats from the south region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

No Brasil existem poucos estudos sobre a ocorrência da infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV), assim como a determinação dos subtipos circulantes, o que é indispensável para o desenvolvimento de vacinas e novos testes diagnósticos. O presente trabalho investigou a ocorrência da infecção pelo FIV entre os anos de 2010 e 2011 em gatos domésticos submetidos a atendimento clínico na cidade de Pelotas e região. Amostras de sangue total de 70 animais, incluindo suspeitos (28) ou não suspeitos (42) da infecção pelo FIV, foram submetidas à reação de PCR nested. Os resultados indicaram uma frequência de infecção de 15,7% (11/70) e a análise dos fatores associados (sexo, idade e condição clínica) evidenciou uma maior ocorrência em gatos com idade superior a 10 anos e acometidos por infecções crônicas e recidivantes. Oito amostras positivas na PCR nested foram submetidas a sequenciamento genômico e somente o subtipo B foi detectado na região estudada.

In Brazil there are few studies on the occurrence of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection and its subtypes, which are essential for the development of vaccines and new diagnostic tests. The present study investigated the occurrence of the FIV infection between 2010 and 2011 in domestic cats submitted to medical attendance in the city of Pelotas and nearby area. Total blood samples of seventy cats, suspected (28) or not (42) of infection by FIV were analyzed by nested PCR in order to perform a diagnosis. The results pointed to a FIV infection frequency of 15.7% (11/70) and the analysis of the risk factors related to infection (sex, age and clinical condition) evidenced a greater occurrence in cats up to 10 years of age with chronic and recurrent infections. Eight samples found positive by nested PCR were submitted to DNA sequencing indicating that only the subtype B was detected in the studied region.

Occurrence and risk factors associated with canine leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a globally distributed emerging zoonosis. Dogs are commonly affected and although other serovars can cause canine leptospirosis, Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola is primary found in these animals. A retrospective study was conducted using a database of 1195 dogs tested for Leptospira infection from 2003 to 2010 at the Laboratory of Zoonosis Diagnosis at the Veterinary Hospital of São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Botucatu, São Paulo state, Brazil. The seroprevalence of infected dogs was 20.08 percent (240/1195), and the most prevalent serovars were Canicola (6.7 percent), Copenhageni (5.0 percent), Icterohaemorrhagiae (2.9 percent), Autumnalis (2.9 percent), Pyrogenes (2.8 percent), Pomona (2.0 percent), Hardjo (2.0 percent), Australis (1.8 percent), Bratislava (1.6 percent), Cynopteri (1.4 percent), Grippotyphosa (1.3 percent) and Djasiman (1.0 percent). By univariate analysis, the variables age and breed were not statistically related to the infection, while gender and season were. The effects of gender were also noticeable related to serovars Australis, Canicola and Hardjo. In multivariate analysis, the level of significance (p-value) of season was suppressed by gender, indicating possible collinearity between those two variables.

Interactions between environment, wild animals and human leptospirosis: [review]

Leptospirosis, a worldwide distributed zoononis caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira (antigenically classified into serovars), may be direct or indirectly transmitted through infected urine or environment. Several domestic and wild animals are leptospirosis reservoirs. The disease presents occupational character since it is widely reported in professionals that work in humid environments - such as sewage workers and fishermen - and in places where rodents or susceptible animals are found, like slaughterhouses and veterinary clinics. In developing countries, outbreaks are related to lack of sanitation, overcrowding in inadequate housing and climatic conditions. In developed countries, sporadic cases occur in aquatic recreational activities including swimming and triathlon. The diagnosis of leptospirosis is complex due to the variety of symptoms, disease severity and the lack of techniques that are able to early detect the infection. Thus, leptospirosis causes numerous public health problems and educational activities are very important to its control.

Anticorpos para Leptospira spp., Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães errantes albergados em canil privado / Antibodies to Leptospira spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum in mongrel dogs kept in private kennel

The serological profile of 300 mongrel dogs of various ages and gender were investigated. Animals were captured in the streets and afterwards directed to a private kennel in Avaré city (SP) to search for leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and neosporosis. Blood samples were obtained from jugular or cephalic vein for the obtention of sera. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to leptospirosis. MAT detect the prevalence of 9.3%. The most frequent reactant serovars were Bratislava (35.7%), Cynopteri (17.9%), Autumnalis (14.3%), and Copenhageni (10.7%), besides 7.1% to others serovars: Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, and Hardjo. The modified agglutination test used for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis showed 26% of positive animals, with titers varying from 16 to 256, with 16 in 3.3%, 64 in 13.7%, and 256 in 9% of the samples. To canine neosporosis, it was used the indirect fluorescent antibody test, and two animals (0.7%) demonstrated antibodies with titers 25 and 100. The results show the participation of the animals in the epidemiological chain of the researched diseases.

Hantaviruses as emergent zoonoses

Hantaviruses belong to the Bunyaviridae family, which consists of vector-borne viruses. These viruses can provoke two infection types: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) - which occurs in the Old World - and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) - an emergent zoonosis that can be found in many countries of the western hemisphere. Rodents are hantavirus reservoirs and each species seems to host a different virus type. Humans acquire the infection by inhaling contaminated aerosol particles eliminated by infected animals. The factors involved in the emergence of hantavirus infections in the human population include ecological modifications and changes in human activities. The most important risk factor is contact between man and rodents, as a result of agricultural, forestry or military activities. Rodent control remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus diseases, including via health education and hygienic habits.(AU)