Lack of molecular evidence of fecal-borne viruses in capybaras from São Paulo state, Brazil, 2018-2020: a minor public health issue.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the world's largest rodent species distributed throughout South America. These animals are incredibly tolerant to anthropogenic environments and are occupying large urban centers. Capybaras are known to carry potentially zoonotic agents, including R. rickettsia, Leishmania spp., Leptospira spp., Trypanosoma spp., Salmonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and rabies virus. Focusing on the importance of monitoring potential sources of emerging zoonotic viruses and new viral reservoirs, the aim of the present study was to assess the presence of fecal-borne viruses in the feces of capybaras living in urban parks in São Paulo state, Brazil. A total of 337 fecal samples were collected between 2018 and 2020 and screened for the following: (i) Rotavirus group A (RVA) by ELISA; (ii) non-RVA species and Picobirnavirus (PBV) using PAGE; (iii) Human Bocaparvovirus (HBoV), Bufavirus (BuV), Tusavirus (TuV), and Cutavirus (CuV) qPCR; (iv) Human Enterovirus (EV), Norovirus GII (NoV), and Hantavirus by in houses RT-qPCR; (v) SARS-CoV-2 via commercial RT-qPCR kit assay; and (vi) Astrovirus (AstV) and Adenovirus (AdV) using conventional nested (RT)-PCRs. All fecal samples tested were negative for fecal-borne viruses. This study adds further evidence that the fecal-borne viruses is a minor public health issue in Brazilian capybaras, at least during the surveillance period and surveyed areas. Continuous monitoring of sylvatic animals is essential to prevent and control the emergence or re-emergence of newly discovered virus as well as viruses with known zoonotic potential.

Leiomyosarcoma with widespread metastases in a capybara.

A 10.5-y-old intact female capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) with a history of chronic weight loss was euthanized following discovery by palpation of a large intra-abdominal mass. Postmortem examination revealed a large, firm, tan mass expanding the uterine body and extensively adhered to the jejunum and abdominal wall. Numerous pinpoint to 3-cm diameter, tan-to-red, raised masses were present throughout the parietal peritoneum, liver, lungs, and intestinal serosa. Histologic examination of the uterine mass revealed well-differentiated smooth muscle intermixed with abundant collagen, interspersed with a highly anaplastic spindle cell population extending to the serosa; the masses in the lung, liver, and peritoneum were histologically very similar to the anaplastic uterine spindle cells. Immunohistochemical staining of the uterus and lung confirmed smooth muscle origin of the anaplastic cells. To our knowledge, leiomyosarcoma has not been reported previously in a capybara, and the widespread metastases in this case represent an unusually aggressive presentation of this rare malignancy. The animal also had an incidental dermal histiocytoma, a tumor that has also not been reported previously in this species, to our knowledge.

Fluazuron orally administered to guinea pigs: pharmacokinetic and efficacy against Amblyomma sculptum.

BACKGROUND: Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), the most lethal tick-borne disease in the Western Hemisphere, is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by the bite of Amblyomma sculptum. Capybaras are considered primary hosts of this tick and amplifier hosts of R. rickettsii, generating new infected lineages of A. sculptum in BSF-endemic areas. To define a possible treatment regimen for controlling the tick A. sculptum in capybaras, the aim of this study was to establish an effective fluazuron (FLU) dose to control A. sculptum larvae in artificially infested guinea pigs. METHODS: In Study I (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis), 24 guinea pigs were divided into four equal groups: control group (CG; untreated) and treated groups receiving FLU administered by gavage in three doses: G1-1 mg/kg, G2-5 mg/kg and G3-10 mg/kg, once a day for 15 days (d0 to d + 14). Blood samples were collected from the animals of the treated groups before and at d + 1, + 2, + 4, + 7, + 15 and + 21. The guinea pigs were artificially infested at d + 7 with A. sculptum larvae, and specimens were recovered at d + 11 to d + 14 and kept in a climatized chamber for 14 days. In Study II (evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters), one group of eight animals received FLU administered by gavage in a single dose of 10 mg/kg, and blood samples were collected before and on day 0 (8 h after treatment), + 1, + 4, + 7, + 15, + 21 and + 28 after single FLU administration. FLU was analyzed in plasma samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. RESULTS: FLU plasma concentrations increased quickly, indicating rapid absorption, and decreased slowly. Some larvae from all treated groups exhibited morphological and behavioral changes. FLU interfered in molting, and the efficacy obtained was 100% for all treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results offer promising perspectives for the development of a palatable feed cube containing FLU for free-living capybaras to control A. sculptum and also to prevent BSF in areas where capybaras have been shown to play a primary role.

Absence of yellow fever virus circulation in wildlife rodents from Brazil.

Yellow fever (YF), caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), is an emerging viral zoonosis that affects humans and non-human primates (NHP). In South America, YF is naturally maintained through enzootic/sylvatic cycles involving NHPs and mosquitoes (Haemagogus and Sabethes). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed wildlife rodents to better understand their role in a potential alternative YF sylvatic cycle. The plaque reduction neutralization test was performed to detect anti-YFV antibodies, while qPCR targeting the NS5 region of flaviviruses and standard PCR targeting the CprM region were applied to detect YFV RNA in tissue and blood samples. YFV was not evidenced in any of the tested samples. These findings provide additional information regarding sylvatic YFV and emphasize the importance of YFV surveillance in wild animals as potential reservoirs/hosts given the well-established enzootic cycle in the studied areas, mainly in the Atlantic Forest.

Novel Anaplasmataceae agents Candidatus Ehrlichia hydrochoerus and Anaplasma spp. Infecting Capybaras, Brazil.

We amplified Ehrlichia and Anaplasma DNA from Amblyomma dubitatum tick-infested capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in southern Brazil. Sequencing of 16S rRNA, sodB, and groEL indicated a novel Ehrlichia species, and sequencing of 16S rRNA from 2 capybaras indicated a novel Anaplasma species. The tick vectors remain unknown.

Fatal Brazilian spotted fever in a healthy military man during field training in Rio de Janeiro city, southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Brazilian spotted fever, a zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks, is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. We report a fulminant case of this zoonosis in a healthy 46-year-old military man in the urban region of Rio de Janeiro city, in October, 2021. Ticks and capybaras (Amblyomma sculptum, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, respectively) were identified in the military fields, pointing to the participation of this large synanthropic rodent, recognized as an efficient amplifier host of Rickettsia rickettsii in Brazil. As the military population is considered a risk group for spotted fever, it is necessary to alert health professionals to the importance of the early detection of the disease and its adequate management, mainly in populations that are particularly at risk of exposure to ticks, in order to avoid fatal outcomes.

Serological exposure of spotted fever group Rickettsia in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from urban parks in Campo Grande, Brazilian Midwest

ABSTRACT Background: Rickettsia of the spotted fever group (SFG) has been reported in ticks and domestic animals in Campo Grande (CG), Midwest Brazil. Methods: We searched for Rickettsia in the SFG in capybaras and their ticks in an urban park in the CG. Results: The seropositivity rate was 88.2% (15/17). Although 87.7% of the capybaras sampled showed infestations with Amblyomma sculptum, A. dubitatum, and Amblyomma spp., no molecular results were detected in ticks. Conclusions: Since Rickettsia from the SFG circulates among capybaras in the urban parks of Campo Grande, this large rodent species should be monitored within the One Health Agenda.

Prosociality and reciprocity in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in a non-reproductive context.

Prosocial behaviours (providing benefits to a recipient with or without cost for the donor) have been found to be highly influenced by sex and by hierarchy. Rodents, in particular, are good model for studying prosocial responses, as they were found to exhibit intentional prosocial behaviours to reward a conspecific, and are very sensitive to reciprocity. In our study, we conducted a Prosocial Choice Test (PCT) in which four capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) living in a social group could choose between three tokens: choosing the prosocial token rewarded simultaneously the subject and a recipient, while choosing the selfish token only rewarded the subject; and choosing the null token provided no reward to anyone. Dominance within each dyad was also studied, both before and during the PCT experiment. Our results showed an influence of hierarchy: subjects were more prosocial towards the recipient when it was a subordinate than when it was a dominant individual. These results could be interpreted as a desire of strengthening a hierarchical rank regarding the subordinate, of punishing aggressive conspecifics (usually the subject's direct dominant), and of weakening dominant individuals in order to modify the pre-existing hierarchy. Additionally, our results highlighted a direct reciprocity phenomenon, a subject being more likely to be prosocial towards a prosocial recipient. All these findings suggest that prosociality could be well developed in other taxa than Primates and that, in long enough PCT experiments, subtle rules could influence individual prosocial strategies.

Free-living capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in an urban area in Brazil: biochemical and hematological parameters

Capybaras have found favorable conditions for survival and reproduction in green urban environments. In recent years, the population of these large rodents has been increasingly abundant in several brazilian cities such as Uberlândia, a municipality of the southeastern region with a Cerrado biome. Capybaras are important in the Brazilian Spotted Fever epidemiological chain, by amplifying infection rates of the vector population. However, knowledge of this host's physiology is scarce. Thus, the aim of this work was to describe hematological and biochemical parameters of free-living capybaras groups in urbanized areas in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Capybaras were captured in 4 different locations of Uberlândia city, Minas Gerais state, including 1 Condominium (P1), 1 Private Market Garden (P2), 1 Private Club (P3) and 1 Municipal Park (P4). The animals were baited into an octagonal iron corral and chemically contained with anesthetic darts. After sedated, blood was collected from the femoral vein in tubes with and without EDTA. Biochemical evaluation, hematological analysis with differential leukocyte counts and search for Dirofilaria sp. were done. The blood count and biochemistry values obtained from animals of different ages, sex and sectors (P1, P2, P3 and P4) were submitted to the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, considering 95% significance. Values that had a normal distribution were subjected to ANOVA tests followed by Student's t-test. Values that did not follow normality were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test, to obtain a P-value, with a significance level of 95%. A total of 19 capybaras were captured: 4 in P1, 6 in P2, 4 in P3 and 5 in P4. From the 19 animals, 13 were females (68.42%) and 6 were males (31.57%), 12 adults (63.15%) and 7 juveniles (36.84%). Apart from occasional skin scars and moderate to intense Ambyomma spp. tick infestations, all captured animals were healthy on a broad examination. From 5 animals captured in P4, despite the use of anticoagulant, blood from 4 animals clotted fast. No microfilariae were found in the thick drop test in any of the 19 animals sampled, and in 2 adult female capybaras captured in P1, Kurloff cells were observed. Hematological and biochemical values presented no major differences when comparing sex and age. Nevertheless, differences in liver and kidney profile were observed between the capybara groups, including ALT, alkaline phosphorus, BUN and creatinine. Blood from 4 animals clotted fast, despite the use of EDTA tubes. Blood clotting of samples with anticoagulant in this work could be associated with some physiological features inherent to capybaras. Many attempts were required to obtain enough blood from each individual due to the rapid hemostasis, what come in accordance with reports in literature. Kurloff cells were observed in 2 adult female capybaras captured in P1, which can be found in peripheral blood of female rodents during follicular phase of estrous cycle. Hematological and biochemical values differences in liver enzymes such as ALT and alkaline phosphorus, and kidney profile enzymes including BUN and creatinine could be associated to capture stress or dietetic variation between groups. Despite statistical relevant, the values were still in accordance with other works, although comparisons should be done with caution since various environments exert a diverse array of stimulus upon the animals such as parasitic, infective, stress, nutritional, social and undoubtedly blood parameters mirror them. In conclusion, this work contributes to the standardization of free-living capybaras' physiological parameters in urban areas.(AU)

Low occurrence of Bartonella in synanthropic mammals and associated ectoparasites in peri-urban areas from Central-Western and Southern Brazil.

Worldwide, Bartonella species are known to infect a wide range of mammalian and arthropod hosts, including humans. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in synanthropic mammals captured in peri-urban areas from Central-Western and Southern Brazil and their ectoparasites. For this aim, 160 mammals belonging to four species, and 218 associated arthropods were sampled. DNA was extracted and subjected to different Bartonella screening assays. Additionally, blood samples from 48 small rodents were submitted to liquid BAPGM culture followed by qPCR assay and solid culture. Two out of 55 Rattus captured in Santa Catarina state were PCR-positive for Bartonella when targeting the nuoG, 16S, and ITS loci. Sequences showed high homology with Bartonella coopersplainsensis. Conversely, all 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossum DNA samples from animals trapped in Mato Grosso do Sul were Bartonella negative in the HRM real time PCR assays targeting the ITS locus and gltA gene. Additionally, all mammal-associated ectoparasites showed negativity results based on HRM real time PCR assays. The present study showed, for the first time, the occurrence of B. coopersplainsensis in Brazil, shedding some light on the distribution of rats-related Bartonella in South America. In addition, the majority of rodents and marsupials were negative for Bartonella spp. Since B. coopersplainsensis reservoirs - Rattus spp. - are widely dispersed around the globe, their zoonotic potential should be further investigated.

Genetic diversity and lack of molecular evidence for hemoplasma cross-species transmission between wild and synanthropic mammals from Central-Western Brazil.

Globally, hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) comprise an emerging or remerging bacteria group that attaches to red blood cells of several mammal's species and in some cases, causing hemolytic anemia. Herein, we assessed the occurrence, genetic diversity, the factors coupled to mammals infection, and the phylogeographic distribution of hemoplasmas in sylvatic and synanthropic mammals and their associated ectoparasites from Brazil. We collected spleen and/or blood samples from synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus [N = 39] and Mus musculus [N = 9]), sylvatic rodents (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris [N = 14]) and opossums (Didelphis albiventris [N = 43]). In addition, ticks (Amblyomma spp. [N = 270] and lice (Polyplax spinulosa [N = 6]) specimens were also sampled. Using a PCR targeting the 16S rRNA region, out of 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossums DNA samples, hemoplasma DNA was found in 25%, 50%, and 32.5% animals, respectively. Besides, we reported hemoplasma DNA in Amblyomma sp. (22.2% [2/9]) and lice (100% [2/2]) pools samples from rats, and one female A. sculptum DNA sample (3% [1/33]) obtained from a capybara. Additionally, and in agreement with ML analysis, the network analyses showed a clear phylogenetic separation among the hemoplasmas genotypes found in the different host species sampled, thus, suggesting the absence of cross-species hemoplasmas transmission between the mammals trapped. Finally, using the NTC network analysis, we reported the same 16S rRNA Mycoplasma genotype circulating in Rattus sampled in Brazil, Hungary, and Japan.

The urban and rural capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) as reservoir of Salmonella in the western Amazon, Brazil / As capivaras urbanas e rurais (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) como reservatório de Salmonella no oeste da Amazônia, Brasil

The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest rodent in the world. In the state of Acre, Brazil, populations of capybaras have been increasing significantly. The role of capybaras in the transmission of certain bacterial zoonotic infections is not well understood, including bacteria of the genus Salmonella. Salmonella spp. generally cause enteritis or septicemia in mammals, however many mammalian species can carry the bacteria asymptomatically and shed it in their feces. To better understand the possible role of capybaras as reservoirs of Salmonella spp., we conducted a study of Salmonella within fecal samples from capybara in Acre. In a convenience sample, 54 capybaras from two urban and two rural areas of Acre were captured and kept for three to four days for sampling. None of the animals were symptomatic of any intestinal illness. Three separate fecal samples were collected from each animal, during their stays in captivity. Each sample was cultured for the presence of Salmonella spp. at the bacteriology laboratory of the Veterinary College of the Federal University of Acre. Samples were seeded in tetrationate pre-enrichment broth and in pre-enrichment broth peptone. After a 24 hour of incubation all samples were streaked on MacConkey Agar (MC) and Salmonella-Shigella Agar (SS). Suggestive colonies were submitted to biochemical analysis. Salmonella compatible colonies according to biochemical profile were submitted to serotyping (Sorokit for Salmonella - Probac do Brasil). In addition, the first sample from each of the 54 capybara was tested for Salmonella spp. using PCR targeting gene hilA. Eight (5%) of the 162 samples examined by bacterial culture were positive for Salmonella spp., while four (7%) of the 54 examined by PCR were positive. From the eight positive animals on culture, five were from urban area and three from rural area. On PCR, only one positive animal was from urban area and four were from rural area. Overall, by either test, one of the 54 animals was positive. All samples were collected in free - living animals with no apparent clinical signs of salmonellosis, indicating the potential of capybara as reservoir on this ecosystem.(AU)

A capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) é o maior roedor do mundo. No estado do Acre, Brasil, as populações de capivaras têm aumentado significativamente. O papel das capivaras na transmissão de certas infecções zoonóticas bacterianas não é bem compreendido, incluindo as bactérias do gênero Salmonella. Salmonella spp. geralmente causam enterite ou septicemia em mamíferos, porém muitas espécies de mamíferos podem carregar a bactéria de forma assintomática e eliminá-la em suas fezes. Para entender melhor o possível papel das capivaras como reservatórios de Salmonellaspp., realizamos um estudo para identificação de Salmonella spp. em amostras fecais de capivaras no Acre. Em uma amostra de conveniência, 54 capivaras de duas áreas urbanas e duas áreas rurais do Acre foram capturadas e mantidas por três a quatro dias para amostragem. Nenhum dos animais era sintomático de qualquer doença intestinal. Três amostras fecais foram coletadas de cada animal, durante sua permanência em cativeiro. Cada amostra foi cultivada para a presença de Salmonella spp. no Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Acre. As amostras foram semeadas em caldo de pré-enriquecimento tetrationato e em peptona de caldo de pré-enriquecimento. Após 24 horas de incubação, todas as amostras foram semeadas em ágar MacConkey (MC) e ágar Salmonella-Shigella (SS). Colônias sugestivas foram submetidas a análises bioquímicas. Colônias compatíveis com Salmonella de acordo com o perfil bioquímico foram submetidas à sorotipagem (Sorokit para Salmonella - Probac do Brasil). Além disso, a primeira amostra de cada uma das 54 capivaras foi testada para Salmonella spp. usando PCR, visando gene hilA. Oito (5%) das 162 amostras examinadas por cultura bacteriana foram positivas para Salmonella spp. Enquanto quatro (7%) das 54 examinadas pela PCR foram positivas. Dos oito animais positivos em cultura, cinco eram de área urbana e três de área rural. Na PCR, apenas um animal positivo era de área urbana e quatro de área rural. Considerando o diagnóstico conjunto por ambos os testes, PCR e cultura, um animal foi considerado positivo. Todas as amostras foram coletadas em animais livres, sem sinais clínicos aparentes de salmonelose, indicando o potencial da capivara como reservatório nesse ecossistema.(AU)

Natural Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi (Steel, 1885) infection among mammals from Brazilian Amazon.

Trypanosoma evansi (Kinetoplastea Trypanosomatidae) is the Trypanosoma species that infects the greatest variety of mammals worldwide. In 2014, a dog from Rio Branco/AC, in the Brazilian Amazon region, presented flagellates without evident kinetoplasts in blood and symptoms of T. evansi infection. Our aim was to investigate the occurrence of T. evansi in dogs, bats and capybaras from Rio Branco. Blood was collected from 78 dogs from residential areas near the Zoobotanical Park (PZ). The serological diagnosis by IFAT detected the presence of anti-T. evansi antibodies in 21.9% of the evaluated dogs. T. evansi DNA was detected in one dog using a higly specific target of a repeated monomer of the satellite DNA of Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) sp. Molecular diagnosis was also performed on 182 bat spleen samples collected inside PZ, and one Carollia perspicillata was positive. The DNA sequences obtained from these two samples showed similarities with T. brucei satellite DNA. Anti-T. evansi IFAT was carried out in 46 capybaras from rural and urban areas and the infection detected in 17.4% of them. We confirmed for the first time the presence of T. evansi in Acre State and describe three putative host species involved in the parasite transmission in that Amazon region. Moreover, this is the first study that confirms the infection by T. evansi through DNA sequence analysis in the Brazilian Amazon Region.

Diferenciação morfométrica entre larvas de Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888 e Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 / Morphometric differentiation between larvae of Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888 and Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899

Os carrapatos estão envolvidos em processos biológicos de uma grande variedade de organismos patogênicos. O gênero Amblyomma é o de maior importância médica, com a espécie Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888 envolvida no ciclo de transmissão da febre maculosa brasileira (FMB). Neste estudo, objetivou-se a validação molecular para uma diferenciação na característica morfométrica e no tamanho de idiossoma de larvas de duas espécies de carrapatos, Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 e A. sculptum. Larvas não alimentadas foram coletadas em duas áreas de transmissão para FMB, por meio da técnica de armadilha atrativa de CO2. Foram identificadas em nível de espécie por morfometria comparativa, análise molecular por PCR e sequenciamento genômico, com validação pela análise de concordância pelo teste Kappa. As larvas de A. dubitatum apresentaram um comprimento significativamente maior que as larvas de A. sculptum. Embora nenhuma outra espécie do gênero Amblyomma tenha sido testada neste estudo, essa técnica poderá ser utilizada nos locais onde levantamentos acarológicos prévios, baseados nos estádios de ninfa e adultos, indicaram a presença de apenas A. sculptum e A. dubitatum, geralmente mantidos por capivaras. Digno de nota, essa condição é muito comum ao longo das áreas endêmicas para FMB na região Sudeste do Brasil.(AU)

Ticks are involved in biological processes of a wide variety of pathogenic organisms. The genus Amblyomma presents the greatest medical importance, with the species Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888 involved in the transmission cycle of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF). In this study, we performed a molecular validation of the morphometric differentiation based on the idiosomal length of the larvae of A. dubitatum and A. sculptum. Unfed larvae were collected in two BSF-transmission areas, using the attractive CO2 trap technique. Larvae were identified at the species level by comparative morphometry, molecular analysis by PCR and genomic sequencing, with validation through agreement analysis by the Kappa test. The larvae of A. dubitatum showed a significantly longer idiosomal length than A. sculptum larvae. Although no other species of the genus Amblyomma has been tested in this study, this technique can be applied to places where previous acarological surveillances based on adult and nymphal ticks stages have indicated the presence of only A. sculptum and A. dubitatum, usually sustained by capybaras. Noteworthy, this condition is very common among many BSF-endemic areas in southeastern Brazil.(AU)

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from a nonendemic area in Brazil.

In South America, capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) as well as coatis (Nasua nasua) are the reservoir hosts of Trypanosoma evansi. Capybaras from a T. evansi nonendemic area in the State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, were culled because of an ongoing outbreak of Brazilian spotted fever; serum samples from these capybaras were tested for antibodies to T. evansi. Of the 172 sera tested, 17 (9.9%) were seropositive by card agglutination test, with antibody titers of 1:8-1:128; 14 (8.1%) of these 17 seropositive sera were also seropositive by indirect fluorescent antibody test, with antibody titers of 1:16-1:256. Both serologic techniques proved to be efficient, with similar results for detection of antibodies to T. evansi in capybaras from a nonendemic area in Brazil.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from Itu Municipality, São Paulo / Anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Neospora caninum em capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) do Município de Itu, São Paulo

Abstract Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the largest rodents found in South America. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in 170 free-living capybaras in a residential park area in Itu Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. Serum samples were tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for T. gondii (IFAT ≥ 1:16) and N. caninum (IFAT ≥ 1:50). Among the 170 samples analyzed, 10% (17/170) and 0% (0/170) were seropositive for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. This study confirms the widespread presence of T. gondii and reinforces the role of capybaras in the life cycle of this parasite. Capybaras may not be important as intermediate hosts of N. caninum in the studied environment.

Resumo As capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) são os maiores roedores encontrados na América do Sul. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Neospora caninum em 170 capivaras de vida livre, habitando em um condomínio fechado no Município de Itu, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Amostras de soro foram testadas por meio da Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) para T. gondii (RIFI ≥ 1:16) e N. caninum (RIFI ≥ 1:50). Entre as 170 amostras analisadas, 10% (17/170) e 0% (0/170) foram positivas para T. gondii eN. caninum, respectivamente. O presente estudo confirma a ampla distribuição de T. gondii e reforça o papel das capivaras no ciclo biológico desse parasita. Provavelmente, as capivaras não têm um papel importante como hospedeiros intermediários de N. caninum no ambiente estudado.

Anti-leptospirosis agglutinins in Brazilian capybaras (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).

BACKGROUND: The interest in commercial use of wild animals is increasing, especially regarding raising of capybaras. Although this wild species is potentially lucrative for the production of meat, oil and leather, it is suggested as a probable reservoir of leptospires. METHODS: Due to the economic importance of this species and the lack of studies concerning leptospirosis, the presence of anti-leptospirosis agglutinins was assayed in 55 serum samples of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from commercial and experimental breeding flocks located in São Paulo state, Paraná state, and Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Samples were obtained through cephalic or femoral venipunction (5 to 10 mL). Microscopic agglutination test was used according to the Brazilian Health Ministry considering as cut-off titer of 100. RESULTS: Out of the 55 samples analyzed, 23 (41.82 %) tested positive. The most prevalent serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae (56.52 %) in 13 samples, followed by Copenhageni in nine samples (39.13 %), Pomona in four samples (17.39 %), Djasiman and Castellonis in three samples each (13.04 %), Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Canicola, and Cynopteri in two samples each (8.7 %), and Andamana and Bratislava in one sample each (4.34 %). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the evidence of exposure to Leptospira spp. and the need of new studies to evaluate a higher number of capybaras from different regions to better understand the importance of leptospirosis infection in these animals and verify the zoonotic role of this species as a possible source of infection to humans and other animals.

Anti-leptospirosis agglutinins in Brazilian capybaras (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

The interest in commercial use of wild animals is increasing, especially regarding raising of capybaras. Although this wild species is potentially lucrative for the production of meat, oil and leather, it is suggested as a probable reservoir of leptospires. Methods Due to the economic importance of this species and the lack of studies concerning leptospirosis, the presence of anti-leptospirosis agglutinins was assayed in 55 serum samples of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from commercial and experimental breeding flocks located in São Paulo state, Paraná state, and Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Samples were obtained through cephalic or femoral venipunction (5 to 10 mL). Microscopic agglutination test was used according to the Brazilian Health Ministry considering as cut-off titer of 100. Results Out of the 55 samples analyzed, 23 (41.82 %) tested positive. The most prevalent serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae (56.52 %) in 13 samples, followed by Copenhageni in nine samples (39.13 %), Pomona in four samples (17.39 %), Djasiman and Castellonis in three samples each (13.04 %), Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Canicola, and Cynopteri in two samples each (8.7 %), and Andamana and Bratislava in one sample each (4.34 %). Conclusions These results suggest the evidence of exposure toLeptospira spp. and the need of new studies to evaluate a higher number of capybaras from different regions to better understand the importance of leptospirosis infection in these animals and verify the zoonotic role of this species as a possible source of infection to humans and other animals.

Anti-leptospirosis agglutinins in Brazilian capybaras (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Abstract Background The interest in commercial use of wild animals is increasing, especially regarding raising of capybaras. Although this wild species is potentially lucrative for the production of meat, oil and leather, it is suggested as a probable reservoir of leptospires. Methods Due to the economic importance of this species and the lack of studies concerning leptospirosis, the presence of anti-leptospirosis agglutinins was assayed in 55 serum samples of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from commercial and experimental breeding flocks located in São Paulo state, Paraná state, and Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Samples were obtained through cephalic or femoral venipunction (5 to 10 mL). Microscopic agglutination test was used according to the Brazilian Health Ministry considering as cut-off titer of 100. Results Out of the 55 samples analyzed, 23 (41.82 %) tested positive. The most prevalent serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae (56.52 %) in 13 samples, followed by Copenhageni in nine samples (39.13 %), Pomona in four samples (17.39 %), Djasiman and Castellonis in three samples each (13.04 %), Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Canicola, and Cynopteri in two samples each (8.7 %), and Andamana and Bratislava in one sample each (4.34 %). Conclusions These results suggest the evidence of exposure toLeptospira spp. and the need of new studies to evaluate a higher number of capybaras from different regions to better understand the importance of leptospirosis infection in these animals and verify the zoonotic role of this species as a possible source of infection to humans and other animals.

First record of herbivory of the invasive macrophyte Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae)

Invasive species can cause structural and functional changes in their non-native habitats, such as changes in the trophic chain. We describe ramet herbivory of butterfly ginger, an aggressive aquatic weed in Brazil, by capybaras in a floodplain area of a Cerrado reserve. This is the first record of herbivory of H. coronarium in invaded areas. Capybaras could be using the butterfly ginger as habitat and as a food resource, which could cause changes in apparent competition between these invasive and native macrophytes.

Espécies invasoras podem causar alterações estruturais e funcionais nos ecossistemas invadidos, tais como alterações na cadeia trófica. Neste trabalho, descrevemos o primeiro registro de herbivoria de rametas de lírio-do-brejo, erva daninha aquática agressiva no Brasil, por capivaras em uma área de várzea de uma reserva de Cerrado. Este é o primeiro registro de herbivoria de rametas de H. coronarium em áreas invadidas. As capivaras desta região podem estar se utilizando dos bancos de lírio-do-brejo como habitat e como recurso alimentar, o que poderia ocasionar alterações na competição aparente entre esta invasora e as macrófitas nativas.