Rabies virus monitoring in bat populations in Rondônia state, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The Jirau hydroelectric power plant built in Rondônia state has environmental impacts that could be relevant to rabies outbreaks. METHODS: Bat populations were monitored for rabies by fluorescent antibody testing and simplified fluorescent inhibition microtesting between 2010 and 2015. RESULTS: All 1,183 bats tested negative for rabies. The prevalence of rabies antibodies was 17.5% in 1,049 bats. CONCLUSIONS: The rabies antibody dosage was not reactive in samples collected before the environmental changes, and there was a progressive increase in subsequent collections that could indicate an increase in rabies virus circulation among bats and risk of a rabies outbreak.

Hematologic profile of hematophagous Desmodus rotundus bats before and after experimental infection with rabies virus.

INTRODUCTION: Hematophagous Desmodus rotundus bats play an important role in the rabies lifecycle. This study describes the hematological profile of these bats before and after experimental infection with rabies virus. METHODS: Cells counts were performed in a Neubauer chamber. RESULTS: The average values of erythrocytes and leucocytes counts in blood before experimental infections were 9.97 × 10(6)mm3 and 4.80 × 10(3)mm3, respectively. Neutrophils represented 69.9% of white blood cells and the lymphocytes represented 26.9%. Following the experimental infections, the average numbers of erythrocytes and leucocytes was 9.43 × 106mm3 and 3.98 × 10(3)mm3, respectively. Neutrophils represented 40% of white blood cells and the lymphocytes represented 59%. CONCLUSIONS: The hematological profile given in this study can serve as reference values for D. rotundus bats.

Rabies virus monitoring in bat populations in Rondônia state, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Jirau hydroelectric power plant built in Rondônia state has environmental impacts that could be relevant to rabies outbreaks. METHODS: Bat populations were monitored for rabies by fluorescent antibody testing and simplified fluorescent inhibition microtesting between 2010 and 2015. RESULTS: All 1,183 bats tested negative for rabies. The prevalence of rabies antibodies was 17.5% in 1,049 bats. CONCLUSIONS: The rabies antibody dosage was not reactive in samples collected before the environmental changes, and there was a progressive increase in subsequent collections that could indicate an increase in rabies virus circulation among bats and risk of a rabies outbreak.

Rabies diagnosis and serology in bats from the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Bats are one of the most important reservoirs and vectors of the rabies virus in the world. METHODS: From 1988 to 2003, the Zoonosis Control Center in São Paulo City performed rabies diagnosis on 5,670 bats by direct immunofluorescent test and mouse inoculation test. Blood samples were collected from 1,618 bats and the sera were analyzed using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test to confirm rabies antibodies. RESULTS: Forty-four (0.8%) bats were positive for rabies. The prevalence of rabies antibodies was 5.9% using 0.5IU/ml as a cutoff. Insectivorous bats (69.8%) and bats of the species Molossus molossus (51.8%) constituted the majority of the sample; however, the highest prevalence of antibodies were observed in Glossophaga soricina (14/133), Histiotus velatus (16/60), Desmodus rotundus (8/66), Artibeus lituratus (5/54), Nyctinomops macrotis (3/23), Tadarida brasiliensis (3/48), Carollia perspicillata (3/9), Eumops auripendulus (2/30), Nyctinomops laticaudatus (2/16), Sturnira lilium (2/17) and Eumops perotis (1/13). The prevalence of rabies antibodies was analyzed by species, food preference and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The expressive levels of antibodies associated with the low virus positivity verified in these bats indicate that rabies virus circulates actively among them.

Characterization of rabies virus isolated from a colony of Eptesicus furinalis bats in Brazil.

Some bat species have adapted to the expanding human population by acquiring the ability to roost in urban buildings, increasing the exposure risk for people and domestic animals, and consequently, the likelihood of transmitting rabies. Three dead bats were found in the yard of a house in an urban area of Jundiaí city in the state of São Paulo in southeast Brazil. Two of the three bats tested positive for rabies, using Fluorescent Antibody and Mouse Inoculation techniques. A large colony of Eptesicus furinalis was found in the house's attic, and of the 119 bats captured, four more tested positive for rabies. The objectives of this study were to report the rabies diagnosis, characterize the isolated virus antigenically and genetically, and study the epidemiology of the colony.

Fauna de morcegos (Mammalia, Chiroptera) e a ocorrência de vírus da raiva na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil / Bat (Mammalia, Chiroptera) survey and rabies virus occurrence in São Paulo city, Brazil / La fauna de murciélagos (Mammalia, Chiroptera) y ocurrencia del virus de la rabia en la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil

Os morcegos constituem o segundo maior grupo e os mais versáteis dentre os mamíferos na exploração de alimento e abrigo. No Brasil são registradas 167 espécies, a maioria (70%) possui hábito alimentar insetívoro e os demais distribuídos entre frugívoros, nectarívoros, hematófagos, carnívoros, onívoros e piscívoros. Os que vivem em áreas urbanas são amplamente favorecidos por encontrar nas cidades abrigo e alimento. Utilizam com frequência as habitações humanas como abrigos diurnos e, por isso, já são considerados animais sinantrópicos. Esta proximidade com pessoas e/ou seus animais de estimação pode acarretar riscos de ocorrência de raiva. O Centro de Controle de Zoonoses da cidade de São Paulo (CCZ-SP) mantém um serviço que atente a população sobre problemas relacionados a morcegos e um laboratório de diagnóstico de raiva para realizar testes através de Imunofluorescência Direta e inoculação em camundongos em todos os morcegos coletados. O objetivo desse artigo é apresentar e analisar os dados do atendimento ocorrido entre 2004 e 2013. Nesse período foram atendidas 6945 solicitações e 4248 morcegos de 43 diferentes espécies foram capturados no município de São Paulo. Destes, 38 foram diagnosticados positivos para raiva, sendo 33 insetívoros, quatro frugívoros e um nectarívoro. A maioria destes animais foi encontrada em situações atípicas e em horários e locais não habituais para a espécie. Ações de educação continuada para esclarecimento da população sobre a importância dos morcegos para eliminar os mitos que os cercam são necessárias para estimular a convivência harmoniosa entre as pessoas e esses animais. Orientações técnicas sobre medidas preventivas que evitem ou eliminem seu abrigo em edificações, são fundamentais para diminuir o risco de acidentes às pessoas.

Bats are the second largest group of mammals and the most versatile of them, the diversity in their diets is not found in any other kind of mammals. Brazil holds 167 species, most has insectivorous feeding habits (70%) and the other species are distributed in frugivorous, nectarivorous, hematophagous, omnivorous and piscivorous. Bats that live in urban areas are widely favored by the large supply of food and shelter present in big cities. The human buildings are often used by these species as day roost and the easy adaptation makes bats synanthropic animals. The proximity to people and also domestic animals may represent risk of rabies transmission. The Center for Zoonosis Control in São Paulo maintains a service to attend the population that claim having problems caused by bats and a rabies laboratory that performed diagnosis by Direct Fluorescent and Mouse Inoculation tests in all bats collected. This paper presents and analysis attendance data as well as the rabies diagnosis for the period between 2004 and 2013. In this period 6945 requests were made and 4248 bats from 43 different species were captured in São Paulo City. Rabies virus was isolated in 38 bats: 33 insectivorous, four frugivorous and one nectarivorous. As for the location where positive bats were captured, most of them were found in atypical situation for their species. Programs of continuing education, aiming at instructing the population on the importance of bats and demystifying the common sense for the bats among people, as well as a technical guindance and support are necessary to stimulate the harmonious coexistence between people and these animals. Preventive measures to avoid or eliminate their shelter in buildings are essential to lower the risk of accidents with bats.

Los murciélagos son el segundo grupo más grande y el más versátil entre los mamíferos en la exploración de alimento y refugio. En Brasil se registró 167 especies, la mayoría (70%) tiene hábitos de alimentación insectívora y otros distribuidos entre los frugívoros, nectarívoros, hematófagos, carnívoros, omnívoros y piscívoros. Los que viven en las zonas urbanas son ampliamente favorecidos por las ciudades donde encuentran refugio y alimento. A menudo utilizar la habitación humana como dormideros día y por lo tanto ya se consideran animales sinantrópicos Esta proximidad a las personas y/o sus animales domésticos puede llevar a un riesgo de aparición de la rabia. El Centro de Controle de Zoonosis, en São Paulo (CCZ-SP) mantiene un servicio para informar al público sobre temas relacionados con los murciélagos y un laboratorio para la prueba de la rabia por imunofluorescencia directa e inoculación en ratones en todos los murciélagos capturados. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar los datos en que el servicio se produjo entre 2004 y 2013. Durante este período se cumplieron 6945 solicitudes y se capturaron 4248 murciélagos de 43 especies diferentes en São Paulo. De estos, 38 fueran diagnosticados positivos para la rabia, incluyendo 33 insectívoros, cuatro frugívoros y uno nectarívoro. La mayoria de estos animales se encuentra en situaciones atípicas e inusuales en momentos y lugares para la especie. Acciones continuas para educar al público sobre la importancia de los murciélagos para eliminar los mitos que los rodean son necesarias para estimular la coexistencia armoniosa entre la gente y los murciélagos. Orientación técnica sobre las medidas preventivas para evitar o eliminar su refugio en los edificios son fundamentales para reducir el riesgo de accidentes para las personas.

Rabies diagnosis and serology in bats from the State of São Paulo, Brazil / Diagnóstico e sorologia de raiva em morcegos do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Bats are one of the most important reservoirs and vectors of the rabies virus in the world. METHODS: From 1988 to 2003, the Zoonosis Control Center in São Paulo City performed rabies diagnosis on 5,670 bats by direct immunofluorescent test and mouse inoculation test. Blood samples were collected from 1,618 bats and the sera were analyzed using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test to confirm rabies antibodies. RESULTS: Forty-four (0.8 percent) bats were positive for rabies. The prevalence of rabies antibodies was 5.9 percent using 0.5IU/ml as a cutoff. Insectivorous bats (69.8 percent) and bats of the species Molossus molossus (51.8 percent) constituted the majority of the sample; however, the highest prevalence of antibodies were observed in Glossophaga soricina (14/133), Histiotus velatus (16/60), Desmodus rotundus (8/66), Artibeus lituratus (5/54), Nyctinomops macrotis (3/23), Tadarida brasiliensis (3/48), Carollia perspicillata (3/9), Eumops auripendulus (2/30), Nyctinomops laticaudatus (2/16), Sturnira lilium (2/17) and Eumops perotis (1/13). The prevalence of rabies antibodies was analyzed by species, food preference and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The expressive levels of antibodies associated with the low virus positivity verified in these bats indicate that rabies virus circulates actively among them.

INTRODUÇÃO: Morcegos são um dos mais importantes reservatórios e vetores do vírus da raiva no mundo. MÉTODOS: No período entre 1998 e 2003, o Centro de Controle de Zoonoses da Cidade de São Paulo realizou o diagnóstico de raiva em 5.670 morcegos utilizando as técnicas de imunofluorescência direta e inoculação intracerebral em camundongos. Sangue foi coletado de 1.618 espécimes para pesquisa de anticorpos pela técnica de inibição de foco de fluorescência rápida. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e quatro (0,8 por cento) morcegos foram positivos para raiva. A prevalência de anticorpos foi de 5,9 por cento usando 0,5UI/ml como ponto de corte. Os morcegos de hábito alimentar insetívoro (69,8 por cento) e os morcegos da espécie Molossus molossus (51,8 por cento) representaram a maioria da amostra. Entretanto, as mais altas prevalências de anticorpos foram observadas nos morcegos Glossophaga soricina (14/133), Histiotus velatus (16/60), Desmodus rotundus (8/66), Artibeus lituratus (5/54), Nyctinomops macrotis (3/23), Tadarida brasiliensis (3/48), Carollia perspicillata (3/9), Eumops auripendulus (2/30), Nyctinomops laticaudatus (2/16), Sturnira lilium (2/17) e Eumops perotis (1/13). A prevalência de anticorpos foi analisada por espécie, hábito alimentar e sexo. CONCLUSÕES: O expressivo nível de anticorpos associado à baixa positividade para o vírus da raiva entre os morcegos estudados indica que o vírus circula ativamente entre morcegos.

Characterization of rabies virus isolated from a colony of Eptesicus furinalis bats in Brazil / Caracterização do vírus da raiva isolado de uma colônia de morcegos Eptesicus furinalis, do Brasil

Some bat species have adapted to the expanding human population by acquiring the ability to roost in urban buildings, increasing the exposure risk for people and domestic animals, and consequently, the likelihood of transmitting rabies. Three dead bats were found in the yard of a house in an urban area of Jundiaí city in the state of São Paulo in southeast Brazil. Two of the three bats tested positive for rabies, using Fluorescent Antibody and Mouse Inoculation techniques. A large colony of Eptesicus furinalis was found in the house's attic, and of the 119 bats captured, four more tested positive for rabies. The objectives of this study were to report the rabies diagnosis, characterize the isolated virus antigenically and genetically, and study the epidemiology of the colony.

Algumas espécies de morcegos têm se adaptado ao uso de abrigos em construções urbanas, aumentando a possibilidade de contato desses morcegos com pessoas e animais domésticos e conseqüentemente, o potencial risco de transmissão de raiva. Três morcegos foram encontrados no jardim de uma casa na área urbana da cidade de Jundiaí, Estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil, dois deles foram positivos para raiva pelas técnicas de imunofluorescência e inoculação em camundongos. Uma grande colônia de E. furinalis foi identificada, vivendo no sótão da casa e 119 morcegos foram encaminhados para diagnóstico de raiva, com mais quatro morcegos positivos. O objetivo desse estudo é apresentar a caracterização genética e antigênica do vírus da raiva isolado desses morcegos e o estudo epidemiológico da colônia.

Updated list of bat species positive for rabies in Brazil / Lista atualizada das espécies de morcegos positivas para raiva no Brasil

This paper presents an updated list of bat species positive for rabies in Brazil. It was developed based on database research via the internet, of international and national literature and annals of the most important technical and scientific meetings related to rabies and chiroptera in Brazil from 1996 to 2009. The new list of rabies positive bats consists of 41 species, belonging to 25 genera and three families: Phyllostomidae 43.9 percent, Vespertilionidae 29.3 percent and Molossidae 26.8 percent. In addition, questions were raised regarding the lack of data, including sex, age, circumstances and location of bat capture and incomplete and outdated species identification. Results of genetic and antigenic studies performed on Brazilian rabies positive bats were shown.

Esse artigo apresenta uma lista atualizada de espécies positivas para raiva no Brasil e foi desenvolvida a partir da base de dados na internet da literatura nacional, internacional e dos anais das mais importantes reuniões técnicas e científicas, envolvendo raiva e morcegos no Brasil durante o período de 1996 a 2009. A nova lista de morcegos positivos para raiva consiste de 41 espécies, pertencentes a 25 gêneros e três famílias: Phyllostomidae 43.9 por cento, Vespertilionidae 29.3 por cento e Molossidae 26.8 por cento. Também foram discutidas questões como a falta de dados sobre sexo, faixa etária e circunstâncias de captura dos animais e identificação incompleta ou desatualizada das espécies. Resultados dos estudos genéticos e antigênicos realizados em amostras de morcegos brasileiros positivos para raiva foram apresentados.

Isolamento do vírus rábico de morcego insetívoro, Lasyurus borealis / Rabies virus isolation in insectivorous bat Lasyurus borealis

Relata um caso de raiva em morcego insetívoro, Lasyurus borealis, na regiäo urbana, em bairro residencial, no Município de Jundiaí, SP (Brasil)