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.

VIROLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF RABIES IN BATS FROM AN URBAN AREA IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON.

The outbreaks of rabies in humans transmitted by Desmodus rotundus in 2004 and 2005, in the northeast of the Brazilian State of Para, eastern Amazon basin, made this a priority area for studies on this zoonosis. Given this, the present study provides data on this phenomenon in an urban context, in order to assess the possible circulation of the classic rabies virus (RABV) among bat species in Capanema, a town in the Amazon basin. Bats were collected, in 2011, with mist nets during the wet and dry seasons. Samples of brain tissue and blood were collected for virological and serological survey, respectively. None of the 153 brain tissue samples analyzed tested positive for RABV infection, but 50.34% (95% CI: 45.67-55.01%) of the serum samples analyzed were seropositive. Artibeus planirostris was the most common species, with a high percentage of seropositive individuals (52.46%, 95% CI: 52.31 52.60%). Statistically, equal proportions of seropositive results were obtained in the rainy and dry seasons (c2 = 0.057, d.f. = 1, p = 0.88). Significantly higher proportions of males (55.96%, 95% CI: 48.96-62.96%) and adults (52.37%, 95% CI: 47.35-57.39%) were seropositive. While none of the brain tissue samples tested positive for infection, the high proportion of seropositive specimens indicates that RABV may be widespread in this urban area.

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.

Experimental infection of the bat tick Carios fonsecai (Acari: Ixodidae) with the rabies virus.

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the viability of the rabies virus in the argasid tick Carios fonsecai following experimental infection. METHODS: The mouse inoculation test (MIT), fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used. The rabies virus was administered to ticks via the intra-coelomic route, and the ticks were sacrificed at different time points. RESULTS: The inoculated ticks were negative for rabies according to the MIT. Ticks macerated with rabies virus were positive according to the MIT and FAT. All of the tick lots tested by PCR were positive. CONCLUSIONS The rabies virus became unviable shortly after its inoculation into tick bodies. Ticks are not likely to play an important role in the epidemiology of rabies.

Exposure to rabies virus in a population of free-ranging capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus) in a fragmented, environmentally protected area in southeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of rabies antibodies in free-ranging capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus) in a fragmented, environmentally protected, rural area of southeastern Brazil. Thirty-six free-ranging monkeys were tested by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for detection of antibodies against rabies virus. Four individuals (11.11 %) had neutralizing antibody titers ≥ 0.25 IU/mL, demonstrating rabies virus exposure.

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.

First report of rabies infection in bats, Molossus molossus, Molossops neglectus and Myotis riparius in the city of São Paulo, State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: This paper presents the first report of rabies in three bat species, Molossus molossus, Molossops neglectus and Myotis riparius in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Bats were diagnosed as positive for rabies using the fluorescent antibody test and mouse inoculation test. The isolates were characterized antigenically using a panel of eight monoclonal antibodies. The samples were also genetically analyzed by partial sequencing of the portion of nucleoprotein gene between positions 1157 and 1445 nt. RESULTS: Analysis of the results verified that the sample isolated from the species M. molossus presented antigenic variant 6, while the other two samples showed a different profile from that established in the panel, one not previously reported in the literature. The results of genetic analysis revealed that the M. molossus sample segregated with Lasiurus sp. isolates, M. neglectus segregated with a subgroup of Eptesicus furinalis isolates and the Myotis riparius sample segregated with Myotis sp. isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The cases reported in this paper emphasize the need for clarification of the circumstances in which cases of rabies in wildlife occur, principally in urban areas.

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.

VIROLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF RABIES IN BATS FROM AN URBAN AREA IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON / Diagnóstico virológico e sorológico de raiva em morcegos de uma área urbana na Amazônia Brasileira

The outbreaks of rabies in humans transmitted by Desmodus rotundus in 2004 and 2005, in the northeast of the Brazilian State of Para, eastern Amazon basin, made this a priority area for studies on this zoonosis. Given this, the present study provides data on this phenomenon in an urban context, in order to assess the possible circulation of the classic rabies virus (RABV) among bat species in Capanema, a town in the Amazon basin. Bats were collected, in 2011, with mist nets during the wet and dry seasons. Samples of brain tissue and blood were collected for virological and serological survey, respectively. None of the 153 brain tissue samples analyzed tested positive for RABV infection, but 50.34% (95% CI: 45.67-55.01%) of the serum samples analyzed were seropositive. Artibeus planirostris was the most common species, with a high percentage of seropositive individuals (52.46%, 95% CI: 52.31 52.60%). Statistically, equal proportions of seropositive results were obtained in the rainy and dry seasons (c2 = 0.057, d.f. = 1, p = 0.88). Significantly higher proportions of males (55.96%, 95% CI: 48.96-62.96%) and adults (52.37%, 95% CI: 47.35-57.39%) were seropositive. While none of the brain tissue samples tested positive for infection, the high proportion of seropositive specimens indicates that RABV may be widespread in this urban area.

Os surtos de raiva em humanos transmitida por Desmodus rotundus em 2004 e 2005 no nordeste do estado do Pará, Brasil, Amazônia Oriental, fizeram desta uma área prioritária para estudos sobre essa zoonose. Diante disso, o presente estudo fornece dados sobre esse fenômeno em contexto urbano, afim de avaliar uma possível circulação do vírus clássico da raiva (RABV) entre espécies de morcegos em Capanema, cidade localizada na bacia Amazônica. Os morcegos foram coletados em 2011, com auxílio de redes de espera durante as estações seca e chuvosa. Amostras de encéfalo e de sangue foram coletadas para o diagnóstico virológico e sorológico, respectivamente. Das 153 amostras de encéfalo analisadas, nenhuma encontrou-se positiva para infecção pelo RABV, porém, 50,34% (95% CI: 45,67-55,01) das amostras de soro analisadas estavam soropositivas. Artibeus planirostris foi a espécie mais comum, e seu percentual de indivíduos soropositivos foi bem elevado (52.46%, 95% CI: 52,31-52,60). Porções estatisticamente iguais de soropositivos foram registrados nas estações (c2 = 0,057, d.f. = 1, p = 0,88). Uma porção significativamente elevada de machos (55,96%, 95% CI: 48,96%-62,96%), e adultos (52,37%, 95% CI: 47,35%-57,39%) foram soropositivos. Apesar de nenhuma das amostras de encéfalo terem sido positivas para raiva, a alta proporção de espécimes soropositivos indica uma possível circulação do RABV nessa área urbana.

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.

First report of rabies infection in bats, Molossus molossus, Molossops neglectus and Myotis riparius in the city of São Paulo, State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil / Primeiro relato de infecção de vírus da raiva em morcegos, Molossus molossus, Molossops neglectus e Myotis riparius na cidade de São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo

INTRODUCTION: This paper presents the first report of rabies in three bat species, Molossus molossus, Molossops neglectus and Myotis riparius in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Bats were diagnosed as positive for rabies using the fluorescent antibody test and mouse inoculation test. The isolates were characterized antigenically using a panel of eight monoclonal antibodies. The samples were also genetically analyzed by partial sequencing of the portion of nucleoprotein gene between positions 1157 and 1445nt. RESULTS: Analysis of the results verified that the sample isolated from the species M. molossus presented antigenic variant 6, while the other two samples showed a different profile from that established in the panel, one not previously reported in the literature. The results of genetic analysis revealed that the M. molossus sample segregated with Lasiurus sp. isolates, M. neglectus segregated with a subgroup of Eptesicus furinalis isolates and the Myotis riparius sample segregated with Myotis sp. isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The cases reported in this paper emphasize the need for clarification of the circumstances in which cases of rabies in wildlife occur, principally in urban areas.

INTRODUÇÃO: Esse trabalho apresenta o primeiro registro de raiva em três espécies de morcegos: Molossus molossus, Molossops neglectus e Myotis riparius na Cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Os morcegos foram diagnosticados como positivos para raiva usando as técnicas padrão de imunofluorescência direta e o teste de inoculação em camundongo. Os isolados foram caracterizados antigenicamente usando um painel de oito anticorpos monoclonais (CDC/Atlanta/USA). As amostras também foram analisadas geneticamente por sequenciamento parcial do gene da nucleoproteína entre as posições 1157 e 1445nt. RESULTADOS: O resultado das análises mostrou que as amostras isoladas da espécie M. molossus apresentou variante antigênica 6, enquanto as outras duas amostras mostraram um perfil diferente daquele estabelecido no painel e ainda não registrado em literatura. Os resultados da analise genética revelaram que a amostra de M. molossus segrega com isolados de Lasiurus sp., M. neglectus segrega com o isolado do subgrupo de Eptesicus furinalis e uma amostra de M. riparius segrega com isolados de Myotis sp. CONCLUSÕES: Os casos relatados neste estudo enfatizam a necessidade do esclarecimento da ocorrência de casos de raiva em morcegos, principalmente em áreas urbanas.

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)