Detection of Mycoplasma species at various anatomical sites of dogs from different types of kennels.

This work aimed to detect Mycoplasma cynos, M. canis, M. edwardii, and M. molare in different types of kennels, in addition to evaluating their distribution in different colonization sites. The dogs belonged to different kennels from armed forces (n = 3), shelters (n = 3), and commercial purposes (n = 2). Samples of the oropharynx, genital mucosa, and ear canal were collected from each dog (n = 98), totaling 294 samples. Aliquots were submitted to isolation and the samples confirmed as Mycoplasma spp. were subjected to conventional PCR for M. canis and multiplex PCR for M. edwardii, M. molare, and M. cynos detection. Of the 98 dogs studied, 63.3% (62) were positive in at least one anatomical site evaluated for Mycoplasma spp. Among the 111 anatomical sites positive for Mycoplasma spp., M. canis, M. edwardii, and M. molare were detected in 29.7% (33/111), 40.5% (45/111), and 2.70% (3/111), respectively. No animal was positive for M. cynos.

Molecular markers associated with antimicrobial resistance and genotypes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from broiler and swine flocks in southeast Brazil.

This study aimed to identify molecular markers associated with antimicrobial resistance and genotype isolates of Campylobacter spp. from broiler and swine flocks due to its importance to one-health. C. jejuni (n=27) and C. coli (n = 35) strains were screened for the antimicrobial genetic markers C257T in gyrA, A2074C and A2075G in 23S rRNA, CmeABC, ermB, tetO and blaOXA61 by PCR. Fifteen strains had SVR-flaA and porA genes sequenced to evaluate their genetic diversity. Among C. jejuni strains 62.96% had C257T mutation and only one strain had A2075G mutation. CmeA, cmeB, cmeC, tetO and blaOXA61 were detected respectively in 92.59%, 100%, 100%, 85.19%, 85.19% of the strains. All C. coli had C257T mutation; 48.75% had A2075G and cmeA, cmeB, cmeC, tetO, blaOXA61 were detected in 8.57%, 94.29%, 91.43%, 91.43%, 80%, respectively. Twelve porA and SVR-flaA alleles were detected, with a Simpson index of diversity value of 0.962.

First molecular detection of Spiroplasma spp. in ticks from horses in Brazil.

The class Mollicutes comprises microorganisms that lack a cell wall, highly dependent on their host to survive. Within Mollicutes, the genus Spiroplasma comprises motile helical microorganisms associated with various insects and other arthropods. This study aimed to detect and characterize Mollicutes microorganisms in ticks of different species of veterinary importance, using molecular techniques. These ticks were collected from dogs, cats, cattle, and horses from Rio de Janeiro's metropolitan regions. They were morphologically classified and pooled according to their species for subsequent DNA extraction. These samples were tested by PCR using class Mollicutes-specific primers (16S rRNA) and positive amplicons were sequenced. The obtained DNA sequences were compared with other Mollicutes sequences deposited in GenBank. We found that four out of 745 (0.54%) of the tick pools were positive for members of the class Mollicutes, identified as Spiroplasma spp.; of the positive pools, one comprised Amblyomma sculptum adults and three comprised Dermacentor nitens nymphs. The present study describes Spiroplasma spp. in ticks in Brazil for the first time. Nevertheless, due to few reports on these microorganisms, further studies on epidemiology, virulence, and pathogenicity are needed.

Potentially pathogenic mycoplasmas in the external ear canal of clinically normal cattle in Southeast Brazil: first report.

Mycoplasmas were searched in the ear canal flushing of 60 bovine in Brazil. The prevalence obtained was 80%. The percentages of typified species were 12.5%, for M. alkalenses; 2.1%, M. arginini; 8.35%, M. bovirhinis; 2.1%, M. bovis; 25.0%, M. conjunctivae; 14.6%, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC and 10.4% M. capricolum.

Mycoplasma synoviae infection on Newcastle disease vaccination of chickens.

Newcastle disease is characterized by respiratory manifestations in association with nervous and/or digestive symptoms. Its prevention is done by vaccination with live attenuated (lentogenic strains) and/or killed vaccines. The lentogenic strains can lead to strong post-vaccination reaction, principally due to the presence of other pathogenic agents. Among them, Mycoplasma synoviae is worldwide important, mainly in Brazil. The dissemination of this agent in poultry flocks has been achieved due to difficulties in diagnosis and disease reproduction, virulence variations among different M.synoviae strains, and attribution of typical M.synoviae disease manifestation to other disease agents. This experimental study in SPF chicks (Gallus gallus), previously infected by M.synoviae and thereafter vaccinated against Newcastle disease, was done with the objective of evaluating M.synoviae pathogenicity through assessment of post-vaccinal respiratory reactions and serologic responses to Newcastle disease virus vaccine in the absence of environmental factors. A total of 86 three days old chicks were used, being 57 infected by eye and nostril drop, with chicken activated M. synoviae strain WVU 1853. Seven days later, 21 mycoplasma infected birds plus 29 not mycoplasma infected ones were vaccinated against Newcastle disease. As results, the not infected and vaccinated birds yielded, significantly, higher and longer lasting serologic responses to Newcastle disease vaccine virus than those infected and vaccinated. Similarly, the infected and vaccinated birds yielded lower serologic reactions to M.synoviae than those only mycoplasma infected. No post-vaccinal respiratory reaction was observed in the vaccinated birds.

Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) Pintner, 1931 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) parasitizing the musculature of Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879) (Actinopterygii) off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cestodes of the order Trypanorhyncha can frequently be found infecting the muscles of several marine fish species, and lead to a repugnant aspect of the fish and rejection by consumers. The Brazilian sardinella, Sardinella brasiliensis, occurs from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Uruguay. In southeastern Brazil, fishing for the species is very intensive since it generates significant revenue as one of the most commonly consumed fish and an important element of the canned fish industry. The aims of the present study were to identify and report the occurrence of tiny cestodes (3 mm-6.6 mm) in the musculature of Brazilian sardinella that were purchased in the São Pedro fish market in the municipality of Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From October 2013 to November 2016, 75 specimens of S. brasiliensis were investigated. The trypanorhynch cestodes encountered were identified as plerocerci of Callitetrarhynchus gracilis using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Parasitic indices were calculated, and the cestodes infection of the musculature of Brazilian sardinella had the following values: prevalence, 40%; mean intensity, 3.47; mean abundance, 1.39; and range of infection, 1-18, specimens. The presence of this trypanorhynch cestode in the musculature of Brazilian sardinella is an important indicator of fish hygiene.

[Rabies in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: analysis of surveillance and control actions in the municipal field]. / Raiva no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: análise das ações de vigilância e controle no âmbito municipal.

Rabies is an anthropozoonosis characterized by acute viral encephalitis with a lethality rate close to 100%, and it has undergone an epidemiologic transition in which the cycle involving chiroptera is increasing in importance. The scope of this research sought to analyze the rabies surveillance and control actions carried out in municipalities in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Questionnaires were distributed to a representative sample of zoonosis control service managers proportionately calculated in accordance with the Health Regions, according to the State Regionalization Guidance Plan. The data gathered was recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. Based on the results attained, the conclusion reached is that the rabies surveillance and control actions were being unsatisfactorily conducted, especially for items related to the monitoring of vampire bat colonies, viral circulation surveillance, notification and monitoring of suspect or aggressive animals, quantification of dog population and population control of stray dogs. The surveillance and control of rabies was being neglected, and was not a priority in the health services in the municipalities evaluated.

Cross-sectional study of serum reactivity to Anisakis simplex in healthy adults in Niterói, Brazil.

Although the incidence of anisakiasis is rising worldwide, its frequency is still unknown in Brazil. The aim of this study was to verify immunoreactivity to Anisakis simplex antigens in healthy adults and determine its possible relationship with frequency of fish consumption and allergy symptoms. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out with 67 volunteers recruited from a military facility in Niterói, Brazil. The subjects completed a structured questionnaire and serum titers of specific anti-Anisakis IgE and IgG antibodies were measured. The association between frequency of fish intake and IgE reactivity was evaluated by Fisher's exact test. Almost all subjects (97.0%, 65/67) that consumed seafood; 64.6% (42/65) ate fish at least once weekly. Of all seafood consumers, 56.9% (37/65) reported allergy symptoms, being gut allergies most often cited (35.5%). IgE seroreactivity to Anisakis simplex was found in 20.9% of subjects (14/67), with 13.4% (9/67) reacting exclusively to somatic antigen, 3.0% (2/67) exclusively to excretory/secretory antigens and 4.5% (3/67) to both antigens. There was a significant association between frequency of fish consumption and positive serology (p = 0.019). An immunoblot assay for Anisakis antigens showed different positive bands for IgG. The direct relationship between ELISA reactivity and frequency of fish intake and absence of association with allergy symptoms suggests previous contact with Anisakis simplex antigens.

Detection of Ureaplasma spp. in semen samples from sheep in Brazil.

A study was conducted to verify the presence of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas DNA in sheep semen samples from the State of Pernambuco. The PCR assay was conducted of according with standard protocols with generic primers. Mollicutes DNA was detected in 26.0% and Ureaplasma spp. in 12.0% of semen samples.