Alex Junior de Souza

HEV infection in swine from Eastern Brazilian Amazon: Evidence of co-infection by different subtypes

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a fecal-orally transmitted member of the genus Hepevirus that causes acute hepatitis in humans and is widely distributed throughout the world. Pigs have been reported as the main source of genotypes 3 and 4 infection to humans in non-endemic areas. To investigate HEV infection in pigs from different regions of Pará state (Eastern Brazilian Amazon), we performed serological and molecular analyses of serum, fecal and liver samples from 151 adult pigs slaughtered between April and October 2010 in slaughterhouses in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará. Among the animals tested, 8.6% (13/151) were positive for anti-HEV IgG but not for anti-HEV IgM. HEV RNA was detected in 4.8% (22/453) of the samples analyzed and 9.9% (15/151) of the animals had at least one positive sample. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all sequences belonged to genotype 3 that were related to human isolates from other non-endemic regions, suggesting that the isolates had zoonotic potential. Subtypes 3c and 3f were simultaneously detected in some pigs, suggesting co-infection by more than one strain and/or the presence of a recombinant virus. These results constitute the first molecular and serologic evidence of swine HEV circulation in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon.

Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematoda) entre populações indígenas e mamíferos silvestres no noroeste do Estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2000

Capillaria hepatica is a hepatotropic nematode that infects rodents and other mammals. In 2000, eggs of this helminth were identified in stool samples from the indigenous population in Northwestern Mato Grosso, Brazil. A parasitological survey was conducted in stool samples from 477 (76.6%) out of 622 Indians from six villages (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara and Wassussu) located in the valleys of the Guaporé and Nambiquara rivers. Liver samples from wild animals were used by these Indians as a food source and were collected for histopathological and parasitological assessment. The results revealed the presence of C. hepatica eggs in the stool samples from 8.6% (41/477) of the individuals and revealed enteric parasitic protozoa and other helminths. Eggs of C. hepatica were also found in the livers of Tayassu pecari (white-lipped peccary) and Ateles paniscus (black spider monkey). The fecal elimination of C. hepatica eggs that was found among the Indians represented a spurious infection and was associated with the consumption of the viscera of wild animals that are considered to be reservoirs of C. hepatica in the investigated area. Additional clinical and epidemiological studies must be performed in this area because of the zoonotic potential of C. hepatica to cause hepatic capillariasis. Keyword: Capillaria hepatica; Nematoda; Helminths; protozoan; Indigenous Population. Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematodo) entre poblaciones indígenas y mamíferos silvestres en el noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2000 RESUMEN Capillaria hepatica es un nematodo hepatotrópico capaz de infectar roedores y otros mamíferos. En virtud de la identificación de huevos de este helminto en muestras de heces de indígenas del noroeste de Mato Grosso, el año 2000, se realizó una investigación coproparasitaria en las heces de 477 (76,6%) de los 622 indígenas de seis aldeas (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara y Wassussu) situadas en los valles de los ríos Guaporé y Nambiquara, noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso. También se colectaron muestras, para evaluación histopatológica y parasitaria, de hígados de animales silvestres utilizados como fuente alimentar por estos indígenas. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de huevos de C. hepatica en las heces de 8,6% (41/477) de los indígenas y de protozoarios y otros helmintos enteroparásitos entre las muestras analizadas. Huevos de C. hepatica también fueron identificados en el hígado de Tayassu pecari (pecarí barbiblanco) y Ateles paniscus (mono araña). La eliminación fecal de huevos de C. hepatica entre los indígenas representó infecciones espurias y fue asociada al consumo de vísceras de animales silvestres, considerados como reservorios del helminto en el área. Estudios clínico-epidemiológicos complementarios deben ser desarrollados en la región, en virtud del potencial zoonótico del parásito en causar infecciones genuinas de capilariasis hepática. Palabras clave: Capillaria hepatica; Nematodo; helmintos; protozoarios; población indígena.

First report of equine Pegivirus in South America, Brazil.

The human Pegivirus (HPgV, also known as GBV-C virus or hepatitis G virus) is a lymphotropic RNA-virus phylogenetically related to the Hepatitis C virus, which infects approximately 5% of the worlds human population. Recently, two novel, presumably hepatotropic, pegiviruses, designated as equine Pegivirus (EPgV) and Theilers Disease Associated Virus (TDAV), were discovered in horses with clinical and laboratory evidence of hepatic disease. To verify the occurrence of pegiviruses infection in horses from Pará State, northern Brazil, serum samples from 114 horses located in four cities (Acará, Belém, Dom Eliseu and Ananindeua) were submitted for the molecular analysis of EPgV by nested RT-PCR. The results of nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of EPgV NS3 and NS5B genomic regions confirmed one positive sample among 114 tested samples (1/114; 0.8%). No evidence of TDAV infection was found, but despite the low prevalence and unknown clinical significance among the studied population, these results represent the first molecular detection of EPgV in horses in South America.

Neotropical echinococcosis: Second report of Echinococcus vogeli natural infection in its main definitive host, the bush dog (Speothos venaticus)

The bush dog (Speothos venaticus) acts as the natural definitive host in the life cycle of Echinococcus vogeli, the causative agent of polycystic hydatid disease, a zoonotic neglected disease in the South America. We report a case of natural infection by Echinococcus vogeli in a bush dog from the Brazilian Amazon, confirmed by the morphological and morphometric examination of adult parasites and their hooks obtained from the small intestine of the canid. Additionally, mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis corroborated these findings. This is the second report of natural infection by E. vogeli in a bush dog.

First New World Primate Papillomavirus Identification in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil: Alouatta guariba papillomavirus 1

ABSTRACT We report here the complete genome sequence of the first papillomavirus detected in a New World primate, howler monkey, Alouatta guariba clamitans papillomavirus 1 (AgPV1), from the Atlantic Forest in São Paulo State, Brazil.

A novel hepatitis B virus species discovered in capuchin monkeys sheds new light on the evolution of primate hepadnaviruses

BACKGROUND & AIMS All known hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes occur in humans and hominoid Old World non-human primates (NHPs). The divergent woolly monkey HBV (WMHBV) forms another orthohepadnavirus species. The evolutionary origins of HBV are unclear. METHODS We analysed sera from 124 Brazilian monkeys collected during 2012-2016 for hepadnaviruses using molecular and serological tools, and conducted evolutionary analyses. RESULTS We identified a novel orthohepadnavirus species in capuchin monkeys (capuchin monkey hepatitis B virus [CMHBV]). We found CMHBV-specific antibodies in five animals and high CMHBV concentrations in one animal. Non-inflammatory, probably chronic infection was consistent with an intact preCore domain, low genetic variability, core deletions in deep sequencing, and no elevated liver enzymes. Cross-reactivity of antisera against surface antigens suggested antigenic relatedness of HBV, CMHBV, and WMHBV. Infection-determining CMHBV surface peptides bound to the human HBV receptor (human sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide), but preferentially interacted with the capuchin monkey receptor homologue. CMHBV and WMHBV pseudotypes infected human hepatoma cells via the human sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide, and were poorly neutralised by HBV vaccine-derived antibodies, suggesting that cross-species infections may be possible. Ancestral state reconstructions and sequence distance comparisons associated HBV with humans, whereas primate hepadnaviruses as a whole were projected to NHP ancestors. Co-phylogenetic analyses yielded evidence for co-speciation of hepadnaviruses and New World NHP. Bayesian hypothesis testing yielded strong support for an association of the HBV stem lineage with hominoid ancestors. Neither CMHBV nor WMHBV was likely the ancestor of the divergent human HBV genotypes F/H found in American natives. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest ancestral co-speciation of hepadnaviruses and NHP, and an Old World origin of the divergent HBV genotypes F/H. The identification of a novel primate hepadnavirus offers new perspectives for urgently needed animal models of chronic hepatitis B. LAY SUMMARY The origins of HBV are unclear. The new orthohepadnavirus species from Brazilian capuchin monkeys resembled HBV in elicited infection patterns and could infect human liver cells using the same receptor as HBV. Evolutionary analyses suggested that primate HBV-related viruses might have emerged in African ancestors of New World monkeys millions of years ago. HBV was associated with hominoid primates, including humans and apes, suggesting evolutionary origins of HBV before the formation of modern humans. HBV genotypes found in American natives were divergent from those found in American monkeys, and likely introduced along prehistoric human migration. Our results elucidate the evolutionary origins and dispersal of primate HBV, identify a new orthohepadnavirus reservoir, and enable new perspectives for animal models of hepatitis B.

Lesões pulmonares associadas ao parasitismo por Sebekia oxycephala (Pentastomida) em jacarés-açu (Melanosuchus niger Spix, 1825) oriundos de vida livre na Amazônia brasileira

The goal of this study was to describe gross and microscopic lung lesions associated with the parasitism by Sebekia oxycephala between 100 specimens of black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) slaughtered in the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, situated in the Amazonas State, Brazil. During the macroscopic evaluation, specimens of parasites found in the lung tissue were collected individually in AFA (ethyl alcohol - formalin - glacial acetic acid) and 5% formalin for parasitological evaluation and taxonomic classification. Lung tissue samples of all the animals, regardless of the occurrence of gross lesions, were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Histological sections obtained from the samples stained by Hematoxylin-Eosin were evaluated by light microscopy. Grossly, 4 of the 100 animals (4%) presented pentastomid specimens in the lung parenchyma. These parasites were taxonomically classified as Sebekia oxycephala. No macroscopic alterations were observed, however microscopically pulmonary lesions were found in 37% of the cases, and inflammatory lesions associated with the parasitism corresponded to 75.6% of them (28/37). In these cases, degenerate segments and eggs of S. oxycephala were surrounded by a fibrous capsule and inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly by foreign body giant cells. Three specimens exhibited thickening of the alveolar septa and seven specimens presented multifocal inflammatory granulocytic infiltration in the lung parenchyma. Generally, the associated parasitic lesions had mild intensity and did not appear to represent an important cause of lung disease in the studied population. This is the first description of lung lesions in M. niger associated with parasitism by S. oxycephala in the Brazilian Amazon.

Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematoda) among indigenous populations and wild mammals in the northwest of Mato Grosso State, Brazil, 2000

Capillaria hepatica is a hepatotropic nematode that infects rodents and other mammals. In 2000, eggs of this helminth were identified in stool samples from the indigenous population in Northwestern Mato Grosso, Brazil. A parasitological survey was conducted in stool samples from 477 (76.6%) out of 622 Indians from six villages (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara and Wassussu) located in the valleys of the Guaporé and Nambiquara rivers. Liver samples from wild animals were used by these Indians as a food source and were collected for histopathological and parasitological assessment. The results revealed the presence of C. hepatica eggs in the stool samples from 8.6% (41/477) of the individuals and revealed enteric parasitic protozoa and other helminths. Eggs of C. hepatica were also found in the livers of Tayassu pecari (white-lipped peccary) and Ateles paniscus (black spider monkey). The fecal elimination of C. hepatica eggs that was found among the Indians represented a spurious infection and was associated with the consumption of the viscera of wild animals that are considered to be reservoirs of C. hepatica in the investigated area. Additional clinical and epidemiological studies must be performed in this area because of the zoonotic potential of C. hepatica to cause hepatic capillariasis. Keyword: Capillaria hepatica; Nematoda; Helminths; protozoan; Indigenous Population. Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematodo) entre poblaciones indígenas y mamíferos silvestres en el noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2000 RESUMEN Capillaria hepatica es un nematodo hepatotrópico capaz de infectar roedores y otros mamíferos. En virtud de la identificación de huevos de este helminto en muestras de heces de indígenas del noroeste de Mato Grosso, el año 2000, se realizó una investigación coproparasitaria en las heces de 477 (76,6%) de los 622 indígenas de seis aldeas (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara y Wassussu) situadas en los valles de los ríos Guaporé y Nambiquara, noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso. También se colectaron muestras, para evaluación histopatológica y parasitaria, de hígados de animales silvestres utilizados como fuente alimentar por estos indígenas. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de huevos de C. hepatica en las heces de 8,6% (41/477) de los indígenas y de protozoarios y otros helmintos enteroparásitos entre las muestras analizadas. Huevos de C. hepatica también fueron identificados en el hígado de Tayassu pecari (pecarí barbiblanco) y Ateles paniscus (mono araña). La eliminación fecal de huevos de C. hepatica entre los indígenas representó infecciones espurias y fue asociada al consumo de vísceras de animales silvestres, considerados como reservorios del helminto en el área. Estudios clínico-epidemiológicos complementarios deben ser desarrollados en la región, en virtud del potencial zoonótico del parásito en causar infecciones genuinas de capilariasis hepática. Palabras clave: Capillaria hepatica; Nematodo; helmintos; protozoarios; población indígena.

Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematodo) entre poblaciones indígenas y mamíferos silvestres en el noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2000

Capillaria hepatica is a hepatotropic nematode that infects rodents and other mammals. In 2000, eggs of this helminth were identified in stool samples from the indigenous population in Northwestern Mato Grosso, Brazil. A parasitological survey was conducted in stool samples from 477 (76.6%) out of 622 Indians from six villages (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara and Wassussu) located in the valleys of the Guaporé and Nambiquara rivers. Liver samples from wild animals were used by these Indians as a food source and were collected for histopathological and parasitological assessment. The results revealed the presence of C. hepatica eggs in the stool samples from 8.6% (41/477) of the individuals and revealed enteric parasitic protozoa and other helminths. Eggs of C. hepatica were also found in the livers of Tayassu pecari (white-lipped peccary) and Ateles paniscus (black spider monkey). The fecal elimination of C. hepatica eggs that was found among the Indians represented a spurious infection and was associated with the consumption of the viscera of wild animals that are considered to be reservoirs of C. hepatica in the investigated area. Additional clinical and epidemiological studies must be performed in this area because of the zoonotic potential of C. hepatica to cause hepatic capillariasis. Keyword: Capillaria hepatica; Nematoda; Helminths; protozoan; Indigenous Population. Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematodo) entre poblaciones indígenas y mamíferos silvestres en el noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2000 RESUMEN Capillaria hepatica es un nematodo hepatotrópico capaz de infectar roedores y otros mamíferos. En virtud de la identificación de huevos de este helminto en muestras de heces de indígenas del noroeste de Mato Grosso, el año 2000, se realizó una investigación coproparasitaria en las heces de 477 (76,6%) de los 622 indígenas de seis aldeas (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara y Wassussu) situadas en los valles de los ríos Guaporé y Nambiquara, noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso. También se colectaron muestras, para evaluación histopatológica y parasitaria, de hígados de animales silvestres utilizados como fuente alimentar por estos indígenas. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de huevos de C. hepatica en las heces de 8,6% (41/477) de los indígenas y de protozoarios y otros helmintos enteroparásitos entre las muestras analizadas. Huevos de C. hepatica también fueron identificados en el hígado de Tayassu pecari (pecarí barbiblanco) y Ateles paniscus (mono araña). La eliminación fecal de huevos de C. hepatica entre los indígenas representó infecciones espurias y fue asociada al consumo de vísceras de animales silvestres, considerados como reservorios del helminto en el área. Estudios clínico-epidemiológicos complementarios deben ser desarrollados en la región, en virtud del potencial zoonótico del parásito en causar infecciones genuinas de capilariasis hepática. Palabras clave: Capillaria hepatica; Nematodo; helmintos; protozoarios; población indígena.