Argemiro Sanavria

Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Brazilian dogs by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in dogs from Brazil in the municipalities of Seropédica and Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro state, by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using SYBR Green to detect the amplification. Of 253 samples, 18 (7.11%) were positive, with a threshold cycle (Ct) ranging from 31 to 35 cycles. The PCR product from a positive sample was cloned and sequenced. The sequence obtained demonstrated 100% identity with other A. phagocytophilum sequences published in the GenBank database. The analytical sensitivity of RT-PCR using SYBR Green system was able to detect 3 plasmid copies when defined numbers of plasmid copies containing 122 base pairs from the msp2 gene were used. The assay was considered specific when DNA from bacteria (Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma marginale, Ehrlichia canis, Neorickettsia risticii, Rickettsia rickettsii) closely related to A. phagocytophilum was placed in the reaction. These results demonstrate that the canine granulocytic anaplasmosis agent is present in regions in which dogs could be a source of infection for tick vectors. The current study reports the detection of A. phagocytophilum, a zoonotic agent responsible for Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, in Brazilian dogs.

Prevalência da infecção canina em áreas endêmicas de leishmaniose tegumentar americana, do município de Paracambi, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período entre 1992 e 1993

In the district of Paracambi, State of Rio de Janeiro an epidemiological survey for American tegumentary leishmaniasis in canine population was carried out in endemic localities. A total of 179 dogs was registered and 138 (77.1%) examined for their clinical aspects, development of delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) with Imunoleish® antigen and serological responses by indirect immunofluorescent reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In 9 (6.5%) dogs with active cutaneous lesions or suspect scars, 66.7% were caused by Leishmania sp; 44.4% produced infection in hamsters and showed growth in culture media, which was considered to be compatible with the species of Leishmania braziliensis complex. The molecular characterization (isoenzyme and KDNA restriction profiles) defined two strains with similar profiles for L. (Viannia) braziliensis. The prevalence of canine infection estimated by the cutaneous test, IFR and ELISA was 10.1%, 16.7% and 27.8%, respectively. The presence of clinical / sub-clinical form of ATL in canine population associated with human infections suggested that the dog can act as source of infection as well as for dissemination of the disease.

Inquiry of cases of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax in dogs (Canis familiaris) of the Northern and Western zones of Rio de Janeiro city in 2000

Foi realizado um inquerito sobre os casos de miiase por larvas de Dermatobia hominis em caes atendidos em 190 clinicas e consultorios veterinarios das Zonas Norte e Oeste do Municipio do Rio de Janeiro em 2000. Casos foram atendidos em 37 de 108 estabelecimentos veterinarios da Zona Norte e em 55 de 82 estabelecimentos da Zona Oeste do municipio. A presenca de areas rurais e animais como bovinos e equinos proximos aos caes criou um ambiente adequado a proliferacao de moscas, inclusive as vetoras dos ovos da D. hominis. Caes adultos, de raca definida e de pelagem curta e escura foram os mais acometidos. Machos foram os mais infestados na Zona Norte, enquanto nao se observou predilecao por sexo na Zona Oeste. Caes mantidos em quintais de casas ou sitios, como os adultos e os de raca de grande porte (normalmente utilizados para guarda), foram os mais acometidos. O dorso e a regiao lombar foram as regioes do corpo mais afetadas, por serem facilmente acessiveis as moscas. Programas preventivos contra miiases devem ser intensificados nos meses de maior incidencia, apesar de algumas vezes isso nao ser possivel, pois varios veterinarios relataram que nenhum mes apresentou maior incidencia ou nao souberam responder a pergunta. Os veterinarios devem alertar os proprietarios que sao necessarias a correcao do manejo e a manutencao da higiene do local onde os caes sao mantidos, para evitar a presenca de moscas. Mais estudos sao necessarios para identificar outras causas predisponentes as miiases e evitar essa doenca.

Inquérito sobre os casos de miíase por Dermatobia hominis em cães da zona sul do município do Rio de Janeiro no ano 2000

In the Southern Zone of Rio de Janeiro municipality, it was performed an inquiry about myiasis by Dermatobia hominis larvae in dogs presented to 34 veterinary establishments during 2000, to identify predisposing factors, and to contribute to the comprehension of epidemiological features and prevention of this disease. At least one case was presented to 24 establishments, and adult, male, light and short-haired, and pure breed dogs were most infected. Most affected body regions were those that flies can easily access: limbs, dorsal region, lumbar region, head, and neck. In most cases, no complications were observed during and after the treatment, and healing time was less than five days. As no month of the year presented higher occurrence of cases, prevention programs should be developed during all the year, based on epidemiological data as phenotypical features (breed, hair color, hair size, age, and sex) of infested animals. Pet owners should be encouraged to look for veterinary assistance when larvae are found on the animals, and to maintain environmental hygiene. Prevention programs should be developed specially in areas where D. hominis and flies that play the role of D. hominis egg vectors are found, because most dogs have became infected when traveling to small farms outside the studied area, and, then, cases of myiasis were found in a predominantly urban area as the Southern Zone.

Inquérito sobre os casos de miíase por Cochliomyia hominivorax em cäes da zona sul do município do Rio de Janeiro no ano 2000

An inquiry about the cases of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae in dogs presented to 34 veterinary establishments of the Southern Zone of Rio de Janeiro municipality in 2000 was performed, to identify predisposing factors and to contribute to the comprehension of the epidemiological features and prevention of this disease. In 31 establishments, at least one case of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae in dogs was presented. Adult, dark and short-haired, and pure breed dogs, living in houses, were the most infested, but no predilection for sex was noticed. Ears were the most affected, due to otitis. Occurrence was higher in warmer weather months of the year. Most owners did not try to treat their pets by themselves, and adequate treatment of the wound, prescribed by the clinician, led to short healing period and absence of complications during and after the treatment. Myiasis is seen as a consequence of owners negligence, but some dogs had already presented this disease before. It is necessary to develop prevention programs against screwworm infestation based on identified predisposing factors, such as phenotypical features of infested animals and body regions more affected. Causes that lead to larvae infestation, such as otitis and wounds, should be avoided and environment hygiene must be maintained. Besides, prevention programs should be intensified during the months of the highest incidence of the disease.

Flebótomos de áreas com ocorrências de casos humanos de leishmaniose tegumentar americana no Município de Seropédica, Estado do Rio de Janeiro

American cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which affects the skin and mucosa. It is primarily a zoonotic infection. Sandfly surveys were conducted in four areas with occurrences of human cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the municipality of Seropédica. A manual method was used to catch specimens between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, for 12 consecutive months. From October 2004 to September 2005, we caught 2,390 individuals belonging to four species: Lutzomyia intermedia accounted for 97.1% of the total collected, followed by Lutzomyia whitmani (1.6%), Lutzomyia migonei (1.2%) and Lutzomyia oswaldoi (0.1%). The Valão das Louças had the highest density of sandflies, followed by the localities of Km 39, Km 40 and Caçador. The low diversity of species is due to significant changes in the ecotope of the region. It is suggested that American cutaneous leishmaniasis is being transmitted by Lutzomyia intermedia in the municipality of Seropédica.

Seroepidemiological aspects of Leishmania spp. in dogs in the Itaguai micro-region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This study evaluated factors associated with the frequency of Leishmania spp. antibodies in dogs residing in the Itaguai micro-region, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 524 dogs. The serum samples were submitted to indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Leishmania spp. The frequency of seropositive dogs was 28.24% (n = 148) in the micro-region, and among the three municipalities within that region, the highest frequency (p < 0.05) was observed in Seropedica (59.46%), followed by Itaguai (29.05%) and Mangaratiba (11.49%). Regarding factors associated with the host, mongrel dogs and those over the age of two presented higher frequency of antibodies to Leishmania spp. (p < 0.05). Concerning factors related to the environment and habits of the animal, dogs residing in rural areas (FR = 1.67, p = 0.0002), living outside the residence (FR = 1.42, p = 0.0197), with access to forest, streams and pastures (FR = 2.81, p = 0.0007), remaining loose (FR = 1.66, p = 0.0073), and those that had no shelter (FR = 2.16, p < 0.0001) were more likely to be seropositive. Canine leishmaniasis is a disease with high occurrence in the Itaguai micro-region, and aspects such as the definition of breed, age, habits and care by owners showed significant association in this micro-region.

Distribuição e frequência de larvas de Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr., 1781) (Diptera: Cuterebridae) em peles de bovinos

The Dermatobia hominis larvae (Linnaeus Jr., 1781) (Diptera: Cuterebridae) causes a subcutaneous nodular miyasis and brings about irreversible perforation on skin, which damages the leather and therefore lowers its price for commercialization. The main purpose of the present work is to establish the larva distribution in cattle corporal area and also to define the infestation according to sex, age and color of skin. This survey was elaborated covering 8124 cattle slaughted in a slaughterhouse in Nilopolis city, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, with the intention of to identify larvae localization and distribution. The leather surface was divided into four regions: I (left anterior quadrant), II (right anterior quadrant), III (left posterior quadrant), IV (right posterior quadrant); the skin color was also registered. 84,8% leather skin examined were totally free from parasite. The incidence of parasited on region I was significantly larger: 33.4% (3029), on region II 30.9% (2796), on region III 20% (1813), on region IV 15.7% (1423). As to sex frequency the females presented more parasites 16.7% (342) than the males 14.7% (894). The adults were more vulnerable (15.4%) than the younger ones (12.1%). The parasite appeared more in black skins (18.1%), black and red (15.2%), black and white (15.3%), red (15.2%), spotted (13.2%), gray (11.8%).

Inquérito sobre os casos de miíase por Cochliomyia hominivorax em gatos das zonas norte, sul e oeste e do centro do município do Rio de Janeiro no ano 2000

An inquiry about the cases of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae in cats presented to 227 veterinary establishments of the Northern, Southern, and Western Zones of Rio de Janeiro municipality in 2000 was performed, to identify predisposing factors and to contribute to the comprehension of the epidemiological features of this parasitic disease. In one hundred and fifty two establishments, at least one case of myiasis by C. hominivorax larvae in cats was presented, and dogs were most infested than cats. Incidence was higher in hot weather months or periods of the year: January, February, November, and December. Adult, dark and short-haired, intact males, and mixed-breeding cats were the most affected. Because myiasis by C. hominivorax larvae are often in Rio de Janeiro City, as concluded in this inquiry, and it is not necessary to report the cases to authorities, a lot of clinicians did not consider it as a disease of great importance. Preventive programs against screwworm infestation should be developed according to identified predisposing factors, such as phenotypic features of infested animals (breed, hair color, hair size, sex, and age) and months of highest incidence, when programs should be intensified. Pet owners should be warned by veterinary clinicians about harm caused by myiasis and should receive directions about preventive rules, including maintenance of environment hygiene and avoidance of more common myiasis causes.

Fase parasitária e alterações clínicas em bovinos infestados experimentalmente com larvas de Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Cuterebridae)

DAI, it was already possible to observe theparasitic nodules in the subcutaneous tissues of the infested animals. With the larval development,these nodules reached about 2 to 3 cm of diameter, and the duration of the parasitic phase rangedfrom 33 to 41 days. In relation to the clinical parameters studied (rectal temperature, heart andrespiratory rates), there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the averages ofinfested group and control group, during the study period. The variations of the rectal temperaturevalues showed, during the whole experimental period, inside of the normality limits. It was alsoverified in the infested and control animals a significant Pearson coefficient (r = 0.89, P < 0.01)between the values of the respiratory rate and room temperature.