Danillo de Souza Pimentel

Molecular survey and genetic characterization of tick-borne pathogens in dogs in metropolitan Recife (north-eastern Brazil)

To identify DNA of the main tick-borne pathogens in dogs from Recife (Brazil), polymerase chain reactions were carried out on blood samples of dogs treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco from March 2007 to June 2008. The detection of DNA was performed using specific primers. Amplicons were analyzed through electrophoresis and sequencing. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the UPGMA method, revealing that the sequences were closely related to those of strains from other geographic regions. Among the 205 blood samples analyzed, 48.78% was positive for Anaplasma platys; 38.04% was positive for Ehrlichia canis; 7.31% was positive for Babesia canis vogeli; and 0.49% was positive for Hepatozoon canis and Mycoplasma haemocanis. Coinfection of two or three pathogens was found in 23.9% (49/205) of the dogs. The subspecies B. canis vogeli was identified. Infection by H. canis and M. haemocanis is reported for the first time in dogs in the state of Pernambuco (Brazil). The data indicate that the main tick-borne pathogens in dogs in this region are E. canis and/or A. platys, followed by B. canis vogeli.

Comparação de nested-PCR com o diagnóstico direto na detecção de Ehrlichia canis e Anaplasma platys em cães

The clinical signs of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys infection are similar, and the diagnosis of these pathogens made by stained blood smears is poor due sensibility and specificity. On the other hand, the molecular diagnosis is highly sensitive and specific and nested-PCR have been optimized for accurate diagnosis these pathogens in dogs. At the veterinary teaching hospital, whole-blood samples with EDTA were obtained from 100 dogs and smears were made from blood samples for evaluation for intracellular parasites. For each sample, DNA was extracted and submitted to nPCR analysis for detection of E. canis and A. platys. The results of stained blood smears showed 9% of the animals were positive for E. canis and 21% for A. platys. Regarding of nPCR analysis, 57 and 55% of dogs were positive for E. canis and A. platys respectively. As compared to a nested PCR, the stained blood smears revealed false-negative results for both E. canis and A. platys. The results indicate that the nPCR is highly sensitive and specific for detection of both pathogens and the molecular diagnosis could be more useful at veterinary hospital.

First report and molecular characterization of Trypanosoma vivax in cattle from state of Pernambuco, Brazil

This paper describes an outbreak of Trypanosoma vivax for the first time in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, affecting dairy cattle in the municipality of Itambé in the northern coastal zone of the state. Clinical signs compatible with infection by blood protozoa and epidemic miscarriages were observed. The diagnosis of T. vivax was confirmed through biometric microscopy and molecular analysis with PCR and DNA sequencing. The T. vivax isolate detected in the present study proved to be genetically very close to other Brazilian isolates of the protozoan despite being geographically distant.

Prevalence of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in an endemic area of Brazil

INTRODUCTION The northeast region of Brazil is endemic for zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of infection in dogs in Petrolina. METHODS Blood samples were collected from dogs (n = 600), and bone-marrow biopsy was performed in animals with positive serological test results that presented clinical signs of ZVL. The serological analyses were performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (S7(r)Biogene). RESULTS Of the 600 dogs tested, 19% (115/600) presented anti-L. infantum chagasi antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Our data are important because canine infection is an important risk factor for the human disease.

Detection of antibodies against Leishmania infantum in cats (Felis catus) from the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

INTRODUCTION Little information is available concerning infection by Leishmania infantum in cats. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a serological study in domestic cats. METHODS Serum samples (n=153) obtained from animals living in the Cities of Recife and Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, Brazil, were tested by ELISA/S7® (Biogene). RESULTS Anti-L. infantum antibodies were detected in 3.9% (6/153) of the cats. All seroreagent animals were from Petrolina. CONCLUSIONS These results serve as an important alert, and future studies are needed to better understand the possible role of cats in the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in this area.

Histological changes and immunolabeling of Leishmania infantum in kidneys and urinary bladder of dogs.

The aim of this study was to assess histological alterations and perform immunolabeling of Leishmania infantum in the kidneys and urinary bladder of naturally infected dogs. Twenty-five urinary bladder and kidney samples of serologically positive animals (ELISA S7® Biogene and IFAT ≥ 1:40 - Biomanguinhos/Fiocruz) were analyzed by means of immunohistochemical and histological techniques. Cystitis was found in 44% (11/25) of the bladder samples and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 92% (23/25) of the kidney samples. Immunolabeling of the parasite revealed that 32% (8/25) of the bladders and 8% (2/25) of the kidneys were positive. In conclusion, the immunohistochemical technique is a useful tool for detecting amastigote forms of L. infantum in organs of infected dogs. In addition, this was the first report of detection of amastigote forms of L. infantum in the bladders of dogs.

Eficácia do extrato concentrado contendo Saccharum officinarum L: Poaceae, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Meliaceae, e Eucaliptus spp Myrtaceae, sobre Pediculus capitis De Geer, (Anoplura: Pediculidae)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of concentrate extract containing Saccharum officinarum L. Poaceae, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Meliaceae, and Eucaliptus spp Myrtaceae against Pediculus capitis De Geer Pediculidae. A thousand and thirty five head lice were collected from children with Pediculus capitis infestation from some day care centers at Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil. The tests were performed in three groups with three hundred forty five lice each one according to product, concentrate extract (CE), pyrethroid insecticide (PI) and control (C). The immersing head lice in the diluted products for three minutes, washing off products and dry the insects were used. The mortality of lice was monitored at different points in time, for a period of twenty four hours. Concentrate extract killed all head lice after twelve hours and an average of 60.28% (208/345) of lice mortality of the CE occurred between three and six hours, while the mortality of PI was observed 24 h after treatment. The results showed the extract containing Saccharum officinarum, Azadirachta indica, and Eucaliptus spp could be a potent tool in the control of Pediculus capitis.

Búsqueda de huevos de anquilostomideos y toxocarídeos en el suelo de residencias y escuelas en el barrio de dois irmãos, Recife-PE (Brasil)

RESUMENEl objetivo de este articulo fue la investigacionde la contaminacion por huevos de Ancylostoma spp y Toxocara spp en el suelo del patio o jardinde 149 residencias y del area de recreo de dosescuelas situadas en la comunidad de Corrego daFortuna no Bairro de Dois Irmaos, en Recife-PE(BRASIL). Las muestras fueron recogidasdurante el invierno y verano y procesadasmediante la tecnica de centrifugo-fluctuacion,utilizando solucion de sulfato de zinc al 33%. Delas muestras de suelo de residencias, 4,69% (07/149) fueron positivas para huevos de Ancylostoma spp y 8,73% (13/149) para huevos de Toxocara spp. Las muestras provenientes de las dosescuelas fueron negativas para huevos denematodos. Los hallazgos muestran que laexposicion de las personas por helmintos conpotencial zoonotico, se demostro mayor en elambiente domiciliar de que fuera deste ambiente.REFERENCIAS 1.- NUNES C M, et al. Ocorrencia de larva migrans naareia de areas de lazer das escolas municipais de ensinoinfantil, Aracatuba, SP, Brasil. Rev Saude Pub