Nádia Regina Pereira Almosny

Prevalence and risk factors for hemoplasmas in domestic cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus and/or feline leukemia virus in Rio de Janeiro — Brazil*:

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (Mhm) infections in domestic cats tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Based on serological testing, cats were grouped as i) FIV-positive (n=25); ii) FeLV-positive (n=39); iii) FIV/FeLV-positive (n=8); and iv) FIV/FeLV-negative (n=77). Complete blood counts were followed by DNA extraction, species-specific polymerase chain reaction (16S rRNA gene) for Mhf and Mhm and Southern blotting for all animals. Mhf DNA was found in 4.0, 2.6, 12.5 and 7.8% of the cats from groups i, ii, iii and iv, respectively, while 32, 5.1, 50 and 5.2% of these animals had an Mhm infection. Cats with FIV (OR=4.25, P=0.009) and both FIV and FeLV (OR=7.56, P=0.014) were at greater risk of being hemoplasma infected than retroviral-negative cats, mainly due to Mhm infection (OR=8.59, P=0.001 and OR=18.25, P=0.001, respectively). Among pure-breed cats, FIV-positive status was associated with hemoplasma infection (OR 45.0, P=0.001).

Description of the occurrence of canine dirofilariasis in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In order to evaluate the prevalence of canine heartworm in the State of Rio de Janeiro, a multicenter survey was carried out in two phases. The survey involved 1376 dogs from two cities: Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, and its surroundings, including the eastern shore and mountain resorts, which were further divided into sections. In the first phase, 795 dog blood samples were examined by the modified Knott test for the detection of microfilariae. A total of 134 samples (16.85%) were microfilaremic: 8.61% from Rio de Janeiro, 21.76% from Niterói and its surroundings, 33.33% from the eastern shore and 30.43% from the mountain resorts. In the second phase, 595 dog blood samples were examined first by the modified Knott test and the amicrofilaremic samples were subsequently examined by an immunoenzymatic test (ELISA) for antigen detection. In summary, 83 samples (13.95%) were microfilaremic and 44 (7.98%) of the amicrofilaremic samples were positive for heartworm antigen (occult infections). In Rio de Janeiro, 13.68% of the dogs were infected (i.e., antigen- and/or microfilaria-positive) and 8.51% of the dogs had microfilaremic infections. In comparison, Niterói and its surroundings showed values of 24.46% and 17.30% and the eastern shore showed values of 52.46% and 31.15%. In contrast the mountain resorts showed 20% microfilaremic only.

Freqüência de anticorpos anti-Erhlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi e antígenos de Dirofilaria immitis em cães na microrregião Ilhéus-Itabuna, Bahia, Brasil

In order to detect the positivity to antigens of Dirofilaria immitis, antibodies anti-Borrelia burgdorferi and anti-Ehrlichia canis, 200 canine blood samples were collected as followed: 100 from the municipality of Ilheus and 100 from Itabuna, State of Bahia. The kit Snap 3DX (IDEXX Laboratories) was used to performe serology. None of the tested animals were positive for antigens of D. immitis. Only two dogs of them were positive for antibodies anti-B. burgdorferi. From all the samples analyzed, 72 (36%) were positive for antibodies anti-E. canis, 43 from Ilheus and 29 from Itabuna (p=0,027).

Frequencies of feline blood types in the Rio de Janeiro area of Brazil

BACKGROUND The distribution and frequency of blood types in cat populations vary according to geographic region and breed. Frequencies of feline blood types in Rio de Janeiro city, as well as in other Brazilian areas, are unknown, and the risk of unmatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis has not been estimated. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of feline blood types in the area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS EDTA blood samples were obtained from 172 nonpedigreed domestic shorthair (DSH) cats (92 female, 80 male, 3 months-20 years old) in different sites of Rio de Janeiro city. Blood typing was performed by agglutination assays using Triticum vulgaris lectin and feline anti-A serum. The hemagglutination results for type B and AB cats were confirmed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) of erythrocyte membrane gangliosides. RESULTS The majority (163/172, 94.8%) of cats were type A, 2.9% were type B, and 2.3% were type AB. High-titer anti-A serum agglutinated RBCs from all cats in type A and type AB blood groups, with 3+ to 4+ agglutination. The probability that a type A cat would receive type B or AB blood in a first random transfusion was calculated as 2.25% and 2.20%, respectively. HPTLC analysis of glycolipids yielded a chromatographic profile characteristic of feline gangliosides for all blood groups. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate a high prevalence of type A cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a low frequency of type B and AB cats, consistent with what has been observed for DSH cats in other regions of the world.

Sanitary conditions of a colony of urban feral cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in a zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The colony of urban stray cats living in the Rio de Janeiro zoological garden was studied in order to develop a population and health control program. As many cats as possible were captured during two months (47 animals) and were classified according to gender, age, weight and coat markings. They were submitted to a general health evaluation, examined for the presence of ectoparasites and sent to a surgical neutering program. All animals had a blood sample drawn for CBC, platelet count, heartworm and retroviruses detection. Capillary blood smears were made for hemoparasites detection. Coat marking and colors were tabby (59.7%), followed by solid black (17%); torbie (10.6%); bicolor (10.6%) and harlequin (2.1%). The only ectoparasites found were fleas, which infested 28% of the animals. The hemoparasites found were Haemobartonella felis (38%) and piroplasmas that could not be differentiated between Cytauxzoon spp. and Babesia spp. (47%). No cat was found infected by Dirofilaria immitis or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), although FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) antibodies could be detected (21%). There was no correlation between hemoparasites and FIV infections. The estimated total cat population (mark-recapture method) was 59; 68% female and 32% male, suggesting that a neutering program is in fact needed.

Detection and molecular characterization of piroplasms species from naturally infected dogs in southeast Brazil

Rangelia vitalii is a protozoon described from dogs in the south and southeast regions of Brazil. It is phylogenetically related to Babesia spp. that infects dogs, but data on this enigmatic parasite is still limited. The aim of this work was to detect piroplasm species in dogs in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by 18S rRNA gene-based PCR assay, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analyses. Of 103 dogs examined, seven (6.8%) were positive for Babesia spp. by PCR. The amplified products were digested by restriction enzymes to differentiate the Babesia species, and one sample was identified as Babesia vogeli. The pattern observed for the other six amplification products did not match with pattern described for large Babesia infecting dogs. Sequencing analysis confirmed these six samples as R. vitalii, with high homologies (99-100%) with a sequence from south Brazil. This study confirms the presence of Babesia vogeli and Rangelia vitalii circulate in domestic dogs in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Risk factors and clinical disorders of canine ehrlichiosis in the South of Bahia, Brazil

The aim of this work was to study the clinical disorders and risk factors of canine ehrlichiosis in Ilhéus and Itabuna, Bahia, and compare different diagnostic methods. Blood samples were collected from 200 dogs. Each dog was clinically examined. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the risk factors. The blood samples were analyzed using the Dot-ELISA test; hematometry, platelet counts and searches for morulae on blood smears were performed. Nested PCR was carried out on 50 serologically positive samples and 50 negative samples. Three positive PCRs were sequenced. Thirty-six percent were serologically positivity and 5.5% from blood smears. The animals were anemic and thrombocytopenic. Presence of ticks and living in areas on the urban periphery were considered to be risk factors (p < 0.05). Nested PCR identified 11 positive dogs of which nine were serologically positive and two were negative. The DNA sequencing was consistent with the presence of Ehrlichia canis.

Analysis of hematologic and serum chemistry values of Spheniscus magellanicus with molecular detection of avian malarial parasites (Plasmodium spp.)

Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) routinely migrate from their breeding colonies to Southern Brazil often contracting diseases during this migration, notably avian malaria, which has been already reported in Brazil and throughout the world. Detection of Plasmodium spp. in blood smears is the routine diagnostic method of avian malaria, however it has a low sensitivity rate when compared to molecular methods. Considering the negative impact of avian malaria on penguins, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of Plasmodium spp. in Magellanic penguins using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and by verifying clinical, hematological, and biochemical alterations in blood samples as well as to verify the likely prognosis in response to infection. Blood samples were obtained from 75 penguins to determine packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity levels. Whole blood samples were used for PCR assays. Plasmodium spp. was detected in 32.0% of the specimens using PCR and in 29.3% using microscopic analyses. Anorexia, diarrhea and neurological disorders were more frequent in penguins with malaria and a significant weight difference between infected and non-infected penguins was detected. PCV and MCV rates showed no significant difference. RBC and WBC counts were lower in animals with avian malaria and leukopenia was present in some penguins. Basophil and lymphocyte counts were lower in infected penguins along with high monocyte counts. There was no significant difference in AST activities between infected and non-infected animals. There was a significant increase in uric acid values, however a decrease in albumin values was observed in infected penguins. Based on this study, we concluded that Plasmodium spp. occurs in Magellanic penguins of rehabilitation centers in Southeastern Brazil, compromising the weight of infected animals with clinical alterations appearing in severe cases of this disease. It was also noted that, although the hematological abnormalities presented by these animals may not have been conclusive, leukopenia, monocytosis and the decrease of basophils and lymphocytes revealed an unfavorable prognosis, and Plasmodium spp. infections may progress with elevated uric acid concentration and low albumin levels.

Genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis strains from naturally infected dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to characterize Ehrlichia canis strains from naturally infected dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, all the clinical and hematological findings observed in these dogs were reported. PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene was used for diagnostic purposes, and the TRP19 and TRP36 genes were sequenced to evaluate the genetic diversity. Fifteen samples were positive for E. canis. The polymerase chain reaction for the TRP19 gene resulted in 11 amplicons (11/15), which were cloned into the pGEM-T easy vector for sequencing. The complete sequence of TRP19 gene was compared to those in the GenBank, revealing high identicalness. Phylogenetic analysis on the TRP36 gene sequences demonstrated two distinct strains from two dogs, named 56C and 70C. The 56C strain was grouped with the strain Cuiaba 16, which is a hybrid strain formed by Brazilian and US genogroups; and the 70C strain was grouped with other strains of the US genogroup, thus suggesting that there are at least two genogroups of E. canis in Rio de Janeiro (US and Brazilian). Those animals, in which the 70C and 56C strains were isolated, showed distinct clinical and hematological manifestations of the disease. The appearance of different genotypes may express new phenotypes, thus resulting in different forms of presentation of the disease and making its diagnosis more complex.

Contracaecum pelagicum and C. plagiaticium (Nematoda: Anisakidae) infection in Magellanic penguins (Sphenisciformes: Spheniscidae) on the coast of Rio de Janeiro State

ABSTRACT.- Campos S.D.E., Pereira B.B.N., Siciliano S., Costa C.H.C., Almosny N.R.P. & Brener B. 2013. Contracaecum pelagicum and C. plagiaticium (Nematoda: Anisakidae) infection in Magellanic penguins (Sphenisciformes: Spheniscidae) on the coast of Rio de Janeiro State. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 33(1):89-93. Departamento de Patologia e Clinica Vete-rinaria, Faculdade de Veterinaria Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho 64, Vital Brazil, Niteroi, RJ 21230-360, Brazil. E-mail: s.destri@gmail.comThe occurrence of infections and the disease induced by Contracaecum plagiaticium and Contracaecum pelagicum in Magellanic penguins, Spheniscus magellanicus Foster. 1781 (Sphenisciformes: Spheniscidae) were reported on the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Parasites of the genus Contracaecum were present in all of the 11 studied animals. Co-infections by Csontracaecum pelagicum and C. plagiaticium were observed in three hosts (27.27%). Gross lesions included hyperemia of the esophagus and/or stomach in six animals (54.54%). One of these animals (9.09%), parasitized by