Vagner Ricardo da Silva Fiuza

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in Brazilian sheep

Feces were collected from 125 sheep between January and December 2007, on ten farms in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium. Ninety samples were collected from lambs 2 to 6 months of age, and 35 were from sheep over 12 months of age. All samples were subjected to molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) in two steps of the SSU rRNA. Two samples (1.6%) from the lambs were positive, and after sequencing were identified as Cryptosporidium ubiquitum. This species has been reported worldwide and it is considered a zoonotic pathogen since it has been found and in several animal species and humans. However, because of the low frequency of C. ubiquitum found, the risk for public health in this region may not be high.

First report of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pigs in Brazil

Although Brazil is the worlds fourth largest producer and exporter of pork, there is no information on Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pigs. This study was undertaken to determine the presence of E. bieneusi in pigs in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fecal samples were collected from 91 pigs (1- to 12-month-old) in 10 properties and examined by molecular methods. The presence of E. bieneusi was determined by PCR and all PCR positive specimens were sequenced to determine the genotype by nucleotide sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer of the rRNA gene. E. bieneusi was found in pigs in all farms. Fifty four (59.3%) samples were E. bieneusi-positive. A wide genetic diversity was found with 21 genotypes identified, 4 previously reported (O, EbpA, CS-1, and H) and 17 novel genotypes named PigEb1-PigEb17. All 17 novel genotypes identified in this study clustered within the previously designated zoonotic Group 1. The most prevalent genotypes were novel genotypes PigEb2 and PigEb4 (16/91, 17.6%, each). Mixed infections with 2 or 3 genotypes were detected in 13 pigs (24.1%). The high prevalence in pigs observed in this study, the description of two known zoonotic genotypes (EbpA and O), and the report of 17 new genotypes of E. bieneusi, represent an important advancement in the study of the wide genetic diversity of this organism, emphasizing the importance of further research, especially in geographical areas where little or no research has been conducted. The zoonotic risk of these novel genotypes and their importance to other animal species is still unknown, but needs to be further evaluated.

New findings of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in beef and dairy cattle in Brazil

Microsporidia are widely recognized as important human pathogens with Enterocytozoon bieneusi as the most common species infecting humans and animals, including cattle. Although Brazil has the second largest cattle herd in the world and it is the largest exporter of beef there are no data on the presence or impact of E. bieneusi on this important population. To fill this knowledge gap, fecal specimens were collected from 452 cattle from pre-weaned calves to adult cattle in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Host factors including age, gender, dairy/beef, body composition, and fecal consistency were included in the study. Using molecular methods, E. bieneusi was found in 79/452 (17.5%) fecal specimens. This represents the first report of this parasite in Brazilian cattle. A significantly higher prevalence was found in calves less than 2 months of age (27.6%) and those 3-8 months of age (28.8%) versus heifers (14.1%) and adults (1.4%) (P<0.05). Dairy cattle (26.2%) had a higher prevalence than beef cattle (9.7%) (P<0.001). No correlation was found between infection and gender, body composition, and fecal consistency. Molecular characterization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) revealed 12 genotypes; five previously reported in cattle (BEB4, BEB8, D, EbpA and I), and seven novel genotypes (BEB11-BEB17). A phylogenetic analysis showed that 6 genotypes (D, EbpA, BEB12, BEB13, BEB15, and BEB16) identified in 18 animals clustered within the designated zoonotic Group 1 while the other 6 genotypes (I, BEB4, BEB8, BEB11, BEB14, BEB17) identified in 61 animals clustered within Group 2. The identification of genotypes in Brazilian cattle that have previously been reported in humans highlights the potential risk of zoonotic transmission and suggests that the role of cattle in transmission of human infections requires further study.

Zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes found in brazilian sheep

The presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in sheep has been reported in only three countries worldwide. The present study has found E. bieneusi in Brazilian sheep for the first time; in 24/125 (19.2%) fecal samples by PCR and on 8/10 (80%) farms from three diverse locations. A significantly greater number of lambs (34.1%) were found infected than older sheep (11.1%) (P=0.0036); most of the lambs were less than 6months of age. Farms with an intensive production system had a lower infection rate (10.5%) of infection than semi-intensive farms (23%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Sequencing analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene revealed four known E. bieneusi genotypes (BEB6, BEB7, I, and LW1) and two novel genotypes (BEB18 and BEB19). Genotypes LW1 and BEB19 clustered within designated zoonotic Group 1 while genotypes BEB6, BEB7, I, and BEB18, and clustered within Group 2. BEB6 was the most prevalent (45.8%), followed by BEB7 (33.3%). Genotypes BEB6, I, and LW1 are zoonotic and can pose a risk to human health for immunocompromised individuals.

Compromised nutrition in gerbils infected by Cystoisospora felis detected through an animal performance analysis tool

The impact of Cystoisospora felis infection on the nutritional efficiency of gerbils was studied. The variables weight gain and feed intake were measured during four weeks in 28 laboratory gerbils, of which 14 were inoculated with 3.5 × 10(5) sporulated oocysts of C. felis and the remaining 14 were controls. The animals from both groups were weighted, killed, eviscerated and had their carcasses and tissues weighted and compared. A modern tool designed for measuring nutritional performance of farm animals was applied. The results showed compromised nutritional efficiency of the infected animals within the first week after infection. The consequences of these results are discussed here, including the potential impact of infection on farm animals performance.

Utilização de fenbendazole e da associação febantel, pamoato de pirantel e praziquantel no controle de oxiurídeos em gerbis

Eighteen jirds were equally distributed in two treated and one control groups. The commercial products to the fenbendazole base (10mg) and the association of febantel (1.5mg), pirantel (1.44mg) and praziquantel (0.5mg) were orally administred in the concentration of 0.1ml in each group. The effectiveness of febendazole against oxiurids was 81.8%, 65.0 and 38.7% and for the association of febantel, pirantel and praziquantel was 72.7%, 73.8% and 51.0% on days 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Three applications of that dose of the tested medications, within intervals of 10 days, associated to hygiene, are recommended.