Valéria de Sá Jayme

Yellow Fever Outbreaks in Unvaccinated Populations, Brazil, 2008-2009

Due to the risk of severe vaccine-associated adverse events, yellow fever vaccination in Brazil is only recommended in areas considered at risk for disease. From September 2008 through June 2009, two outbreaks of yellow fever in previously unvaccinated populations resulted in 21 confirmed cases with 9 deaths (case-fatality, 43%) in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul and 28 cases with 11 deaths (39%) in Sao Paulo state. Epizootic deaths of non-human primates were reported before and during the outbreak. Over 5.5 million doses of yellow fever vaccine were administered in the two most affected states. Vaccine-associated adverse events were associated with six deaths due to acute viscerotropic disease (0.8 deaths per million doses administered) and 45 cases of acute neurotropic disease (5.6 per million doses administered). Yellow fever vaccine recommendations were revised to include areas in Brazil previously not considered at risk for yellow fever.

ENTEROBACTERIAL DETECTION AND ESCHERICHIA COLI ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN PARROTS SEIZED FROM THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE

Abstract:  Enteric bacteria are considered important potential pathogens in avian clinical medicine, causing either primary or opportunistic infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of enterobacteria in the intestinal microbiota of psittacine birds and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the Escherichia coli isolates cultured. Fecal samples were collected from 300 parrots captured from the illegal wildlife trade in Goiás, Brazil and were processed using conventional bacteriological procedures. A total of 508 isolates were obtained from 300 fecal samples: 172 E. coli (33.9% of isolates; 57.3% of individuals); 153 Enterobacter spp. (30.1% of isolates; 51.0% of individuals); 89 Klebsiella spp. (17.7% of isolates; 29.7% of individuals); 59 Citrobacter spp. (11.6% of isolates; 19.7% of individuals), 21 Proteus vulgaris (4.2% of isolates; 7.0% of individuals), 5 Providencia alcalifaciens (0.98% of isolates; 1.67% of individuals), 5 Serratia sp. (0.98% of isolates; 1.67% of individuals), 3 Hafnia aivei (0.59% of isolates; 1.00% of individuals), and 1 Salmonella sp. (0.20% of isolates; 0.33% of individuals). Escherichia coli isolates were subsequently tested for susceptibility to the following antibiotics: amoxicillin (70.93% of the isolates were resistant), ampicillin (75.58%), ciprofloxacin (23.25%), chloramphenicol (33.14%), doxycycline (64.53%), enrofloxacin (41.28%), tetracycline (69.19%), and sulfonamide (71.51%). Multi-resistance to three and four groups of antibiotics occurred in 40 samples (23.25%) and 4 samples (2.32%), respectively. These results demonstrate that illegally traded birds are carriers of potentially pathogenic bacteria, including E. coli strains with antimicrobial resistance.

Soroepidemiologia da babesiose em rebanho de bovinos da raça Curraleiro

Bovine babesiosis is a blood parasitic disease. In Brazil it is caused by B. bovis and B. bigemina protozoa, both of which reveal the Boophilus microplus tick as the only biological vector. Animal samples were collected at Experimental Study Farm of Curraleiro Cattle (ESFC) in 2001 (n=117) and 2003 (n=113). The detection of antibodies against B. bovis and B. bigemina was carried out by ELISA-indirect method. This research was aimed at studing seroepidemiological aspects of bovine babesiosis in a Curraleiro herd, as well as obtain information about babesiosis stability in this population and relate the results with available climactic and management information. The occurrence rate of positive animals was 92.3% for B. bovis and 83.8% for B. bigemina in 2001; in 2003 it was 92.9% and 66.4%, respectively. There was a significant difference between seropositive frequency and age in 2003; such a frequency decreased with ageing. It was possible to conclude that despite environmental conditions and chemical controls against endo and ectoparasites, these animals were exposed to Babesia spp and they found themselves in a situation of enzootic stability for babesiosis.

Fontes de infecção e perfil de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos de Salmonella sp. isoladas no fluxo de produção de frangos de corte

This work aimed at searching for Salmonella in liver, heart, yolk sac and meconium samples of one-day-old chicks, crops and cecum samples from slaughterhouses and drag swabs and Alphitobius diaperinus larvae or adults. It also aimed at determining the susceptibility profile to amoxicillin (10 mcg), ampicillin (10 mcg), ciprofloxacin (5 mcg), enrofloxacin (5 mcg), florfenicol (30 mcg), neomycin (30 mcg), sulfonamide (300 mcg), tetracycline (30 mcg) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (25 mcg) of typed serovars isolated. The samples were submitted to microbiological analyses by the conventional method. Salmonella sp. was isolated in 4.7% (12/256) of samples of one-day old chicks, in 6.2% (4/64) of the liver, 4.7% (3/64) of the hearts, 3.1% (2/64) of the yolk sacs, 4.7% (3/64) of meconium, and in10.2% (13/128) of the environment samples, being 9.4% (9/96) from drag swabs, 12.5% (4/32) from larvae and adult Alphitobius diaperinus and 4.4% (28/640) of the slaughterhouses samples, being 6.5% (21/320) of crops and 2.2% (7/320) of cecum samples. Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis was identified only in drag swabs and Alphitobius diaperinus. Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium was observed in the crops and cecum, which have shown high frequency of resistance to sulfonamides, 75% (6/8) and100% (3/30), respectively. Additionally, 20.7% (11/53) of the serovars have shown multiresistance to at least two of the tested drugs. In conclusion, Salmonella can be widely spread in broiler production flow, and the vertical pathway is still a major source of Salmonella insertion in the poultry production chain. The litter and bugs can perpetuate and disseminate Salmonella sp. as well as both the existence of strains resistant to antimicrobial and the occurrence of multiresistance are a threat to public health.

Infection by Leptospira spp. in Domestic Cats (Felis silvestris catus). A Review

Domestic felines (Felis silvestris catus) can be infected and parasitized by different pathogens. Among them are the bacterial genus Leptospira spp. which can infect felines and impair the homeostasis of the animal and consequently its well-being. The infected cat with a compromised immune response may present mainly renal disorders, but also hepatic signs among others. To control, diagnose and treat it is necessary that the Veterinarian has knowledge in epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of leptospirosis. The present study aims to discuss the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects regarding the infection by Leptospira spp. and leptospirosis. It is known that the cat is no longer considered a refractory species for leptospirosis, therefore, its epidemiology and therapeutic approach needs to be better clarified.

Risk Factors Associated With Seroreactivity Against Leptospira sp. in Horses From Brazilian Amazon

Abstract This study investigated the risk factors associated with seroreactivity to Leptospira sp. in horses from Brazilian Amazon. Blood samples were collected and microscopic agglutination test was performed, and univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for association with risk factors. General seroprevalence was 32.7% and the most prevalent serogroup observed was Sejroe (5.9%). Seroreactivity was associated with age, sex, activity (work, leisure, or both), feed supplementation, trash accumulation, and presence of felines. Epidemiology of leptospirosis remains poorly understood in Amazon region, particularly in livestock, requiring more studies to improve control and prevention measures. HighlightsHigh seroreactivity for Sejroe was observed in horses from Brazilian Amazon.Diversity of serogroups found potentially related to host diversity in environment.Epidemiology of leptospirosis remains understood in Amazon region.

Phenotypic evaluation for disposal in laying hens and asymptomatic infections by Salmonella spp. in the final production cycle

SUMMARY At the end of the production cycle, laying hens are intended for industrial slaughter; however, they may be also being sold to small farmers and thereby transmit pathogens under uncontrolled production practices. This study was developed with the objective of evaluating the physical characteristics of laying birds in the final cycle and investigating Salmonella presence. A total of 22 flocks of commercial laying hens over 76 wk of age were evaluated. For each flock, 20 birds were randomly selected. A total of 440 birds underwent visual evaluation of the comb, wattle, leg spur, beak, and cloaca appearance and distance measurement between the pubic bones and between the pubis and keeled sternum. After euthanasia and necropsy, ovarian follicles, liver fragment, spleen, heart, colon content, and oviduct swabs were evaluated for their normal aspects and changes. Six organ samples collected from each of 4 birds were pooled, respectively, and 24 pooled samples per flock totaled 528. Salmonella spp. were isolated in at least 2 samples from 7 of the 22 flocks (31.8%) sampled and in most of the productive birds (up to 71%). A total of 31 isolates were distributed in this way: 29.1% Salmonella Gallinarum, 19.3% Salmonella Heideberg, 16.1% Salmonella Enteritidis, 12.9% Salmonella Schwarzengrund; 9.7% Salmonella Cerro, 6.5% Salmonella Thiphimurium, 3.2% Salmonella Johannesburg, and 3.2% Salmonella Montevideo. It is concluded that individual phenotypic evaluations in laying hens over 76 wk of age can be used before birds are discarded related to end of production and phenotypic changes. The disposed, unproductive birds should not be sold to small breeders, follow‐up current legislation, because Salmonella serovars have been identified. There was no correlation between asymptomatic Salmonella spp. and phenotypic alterations evaluated for disposal.

Phenotypic and molecular detection of Salmonella sp. on growing, rearing and production phases in a commercial group of laying hens

This present study was developed with the objective of detect Salmonella sp. by conventional bacteriology and qPCR techniques in samples of flooring material from transport crates (meconium); raising environment (swab of cages and drinking fountains); cloacal swab; food and insects from growing, rearing and production phases in a commercial group of laying hens. A total of 864 samples were collected, among whom 248 originated from growing, 392 from rearing and 224 from production phase. Among the 864 samples, 2,8% where positives in bacteriologic technique and 15.3% in qPCR. Contamination was higher in growing and rearing phases and declined in production phase. Twenty four isolations of Salmonella where typified as Salmonella Agona (41.7%), Salmonella Livingstone (33.3%), Salmonella Cerro (16.7%), Salmonella Senftenberg (4.2%) and Salmonella Schwarzengrund (4.2%). During growing phase Salmonella Livingstone was identified. These findings suggest vertical contamination in the group. During rearing and production phases, isolated materials belong to serovars Agona, Cerro, Senftenberg and Schwarzengrund, pointing to horizontal contamination. It is possible to conclude that both vertical and horizontal contaminations are important during the cycle of commercial egg production and contamination in rearing phase is higher than in growing and production phases.

Molecular diagnosis of Hepatozoon canis in symptomatic dogs in the city of Goiania, Goiás, Brazil

More than 300 species have been described in the genus Hepatozoon, occurring in different vertebrates. Among these, only Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanum are seen in dogs. Different methods may be used for laboratory diagnosis. The most common of these is direct parasitological examination of parasite stages in blood smears. The aim of this investigation was to conduct a phylogenetic study on Hepatozoon isolates from symptomatic dogs in the city of Goiânia, Goias, Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 40 symptomatic dogs that had been referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Goias. Among these, only two samples were positive for Hepatozoon spp. using the direct parasitological method. These samples were then subjected to a DNA extraction process and amplification of a fragment of the 18S rRNA by means of PCR. Subsequently, the PCR products from each sample were purified and sequenced. The sequences obtained were then analyzed using the BLASTn algorithm, which identified both sequences of this study as Hepatozoon canis. By applying the Mega4 software, it was confirmed that these isolates of H. canis from dogs in Goiânia are similar to other reference isolates of the same species from other regions of Brazil and worldwide.

Detection of Salmonella enterica in Synanthropic Birds in the Metropolitan Areaof Goiania-Go

Free living birds are considered a potential source of pathogens for livestock. In order to assess their importance in the epidemiological chain of avian salmonellosis, 260 biological samples were taken from two species with known synanthropic behavior: (a) Pigeon (Columbia livia) and (b) Black-headed vulture (Coragyps atratus). Both were screened for the presence of Salmonella enterica, with subsequent serotyping of positive samples. To facilitate the above mentioned serotyping of the biological samples we adopted conventional bacteriological methods and rPCR analysis. During the bacteriological examination a total of 13% (26/200) samples from the pigeons, were found positive. Of those isolated, 73% (19/26) were identified as Salmonella enterica, serotype Schwazengrund; 23.07% was identified as Salmonella enterica, serotype Typhimurium, 3.84% (1/26) was identified as Salmonella enterica, serotype Enteriditis. The results of the rPCR analysis showed 27% (54/200) as being positive with Salmonella enterica. None of the 60 samples taken from the vultures, showed up as positive during the conventional bacteriological exams, contrarily to the rPCR analysis, which detected 8.3% (5/60) as positive. In conclusion, pigeons and black-headed vulture from the metropolitan area of Goiânia could be identified as carriers of Salmonella species.