SEROLOGICAL DETECTION OF HEPATITIS A VIRUS IN FREE-RANGING NEOTROPICAL PRIMATES (Sapajus spp., Alouatta caraya) FROM THE PARANÁ RIVER BASIN, BRAZIL

Nonhuman primates are considered as the natural hosts of Hepatitis A virus (HAV), as well as other pathogens, and can serve as natural sentinels to investigate epizootics and endemic diseases that are of public health importance. During this study, blood samples were collected from 112 Neotropical primates (NTPs) (Sapajus nigritus and S. cay, n = 75; Alouatta caraya, n = 37) trap-captured at the Paraná River basin, Brazil, located between the States of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies were detected in 4.5% (5/112) of NTPs, specifically in 6.7% (5/75) of Sapajus spp. and 0% (0/37) of A. caraya. In addition, all samples were negative for the presence of IgM anti-HAV antibodies. These results suggest that free-ranging NTPs were exposed to HAV within the geographical regions evaluated

SEROLOGICAL DETECTION OF HEPATITIS A VIRUS IN FREE-RANGING NEOTROPICAL PRIMATES (Sapajus spp., Alouatta caraya) FROM THE PARANÁ RIVER BASIN, BRAZIL

Nonhuman primates are considered as the natural hosts of Hepatitis A virus (HAV), as well as other pathogens, and can serve as natural sentinels to investigate epizootics and endemic diseases that are of public health importance. During this study, blood samples were collected from 112 Neotropical primates (NTPs) (Sapajus nigritus and S. cay, n = 75; Alouatta caraya, n = 37) trap-captured at the Paraná River basin, Brazil, located between the States of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies were detected in 4.5% (5/112) of NTPs, specifically in 6.7% (5/75) of Sapajus spp. and 0% (0/37) of A. caraya. In addition, all samples were negative for the presence of IgM anti-HAV antibodies. These results suggest that free-ranging NTPs were exposed to HAV within the geographical regions evaluated

Primary ovary hemangiosarcoma in a female dog

Um cão, fêmea, raça Boxer, com nove anos de idade foi diagnosticado com osteossarcoma no membro posterior direito. Durante a investigação de ocorrência de metástase por meio de exames de imagem, observou-se presença de uma massa na cavidade abdominal. Realizou-se laparatomia exploratória e observou-se que a massa estava localizada no ovário esquerdo. O exame citológico intraoperatório demonstrou presença de células fusiformes com moderado pleomorfismo celular e neutrófilos. Tais achados citológicos não foram sugestivos de metástase de osteossarcoma. A massa foi totalmente excisada e submetida à avaliação histopatológica. No exame microscópico observou-se uma proliferação de células fusiformes dispostas em arranjos trabeculares formando canais vasculares, entremeadas por discreto a moderado estroma colagenoso. As células mostraram moderado pleomorfismo celular e alto índice mitótico. Havia presença de necrose acentuada e hemorragia multifocal. Com base nos achados histopatológicos, o diagnóstico definitivo foi de hemangiosarcoma. Este tumor raramente acomete o ovário como sítio primário em cães e foi relatado apenas uma vez na literatura veterinária. No entanto, deve ser considerado como diagnóstico diferencial em cães fêmeas com massa em ovário.A nine-year-old female Boxer was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right hind limb. During imaging exams to investigate the occurrence of metastasis, it was observed a mass in the abdominal cavity. A laparotomy was performed, and the mass was detected in the left ovary. Intraoperative fine-needle aspirates were made and showed spindle cells with moderate cellular pleomorphism and neutrophils. The cytological findings were not compatible with osteosarcoma metastasis. The mass was excised and submitted to histopathological evaluation. The microscopic examination showed a proliferation of spindle cells forming small vascular channels and a trabecular pattern interspersed by discrete to moderate collagenous stroma. The cells showed moderate cellular pleomorphism and high mitotic index. There was abundant necrosis and multifocal hemorrhage. The definitive diagnosis was hemangiosarcoma. This is a rare primary ovary tumor in dogs with just one previous report in veterinary literature. However, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in female dogs with ovary mass.

Seroepidemiology of Leishmania spp. in dogs residing in Telêmaco Borba, Paraná, Brazil

A leishmaniose é uma importante metazoonose causada por protozoários do gênero Leishmania, com ciclo de vida heteroxênico que envolve hospedeiros invertebrados e vertebrados. A transmissão ocorre durante o repasto sanguíneo do flebotomíneo infectado em animais domésticos e silvestres e no homem. O cão é caracterizado como reservatório do protozoário na leishmaniose visceral, já na leishmaniose tegumentar americana é um hospedeiro errático que, assim como o homem, se infecta acidentalmente. O cão ainda pode ser considerado um importante sinalizador da presença do protozoário e dos vetores no ambiente, assinalando assim a importância do diagnóstico nestes animais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer a soroepidemiologia da Leishmania spp. em cães do Município de Telêmaco Borba que participaram de um mutirão de castração. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 191 cães e aplicado um questionário epidemiológico a seus proprietários. A análise sorológica foi realizada pelas técnicas Imunofluorescência Indireta (IFI) e Imunocromatografia rápida (DPP®). A triagem realizada pela IFI revelou 13 (6,81%) animais reagentes, destes nenhum apresentou positividade no teste DPP®, específico para leishmaniose visceral. A análise estatística das variáveis presentes no questionário epidemiológico indicou associação significativa entre a sorologia positiva e presença de folhas amontoadas/compostagem no quintal (p=0,0498), áreas de mata (praças, bosques, parques) nos arredores da residência (p=0,0015) e lesões ulceradas e/ou nodulares de difícil cicatrização na pele de animais (p=0,0138). Este estudo revelou que há anticorpos IgG anti-Leishmania spp. em cães do Município de Telêmaco Borba, sugerindo a presença do protozoário e do vetor no ambiente, e que a existência de folhas amontoadas/compostagem no quintal, áreas de mata nos arredores da residência e lesões na pele de animais são fatores associados à infecção por Leishmania spp. nestes cães.Leishmaniasis is an important metazoonosis caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and has a heteroxenic life cycle involving invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Transmission occurs during the blood meal of infected phlebotomine sand flies in wild species, domestic animals, and humans. The dog is a reservoir for the parasite causing visceral leishmaniasis (VL), whereas in American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL), dogs are erratic hosts that are accidentally infected, as in humans. Dogs are considered an important indicator of the parasite and its vectors in the environment, thus highlighting the importance of diagnosis in these animals. This study aimed to assess the seroepidemiology of Leishmania spp. in dogs in the municipality of Telêmaco Borba that were part of a castration campaign. Blood samples from 191 dogs were collected, and their owners were surveyed on various epidemiological variables. Serological analysis was performed using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and rapid immunochromatography (DPP®). Screening by IIF identified 13 (6.81%) positive animals, none of which were positive for the DPP® test, which is specific for VL. Statistical analysis of the questionnaire responses indicated a significant association between seropositivity and the presence of stacked or composting leaves in the backyard (p = 0.0498), forest areas (squares, woods, parks) near the residence (p = 0.0015), and poorly healing ulcerated or nodular epidermal lesions in the dog (p = 0.0138). This study revealed the presence of anti-Leishmania spp. IgG antibodies in dogs residing in Telêmaco Borba, suggesting the presence of the parasite and vector in the environment. In addition, the existence of stacked or composting leaves in the backyard, forest areas near the residence, and epidermal lesions in dogs are factors associated with Leishmania spp. infection in pet dogs

Serological evidence for Saint Louis encephalitis virus in free-ranging New World monkeys and horses within the upper Paraná River basin region, Southern Brazil

Introduction Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) primarily occurs in the Americas and produces disease predominantly in humans. This study investigated the serological presence of SLEV in nonhuman primates and horses from southern Brazil. Methods From June 2004 to December 2005, sera from 133 monkeys (Alouatta caraya, n=43; Sapajus nigritus, n=64; Sapajus cay, n=26) trap-captured at the Paraná River basin region and 23 blood samples from farm horses were obtained and used for the serological detection of a panel of 19 arboviruses. All samples were analyzed in a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay; positive monkey samples were confirmed in a mouse neutralization test (MNT). Additionally, all blood samples were inoculated into C6/36 cell culture for viral isolation. Results Positive seroreactivity was only observed for SLEV. A prevalence of SLEV antibodies in sera was detected in Alouatta caraya (11.6%; 5/43), Sapajus nigritus (12.5%; 8/64), and S. cay (30.8%; 8/26) monkeys with the HI assay. Of the monkeys, 2.3% (1/42) of A. caraya, 6.3% 94/64) of S. nigritus, and 15.4% (4/26) of S. cay were positive for SLEV in the MNT. Additionally, SLEV antibodies were detected by HI in 39.1% (9/23) of the horses evaluated in this study. Arboviruses were not isolated from any blood sample. Conclusions These results confirmed the presence of SLEV in nonhuman primates and horses from southern Brazil. These findings most likely represent the first detection of this virus in nonhuman primates beyond the Amazon region. The detection of SLEV in animals within a geographical region distant from the Amazon basin suggests that there may be widespread and undiagnosed dissemination of this disease in Brazil

Antibodies anti-trypanosomatides in domestic cats in Paraná: who is at highest risk of infection?

<div><p>Abstract The aim of this study were to detect antibodies anti-Leishmania spp. and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi in two different populations of domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from North Paraná referred for surgical castration and to determine which characteristics of the animals studied may be associated with seropositivity. Serum samples from 679 cats were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in series. Associations between age, sex, race, year of care and animal group were verified using the simple logistic regression. Percentage of 8.5% (58/679) of cats were positive for Leishmania spp. and 7.6% (51/673) for T. cruzi by the tests ELISA and IFAT. Animals collected by non-governmental animal protection organizations presented more seropositivity for Leishmania spp. (p<0.0001). Results shown that Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi are present in domestic cats in the northern part of the state of Paraná, as well as, owners of non-governmental animal protection organizations may be more exposed to leishmaniasis when compared to other animal owners evaluated in the present study.</p></div

Antibodies anti-trypanosomatides in domestic cats in Paraná: who is at highest risk of infection?

<div><p>Abstract The aim of this study were to detect antibodies anti-Leishmania spp. and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi in two different populations of domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from North Paraná referred for surgical castration and to determine which characteristics of the animals studied may be associated with seropositivity. Serum samples from 679 cats were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in series. Associations between age, sex, race, year of care and animal group were verified using the simple logistic regression. Percentage of 8.5% (58/679) of cats were positive for Leishmania spp. and 7.6% (51/673) for T. cruzi by the tests ELISA and IFAT. Animals collected by non-governmental animal protection organizations presented more seropositivity for Leishmania spp. (p<0.0001). Results shown that Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi are present in domestic cats in the northern part of the state of Paraná, as well as, owners of non-governmental animal protection organizations may be more exposed to leishmaniasis when compared to other animal owners evaluated in the present study.</p></div