Spatial analysis of leishmaniasis in Brazil: a systematized review

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of scientific papers that used spatial analysis tools in cases of leishmaniasis, in Brazil. The search for articles was carried out in PubMed, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The keywords used in the identification of the articles were Thematic map AND Leishmaniasis, Spatial analysis AND Leishmaniasis, and Geoprocessing AND Leishmaniasis, in English language. A total of 360 articles were found, and 11 of them were analyzed after screening by title and abstract as well as reading of the full articles. The States studied were Sao Paulo, Acre, Maranhao, Piaui, Minas Gerais, Parana and Tocantins. Cutaneous leishmaniasis occurred predominantly in rural areas, with clusters in forest reserve regions or modified forest areas. Conversely, visceral leishmaniasis mainly occurred in peripheral and central urban areas associated with poorer environments and urban infrastructure, including worse sanitation. We conclude that the spatial distribution of leishmaniasis is closely related to the living environment of the risk population. The analyzed articles associated geospatial data with some risk factors for the disease, pointing out the locations where most cases occur, creating a relevant source to define control strategies

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in ruminants and observation of natural infection by Cryptosporidium andersoni in sheep from Paraná, Brazil

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify Cryptosporidium species found in cattle and sheep in Paraná, southern region of Brazil. Individual fecal samples from 458 bovines and 101 sheep were submitted for molecular analysis by PCR and nested PCR using specific primers for sequences of the 18S ribosomal unit (rRNA). Positive samples were analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), followed by genetic sequencing for species confirmation. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium was 11.27% (63/559). The highest occurrence was detected in lambs (12/59, 20.33%). From the 63 positive samples, it was possible to identify the species in 58 of them by RFLP and genetic sequencing. Five species of Cryptosporidium were identified: Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae, Cryptosporidium xiaoi, and Cryptosporidium parvum. The most prevalent species was C. andersoni (41.38%) and the least predominant was C. parvum (10.34%). The most abundant species of Cryptosporidium in dairy calves were C. andersoni (11/25) and C. ryanae (6/25). Of the 17 positive sheep, nine (52.94%) were infected with C. andersoni. This finding is the first report on the occurrence of C. andersoni in naturally infected sheep in Brazil and the first observation of a high absolute occurrence of this Cryptosporidium species in sheep

Maxwell's Equations in the Myers-Perry Geometry

We demonstrate separability of the Maxwell's equations in the Myers-Perry-(A)dS geometry and derive explicit solutions for various polarizations. Application of our construction to the four-dimensional Kerr black hole leads to a new ansatz for the Maxwell field which has significant advantages over the previously known parameterization.Comment: 94 pages. V2: Appendix F added, typos fixe

Waterborne Giardia and Cryptosporidium: contamination of human drinking water by sewage and cattle feces

A água é um importante veículo de transmissão de patógenos, entre eles Cryptosporidium spp e Giardia duodenalis, respectivamente responsáveis por 58% e 38% dos surtos de veiculação hídrica registrados em cerca de 60 anos. Características relacionadas às fases ambientais destes protozoários e a grande quantidade de hospedeiros são importantes fatores relacionados à contaminação ambiental. Em surtos de criptosporidiose e giardíase por veiculação hídrica são apontados como principais fatores de risco a contaminação dos mananciais, utilizados para a dessedentação humana, por esgoto não tratado e o desague de fezes de animais devido ao carreamento por água da chuva. Além destes fatores, esta revisão aborda aspectos taxonômicos, biológicos e epidemiológicos, como prevalência, fatores de risco e caracterização molecular destes protozoários em humanos e bovinos como forma de elucidar a importância destes hospedeiros na contaminação ambiental e, consequentemente, como fonte de infecção para humanos suscetíveis, especialmente em áreas rurais. Nestas áreas são frequentemente utilizadas fontes alternativas de abastecimento de água, como poços e nascentes, sem tratamento e monitoramento de potabilidade. Dados epidemiológico auxiliam, porém não são suficientes para caracterizar fontes de infecção, sendo necessário o uso de adequadas ferramentas de caracterização molecular para subtipagem de protozoários identificados em fezes e amostras ambientais e avaliação do risco de saúde pública.Water is an important vehicle for pathogens such as Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis. In fact, these organisms are responsible for almost 58% and 38% of the waterborne outbreaks reported in ~60 years. Characteristics related to the environmental phase of these protozoa and the different types of hosts are important factors related to environmental contamination. In cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, outbreaks caused by waterborne pathogens are identified as major risk factors for contamination of water resources by untreated sewage and the entrainment of cattle feces in rainwater. Further, this review covers taxonomic, biologic, and epidemiologic aspects such as prevalence, risk factors, and molecular characterization of these protozoa observed in humans and cattle in order to elucidate the role of these hosts in environmental pollution, and consequently, as a source of infection for susceptible humans, especially in rural areas. Alternative water resources such as wells and springs are used without water treatment and potability monitoring. Epidemiological data are useful, but insufficient to characterize the source of infection, thereby requiring the use of appropriate molecular methods for subtyping the protozoa detected in environmental and feces samples as well as for assessing public health risk

Anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle from the northern region of Paraná state, Brazil

ABSTRACT: The presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, was evaluated. A total of 401 blood samples were collected; 281 samples from the municipality of Rolândia and 120 from the municipality of Borrazópolis, between April 2015 and November 2016. Of the total samples, 289 were from females and 112 from males, aged one and a half to eight years. Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed, using a cut-off of 1:100. Variables were tabulated for statistical analyses (Fisher’s exact test and chi-square tests, p≤0.05). The analysis showed that of the 401 samples, 37 were positive for N. caninum, indicating a prevalence of 9.2 %, and observed titers were 1:100 (16), 1:200 (14), and 1:400 (7). The variables sex, age, and location did not differ statistically (p>0.05). Our results showed a sero-occurrence of N. caninum in cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in a public water-treatment system, Paraná, Southern Brazil

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in a public water-treatment system. Samples of raw and treated water were collected and concentrated using the membrane filtration technique. Direct Immunofluorescence Test was performed on the samples. DNA extraction using a commercial kit was performed and the DNA extracted was submitted to a nested-PCR reaction (n-PCR) and sequencing. In the immunofluorescence, 2/24 (8.33%) samples of raw water were positive for Giardia spp.. In n-PCR and sequencing, 2/24 (8.33%) samples of raw water were positive for Giardia spp., and 2/24 (8.33%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp.. The sequencing showed Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis DNA. In raw water, there was moderate correlation among turbidity, color and Cryptosporidium spp. and between turbidity and Giardia spp.. The presence of these protozoans in the water indicates the need for monitoring for water-treatment companies

Correction: Spatial and simultaneous representative seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in owners and their domiciled dogs in a major city of southern Brazil.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180906.]