Occurrence of Ancylostoma in dogs, cats and public places from Andradina city, São Paulo state, Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and intensity of Ancylostoma spp. in 33 dogs and 52 cats by means of coproparasitological examinations and parasitological necropsy, and assess the presence of contaminated feces with eggs of that parasite in public places of Andradina Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. Willis-Mollay and Sedimentation methods indicated Ancylostoma spp. eggs in 87.8% (29/33) dogs and 94.2% (49/52) cats. The species A. caninum and A. braziliense were found in 63.6% (21/33) and 30.3% (10/33) of dogs, respectively. Considering cats, 67.3% (35/52) were parasitized by A. braziliense, 21.1% (11/52) by A. caninum, and 9.6% (5/52) by A. tubaeforme. Forty-two canine fecal samples were collected from public environments, including 23 squares/gardens and 19 streets/sidewalks. Positive samples for Ancylostoma spp. accounted for 64.3% (27/42); squares/gardens had 60.9% (14/23) positive samples, and streets and sidewalks, 68.4% (13/19). No association was observed between the number of Ancylostoma spp parasites and age, sex and breed of the animals and also the ratio of EPG counts and the parasitic intensity observed at necropsy (p > 0.05). Based on the high occurrence of hookworm in dogs and cats in this study, the treatment with anti helminthics are needed even in those animals with negative stool tests, besides adopting control of the number of animals in public places, in order to decrease the likelihood of environmental contamination, since this parasite represents a potential hazard to human and animal health

Molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium spp. in lambs in the south central region of the State of São Paulo

Considering the proximity of sheep farmers to animals that are possibly diseased or releasing fecal oocysts into the environment and the marked pathogenicity in lambs, the aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and to molecularly characterize the infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in lambs in the South Central region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 193 fecal samples were collected from sheep of several breeds, males and females, aged up to one year. Polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) was used to amplify DNA fragments from the subunit 18S rRNA gene and indicated 15% positivity; sequencing of amplified fragments was possible for 19 samples. Analysis of the obtained sequences showed that the identified species were Cryptosporidium xiaoi for 15 samples, constituting thus the first molecular characterization study of this Cryptosporidium species in Brazil. Cryptosporidium ubiquitum was identified for three samples and Cryptosporidium meleagridis for one sample; the latter two are considered zoonotic species.Devido à proximidade de criadores de ovinos com animais possivelmente doentes e/ou eliminando oocistos fecais no ambiente e pela acentuada patogenicidade em cordeiros o objetivo foi, determinar a ocorrência e caracterizar molecularmente a infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. em cordeiros na região Centro Sul do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Num total de 193 amostras de fezes foram coletadas de ovinos de diversas raças, machos e fêmeas, com idade de até um ano. Por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (nested PCR) para a amplificação de fragmentos de DNA a partir do gene da subunidade 18S do rRNA houve positividade de 15% e o sequenciamento dos fragmentos amplificados foi possível em 19 amostras. A análise das sequências obtidas mostraram que as espécies identificadas nesses animais foram Cryptosporidium xiaoi em 15 amostras, sendo o primeiro estudo de caracterização molecular desta espécie de Cryptosporidium no Brasil. Cryptosporidium ubiquitum em três amostras, e Cryptosporidium meleagridis em uma amostra, sendo estas duas últimas consideradas espécies zoonóticas.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Experimental toxoplasmosis in pregnant bitches

Three Toxoplasma gondii free bitches (No, 3-5) were fed 15 000 sporulated T. gondii oocysts at 56, 40 and 32 day of gestation and the outcome of the pregnancy was monitored. Two of the three dogs infected during pregnancy showed evidence of congenital infection and one aborted. Two control bitches not fed oocysts delivered eight uninfected healthy pups. This study demonstrated that I gondii can be congenitally transmitted in dogs when bitches are infected during pregnancy. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved

Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats from Brazil

The occurrence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasmagondii was determined in 400 domestic cats (Siamese, Persian, and undetermined breeds) from the Municipality of Aracatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, through the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). of the 400 cats, 100 were seropositive to T. gondii (25%, titer >= 64) and 98 to N. caninum (24.5%, titer >= 16). The rate of seropositive cats for T. gondii was correlated with age (chi(2)=35.7; p < 0.001), with a higher number of infected animals at older ages. of the 219 cats younger than 1-year-old, 13.2% were seropositive for T. gondii, while 39.2% were positive in the 181 older animals. The presence of N. caninum was also correlated with age (divided by(2)=8.8; p < 0.01), with 18.7% (41/219) and 31.5% (57/181) of positive animals at ages below and above 12-month, respectively. An association between the occurrences of both protozoa in the felines was also observed (chi(2)=19.6; p < 0.001)

Viability of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle semen cryopreserved with different concentrations of cryoprotectant

ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii can be eliminated in bovine semen. Cryopreserved semen is often used due to the fact that artificial insemination in dairy and beef cattle provides benefits in terms of production. However, little is known regarding the viability and infectivity of T. gondii tachyzoites in cryopreserved bovine semen. In the present study, cattle semen negative for T. gondii were contaminated with 1 x 106 tachyzoites (RH strain) and cryopreserved with and without different cryoprotectants, such as DMSO (concentrations of 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 8.0% and 10.0%) and glycerol (2.25%, 2.5%, 3.0%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0%), followed by freezing in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). After 24 hours, the samples were thawed and inoculated in 10 mice per cryoprotectant concentration. The mice were evaluated for clinical signs of toxoplasmosis (rough coat, diarrhea, hypoactivity and sudden death) as well as serum titers of IgM and IgG and the presence of tachyzoites in the peritoneal lavage. The results revealed that T. gondii remained infective in all samples. Clinical signs of toxoplasmosis were observed in the mice beginning with the 6th day post-inoculation (DPI) and 100% lethality was found between the 7th and 9th DPI. Viable tachyzoites were recovered from peritoneal exudate of dead mice (except for the control group), with higher mean of tachyzoite counts in the intraperitoneal lavage for 5% DMSO (±3.32 x 106), 8% DMSO (±3.53 x 106), 3% glycerol (±4.75 x 106), 7.5% glycerol (±6.26 x 106) and the absence of cryoprotectant (±3.11 x 106). Seroconversion occurred in the treated groups, with titers of IgG from 1:16 to 1:128 and IgM from 1:16 to 1:512. T. gondii viability and infectivity were maintained in cattle semen during 24 hours of cryopreservation at -196°C with and without cryoprotectant. However, further studies are necessary to determine whether cryopreserved semen contributes to the spread of toxoplasmosis through artificial insemination

Detection of cross infections by Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp. in dogs using indirect immunoenzyme assay, indirect fluorescent antibody test and polymerase chain reaction

The aim of this study was to detect cross infections by Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp. using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thus, 408 blood samples were collected from dogs domiciled in Ara double dagger atuba Municipality, So Paulo State, Brazil; the dogs were of both sexes, of several breeds and aged 6 months. For Leishmania spp., 14.95 % (61 out of 408) of dogs were reactive using IFAT. Positivity was 20.10 % (82 out of 408) using ELISA and 29.66 % (121 out of 408) using PCR, with significant differences for the sex and age of these animals (p < 0.05). For Trypanosoma spp., antibody occurrence using ELISA was 10.54 % (43 out of 408), while PCR indicated 2.45 % (10 out of 408) positive dogs. Using IFAT, 10.29 % (42 out of 408) of animals were considered positive and only sex showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). In this study, 10.54 % (43 out of 408) of animals were seropositive according to ELISA for Trypanosoma spp., of which 79.07 % (34 out of 43) showed positive results in the molecular diagnosis for Leishmania spp., while of the 10.29 % (42 out of 408) positive dogs according to IFAT, 95.24 % (40 out of 42) had confirmed infection by this parasite. The obtained results demonstrate evidence of cross infections by both protozoa in the animals analysed in this study.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP