Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in domestic non-commercial pigs reared in small-scale farms and wild boar in South of Brazil

Hepatitis E is a zoonotic emerging disease distributed worldwide. The domestic swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa) are known as important reservoirs of HEV although HEV infections have been detected in other animal species. The southern region of Brazil has the largest swine productions in the country, ranging from highly-specialized commercial swine productions to small-scale non-commercial pig farms. The small-scale farms allow interactions between wild boars and domestic pigs, when occasionally pathogens transmission can occur between these populations. The aim of this study was to determine HEV seroprevalence in non-commercial domestic pigs and wild boars from two southern Brazilian states (RS: Rio Grande do Sul; SC: Santa Catarina), and discuss if the consumption of raw or undercooked meat from these animals is a potential risk to public health. Animals from RS and SC States were sampled. Serum was harvested from wild boar hunted between 2012 and 2016, and from non-commercial small-scale pig farms in 2014. Overall 249 wild boars (56 from RS and 193 from SC) and 382 pigs (261 from RS and 121 from SC) were tested to detect anti-HEV IgG antibodies using a commercial HEV antibody ELISA kit (Thermo fisher), specific for swine. Overall difference was observed (P\u3c0.0001) regarding HEV seroprevalence between wild boar 4.42% (n=249) and non-commercial domestic pigs 46.60% (n=382). In relation to wild boars samples, higher seroprevalence for Hepatitis E was observed in RS (14.29%; n=56) and lower in SC (1.55%; n=193; P\u3c0.0004). In relation to pigs, RS had also higher seroprevalence (53.26%; n=261) than SC (32.23%; n=121; P\u3c0.0002). Although interactions between wild boar and non-commercial domestic pigs are known to occur, the lowest antibody detection in wild boar suggest that these contact may not be sufficient to explain seroprevalence in studied populations. Our results indicate that non-commercial pigs are a more likely source of infection for the human population than wild boar

Seroprevalence of Brucella Spp., Lepstospira Spp and Toxoplasma Gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Southern Brazil

The wild boar (Sus scrofa), exotic invasive specie, is currently distributed in many Brazilian states, including Santa Catarina (SC) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Since the wild pigs are susceptible to zoonotic pathogens as Leptospira spp, Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella spp, their large populations, movements and dispersion can spread diseases, being a potential transmission source to humans, livestock and other sylvatic sympatric species. Despite its importance are there few information about sanitary status of this wild populations and their impact for human and livestock health in Brazil. Objective this work was to investigate the presence of antibodies to Brucella spp, Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp in blood samples of wild boar legally hunted for population control in SC and RS states. From January 2014 to July 2016, 193 samples were tested to antibodies against Brucella spp (buffered acidified plate agglutination test-BAPA) and Leptospira spp (micro agglutination test-MAT). Of these 193, 149 were tested to Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (HAI test). Overall, serological results showed negativity to Brucella spp and low prevalence for Toxoplasma gondii (2,7%). On the other hand, the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp was 6,74% with significantly greater percentage of positivity in RS (12,5%) compared to SC (3,88%). The most prevalent serovars ware Icterohaemorragiae and Pomona, with titers ranging from 1:400 to 1:12,800 in RS. Icterohaemorragiae was the most prevalent serovar in SC but with lowest titres. Seroprevalence of these pathogens in wild population indicate the environmental health, including sympatric livestock and wildlife. Ecological factors should be considered to understand the role of wild boars in the cycle of these diseases. Our results indicate that hunters and consumers of wild boar meat of must be aware about zoonotic risk in carcass handling and meat intake.</p

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in domestic non-commercial pigs reared in small-scale farms and wild boar in South of Brazil

Hepatitis E is a zoonotic emerging disease distributed worldwide. The domestic swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa) are known as important reservoirs of HEV although HEV infections have been detected in other animal species. The southern region of Brazil has the largest swine productions in the country, ranging from highly-specialized commercial swine productions to small-scale non-commercial pig farms. The small-scale farms allow interactions between wild boars and domestic pigs, when occasionally pathogens transmission can occur between these populations. The aim of this study was to determine HEV seroprevalence in non-commercial domestic pigs and wild boars from two southern Brazilian states (RS: Rio Grande do Sul; SC: Santa Catarina), and discuss if the consumption of raw or undercooked meat from these animals is a potential risk to public health. Animals from RS and SC States were sampled. Serum was harvested from wild boar hunted between 2012 and 2016, and from non-commercial small-scale pig farms in 2014. Overall 249 wild boars (56 from RS and 193 from SC) and 382 pigs (261 from RS and 121 from SC) were tested to detect anti-HEV IgG antibodies using a commercial HEV antibody ELISA kit (Thermo fisher), specific for swine. Overall difference was observed (P<0.0001) regarding HEV seroprevalence between wild boar 4.42% (n=249) and non-commercial domestic pigs 46.60% (n=382). In relation to wild boars samples, higher seroprevalence for Hepatitis E was observed in RS (14.29%; n=56) and lower in SC (1.55%; n=193; P<0.0004). In relation to pigs, RS had also higher seroprevalence (53.26%; n=261) than SC (32.23%; n=121; P<0.0002). Although interactions between wild boar and non-commercial domestic pigs are known to occur, the lowest antibody detection in wild boar suggest that these contact may not be sufficient to explain seroprevalence in studied populations. Our results indicate that non-commercial pigs are a more likely source of infection for the human population than wild boar.</p

Nem tudo que parece ser, é lesão: aspectos anatômicos, não lesões, artefatos, lesões sem significado clínico e alterações post mortem encontrados na necropsia de suínos domésticos e selvagens (Sus scrofa)

A interpretação das alterações encontradas na necropsia é uma etapa importante para o sucesso do diagnóstico final. Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever e ilustrar os aspectos anatômicos, não lesões, artefatos, lesões sem significado clínico e alterações post mortem encontradas em suínos domésticos e selvagens. Além disso, também se recomenda técnicas de colheita de tecidos para o diagnóstico de doenças que acometem essa espécie. Os principais aspectos anatômicos e não lesões descritos são fímbrias linguais, quadrilátero esofágico, toro pilórico e demarcação do padrão lobular do fígado (sistema gastrintestinal); tonsilas do palato mole, tecido linfoide associado ao estômago, placas de Peyer do intestino delgado e dobras da margem do baço (sistema hematopoiético); mediastino proeminente do testículo e aréolas da placenta (sistema reprodutor); atelectasia pulmonar e apêndice decidual (feto); e glândulas carpais (sistema tegumentar). Os artefatos de eutanásia abordados são petéquias na superfície do pulmão e rim, falsa anemia por sangria, hemorragia subdural por concussão cerebral, pseudo-infartos do baço e aspecto cerebriforme do intestino delgado. As lesões de pouco significado clínico descritas são cistos renais, linfonodos com pigmento de ferro, papilomas e hemangiomas no escroto, ossos no mesentério e hiperemia da mucosa gástrica. As alterações post mortem comumente encontradas são livor mortis, músculos pálidos, pseudomelanose e líquido serosanguinolento nas cavidades torácica e abdominal em fetos

Seropositive Wild Boars Suggesting the Occurrence of a Wild Cycle of Trichinella spp. in Brazil

Trichinella is a zoonotic nematode traditionally detected worldwide in both domestic and wild animals. In South America, along with the occurrence of this parasite in domestic pigs and wild boars, there are reports of infection in wild carnivores. Brazil is considered free of the domestic cycle of Trichinella, but there is unpublished serological evidence of infection in wild boars, which changed the Brazilian status in OIE regarding the disease after an official communication. We investigated Trichinella spp. infection in wild boars and wild carnivores in the Southeastern region of Brazil. A total of 136 samples were tested, 121 from wild boars and 15 from wild carnivores. Artificial enzymatic digestion (AED) tests were performed on muscle samples from 37 wild boars and 15 wild carnivores, and 115 serum samples from wild boars were tested by iELISA. Seven serum samples from wild boars tested positive (7/115 = 6.1%, 95% CI 3.0&ndash;12.0), but no larvae were found in the AED. There was no significant difference between sex, age, and location of the samples. The serological results suggest that a wild cycle of Trichinella spp. may occur in Brazil, but further analyses should be performed to confirm the presence of the parasite