Spatial distribution and population dynamics of free-roaming (stray and semi-domiciled) dogs in a major Brazilian city

IntroductionAlthough estimate models have been proposed to determine free-roaming (both stray and semi-domiciled) dog populations, to date, no study has focused on the three major border areas of Brazil. Therefore, the present study assessed the free-roaming dog population of Foz do Iguaçu, a major far-west Brazilian city located in a three-border area (Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay), which is considered among the top five Brazilian tourist destinations.MethodsCapture-release sampling was performed in three phases with a 6-month interval and 10-day duration of each phase, totaling 18 months, between 2018 and 2019.ResultsA total of 1,273 dogs were estimated in the first [95% confidence interval (CI), 468–2,078 dogs], 904 in the second (95%CI, 452–1,355 dogs), and 1,564 in the third (95%CI, 521–2,607 dogs) capture phases in this area, suggesting a population density of 18.4 dogs/km2 (6.1–30.6 dogs/km2, 95% CI). Of all free-roaming dogs, 452/1,125 (40.2%) were stray with no confirmed ownership or household, whereas 672/1,125 (59.8%) had a known origin, among which 625/1,125 (55.6%) were semi-domiciled with ownership or a household, 36/1,125 (3.2%) were neighborhood dogs with maintainers, and 11/1,125 (1.0%) were owned by recycling material collectors and homeless individuals. The majority of the 1,125 dogs (862/1,125; 76.6%) had an ideal body condition score. The high outdoor access of owned dogs is likely caused by cultural behavior. However, because 533/1,125 (47.4%) of the free-roaming dogs presented with clinical abnormalities, irresponsible ownership may have negatively impacted dog health and welfare.DiscussionThis study was the first to establish the density of free-roaming dogs, the ratio of stray and semi-domiciled dogs, and their dynamics over time in Foz do Iguaçu. The findings may serve as a warning for the high level of dog outdoor access and irresponsible guardianship, which may negatively affect animal health and welfare, leading to diseases, accidents, trauma, and animal cruelty

Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. co-infection in pregnant women in low-income areas of Brazil

IntroductionDespite human toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis having been listed among the top six most neglected parasitic zoonoses worldwide, presenting similar associated risk factors and transmission routes, few studies have been conducted in pregnant women and the consequences of concurrent infection remain to be fully established. Accordingly, the present study has serologically assessed the co-infection and associated risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. in pregnant women, assisted by the public Unified National Health System (SUS) in southeastern Brazil.Materials and MethodsBlood samples were collected and tested for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by chemiluminescence immunoassay and against Toxocara spp. by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to gather socioeconomic information to assess the risk factors associated with seropositivity to toxocariasis/toxoplasmosis by univariate analysis followed by logistic regression.ResultsOverall, seropositivity was 69/280 (24.6, 95% CI: 19.96–30.01) for T. gondii and 56/280 (20.0, 95% CI: 15.73–25.08) for Toxocara spp. Co-infection was observed in 25/280 (8.9, 95% CI: 6.12–12.85) pregnant women, with increased odds (OR: 3.3, CI 95%: 1.77–6.14, p = 0.0002). Logistic regression revealed that a higher educational level (high school or college) significantly reduced the likelihood of co-infection seropositivity, owning cats increased the odds of toxocariasis, and older pregnant women presented significantly higher T. gondii seropositivity.ConclusionCo-infection herein highlights the importance of educational programs in the prevention of toxocariasis and toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and other high-risk populations

Natural Infection by SARS-CoV-2 in Companion Animals: A Review of Case Reports and Current Evidence of Their Role in the Epidemiology of COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is the causative infectious agent of the current pandemic. As researchers and health professionals are still learning the capabilities of this virus, public health concerns arise regarding the zoonotic potential of SARS-CoV-2. With millions of people detected with SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, reports of companion animals possibly infected with the virus started to emerge. Therefore, our aim is to review reported cases of animals naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2, particularly companion pets, shedding light on the role of these animals in the epidemiology of COVID-19

One health approach to toxocariasis in Brazilian indigenous populations, their dogs, and soil contamination

IntroductionAlthough socioeconomic vulnerability and lifestyle factors may contribute to the transmission of Toxocara spp., no study has investigated indigenous populations in Brazil using the One Health approach.MethodsAccordingly, this study assessed anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in Brazilian indigenous people and healthcare professionals by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Presence of Toxocara spp. eggs (feces and hair) in dogs as definitive hosts and in soil samples of the indigenous communities were also recovered and molecularly investigated.ResultsOverall, 342/463 (73.9%) indigenous individuals and 46/147 (31.3%) non-indigenous healthcare professionals were seropositive for Toxocara spp. In addition, T. canis eggs were retrieved from 9/194 (4.6%) dog fecal samples and 4/204 (2.0%) dog hair samples, mainly from the Paraná State communities (3/42; 7.1%). Soil contamination was observed only in the Paraná State communities (36/90; 40.0%), with the molecular detection of T. canis. River water consumption was also associated with indigenous seropositivity (Odds ratio, 11.4).DiscussionIndigenous individuals in Paraná State communities were 2.72-fold more likely to be seropositive than those in São Paulo State, likely due to a lack of sanitary infrastructure. In this scenario, a primarily soil-transmitted disease may also have become waterborne, with embryonated eggs probably spread to water supplies by rain. Full-time healthcare professionals in daily contact with indigenous communities were 9.2-fold more likely to be seropositive than professionals who visited sporadically, suggesting exposure to Toxocara spp. during their work and raising health concerns. In addition, the findings herein showed a significantly higher seroprevalence in indigenous people than in healthcare workers (χ2 = 85.5; p < 0.0001), likely due to overtime exposure to Toxocara spp. In conclusion, Brazilian indigenous communities are highly exposed to toxocariasis, with poor infrastructure and contact with contaminated river water as associated risk factors and a higher risk of infection in healthcare professionals working full-time in these communities

First report of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 detection in two asymptomatic cats in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil

Background and Aim: Despite worldwide case reports, including Brazilian cases, no frequency study on infection of pets by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been conducted to date in Brazil. Accordingly, the present study was aimed to assess dogs and cats belonging to positive owners in Recife, Northeastern Brazil. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal prospective study on dogs and cats in the city of Recife whose owners were in isolation at home due to a confirmed laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 through reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Oral and rectal swabs from the pets were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific RNA by means of RT-qPCR. Results: Among the pets tested, 0/16 dogs and 2/15 cats were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, the two positive cats were owned by two unrelated asymptomatic veterinary students, which, therefore, post a warning to veterinarians worldwide. Conclusion: The findings herein indicate that cats may act as sentinels for human cases, particularly sharing households with asymptomatic human cases. Although with small sampling and convenient recruiting, the presence of infected cats by SARS-CoV-2 was most likely due to close cat-human contact with positive owners, posting a human-animal health threat when pets share the same bed and interact with owners without protection, particularly during owner self-isolation. Thus, infected owners should follow the same human preventive guidelines with their pets to avoid spreading infection

Pesquisa de infecção por Rickettsia spp. em javalis (Sus scrofa), cães de caça e seres humanos controladores de javalis no bioma Mata Atlântica, região dos Campos Gerais - Paraná, Brasil

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Alexander Welker BiondoCoorientador: Prof. Dr. Felipe da Silva KrawczakTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Defesa : Curitiba, 22/05/2019Inclui referênciasResumo: As bactérias do gênero Rickettsia são responsáveis por doenças em humanos e animais ao redor do mundo, no entanto, poucos detalhes estão disponíveis sobre sua ecologia e circulação entre animais selvagens e populações humanas de alto risco de transmissão no Brasil. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a ocorrência de carrapatos e Rickettsia spp. em javalis, cães de caça e seres humanos controladores de javalis. Amostras de soro e carrapatos foram coletadas em 80 javalis selvagens, 170 cães de caça e 34 controladores de javalis nas regiões sul e centro-oeste do Brasil, nos biomas Mata Atlântica e Cerrado, respectivamente, entre 2016 e 2018. As amostras de soro foram testadas por Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) para detectar anticorpos IgG para os antígenos Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia rhipicephali e Rickettsia amblyommatis. As espécies de carrapatos foram identificadas taxonomicamente, como descrito anteriormente. Um total de 164 carrapatos, incluindo Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma brasiliense e Amblyomma aureolatum foram testados em ensaios de PCR para o Rickettsia spp do Grupo Febre Maculosa. Um total de 58/80 (72,5%) javalis, 24/170 (14,1%) cães de caça e 5/34 (14,7%) controladores de javalis foram positivos (títulos > 64) para pelo menos uma espécie de Rickettsia spp. Um total de 669/1.584 (42,2%) carrapatos de javalis foram identificados como Amblyomma sculptum, 910/1.584 (57,4%) como Amblyomma brasiliense, 4/1.584 (0,24%) larvas de Amblyomma spp. e 1/1,584 (0,06%) como ninfa de Amblyomma dubitatum. Todos os 9 carrapatos encontrados em cães de caça foram identificados como Amblyomma aureolatum e os 22 carrapatos encontrados em seres humanos controladores de javalis, como A. sculptum. Nenhum carrapato testado foi positivo a Reação em Cadeia de Polimerase convencional para Rickettsia spp. O presente estudo foi o primeiro relato concomitante de exposição a Rickettsia spp. em javalis, cães de caça e seres humanos controladores de javalis em dois diferentes biomas brasileiros. O controle populacional do javali pode aumentar o risco de exposição humana e, consequentemente, a doença transmitida por carrapatos. Os javalis podem estar carregando e espalhando carrapatos de capivaras de seus habitats originais para outros ecossistemas. Novos estudos podem ser necessários para explorar a habilidade de javalis em infectar carrapatos e fazer parte do ciclo de transmissão de Rickettsia spp. Palavras-chave: Febre Maculosa Brasileira, cães de caça, javalis, caçadores, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma aureolatum.Abstract: Rickettsia bacteria are responsible for diseases in humans and animals around the world, however few details are available regarding its ecology and circulation among wild animals and human populations at high transmission risk in Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of ticks and Rickettsia spp. in wild boars, corresponding hunting dogs and hunters. Serum samples and ticks were collected from 80 free-range wild boars, 170 hunting dogs and 34 hunters from southern and central-western Brazil, from the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes, respectively, between 2016 and 2018. Serum samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia rhipicephali and Rickettsia amblyommatis. Tick species were identified by morphological taxonomic keys, as previously described. A total of 164 ticks including A. sculptum, A. brasiliense and A. aureolatum were tested in PCR assays for Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. A total of 58/80 (72.5%) wild boars, 24/170 (14.1%) hunting dogs and 5/34 (14.7%) hunters were positive (titers > 64) to at least one Rickettsia species. A total of 669/1,584 (42.2%) ticks from wild boars were identified as Amblyomma sculptum, 910/1,584 (57.4%) as Amblyomma brasiliense, 4/1,584(0.24%) larvae of Amblyomma spp. and 1/1,584 (0.06%) nymph as Amblyolmma dubitatum. All 9 ticks found on hunting dogs were identified as Amblyomma aureolatum and all 22 ticks on hunters as A. sculptum. No tested tick was positive by standard PCR to SFG Rickettsia spp. The present study was the concomitant report of wild boar, hunting dog and hunter exposure to SFG rickettsiae agents, performed in two different Brazilian biomes. Wild boar hunting may increase the risk of human exposure and consequently tick-borne disease Wild boars may be carrying and spreading capybara ticks from their original habitats to other ecosystems. Further studies can be required to explore the ability of wild boars to infecting ticks and be part of transmission cycle of Rickettsia spp. Key-words: Brazilian Spotted Fever, hunting dogs, wild boar, hunters, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma aureolatum

One Health Approach to Leptospirosis: Dogs as Environmental Sentinels for Identification and Monitoring of Human Risk Areas in Southern Brazil

Leptospirosis has been a neglected, widespread and reemerging zoonotic disease of global importance. The One Health holistic approach combining human, animal and environmental health has been important for control and prevention of zoonotic disease. An urban municipality in Southern Brazil with a high prevalence of leptospirosis was selected by convenience, with asymptomatic human and canine individuals serologically tested using MAT against 30 Leptospira spp. serovars. Epidemiological questionnaires were assessed along with the historical national database, with associated risk factors to dog and human seropositivity analyzed using multiple logistic regression. The spatial distribution of retrospective human leptospirosis cases was analyzed using a Kernel map and overlapped dog seropositivity and historical flooding areas, demonstrating that domestic and asymptomatic dogs may be important environmental sentinels for leptospirosis in such urban areas, even in the absence of human seropositivity and low canine seropositivity. Associated risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs and humans according to multiple regression included healthy dogs (p = 0.02, odds ratio—OR = 0.17, confidence interval of 95%CI 0.03–0.71) with indoor access (p = 0.059, OR = 5.12, 95%CI 1.10–37.7) and human males (p = 0.042, OR = 2.44, 95%CI 1.08–6.11) with presenting calf pain (p = 0.005, OR = 3.14, 95%CI 1.46–7. 14), jaundice (p p = 0.008, OR = 4.49, 95%CI 1.49–13.76). The greater the rain precipitation (above 3 mm of average annual precipitation), the higher the number of leptospirosis cases in humans. In conclusion, dog active serosurvey and rain precipitation should be systematically reported and plotted altogether as a basis for the early detection and monitoring of human risk areas. Such findings may serve as a basis for public health policies in Brazil and other endemic countries worldwide