Chapparvoviruses occur in at least three vertebrate classes and have a broad biogeographic distribution

Chapparvoviruses are a highly divergent group of parvoviruses (family Parvoviridae) that have recently been identified via metagenomic sampling of animal faeces. Here we report the sequences of six novel chapparvoviruses identified through both metagenomic sampling of bat tissues and in silico screening of published vertebrate genome assemblies. The novel chapparvoviruses share several distinctive genomic features, and group together as a robustly supported monophyletic clade in phylogenetic trees. Our data indicate that chapparvoviruses have a broad host range in vertebrates, and a global distribution

Raiva em morcegos na região norte-noroeste do Estado de São Paulo: 1997-2002

OBJECTIVE: Reports on bat rabies in Brazil are sporadic and isolated. This study aimed at describing the detection of rabies virus in bats in the state of São Paulo. METHODS: A total of 7,393 bats from 235 municipalities of the north and northwestern areas of the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, were assessed according to their morphological and morphometric characteristics from 1997 to 2002. Fluorescent antibody test and mice inoculation were used for viral identification. RESULTS: Of all samples examined, 1.3% was rabies virus positive, ranging from 0.2% in 1997 to 1.6% in 2001. There were found 98 bats infected, 87 in the urban area. Fluorescent antibody test was detected in 77 positive samples, whereas 92 produced rabies signs in mice; incubation period ranging from 4 to 23 days. In 43 cities at least one rabid bat was observed. The highest proportion (33.7%) of rabies virus was found in Artibeus lituratus. Eptesicus and Myotis were the most frequent positive species (24.5%) of the Vespertilionidae family. The species Molossus molossus and Molossus rufus showed 14.3% positive bats. There were no differences in the distribution of positive rabies between females (33; 48.5%) and males (35; 51.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Rabies-infected bats were found in environments that pose a risk to both human and domestic animal population and there is a need for actions aiming at the control of these species and public education.OBJETIVO: Os relatos sobre a ocorrência de raiva em morcegos no Brasil são esporádicos e isolados. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi descrever a detecção do vírus da raiva em morcegos do Estado de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 7.393 morcegos provenientes de 235 municípios do norte e noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, no período de 1997 a 2002 e identificados por meio de características morfológicas e morfométricas. Para a detecção do antígeno viral foi utilizada a técnica de imunofluorescência direta e o isolamento do vírus foi realizado por inoculação em camundongos. RESULTADOS: Das amostras examinadas, 1,3% foram positivas para raiva, com variação de 0,2% em 1997 a 1,6% em 2001. Foram encontrados 98 morcegos com o vírus, 87 deles em área urbana. O vírus da raiva foi detectado pela imunofluorescência direta em 77 do total de amostras positivas, enquanto 92 produziram doença em camundongos inoculados e o período de incubação variou entre 4-23 dias. Em 43 municípios foi encontrado pelo menos um morcego positivo. Entre as espécies analisadas o vírus da raiva foi detectado com maior freqüência (33,7%) em Artibeus lituratus. Os vespertilionideos do gênero Eptesicus e Myotis totalizaram 24,5% dos morcegos positivos e as espécies do gênero Molossus (Molossus molossus e Molossus rufus), 14,3%. A distribuição do vírus da raiva foi semelhante entre fêmeas (33; 48,5%) e machos (35; 51,5%). CONCLUSÕES: Morcegos positivos para raiva foram encontrados em situações que colocam em risco tanto a população humana como animais de estimação, exigindo medidas voltadas para o manejo destas espécies e de educação da população

Processo de antagonismo de Dicyma pulvinata contra Fusicladium macrosporum em folhas de seringueira

The interaction between Dicyma pulvinata and Fusicladium macrosporum was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Spores of D. pulvinata germinated on the surface of F. macrosporum lesions induced on artificially infected rubber plants were fixed 8 h after inoculation. D. pulvinata germ tubes seemed to elongate toward F. macrosporum. Close contact between the antagonistic fungus and F. macrosporum spores was verified 24 h after application of D. pulvinata. At the end of the process, spores of F. macrosporum seemed to have disintegrated and to be devoid of content. The hyperparasite grew completely over the pathogen. Six to seven days after application of the antagonistic fungus, D. pulvinata conidiophores were observed emerging from F. macrosporum structures with profuse sporulation. Studies have also shown the possibility of D. pulvinata producing hydrolytic enzymes, which could be associated with the control of plant pathogens. This information may help to elucidate some of the modes of action of D. pulvinata, a potential biological control agent for South American leaf blight of Hevea rubber plant.Estudou-se a interação entre Dicyma pulvinata e F. macrosporum ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Esporos de D. pulvinata germinaram na superfície das lesões induzidas por F. macrosporum em plantas de seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis), infectadas artificialmente, fixadas 8 h após a inoculação do antagonista. Aparentemente, os tubos germinativos se alongaram em direção ao patógeno. O contato íntimo entre o hiperparasita e o patógeno foi verificado em amostras fixadas 24 h após a aplicação de D. pulvinata. Ao término do processo, os esporos de F. macrosporum aparentemente invadidos pelo antagonista mostraram-se desintegrados e esvaziados de seu conteúdo. D. pulvinata cresceu sobre as lesões, sobrepondo totalmente o patógeno. Seis dias após a aplicação, conidióforos do fungo antagonista foram observados emergindo das estruturas do patógeno, produzindo esporos em grande quantidade. Verificou-se, também, um possível envolvimento de enzimas hidrolíticas na associação antagonística entre D. pulvinata e o patógeno. Estas informações podem contribuir para elucidar o modo de ação de D. pulvinata, um potencial agente de controle biológico para o mal das folhas da seringueira

Estudo da mcrobiota fúngica gastrintestinal de morcegos (Mammalia, Chiroptera) da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo: potencial zoonótico

Os morcegos são hospedeiros de uma rica diversidade de microrganismos. Muitos trabalhos apontam uma estreita ligação entre quirópteros e fungos com potencial patogênico, principalmente por habitarem ambientes como cavernas, grutas e ocos de árvores, favoráveis à manutenção e propagação dos fungos. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a microbiota fúngica gastrintestinal de morcegos. Das 98 amostras pertencentes a 11 espécies de morcegos procedentes de 15 cidades estudadas, 20% são da espécie Carollia perspicillata, 19% Artibeus lituratus, 17% Molossus rufus, 13% Glossophaga soricina, 9% Nyctinomops macrotis, 8% Molossus molossus, 7% Desmodus rotundus, 2% Lasiurus ega, e 1% Eptesicus furinalis, Myotis nigricans e Tadarida brasiliensis. O gênero Aspergillus sp. foi isolado de 29% das amostras, seguidos por 6% Microsporum sp. e Penicillium sp., 4% Tricophyton sp. e zigomicetos e 2% Fusarium sp. Das espécies de leveduras, 14% foram de Rhodotorula sp., 10% Candida sp. e 2% Cryptococcus sp., 22% dos isolados permaneceram sem identificação. Todos os 82 cultivos de vísceras foram negativos para Histoplasma capsulatum. Houve associação estatística significativa entre os resultados do cultivo microbiológico e as espécies de morcegos (p < 0,05). Concluímos que os morcegos podem atuar como agentes veiculadores de fungos com potencial patogênico, entretanto outros trabalhos devem ser realizados a fim de estabelecer estratégias que permitam identificar os principais fatores correlacionados com o crescimento e a disseminação dos microrganismos na natureza e qual a implicação dos quirópteros no ciclo epidemiológico.Bats are hosts of a rich diversity of microorganisms. Many studies indicate a close link between bats and fungi with pathogenic potential, especially for living in environments such as caves, caverns and hollow trees, favorable to the maintenance and spread of fungi. The objective was to study the gastrointestinal mycoflora of bats. Of the 98 samples belonging to 11 species of bats coming from 15 studied cities, 20% of the species were Carollia perspicillata, 19% Artibeus lituratus, 17% Molossus rufus, 13% Glossophaga soricina, 9% Nyctinomops macrotis, 8% Molossus molossus, 7% Desmodus rotundus, 2% Lasiurus ega and 1% Eptesicus furinalis, Myotis nigricans and Tadarida brasiliensis. The genus Aspergillus sp. was isolated from 29% of the samples, followed by 6% Microsporum sp. and Penicillium sp. 4% Trichophyton sp. and zygomycetes and 2% Fusarium sp. Of yeast species, 14% were from Rhodotorula sp., 10% Candida sp. and 2% Cryptococcus sp., 22% of isolates remained unidentified. All 82 cultures of organs were negative for Histoplasma capsulatum. There was a statistically significant association between the results of microbiological culture and bat species (p < 0.05). We conclude that the bats can act as disperser agents of fungi with pathogenic potential, although other studies should be performed to establish strategies to identify the main factors correlated with the growth and spread of microorganisms in nature and implication of bats in the epidemiological cycle

Novel parvoviruses from wild and domestic animals in Brazil provide new insights into parvovirus distribution and diversity

Parvoviruses (family Parvoviridae) are small, single-stranded DNA viruses. Many parvoviral pathogens of medical, veterinary and ecological importance have been identified. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to investigate the diversity of parvoviruses infecting wild and domestic animals in Brazil. We identified 21 parvovirus sequences (including twelve nearly complete genomes and nine partial genomes) in samples derived from rodents, bats, opossums, birds and cattle in Pernambuco, São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul states. These sequences were investigated using phylogenetic and distance-based approaches and were thereby classified into eight parvovirus species (six of which have not been described previously), representing six distinct genera in the subfamily Parvovirinae. Our findings extend the known biogeographic range of previously characterized parvovirus species and the known host range of three parvovirus genera (Dependovirus, Aveparvovirus and Tetraparvovirus). Moreover, our investigation provides a window into the ecological dynamics of parvovirus infections in vertebrates, revealing that many parvovirus genera contain well-defined sub-lineages that circulate widely throughout the world within particular taxonomic groups of hosts

Krykféie dicistrovirus: a novel dicistrovirus in velvety free-tailed bats from Brazil

The Dicistroviridae family comprises positive single-stranded RNA viruses that are classified into Picornavirales order. These viruses are identified in arthropod hosts, including some having devastating economic consequences. Here, we described and characterized a novel nearly complete dicistrovirus genome identified in liver samples of velvety free-tailed bats (Molossus molossus) collected in June 2010 in Araçatuba city, São Paulo State, Brazil. This novel virus presents a genome of 9262 nucleotides in length and a typical dicistrovirus genome organization. Based on our phylogenetic analysis and ICTV criteria, we propose this virus as a novel species into the Triatovirus genus. Attempts of viral propagation in Vero E6 and C6/36 cell lines were unsuccessful. The novel dicistrovirus was detected only in one out of nine liver bat samples, representing for the first time an internal organ detection from a representative of this virus family

Discovery of novel anelloviruses in small mammals expands the host range and diversity of the Anelloviridae

The Anelloviridae comprises single-stranded DNA viruses currently grouped in sixty-eight species classified in twelve genera. They have been found in many vertebrate hosts including primates. In this study, we describe the application of the high-throughput sequencing to examine the frequency and diversity of anelloviruses in rodents, bats and opossums captured in São Paulo State, Brazil. We report a total of twenty-six anelloviruses with sixteen nearly complete genomes and ten partial genomes, which include eleven potential novel species identified in rodents (Cricetidae), bats (Molossidae and Phyllostomidae), and opossums (Didelphidae). We also propose the inclusion of two potential new genera within the Anelloviridae family, provisionally named Omegatorquevirus and Sigmatorquevirus, including six and three novel species of anelloviruses, respectively. In summary, this study expands the diversity and the host range of the known anelloviruses

Comportamentos de proteção contra a infecção por SARS-CoV-2: um estudo de coorte

INTRODUÇÃO: Nós elaboramos um estudo prospectivo com o objetivo de avaliar fatores (adesão ao distanciamento social, uso de EPI’s, etc.) que poderiam ser determinantes no desenvolvimento da COVID-19 que poderá subsidiar o desenvolvimento de estratégias de saúde eficazes no combate da infecção no município de Passos - Minas Gerais, Brasil, seja em ambientes hospitalar ou não-hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo coorte longitudinal onde foram incluídos 343 indivíduos da população que foram selecionados aleatoriamente por conglomerado. Os indivíduos selecionados responderam a um questionário relacionado às características clínicas, medidas preventivas, comorbidades e uso de medicamentos. Na ocasião foi realizado teste rápido nos indivíduos para detecção de anticorpos IgG e IgM. O tempo médio de acompanhamento foi de seis meses e, durante o acompanhamento, manteve-se contato telefônico a cada duas semanas. Ao final do seguimento, novo teste sorológico foi realizado e calculado o risco associado à presença de fatores de risco e à incidência da doença. RESULTADOS: Verificamos que 27,3% dos participantes que se infectaram no seguimento faziam uso ivermectina e hidroxicloroquina como forma de prevenção, enquanto nós não infectados, 11,3% usavam esses medicamentos. Para os indivíduos que apresentaram a doença durante o seguimento 21,2% relataram respeitar o isolamento social, 27,3% relataram que saíram para trabalhar e 42,14% relataram que frequentaram ambientes hospitalares. Entre os participantes que tiveram a infecção, 12,1% relataram contato apenas com familiares, 9,1% com familiares e colegas de trabalho e 75,8% com profissionais de saúde. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo forneceu dados epidemiológicos de indivíduos infectados pelo COVID-19, que podem contribuir com o sistema de saúde no estabelecimento de medidas preventivas.INTRODUCTION: We designed a prospective study aiming to assess factors (adherence to social distancing, use of PPE, etc.) that could be determinants in the development of COVID-19 that may subsidize the development of effective health strategies to combat the infection in the municipality of Passos - Minas Gerais, Brazil, whether in the hospital or non-hospital settings. METHODS: This is a longitudinal cohort study where 343 individuals from the population were included and randomly selected by clusters. The selected individuals answered a questionnaire related to clinical characteristics, preventive measures, comorbidities, and medication use. A rapid test was performed on the individuals to detect IgG and IgM antibodies. The average follow-up period was six months, and during the follow-up, telephone contact was maintained every two weeks. At the end of the follow-up, a new serological test was performed, and the risk associated with risk factors and disease incidence was calculated. RESULTS: We found that 27.3% of patients who became infected during follow-up were using ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as a means of prevention, while in non-infected patients, 11.3% used these drugs. (p = 0.024). For patients who had the disease during follow-up, 21.2% reported respecting social isolation, 27.3% reported leaving for work, and 42.14% reported having attended hospital environments (p = 0.004). Among the participants who had the infection, 12.1% reported contact only with family members, 9.1% with family members and co-workers, and 75.8% with health professionals (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided epidemiological data on patients infected with COVID-19, which can contribute to the health system's establishment of preventive measures