Climate determines transmission hotspots of Polycystic Echinococcosis, a life-threatening zoonotic disease, across Pan-Amazonia

Polycystic Echinococcosis (PE), a neglected life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by the cestode is endemic in the Amazon. Despite being treatable, PE reaches a case fatality rate of around 29% due to late or missed diagnosis. PE is sustained in Pan-Amazonia by a complex sylvatic cycle. The hunting of its infected intermediate hosts (especially the lowland paca ) enables the disease to further transmit to humans, when their viscera are improperly handled. In this study, we compiled a unique dataset of host occurrences (~86000 records) and disease infections (~400 cases) covering the entire Pan-Amazonia and employed different modeling and statistical tools to unveil the spatial distribution of PE's key animal hosts. Subsequently, we derived a set of ecological, environmental, climatic, and hunting covariates that potentially act as transmission risk factors and used them as predictors of two independent Maximum Entropy models, one for animal infections and one for human infections. Our findings indicate that temperature stability promotes the sylvatic circulation of the disease. Additionally, we show how El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) extreme events disrupt hunting patterns throughout Pan-Amazonia, ultimately affecting the probability of spillover. In a scenario where climate extremes are projected to intensify, climate change at regional level appears to be indirectly driving the spillover of . These results hold substantial implications for a wide range of zoonoses acquired at the wildlife-human interface for which transmission is related to the manipulation and consumption of wild meat, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced awareness and intervention strategies

A prenylated dsRNA sensor protects against severe COVID-19

Inherited genetic factors can influence the severity of COVID-19, but the molecular explanation underpinning a genetic association is often unclear. Intracellular antiviral defenses can inhibit the replication of viruses and reduce disease severity. To better understand the antiviral defenses relevant to COVID-19, we used interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression screening to reveal that OAS1, through RNase L, potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2. We show that a common splice-acceptor SNP (Rs10774671) governs whether people express prenylated OAS1 isoforms that are membrane-associated and sense specific regions of SARS-CoV-2 RNAs, or only express cytosolic, nonprenylated OAS1 that does not efficiently detect SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, in hospitalized patients, expression of prenylated OAS1 was associated with protection from severe COVID-19, suggesting this antiviral defense is a major component of a protective antiviral response

Epidemiology of a jaguar (Panthera onca) population in a varzea forest in central Amazon

Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a exposição de uma população de onças- pintadas da Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá a agentes infecciosos selecionados, assim como realizar exame clínico, descrição hematológica e bioquímica. No período entre janeiro de 2012 a março de 2018 foram capturadas 13 onças-pintadas, sendo oito machos e cinco fêmeas, adultas, utilizando método de captura de laço montadas em trilhas. Os animais foram anestesiados e monitorados durante o procedimento, sendo realizado exame clínico e coleta de amostras biológicas. Foram realizados diagnósticos sorológicos para T. gondii, Leptospira spp, e Brucelas lisas, diagnóstico molecular e sorológico para o vírus da cinomose, vírus da raiva, vírus da leucemia felina, vírus da imunodeficiência felina, os arbovirus, Zika, Chikungunya, Ilhéus, Oeste do Nilo, Encefalite de Saint Louis, Rocio, Febre Amarela e Mayaro, o isolamento foi realizado nos arbovírus. O monitoramento das onças-pintadas ao longo do estudo permitiu caracterizar a distribuição espacial dos indivíduos. As onças-pintadas da área de estudo foram expostas para o vírus da cinomose (1/13, 7,7%); vírus da leucemia felina (1/13, 7,7%); vírus do Oeste do Nilo (1/13, 7,7%); vírus da Encefalite de Saint Louis (1/13, 7,7%); T. gondii (13/13; 100%); e Leptospira spp. (4/13, 30,8%). Todas as análises moleculares e de isolamento foram negativas. Houve influência do sexo nas análises hematológicas e bioquímicas para hemácias e fosfatase alcalina, onde os machos apresentaram médias mais elevadas. De acordo com o exame clínico, dois indivíduos não estavam em boas condições de saúde. O monitoramento após a captura através de transmissores de telemetria VHF/GPS/Iridium evidenciou que dois indivíduos foram abatidos pela população ribeirinha local e três apresentaram “ causa mortis” desconhecida, além disso foi evidenciado sobreposição das áreas de vida das onças com as comunidades tradicionais ribeirinhas. Esses são os primeiros relatos da exposição aos vírus da cinomose, vírus da leucemia felina na Amazônia, e Oeste do Nilo e Encefalite de Sain Louis em onças pintadas no Brasil. Esses resultados enfatizam a importância de estudos epidemiológicos mais aprofundados e contínuos para as populações de onças-pintadas, populações humanas e animais domésticos da área de estudo.In this study, we determine the exposure to selected infectious agents, carry out clinical examination, hematological and biochemical parameters in a population of free-ranging jaguar in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve. Between January 2012 and March 2018, a total of 13 adult jaguars, eight males and five females, were captured and sampled using the snare capture method mounted on trails. The animals were anesthetized and monitored during the procedure, with clinical examination and collection of biological samples. Serological tests were performed for T. gondii, Leptospira spp, and smooth Brucella, while both molecular and serological tests were performed for distemper virus, rabies virus, feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, arboviruses, Zika, Chikungunya, Ilhéus, Oeste of the Nile, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Rocio, Yellow Fever and Mayaro. Additionally, the monitoring of the jaguar provided individual spatial distribution characterization. Jaguars were exposed to distemper virus (1/13, 7.7%); feline leukemia virus (1/13, 7.7%); West Nile virus (1/13, 7.7%); Saint Louis Encephalitis virus (1/13, 7.7%); T. gondii (13/13; 100%); and Leptospira spp. (4/13, 30.8%). All molecular and isolation analyses were negative. There was an influence of sex in hematological and biochemical analyzes with the averages of red blood cells and alkaline phosphatase higher in males. Except for two individuals, all had satisfactory physical conditions. By monitoring the animals after capture using VHF / GPS / Iridium telemetry transmitters, it was possible to identify an overlapping of the jaguar‚ s living areas with the riverside communities. Moreover, it was shown that two individuals were killed by the local riverside population and three deceased without identifying the cause of death. These are the first reports of exposure to canine distemper, FeLV in the Amazon, and West Nile and Saint Louis Encephalitis in jaguars in Brazil. Our data emphasize the importance of more in-depth and continuous epidemiological studies of infectious agents circulating among jaguars, humans, and domestic animals in the study area

Economic analysis of the gastronomy sector in Brazil, the northeast region and the state of Paraíba: contribution of the sector to the economy and the labor market

The objective of this research was to analyze the food sector in Brazil, the Northeast Region and in the State of Paraíba from the economic perspective, seeking to systematize information about the sector, as these have been contributing to the growth of the Brazilian economy and the profile of the Brazilian market work. The main source of data collection was the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The mains variables obtained were the number of local units, total employed people, wages and other salaries, with geographic coverage of Brazil, the Northeast region and the state of Paraíba, and historical series from 2007 to 2015. With data collected, it is possible to affirm that the housing and food sector represented, in 2015, 2.38% of what was produced by the companies to make up the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country. Speaking specifically about food companies, these corresponded to 3.60% of the total staff employed, but only to 1.63% of salaries paid, demonstrating a need for greater appreciation of the professional of the area. In dealing specifically with the Northeast and Paraíba, it is concluded that, in general, the food sector grew more in the region and state than in the national average, except for wages

Primates in three protected areas in the middle Solimões basin, Brazilian Amazon / Primatas em três unidades de conservação na bacia do médio Rio Solimões, amazônia brasileira

The Amazon Rainforest is an example of a challenging scenario for the species inventories as a baseline for the Conservation actions. New Primate species are described in this Biome every year. However, the distribution and taxonomy of several taxa remain controversial, hampering the efforts for its conservation. In this sense, the species inventory is one of the essential points to consolidate the management plans in Protected Areas. Here we report the Primates inventories Protected Areas in the middle Solimões River, Amazon. We surveyed two PAs of Sustainable Use, Jutaí Extractivist Reserve (RESEX Jutaí) and Auati-Paraná Extractivist Reserve (RESEX Auati-Paraná), and a Strict Protection, Rio Jutaí Ecological Station (ESEC – Rio Jutaí). We updated the occurrence and distribution of the Primates taxa contributing to the species list of management plans for these areas. This project is a partnership between Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development (IDSM) (Termo de Reciprocidade 05/2012). In 2014 and 2015, we collected data in the ESEC Jutai-Solimões and RESEX Rio Jutaí during 35 days in three expeditions. We collected data during 24 days in the RESEX Auati-Paraná in April 2015, in the wet season. We used rapid survey methods for mammals inventories including surveys along existing trails, specimens collection, and semi-structured interviews with local inhabitants. The material collected was stored in the Mammal Collection of Mamirauá Institute (SISBIO 42111-1; 42111-2; 42111-3). The three PAs represents a total of 22 Primates species and subspecies from 14 genera. The ESEC Jutai-Solimoes and RESEX Rio Jutai has, respectively, 11 and 13 primate taxa confirmed. The RESEX Auati-Parana has 9 Primate taxa confirmed. The records presented here are an important start point to understanding the Primate diversity in PAs of middle Solimões. RESUMO O inventário de espécies é um dos pontos essenciais para consolidar os planos de manejo em áreas protegidas. Neste trabalho, apresentamos o resultado dos inventários de primatas em áreas protegidas (APs) no médio rio Solimões, Amazonas. Nós amostramos duas APs de uso sustentável – a Reserva Extrativista Rio Jutaí (RESEX Rio Jutaí) e a Reserva Extrativista Auatí-Paraná (RESEX Auatí-Paraná) – e uma estação ecológica (ESEC Jutaí-Solimões). Atualizamos a ocorrência e distribuição de primatas nessas áreas contribuindo para a lista de espécies dos planos de gestão. Em 2014 e 2015, coletamos dados na ESEC Jutaí-Solimões e RESEX Rio Jutaí durante 35 dias em três expedições. Foram coletados dados durante 24 dias na RESEX Auatí-Paraná em abril de 2015, na estação chuvosa. Os levantamentos foram realizados em trilhas previamente existentes, sendo a amostragem nas florestas alagadas realizada com canoas. Os registros apresentados aqui foram baseados em avistamentos ou na coleta de espécimes, quando necessária. O material coletado foi depositado no Acervo de Mamíferos do Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá. Registrou-se um total de 22 espécies e subespécies pertencentes a 14 gêneros nas três APs. A ESEC Jutaí-Solimões e a RESEX Rio Jutaí possuem, respectivamente, 11 e 13 táxons confirmados, enquanto a RESEX Auatí-Paraná possui sete táxons. Os registros aqui apresentados são um ponto de partida importante para o entendimento da diversidade de primatas em APs do médio Solimões

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of the state of Amazonas, Brazil

The tick fauna of Brazil is currently composed by 72 species. The state of Amazonas is the largest of Brazil, with an area of ≈ 19% of the Brazilian land. Besides its vast geographic area, only 19 tick species have been reported for Amazonas. Herein, lots containing ticks from the state of Amazonas were examined in three major tick collections from Brazil. A total of 5933 tick specimens were examined and recorded, comprising 2693 males, 1247 females, 1509 nymphs, and 484 larvae. These ticks were identified into the following 22 species: Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma goeldii, Amblyomma humerale, Amblyomma latepunctatun, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma rotundatum, Amblyomma scalpturatum, Amblyomma varium, Dermacentor nitens, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Ixodes cf. Ixodes fuscipes, Ixodes luciae, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Ticks were collected from 17 (27.4%) out of the 62 municipalities that currently compose the state of Amazonas. The following four species are reported for the first time in the state of Amazonas: A. coelebs, A. dubitatum, H. juxtakochi, and Ixodes cf. I. fuscipes. The only tick species previously reported for Amazonas and not found in the present study is Amblyomma parvum. This study provides a great expansion of geographical and host records of ticks for the state of Amazonas, which is now considered to have a tick fauna composed by 23 species. It is noteworthy that we report 1391 Amblyomma nymphs that were identified to 13 different species. © 2018, Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

Data from: Jaguar Movement Database: a GPS-based movement dataset of an apex predator in the Neotropics

The field of movement ecology has rapidly grown during the last decade, with important advancements in tracking devices and analytical tools that have provided unprecedented insights into where, when, and why species move across a landscape. Although there has been an increasing emphasis on making animal movement data publicly available, there has also been a conspicuous dearth in the availability of such data on large carnivores. Globally, large predators are of conservation concern. However, due to their secretive behavior and low densities, obtaining movement data on apex predators is expensive and logistically challenging. Consequently, the relatively small sample sizes typical of large carnivore movement studies may limit insights into the ecology and behavior of these elusive predators. The aim of this initiative is to make available to the conservation-scientific community a dataset of 134,690 locations of jaguars (Panthera onca) collected from 117 individuals (54 males and 63 females) tracked by GPS technology. Individual jaguars were monitored in five different range countries representing a large portion of the species’ distribution. This dataset may be used to answer a variety of ecological questions including but not limited to: improved models of connectivity from local to continental scales; the use of natural or human-modified landscapes by jaguars; movement behavior of jaguars in regions not represented in this dataset; intraspecific interactions; and predator-prey interactions. In making our dataset publicly available, we hope to motivate other research groups to do the same in the near future. Specifically, we aim to help inform a better understanding of jaguar movement ecology with applications towards effective decision making and maximizing long-term conservation efforts for this ecologically important species

DataS1

The archive has 2 files. The first file has general information about captured animals (estimated age, weight, collar used, etc.). The second file has general information on animals' location