Evaluation of dog population in an urban area of Southeastern Brazil

Planning control programs, for diseases such as rabies requires information on the size and structure of the dog and cat population. In order to evaluate the dog population of the urban area of Araçatuba city, S. Paulo State, Brazil, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire to interview members of households. Eighty-eight districts were visited (37,778 houses) and the interview was possible at 77.93% of these. Human population size evaluated was 113,157 inhabitants. Houses that owned animals represented 55.2%, 26,926 of the animals concerned were dogs and 5,755 were cats. Of the dogs, 56.64% were 1-4 year olds and males represented 56.2% of the total population. Dog: person ratio was estimated at 2.8 dogs to every 10 persons, almost 3 times the ratio hitherto estimated and used in the planning of rabies vaccination campaigns.O planejamento de programas de controle de zoonoses urbanas como a raiva baseia-se no conhecimento do tamanho e estrutura da população canina e felina. Assim, no período de 21 de junho a 30 de agosto de 1994, foram realizadas visitas, casa a casa, com a finalidade de avaliar, mediante a aplicação de um questionário, o tamanho das populações humana, canina e felina da zona urbana de Araçatuba. A relação média cão/homem observada foi de 2,8:10, ou seja, 2,8 vezes maior que a geralmente utilizada para o planejamento de campanhas de vacinação anti-rábica, de um cão para cada 10 habitantes

Evaluation of dog population in an urban area of Southeastern Brazil

Planning control programs, for diseases such as rabies requires information on the size and structure of the dog and cat population. In order to evaluate the dog population of the urban area of Araçatuba city, S. Paulo State, Brazil, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire to interview members of households. Eighty-eight districts were visited (37,778 houses) and the interview was possible at 77.93% of these. Human population size evaluated was 113,157 inhabitants. Houses that owned animals represented 55.2%, 26,926 of the animals concerned were dogs and 5,755 were cats. Of the dogs, 56.64% were 1-4 year olds and males represented 56.2% of the total population. Dog: person ratio was estimated at 2.8 dogs to every 10 persons, almost 3 times the ratio hitherto estimated and used in the planning of rabies vaccination campaigns

Evaluation of dog population in an urban area of Southeastern Brazil

Planning control programs, for diseases such as rabies requires information on the size and structure of the dog and cat population. In order to evaluate the dog population of the urban area of Araçatuba city, S. Paulo State, Brazil, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire to interview members of households. Eighty-eight districts were visited (37,778 houses) and the interview was possible at 77.93% of these. Human population size evaluated was 113,157 inhabitants. Houses that owned animals represented 55.2%, 26,926 of the animals concerned were dogs and 5,755 were cats. Of the dogs, 56.64% were 1-4 year olds and males represented 56.2% of the total population. Dog: person ratio was estimated at 2.8 dogs to every 10 persons, almost 3 times the ratio hitherto estimated and used in the planning of rabies vaccination campaigns

Ocorrência de larva migrans na areia de áreas de lazer das escolas municipais de ensino infantil, Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

A areia das áreas de lazer de escolas podem constituir vias de transmissão para várias zoonoses parasitárias, representando risco potencial para as crianças que brincam nesses locais. Foi avaliada a ocorrência de agentes de larva migrans em 28 escolas municipais de ensino infantil de Araçatuba, SP. Foram colhidas 535 amostras de areia das áreas de lazer dessas escolas nos meses de janeiro (verão) e julho (inverno) de 1997 para estabelecimento da freqüência de isolamento de larvas e/ou ovos de Ancylostoma spp. e de ovos de Toxocara spp., pelos métodos de centrífugo-flutuação e de Baermann, respectivamente. A presença de larvas de Ancylostoma spp. foi observada, em pelo menos uma das amostras, em 35,7% (10/28) das amostras da primeira colheita (verão) e em 46,4% (13/28) quando da segunda colheita (inverno). Ovos de Toxocara spp. não foram encontrados e a presença de ovos de Ancylostoma spp. foi observada em 0,56% (3/535) das amostras

Ocorrência de larva migrans na areia de áreas de lazer das escolas municipais de ensino infantil, Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

There are sandboxes in public elementary school playground areas in Brazil, which can be harmful to children. They are at risk of cutaneous and visceral larva migrans infection caused by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp., respectively. The study was designed to investigate contamination by Toxocara spp. and/or their eggs and Ancylostoma spp. larvae in sand samples collected from the schools' sandboxes. Five hundred and thirty-five sand samples from 28 public elementary schools were collected during summer and winter and analyzed by both Baermann´s method and centrifugal flotation technique. Ancylostoma spp. larvae were found in 35.7% (10/28) schools in summer time and in 46.4% (13/28) schools in the winter time. Eggs of Toxocara spp. could not be recovered from the samples analyzed and eggs from Ancylostoma spp. were seen in 0.56% (3/535) of the samples.A areia das áreas de lazer de escolas podem constituir vias de transmissão para várias zoonoses parasitárias, representando risco potencial para as crianças que brincam nesses locais. Foi avaliada a ocorrência de agentes de larva migrans em 28 escolas municipais de ensino infantil de Araçatuba, SP. Foram colhidas 535 amostras de areia das áreas de lazer dessas escolas nos meses de janeiro (verão) e julho (inverno) de 1997 para estabelecimento da freqüência de isolamento de larvas e/ou ovos de Ancylostoma spp. e de ovos de Toxocara spp., pelos métodos de centrífugo-flutuação e de Baermann, respectivamente. A presença de larvas de Ancylostoma spp. foi observada, em pelo menos uma das amostras, em 35,7% (10/28) das amostras da primeira colheita (verão) e em 46,4% (13/28) quando da segunda colheita (inverno). Ovos de Toxocara spp. não foram encontrados e a presença de ovos de Ancylostoma spp. foi observada em 0,56% (3/535) das amostras

Diagnóstico da Leishmaniose Visceral Canina pelas técnicas de imunoistoquímica e PCR em tecidos cutâneos em associação com a RIFI e ELISA-teste Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis diagnosis by immunohistochemistry and PCR in skin tissues in association with RIFI and ELISA-test

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as técnicas de imunoistoquímica (IMIQ) e de PCR (Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase) em tecidos cutâneos para o diagnóstico da Leishmaniose Visceral Canina (LVC) e compará-los com os exames parasitológicos em tecidos corados histoquimicamente (hematoxilina-eosina, HE) e com testes sorológicos, como a Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) e ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Dos 34 cães naturalmente infectados, classificados em assintomáticos, oligossintomáticos e polissintomáticos, foram coletadas amostras de pele sadia ou com lesão para a realização da IMIQ, HE e PCR. Não somente peles lesionadas (56,5%), mas também sadias (31,8%) encontravam-se positivas pela IMIQ, confirmadas posteriormente pela PCR em 97,8% das amostras. No grupo assintomático, 87,5% estavam negativos pelos testes sorológicos, mas positivos em 50% dos casos pela IMIQ e 100% pela PCR. Entre os oligossintomáticos, 100%, 85,7% e 28,6% encontravam-se positivos, respectivamente, pela PCR, sorologia e IMIQ. Os cães polissintomáticos eram 91,7% soropositivos e tinham parasitas na pele. Em geral, a técnica PCR teve maior positividade (100%). A eficiência dos testes variou de acordo com a evolução da doença, demonstrando a necessidade da associação de técnicas, usando-se IMIQ para confirmação da sorologia e a PCR apenas nos casos suspeitos após a IMIQ. Dessa forma, pode-se aumentar os níveis de positividade e contribuir para o controle desta zoonose.<br>The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemistry (IMHC) and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests for Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) diagnosis and compare the results with serological tests such as the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), ELISA and a parasitological test (microscopic direct examination of the parasite stained with haematoxylin and eosin - HE). For this study, samples of healthy or lesion skin tissues were obtained from 34 CVL naturally infected dogs classified in three groups: asymptomatic, oligosymptomatic and polisymptomatic. Not only lesion (56.5%) but also healthy skins (31.8%) were positives by IMHC and confirmed by PCR in 97.8% of skin samples. In asymptomatic group, 87.5% dogs were negatives by serological tests, but positives by IMHC in 50% and by PCR in 100%. In oligosymptomatic group, 100%, 85.7% and 28.6% of dogs were positives, respectively by PCR, serological and IMHC tests. In addition, 91.7% of polisymptomatic dogs were serum positive and had intact parasites in the skin. In general, PCR showed higher positivity (100%). The efficiency of each test varied with the evolution of the disease. IMHC may be used to confirm the results of the serology and PCR in inconclusive cases after HE and IMHC. The association of techniques proposed in this study may increase the positivity and contributed to the control of this canine disease

Evaluation of dog population in an urban area of Southeastern Brazil Avaliação da população canina da zona urbana do Município de Araçatuba, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Planning control programs, for diseases such as rabies requires information on the size and structure of the dog and cat population. In order to evaluate the dog population of the urban area of Araçatuba city, S. Paulo State, Brazil, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire to interview members of households. Eighty-eight districts were visited (37,778 houses) and the interview was possible at 77.93% of these. Human population size evaluated was 113,157 inhabitants. Houses that owned animals represented 55.2%, 26,926 of the animals concerned were dogs and 5,755 were cats. Of the dogs, 56.64% were 1-4 year olds and males represented 56.2% of the total population. Dog: person ratio was estimated at 2.8 dogs to every 10 persons, almost 3 times the ratio hitherto estimated and used in the planning of rabies vaccination campaigns.<br>O planejamento de programas de controle de zoonoses urbanas como a raiva baseia-se no conhecimento do tamanho e estrutura da população canina e felina. Assim, no período de 21 de junho a 30 de agosto de 1994, foram realizadas visitas, casa a casa, com a finalidade de avaliar, mediante a aplicação de um questionário, o tamanho das populações humana, canina e felina da zona urbana de Araçatuba. A relação média cão/homem observada foi de 2,8:10, ou seja, 2,8 vezes maior que a geralmente utilizada para o planejamento de campanhas de vacinação anti-rábica, de um cão para cada 10 habitantes

Ocorrência de larva migrans na areia de áreas de lazer das escolas municipais de ensino infantil, Araçatuba, SP, Brasil Presence of larva migrans in sand boxes of public elementary schools, Brazil

A areia das áreas de lazer de escolas podem constituir vias de transmissão para várias zoonoses parasitárias, representando risco potencial para as crianças que brincam nesses locais. Foi avaliada a ocorrência de agentes de larva migrans em 28 escolas municipais de ensino infantil de Araçatuba, SP. Foram colhidas 535 amostras de areia das áreas de lazer dessas escolas nos meses de janeiro (verão) e julho (inverno) de 1997 para estabelecimento da freqüência de isolamento de larvas e/ou ovos de Ancylostoma spp. e de ovos de Toxocara spp., pelos métodos de centrífugo-flutuação e de Baermann, respectivamente. A presença de larvas de Ancylostoma spp. foi observada, em pelo menos uma das amostras, em 35,7% (10/28) das amostras da primeira colheita (verão) e em 46,4% (13/28) quando da segunda colheita (inverno). Ovos de Toxocara spp. não foram encontrados e a presença de ovos de Ancylostoma spp. foi observada em 0,56% (3/535) das amostras.<br>There are sandboxes in public elementary school playground areas in Brazil, which can be harmful to children. They are at risk of cutaneous and visceral larva migrans infection caused by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp., respectively. The study was designed to investigate contamination by Toxocara spp. and/or their eggs and Ancylostoma spp. larvae in sand samples collected from the schools' sandboxes. Five hundred and thirty-five sand samples from 28 public elementary schools were collected during summer and winter and analyzed by both Baermann´s method and centrifugal flotation technique. Ancylostoma spp. larvae were found in 35.7% (10/28) schools in summer time and in 46.4% (13/28) schools in the winter time. Eggs of Toxocara spp. could not be recovered from the samples analyzed and eggs from Ancylostoma spp. were seen in 0.56% (3/535) of the samples

Genome-Wide Association Study of Cell-Mediated Response in Dogs Naturally Infected by Leishmania infantum

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) could unravel the complexity of the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to canine leishmaniasis (CanL). Therefore, we scanned 110,165 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), aiming to identify chromosomal regions associated with the leishmanin skin test (LST), lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA), and cytokine responses to further understand the role played by CMI in the outcome of natural Leishmania infantum infection in 189 dogs. Based on LST and LPA, four CMI profiles were identified (LST(−)/LPA(−), LST(+)/LPA(−), LST(−)/LPA(+), and LST(+)/LPA(+)), which were not associated with subclinically infected or diseased dogs. LST(+)/LPA(+) dogs showed increased interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels and mild parasitism in the lymph nodes, whereas LST(−)/LPA(+) dogs, in spite of increased IFN-γ, also showed increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) levels and the highest parasite load in lymph nodes. Low T cell proliferation under low parasite load suggested that L. infantum was not able to induce effective CMI in the early stage of infection. Altogether, genetic markers explained 87%, 16%, 15%, 11%, 0%, and 0% of phenotypic variance in TNF-α, TGF-β, LST, IL-10, IFN-γ, and LPA, respectively. GWAS showed that regions associated with TNF-α include the following genes: IL12RB1, JAK3, CCRL2, CCR2, CCR3, and CXCR6, involved in cytokine and chemokine signaling; regions associated with LST, including COMMD5 and SHARPIN, involved in regulation of NF-κB signaling; and regions associated with IL-10, including LTBP1 and RASGRP3, involved in T regulatory lymphocytes differentiation. These findings pinpoint chromosomic regions related to the cell-mediated response that potentially affect the clinical complexity and the parasite replication in canine L. infantum infection

Canine leishmaniasis: Genome-wide analysis and antibody response to Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva.

The anti-inflammatory properties of sand fly saliva favor the establishment of the Leishmania infantum infection. In contrast, an antibody response against Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva is often associated with a protective cell-mediated response against canine visceral leishmaniasis. Genetic studies may demonstrate to what extent the ability to secrete anti-saliva antibodies depends on genetic or environmental factors. However, the genetic basis of canine antibody response against sand fly saliva has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to identify chromosomal regions associated with the anti-Lu. longipalpis salivary IgG response in 189 dogs resident in endemic areas in order to provide information for prophylactic strategies. Dogs were classified into five groups based on serological and parasitological diagnosis and clinical evaluation. Anti-salivary gland homogenate (SGH) IgG levels were assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples and genotyped using a SNP chip with 173,662 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The following linear regression model was fitted: IgG level = mean + origin + sex + age + use of a repellent collar, and the residuals were assumed as pseudo-phenotypes for the association test between phenotypes and genotypes (GWA). A component of variance model that takes into account polygenic and sample structure effects (EMMAX) was employed for GWA. Phenotypic findings indicated that anti-SGH IgG levels remained higher in exposed and subclinically infected dogs than in severely diseased dogs even in regression model residuals. Five associated markers were identified on chromosomes 2, 20 and 31. The mapped genes included CD180 (RP105) and MITF related to the rapid activation of B lymphocytes and differentiation into antibody-secreting plasma cells. The findings pointed to chromosomal segments useful for functional confirmation studies and a search for adjuvant molecules of the anti-saliva response