OCCURRENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SP. IN DOGS AND CATS FROM CURITIBA AND ITS METROPOLITAN AREA

The present study was carried out with the aim of assess the occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in dogs and cats in Curitiba and its metropolitan area, state of Paraná, Brazil. Techniques employed to detect the protozoan in fecal samples were: staining by Ziehl-Neelsen for oocysts search and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) targeting the 18SSU rDNA gene. To attempt the proposed aim, 91 feces samples of dogs and 25 of cats were collected and analyzed. Ziehl-Neelsen technique was unable to detect any oocyst in both groups analyzed, showing a very low sensitivity. Results of nPCR showed an infection rate of 13.2% (12/91) and 4% (1/25) in dogs and cats respectively.  The implications of these epidemiological data are discussed in this work

Probability of occurrence of the Brazilian spotted fever in northeast of Paraná state, Brazil

Abstract Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a fatal zoonosis because of the difficulties in its early diagnosis and treatment. Occurrences of BSF in the northeast of the state of Paraná prompted investigation of areas at risk of this rickettsiosis in the municipalities of Japira, Jaboti, Pinhalão and Tomazina. To determine the areas at risk, 592 serum samples from dogs and 230 from equids were analyzed by means of the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for Rickettsia rickettsii and R. parkeri . In addition, risk probability maps were drawn up using the kriging indicator technique. Among the samples tested, 5.3% (43/822) indicated presence of antibodies reactive to at least one of the two Rickettsia species tested: 7.8% of the equids (18/230) and 4.2% of the dogs (25/592) were positive. Geostatistical analysis showed that the average seropositivity rate was 5 to 6%. Although the average seropositivity rates observed among these dogs and equids were lower than those reported from endemic areas of Brazil, the biotic components (etiological agent, vector and reservoirs) and environmental aspects of BSF epidemiology were present in these municipalities

Toxoplasma gondii in Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) antibodies and DNA detected by IFAT and PCR

Toxoplasmosis is considered nowadays as one of the most important foodborne diseases in the world. One of the emerging risks in acquiring infection with Toxoplasma gondii is the increasing popularity of wild animals and game meat. Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) is the world’s largest extant rodent and is used for human consumption in many areas of South America, and in case it carries T. gondii cysts, it may act as a source of infection. In the present study, we detected infection with T. gondii in capybaras from the south of Brazil. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed in the serum of capybaras using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT ≥ 1:16). Blood, liver, heart, lymph nodes, and spleen tissues were collected and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for B1 gene and ITS1 region. The results showed that 61.5% (16/26) capybaras were seropositive to T. gondii. Titers of specific antibodies to T. gondii ranged from 1:16 to 1:512. Among the feral rodents studied, 7.7% (2/26) were PCR positive for B1 gene assay and 11.5% (3/26) were positive for ITS1 PCR assay; for both test, the prevalence was 15.4%. Liver, heart, and blood tissues were those which tested positive for the apicomplexan. Our findings show a high percentage of infection with T. gondii in asymptomatic capybaras. Based on those data, we hypothesize that the consumption of raw or undercooked capybara meat could be a source of infection for human

The prevalence of <i>L. (V.) braziliensis</i>-positive equids (horses, donkeys, and mules) determined by ELISA and PCR.

<p>The prevalence of <i>L. (V.) braziliensis</i>-positive equids (horses, donkeys, and mules) determined by ELISA and PCR.</p

Representative figure of the study area, State of Paraná, southern Brazil, and presentation of the results obtained by ELISA and PCR in their respective localities.

<p>Representative figure of the study area, State of Paraná, southern Brazil, and presentation of the results obtained by ELISA and PCR in their respective localities.</p