SEROLOGICAL SURVEY OF Ehrlichia SPECIES IN DOGS, HORSES AND HUMANS: ZOONOTIC SCENERY IN A RURAL SETTLEMENT FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and risk factors for exposure in a restricted population of dogs, horses, and humans highly exposed to tick bites in a Brazilian rural settlement using a commercial ELISA rapid test and two indirect immunofluorescent assays (IFA) with E. canis and E. chaffeensis crude antigens. Serum samples from 132 dogs, 16 horses and 100 humans were used. Fifty-six out of 132 (42.4%) dogs were seropositive for E. canis. Dogs > one year were more likely to be seropositive for E. canis than dogs ≤ one year (p = 0.0051). Ten/16 (62.5%) and 8/16 (50%) horses were seropositive by the commercial ELISA and IFA, respectively. Five out of 100 (5%) humans were seropositive for E. canis and E. chaffeensis. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 291, 97.98%) on dogs and Amblyomma cajennense (n = 25, 96.15%) on horses were the most common ticks found. In conclusion, anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies were found in horses; however, the lack of a molecular characterization precludes any conclusion regarding the agent involved. Additionally, the higher seroprevalence of E. canis in dogs and the evidence of anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies in humans suggest that human cases of ehrlichiosis in Brazil might be caused by E. canis, or other closely related species

Paracoccidioidomicose: atualização epidemiológica, clínica e terapêutica Paracoccidioidomycosis: epidemiological, clinical and treatment up-date

São apresentados dados de atualização epidemiológica, clínica, diagnóstica e terapêutica relativos à paracoccidioidomicose. Discute-se a importância epidemiológica resultante do isolamento do Paracoccidioides brasiliensis a partir do tatu (Dasypus novemcinctus) em regiões do Brasil e Colômbia, assim como dos resultados de inquéritos soroepidemiológicos em cães e do surgimento do primeiro caso de paracoccidioidomicose doença em cão. As dificuldades de isolamento do fungo a partir do solo são correlacionadas com novos informes de investigação epidemiológica. São apresentados aspectos clínicos das manifestações da forma aguda da doença, assim como das manifestações da neuroparacoccidioidomicose e da enfermidade associada à infecção pelo HIV. Discute-se o papel da sorologia e da técnica da PCR no diagnóstico e dos possíveis avanços no tratamento da paracoccidioidomicose com os novos derivados triazólicos.<br>The present report provides new data related to the epidemiology, clinical aspects and treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis. The epidemiological impact of the isolation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis from the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in areas of Brazil and Columbia, the results from seroepidemiologic study in dogs and the first case of paracoccidioidomycosis-disease on a dog are presented. New insights related to the classical difficulties of isolation of the fungus from soil are correlated with epidemiological data. Clinical manifestation of the acute form of the disease as well as aspects of the neuroparacoccidioidomycosis, and aspects of the association of the disease with the HIV infection are considered. The role of serology and PCR in the diagnosis, as well as the possible advances in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis with the new triazole derivatives are discussed

From Q Fever to Coxiella burnetii Infection: a Paradigm Change

International audienceCoxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever, or ``query fever,'' a zoonosis first described in Australia in 1937. Since this first description, knowledge about this pathogen and its associated infections has increased dramatically. We review here all the progress made over the last 20 years on this topic. C. burnetii is classically a strict intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium. However, a major step in the characterization of this pathogen was achieved by the establishment of its axenic culture. C. burnetii infects a wide range of animals, from arthropods to humans. The genetic determinants of virulence are now better known, thanks to the achievement of determining the genome sequences of several strains of this species and comparative genomic analyses. Q fever can be found worldwide, but the epidemiological features of this disease vary according to the geographic area considered, including situations where it is endemic or hyperendemic, and the occurrence of large epidemic outbreaks. In recent years, a major breakthrough in the understanding of the natural history of human infection with C. burnetii was the breaking of the old dichotomy between ``acute'' and ``chronic'' Q fever. The clinical presentation of C. burnetii infection depends on both the virulence of the infecting C. burnetii strain and specific risks factors in the infected patient. Moreover, no persistent infection can exist without a focus of infection. This paradigm change should allow better diagnosis and management of primary infection and long-term complications in patients with C. burnetii infection

Genomic-based breeding for climate-smart peach varieties

Improving the performance of peach varieties in the context of climate change requires multiple approaches. Not only will climate change alter plant phenology, but it will also drive negative effects of several biotic and abiotic stressors. The challenge is to improve adaptation of varieties to a changing environment, while maintaining organoleptic qualities of the fruit. This chapter focuses on the progress in genomics-assisted breeding in peach to break barriers in conventional breeding. Breeding climate-smart (CS) peach trees requires the identification of CS traits used in the adaptation to high levels of temperature, CO2, water deprivation and biotic stress. Relevant CS traits, such as those that control flowering time (chilling and heat requirements), biotic and abiotic stress tolerance (pests and diseases; water-nutrient efficiency), require prioritization. Here, we review classical mapping and breeding of peach varieties, the progress and limitations of the used of marker-assisted selection and breeding (MAS and MAB, respectively) in expression of traits, such as fruit quality and stress tolerance, and describe the rationale for the use of molecular breeding.EEA San PedroFil: Gogorcena Aoiz, Yolanda. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Estación Experimental Aula Dei; EspañaFil: Sánchez, Gerardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Moreno-Vázquez Santiago. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas; EspañaFil: Pérez, Salvador. Centro de Recursos Geneticos y Mejoramiento de Prunus; MéxicoFil: Ksouri, Najla. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Estación Experimental Aula Dei; Españ