Canine leishmaniasis in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil: epidemiology, factors associated with seropositivity and spatial analysis

Abstract This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, factors associated with seropositivity to Leishmania infection in dogs and spatial analysis in six municipalities in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 462 dogs, 77 in each municipality, and used for serological analysis [dual path platform (DPP®) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]. Clinical signs of dogs were evaluated and associated factors for Leishmania infection were analyzed using robust Poisson regression model. A seroprevalence of 42.8% (198/462, IC: 95% = 38.6%-47.6%) was detected in dogs that tested positive in both tests, ranging from 29.8% to 55.8%, with higher prevalence in the municipality of Cabrobó (55.8%; P = 0.006). About 67% (132/198) of the seropositive dogs showed one or more clinical signs suggestive of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), such as lymphadenomegaly, skin lesions and conjunctivitis, which were associated with seropositivity. High seroprevalence levels were identified in urban and rural areas in all the municipalities, and the buffer for sand flies around cases covered almost these entire areas. Spatial analysis revealed a significant cluster, showing a relative risk of 1.88 in the urban area of Cabrobó. The higher density of seropositive dogs in urban areas indicates the need effective control measures against CanL to prevent the emergence of canine and human diseases.

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Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Canine Leishmaniasis in Egypt

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci8100236 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 236

Author(s):

Abdelfattah Selim ◽

Salma Shoulah ◽

Abdelhamed Abdelhady ◽

Abdulaziz Alouffi ◽

Yasser Alraey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Canine Leishmaniasis ◽

Effective Control ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Seroprevalence Rate ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Group 2 ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Background: Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is caused by Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) that is transmitted by sand fly vectors with dogs acting as the main reservoir. Methods: The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of CanL in dogs from Egypt and assessed the associated risk factors. The study was conducted from 2019 to 2020 in five governorates situated in Northern Egypt. Serum samples from 450 asymptomatic dogs were serologically examined by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Overall, the seroprevalence rate of CanL was 21.3% and the highest rates were observed in Cairo and Giza governorates. The univariable analysis revealed that the seropositivity of CanL was strongly related to the dogs′ ages, length of hair, absence of veterinary care or application of insecticides, and the type of floor of their shelters. The risk factors that were found to be associated with CanL in exposed dogs were: age group 2–4 years old (OR = 12, 95% CI: 1.6–92.3); short hair (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.2–3.6); absence of veterinary care (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.3–5.8); no application of insecticides (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.5–6.5) and their residence in a shelter with an earthen floor (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 0.7–2.9). Conclusions: Based on the present results, CanL is present in Egyptian dogs and this increases the possibility of transmission by sand fly to humans with whom they have contact. Consequently, an efficient monitoring programme and effective control measures are important to reduce the risk of infection.

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Epidemiological characterization and risk factors associated with leptospirosis and brucellosis in small ruminants sold at animal fair in the Sertão Region of Pernambuco State, a semiarid Region of Northeastern Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4p1933 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 1933 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

José Romero Alexandre Alves ◽

Geilson Manoel de Souza Lima ◽

José Dêvede da Silva ◽

Diego Figueiredo da Costa ◽

Fabrine Alexandre dos Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Management System ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Intensive Management ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Leptospira Spp

The transit of infected animals may be a route for the introduction and dispersal of diseases, which necessitates protocols for the controlled entry of infected animals into herds. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Leptospira and anti-Brucella ovis antibodies in small ruminants sold at an animal fair in the Sertão region of the Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil, and to identify the possible risk factors associated with seropositivity. Serum samples were collected from 233 goats and 119 sheep, belonging to twelve different owners from November 2014 to June 2015. Diagnosis of Leptospira spp. infection was established using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT); for B. ovis infection, the agar gel immuno-diffusion (AGID) test was conducted. A total of 16/233 (6.87%; 95% CI = 4.27% – 10.83%) goats and 16/119 (13.45%; 95% CI = 8.67% – 21.24%) sheep were identified as seropositive for Leptospira spp. The most frequent serotype was Icterohaemorrhagiae. In goats, intensive management system (odds ratio = 15.8; p < 0.001) and consorted rearing of equines and goats (odds ratio = 7.3; p = 0.005) were identified as risk factors. There were no risk factors identified for sheep. Seven (5.88%; 95% CI = 2.88% – 11.65%) sheep were seropositive for B. ovis, and the intensive management system was identified as the risk factor (odds ratio = 11.5; p = 0.005). This suggests that Leptospira spp. and B. ovis infections occur in small ruminants commercialized in the Sertão region of the Pernambuco State. Thus, improvements to the sanitary conditions of the facilities and the control of synanthropic rodents are recommended.

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Flock-level risk factors associated with leptospirosis in dairy goats in a semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil

Preventive Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.prevetmed.2012.09.005 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 109 (1-2) ◽

pp. 158-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Severino S.S. Higino ◽

Fabrine A. Santos ◽

Diego F. Costa ◽

Carolina S.A.B. Santos ◽

Maria L.C.R. Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Dairy Goats ◽

Factors Associated

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Flock-level risk factors associated with Neospora caninum seroprevalence in dairy goats in a semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil

Small Ruminant Research ◽

10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.11.031 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 112 (1-3) ◽

pp. 239-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C.S.A.B. Santos ◽

S.S. Azevedo ◽

H.S. Soares ◽

S.S.S. Higino ◽

F.A. Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Dairy Goats ◽

Factors Associated

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Transmission clusters, predominantly associated with men who have sex with men, play a main role in the propagation of HIV-1 in Northern Spain (2013-2018)

10.1101/2021.09.28.21264185 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Horacio Gil ◽

Elena Delgado ◽

Sonia Benito ◽

Leonidas Georgalis ◽

Vanessa Montero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control Measures ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Effective Control ◽

Main Role ◽

Northern Spain ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Phylogenetic Relations ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv 1

Viruses of HIV-1-infected individuals whose transmission is related group phylogenetically in transmission clusters (TCs). The study of the phylogenetic relations of these viruses and the factors associated with these individuals is essential to analyze the HIV-1 epidemic. In this study, we examine the role of TCs in the epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Galicia and the Basque County, two regions of Northern Spain. A total of 1158 newly HIV-1-diagnosed patients (NDs) from both regions diagnosed in 2013-2018 were included in the study. Partial HIV-1 pol sequences were analyzed phylogenetically by approximately-maximum-likelihood with FastTree 2. In this analysis, 10,687 additional sequences from samples from HIV-1-infected individuals collected in Spain in 1999-2019 were also included to assign and determine the TCs sizes. TCs were defined as those which included viruses from ≤4 individuals, at least 50% of them Spaniards, and with ≤0.95 Shimodaira-Hasegawa-like node support in the phylogenetic tree. Factors associated to TCs were evaluated using odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Fifty one percent of NDs grouped in 162 TCs. Male patients (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.5-4.7) and men having sex with men (MSM) (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.2) had higher odds of belonging to a TC compared to female and heterosexual patients, respectively. Individuals from Latin America (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2-0.4), North Africa (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-1.0), and especially Sub-Saharan Africa (OR: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.003-0.2) were inversely associated to belonging to TCs compared to native Spaniards. Differences in distribution and sizes of local TCs were observed in both regions reflecting a different epidemic pattern. Our results show that TCs play an important role in the spread of HIV-1 infection in the two Spanish regions studied, where transmission between MSM is predominant. The majority of migrants were infected with viruses not belonging to TCs that expand in Spain. Molecular epidemiology is essential to identify local peculiarities of HIV-1 propagation. The early detection of TCs and prevention of their expansion, implementing effective control measures, could reduce HIV-1 infections.

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Cross-sectional survey for canine leptospirosis in an Atlantic Rainforest area of the semiarid of Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-6640 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

Author(s):

Maria G.S. Bernardino ◽

Diego F. Costa ◽

Denise B. Nogueira ◽

Maria L.C.R. Silva ◽

Edijanio G. Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Free Access ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Leptospira Spp

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp. that affects humans, domestic and wild animals. The present work aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey for leptospirosis in the canine population of the Brejo Paraibano microregion, semiarid of Northeastern Brazil. From May to October 2017, blood samples from 414 dogs were collected in the counties of Alagoa Grande (n=100), Areia (n=79), Bananeiras (n=72), Alagoa Nova (n=73), Serrraria (n=25), Pilões (n=25), Borborema (n=20) and Matinhas (n=20). The tutors of the sampled dogs answered an epidemiological questionnaire, obtaining information about the animals, owner, residence and breeding of the dogs. Subsequently, the serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using a collection of 23 serovar pathogenic antigens and using the 1:50 dilution as the cutoff point. Of the 414 dogs analyzed 52 were seroreactive, resulting in an apparent prevalence of 12.6% and a real prevalence of 12.2%. Seroreactive dogs were found in the eight counties. Dogs were reactive for the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (76.9%), Autumnalis (13.55%), Pomona (3.8%), Grippotyphosa (3.8%) and Serjoe (1.9%) Antibody titers ranged from 50 to 800. The statistical analysis (robust Poisson regression) detected six factors associated with seropositivity, including the rainy season (prevalence ratio; PR=1.94, P=0.013), male dogs (PR=2.10, P=0.005), animals with age greater than five years (PR=4.21, P=0.012), consumption of untreated water (PR=1.87, P=0.043), free access of dogs to street (PR=2.15, P=0.011) and contact with wildlife (PR=3.54, P=0.050). The serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae has a high zoonotic potential and was the most frequent in seropositive animals. The high real prevalence of Leptospira spp. in a transmission region of the semiarid region of Paraíba and the occurrence of seroreactive animals in all the counties suggest wide distribution of the infection and reinforce the need for preventive measures to avoid infection in pets and, consequently, to humans. The analysis of factors associated with the prevalence suggest greater manegment cares with the dogs.

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Toward Diagnosing Leishmania infantum Infection in Asymptomatic Dogs in an Area Where Leishmaniasis Is Endemic

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00268-08 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 337-343 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

D. Otranto ◽

P. Paradies ◽

D. de Caprariis ◽

D. Stanneck ◽

G. Testini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Canine Leishmaniasis ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽

Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽

Immunofluorescence Antibody

ABSTRACT The most frequently used diagnostic methods were compared in a longitudinal survey with Leishmania infantum-infected asymptomatic dogs from an area of Italy where leishmaniasis is endemic. In February and March 2005, 845 asymptomatic dogs were tested by an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), a dipstick assay (DS), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for L. infantum and by IFAT for Ehrlichia canis. Dogs seronegative for L. infantum were further parasitologically evaluated by microscopic examination of lymph node tissues and PCR of skin samples. A total of 204 animals both serologically and parasitologically negative for L. infantum at the first sampling were enrolled in the trial and were further examined for canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in November 2005 (i.e., the end of the first sandfly season) and March 2006 and 2007 (1- and 2-year follow-ups, respectively). At the initial screening, the overall rates of L. infantum seroprevalence were 9.5% by IFAT, 17.1% by ELISA, and 9.8% by DS and the overall rate of E. canis seroprevalence was 15%. The rates of concordance between the results of IFAT and DS were almost equal, whereas the rate of concordance between the results of IFAT and DS and those of the ELISA was lower. The results of the annual incidence of Leishmania infection were variable, depending on the test employed, with the highest values registered for PCR (i.e., 5.7% and 11.4% at the 1- and 2-year follow-ups, respectively), followed by ELISA, IFAT, and DS. Over the 2 years of observation, 55 animals (i.e., 26.9%) became positive for L. infantum by one or more diagnostic tests at different follow-up times, with 12.7% showing clinical signs related to CanL, while the remaining 87.3% were asymptomatic. A diagnostic scheme for assessment of the L. infantum infection status in asymptomatic dogs is suggested.

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Outbreak investigation and control case report of brucellosis: Experience from livestock research centre, Mpwapwa, Tanzania

Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.4102/ojvr.v81i1.818 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 81 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gabriel M. Shirima ◽

Seleman N. Masola ◽

Obeid N. Malangu ◽

Brant A. Schumaker

Keyword(s):

Clinical Signs ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Control Measures ◽

Research Centre ◽

Confirmatory Test ◽

Medical Attention ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

And Control ◽

The Rose ◽

S19 Vaccine

Brucellosis screening was conducted between 2005 and 2010 at the National Livestock Research Institute headquarters, Mpwapwa, Tanzania, following an abortion storm in cattle. The initial screening targeted breeding herds; 483 cattle were screened using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) followed by the Competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA) as a confirmatory test. The seropositivity on c-ELISA was 28.95% in 2005; it subsequently declined to 6.72%, 1.17%, 0.16% and 0.00% in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Brucella seropositivity was not detected in goats. Seropositivity declined following institution of stringent control measures that included: gradual culling of seropositive animals through slaughter; isolation and confinement of pregnant cows close to calving; proper disposal of placentas and aborted foetuses; the use of the S19 vaccine; and restricted introduction of new animals. It was thought that the source of this outbreak was likely to have been from the introduction of infected animals from another farm. Furthermore, humans were found with brucellosis antibodies. Out of 120 people screened, 12 (10%) were confirmed seropositive to brucella antigen exposure by c-ELISA analysis. The majority of the seropositive individuals (80%) were milkers and animal handlers from the farm. Nine individuals had clinical signs suggestive of brucellosis. All cases received medical attention from the district hospital. This achievement in livestock and human health showed that it is possible to control brucellosis in dairy farms, compared to pastoral and agro-pastoral farms, thus providing evidence to adopt these strategies in dairy farms thought to be at risk.

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Occurrence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria blooms in a Brazilian semiarid reservoir

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842006000200005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 66 (1b) ◽

pp. 211-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

I. A. S. Costa ◽

S. M. F. O Azevedo ◽

P. A. C. Senna ◽

R. R. Bernardo ◽

S. M. Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transition Period ◽

Local Population ◽

Fish Muscle ◽

Control Measures ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Cyanobacterial Blooms ◽

Cylindrospermopsis Raciborskii ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Dry Seasons ◽

Toxic Blooms

We report the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms and the presence of cyanotoxins in water samples from the Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves reservoir (06° 08’ S and 37° 07’ W), located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. The cyanobacterial species were identified and quantified during the rainy and dry seasons in the year 2000. Cyanotoxins such as microcystins, saxitoxins and cylindrospermopsins were analyzed and quantified using HPLC and ELISA methods. The mixed toxic blooms of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis spp (M. panniformis, M. protocystis, M. novacekii) and Aphanizomenon spp (Aphanizomenon gracile, A. cf. manguinii, A. cf. issastschenkoi) were persistent and represented 90-100% of the total phytoplankton species. Toxic cyanobacterial blooms from the Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves reservoir were analyzed and found to have three phases in relation to the annual cycle. During the rainy season, an intense toxic bloom of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii was recorded along with saxitoxins (3.14 µg.L-1). During the transition period, between the rainy and dry seasons, different species of Microscytis occurred and microcystin as high as 8.8 µg.L-1 was recorded. In the dry season, co-dominance of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis spp and Aphanizomenon spp occurred and the concentrations of saxitoxin remained very low. Our results indicate the presence of microcystins (8.8 µg.L-1) and saxitoxins (3.14 µg.L-1) into the crude water, with increasing concentrations from the second fortnight of April to late May 2000. The occurrence of toxic blooms in this reservoir points to a permanent risk of cyanotoxins in supply waters, indicating the need for the implementation of bloom control measures to improve the water quality. Exposure of the local population to cyanotoxins through their potential accumulation in fish muscle must also be considered.

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Development of ELISA based on Bacillus anthracis capsule biosynthesis protein CapA for naturally acquired antibodies against anthrax

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0258317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0258317

Author(s):

Tuvshinzaya Zorigt ◽

Yoshikazu Furuta ◽

Manyando Simbotwe ◽

Akihiro Ochi ◽

Mai Tsujinouchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Anthracis ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Protective Antigen ◽

Protein Solubility ◽

Control Measures ◽

Effective Control ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Veterinary Vaccine ◽

C Terminus ◽

Vaccination History

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the gram-positive spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Detecting naturally acquired antibodies against anthrax sublethal exposure in animals is essential for anthrax surveillance and effective control measures. Serological assays based on protective antigen (PA) of B. anthracis are mainly used for anthrax surveillance and vaccine evaluation. Although the assay is reliable, it is challenging to distinguish the naturally acquired antibodies from vaccine-induced immunity in animals because PA is cross-reactive to both antibodies. Although additional data on the vaccination history of animals could bypass this problem, such data are not readily accessible in many cases. In this study, we established a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific to antibodies against capsule biosynthesis protein CapA antigen of B. anthracis, which is non-cross-reactive to vaccine-induced antibodies in horses. Using in silico analyses, we screened coding sequences encoded on pXO2 plasmid, which is absent in the veterinary vaccine strain Sterne 34F2 but present in virulent strains of B. anthracis. Among the 8 selected antigen candidates, capsule biosynthesis protein CapA (GBAA_RS28240) and peptide ABC transporter substrate-binding protein (GBAA_RS28340) were detected by antibodies in infected horse sera. Of these, CapA has not yet been identified as immunoreactive in other studies to the best of our knowledge. Considering the protein solubility and specificity of B. anthracis, we prepared the C-terminus region of CapA, named CapA322, and developed CapA322-ELISA based on a horse model. Comparative analysis of the CapA322-ELISA and PAD1-ELISA (ELISA uses domain one of the PA) showed that CapA322-ELISA could detect anti-CapA antibodies in sera from infected horses but was non-reactive to sera from vaccinated horses. The CapA322-ELISA could contribute to the anthrax surveillance in endemic areas, and two immunoreactive proteins identified in this study could be additives to the improvement of current or future vaccine development.

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