Lumbriculus variegatus (Müller, 1774) (Oligochaeta, Lumbriculidae) in Campos do Jordão State Park, São Paulo, Brazil

The aim of this paper was recording the occurrence of the species Lumbriculus variegatus (Müller, 1774) (Oligochaeta, Lumbriculidae) in lotic systems of the State of São Paulo. Specimens were collected in Sapucaí River, located in Campos do Jordão State Park. The mapping of geographical distribution of this species is of interest to public health since L. variegatus may be an intermediate host of Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) (Nematoda, Dioctophymatidae), a parasite of recognized zoonotic potential. Distribution data serves as a basis for environmental monitoring and evaluation, being essential to map possible cases of the disease (Dioctophimosis) and provide information to health professionals.

Porcine Deltacoronaviruses: Origin, Evolution, Cross-Species Transmission and Zoonotic Potential

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an emerging enteropathogenic coronavirus of swine that causes acute diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration and mortality in seronegative neonatal piglets. PDCoV was first reported in Hong Kong in 2012 and its etiological features were first characterized in the United States in 2014. Currently, PDCoV is a concern due to its broad host range, including humans. Chickens, turkey poults, and gnotobiotic calves can be experimentally infected by PDCoV. Therefore, as discussed in this review, a comprehensive understanding of the origin, evolution, cross-species transmission and zoonotic potential of epidemic PDCoV strains is urgently needed.

Escherichia coli in dogs and cats and its zoonotic potential – a review

While diseases in humans seem to be an isolated concern, many are caused by zoonotic agents. The increasingly close contact between pets and their guardians must be considered, and investigations related to pathogens that are frequently found in humans and other animals must be carried out. Escherichia coli, in addition to being a commensal bacterium found in the intestinal tract of many animals, is one of the most frequent causes of several bacterial infections. Recent studies indicate that contact between humans and animals could contribute to the transmission between species of E. coli strains that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC-type lactamases, which are antimicrobial-resistant (multi-resistant). However, more studies are needed for these assumption to be confirmed. This review addresses the zoonotic potential of E. coli based on research related to the finding of pathogenic strains in animals and humans.

Soil contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. eggs in elementary school playgrounds in the extreme south of Brazil

Millions of people worldwide, and especially schoolchildren, may be infected by geohelminths due to their exposure to a contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. eggs in recreation areas at elementary schools in Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Sand samples were collected from 22 schools and were processed using the centrifugal flotation method. Helminth eggs with zoonotic potential were found in 12 out of the 22 schools (54.5%). Contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. was observed in 36.4% (8/22) and 27.3% (6/22) of the soil samples collected at these schools, respectively. These findings of eggs show that the school communities are exposed to risks of zoonotic transmission.

Molecular Detection of Human Pathogenic Gastric Helicobacter Species in Wild Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Wild Quails (Coturnix coturnix)

Wildlife plays a major role in the maintenance and transmission of multihost pathogens. Several Helicobacter spp. have been described to have zoonotic potential; thus, human, domestic and wild animal interactions deserve more attention. In this study, the presence of the DNA of human pathogenic gastric Helicobacter species was determined in gastric samples collected from wild rabbits and wild quails during the national hunting campaigns in Portugal. Eleven out of the 12 wild rabbits (91.7%) and all six wild quails tested (100%) were PCR positive for one or more gastric Helicobacter species. In both animal species, H. felis, H. bizzozeronii and H. salomonis DNA were detected. In addition to these non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter spp. (NHPH), H. pylori DNA was also identified in gizzard samples of wild quails. These findings might indicate that wild rabbits and wild quails may act as reservoirs and contribute to the H. pylori and NHPH environment dissemination, causing both Public Health and One health concerns to arise.

Microorganisms causing of clinical pathologies in canines and domestic felines in Valledupar, Colombia

The pathologies caused by microbial groups generate health risks in domestic dogs and cats; showing a zoonotic potential and producing affections in humans. According to that background, the purpose of this study was to establish the main microorganisms causing clinical pathologies in domestic dogs and cats by reviewing medical records in a veterinary clinic in Valledupar, Colombia. In order to do that, a retrospective study was conducted with clinical histories of dogs and cats admitted during 2017 and 2018 to the veterinary clinic “Mis Mejores Amigos”. Based on the information, a descriptive, explanatory and statistical analysis was applied, the latter by means of a Sperman correlation to evaluate the relationship between race, sex, age, microbial group and pathology-pathogen. From a total of 462 reports of canines and felines admitted to the clinic, a total of 273 diagnoses were obtained. 4% of the felines and 24% of the canines were affected by some microbial group. The most prevalent microorganisms in canines were Ancylostoma spp. (9 %) Entamoeba histolytica (5%) Ehrlichia spp. (5%), and Isospora sp. (5%) while in felines were Haemobartonella felis (20%) and Haemobartonella spp. (17%). It was determined that there is only correlation between the age of felines and the microbial group that affects them, in addition to the pathology presented with the pathogen. It was observed a high percentage of Ancylostoma sp. (9%) in canines of mongrel and French Poodle breeds whilst in felines was found the bacterium Haemobartonella felis in 20% of the mongrel breeds.

Prevalence of zoonotic potencial parasites in feces samples collected from public squares and beaches in São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Prevalência de parasitos com potencial zoonótico em amostras fecais coletadas de praças e praias públicas de São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

In recent decades there has been a closer relationship between human beings and pets. Although this relationship is beneficial from several points of view, it also poses a risk to public health, as animals can transmit diseases to humans, called zoonoses. Among the main ones we can highlight the parasitic zoonoses, caused by helminths and protozoa, mainly transmitted via fecal-oral. Public squares and beaches are places with potential for the dissemination of parasitic zoonoses, as they are environments for mutual interaction between people and animals. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of parasites with zoonotic potential in samples of dog feces and sand collected from public squares and beaches in the municipality of São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 204 samples of canine feces from the environment and 120 samples of sand were collected and submitted to coproparasitological techniques. Of the total, 57.84% of the fecal samples and 21.66% of the analyzed sand samples were contaminated with some parasitic genus. The contamination of the soil of public squares and beaches by parasites with zoonotic potential demonstrates that the population is at risk in these places, with the need to adopt sanitary measures to avoid human infection by zoonoses.

Spike residue 403 affects binding of coronavirus spikes to human ACE2

The bat sarbecovirus RaTG13 is a close relative of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this bat virus was most likely unable to directly infect humans since its Spike (S) protein does not interact efficiently with the human ACE2 receptor. Here, we show that a single T403R mutation increases binding of RaTG13 S to human ACE2 and allows VSV pseudoparticle infection of human lung cells and intestinal organoids. Conversely, mutation of R403T in the SARS-CoV-2 S reduces pseudoparticle infection and viral replication. The T403R RaTG13 S is neutralized by sera from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 indicating that vaccination might protect against future zoonoses. Our data suggest that a positively charged amino acid at position 403 in the S protein is critical for efficient utilization of human ACE2 by S proteins of bat coronaviruses. This finding could help to better predict the zoonotic potential of animal coronaviruses.

Experimental Chlamydia gallinacea infection in chickens does not protect against a subsequent experimental Chlamydia psittaci infection

Chlamydia psittaci was considered the predominant chlamydial species in poultry until Chlamydia gallinacea was discovered in 2009. C. psittaci is a zoonotic obligate intracellular bacterium reported in more than 465 bird species including poultry. In poultry, infections can result in asymptomatic disease, but also in more severe systemic illness. The zoonotic potential of C. gallinacea has yet to be proven. Infections in poultry appear to be asymptomatic and in recent prevalence studies C. gallinacea was the main chlamydial species found in chickens. The high prevalence of C. gallinacea resulted in the question if an infection with C. gallinacea might protect against an infection with C. psittaci. To investigate possible cross protection, chickens were inoculated with C. gallinacea NL_G47 and subsequently inoculated with either a different strain of C. gallinacea (NL_F725) or C. psittaci. Chickens that had not been pre-inoculated with C. gallinacea NL_G47 were used as a C. gallinacea or C. psittaci infection control. In the groups that were inoculated with C. psittaci, no difference in pharyngeal or cloacal shedding, or in tissue dissemination was observed between the control group and the pre-inoculated group. In the groups inoculated with C. gallinacea NL_F725, shedding in cloacal swabs and tissues dissemination was lower in the group pre-inoculated with C. gallinacea NL_G47. These results indicate previous exposure to C. gallinacea does not protect against an infection with C. psittaci, but might protect against a new infection of C. gallinacea.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Intestinal and Blood Parasites in Wild Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Senegal

Wild chimpanzee populations in West Africa (Pan troglodytes verus) have dramatically decreased as a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities and infectious diseases. Little information is currently available on the epidemiology, pathogenic significance, and zoonotic potential of protist species in wild chimpanzees. This study investigates the occurrence and genetic diversity of intestinal and blood protists as well as filariae in faecal samples (n = 234) from wild chimpanzees in the Dindefelo Community Nature Reserve, Senegal. PCR-based results revealed the presence of intestinal potential pathogens (Sarcocystis spp.: 11.5%; Giardia duodenalis: 2.1%; Cryptosporidium hominis: 0.9%), protist of uncertain pathogenicity (Blastocystis sp.: 5.6%), and commensal species (Entamoeba dispar: 18.4%; Troglodytella abrassarti: 5.6%). Entamoeba histolytica, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Balantioides coli were undetected. Blood protists including Plasmodium malariae (0.4%), Trypanosoma brucei (1.3%), and Mansonella perstans (9.8%) were also identified. Sanger sequencing analyses revealed host-adapted genetic variants within Blastocystis, but other parasitic pathogens (C. hominis, P. malariae, T. brucei, M. perstans) have zoonotic potential, suggesting that cross-species transmission between wild chimpanzees and humans is possible in areas where both species overlap. Additionally, we explored potential interactions between intestinal/blood protist species and seasonality and climate variables. Chimpanzees seem to play a more complex role on the epidemiology of pathogenic and commensal protist and nematode species than initially anticipated.