Prevalence of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae in cats in the south of Brazil: a molecular study

Bartonella spp are the causative agent of cat scratch disease in humans. Cats are the natural reservoir of these bacteria and may infect humans through scratches, bites or fleas. Blood samples from 47 cats aged up to 12 months were collected for this study. All animals were lodged in municipal animal shelters in the Vale do Sinos region, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Bartonella spp were detected by genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and when the PCR was positive, the species were determined by DNA sequencing. A Giemsa-stained blood smear was also examined for the presence of intraerythrocytic elements suggestive of Bartonella spp infection. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed for all positive samples. Using molecular detection methods, Bartonella spp were detected in 17.02 percent (8/47) of the samples. In seven out of eight samples confirmed to be positive for Bartonella spp, blood smear examination revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic elements suggestive of Bartonella spp. Phylogenetic analysis characterized positive samples as Bartonella henselae (5) or Bartonella clarridgeiae (3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular study demonstrating the presence of Bartonella spp in cats from the Southern Region of Brazil.

HIV/aids e meia idade: avaliação do conhecimento de indivíduos da região do Vale do Sinos (RS), Brasil / HIV/aids and middle aged: knowledge assessment of people from Vale do Sinos, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o nível de conhecimento sobre HIV/aids nos indivíduos de meia idade, participantes de grupos de convivência do Vale do Sinos (RS). O estudo caracterizou-se como transversal, obtendo-se uma amostra de 168 indivíduos, sendo 9,5 por cento homens e 90,5 por cento mulheres, na faixa etária entre 40 e 59 anos. Utilizou-se como instrumento um questionário composto pelos domínios "conceito", "transmissão", "vulnerabilidade", "prevenção" e "tratamento". O ensino fundamental caracterizou 61,3 por cento da escolaridade dos participantes e a renda mensal situou-se entre um e três salários mínimos para 45,2 por cento. No domínio "conceito", 65,2 por cento desconheciam a fase assintomática da infecção e 34,5 por cento apontaram o mosquito como transmissor da aids, no domínio "transmissão". Nos domínios "prevenção" e "vulnerabilidade", 19,5 por cento desconheciam a existência do preservativo feminino e 29,2 por cento acreditaram que a doença é característica de grupos específicos. Quanto ao "tratamento", 12,5 por cento ignoraram a sua existência. De acordo com os achados, os indivíduos da meia idade participantes de grupos de convivência do Vale do Sinos tinham conceitos errôneos sobre HIV/aids que poderiam aumentar o risco à infecção. Sendo assim, é necessário proporcionar programas de saúde pública direcionados para esta população para prevenir ou diminuir o risco de transmissão do HIV.

The objective of this article is to assess the knowledge about HIV/aids in middle aged acquaintance group participants from the Vale do Sinos, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A prospective cross-sectional study with 168 individuals (9.5 percent male and 90.5 percent female) between 40 and 59 years of age was performed. A questionnaire comprising questions about the concept, transmission, vulnerability, prevention, and treatment domains on HIV issues was constructed. It was observed that 61.3 percent of the sample had finished elementary education and 45.2 percent had a monthly income ranging from 1 to 3 minimum wages. In the conceptual domain, 65.2 percent did not know that HIV infection has an asymptomatic phase and 34.5 percent believed HIV could be transmitted by a mosquito bite. In prevention and vulnerability domains, 19.5 percent had no knowledge about female condoms and 29.2 percent believed that the disease was confined to specific groups. Regarding to antiretroviral treatment, 12.5 percent had no idea about its existence. According to findings, middle aged participants from acquaintance groups in Vale do Sinos had misconceptions about HIV/aids which might enhance the risk of infection. Therefore it is necessary to provide public health programs directed to this population group in order to prevent or decrease the risk of HIV transmission.