Predictive risk model of livestock rabies occurrence in Peru / Modelo de risco preditivo para a ocorrência da raiva bovina no Peru

Livestock rabies is endemic in Peru. Hence, its persistence and annual dissemination represent an important economic impact, especially for impoverished farming communities. The disease is mostly transmitted by the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus. The present study aimed to adapt an existing predictive model of the occurrence of livestock rabies to Peru, in which the risk of rabies transmission from bats to livestock was estimated using decision-tree models of receptivity and vulnerability. Official rabies surveillance data between 2010 and 2015 were used along with possible risk factors, such as livestock biomass, environmental changes, and geomorphological characteristics. Several scenarios were established to evaluate the prediction of the occurrence of livestock rabies cases by determining more than one cut-off point of the receptivity variables. During the study period, the precision of the model was estimated through the sensitivity (39.46%) and specificity (98.64%) by using confusion matrices. Targeting control efforts, especially in districts with a high estimated risk, could represent the prevention of a significant proportion of livestock rabies cases, which would optimize the human and economic resources of the Peruvian surveillance service. However, the quality of data produced by the surveillance should be improved not only to obtain higher model precision but also to allow the adequate planning of control actions.(AU)

Raiva de herbívoros é endêmica no Peru. Consequentemente, sua disseminação persistente e anual representa um importante impacto econômico, especialmente às comunidades rurais empobrecidas. A doença é principalmente transmitida pelo morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus. Este estudo tem por objetivo adaptar um modelo preditivo pré-existente às ocorrências de raiva de herbívoros no Peru, no qual o risco de transmissão de morcegos para os herbívoros foi estimado por meio de árvores de cenários de receptividade e vulnerabilidade. Foram usados os dados oficiais de vigilância da raiva entre 2010 e 2015, assim como os possíveis fatores de risco, tais quais a biomassa de animais, alterações ambientais e características geomorfológicas. Diversos cenários foram criados para avaliar a predição da ocorrência da raiva por meio da determinação de diversos pontos de corte das variáveis de receptividade. Durante o período de estudo, a precisão do modelo foi estimada por meio da sensibilidade (39,46%) e especificidade (98,64%), utilizando matrizes de confusão. Focando em esforços de controle, especialmente em distritos com elevado risco estimado, seria possível prevenir uma proporção significativa dos focos, o que poderia otimizar os recursos humanos e econômicos do serviço oficial peruano. Entretanto, a qualidade dos dados produzidos pelo sistema de vigilância deveria ser melhorada não somente para obter maior precisão do modelo, mas também para possibilitar o melhor planejamento das ações de controle desta doença.(AU)

Preferential prey selection by Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810, Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) feeding on domestic herbivores in the municipality of São Pedro - SP / Seleção de presas preferenciais por Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810, Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) alimentando-se de herbívoros domésticos no município de São Pedro - SP.

In order to verify possible preferential prey selection by Desmodus rotundus feeding on domestic herbivores in the Municipality of São Pedro (São Paulo, Brazil), vampire bat attacks were surveyed at rural properties where domestic herbivores were being raised and attack frequencies of D. rotundus on the total herd and on different species were calculated. The analysis found that the most frequently attacked herbivores were cattle and horses. The chi-square test (χ2), with a significance level of 5% corroborated the comparative analysis of attack frequency in properties that had these two species. Of the two, horses were attacked more frequently, which could be a sign that D. rotundus exhibits preferential prey selection when attacking domestic herbivores. This evidence is also supported by the Optimal Foraging Theory, in which the net rate of energy consumed is higher for horses than it is for cattle. Additionally, we propose that the thinner integument of horses (relative to that of cattle) may facilitate bites by D. rotundus and thus contribute to the observed prey preference.

A fim de verificar possível seleção de presa preferencial por Desmodus rotundus alimentando-se em herbívoros domésticos no Município de São Pedro (São Paulo, Brasil), foram pesquisados ataques de morcegos hematófagos em propriedades rurais nas quais os herbívoros domésticos estavam sendo criados e foram calculadas as frequências de ataques por D. rotundus no rebanho total e nas diferentes espécies. A análise mostrou que os herbívoros mais frequentemente atacados eram os bovinos e equinos. O teste do qui-quadrado (χ2) com um nível de significância de 5% corroborou a análise comparativa da frequência de ataque em propriedades que possuíam estas duas espécies. Destas duas, os cavalos foram atacados com maior frequência, o que poderia ser um sinal de que D. rotundus apresenta seleção de presas preferenciais ao atacar herbívoros domésticos. Esta evidência também é apoiada pela Teoria do Forrageamento Ótimo, em que a taxa de energia líquida consumida é maior para cavalos do que para o gado. Além disso, propomos que o tegumento mais fino de cavalos (em relação à de bovinos) pode facilitar a mordidas por D. rotundus e, assim, contribuir para a preferência da presa observada.

Microsatellites loci reveal heterozygosis and population structure in vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) of Mexico / Microsatélites revelan heterocigosidad y estructura poblacional de murciélagos vampiro (Desmodus rotundus) (Quiróptera: Phyllostomidae) de México

A limited number of studies have focused on the population genetic structure of vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in America. This medium-sized bat is distributed in tropical areas of the continent with high prevalence in forested livestock areas. The aim of this work was to characterize the vampire population structure and their genetic differentiation. For this, we followed standard methods by which live vampires (caught by mist-netting) and preserved material from scientific collections, were obtained for a total of 15 different locations, ranging from Chihuahua (North) to Quintana Roo (Southeast). Tissue samples were obtained from both live and collected animals, and the genetic differentiation, within and among localities, was assessed by the use of seven microsatellite loci. Our results showed that all loci were polymorphic and no private alleles were detected. High levels of heterozygosis were detected when the proportion of alleles in each locus were compared. Pairwise F ST and R ST detected significant genetic differentiation among individuals from different localities. Our population structure results indicate the presence of eleven clusters, with a high percentage of assigned individuals to some specific collecting site. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (2): 659-669. Epub 2014 June 01.

Muy pocos trabajos se han enfocado en el estudio genético de las poblaciones de vampiro (Desmodus rotundus) en América. Este murciélago de tamaño mediano se encuentra distribuido en las áreas tropicales de América, con una gran prevalencia en zonas de ganadería. La recolecta de tejidos se realizó mediante redes de niebla y en con ejemplares de colecciones, estas dan un total de 15 localidades. Mediante el uso de siete microsatellites, nosotros estudiamos la diferenciación genética dentro y entre localidades muestreadas, estas fueron desde Chihuahua en el norte, hasta Quintana Roo en el sureste. Todos los loci fueron polimórficos y no se encontraron alelos privados. Se encontraron altos niveles de heterócigos cuando se compararon la proporción de alelos en cada locus. Comparaciones pareadas de F ST y R ST mostraron una diferenciación genética entre los individuos de las diferentes localidades. Los resultados de estructura genética indican la presencia de once clusters, con un alto porcentaje de asignación de los individuos a las localidades en donde fueron recolectados.

Vampiros Humanizados: Análise da obra Interview with the vampire de Anne Rice / Humanized Vampires: Work Analysis Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar o romance Interview with the Vampire deAnne Rice que é o primeiro livro dos dez que constituem suas “CrônicasVampirescas”. Pretende-se com esta pesquisa demonstrar como os vampirosapresentados por Rice são humanizados. Inicia-se com um estudo histórico sobre osvampiros, tanto lendários quanto literários, depois há um estudo sobre a vida e obrada escritora norte-americana bem como um levantamento das diferenças entre osvampiros de Rice e outros descritos na literatura, entre os quais o ícone do gênero:Drácula, de Bram Stoker. A análise continua ainda com alguns apontamentosteóricos sobre o gênero fantástico, incluindo conceitos de Todorov, Ceserani, entreoutros. Há também uma análise dos principais personagens: o vampiro Louis querenega sua natureza vampírica; o vampiro Lestat que também luta contra problemashumanos; Cláudia, a menina vampira, que não aceita sua condição de mulher presaa um corpo de criança; o vampiro Armand, um dos mais velhos vampiros do mundoque almeja a paz humana. Há ainda a análise de um personagem humano, umsuposto jornalista, que ouve toda a história de vida mortal e imortal do vampiroLouis. A análise ainda abrange o tempo e espaço da narrativa e sua relação com ogênero fantástico, bem como algumas diferenças entre o livro escrito em 1976 e ofilme, lançado em 1994, um sucesso de bilheteria, referência para muitos filmessobre vampiros...

This dissertation aims to analyze the novel Interview with the Vampire by AnneRice, the first of ten books in the “Vampire Chronicles". The aim of this research is todemonstrate how the vampires presented by Rice are humanized. It begins with ahistorical study about vampires, both legendary and literary ones, then there is astudy about the life and work of the American writer as well as a survey of thedifferences between the vampires from Rice and others described in the literature,including the icon of the genre: Dracula, by Bram Stoker. The analysis still continueswith some theoretical notes on the fantastic genre, including concepts aboutTodorov, Ceserani, among others. There is also an analysis of the main characters:the vampire Louis who denies his vampiric nature; the vampire Lestat who also fightsagainst human problems; Claudia, the vampire kid, who does not accept hercondition as a woman stuck in a child’s body; the vampire Armand, one of the oldestvampires in the world that looks for human peace. There is also an analysis of ahuman character, a supposed journalist, who listens to the story of mortal andimmortal life of the vampire Louis. The analysis also covers the time and space in thenarrative and its relationship with the fantastic genre, as well as some differencesbetween the book written in 1976 and the film released in 1994, a big hit, referencefor many other vampire movies...

A Case of Clinical Vampirism in Asia

Clinical vampirism in psychiatric practice is very rare and usually associated with schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder or paraphilia. An Asian case of clinical vampirism is described. It is about a 24-year-old Malay female, paramedic student, who craved for blood since childhood. She injured her sister and herself so that she could access and drink blood. There was no associated psychosis or medical problems. The craving for blood may represent her underlying craving for parental love and attention.

O vampiro, um não morto ainda vivo / The Vampire, a live undead

O que um vampiro representa? Por que ocupa tal lugar na cultura? O vampiro é um invariante cultural com diferenças culturais. O vivente é um não morto (undead), e o não morto ainda está vivo. Do ponto de vista psicanalítico, qual é, então, essa relação com os dentes e com a mordida que contamina, que faz com que o outro se torne também um vampiro? O vampiro é um bebê que morde e tem um desejo ambivalente de imortalidade. O leite materno é vital como o é o sangue para o vampiro. A brincadeira de mordiscar, para o bebê winnicottiano, conta mais do que a mordida para o bebê kleiniano. O bebê kleiniano é mais próximo do vampiro do que o bebê winnicottiano.

The Vampire, a live undead. What does a vampire represent? Why does he have such a place in the culture? It is a cultural invariant with cultural differences. The living is an undead and the undead is still living. From a psychoanalytical point of view, what is the connection to teeth and to bites that contaminate, and make the other become a vampire? The vampire is a baby that bites and who has an ambivalent desire of immortality. Maternal milk is as vital as blood for the vampire. The game of biting for the Winnicottian baby is more important than the bite for the Kleinian baby. The Kleinian baby is closer to the vampire than the winnicotian baby.

Informe de tres casos de rabia paralítica y babesiosis bovina en el municipio de Aldama, Tamaulipas / Report of three cases of bovine paralytic rabies and babesiosis in Aldama, Tamaulipas

History of diseases, clinical manifestations, pathologic and histopathological findings, as well as the results of complementary studies of three animals considered representatives of an outbreak of mortality in beef cattle in a ranch located in Aldama, Tamaulipas, during the first trimester of the 2008 are presented. Babesiosis and paralytic rabies were the presumptive diagnosis in two cases. Both diseases are considered enzootic in this area. Laboratory studies demonstrated that rabies was the main problem (3/3); however, in two of them (2/3) also Babesia bovis was recognized. In enzootic areas, the presence of both diseases, bovine paralytic rabies and babesiosis, occurs simultaneously making diagnosis difficult.

Se presentan los antecedentes, las manifestaciones clínicas, los hallazgos patológicos e histopatológicos, así como los resultados de los estudios complementarios de tres animales representativos de un problema de mortalidad en ganado de carne en un rancho localizado en el municipio de Aldama, Tamaulipas, durante el primer trimestre de 2008. El diagnóstico presuntivo en dos casos fue babesiosis y en el otro fue rabia. La zona es considerada endémica para ambas enfermedades. Los resultados demostraron que el problema primordial fue rabia (3/3); sin embargo, en dos de ellos (2/3) también se registró la presencia de Babesia bovis. En zonas endémicas, la presencia de ambas enfermedades, rabia paralítica bovina y babesiosis ocurre simultáneamente haciendo difícil el diagnóstico.

Desmodus rotundus (Mammalia: Chiroptera) on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil / Desmodus rotundus (Mammalia: Chiroptera), na costa sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Since the 1990s, attacks by hematophagous bats on humans and domestic animals have been reported both on the continent and on the islands on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state. The density of vampire bats was investigated based on percentage of captures during control of Desmodus rotundus samplings and during bat diversity research. In the present work, 203 individuals of D. rotundus were captured from 1993 to 2009, which corresponds to 11.88 percent of all bat captures carried out for species control in local villages and 1.58 percent of all captures in faunistic inventories. The density of D. rotundus is high even on the recently occupied islands where domestic animals have been introduced. It is probable that this species dispersed from the continent to the islands due to the introduction of domestic animals.

Desde 1990 ataques de morcegos hematófagos em humanos e animais domésticos têm sido reportados tanto no continente como nas ilhas da costa sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro. A densidade de morcegos vampiros foi investigada baseada na percentagem de capturas durante amostragens para o controle de Desmodus rotundus e durante amostragens para pesquisas da diversidade. No presente trabalho 203 indivíduos de D. rotundus foram capturados entre 1993 e 2009, que correspondem a 11,88 por cento de todas as capturas de morcegos para o controle da espécie em vilarejos locais e 1,58 por cento de todas as capturas em inventários faunísticos. A densidade de D. rotundus é alta mesmo em ilhas recentemente ocupadas onde animais domésticos foram introduzidos. É provável que esta espécie disperse a partir do continente para as ilhas devido à introdução dos animais domésticos.

Paralytic rabies in swine

Rabies transmitted by vampire bats was diagnosed in pigs with paralysis of the pelvic limbs. Diffuse nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis, affecting mainly the spinal cord, was observed histologically. Despite the various diagnosis of rabies in pigs this is the first report of clinical signs and pathology of rabies transmitted by vampire bats.

Descriptive ecology of bat flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea) associated with vampire bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in the cerrado of Central Brazil

We studied the ectoparasitic bat flies of three phyllostomid vampire bat species. Bats were collected monthly from April 2004-March 2005 in caves within the Cafuringa Environmental Protection Area in the Federal District of Brazil. A total of 1,259 specimens from six species in the Streblidae family were collected from 332 bats. High host affinity from the sampled bat fly species and high prevalence of bat flies confirms the primary fly-host associations (Strebla wiedemanni, Trichobius parasiticus and Trichobius furmani with Desmodus, Trichobius diaemi and Strebla diaemi with Diaemus and T. furmani with Diphylla). Male flies outnumbered females in several associations. Some of the observed associations (e.g., Strebla mirabilis with Desmodus and S. mirabilis, Trichobius uniformis and S. wiedemanni with Diphylla) were inconclusive and the causes of the associations were unclear. There are several explanations for these associations, including (i) accidental contamination during sampling, (ii) simultaneous capture of several host species in the same net or (iii) genuine, but rare, ecological associations. Although various species of vampire bats share roosts, have similar feeding habits and are close phylogenetic relatives, they generally do not share ectoparasitic streblid bat flies. T. diaemi and S. diaemi associations with Diaemus youngi have not been previously reported in this region.

Caracterização molecular do vírus da raiva isolado de Desmodus rotundus capturados no Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Molecular characterization of rabies virus isolated from Desmodus rotundus captured in Rio de Janeiro State

Caracterizou-se filogeneticamente o vírus da raiva, isolado de morcegos hematógafos (Demodus rotundus). Cento e noventa e nove D. rotundus foram capturados em cinco abrigos, no Norte e Noroeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro e sul do Espírito Santo. Sete deles foram positivos para a raiva. Amostras desses vírus foram sequenciadas e comparadas com sequências provenientes de diversos estados brasileiros. As sequências de vírus da raiva isoladas, na região norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, mostraram características que as distinguem de amostras de vírus isoladas em outras regiões do país, no entanto foram idênticas às isoladas de bovinos no noroeste do Rio de Janeiro.

Rabies samples isolated from vampire bats captured in the Rio de Janeiro State were phylogenetically analyzed. One hundred and ninety nine vampire bats were captured from five shelters from North and Northwest of Rio de Janeiro and South of Espírito Santo States. Seven of them were positive for rabies. Theses samples were sequenced and compared with rabies virus sequences from several Brazilian states. The sequences of rabies virus, isolated in the present work, from North of Rio de Janeiro State, showed characteristics that differ of the sequences isolated from bats from other Brazilian regions. However, they were identical to samples isolated from cattle in Northwest of Rio de Janeiro state.

Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in Botucatu region, SP, Brazil

The destruction of natural ecosystems has caused several problems to humans and other animals; herein we investigate the close relationship among vampire bats, humans and domestic animals. Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp. infections are two worldwide zoonoses that provoke serious damage to animals. To determine the prevalence of bats seropositive for toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis in the Botucatu region, 204 serum samples of vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) were tested for T. gondii antibodies by modified agglutination test (MAT-t) and for Leptospira spp. by microscopic agglutination test (MAT-l). No animal was tested positive for T. gondii while leptospiral positivity was 7.8 percent for Pyrogenes, Shermani and Javanica serovars, with titers varying from 100 to 1,600. Thus, it was verified that D. rotundus does not play a relevant role in toxoplasmosis epidemiology. However, these bats can be important in the maintenance of Leptospira spp. in the environment.(AU)

A coronavirus detected in the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus

This article reports on the identification of a group 2 coronavirus (BatCoV DR/2007) in a Desmodus rotundus vampire bat in Brazil. Phylogenetic analysis of ORF1b revealed that BatCoV DR/2007 originates from a unique lineage in the archetypical group 2 coronaviruses, as described for bat species elsewhere with putative importance in Public Health.

The brain of the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus murinus (Wagner, 1840): a cytoarchitectural atlas / O cérebro do morcego vampiro comum, Desmodus rotundus murinus (Wagner, 1840): um atlas citoarquitetural

The vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, is exceptionally agile and stealthy in nature. Feeding at night on cattle blood, it is a known scourge carrying rabies. It is endowed with a very high neocortical volume among bats, acute olfactory capabilities and an accessory olfactory system. These characteristics have resulted into an impressive number of neuroanatomical investigations except a long due atlas on its brain. This study presents a cytoarchitectural atlas of the brain of the common vampire, Desmodus rotundus murinus, in the frontal plane, serially between the olfactory bulb and the medulla oblongata. Twenty six selected sections are presented, each separated by about 300 to 560 microns. The atlas figures show lugol fast blue-cresyl echt violet stained hemisections with their matching half in a labeled line drawing. About 595 discrete brain structures (some repeating) have been identified. This study is likely to provide the accurate localization of nuclear groups, whole structures, fiber tracts, and interconnections to facilitate future neuroanatomical and neurophysiological investigations on the vampire brain.

O morcego vampiro, Desmodus rotundus, é excepcionalmente ágil e furtivo. Alimentando-se à noite do sangue de gado, é um conhecido flagelo portador da raiva. Entre os morcegos, apresenta um alto volume neocortical, capacidades olfatórias agudas e um sistema ofatório suplementar. Estas características têm suscitado um número impressionante de estudos neuroanatômicos, no entanto, não foi produzido ainda um atlas do cérebro desta espécie. O presente estudo apresenta, assim, um atlas citoarquitetural do cérebro do vampiro comum, Desmodus rotundus murinus, no plano frontal, serialmente entre o bulbo ofatório e a medula oblongata. Vinte e seis seções selecionadas são aqui apresentadas, cada uma separada por em torno de 300 a 560 mícrones. As figuras do atlas mostram hemisseções manchadas com lugol violeta de cresilo, com a sua respectiva metade apresentada numa figura rotulada. Em torno de 595 estruturas cerebrais discretas (algumas repetidas) foram identificadas. Este estudo proverá a localização precisa de grupos nucleares, estruturas inteiras, tratos de fibras, e interconexões para facilitar futuras investigações neuroanatômicas e neurofisiológicas realizadas no cérebro do morcego vampiro.

Ocorrência de Diaemus youngi (Jentink 1893), Chiroptera, no estado do Rio de Janeiro / Occurrence of Diaemus youngi (Jentink 1893), Chiroptera, in the State of Rio de Janeiro

Diaemus youngi é um morcego hematófago obrigatório que se alimenta preferencialmente do sangue de aves. Este morcego é considerado o menos freqüente entre as três espécies hematófagas ao longo de toda a sua distribuição geográfica. Entre 2000 e 2006, foram realizadas campanhas para a captura de morcegos hematófagos em sete localidades do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, onde ataques a aves haviam sido reportadas por proprietários de terra. Morcegos foram capturados em redes de neblina abertas durante duas ou três noites em cada localidade, geralmente próximas às aves atacadas. Um total de oito espécimes de D. youngi foi coletado nas sete localidades estudadas, e dois registros feitos por outros pesquisadores em outras duas localidades foram confirmados para o Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Diaemus youngi prefere, aparentemente, restringir seus ataques a aves domésticas e selvagens que apresentam o comportamento de se empoleirar. Esta espécie de morcego pode apresentar abundância e área de distribuição maiores do que as aqui descritas, a julgar pelo número de relatos de ataques em criatórios comerciais de aves ornamentais que criam animais em regime de semi-liberdade no Sudeste do Brasil.

Diaemus youngi is a vampire bat that feeds preferentially on bird blood. This bat is considered as the least frequent among the three hematofagous species throughout its geographical distribution. From 2000 to 2006, surveys for vampire control were carried out in seven localities from the State of Rio de Janeiro where attacks to birds were reported by land owners. Bats were captured in mist nets opened during two or three nights in each locality, usually in the vicinity of attacked birds. A total of eight specimens of D. youngi were collected in the seven studied localities and two records from two other localities made by other researchers were confirmed for the State of Rio de Janeiro. Apparently, D. youngi prefers to prey on domestic and wild birds that rest on high perches. This bat species may present higher abundance and larger distribution range those described here, judging by the number of reports of attacks in commercial houses of ornamental birds that raise animals in semi-freedom in Southeastern Brazil.

Serological survey for rabies in serum samples from vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in Botucatu region, SP, Brazil

The chiropterans constitute 25% of the world's mammal fauna. Due to the destruction of their natural ecosystem, the vampire bats have moved from nature to artificial roosts closer to man and domestic animals. This phenomenon has happened particularly in rural areas. Rabies is a viral anthropozoonosis, 100% lethal, and vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) represent an important role in its epidemiology. D. rotundus were captured at night with mesh nets in partnership with the Botucatu Defense Office and sent to the Zoonosis Diagnostic Service, at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, UNESP. Serum samples from 204 bats were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescent antibody viral neutralization test (FAVN) for rabies antibody detection. The results showed 7.4% of sera with titers higher or equal to 0.5 U for rabies antibodies, which demonstrated viral flow circulation among the studied region. Data suggest a need for constant monitoring accomplished by epidemiological and sanitary measures.(AU)

Flora bacteriana aeróbica del tracto digestive del vampiro común, Desmodus rotundus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) / Aerobic bacterial flora from the digestive tract of the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

This study addresses the composition of microbial flora in the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) primarily because all available data are outdated, and because of the economical significance of this bat species. Twenty-one bats were collected and their aerobic bacteria documented separately for stomach and intestine. Bacteria were identified through the Analytical Profile Index (API), and results analyzed with the APILAB software. A total of thirty bacterial species were isolated from sixteen females and five males. The most common species were Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, although other bacteria, such as Acinetobacterjohnsonii, Enterobacter sakazakii, Staphylococcus chromogenes, S. hyicus and S. xylosus were also common. The number of species found in the stomach and intestine was significantly different, and the intestine presented a higher diversity compared to the stomach. This has previously been found in other mammals and it is attributed to a reduction of acidity. Most of the species found in this study are considered normal components of the digestive tract of mammals, although other bacteria common in the skin of mammals and from aquatic environments were found. Bacteria from the skin may invade the vampire's stomach and/or intestine when the bat has contact with its prey, and may suggest that the vampire's feeding habit facilitates the invasion of other microbes not common in its digestive tract. The fact that bacteria from aquatic environments were also found suggests that D. rotundus, as previously found by other researchers, drinks free water when available, and water may be another source of microbial invasion.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la flora bacteriana del vampiro común (Desmodus rotundus) primordialmente debido a que los datos al respecto están desactualizados, y además por la gran importancia económica de esta especie de murciélago. Veintiún murciélagos fueron recolectados y su flora bacteriana identificada separadamente a nivel de estómago e intestino. Las bacterias fueron identificadas con el Analytical Profile Index (API), y los resultados analizados con el paquete APILAB. Un total de treinta especies fueron aisladas en 16 hembras y cinco machos. Las especies más comunes fueron Escherichia coli y Staphylococcus aureus, aunque otras especies, como Acinetobacter johnsonii, Enterobacter sakazakii, Staphylococcus chromogenes, S. hyicus y S. xylosus también se aislaron con frecuencia. El número de especies identificadas en el estómago y el intestino fue significativamente diferente, siendo el intestino más diverso. Esto ha sido encontrado anteriormente en otros mamíferos, y se atribuye probablemente a la reducción en acidez. Asimismo, la mayoría de las especies identificadas en este estudio forman parte de la flora bacteriana normal del tracto digestivo de mamíferos, aunque también se encontraron otras bacterias comunes en la piel de mamíferos y en ambientes acuáticos Las bacterias de la piel podrían estar colonizando el estómago y/o intestino del vampiro cuando éste tiene contacto con sus presas, lo que sugiere que el hábito alimentario de esta especie facilita su colonización por microorganismos que no se encontrarían comúnmente en su tracto digestivo. Ya que también se identificaron bacterias comunes en ambientes acuáticos, es probable que D. rotundus consuma agua cuando esté disponible, lo que respalda los resultados de otros investigadores, y sugiere que esta podría ser una fuente adicional de invasión microbiana.