Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma gondii em aves silvestres de três unidades de conservação federais da Paraíba e da Bahia / Occurrence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in wild birds from three federal conservation units of Paraíba and Bahia, Brazil

A vigilância e monitoramento de doenças em animais silvestres são imprescindíveis no contexto ambiental e de saúde pública, pois estes animais agem como sentinelas, refletindo alterações ambientais precocemente, o que proporciona maior eficácia no monitoramento ambiental e permite o acesso rápido a informações sobre as condições da área. Neste contexto, as aves são importantes no ciclo biológico do Toxoplasma gondii e na epidemiologia da toxoplasmose, principalmente porque seus tecidos representam importantes fontes de proteína na alimentação de felídeos e humanos. Objetivou-se detectar anticorpos anti-T. gondii, por meio do teste de aglutinação modificada em aves silvestres de três Unidades de Conservação (UC) Federais dos Estados da Paraíba e Bahia. No período de dezembro de 2011 a outubro de 2013 foram capturadas com redes de neblina 222 aves silvestres pertencentes a 67 espécies, 27 famílias e 12 ordens. Após a captura, foi colhido sangue de cada animal e separado o soro, que foi submetido ao Teste de Aglutinação Modificada (MAT≥1:25) utilizando taquizoítos inativados na formalina e 2-mercaptoetanol. Dentre as 222 amostras analisadas, três (1,3%) foram sororreagentes: 1 de 16 (6,2%) pipira-preta Tachyphonus rufus (título 50), 1 de 5 (20%) juriti-gemedeira Leptotila rufaxilla (título 50) e 1 de 1 (100%) caneleiro-enxofre Casiornis fuscus (título 25). Este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii nas referidas espécies de aves silvestres de vida livre nas duas UC Federais estudadas.

Surveillance and monitoring of wildlife pathogens are essential in the environmental context and human public health, as these animals act as sentinels, reflecting environmental changes early on, whath gives more efficient environmental monitoring and allows quick access to information on the conditions of area. Birds are important in the epidemiology and life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, because their tissues are important source of protein in the diet of felids and humans. The objective was to determine antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in wild birds from three Federal Conservation Units of the states of Paraíba and Bahia by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). From December 2011 to October 2013, 222 wild birds of 67 species from 27 families and 12 Orders were captured with mist nets. Blood samples were then collected and the serum was separated by centrifugation. The sera were tested (MAT≥1:25) using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites and 2-mercaptoethanol. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 3 of 222 (1.3%) birds: in 1 of 16 (6.2%) white-lined tanager (Tachyphonus rufus, titer 50), in 1 of 5 (20%) gray-fronted dove (Leptotilla rufaxila, titer 50), and in 1 of 1 (100%) ashy-throated casiornis (Casiornis fuscus, titer 25). This is the first report of occurrence of antibodies to T. gondii in these tree bird species from two Federal Conservation Units.

Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in opossums caught in urban areas of Bauru, state of São Paulo, Brazil / Ocorrência de anticorpos para Toxoplasma gondii em gambás capturados na área urbana de Bauru, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonoses worldwide. It was initially described in rodents and rabbits. There are few data on the morbidity and mortality of this disease among Brazilian marsupial fauna, such as opossums. These animals are of great importance regarding the epidemiology of this disease, given that they are prey for felids and other carnivores. With the aim of ascertaining the serological response to Toxoplasma gondii among marsupials (Didelphis spp.), 38 animals that had been caught in 14 districts of the urban area of the municipality of Bauru, state of São Paulo, were evaluated. The modified agglutination test (MAT) showed that 26.3% (10/38) of the samples analyzed were seropositive. It can be suggested that the opossums' behavior and persistent proximity to human housing results in contact with cats and T. gondii infection, based on the frequency found in this study. This was the first study on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in opossums caught in the urban area of the municipality of Bauru, SP, and it highlights the need for environmental and health authorities of the municipality to monitor this zoonosis.(AU)

A toxoplasmose é uma das zoonoses mais comuns no mundo, tendo sido descrita inicialmente em roedores e em coelhos. Todavia, poucos são os dados sobre morbidade e mortalidade da toxoplasmose nos marsupiais da fauna brasileira, como os gambás, sendo de grande importância na epidemiologia da doença, como presas para felídeos e outros carnívoros. Com o objetivo de verificar a resposta sorológica para Toxoplasma gondii em marsupiais (Didelphis spp.), foram avaliados 38 animais capturados em 14 regiões da área urbana do município de Bauru-SP. Foi encontrada uma frequência, de acordo com o teste de aglutinação modificada (MAT), de 26,3% (10/38) nas amostras analisadas. Pode-se sugerir que o comportamento dos gambás e sua permanência próxima a habitações humanas resultam em contato com gatos e infecção por T. gondii, tendo em vista a frequência encontrada neste estudo. Este é o primeiro estudo de soroprevalência de T. gondii em gambás capturados na área urbana do município de Bauru-SP, alertando-se para a necessidade do monitoramento desta zoonose pelas autoridades de vigilância ambiental e sanitária do município.(AU)

Assessment of t-cell immunity in women suffering from chronic toxoplasmosis

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Toxoplasma gondii [T. gondii]on chosen indices of the immune response. This study involved 50 women infected with T. gondii[aged 20-45 years] proven have a chronic Toxoplasmosis [IgG positive and IgM negative]. The control group composed of 25 healthy women [aged 19 - 41 years][IgG and IgM negative] . All cases were subjected to the following :Full history taking, general and local Obstetrical and Gynecological examination, Complete blood picture, Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate [E.S.R],Renal function tests including blood urea and serum creatinine, Fasting and postprandial blood sugar, complete Liver function tests, abdominal ultrasonography and assess the rhesus factor[Rh] by agglutination test,Treponema palladium [Syphilis] by VDRLand by IHAT and agglutination test for Brucella abortus. Detection of specific anti-toxoplasma antibodies were assessed by IgG and IgM . Serum cytokines were quantitated using Sunrise ELISA reader M. code by commercially available ELISA kits for IFN y and for TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL:10 . The results of this study showed that patients infected with T. gondii had increased production of the Th-1 cytokines involved IFN y and TNF-alpha ,The mean level +/-SD of IFN y in T. gondii infection was 134.2 +/- 6.98 pg/ml.,on the other hand the mean level in healthy subjects was 24 +/- 2.99 pg/ml. [P < 0.0001] The mean level +/- SD of TNF-a in T .gondii infection was 49.1 +/- 4.1 pg/ml and in healthy subjects was 13.2 +/- 2.00 pg/ml.[P < 0 .001]. Also there is increased production of Th2 cytokines involved IL-4 and IL-10 that responsible for humoral response as compared to controls. The mean level +/- SD of IL-4 in T. gondii infection was 28.6 +/- 3.82 pg/ml and the mean level in healthy subjects was 16.1 +/- 2.4.5pg/ml. [P < 0.01]. The mean level +/- SD of IL-10 in T. gondii infection was 23.2 +/- 3.38 pg/ml .,on the other the mean level of IL-10 in healthy subjects was 11.8 +/- 2.1 pg/ml [P < 0.01] .,that responsible for the cellular response'as compared to controls group. All these subjects were living in the same geographical area with more or less similar social and economical standard