Diversity of fungi obtained from bats captured in urban forest fragments in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil / Diversidade de fungos em morcegos de fragmentos florestais urbanos de Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brasil

Bats are important for the homeostasis of ecosystems and serve as hosts of various microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi with pathogenic potential. This study aimed to isolate fungi from biological samples obtained from bats captured in the city of Sinop (state of Mato Grosso, Brazil), where large areas of deforestation exist due to urbanization and agriculture. On the basis of the flow of people and domestic animals, 48 bats were captured in eleven urban forest fragments. The samples were processed and submitted to microbiological cultures, to isolate and to identify the fungal genera. Thirty-four (70.83%) of the captured bats were positive for fungi; 18 (37.5%) and 16 (33.33%) of these bats were female and male, respectively. Penicillium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Cryptococcus sp., Trichosporon sp., and Candida sp., which may cause opportunistic infections, were isolated. The bat species with the highest number of fungal isolates was Molossus molossus: 21 isolates (43.8%). According to our results, bats captured in urban forest fragments in Sinop harbor pathogenic fungi, increasing the risk of opportunistic fungal infections in humans and domestic animals.

Os morcegos apresentam grande importância na homeostasia dos ecossistemas e são hospedeiros de uma rica diversidade de micro-organismos como bactérias, vírus e fungos com potencial patogênico. Portanto, este estudo visou isolar fungos presentes em amostras biológicas de morcegos na cidade de Sinop - MT, que possui grandes áreas de desmatamento devido à urbanização e agricultura. Foram capturados 48 morcegos de diferentes espécies, em onze fragmentos florestais urbanos definidos de acordo com fluxo de pessoas e animais domésticos, para obtenção de amostras biológicas. Essas amostras foram processadas e submetidas aos cultivos microbiológicos, para isolamento e identificação dos gêneros dos fungos. Dos 48 morcegos, 34 (70,83%) foram positivos para pelos menos um gênero de fungo, sendo 18 (37,5%) fêmeas e 16 (33,33%) machos, e os gêneros isolados a partir das amostras biológicas foram Penicillium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Cryptococcus sp., Trichosporon sp. e Candida sp., que podem ser causadores de infecções oportunistas. Desse total, a espécie que apresentou maior positividade para pelo menos um gênero de fungo foi Molossus molossus com 21 (43,8%). Nossos resultados demonstram que os morcegos capturados nos fragmentos florestais urbanos na cidade de Sinop - MT, podem atuar como agentes veiculadores de fungos com potencial patogênico, aumentando assim o risco de exposição e aquisição de infecções fúngicas oportunistas por pessoas e animais domésticos.

Occurrence of Bartonella genotypes in bats and associated Streblidae flies from Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil / Ocorrência de genótipos de Bartonella em morcegos e moscas Streblidae no Estado do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Bartonella is a genus of emerging zoonotic bacteria that are mainly associated with mammalian erythrocytes and endothelial cells. Bats are natural reservoirs for a variety of important pathogens that impact human and animal health. Recent reports have highlighted the role of bats and bat flies in the maintenance of Bartonella. Here, we showed that none of the 29 bat DNA blood samples obtained from five bat species in São Luís Island, state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, were positive for Bartonella in qPCR assays targeting nuoG. On the other hand, three out of 15 DNA samples (20%) from flies in the family Streblidae were positive for Bartonella. The BLASTn results showed that the gltA and rpoB sequences shared identities ranging from 97.2% to 100%, with Bartonella sequences amplified from bats or bat flies from Costa Rica and Brazil. These findings were supported by phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian inferences. The present study showed that Bartonella genotypes are present in bat flies, thus shedding some light on the distribution of bat fly-related Bartonella genotypes in South America.

Resumo Bartonella é um gênero de bactérias zoonóticas emergentes associadas principalmente a eritrócitos e células endoteliais de mamíferos. Morcegos são reservatórios naturais para uma variedade de patógenos importantes que afetam a saúde humana e animal. Além disso, estudos recentes destacaram o papel dos morcegos e de moscas associadas a morcegos na manutenção de Bartonella. No presente estudo, nenhuma das 29 amostras de DNA obtidas a partir do sangue de cinco espécies de morcegos amostrados na ilha de São Luís, estado do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil, foi positiva para Bartonella nos ensaios de qPCR direcionados ao gene nuoG. Por outro lado, três das 15 (20%) amostras de DNA de moscas da família Streblidae foram positivas para Bartonella. Os resultados do BLASTn mostraram que as sequências dos genes gltA e rpoB compartilharam identidade, variando de 97,2% a 100%, com as sequências de Bartonella amplificadas em morcegos ou moscas amostrados na Costa Rica ou Brasil. Tais resultados corroboraram as análises filogenéticas realizadas por Inferência Bayesiana. O presente estudo mostrou a ocorrência de Bartonella em moscas de morcegos, auxiliando a esclarecer a distribuição dos genótipos de Bartonella relacionadas a moscas Streblidae na América do Sul.

Test for Borrelia spp. in bats in an urban area in the South of Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We investigated the occurrence of relapsing fever (RF) causing Borrelia genus spirochetes in synanthropic bats from the municipality of Maringá, Paraná, South of Brazil. METHODS: Tissue samples from the wings of bats were collected monthly from April 2013 to February 2014 and extracted DNA was used to evaluate the presence of RF causing Borrelia spp. RESULTS: All bat tissues tested negative for RF causing Borrelia spp. CONCLUSIONS: Borrelia spp. do not occur in chiropterans from Maringá.

Bacterial resistance in bats from the Phyllostomidae family and its relationship with unique health / Resistência bacteriana em morcegos da família Phyllostomidae e sua relação com a saúde única

The Phyllostomidae family is important among the bats found in Brazil, with several species and diverse eating habits, and is the only one to have frugivorous representatives. These bats can be found in urban and in wild life environments in search for the best reproductive and feeding conditions. The versatility of environments can be associated with the incidence and/or distribution of some diseases through pathogenic agents. The present paper has the purpose to identify the oral and perianal microbiota and to detect the bacterial resistance of frugivorous bats captured near communities inhabited by humans in the northwestern region of the state of Paraná. A total of 68 bats were captured, belonging to four species of the Phyllostomidae family, namely Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus planirostris, Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lillium, originated from forest fragments in the micro region of Umuarama, state of Paraná. A total of 64 isolates from oral bacteria and 39 from perianal region were submitted to identification. They were later submitted to a susceptibility test to 22 human and veterinary antimicrobials. The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli 33.3% in the oral region, and 35.90% in the perianal region, Enterobacter aerogenes 12.7% and 5.13%, Enterobacter agglomerans 7.9% and 10.25%, and Serratia liquefaciens 9.5% and 5.13% in the oral and perianal region respectively. All bat species studied had resistant strains, with a few of them presenting multi-resistance to antimicrobials. The species with the highest multi-resistance index to antimicrobials was Carollia perspicillata, with three strains of the oral region resistant to 15 antimicrobials; it also presented two strains in the perianal region, which were resistant to 13 and 10 antimicrobials respectively. Based on the results found, it is possible to conclude that the oral and perianal microbiota of bats is composed of several enterobacterial species resistant to one or several antimicrobials used in human and veterinarian medicine. This is an issue and a future warning for unique health, since high percentages of resistance were found against antimicrobials broadly used, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin and amoxicillin+clavulonate.(AU)

A família Phyllostomidae se destaca entre as famílias de morcegos encontrados no Brasil, com diversificadas espécies e hábitos alimentares, sendo a única a apresentar representantes frugívoros, podendo ser encontrada tanto em meio urbano, como de vida livre, em busca de melhores condições reprodutivas e alimentares. Essa versatilidade de ambientes pode estar associada à incidência e/ou distribuição de determinadas doenças por agentes patogênicos. O presente trabalho objetivou identificar a microbiota oral e perianal e detectar a resistência bacteriana em morcegos frugívoros capturados próximos às comunidades habitadas pelo homem na região noroeste do estado do Paraná. Foram capturados 68 morcegos, de quatro espécies da família Phyllostomidae, são eles Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus planirostris, Carollia perspicillata e Sturnira lillium, oriundos de fragmentos de Mata da microrregião de Umuarama, estado do Paraná. Um total de 64 isolados de bactérias da região oral e 39 da região perianal foram submetidos, identificação e posteriormente teste de susceptibilidade a 22 antimicrobianos de uso humano e veterinário. As bactérias mais prevalentes foram Escherichia coli 33,3% na região da boca e 35,90% na região perianal, Enterobacter aerogenes 12,7% e 5,13%, Enterobacter agglomerans 7,9% e 10,25% e Serratia liquefaciens 9,5% e 5,13% na região da boca e perianal, respectivamente. Todas as espécies de morcegos estudadas apresentaram cepas que foram resistentes, e algumas multirresistência aos antimicrobianos. A espécie que apresentou maior índice de multirresistência aos antimicrobianos foi Carollia perspicillata, com três cepas na região oral resistente a 15 antimicrobianos, e duas na perianal, com resistência a 13 e 10 antimicrobianos respectivamente. Baseados nos resultados encontrados, é possível concluir que a microbiota oral e perianal de morcegos, é composta por diversas espécies de enterobactérias, resistentes a um, ou vários antimicrobianos utilizados na medicina humana e veterinária, tornando-se um problema, e um alerta futuro para a saúde única, uma vez que foram encontrados elevados percentuais de resistência contra antimicrobianos utilizados em larga escala tais como ampicilina, amoxicilina e amoxicilina+clavulonato.(AU)

Temporal distribution of tuberculosis in the State of Amazonas, Brazil

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the infectious diseases that contributes most to the morbidity and mortality of millions of people worldwide. Brazil is one of 22 countries that accounts for 80% of the tuberculosis global burden. The highest incidence rates in Brazil occur in the States of Amazonas and Rio de Janeiro. The aim of this study was to describe the temporal distribution of TB in the State of Amazonas. Between 2001 and 2011, 28,198 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Amazonas, distributed among 62 municipalities, with the capital Manaus reporting the highest (68.7%) concentration of cases. Tuberculosis was more prevalent among males (59.3%) aged 15 to 34 years old (45.5%), whose race/color was predominantly pardo (64.7%) and who had pulmonary TB (84.3%). During this period, 81 cases of multidrug-resistant TB were registered, of which the highest concentration was reported from 2008 onward (p = 0.002). The municipalities with the largest numbers of indigenous individuals affected were São Gabriel da Cachoeira (93%), Itamarati (78.1%), and Santa Isabel do Rio Negro (70.1%). The future outlook for this region includes strengthening the TB control at the primary care level, by expanding diagnostic capabilities, access to treatment, research projects developed in collaboration with the Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation .;Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD).; and financing institutions, such as the project for the expansion of the Clinical Research Center and the creation of a hospital ward for individuals with transmissible respiratory diseases, including TB.

Diversidad específica bacteriana en murciélagos de distintos gremios alimenticios en la sierra sur de Oaxaca, México

Specific bacterial diversity in bats of different food guilds in Southern sierra Oaxaca, Mexico. Bats have different ecologic roles in variable ecosystems that have been already described. They have been linked to several zoonoses, however little is known about the relationship between bat microbiota and their diet, and studies on the bacterial ecology of the microbiota in bats are limited. To contribute with the description of this important interaction between microbiota and host, the aim of this work was to characterize the composi- tion and bacterial diversity in the oral and anal regions of 10 species of bats, in relation to food guild. For this, monthly samplings were conducted using four mist nets (19:00-24:00h) from February to October 2012; nets were reviewed every 45 minutes. Each captured organism was sampled in the oral and anal cavities with sterile swabs; these were placed in pre-enrichment media and stored at 4°C. Bacterial samples were studied which through selective media, chromogenic and biochemical tests. We obtained samples from 502 frugivorous, 29 hematophagous and 11 nectivorous bats. We found a total of 26 bacterial species, with the predominant phylum Proteobacteria and the family Enterobacteriaceae. Statistically significant differences were observed between oral and anal microhabitats: frugivorous (t=-3.516, g.l=14.761, p=0.003), hematophagous (t=-3.320, g.l=19.262, p=0.003), and nectivorous (t=-2.497, g.l=11.933, p=0.026), and in some guilds [frugivorous and nectivorous in the anal region (t=2.274, g.l=29.660, p=0.030), hematophagous and nectivorous anal region (t=2.077, g.l=29.904, p=0.049)]. It was also shown that there is bacteria specificity in some guilds such as nectivorous and frugivorous with Bacillus cereus, B. sp. X. sp., as well as, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis, Aeromonas hydrophyla in hematophagous. Bacterial presence can be explained by the type of diet and/or by transfer of bacteria from their preys. These bacteria may be indigenous to these bats and play the role of mutual benefit, providing the host with stable growth conditions and supplemental nutrients, while the microbiota contributes to host nutrition, development of the immune system, stabilization of the microbial population and to avoid pathogens colonization. By understanding the importance of the relation- ship between host and its bacterial populations, the conservation efforts being made to protect species such as bats may be improved.

Los estudios sobre ecología bacteriana de la micro- biota en los murciélagos son limitados, dicha información es importante para determinar la importancia de esta interacción entre microbiota y hospedero, por tal motivo el objetivo de este trabajo es caracterizar la composición y diversidad bacteriana en las regiones orales y anales de 10 especies de quirópteros con relación al gremio alimenticio a través de medios selectivos, cromogénicos y pruebas bio- químicas. Se muestrearon 502 murciélagos frugívoros, 29 hematófagos y 11 nectívoros, fueron encontradas un total de 26 especies bacterianas, siendo predominantes el filo proteobacterias y la familia Enterobacteriaceae. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el microhabitat oral y anal [frugívoros (t=-3.516, g.l=14.761, p=0.003), hematófagos (t=-3.320, g.l=19.262, p=0.003), y nectívoros (t=-2.497, g.l=11.933, p=0.026), así como en algunos gremios (frugívoros e nectívoros en la región anal (t=2.274, g.l=29.660, p=0.030), hematófago y nectívoros en la región anal (t=2.077, g.l=29.904, p=0.049)]. También se mostró que existe especificidad de bacterias en algunos gremios como: Bacillus cereus, B. spp. X. spp. en nectívoros y frugívoros, así como, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis, Aeromonas hydrophyla en hematófagos que podría deberse al tipo de dieta que llevan o por transferencia de bacterias al contacto con sus presas. Los murciélagos han sido relacionados con varias zoonosis, sin embargo poco se conoce sobre la relación que existe entre el murciélago, su micro- biota y la dieta que llevan. Estas bacterias pudieran ser autóctonas de los murciélagos y jugar un papel de mutuo beneficio, proveyéndole al hospedero condiciones estables de crecimiento y nutrientes complementarios, mientras que la microbiota contribuye en la nutrición del hospedero, desarrollo del sistema inmune, estabilizando la población microbiana y prohibiendo la colonización de patógenos. Entender la importancia de la relación entre el hospedero y su población bacteriana puede ayudar a mejorar los esfuerzos de conservación que se vienen realizando para proteger especies como los murciélagos.

Molecular detection of Neorickettsia risticii in Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Neorickettsia risticii is the causative agent of Potomac Horse Fever, a severe febrile disease affecting horses, transmitted by trematodes species with a complex life cycle. A total of 30 insectivorous bats (Brazilian free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis) were analyzed by PCR for presence of genus Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia and Rickettsia. Three samples showed positive reactions for genus Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Neorickettsia, and the sequences were 99.67% identical to Neorickettsia risticii. The role of bats in the life cycle of N. risticii has yet to be elucidated; however bats may be reservoirs for this bacterium. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of N. risticii in Argentina.

Brote de histoplasmosis en la Escuela de Cadetes de la Base Aérea de Morón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina / Histoplasmosis outbreak in Morón, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Se describe un brote de histoplasmosis que afectó a 6 cadetes de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina, sin antecedentes patológicos previos. Todos consultaron por problemas respiratorios después de haber limpiado un hangar. En ese recinto se encontraron abundantes deyecciones de animales, presuntamente de palomas y murciélagos. Los pacientes sufrieron fiebre, mialgias, taquipnea y tos no productiva. Las radiografías y tomografías de tórax mostraron imágenes pulmonares micronodulares, engrosamiento de los tabiques interalveolares y adenopatías hiliares. Todos tuvieron una evolución favorable y no requirieron tratamiento antifúngico. Las pruebas de inmunodifusión y contrainmunoelectroforesis con antígenos de Histoplasma capsulatum fueron positivas, al igual que las intradermorreacciones con histoplasmina. Se recogieron 5 muestras de tierra del lugar, las que fueron inoculadas por vía intraperitoneal a 20 hámsteres. De los cultivos de hígado y bazo de dichos animales se consiguió aislar la fase micelial de H. capsulatum. La cepa aislada se comparó con las obtenidas de 12 pacientes argentinos utilizando perfiles genéticos y se observó un clado único con más de 96% de similitud, lo que confirma la homogeneidad de las cepas argentinas. Si bien la histoplasmosis es endémica en la Pampa húmeda, este es el primer brote totalmente documentado al sur del paralelo 34°.

An histoplasmosis outbreak affecting 6 previously healthy Air Force cadets is herein presented. The patients suffered from fever and respiratory symptoms after having cleaned an abandoned hangar soiled with pigeons and bat droppings. They all presented fever, myalgia, tachypnea, and nonproductive cough. Chest X-ray and CT scan studies showed disseminated reticulonodular images affecting both lungs. Hiliar adenomegalies were also observed. All patients achieved a favourable outcome without antifungal treatment. Both serologic tests searching for specificic antibodies (immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis) and histoplasmin skin tests were positive in all cases. Five soil samples mixed with pigeons and bat droppings were collected from the hangar. Suspensions of these samples were inoculated into 20 hamsters by intraperitoneal injection; mycelial phase of H. capsulatum was isolated from liver and spleen cultures. The genetic profile of this strain was compared with 12 isolates obtained from Argentinean patients, and a great degree of homogeneity was observed (> 96% similarity). Although histoplasmosis is endemic in the wet Pampas, this is the first epidemic outbreak reported south of the 34th parallel.

Biological activity of the mite Sancassania sp. (Acari: Acaridae) from bat guano associated with the pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum

Mites and the mammal pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum are the major components of bat guano microbiota. Interactions between mites and H. capsulatum were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Acarid mites, mainly Sancassania sp., were the most abundant microarthropod in the sampled guano of the Mexican bat Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana and, based on its morphology, Sancassania sp. was similar to the cosmopolitan species Sancassania sphaerogaster. The mycophagous and vectoring activities of this mite were tested for H. capsulatum and two other fungal species, Sporothrix schenckii (pathogenic) and Aspergillus sclerotiorum (non-pathogenic). S. ca. sphaerogaster was able to reproduce in H. capsulatum and S. schenckii colonies, multiplying in great numbers under controlled fungal mycelial-phase culture conditions. H. capsulatum colonies were completely destroyed after 14 days of in vitro interaction with mites. In contrast, S. ca. sphaerogaster did not reproduce in A. sclerotiorum cultures. S. ca. sphaerogaster was found vectoring H. capsulatum, but not the two other fungal species studied.

Detection of Pneumocystis in lungs of bats from Brazil by PCR amplification / Detecção de Pneumocystis em pulmões de morcegos no Brasil por Nested-PCR

Pneumocystis has been isolated from a wide range of unrelated mammalian hosts, including humans, domestic and wild animals. It has been demonstrated that the genome of Pneumocystis of one host differs markedly from that of other hosts. Also, variation in the chromosome and DNA sequence of Pneumocystis within a single host species has been observed. Since information about the occurrence and nature of infections in wild animals is still limited, the objective of this work was to detect the presence of Pneumocystis sp. in lungs of bats from two states from Brazil by Nested-PCR amplification. The bats, captured in caves and in urban areas, were obtained from the Program of Rabies Control of two States in Brazil, Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul, located in the Mid-Western and Southern regions of the country, respectively. DNAs were extracted from 102 lung tissues and screened for Pneumocystis by nested PCR at the mtLSU rRNA gene and small subunit of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (mtSSU rRNA). Gene amplification was performed using the mtLSU rRNA, the primer set pAZ102H - pAZ102E and pAZ102X - pAZY, and the mtSSU rRNA primer set pAZ102 10FRI - pAZ102 10R-RI and pAZ102 13RI - pAZ102 14RI. The most frequent bats were Tadarida brasiliensis (25), Desmodus rotundus (20), and Nyctinomops laticaudatus (19). Pneumocystis was more prevalent in the species Nyctinomops laticaudatus (26.3 percent = 5/19), Tadarida brasiliensis (24 percent = 6/25), and Desmodus rotundus (20 percent = 4/20). Besides these species, Pneumocystis also was detected in lungs from Molossus molossus (1/11, 9.1 percent), Artibeus fimbriatus (1/1, 100 percent), Sturnira lilium (1/3, 33.3 percent), Myotis levis (2/3, 66.7 percent)and Diphylla ecaudata (1/2, 50 percent). PCR products which could indicate the presence of Pneumocystis (21.56 percent) were identified in DNA samples obtained from 8 out of 16 classified species from both states (5 bats were not identified). This is the ...

Pneumocystis tem sido isolado de uma grande variedade de hospedeiros mamíferos, incluindo humanos, animais domésticos e selvagens. Tem se demonstrado que o genoma do Pneumocystis de um hospedeiro difere marcadamente do de outros, assim como há variação no cromossomo e na seqüência de DNA dentro de uma única espécie de hospedeiro. Sabendo que a informação da ocorrência e natureza da infecção em animais silvestres ainda é limitada, o objetivo do trabalho foi detectar, por Nested-PCR, a presença de Pneumocystis sp. em pulmões de diferentes espécies de morcegos de dois estados do Brasil. Estes mamíferos voadores foram capturados em cavernas, áreas florestadas, de campo e urbanas pelo Programa de Controle da Raiva do Mato Grosso (região Centro-Oeste) e do Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (RS) e Instituto Sauver no Rio Grande do Sul (região Sul). Os DNAs foram extraídos de 102 pulmões e realizado Nested-PCR utilizando os primers pAZ102H-pAZ102E e pAZ102X/R1-pAZY/R1 para amplificação do gene mtLSU-rRNA, e pAZ102 10F-RI - pAZ102 10R-RI e pAZ102 13-RI - pAZ14-RI para amplificação do gene mtSSU-rRNA. As espécies mais freqüentes foram Tadarida brasiliensis (25), Desmodus rotundus (20) e Nyctinomops laticaudatus (19). Pneumocystis foi detectado com maior prevalência nas Nyctinomops laticaudatus (26,3 por cento = 5/19), Tadarida brasiliensis (24 por cento = 6/25) e Desmodus rotundus (20 por cento = 4/20). Além destas espécies, Pneumocystis foi também detectado nos pulmões de Molossus molossus (1/11, 9,1 por cento), Artibeus fimbriatus (1/1, 100 por cento), Sturnira lilium (1/3, 33 por cento), Myotis levis (2/3, 66,7 por cento)e Diphylla ecaudata (1/2, 50 por cento). Os produtos de PCR indicaram a presença de Pneumocystis (21.56 por cento) em amostras obtidas de 8 das 16 espécies classificadas para ambos os estados (cinco morcegos não foram classificados). Este é o primeiro registro de detecção de Pneumocystis em morcegos no Brasil.

Pneumocystis diversity as a phylogeographic tool

Parasites are increasingly used to complement the evolutionary and ecological adaptation history of their hosts. Pneumocystis pathogenic fungi, which are transmitted from host-to-host via an airborne route, have been shown to constitute genuine host markers of evolution. These parasites can also provide valuable information about their host ecology. Here, we suggest that parasites can be used as phylogeographic markers to understand the geographical distribution of intra-specific host genetic variants. To test our hypothesis, we characterised Pneumocystis isolates from wild bats living in different areas. Bats comprise a wide variety of species; some of them are able to migrate. Thus, bat chorology and migration behaviour can be approached using Pneumocystis as phylogeographic markers. In the present work, we find that the genetic polymorphisms of bat-derived Pneumocystis are structured by host chorology. Therefore, Pneumocystis intra-specific genetic diversity may constitute a useful and relevant phylogeographic tool.

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.

Primer aislamiento de Histoplasma capsulatum de murciélago urbano Eumops bonariensis / First isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from the urban bat Eumops bonariensis

Se comunica el primer aislamiento de Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum de un murciélago macho de la especie Eumops bonariensis, capturado en la ciudad de Buenos Aires en 2003. Los aislamientos fueron recuperados de bazo e hígado e identificados fenotípicamente. Se los comparó por PCR, con 17 aislamientos clínicos, 12 de pacientes residentes en la ciudad de Buenos Aires y cinco de otros países de América, usando los iniciadores 1283, (GTG)5, (GACA)4 y M13. Con los cuatro iniciadores, los perfiles de los aislamientos de murciélago resultaron idénticos entre sí y más relacionados a los de pacientes de Buenos Aires que a los de otros países (porcentaje de similitud: 91-100% y 55-87%, respectivamente). La alta relación genética entre los aislamientos obtenidos del murciélago y de los humanos residentes en Buenos Aires sugiere una fuente común de infección. Este es el primer registro de E. bonariensis infectado con H. capsulatum en el mundo, y el primer aislamiento del hongo en la población de quirópteros de la Argentina. Así como estos mamíferos actúan como reservorio y dispersan el hongo en la naturaleza, la infección en murciélagos urbanos podría asociarse al elevado número de casos de histoplasmosis entre pacientes inmunodeprimidos en la ciudad de Buenos Aires.

We report the first isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum from a male bat Eumops bonariensis captured in Buenos Aires city in 2003. The pathogen was recovered from spleen and liver specimens, and was identified by its phenotypic characteristics. PCR with primers 1283, (GTG)5, (GACA)4 and M13 was used to compare both bat isolates with 17 human isolates, 12 from patients residing in Buenos Aires city, and 5 from other countries of the Americas. The profiles obtained with the four primers showed that both bat isolates were identical to each other and closer to Buenos Aires patients than to the other isolates (similarity percentage: 91-100% and 55-97%, respectively). The high genetic relationship between bat isolates and those from patients living in Buenos Aires suggests a common source of infection. This is the first record of E. bonariensis infected with H. capsulatum in the world, and the first isolation of the fungus in the Argentinean Chiroptera population. In the same way as these wild mammals act as reservoir and spread the fungus in the natural environment, infection in urban bats could well be associated with the increase in histoplasmosis clinical cases among immunosuppressed hosts in Buenos Aires city.

Histoplasmosis in Africa: a review.

Classical histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum, and African histoplasmosis caused by H. capsulatum var. duboisii are both endemic in Africa. In South Africa, only classical histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum is known to occur and cases are seen frequently. It occurs sporadically in several other African countries. Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum is known to occur naturally in caves inhabited by bats in some parts of South Africa, namely, Transvaal and Cape province, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Outbreaks of histoplasmosis have been reported in cave explorers. Surveys of histoplasmin skin sensitivity carried out in Africa have shown the rate of positive reactors to be from 0.0% to 28%. African histoplasmosis caused by H. capsulatum var. duboisii is prevalent in Western and Central Africa, and in the island of Madagascar between the Kalahari and Sahara deserts, that is between latitudes 20 degrees North and 20 degrees South of the Equator. A natural reservoir of this fungus in soil admixed with bat guano has been found in a bat cave in a rural area, viz. Ogbunike in Anambra State of Nigeria. The clinical features and epidemiology of the two forms of the disease in Africa are reviewed.

Aislamiento y caracterización molecular de un virus rábico, obtenido de un murciélago no hematófago en la ciudad de México / Isolation and molecular characterization of rabies virus from a non-hematophagous bat in Mexico City

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar antigénica y genéticamente un aislamiento del virus de la rabia obtenido de un murciélago insectívoro (Tadarida brasiliensis) encontrado en la ciudad de México en 1995. Al momento de la captura, el animal presentaba incoordinación de miembros, pelo hirsuto y debilidad general. El murciélago fue positivo a la prueba de inmunofluorescencia directa para el diagnóstico de rabia. Para la caracterización antigénica se efectuó un panel de ocho anticuerpos monoclonales dirigidos contra la nucleocápside viral, mediante la técnica de inmunofluorescencia indirecta. Como testigo se usó una muestra positiva a rabia proveniente de un bovino agredido por un murciélago vampiro (Desmodus rotundus). La tipificación genética se realizó a través del secuenciado de una posición del ADN complementario de la nucleoproteína viral, comprendida entre las posiciones 1094 y 1413. Para los estudios genéticos comparativos se aplicaron los programas PilUp y Distances Programa Genetic Computer Group (GCG) versión 8.1. La caracterización antigénica determinó que el virus aislado del Tadarida brasiliensis pertenecía a la variante antigénica 9 y el testigo a la variante 3. Esta última se encuentra distribuida en toda América Latina y su reservorio es el Desmodus rotundus. La caracterización genética demostró que la muestra problema compartía un porcentaje de homología del 91.7 por ciento con el testigo, pero siendo altamente homóloga (99.7 por ciento) a aislamientos obtenidos de Tadarida brasiliensis en Estados Unidos de América. Esto último sugiere la posible presencia de ciclos endémicos del virus de la rabia en las poblaciones de estos murciélagos en México. La alta diversidad y densidad de murciélagos en el país, así como los resultados obtenidos en este estudio, enfatizan la necesidad de efectuar investigaciones más detalladas acerca del papel que juegan los murciélagos no hematófagos en la epidemiología de la rabia en México.

Zoonoses and bats: a look from human health viewpoint.

Bats are the most abundant and most widely distributed mammals on the Earth after humans. Except Antarctica and some small remote islands, they are prevalent worldwide. Although the actual role played by bats as reservoir or in disseminating zoonoses is still enigmatic a multitude of zoonotic diseases are known to be associated with bats. Such diseases including viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal and rickettsial diseases, reported from all over the world including India have been briefed in this article as an informative approach because dramatically increased and diversified human activities during the last few decades perturbing natural ecosystems are enough to compel public health personnel to have an investigative look at these flying mammals.

Isolamento do vírus rábico em Molossus ater (Chiroptera: Molossidae) no Estado de Säo Paulo / Rabies in insectivorous bat - Molossus ater in S. Paulo State, Brazil

Descreve-se o isolamento e a identificaçäo do vírus rábico em morcegos insetívoros Molossus ater, no Estado de Säo Paulo, nos municípios de Araçatuba, Penápolis e Säo José do Rio Preto. A maioria dos exemplares foi capturada ainda com vida, näo havendo, porém, contato com pessoas ou animais. O diagnóstico foi realizado pelas provas de imunofluorescência direta e inoculaçäo intracerebral em camundongos

Brote de histoplasmosis aguda en viajeros chilenos a la selva ecuatoriana: un ejemplo de medicina geográfica / Outbreak of acute histoplasmosis in chilean travelers to the Ecuadorïs jungle: report of 6 cases as an example of geographic medicine

Eight chilean teenagers traveled to Ecuador in january 1999, where they were bitten by mosquitoes, had contact with parakeets and lodged in poorly hygienic places; 6/8 visited for 5-10 minutes the interior of a bat cave. About a week later these 6 began with headache, myalgia and fever that lasted 2-3 weeks. 5/6 had dry cough with no respiratory distress. The index case was seen in the 2nd week of symptoms. A chest x-ray showed multiple nodular infiltrates as in the other five. Two had histoplasma serology, one was negative and the other positive at a low titer; histoplasmine skin test showed induration of 17-27 mm in all six. An acute histoplasmosis with massive exposure was diagnosed and treated with itraconazole for 3 weeks. All became asymptomatic and chest x-rays returned to normal. Histoplasmosis (non existent endogenously in Chile) is, among other geographic and tropical diseases, a risk for chilean travelers. Awareness of this in the general population and development of expertise in these diseases by local health care providers is required

Isolamento do vírus rábico de morcego insetívoro, Lasyurus borealis / Rabies virus isolation in insectivorous bat Lasyurus borealis

Relata um caso de raiva em morcego insetívoro, Lasyurus borealis, na regiäo urbana, em bairro residencial, no Município de Jundiaí, SP (Brasil)

Raiva em morcegos insetívoros (Molossidae) do Sudeste do Brasil / Rabies in insectivorous bats (Molossidae) of southeastern Brazil

Quatro casos positivos para a raiva foram diagnosticados em morcegos de três espécies de molossídeos (um Molossus molossus, um Nyctinomops laticaudatus e dois N. macrotis) do Estado de Säo Paulo, Brasil. Três deles foram encontrados durante o dia em locais visíveis e näo habituais e o outro entrou pela janela, no início da noite. Quadro descritivo com 19 casos semelhantes, envolvendo oito espécies, é mostrado e indica que morcegos com comportamento atípico devem ser considerados fortemente suspeitos de estarem doentes, possivelmente com raiva