Ocorrência da infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. em cabritos (Capra hircus) / Occurrence of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in goat kids (Capra hircus)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a ocorrência da infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. em cabritos de Quixadá, Ceará, Brasil. Participaram do estudo 400 cabritos, com idade entre três e 360 dias, de ambos os sexos, com e sem padrão racial definido, procedentes de 25 estabelecimentos rurais distribuídos em três circuitos. As fezes foram cadastradas de acordo com o aspecto e cor, distribuídas em tubos tipo "eppendorf®" e congeladas in natura a -20°C, até o momento das extrações de DNA genômico do parasito com auxílio de kit comercial. Para amplificação de fragmentos da subunidade 18S do RNA ribossômico (rRNA) foi utilizada a "Nested"-PCR. A ocorrência de Cryptosporidium spp em cabritos de Quixadá foi de 7,50% (30/400). A frequência no período seco e no chuvoso foi de 9,55% (19/199) e 5,47% (11/201), respectivamente (χ²=2,39 e P>0,05). Amostras positivas foram identificadas em 64,00% (16/25) das propriedades estudadas e dessas amostras 50,00% (15/30) e 70,00% (21/30) tinham as fezes com aspecto e cor normais, respectivamente, sugerindo que cabritos assintomáticos estão eliminando oocistos. Não foi observada positividade para Cryptosporidium spp. em animais com 301 a 360 dias, demonstrando que animais mais velhos apresentam menos possibilidade de se infectarem com o parasito...

The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in goat kids from Quixadá, Ceará, Brazil. The study included 400 goat kids of both sexes, 3 to 360 days old, with or without defined breed, originating from 25 farms distributed in three circuits. Feces were registered in accordance with the appearance and color, distributed into tubes Eppendorf tubes and frozen in natura at-20°C until the moment of extraction of genomic DNA from the parasite with the aid of a commercial kit. For amplification of fragments of the 18S subunit of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) was used to Nested PCR. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in goats kids of the Quixadá was 7.50% (30/400). The frequency in the dry period and rainy was 9.55% (19/199) and 5.47% (11/201) respectively (χ²=2.39 and P>0.05). Positive samples were identified in 64.00% (16/25) of the studied farms, and from these samples 50.00% (15/30) and 70.00% (21/30) had feces with normal appearance and color respectively, suggesting that the asymptomatic goats were eliminating oocysts. No positivity for Cryptosporidium spp. was observed in 301 to 360-day-old goats, demonstrating that older animals have less chance to become infected with the parasite...

Surto de criptosporidiose em bezerros no Sul do Rio Grande do Sul / Outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in calves in Southern Brazil

Descrevem-se os aspectos epidemiológicos, sinais clínicos e a patologia de um surto de criptosporidiose em bezerros na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul. De um lote de 400 bezerros de 30-45 dias de idade, 35 adoeceram e 16 morreram. Os bezerros nasciam fracos e logo após o nascimento apresentavam diarreia amarela, emagrecimento progressivo, desidratação, depressão e morte entre 10 e 15 dias após o início dos sinais clínicos. Na necropsia havia congestão dos vasos sanguíneos intestinais e mesentéricos. Havia distensão intestinal por gás e dilatação de vasos linfáticos. Microscopicamente havia achatamento das vilosidades intestinais, com necrose e atrofia. Aderidas à superfície das células epiteliais das vilosidades, havia estruturas puntiformes basofílicas de 2-5µm de diâmetro compatíveis com Cryptosporidium spp. A microscopia eletrônica revelou a presença de diferentes estágios do agente aderidos às microvilosidades de enterócitos. Alerta-se para a importância da criptosporidiose como agente primário de diarreia em bezerros. São necessárias medidas preventivas no que se refere ao manejo para diminuir as perdas econômicas e a contaminação ambiental, e, ainda, diminuir o risco para a saúde pública...

This paper describes the epidemiology, clinical signs and pathology of an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in calves in Southern Brazil. Thirty-five out of 400 calves with 30-45 days of age were affected and 16 died. The calves were born weak and just after birth they had yellow diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, depression, and death between 10 and 15 days after onset of clinical signs. Congestion of the bowel and mesenteric blood vessels were observed at necropsy. Intestinal distension by gas and dilation of lymphatic vessels were also observed. Microscopically, the intestine showed flattening of the villi with necrosis and atrophy. Adhered to the surface of the villus epithelial cells there were round basophilic structures of 2- to 5-μm-diameter compatible with Cryptosporidium spp. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of different stages of the agent adhered to the microvilli of enterocytes. We alert the importance of cryptosporidiosis as a primary agent of diarrhea in calves. Preventive measures to reduce economic losses, environmental contamination, and also decrease of risk for public health are necessary...

[Infection to Cryptosporidium in diarrheic calves: aprovincial study in Southern Khorasan]

Today, Cryptosporidium is considered as one of the etiological agents of diarrhea syndrome in newborn ruminants, especially calves. The incidence rate of the infection to this parasite in diarrheic calves in southern Khorasan, Neishabour was studied. One hundred seventy fecal samples of diarrheic calves from husbandries in Neishabour were collected from July 2009 to January 2010. These samples were transferred to laboratory and were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocyst after concentration with formol-ether method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The incidence rate of infection to this protozoan in the studied samples was 11.2%. Moreover, 13.04% of male calves and 8.97% of female animals were infected with the parasite. The incidence rate of the infection in cold season [14.06%] was more than warm season [9.43%]. Meanwhile, 12.12% of the calves under three months of age and 7.89% aged three to six months were infected with protozoan. Statistical analyses did not show significant relationship between the infection of parasite and the studied factors including age, sex, and season. Control of Cryptosporidium is necessary, with regard to the presence of this parasite in calves of Neishabour and its zoonotic aspect

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de Cryptosporidium spp. y Giardia spp. en terneros de ganado lechero de la zona noroccidental de la Sabana de Bogotá / Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. prevalence and risk factors in dairy calves of the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna

Objetivo Estimar la prevalencia de Cryptosporidium spp. y Giardia spp. en terneros de 0 a 2 meses de ganado lechero de la zona noroccidental de la Sabana de Bogotá. Se estimaron los factores de riesgo de la producción lechera que puedan incurrir en la infección de personas y animales. Métodos Estudio de corte transversal, mediante la toma de materia fecal de terneros. Se determinó la prevalencia de punto para Giardia spp. y Cryptosporidium spp. a través los resultados de los coprológicos (Ritchie para Giardia spp. y Ziehl-Neelsen modificada para Cryptosporidium spp.). Se calcularon Odds Ratio para establecer los factores de riesgo asociados entre estos dos géneros de protozoarios y el manejo de las Buenas Prácticas Ganaderas. Resultados Se evaluaron 33 fincas dedicadas a la producción lechera, donde se muestrearon 308 terneros. La prevalencia para Giardia spp. fue de 37,3 %, 115 animales positivos y para Cryptosporidium spp. fue de 4,9 % 15, animales positivos. Conclusión Existe un foco de Giardia spp. y Cryptosporidium spp. en el noroccidente de la Sabana de Bogotá, del cual no se tenía conocimiento previo. La prevalencia de Giardia spp. para la región estudiada, está en el límite alto del rango reportado para Sudamérica. En el caso de Cryptosporidium spp. la situación es distinta, la prevalencia se encuentra en el limite bajo del rango reportado para Sudamérica. Los factores de riesgo asociados a Giardia spp. y Cryptosporidium spp. en las explotaciones lecheras del noroccidente de la Sabana de Bogotá, dependen de Buenas Prácticas Ganaderas.

Objective The present study was aimed to establishing Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. prevalence in 0 to 2 months old dairy calves of the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna. In addition, associated factors related to a failure in Good Practices of Livestock could incur in human and animal infection. Methods This was a cross-sectional study; calves' fecal samples were used. Farms' Good Practices of Livestock were observed by means of an observation blank. Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was determinate by means of laboratory results (Ritchie for Giardia spp. and modified Ziehl-Neelsen for Cryptosporidium spp.). Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated in association between this two genera of protozoa and Good Practices of Livestock. Results Thirty three dairy farms were evaluated, where fecal samples of 308 calves were taken. Giardia spp. prevalence was 37.7 %, 115 infected animals; Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was 4.9 %, 15 infected animals. Conclusion There is an important Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium foci in the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna, without a previous knowledge. Giardia spp. prevalence for this zone is in the highest rank reported for South-America and Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence is in en the lowest one. Associated risk factors of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy farms of the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna depend of a Good Practices of Livestock performance.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp., spatial clustering and patterns of shedding in dairy calves from Córdoba, Argentina / Prevalência de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp., distribuição espacial e padrões de eliminação em bezerros de propriedades leiteiras em Córdoba, Argentina

The objectives of this study were to estimate calf and herd prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp., the herd prevalence clustering, spatial distribution according to soil type and shedding patterns in dairy calves from Cordoba, Argentina. Six hundred twenty calves younger than 7 weeks of age from 43 dairy herds were sampled. Samples were processed with the formol-ether and modified Ziehl-Neelsen techniques. Univariate analysis and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used. Factors associated were subjected to multivariate analysis with calf shedding intensity as the response variable. Clustering of herd prevalence was assessed by a scan method, and spatial analysis was applied to explore the overlapping of high prevalence herds and soil type. Overall calf prevalence for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts were 19.35 percent (95 percent CI: 16.14; 22.54) and 34.50 percent (95 percent CI: 30.69; 38.34), respectively. Calves younger than two weeks of age were almost four times more likely to be infected with Cryptosporidium, in comparison to older ones (RR: 3.78, 95 percent CI: 2.27; 6.26). Giardia spp. shedding showed a similar age pattern (RR: 1.33, 95 percent CI: 1.02; 1.75). A primary cluster of high Cryptosporidium prevalence was found, and high prevalence herds were located in areas with poor drained soil.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a prevalência de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp., a presença de aglomerados, a distribuição espacial de acordo com o tipo de solo e padrões de eliminação de cistos e oocistos em bezerros de propriedades leiteiras em Córdoba, Argentina. Amostras fecais foram colhidas de 620 bezerros com menos de sete semanas de idade, provenientes de 43 propriedades leiteiras e examinadas pelas técnicas de formol-éter e Ziehl-Neelsen modificada. Foram realizadas uma análise univariada e o teste de Kruskal-Wallis e, em seguida, uma análise multivariada com a intensidade de eliminação de cistos e oocistos, como um evento. A presença de aglomerados foi determinada com o método de varredura e a análise espacial foi realizada para explorar a sobreposição de rebanhos com alta prevalência e tipo de solo. A prevalência de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. foi de 19,35 por cento (IC 95 por cento: 16,14; 22,54) e 34,50 por cento (IC 95 por cento: 30,69; 38,34), respectivamente. A probabilidade de infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. foi quase quatro vezes maior para bezerros com menos de 2 semanas em comparação com os bezerros mais velhos (RR: 3,78, IC 95 por cento 2,27; 6,26). O mesmo padrão de infecção relacionada à idade foi observado para Giardia spp. (RR: 1,33, IC 95 por cento 1,02; 1,75). Foi encontrado um aglomerado primário com alta prevalência de Cryptosporidium spp., e rebanhos com alta prevalência foram localizados em solos mal drenados.

Cryptosporidium infection in Brazil: implications for veterinary medicine and public health / Infecção por Cryptosporidium no Brasil: implicações em medicina veterinária e em saúde pública

The aim of this review paper is to report the results of cryptosporidiosis research in Brazil, mainly its occurrence in animals and implications for veterinary medicine and public health. An increasing number of papers related to Cryptosporidium spp. infection in Brazil are available at national and international literature. The main focus described in these papers is the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in food, environmental samples, in humans and several animal species, particularly birds, cattle, dogs and cats. Using molecular biology techniques, most Cryptosporidium species and genotypes identified in other countries have been described in Brazil. In mammals, there are descriptions of infection by C. bovis, C. canis, C. felis, C. meleagridis, C. parvum, and the cervine genotype; in birds, the following species and genotypes have been described: C. baileyi, C. galli, C. meleagridis, C. parvum and the avian genotypes I, II and III. Several species have been described in humans, such as C. parvum, C. hominis, and some species adapted to animal hosts such as C. canis, C. felis and C. meleagridis.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar, por meio de revisão de literatura, os resultados de pesquisas sobre a criptosporidiose no Brasil, com ênfase em sua ocorrência em animais e suas implicações em medicina veterinária e em saúde pública. Um número crescente de trabalhos sobre a infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. no Brasil está disponível na literatura nacional e internacional. Nestes trabalhos, são abordados principalmente aspectos relacionados à ocorrência de Cryptosporidium spp. em alimentos, amostras ambientais, no homem e em diversas espécies animais, particularmente em aves, bovinos, cães e gatos. Por meio de técnicas de biologia molecular, a maioria das espécies e alguns genótipos identificados em outros países foram descritos no Brasil. Em mamíferos, houve identificação de C. bovis, C. canis, C. felis, C. meleagridis, C. parvum e o genótipo cervídeo; em diversas espécies de aves, foi descrita infecção por C. baileyi, C. galli, C. meleagridis, C. parvum e pelos genótipos I, II e III de aves. Várias espécies foram descritas no homem, como C. parvum e C. hominis, além de algumas espécies adaptadas a hospedeiros animais, como C. canis, C. felis e C. meleagridis.

Infección por Cryptosporidium parvum en una mujer embarazada, inmunocompetente, con riesgo ocupacional / Cryptosporidium parvum infection in a pregnant inmunocompetent woman with occupational risk

La criptosporid iosis es una zoonosis parasitaria provocada por diversas especies de Cryptosporidium. Esta coccidiosis afecta a múltiples vertebrados, incluido el ser humano. En Chile, al igual que en otros países, es una infección poco frecuente en inmunocompetentes y adquiere gran relevancia en pacientes inmunocom-prometidos. Se presenta el caso de una egresada de la carrera de Medicina Veterinaria, embarazada, con 20 semanas de gestación, procedente del sector de Laguna Verde, Región de Valparaíso, que fuera infectada por Cryptosporidium sp. El diagnostico etiológico se realizó con tinción de Ziehl Neelsen, RPC anidada y posterior secuenciación. En el mismo periodo se detectó la infección en sus gatos asintomáticos. En ella y los animales se identificó a C. parvum. Su cónyuge así como sus otras mascotas no estaban infectados. Este corresponde al primer reporte de una posible transmisión de criptos-poridiosis entre ser humano y gato.

Cryptosporidioses is a parasitic zoonoses generated by diverse Cryptosporidium species. This coccidiosis affects multiple vertebrate species, including human beings. In Chile, as it happens in other countries, cryptosporidioses is a low frequency infection in immunocompetent individuals, acquiring a big relevance in immunocompromised ones. We present the following case: a recently graduated student from Veterinary medical school, with a 20 week pregnancy, living in “Laguna Verde” area in the Region of Valparaíso and who was infected with Cryptosporidium sp. Etiologic diagnosis was made by Ziehl Neelsen, and nested PCR followed by PCR product sequencing. During the same period, the infection was detected in her cats which were asymptomatic. In all of them, her and the cats, the species identified was Cryptosporidium parvum. Her husband and her other pets were all asymptomatic and non infected. This is the first report of a possible cryptosporidioses transmission between humans and cat.

Ocorrência de infecção Cryptosporidium spp. em peixe-boi marinho (Trichechus manatus) / Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus)

A criptosporidiose constitui-se como uma zoonose que pode afetar o homem e uma ampla variedade de animais domésticos e silvestres, principalmente indivíduos imunodeficientes. O objetivo desse trabalho foi registrar a ocorrência de infecção por Cryptosporidium em peixe-boi marinho. Após ser constatada a mudança de comportamento de um peixe-boi marinho mantido nos oceanários do Centro Mamíferos Aquáticos, ICMBio - FMA, animal foi submetido à exame clínico e, posteriormente, à coleta de amostra fecal. As amostras fecais foram analisadas pela técnica de Kinyoun, teste de imunofluorescência direta e pelo corante 4'.6'-Diamidino-2-Phenilindole (DAPI). No exame clínico, o animal apresentou sinais de desconforto abdominal. Os resultados obtidos nas análises de microscopia de luz e fluorescente revelaram a presença de oocistos de Cryptosporidium nas fezes desse peixe-boi.

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonosis which can affect man and a wide range of domestic and wild animals, mainly immunodeficient individuals. The objective of this paper was reported the occurrence of a Cryptosporidium infection in Antillean manatee. After an unusual behavior of an Antillean manatee kept in captivity at the Centro Mamíferos Aquáticos, ICMBio - FMA, clinical examination and posterior fecal sampling was performed. Fecal samples were examined by the Kinyoun technique, Direct Immunofluorescence Test and also examined by 4'.6'-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) staining. At the clinical examination, the animal showed signs of abdominal pain. The results obtained by light and fluorescence microscopy analysis showed the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst in feces of this manatee.

Cryptosporidium parvum en animales domésticos y en monos de un zoológico / Cryptosporidium parvum in domestic animals and in monkeys from a zoo

El objetivo del trabajo fue detectar infecciones por Cryptosporidium sp en animales domésticos y en monos de un zoológico, en la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se procesaron 375 muestras de materia fecal de distintas especies mediante la técnica de sedimentación de Ritchie modificada (formol -éter) para concentrar los ooquistes. El sedimento se tiñó mediante la técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada. Se detectaron ooquistes de Cryptosporidium sp en 7 de 175 muestras de materia fecal de perro, en 2 de 17 de gato, en 4 de 22 de ovinos, en 21 de 131 cabras, en 29 de 109 de terneros, en 2 de 2 de equinos y en 2 de 5 de cobayos (Cavia porcellus). Se examinaron 14 muestras de heces de monos, entre ellas, se detectaron ooquistes en la muestra de 1 hembra carayá (Alouatta caraya) adulta, en la de 1 mono araña (Ateles paniscus) macho adulto, en la muestra colectiva de 7 monos saimiri (Saimiri boliviensis) adultos, en la muestra de 2 hembras y 1 macho caí (Cebus apella), en la muestra colectiva de hamadríades (Papio hamadryas) y en la de 1 chimpancé joven (Pan troglodytes).

Iron -overload regulatory effect on cytokine production by spleen lymphocytes in munine cryptosporidiosis the modulatoncy potential potential of iron chelation therapy on immunity

Iron-overload both aggravates the outcome of infections caused by a variety of microorganisms and exerts subtle effects on immune status by altering the proliferation of T and B cells. The effect of iron-overload on the type of T helper [Th] immunity elicited and the subsequent effect on the susceptibility, course and outcome of Cryptosporidium parvum infection were investigated in the present study. Separate groups of iron-overloaded [40 mg of iron dextran/kg intraperitoneally every other day for 4 weeks before infection] immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice were either infected or infected and received iron chelator [deferoxanime: DFO. 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally every other day from the day of infection]. Spleens were harvested and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] was performed on spleen culture supernatants for in vitro analysis of interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and interleukin [IL]-4. Iron-overload induced a Th2 cytokine response with significantly higher IL-4 and lower IFN-gamma levels compared to infected non- treated control. The infection rate was 100% and the infection was severe and persistent in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised iron-overloaded mice with death of all immunocompromised mice. Iron chelation by DFO enhanced the production of Th1 anticryptosporidial immunity [significantly higher IFN-gamma compared to infected non- treated control] limiting the severity and clearing the infection in iron-overloaded immunocompetent mice [cure rate 100%] and controlling the infection in immunocompromised mice with cure rate 30%, percentage reduction in oocyst shedding 80.8% and mortality rate 10% at the end of the experiment [30 days post infection]. These data indicated that iron-overload negatively affected Th1-mediated immunity in mice with cryptosporidiosis thus altering the susceptibility, course and outcome of infection. Iron-overload represents a risk factor for flaring up of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in absence of any obvious immunosuppressive conditions; hence successful therapy in iron-overloaded hosts depends mainly on iron chelation. The immunomodulatory properties of DFO were elucidated in terms of restoring Th1 immunity in iron-overloaded mice