Socioeconomic profile, animal care, sanitary practices, and knowledge about parasites among owners of domestic dogs and cats treated in Rio de Janeiro city.

Urban canine and feline populations are expanding worldwide, a fact that can boost the transmission of zoonotic parasites. Thus, it is necessary understanding dog and cat owners' profile, as well as their perceptions about zoonoses, to develop preventive strategies based on the One Health approach. The aim of the current study is to compare the profile of dog and cat owners, whose domestic pets were treated at Jorge Vaitsman Veterinary Medicine Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dog and cat owners, whose domestic pets were treated in the routine service of the aforementioned medical clinic, from August 2017 to November 2018, filled a structured questionnaire comprising closed questions in order to collect information about their socioeconomic profile, hygiene habits, animal care and knowledge about parasites. Comparative analysis was applied to data collected from dog and cat owners, based on using Fischer's Exact Test or Pearson's Chi-square. In total, 350 individuals - 244 dog owners and 106 cat owners - filled the questionnaire. The comparative analysis of socioeconomic profile, animal care, sanitary practices and knowledge about parasites did not show differences between dog and cat owners (p≥0.05). Animal vaccination and deworming practices were significantly more prevalent among dog owners than among cat owners (p≤0.05). Overall, respondents have shown lack of knowledge about parasitic zoonoses. Results in the current study have evidenced the need of mediating and promoting information about potentially zoonotic parasitic agents among domestic pet owners, as well as the key role played by veterinarians as mediators of primary prevention measures against these agents.

As populações urbanas de cães e gatos estão em expansão, o que pode facilitar a transmissão de parasitas zoonóticos. Nesse sentido, é necessário conhecer o perfil dos donos de cães e gatos e suas percepções sobre zoonoses para construir estratégias preventivas em uma abordagem em Saúde Única. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o perfil dos donos de cães e gatos atendidos no Centro de Medicina Veterinária Jorge Vaitsman, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Entre agosto de 2017 e novembro de 2018, proprietários de cães e gatos atendidos na rotina da clínica médica responderam a um questionário estruturado composto por questões fechadas relacionadas ao seu perfil socioeconômico, hábitos de higiene, cuidados com os animais e conhecimento sobre parasitas. A análise comparativa dos dados obtidos de proprietários de cães e gatos foi realizada por meio do Teste Exato de Fischer ou Qui-quadrado de Pearson. No total, 350 indivíduos responderam ao questionário, sendo 244 donos de cães e 106 donos de gatos. A análise comparativa do perfil socioeconômico, cuidados com os animais, práticas sanitárias e conhecimento sobre parasitos não mostrou diferenças entre proprietários de cães e gatos (p≥0,05). As práticas de vacinação e desparasitação dos animais foram significativamente mais frequentes entre os donos de cães do que entre os donos de gatos (p≤0,05). De maneira geral, foi possível evidenciar entre as respostas recuperadas um desconhecimento sobre zoonoses parasitárias. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam a necessidade de mediação e divulgação de informações sobre agentes parasitários potencialmente zoonóticos para os proprietários, destacando os veterinários, no papel de mediadores das medidas de prevenção primária contra esses agentes.

Toxoplasma gondii in domiciled dogs and cats in urban areas of Brazil: risk factors and spatial distribution.

Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent zoonotic parasite in Brazil capable of infecting mammals and birds. The increase in the urban populations of pets and the narrowing of the human-animal relationship can facilitate the transmission of important public health zoonoses, such as toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and spatial distribution of T. gondii infection and its risk factors in domiciled dogs and cats attended at the Jorge Vaitsman Institute, Rio de Janeiro. Serum samples from 400 dogs and 272 cats were evaluated by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies. Epidemiological questionnaires were used to interview the animals' owners to identify risk factors for infection. Of the total, 34% (136/400) of dogs and 8.1% (22/272) of cats had anti-T. gondii antibodies. Breed (OR: 2.10-95%, CI 1.27-3.46) was a risk factor for dogs, while sex (OR: 3.40-95%, CI 1.10-10.52) and homemade food consumption (OR: 8.49-95%, CI 2.48-29.05) were risk factors for cats. Offal consumption was considered a risk factor for both species evaluated (OR: 2.74-95%, CI 1.38-5.43 for dogs; OR: 7.66-95%, CI 1.24-47.29 for cats). The spatial analysis showed that T. gondii seropositive animals were widely distributed in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro state, with a concentration observed mainly in the west and north zones of Rio de Janeiro city. The results emphasize the importance of adopting prophylactic measures to control T. gondii transmission in domiciled dogs and cats in Rio de Janeiro, contributing positively to public health.

TITLE: Toxoplasma gondii chez les chiens et les chats domiciliés dans des zones urbaines du Brésil : facteurs de risque et répartition spatiale. ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii est un parasite zoonotique très répandu au Brésil, capable d'infecter les mammifères et les oiseaux. L'augmentation des populations urbaines d'animaux de compagnie et le rétrécissement de la relation homme-animal peuvent faciliter la transmission de zoonoses importantes pour la santé publique, telles que la toxoplasmose. Cette étude visait à évaluer la fréquence et la distribution spatiale de l'infection à T. gondii et ses facteurs de risque chez les chiens et les chats domiciliés qui ont fréquenté l'Institut Jorge Vaitsman de Rio de Janeiro. Des échantillons de sérum de 400 chiens et 272 chats ont été évalués par un test d'immunofluorescence indirecte (IFAT) pour les anticorps IgG anti-T. gondii. Des questionnaires épidémiologiques ont été appliqués aux propriétaires des animaux pour identifier les facteurs de risque d'infection. Sur le total, 34 % (136/400) des chiens et 8,1 % (22/272) des chats avaient des anticorps anti-T. gondii. La race (OR : 2,10-95 %, IC 1,27-3,46) était un facteur de risque pour les chiens, tandis que le sexe (OR : 3,40-95 %, IC 1,10-10,52) et la consommation d'aliments faits maison (OR : 8,49-95 % IC 2,48-29,05) l'étaient pour les chats. La consommation d'abats a été considérée comme un facteur de risque pour les deux espèces évaluées (OR : 2,74-95 %, IC 1,38-5,43 pour les chiens; OR : 7,66-95 %, IC 1,24-47,29 pour les chats). L'analyse spatiale a montré que les animaux séropositifs pour T. gondii étaient largement répartis dans la région métropolitaine de l'État de Rio de Janeiro, avec une concentration observée principalement dans les zones ouest et nord de la ville de Rio de Janeiro. Les résultats soulignent l'importance d'adopter des mesures prophylactiques pour contrôler la transmission de T. gondii chez les chiens et les chats domiciliés à Rio de Janeiro, contribuant positivement à la santé publique.

Intestinal parasites and risk factors in dogs and cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The urban populations of pets, mainly dogs and cats, have been growing in recent years and, consequently, human-animal relationships have become increasingly closer. However, pets are vulnerable to infection by various parasites, as well are their owners due to the zoonotic potential of these agents. This study aimed to assess the frequency and risk factors of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats attended at the Municipal Institute of Veterinary Medicine Jorge Vaitsman, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as georeferencing the parasitized animals. A total of 608 animals (400 dogs and 208 cats) were enrolled from August 2017 to November 2018. Fecal samples were obtained from the animal's rectum during clinical examination. In addition, the owners of the enrolled dogs and cats were asked to complete an epidemiological questionnaire with questions about the animals' general information, lifestyle, and handling. Fecal samples were subjected to sedimentation and centrifugal-flotation in sucrose solution techniques. The frequencies of intestinal parasites total in dogs and cats were 11.3% and 24.5%, respectively, with hookworms being the most detected parasites in dogs (8.3%) and Dipylidium caninum in cats (12.5%). Sex was the only variable that showed statistical differences in the canine population males being more often infected than female (p < 0.05), while street access was associated with parasitic infections in cats (p < 0.05). The results obtained in this study demonstrate the need to control parasitic infections in domiciled dogs and cats in different municipalities in the metropolitan region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, including residents in the northern, western and central areas.

Use of ELISA employing homologous and heterologous antigens for the detection of IgG and subclasses (IgG1 and IgG2) in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Indirect immunofluorescence is the method recommended for the diagnosis of visceral leishmanisis in dogs, however, the accuracy of this technique is low and its use on a large scale is limited. Since ELISA does not present these limitations, this technique might be an option for the detection of IgG or specific IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses. Canine ehrlichiosis is an important differential diagnosis of American Visceral Leishmaniasis (AVL). The present study compared ELISA using Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania braziliensis antigen for the detection of anti-Leishmania IgG and subclasses in serum samples from 37 dogs naturally infected with L. chagasi (AVL) and in samples from four dogs co-infected with L. braziliensis and L. chagasi (CI). The occurrence of cross-reactivity was investigated in control serum samples of 17 healthy dogs (HC) and 35 infected with Ehrlichia canis (EC). The mean optical density obtained for the detection of IgG was significantly higher when L. chagasi antigen was used, and was also higher in subgroup VLs (symptomatic) compared to subgroup Vla (asymptomatic). The correlation between IgG and IgG1 was low. The present results suggest that IgG ELISA using homologous antigen yields the best results, permitting the diagnosis of asymptomatic L. chagasi infection and the discrimination between cases of AVL and ehrlichiosis in dogs.

Use of elisa employing homologous and heterologous antigens for the detection of IgG and subclasses (IgG1 and IgG2) in the diagnosis of Canine visceral leishmaniasis / A utilização do ELISA empregando antígenos homólogos e heterólogos para a detecção de IgG e subclasses (IgG1 e IgG2) no diagnóstico de Leishmaniose visceral canina

Indirect immunofluorescence is the method recommended for the diagnosis of visceral leishmanisis in dogs, however, the accuracy of this technique is low and its use on a large scale is limited. Since ELISA does not present these limitations, this technique might be an option for the detection of IgG or specific IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses. Canine ehrlichiosis is an important differential diagnosis of American Visceral Leishmaniasis (AVL). The present study compared ELISA using Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania braziliensis antigen for the detection of anti-Leishmania IgG and subclasses in serum samples from 37 dogs naturally infected with L. chagasi (AVL) and in samples from four dogs co-infected with L. braziliensis and L. chagasi (CI). The occurrence of cross-reactivity was investigated in control serum samples of 17 healthy dogs (HC) and 35 infected with Ehrlichia canis (EC). The mean optical density obtained for the detection of IgG was significantly higher when L. chagasi antigen was used, and was also higher in subgroup VLs (symptomatic) compared to subgroup Vla (asymptomatic). The correlation between IgG and IgG1 was low. The present results suggest that IgG ELISA using homologous antigen yields the best results, permitting the diagnosis of asymptomatic L. chagasi infection and the discrimination between cases of AVL and ehrlichiosis in dogs.

A imunofluorescência indireta é o método recomendado para o diagnóstico de leishmaniose visceral em cães, entretanto, a acurácia dessa técnica é baixa e seu uso em grande escala é limitado. Uma vez que o ELISA não apresenta essas limitações, essa técnica poderia ser uma opção para a detecção de IgG ou subclasses IgG1 e IgG2 específicas. A ehrlichiose canina é um importante diagnóstico diferencial de Leishmaniose Visceral Americana (LVA). O presente estudo comparou o ELISA usando antígenos de Leishmania chagasi e Leishmania braziliensis para a detecção de IgG e subclasses anti-Leishmania em amostras de soro de 37 cães naturalmente infectados com L. chagasi (LVA) e em amostras de quatro cães co-infectados (CI). A ocorrência de reatividade cruzada foi investigada em amostras de soro controle de 17 animais saudáveis (HC) e 35 de infectados por Ehrlichia canis (EC). A média de densidade óptica obtida para a detecção de IgG foi significantemente maior quando o antígeno de L. chagasi foi usado e também mais elevada no subgrupo LVs (sintomático) quando comparado ao subgrupo LVa (assintomático). A correlação entre IgG e IgG1 foi baixa. O presente resultado sugere que ELISA IgG empregando antígeno homólogo, produz os melhores resultados, permitindo o diagnóstico de infecção assintomática por L. chagasi e a discriminação entre casos de LVA e ehrlichiose em cães.