ABSTRACT
A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose de ampla distribuição mundial, causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii. O estudo da prevalência desta infecção em animais produtores de carne e leite é de interesse à saúde pública, devido ao fato desses produtos oriundos de animais infectados serem importantes vias de transmissão para o homem, quando consumidos in natura. Além disso, há o aspecto econômico, uma vez que pode causar aborto, retardo no crescimento e animais debilitados, levando prejuízos ao pecuarista. Este trabalho objetivou estimar a soroprevalência da infecção por T. gondii, por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) em caprinos e ovinos de três municípios do estado do Rio de Janeiro, provenientes de 10 propriedades. A prevalência de anticorpos IgG anti-T.gondii foi de 29,12 por cento (60/206) nos caprinos e de 38,05 por cento (137/360) nos ovinos, sendo observada nessa última espécie associação (p<0,05) entre sexo (fêmeas), idade adulta, sistema de criação extensivo, dieta de pastagem e água de beber de açude com a soropositividade. Os títulos variaram de 64 a 256, podendo ser sugestivos de infecção crônica. Melhorias nas técnicas de criação podem reduzir as fontes de infecção por T. gondii nos rebanhos.
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Epidemiological surveys of T. gondii infection among livestock have great economical importance since this infection may cause abortion, growth retardation and neonatal mortality, with significant losses to breeders. In regard of public health, human infection can be acquired by ingestion of meat or milk in natura from infected livestock. The aim of this study was to assess the toxoplasmosis seroprevalence by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in goats and sheep, in three counties of Rio de Janeiro state, from 10 different farms. The seroprevalences of anti-T.gondii IgG antibodies were 29.12 percent (60/206) in goats and 38.05 percent (137/360) in sheep, with titers ranging from 64 to 256, suggesting chronic infection. Association of each of the following epidemiological factors: female gender, adult age, extensive management system, grazing pasture and drinking lake water with seropositivity was observed only in sheep (p<0.05). Improvement in breeding conditions may reduce the sources of infection in herds.
ABSTRACT
We reported here the first known case of natural infection of a lion (Panthera leo-Linnaeus, 1758) with Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi (L. chagasi) in Brazil. The specimen was created by a circus handler in the state of Mato Grosso and was donated to the zoological park of the Federal University of Mato Grosso. Infection by L. chagasi was detected using a PCR-RFLP test. It was known that the domestic felids can act as reservoir of infection of L. chagasi in endemic areas, making it important that studies demonstrate their participation in the epidemiological chain. We demonstrate in this work that wild animals can have an important role in the epidemiological chain and must be considered in order to plan methods of control of this zoonosis.
Subject(s)
Animal Diseases/parasitology , Leishmania , Leishmaniasis/veterinary , Lions/parasitology , Animals , Brazil , Leishmania/classification , Leishmania/geneticsABSTRACT
This study used a PCR-RFLP test to determine the presence of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in 16 captive wild felids [seven Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771); five Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758) and four Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758)] at the zoological park of the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Amplification of Leishmania spp. DNA was seen in samples from five pumas and one jaguar, and the species was characterized as L. chagasi using restriction enzymes. It is already known that domestic felids can act as a reservoir of L. chagasi in endemic areas, and further studies are necessary to investigate their participation in the epidemiological chain of leishmaniasis.
