Leishmania infantum infection rate in dogs housed in open-admission shelters is higher than of domiciled dogs in an endemic area of canine visceral leishmaniasis. Epidemiological implications.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is caused by Leishmania infantum and is endemic in many areas of southeastern Brazil. We have hypothesized that the prevalence of infection by L. infantum in dogs housed in open-admission animal shelters is beyond the range of 3.4 - 9.6% reported among dogs domiciled in similar CVL-endemic areas. Hence, this study aimed to determine the rate of L. infantum infection among dogs maintained in shelters and to investigate the epidemiology of CVL in such environments by analyzing hematological and biochemical parameters. A total of 627 dogs from 17 different shelters across the State of Minas Gerais were screened using the Dual-Path Platform test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 211 (33.6%) were found to be seropositive in both tests. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed on skin, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues of 118 seropositive dogs with inconclusive CVL clinical diagnosis and, of these, 78 (66.1%) were PCR+ for L. infantum and 7 (5.9%) were PCR+ for L. amazonensis. One dog presented a PCR-RFLP profile that was consistent with co-infection by both parasites. Leishmania amazonensis DNA was detected in skin samples of six single-infected dogs and this constitutes a novel finding. Dogs infected only with L. amazonensis were less debilitated than those infected by L. infantum, which showed typical clinical manifestations of CVL. The co-infected dog showed only mild clinical signs. The results presented herein not only support our original hypothesis but also suggest that dogs are potential reservoirs of L. amazonensis. Public health authorities should acknowledge their responsibility towards animals in collective shelters, recognize that they are potential foci of zoonotic diseases, and establish proper functioning directives to minimize transmission to humans and to other dogs.

Important frequency of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a population of domiciled dogs in an urbanized area in south-eastern Brazil / Importante frequência da infecção por Anaplasma phagocytophilum em uma população de cães domiciliados em área urbanizada no sudeste do Brasil

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is responsible for granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and various animal species. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum-infected dogs in a residential area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A total of 62 dogs were submitted to serological (indirect fluorescent-antibody -IFI) and molecular (PCR) tests. Anti-A. phagocytophilum antibodies were detected in 43.8% of the dogs. Seven dogs (10.9%) were PCR-positive for the msp4 gene, six and four of these were positive for the for the msp2/p44 gene of A. phagocytophilum and 16S rRNA region of granulocytic Anaplasmataceae respectively. This study confirms a relatively high frequency of A. phagocytophilum infection in a population of domiciled dogs in an urbanized area in south-eastern Brazil and highlights the need for further studies on the role of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks in the transmission of this bacterium to dogs in urban Brazilian areas.(AU)

Anaplasma phagocytophilum é responsável pela anaplasmose granulocítica, doença que acomete seres-humanos e várias espécies de animais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a prevalência de cães acometidos por A. phagocytophlium em uma área residencial de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. Sessenta e dois cães foram submetidos a testes sorológicos (reação de imunofluorescência indireta - IFAT) e moleculares (PCR). Anticorpos anti-A. phagocytophilum foram detectados em 43,8% dos cães. Sete cães (10,9%) foram positivos no PCR para o gene msp4 de A. phagocytophilum, seis para o gene msp2/p44 A. phagocytophilum e quatro para a região 16S rRNA de Anaplasmataceae granulocíticas. Esse estudo confirma a frequência relativamente alta da infecção por A. phagocytophilum em uma população de cães domiciliados em área urbanizada no sudeste do Brasil e destaca a necessidade de pesquisas para determinar o papel do carrapato Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato na transmissão desse microrganismo para cães de áreas urbanas brasileiras.(AU)

Dynamics of Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) Infestations on Urban Dogs in Southeastern Brazil.

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835), is an important ectoparasite of dogs and cats throughout the world, causing annoyance to the animals and acting as a vector of infections and a cause of allergic dermatitis in dogs and cats. Although climatic variability and seasonality are known to influence the diversity and abundance of fleas, few investigations of seasonal prevalence of cat flea infestation have involved the same group of dogs being examined regularly over an extended period. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity on the infestation by C. felis felis on 88 outdoor dogs in southeastern Brazil. The dogs, which were of mixed breed, sex, and age, were examined for ectoparasites every month during the period August 2011 to July 2012, and samples of fleas were randomly collected and identified. Meteorological data, comprising mean temperature, total rainfall, and mean relative humidity, were recorded for the calendar month prior to that in which the examinations were performed. Dogs were found to be infested only with C. felis felis, with a higher prevalence in the months with lowest rainfall (July, August, and September). The data obtained in this investigation can be used in control programs in order to establish an efficient strategy for environmental management and the application of insecticides, particularly during the driest months of the year based on the seasonal pattern of infestation of dogs by C. felis felis.

Ectoparasites and anti-Leishmania antibodies: association in an observational case-control study of dogs from a Brazilian endemic area.

It has been proposed that the transmission of canine visceral leishmaniasis might involve the participation of mechanical vectors, including ticks of the family Ixodidae, in particular the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis. Here, the association between the infestation by R. sanguineus and C. felis felis and the occurrence of anti-Leishmania antibodies was evaluated in an observational case-control study of dogs living in a Brazilian endemic area for canine visceral leishmaniasis. Blood samples were taken once every three months for one year from 96 initially seronegative domestic dogs, and submitted to indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay. All dogs were evaluated for the presence of ticks and fleas, and the results were expressed qualitatively as infested or non-infested, irrespective of the intensity of infestation. At the end of follow-up, twenty dogs had turned seropositive, while 68 remained seronegative and 8 were excluded because of incomplete data. All the dogs were asymptomatic. The odds of infection was significantly greater (OR=3.54, CI95%=1.10-12.53) for dogs infested by C. felis felis compared to their non-infested counterparts. In contrast, the odds of infection showed no significance difference between non-infested and R. sanguineus-infested groups of dogs (OR=0.31, CI95%=0.03-1.52). This study provides further evidence for the potential role of C. felis felis in mechanically transmitting Leishmania among the canine population.

Fatores associados à anemia em adolescentes escolares do sexo feminino / Factores asociados con la anemia en adolescentes escolares / Factors associated with anemia in female school adolescents

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a prevalência da anemia em meninas adolescentes do município de Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, e sua associação com variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e biológicas. Foram avaliadas 736 meninas adolescentes na faixa etária de 11 a 16 anos de idade, matriculadas em 8 escolas do ensino fundamental entre fevereiro e março de 2012. A hemoglobina sanguínea foi determinada por punção digital, pelo método da cianometahemoglobina. Também foi aplicado um questionário às meninas escolares para a obtenção de variáveis biológicas, socioeconômicas e demográficas. Considerou-se anemia a concentração de hemoglobina<12,0 g/dL, segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde. Foram consideradas significativas as diferenças cujo teste associado tivesse p<0,05. A prevalência de anemia na população estudada foi de 7,3%. A idade média e desvio padrão foram 12,9±1,1 anos. As meninas escolares de 14 a 16 anos completos tiveram 1,8 vezes mais chance de serem anêmicas do que suas colegas da faixa etária inferior (p<0,047). Houve associação significativa entre anemia e número de pessoas no domicílio (p<0,001). Esses resultados demonstram que a anemia neste grupo é um leve problema de saúde pública, o que não descarta a necessidade de instituição de mecanismos de vigilância alimentar e nutricional, permitindo uma intervenção precoce no problema e reduzindo o impacto negativo da anemia em meninas escolares.

The objective of this study was to evaluate anemia prevalence in young adolescent girls and their association with socio-economic, demographic and biological variables in the city of Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Adolescent girls (n=736) between 11 and 16 years of age, enrolled in eight elementary schools, were evaluated for anemia between February and March, 2012. Hemoglobin level was assessed on site by fingerprick blood samples using the cyanmethemoglobin method. Additionally, the adolescent girls were asked to respond to a socio-economic, biological and demographic questionnaire. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level<12.0 g/dL, according to the World Health Organization. The adopted significance level was 0.05. Prevalence of anemia observed in the adolescent girl population was 7.3%. Mean age and standard deviation were 12.9±1.1. Adolescent girls aged 14 to 16 years were 1.8 times more anemic than their younger classmates (p<0.047). There was a positive association between anemia and the number of family members living at home (p<0.001). The results demonstrated low anemia prevalence in the young adolescent girl population enrolled in public schools. The implementation of mechanisms for ongoing food and nutrition surveillance is highly recommended in this vulnerable group as part of an ongoing anemia control and prevention program.

El objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia de anemia en las adolescentes y su asociación con variables socioeconómicas, demográficas y biológicas en la ciudad de Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, Brasil. En adolescentes (n=736) entre 11 y 16 años, matriculadas en escuelas primarias, se evaluó la anemia entre febrero y marzo de 2012. La hemoglobina fue evaluada por punción digital en muestras de sangre utilizando el método cianometahemoglobina. Además, a las adolescentes se les pidió responder al cuestionario socioeconómico, biológico y demográfico. La anemia es una concentración de hemoglobina<12,0 g/dL, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud. El nivel de significación fue 0,05. La anemia en las chicas fue del 7,3%. La edad media fue de 12,9. Las adolescentes de entre 14 y 16 años eran 1,8 veces más anémicas que sus compañeras más jóvenes (p<0,047). Se observó una asociación positiva entre la anemia y el número de miembros de la familia (p<0,001). La prevalencia de anemia en las adolescentes fue baja. La implementación de mecanismos para la alimentación continua y vigilancia de la nutrición es recomendable en este grupo como control de la anemia en curso y programa de prevención.