Infections by trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in triatomines (Hemiptera: Triatominae): A spatiotemporal assessment in an endemic area for Chagas disease.

This research analysed the spatiotemporal distribution of triatomines infected by trypanosomatid parasites in an endemic region for Chagas disease, in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. The database included the total number of triatomines captured from intradomicile and peridomicile areas, as well as the infection rate (IR) by trypanosomatid. The Gi∗ by Getis-Ord method was used to statistically identify significant concentration clusters and the IR of triatomines by trypanosomatids. A generalized linear regression model with a binomial distribution was used to evaluate the probability of finding an IR by trypanosomatids. Overall, of 4,800 triatomines examined, trypanosomatid forms similar to Trypanosoma cruzi were detected in 10.29% of them, and the majority of positive specimens (98.17%) were collected at intradomicile. The geospatial analyses identified triatomines clusters in intradomicile and peridomicile environments. According to the logistic regression data for species (Panstrongylus lutzi, P. megistus, Triatoma brasiliensis and T. pseudomaculata), the probability of detection of T. cruzi infection remains constant in up to 50 specimens examined or more. The findings of this research revealed a scenario never studied in this area through this type of spatiotemporal analysis, which is essential to identify areas of vulnerability for the occurrence of these vectors and consequently for Chagas disease.

Zoonotic parasites in wild animals such as carnivores and primates that are traded illegally in Brazil.

Brazil accounts for around 20% of all animal species, but these are constantly threatened by illegal anthropic activities. Unfortunately, animal dealers are totally unaware of the sanitary risks among wild animals, or that occurrences of parasites in these animals are bioindicators for their current sanitary status within the ecosystem in which they live. This status is an important parameter with regard to assessing the spreading of pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a survey of zoonotic parasites in carnivores and non-human primates that are illegally traded in Brazil. Between June 2016 and July 2017, 43 wild animals (20 carnivores and 23 non-human primates) were presented at the Wild Animal Screening Center of Sergipe (CETAS/SE). Fecal and blood samples were obtained and analyzed to detect occurrences of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance, such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Leishmania braziliensis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi and gastrointestinal helminths. Out of all the animals analyzed, 55.8% (24/43) were found to be positive for at least one parasite species, i.e. 41.7% and 58.3% of the carnivores and non-human primates, respectively. However, all the animals were negative for D. immitis, L. braziliensis and T. cruzi. These findings demonstrate that illegally traded wild animals may represent a risk to public health because of absence of sanitary control during their transportation. Therefore, preventive measures might be employed to avoid infection of these animals and people in close contact with them.

O Brasil abriga cerca de 20% de todas as espécies animais existentes no mundo que são continuamente ameaçadas pelas ações antrópicas. Infelizmente, os comerciantes de animais não são suficientemente esclarecidos em relação à ameaça sanitária que representam a vida silvestre, assim como sobre a ocorrência de parasitos que nestes animais funcionam como bio-indicadores do status sanitário do ecossistema, visto serem importantes parâmetros para avaliar a dispersão de patógenos. Portanto, objetivaram-se neste estudo a pesquisa de parasitos zoonóticos em carnívoros e primatas ilegalmente comercializados no Brasil. Entre Junho de 2016 e Julho de 2017, 43 animais silvestres (20 carnívoros e 23 primatas) foram recebidos no Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres de Sergipe (CETAS/SE). Amostras fecais e sanguíneas foram obtidas e analisadas para detectar a presença de patógenos de importância médico-veterinária como espécies de Cryptosporidium e Giardia, Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Leishmania braziliensis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi e helmintos gastrintestinais. De todas as amostras analisadas, 55,8% (24/43) foram positivas a pelo menos um agente etiológico testado, sendo 41,7% e 58,3% carnívoros e primatas, respectivamente. Todas as amostras foram negativas a D. immitis, L. braziliensis e T. cruzi. Estes achados demonstram que o comércio ilegal de animais silvestres pode representar risco a saúde publica e a saúde destes animais devido à ausência de medidas sanitárias durante o deslocamento. Por fim, medidas preventivas devem ser propostas para evitar a infecção destes animais e consequentemente das pessoas que os manipulam.

Detection of Rickettsia felis in ectoparasites collected from domestic animals.

Ticks and fleas are arthropods widely distributed around the world involved in the transmission of various vector-borne diseases (VBDs), including Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF), Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome and the plague, with outstanding consequences for the public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. and Yersinia pestis in arthropods collected from dogs, cats and horses living in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. From January 2017 to April 2019, ectoparasites were collected, morphologically identified and molecularly analysed through PCR and sequencing. In total 401 specimens were collected from 86 animals, being 68% (n = 273) and 32% (n = 128) from rural and urban areas, respectively. The most commonly detected species were the ticks Dermacentor nitens, Amblyomma sculptum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Rhipicephalus microplus, and Amblyomma ovale, and the fleas Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis. DNA of Rickettsia felis was detected in D. nitens collected from horses, and C. felis, and R. sanguineus s.l. collected from dogs. All samples scored negative for Borrelia spp. and Y. pestis DNA. This study provides valuable data on ectoparasite fauna from domestic animals and identifies the circulation of a zoonotic pathogen (i.e., R. felis) in the population of the arthropods assessed. Therefore, preventive measures should be adopted in order to reduce the risk of occurrence of neglected VBD caused by this pathogen in animal and human hosts.