Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and associated ticks from Brazil, with evidence of putative new genotypes of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and haemoplasmas.

The present study aimed to investigate, by molecular techniques, the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae, Bartonellaceae, Rickettsiaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Coxiellaceae, and Babesiidae/Theileriidae agents in blood samples of free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa) and associated ticks in south-eastern Brazil. For this purpose, 67 blood samples and 265 ticks (264 Amblyomma sculptum and one Amblyomma ovale) were analysed. In the screening for Anaplasmataceae agents by a PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene, 5.97% blood samples and 50.54% ticks were positive. In the PCR assay for Ehrlichia spp. based on the dsb gene, 9.24% of ticks were positive. Despite the low occurrence, a possible new 16S rRNA genotype of Anaplasma sp. was detected in a wild boar's blood sample. According to phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA, gltA, and sodB genes and ITS (23S-5S rRNA) intergenic region, it was found that A. sculptum and A. ovale ticks collected from wild boars carry Ehrlichia genotypes phylogenetically associated with Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia ruminantium, and new Ehrlichia genotypes previously detected in horses, peccaries, and ticks collected from jaguars. In the screening for haemoplasmas by a qPCR based on the 16S rRNA gene, 88.06% of blood samples and 8.69% of ticks were positive. Mycoplasma suis, Mycoplasma parvum, and a possible new haemoplasma genotype were detected in wild boars in south-eastern Brazil. In the screening for Bartonella spp. using a nuoG-based qPCR assay, 3.8% of tick samples were positive. Phylogenetic inferences positioned four nuoG and one r gltA Bartonella sequences into the same clade as Bartonella machadoae. No blood or tick samples from wild boars showed to be positive in the qPCR for Coxiella burnetii based on the IS1111 gene. On the other hand, only 1.6% of ticks were positive in the nested PCR assay for piroplasmids based on the 18S rRNA gene. A 18S rRNA sequence detected in a pool of A. sculptum nymphs was phylogenetically close to Cytauxzoon felis sequences previously detected in cats from the United States. Rickettsia sp. closely related to Rickettsia bellii was detected in a pool of A. sculptum nymphs. This is the first report of haemoplasmas, B. machadoae, and Cytauxzoon spp. in A. sculptum. Wild boars and associated ticks do not seem to participate in the epidemiological cycle of C. burnetii in the region studied. This invasive mammal species may act as a potential disperser of ticks infected with Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella spp., haemotropic mycoplasmas, and Cytauxzoon, and may bring important epidemiological implications in the transmission of bartonelosis, ehrlichiosis, haemoplasmosis, and cytauxzoonosis to humans and animals, more specifically to horses, rodents, pigs, and cats.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp isolated from free-ranging wild boars in the state of São Paulo, Brazil / Prevalência e resistência antimicrobiana de Salmonella spp isoladas em javalis de vida livre no estado de São Paulo

European wild boars (Sus scrofa) are considered exotic invasive species worldwide. Invasions of wild boars are a growing public health concern, as wild boars may represent an important reservoir of zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria of the genus Salmonella. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and serovars of Salmonella spp. in free-ranging wild boars legally hunted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and the susceptibility of those Salmonella spp. to antimicrobials. Fecal samples and mesenteric lymph nodes were acquired from 63 wild boars. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in free-ranging wild boars was 9.5 % (6/63; confidence interval: 4.4 % - 19.2 %). Six serovars were isolated: S. enterica subsp. enterica ser. 4,5,12:-:1,2, S. enterica ser. Cerro, S. enterica ser. Madelia, S. enterica ser. Typhimurium, S. enterica ser. I (4,5,12:i:-) and S. enterica ser. Muenster. Analysis of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp. showed that the majority of serovars were fully susceptible to the tested antimicrobials. Only S. enterica ser. Typhimurium and S. enterica ser. Muenster showed a resistance pattern to at least one antimicrobial analyzed. To our knowledge, this study is the first report the prevalence and serovars of Salmonella spp. in free-ranging wild boars in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Results indicate a low prevalence with variability of Salmonella serovars, with some pattern of antimicrobial resistance. This study highlights the potential role of wild boars as carriers of Salmonella and could pose a risk to wild and domestic animals as well as humans.

Os javalis europeus (Sus scrofa) são considerados uma espécie exótica invasora em todo o mundo. As invasões de javalis são uma preocupação crescente de saúde pública, pois os javalis podem representar um importante reservatório de patógenos zoonóticos, incluindo bactérias do gênero Salmonella. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência e os sorovares de Salmonella spp. em javalis de vida livre caçados legalmente no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, e a suscetibilidade dessa Salmonella spp. aos antimicrobianos. Amostras fecais e linfonodos mesentéricos foram adquiridos de 63 javalis. A prevalência de Salmonella spp. em javalis selvagens foi de 9,5% (6/63; intervalo de confiança: 4,4% - 19,2%). Seis sorovares foram isolados: S. enterica subsp. enterica ser. 4,5,12:-:1,2, S. enterica ser. Cerro, S. enterica ser. Madelia, S. enterica ser. Typhimurium, S. enterica ser. I (4,5,12:i:-) e S. enterica ser. Muenster. As análises de resistência antimicrobiana de Salmonella spp. evidenciaram que a maioria dos sorovares era pansensível aos antimicrobianos testados. Apenas S. enterica ser. Typhimurium e S. enterica ser. Muenster mostraram um padrão de resistência a pelo menos um antimicrobiano analisado. A saber, este estudo é o primeiro relato da prevalência e de sorovares de Salmonella spp. em javalis de vida livre no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os resultados indicaram baixa prevalência com variabilidade de sorovares de Salmonella, com algum padrão de resistência antimicrobiana. Este estudo destaca o papel potencial dos javalis como portadores de Salmonella spp. e pode representar um risco para os animais domésticos e selvagens, bem como para os humanos.

Process of sanitation of certified free properties of brucellosis and tuberculosis in the State of São Paulo / Processo de saneamento das propriedades certificadas como livres de brucelose e tuberculose no Estado de São Paulo

The aim of this study was to analyze the sanitation process of the properties certified as free of brucellosis and tuberculosis in the State of São Paulo. However, 14 properties with free certification, between the years 2001 and 2016, were identified and analyzed. The municipalities of the properties were geoprocessed on the map of the state livestock circuit. Through descriptive statistics, a semi-structured questionnaire was evaluated with questions related to the profile of properties (characteristics of the owner, property, production and questions related to human, animal and environmental health) and to the sanitation process. The results showed that, in the state of São Paulo, the 14 certified properties free of brucellosis and tuberculosis were not uniformly distributed, it had herds with 90 to 500 animals, monthly veterinary assistance and milk production was technified with medium or large production capacity milk daily. The owners had an average age of 63, 92.8% (13/14) of them with a higher education level and found difficulties to obtain and maintain the certificate. These properties, even in the process of sanitation, had reinfection in the herd, evidencing the complexity in combating the diseases and the need for more joint actions among the whole community.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o processo de saneamento das propriedades certificadas como livres de brucelose e tuberculose do Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, 14 propriedades com certificação livre, entre os anos de 2001 e 2016, foram identificadas e analisadas. Os municípios das propriedades foram geoprocessados no mapa dos circuitos pecuários do Estado. Por meio da estatística descritiva, avaliou-se um questionário semiestruturado com questões relativas ao perfil das propriedades (características do proprietário, da propriedade, da produção e perguntas relacionadas à saúde humana, animal e ambiental) e ao processo de saneamento. Os resultados evidenciaram que no Estado de São Paulo as 14 propriedades certificadas livres de brucelose e tuberculose não se distribuíram uniformemente, possuíam rebanhos com 90 a 500 animais, tendo assistência veterinária mensal, e a produção leiteira era tecnificada, com capacidade média ou grande de produção diária de leite. Os proprietários tinham em média 63 anos de idade, 92,8% (13/14) deles com nível superior de escolaridade e encontraram dificuldades para obter e manter o certificado. Essas propriedades mesmo estando em processo de saneamento tiveram reinfecção no rebanho, evidenciando a complexidade em combater as enfermidades e a necessidade de mais ações conjuntas entre toda a comunidade.

Process of sanitation of certified free properties of brucellosis and tuberculosis in the State of São Paulo / Processo de saneamento das propriedades certificadas como livres de brucelose e tuberculose no Estado de São Paulo

The aim of this study was to analyze the sanitation process of the properties certified as free of brucellosis and tuberculosis in the State of São Paulo. However, 14 properties with free certification, between the years 2001 and 2016, were identified and analyzed. The municipalities of the properties were geoprocessed on the map of the state livestock circuit. Through descriptive statistics, a semi-structured questionnaire was evaluated with questions related to the profile of properties (characteristics of the owner, property, production and questions related to human, animal and environmental health) and to the sanitation process. The results showed that, in the state of São Paulo, the 14 certified properties free of brucellosis and tuberculosis were not uniformly distributed, it had herds with 90 to 500 animals, monthly veterinary assistance and milk production was technified with medium or large production capacity milk daily. The owners had an average age of 63, 92.8% (13/14) of them with a higher education level and found difficulties to obtain and maintain the certificate. These properties, even in the process of sanitation, had reinfection in the herd, evidencing the complexity in combating the diseases and the need for more joint actions among the whole community.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o processo de saneamento das propriedades certificadas como livres de brucelose e tuberculose do Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, 14 propriedades com certificação livre, entre os anos de 2001 e 2016, foram identificadas e analisadas. Os municípios das propriedades foram geoprocessados no mapa dos circuitos pecuários do Estado. Por meio da estatística descritiva, avaliou-se um questionário semiestruturado com questões relativas ao perfil das propriedades (características do proprietário, da propriedade, da produção e perguntas relacionadas à saúde humana, animal e ambiental) e ao processo de saneamento. Os resultados evidenciaram que no Estado de São Paulo as 14 propriedades certificadas livres de brucelose e tuberculose não se distribuíram uniformemente, possuíam rebanhos com 90 a 500 animais, tendo assistência veterinária mensal, e a produção leiteira era tecnificada, com capacidade média ou grande de produção diária de leite. Os proprietários tinham em média 63 anos de idade, 92,8% (13/14) deles com nível superior de escolaridade e encontraram dificuldades para obter e manter o certificado. Essas propriedades mesmo estando em processo de saneamento tiveram reinfecção no rebanho, evidenciando a complexidade em combater as enfermidades e a necessidade de mais ações conjuntas entre toda a comunidade.(AU)