Molecular detection of Brucella abortus in wild and captive felids.

PURPOSE: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of great public health importance. In wild animals, Brucella abortus is one of the most diagnosed species, mainly in enzootic environments where domestic animals share the same environment. B. abortus is common in environments shared by cattle, wild, and domestic animals. This study aimed to detect the presence of B. abortus DNA in free-ranging and captivity felids at Mato Grosso State, Brazil. METHOD: Polymerase chain reaction, based on the genetic element IS711, was performed in blood samples collected from 23 free-ranging and captive felids. The species represented include Leopardus colocolo, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, and Puma yagouaroundi. RESULTS: DNA amplification of B. abortus was observed in only one captive P. concolor (4.34%). CONCLUSION: The detection of this pathogen in captive animals using molecular tools demonstrates the importance of monitoring, as it raises concerns about the possibility of transmission between humans and wild and domestic animals, especially in regions of vast biodiversity, such as in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Molecular detection of Brucella abortus in wild and captive felids

Abstract Purpose Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of great public health importance. In wild animals, Brucella abortus is one of the most diagnosed species, mainly in enzootic environments where domestic animals share the same environment. B. abortus is common in environments shared by cattle, wild, and domestic animals. This study aimed to detect the presence of B. abortus DNA in free-ranging and captivity felids at Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Method Polymerase chain reaction, based on the genetic element IS711, was performed in blood samples collected from 23 free-ranging and captive felids. The species represented include Leopardus colocolo, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, and Puma yagouaroundi. Results DNA amplification of B. abortus was observed in only one captive P. concolor (4.34%). Conclusion The detection of this pathogen in captive animals using molecular tools demonstrates the importance of monitoring, as it raises concerns about the possibility of transmission between humans and wild and domestic animals, especially in regions of vast biodiversity, such as in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Quantitative qPCR Analysis of Ruminal Microorganisms in Beef Cattle Grazing in Pastures in the Rainy Season and Supplemented with Different Protein Levels.

We tested the hypothesis that supplementation with three protein levels improves fermentation parameters without changing the rumen microbial population of grazing beef cattle in the rainy season. Four rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (432 ± 21 kg of body weight) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with four supplements and four experimental periods of 21 days each. The treatments were mineral supplement (ad libitum) and supplements with low, medium (MPS), and high protein supplement (HPS), supplying 106, 408, and 601 g/day of CP, respectively. The abundance of each target taxon was calculated as a fraction of the total 16S rRNA gene copies in the samples, using taxon-specific and domain bacteria primers. Supplemented animals showed lower (P < 0.05) proportions of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and greater (P < 0.05) proportions of Ruminococcus albus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens than animals that received only the mineral supplement. The HPS supplement resulted in higher (P < 0.05) proportions of Fibrobacter succinogenes, R. flavefaciens, and B. fibrisolvens and lower (P < 0.05) proportions of R. albus than the MPS supplement. Based on our results, high protein supplementation improves the ruminal conditions and facilitates the growth of cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen of bulls on pastures during the rainy season.

Occurrence of toxin genes in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from diseased dogs and other domestic and wild species.

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is coagulase-positive species of the Staphylococcus intermedius group. It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infection in various parts of the body and has a zoonotic potential. Although studies on the pathogenicity and epidemiology of S. pseudintermedius are limited, it is known that this bacterium has several virulence factors, including toxins. These toxins can be classified into three main groups: pyrogenic toxins with superantigenic properties such as toxic shock syndrome toxin and staphylococcal enterotoxins, exfoliative toxins, and cytotoxins  such as hemolysins and leukocidins. METHODOLOGY: In this study, the occurrence of eight toxin genes (sea, sec, tst, SIET, EXI, LuK F-I, Luk S-I, and hlg Æ´) was examined by PCR in 58 isolates of S. pseudintermedius from four domestic animal species. RESULTS: All S. pseudintermedius isolates had at least one of the eight toxin genes. The predominant toxin genes were Luk S-I (95%), Luk F-I (91%), and EXI (91%), and the least prevalent gene was hlg Æ´ (5%). Significant association (p = 0.0175) was found between the occurrence patterns of genes hlg Æ´ and Luk F-I. CONCLUSIONS: The frequent occurrence of these genes in S. pseudintermedius obtained from diseased animals indicates that these toxins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection among domestic animals.

Porphyromonas gingivalis na cavidade oral de neonatos da raça Bulldog Inglês / Porphyromonas gingivalis in the oral cavity of English bulldog newborn puppies

Background: Periodontal disease (PD) is the most common disease of the oral cavity in cats and dogs, and it affects up to 80% of these animals. PD begins with the accumulation of bacteria on the surface of the teeth, and it poses a risk for the health of pets. Research on PD in dogs has focused on the identification and characterization of bacterial communities present in the oral cavity. Porphyromonas gingivalis is highly prevalent in the oral cavity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect P. gingivalis before and after dental eruption in 15 English bulldog newborn puppies, hoping to contribute to early guidance of oral hygiene management and prevent future PD. Materials, Methods & Results: Fifteen English bulldog newborn puppies were used in this study. Two groups (G1 and G2) were formed with eight and seven puppies, respectively. Oral swab samples were taken from the maxillary incisor region of animals from G1 and G2 10 days after birth (T10). At this moment, the clinical evaluation of the oral cavity showed healthy gums with a thin, shiny, pinkish, and firm margin, without any odor or granular appearance, and with no tooth eruption. On postnatal day 25 (T25), a subgingival sample was collected with a Gracey curette from the maxillary incisors; the oral cavity examination revealed healthy gums and presence of gingival sulcus. Bilateral subgingival samples were also collected from the maxillary canines and fourth premolars of the dams at T10 and T25. All newborn puppies were fed maternal breast milk and supplementation exclusively with commercial milk for dogs in individual bottles. The dams were fed commercial dry food. The average weight of G1 and G2 at T10 was 625.87 ± 85.26 g and 543.50 ± 92.88 g, respectively, and 100% (15/15) of the animals were negative for PG as assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on oral swab samples. [...]

Porphyromonas gingivalis na cavidade oral de neonatos da raça Bulldog Inglês / Porphyromonas gingivalis in the oral cavity of English bulldog newborn puppies

Background: Periodontal disease (PD) is the most common disease of the oral cavity in cats and dogs, and it affects up to 80% of these animals. PD begins with the accumulation of bacteria on the surface of the teeth, and it poses a risk for the health of pets. Research on PD in dogs has focused on the identification and characterization of bacterial communities present in the oral cavity. Porphyromonas gingivalis is highly prevalent in the oral cavity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect P. gingivalis before and after dental eruption in 15 English bulldog newborn puppies, hoping to contribute to early guidance of oral hygiene management and prevent future PD. Materials, Methods & Results: Fifteen English bulldog newborn puppies were used in this study. Two groups (G1 and G2) were formed with eight and seven puppies, respectively. Oral swab samples were taken from the maxillary incisor region of animals from G1 and G2 10 days after birth (T10). At this moment, the clinical evaluation of the oral cavity showed healthy gums with a thin, shiny, pinkish, and firm margin, without any odor or granular appearance, and with no tooth eruption. On postnatal day 25 (T25), a subgingival sample was collected with a Gracey curette from the maxillary incisors; the oral cavity examination revealed healthy gums and presence of gingival sulcus. Bilateral subgingival samples were also collected from the maxillary canines and fourth premolars of the dams at T10 and T25. All newborn puppies were fed maternal breast milk and supplementation exclusively with commercial milk for dogs in individual bottles. The dams were fed commercial dry food. The average weight of G1 and G2 at T10 was 625.87 ± 85.26 g and 543.50 ± 92.88 g, respectively, and 100% (15/15) of the animals were negative for PG as assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on oral swab samples. [...](AU)

Molecular assessment of the transplacental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Brucella canis and Ehrlichia canis in dogs.

Given the fact that numerous microbial species can be detected in pregnant female dogs, the objective of this study was to assess the transplacental transmission of Brucella canis, Ehrlichia canis, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in stillborn puppies. This study involved 41 stillborn puppies, 78.6% of which were positive for T. gondii, 52.4% for N. caninum and 59.5% for B. canis. E. canis was not detected in any of the analyzed puppies. Pregnancy is an important physiological condition for the transmission of infectious agents to puppies and transplacental transmission may be epidemiologically relevant in the spread of these opportunistic agents.

Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Staphylococcus spp. from domestic and wild animals / Perfil de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana e diversidade de Staphylococcus spp. de animais domésticos e silvestres

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and diversity of veterinary clinical isolates of Staphylococcus and analyze their antimicrobial susceptibility. One hundred Staphylococcus spp. clinical isolates from domestic and wild animals were subjected to partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to species determination. Antimicrobial susceptibility was obtained by a disk diffusion test against six antibiotics: amoxicillin (AMX), cephalexin (LEX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), erythromycin (ERY), gentamicin (GEN) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT). The most common specie was S. pseudintermedius (61%, 61/100) and resistance to ERY (57%, 57/100), SXT (50%, 50/100) and AMX (46%, 46/100) was detected most frequently. In total, 40% (40/100) of Staphylococcus spp. exhibited a multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype. Results of this study emphasize that animals are reservoir of MDR Staphylococcus spp.(AU)

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a prevalência e diversidade de isolados clínicos veterinários de Staphylococcus e analisar o perfil de suscetibilidade a antimicrobianos. Um total de 100 Staphylococcus spp. isolados de amostras clínicas de animais domésticos e silvestres foram submetidos ao sequenciamento parcial do gene 16S rRNA, para determinação da espécie. A suscetibilidade antimicrobiana foi obtida por meio da técnica de Disco Difusão contra seis antibióticos: amoxicilina, cefalexina, ciprofloxacina, eritromicina, gentamicina e sulfazotrim. A espécie mais frequente foi S. pseudintermedius (61%, 61/100) e a resistência à eritromicina (57%, 57/100), Sulfazotrim (50%, 50/100) e Amoxicilina (46%, 46/100) foi detectada mais frequentemente. No total, 40% (40/100) dos Staphylococcus spp. demonstraram um fenótipo de multirresistência a drogas (MRD). Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho reforçam o fato de que animais são reservatórios de Staphylococcus spp. MRD.(AU)

Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Staphylococcus spp. from domestic and wild animals / Perfil de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana e diversidade de Staphylococcus spp. de animais domésticos e silvestres

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and diversity of veterinary clinical isolates of Staphylococcus and analyze their antimicrobial susceptibility. One hundred Staphylococcus spp. clinical isolates from domestic and wild animals were subjected to partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to species determination. Antimicrobial susceptibility was obtained by a disk diffusion test against six antibiotics: amoxicillin (AMX), cephalexin (LEX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), erythromycin (ERY), gentamicin (GEN) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT). The most common specie was S. pseudintermedius (61%, 61/100) and resistance to ERY (57%, 57/100), SXT (50%, 50/100) and AMX (46%, 46/100) was detected most frequently. In total, 40% (40/100) of Staphylococcus spp. exhibited a multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype. Results of this study emphasize that animals are reservoir of MDR Staphylococcus spp.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a prevalência e diversidade de isolados clínicos veterinários de Staphylococcus e analisar o perfil de suscetibilidade a antimicrobianos. Um total de 100 Staphylococcus spp. isolados de amostras clínicas de animais domésticos e silvestres foram submetidos ao sequenciamento parcial do gene 16S rRNA, para determinação da espécie. A suscetibilidade antimicrobiana foi obtida por meio da técnica de Disco Difusão contra seis antibióticos: amoxicilina, cefalexina, ciprofloxacina, eritromicina, gentamicina e sulfazotrim. A espécie mais frequente foi S. pseudintermedius (61%, 61/100) e a resistência à eritromicina (57%, 57/100), Sulfazotrim (50%, 50/100) e Amoxicilina (46%, 46/100) foi detectada mais frequentemente. No total, 40% (40/100) dos Staphylococcus spp. demonstraram um fenótipo de multirresistência a drogas (MRD). Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho reforçam o fato de que animais são reservatórios de Staphylococcus spp. MRD.

Genes termorregulados diferencialmente expressos em Conidiobolus lamprauges / Thermoregulated genes differentially expressed in Conidiobolus lamprauges

Conidiobolus lamprauges é um fungo zigomiceto patógeno de humanos e animais, causador da conidiobolomicose, caracterizada por uma rinossinusite crônica granulomatosa severa. A capacidade de se adaptar e crescer a altas temperaturas são sugeridos como um atributo de virulência em fungos que infectam animais e humanos, no entanto, em C. lamprauges, pouca informação é disponível sobre esse aspecto. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar genes com expressão diferencial em C. lamprauges cultivado a 30° e 37°C através da técnica de Análise de Diferença Representacional (RDA). Após análise e sequenciamento de um conjunto de 120cDNAs, identificou-se uma enzima glicolítica denominada enolase, diferencialmente expressa a 37°C. Esse gene exerce funções relacionadas à patogenicidade no processo de infecção em diversos micro-organismos patogênicos, apresentando um potencial de envolvimento na relação patógeno-hospedeiro e virulência em C. lamprauges.

Conidiobolus lamprauges is a pathogen zygomycetes fungi of humans and animals, responsible for conidiobolomycosis, which is characterized by a severe granulomatous chronic rhinosinusitis. The ability to adapt and grow at high temperatures is suggested as an attribute of virulence in fungi that infect animals and humans, however regarding C. lamprauges little information is available about this aspect. This paper aims to identify differential expression genes in C. lamprauges grown at 30°C and 37°C through the technique of Representational Difference Analysis (RDA). After the analysis and sequencing of a set of 120cDNAs, it was identified enolase, a glycolytic enzyme, differentially expressed at 37°C. This gene performs functions related to pathogenicity during host-pathogen interaction process in several pathogenic microorganisms. showing a potential involvement in host-pathogen relationship, and virulence in C. lamprauges.