Serological profile of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in commercial sheep from São Paulo State, Brazil.

Neosporosis and toxoplasmosis are two important infections in young and adult sheep, leading to low production and abortion. This study aimed to determine the frequency of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in sheep from the eastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Serum samples (382) were collected from the sheep and assayed for T. gondii through modified agglutination test (MAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and for N. caninum antibodies, through IFAT, with cut-off titers equal to 16 (T. gondii) and 25 (N. caninum). All frozen samples were sent to the Center for Zoonoses Research (NUPEZO), Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health (DHSVP), FMVZ, UNESP, for serological tests. A total of 71/382 (18.6%) samples reacted to T. gondii, especially at titers 16 (28; 39.4%), 64 (15; 21.1%), 256 (21; 29.6%) and 1024 (6; 8.5%) by MAT, and 16 (34; 47.9%), 64 (18; 25.4%), 256 (14; 19.7%) and 1024 (5; 7%) by IFAT. As regards N. caninum, 49/382 (12.8%) samples reacted at titers 25 (17; 34.7%), 50 (11; 22.5%), 100 (11; 22.5%), and ≥ 200 (10; 20.4%). These animals presented infection but no clinical signs. Six and ten animals had high titers for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis. No significant association was observed between antibodies for both parasites (P=0.535) according to Fisher's exact test, and no correlation was found between T. gondii (MAT) and N. caninum antibody titers (r=-0.0068; P=0.895), T. gondii (IFAT) and N. caninum antibody titers (r=-0.0025; P=0.961). Thus, T. gondii and N. caninum infections were observed in farms located in São Paulo State, where sheep play an important economical role for the national and regional business.

Surveillance of canine visceral leishmaniasis in a disease-free area.

Leishmaniasis is an important re-emergent parasitosis worldwide, particularly in tropical countries. There are no reports of autochthonous disease in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil. No surveillance has been carried out in the most populated areas such as the city of Curitiba and its surroundings. The purpose of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs at the Center for Zoonosis Control of São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, before euthanasia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) were used to detect antibody levels against Leishmania sp. in dog sera. Imprints of the popliteal lymph nodes that were also randomly collected from 50 dogs with suspected clinical signs of visceral leishmaniasis, and evaluated under light microscopy for the detection of amastigote forms, were negative. A total of 364 dog samples were tested. The results showed only one positive sample (0.0027%) by ELISA test but negative by IFAT, however, the dog had no clinical signs. Random surveillance of dog populations from several districts of a metropolitan area may be a means of preventing Leishmania spreading. Based on our results, the city of Curitiba and its metropolitan area were considered at low risk for visceral leishmaniasis.

[Continued vigilance actions, dogs role as sentinel animal to toxoplasmosis]. / Ações de vigilância continuada, papel do cão como animal sentinela para toxoplasmose.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii and its definitive host is the domestic and wild felids infecting human beings and other warmblooded animals. Dogs are considered a potential risk on the transmission due they can mechanically transmit oocysts to man. In this study, a retrospective analysis of toxoplasmic infection in dog serum samples sent to Serviço de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses/FMVZ-UNESP/Botucatu, SP, in the period of 1998 to 2007 was performed. During this period 1097 serum samples were analyzed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), with 299 (27.25%) positive. The most frequent titer was 16 (42.80%), followed by 64 (37.79%). The results indicate that T.gondii is distributed in the environment showing the role of the dog as sentinel animal to toxoplasmosis to monitor public health actions to the control of this zoonosis.