Concentrations of iron and chromium in free-ranging common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) from Pernambuco, Brazil.

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are widely distributed in Northeast Brazil and often inhabit urban and peri-urban forest areas close to human settlements. Given its wide territorial distribution, its proximity to human populations, and its exposure to environmental degradations originating from urbanization, common marmosets have a high potential for environmental biomonitoring. The concentrations of iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr) were quantified in the liver, hair, and bone of 22 free-ranging common marmosets' bodies from nine cities from Pernambuco State, Brazil, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The liver showed the highest concentrations of Fe and Cr (3773.2 ± 3715.8 mg/kg and 19.4 ± 41.6 mg/kg, respectively); the lowest concentration of Fe was detected in the bone (111.6 ± 97.6 mg/kg) and of Cr in the hair (3.3 ± 1.5 mg/kg). There was a moderate positive correlation between Fe and Cr in the liver (r = 0.64) and a high negative correlation for Cr between bone and hair (r = -0.65). This study demonstrated the bioaccumulation of Fe and Cr in hair, liver, and bone in common marmosets. The highest average concentration of Fe and Cr occurred in animals from Recife, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, and Paulista, respectively, the 1st, the 2nd, and the 5th most populated cities in the state of Pernambuco. The presence of high concentrations of metals in animals from Recife and nearby cities can indicate alarming levels of environmental pollution in these locations.

No Evidence of Rabies Exposure in Wild Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) of Northeast Brazil.

Rabies transmitted by wildlife is the main source of human rabies mortality in Latin America and considered an emerging disease. The common marmoset Callithrix jacchus of Brazil is the only known primate reservoir of rabies worldwide. We tested whether alive free-ranging C. jacchus were exposed to rabies in four northeast states that have previously reported rabies-positive dead C. jacchus (Pernambuco and Bahia) or not (Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte). Our results show no evidence of rabies antibodies or infection in the sampled C. jacchus, suggesting that apparently healthy marmosets are not widely exposed to rabies over their natural range.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of rabies and habitat suitability of the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus in Brazil.

Rabies transmitted by wildlife is now the main source of human rabies in the Americas. The common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, is considered a reservoir of rabies causing sporadic and unpredictable human deaths in Brazil, but the extent of the spillover risk to humans remains unknown. In this study, we described the spatiotemporal dynamics of rabies affecting C. jacchus reported to Brazil's Ministry of Health passive surveillance system between 2008 and 2020, and combined ecological niche modelling with C. jacchus occurrence data to predict its suitable habitat. Our results show that 67 outbreaks (91 cases) of rabies affecting C. jacchus were reported by 41 municipalities between January 2008 and October 2020, with a mean of 5 outbreaks/year [range: 1-14]. The maximum number of outbreaks and municipalities reporting cases occurred in 2018, coinciding with higher surveillance of primate deaths due to Yellow Fever. A mean of 3 [1-9] new municipalities reported outbreaks yearly, suggesting potential spatial expansions of the C. jacchus variant in northeastern Brazil and emerging rabies spillover from vampire bat Desmodus rotundus to C. jacchus in the north and south. Outbreaks were concentrated in the states of Ceará (72%) and Pernambuco (16%) up to 2012, but are now reported in Piauí since 2013, in Bahia since 2017 (D. rotundus' antigenic variant, AgV3) and in Rio de Janeiro since 2019 (AgV3). Besides confirming suitable habitat for this primate in the northeast and the east coast of Brazil, our Maximum Entropy model also predicted suitable habitat on the north and the west states of the country but predicted low habitat suitability among inland municipalities of the Caatinga biome reporting rabies. Our findings revealed new areas reporting rabies infecting C. jacchus, highlighting the need to implement strategies limiting spillover to humans and to better understand the drivers of C. jacchus rabies dynamics.

Frequency of histopathological changes in Howler monkeys ( Alouatta sp.) naturally infected with yellow fever virus in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the importance that Howler monkeys have on the yellow fever (YF) epidemiological sylvatic cycle in Brazil, more accurate morphological diagnostic criteria needs to be established, especially considering the differences that may exist between the genera of Brazilian non-human primates (NHPs) involved in yellow fever virus (YFV) epizootics. METHODS: Records of YF epizootics in NHPs in Brazil between 2007 and 2009 were obtained from the Brazilian Ministry of Health database to select YF positive (n=98) Howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) for this study. The changes described in the histopathological reports were categorized by organ and their frequencies calculated. RESULTS: The most frequent lesions observed in the animals with YF were hepatocyte apoptosis (Councilman body formation), midzonal hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis, liver hemorrhage, inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration of the liver, renal acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Midzonal hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis and hemorrhage presented positive correlations with apoptosis of hepatocytes, suggesting strong YFV pathogenic effect association; they were also the main histopathological changes in the Alouatta sp. A pronounced negative correlation between apoptosis of hepatocytes and hepatic mononuclear cell infiltration pointed to significant histopathological differences between YFV infection in Howler monkeys and humans. CONCLUSIONS: The results warn that NHPs may exhibit different response patterns following YFV infection and require a more careful diagnosis. Presumptive diagnosis based on primate histopathological lesions may contribute to public health service control.

Frequency of histopathological changes in Howler monkeys ( Alouatta sp. ) naturally infected with yellow fever virus in Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Due to the importance that Howler monkeys have on the yellow fever (YF) epidemiological sylvatic cycle in Brazil, more accurate morphological diagnostic criteria needs to be established, especially considering the differences that may exist between the genera of Brazilian non-human primates (NHPs) involved in yellow fever virus (YFV) epizootics. METHODS: Records of YF epizootics in NHPs in Brazil between 2007 and 2009 were obtained from the Brazilian Ministry of Health database to select YF positive (n=98) Howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) for this study. The changes described in the histopathological reports were categorized by organ and their frequencies calculated. RESULTS: The most frequent lesions observed in the animals with YF were hepatocyte apoptosis (Councilman body formation), midzonal hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis, liver hemorrhage, inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration of the liver, renal acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Midzonal hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis and hemorrhage presented positive correlations with apoptosis of hepatocytes, suggesting strong YFV pathogenic effect association; they were also the main histopathological changes in the Alouatta sp. A pronounced negative correlation between apoptosis of hepatocytes and hepatic mononuclear cell infiltration pointed to significant histopathological differences between YFV infection in Howler monkeys and humans. CONCLUSIONS: The results warn that NHPs may exhibit different response patterns following YFV infection and require a more careful diagnosis. Presumptive diagnosis based on primate histopathological lesions may contribute to public health service control.

Fatal attack on black-tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) by a Boa constrictor: a simultaneous assault on two juvenile monkeys.

Here we report the first witnessed attack on a marmoset by a constrictor snake. The incident occurred mid-morning in a gallery forest within an altered landscape of the Cerrado region of central Brazil and refers to a fatal attack by a Boa constrictor on two juvenile black-tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) simultaneously. The snake captured both individuals at a height of ~ 4 m while a group of eight marmosets traveled through the subcanopy. The actual strike was not seen. After 2 min, the boa fell to the ground with both marmosets in its coils and proceeded to kill one animal at a time through constriction. Two adult marmosets immediately descended to where the snake held its victims on the ground and attacked it. The snake showed no apparent reaction, and after ~ 1-2 min, the adults rejoined the remaining group members that were mobbing and vocalizing from 5 to 6 m above. The group left the scene ~ 7 min after the onset of the attack and was not seen again. The snake loosened its coils 10 min after its initial strike, left the two carcasses on the ground and stayed behind a nearby tree. Thus, we are not sure if the victims were in fact ingested. This report confirms that marmosets are vulnerable to boid snakes and capable of highly organized and cooperative antipredation behavior. It also suggests that snakes pose a greater threat to callitrichids than previously thought.

Epizootias em primatas não humanos durante reemergência do vírus da febre amarela no Brasil, 2007 a 2009 / Epizootics in nonhuman primates during reemergence of yellow fever virus in Brazil, 2007 to 2009

Objetivo: descrever e analisar a mudança do perfil epidemiológico da febre amarela silvestre no Brasil – que passa a ocorrer fora da Amazônia – a partir de 1999, quando a detecção do vírus em primatas permitiu a aplicação oportuna de novas medidas de vigilância. Metodologia: este estudo faz uma análise descritiva das epizootias em primatas notificadas ao Ministério da Saúde (MS) entre 2007 e 2009; para captação dos dados, foram utilizadas a Ficha de Notificação de Epizootia do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) e planilha de notificação diária. Resultados: No período, foram notificadas 1.971 epizootias em primatas, sendo 73 no ano de 2007, 1.050 em 2008 e 848 em 2009; essas epizootias ocorreram em 520 municípios de 19 estados; do total de epizootias notificadas, 209 (10,6 por cento) foram confirmadas para febre amarela. Conclusão: as informações aqui discutidas são fundamentais para o aperfeiçoamento da vigilância e a consolidação da notificação de epizootias em primatas, como instrumento de prevenção de casos humanos da doença.

Objective: to describe and analyze the change in the epidemiological profile of sylvatic yellow fever – whose cases began to occur outside the Amazon region, in Brazil – from 1999, when the detection of the virus in primates has led to the timely implementation of new surveillance measures. Methodology: this study is a descriptive analysis of epizootics in primates notified to the Ministry of Health between 2007 and 2009; data were captured using the Epizootic Notification Form of the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sinan) and daily reporting spreadsheet. Results: from 1,971 epizootics reported during the period, 73 occurred in 2007, 1,050 in 2008, and 848 in 2009; and 209 (10.6 per cent) were confirmed for yellow fever; these epizootics have been registered in 520 municipalities of 19 states. Conclusion: the information discussed herein is fundamental for improving the surveillance and consolidating the notification of epizootics in primates, as a tool for preventing human cases of the disease.

Prescrição leiga de medicamentos em farmácias de Passo Fundo, RS / Lay prescription of medication at drugstores in Passo Fundo, RS-Brazil

Os autores realizaram pesquisa em 27 farmácias de Passo Fundo, apresentando duas situações clínicas fictícias: um caso de diarréia em adulto e um caso de rinite alérgica em criança de 4 anos. De todos os balconistas consultados, apenas 8 (29,6 por cento) orientaram procurar um médico. Vinte e três (85,19 por cento) prescreveram tratamento para rinite alérgica e somente um deixou de receitar medicação para diarréia...

Linfoma de Burkitt / Burkit's Lymphoma

O Linfoma de Burkitt é a neoplasia näo-Hodgkin mais comum na infância. Incide em cerca de 7:1.000.000 criança e afeta em especial meninos, maiores de 5 anos, com pico entre 7 e 11 anos. A forma de apresentaçäo mais comum é abdominal, com frequente envolvimento do sistema nervoso e medula óssea. O diagnóstico clínico-laboratorial é confirmado por exames de imageamento tumoral, em especial a tomografia computadorizada. Os autores apresentam o caso de uma criança de 2 anos de idade com Linfoma de Burkitt gastrointestinal, tratada com cirurgia e quimioterapia e com seguimento clínico satisfatório em 6 meses de acompanhamento

Controle de infecçäo cruzada: uma avaliaçäo das normas de biossegurança entre os dentistas da cidade de Joäo Pessoa-PB / Control of cross infections: evaluation of biosecurity behaviours of dentists of Joäo Pessoa City, Paraiba State

Os autores avaliaram a utilizaçäo dos procedimentos de biossegurança no controle de infecçäo cruzada, através de um questionário respondido por 181 cirurgiöes dentistas que exerceram suas atividades clínicas em serviços público e privado no ano de 1993 n acidade de Joäo Pessoa - PB. Os dados revelaram que, dos profissionais 19,9 por cento utilizaram antissepsia bucal, 19,3 por cento usam luvas, máscaras e óculos protetores simultaneamente, 13,8 por cento desinfectam o instrumental antes de ser esterelizado, 87 por cento utilizam a estufa como método de esterilizaçäo e 2,8 por cento desinfectam e descartam o material contaminado em recipientes de Paredes rígidas, fechados e rótulados