Evidence of the Zoonotic Transmission of Cryptosporidium among Children and Pets.

We investigated the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium among the children (n = 188), dogs (n = 133), and cats (n = 55) living in 188 households. Fecal samples were examined using ELISA and confirmed via nested PCR. Coproantigens oocysts were detected in 3.7% of children, 8.3% of dogs, and 5.5% of cats. We found strong evidence of two cases of the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium canis between children and dogs. Furthermore, four children and their respective pets (one dog and three cats) were infected with Cryptosporidium parvum, but we cannot exclude the hypotheses that the oocysts were transmitted from children to animals or that both hosts were infected by a shared source, such as contaminated water or food. The presence of an infected animal elevated the risk of zoonotic transmission by 129.7-fold (95% CI: 13.92-1209.68). Furthermore, sharing a bed with pets was identified as a risk factor for infection in children (OR: 9.9, 95% CI: 1.37-71.2). In conclusion, the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium among children and pets cohabiting in the same household may be quite common, especially when infected animals lie or sleep on children's beds. These findings unequivocally highlight the public health concern surrounding C. canis.

Suicide in veterinary medicine: A literature review.

Veterinarians are commonly exposed to occupational stressors, including excessive workload and financial constraints. These stressors can lead to psychological distress, which typically results in mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and burnout and can even culminate in suicide attempts or suicide deaths. Risk factors associated with poor mental health and high rates of suicide in veterinary practitioners include continuous exposure to challenging scenarios, such as interpersonal conflicts, performing euthanasia, and easy access to lethal means of suicide, such as opioids and anesthetics. The previous studies highlight the urgent need for a better understanding of predisposing factors, mental health-related improvements in the professional environment, and the subsequent establishment of primary mental health-related care policies. Effective ways to promote mental health and prevent suicide may include social support, resilience, developing coping skills, promoting a healthy work environment, and discouraging perfectionist behaviors. This review aimed to summarize findings in studies that have investigated mental health and suicide in veterinarians and veterinary students and highlight measures that could be implemented as options for mental health promotion and suicide prevention.

Cryptosporidium proventriculi in Captive Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus).

Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are among the most commonly sold psittacines pets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in domestic N. hollandicus and identify risk factors for this infection. We collected fecal samples from 100 domestic cockatiels in the city of Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Feces from birds of both genders and older than two months were collected. Owners were asked to complete a questionnaire to identify how they handle and care for their birds. Based on nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the cockatiels sampled was 9.00%, 6.00% based on Malachite green staining, 5.00% based on modified Kinyoun straining, and 7.00% when the Malachite green was combined with Kinyoun. Applying multivariate logistic regression to test the association between Cryptosporidium proventriculi positivity and potential predictors showed that gastrointestinal alterations was a significant predictor (p < 0.01). Amplicons from five samples were sequenced successfully and showed 100% similarity with C. proventriculi. In summary, this study demonstrates the occurrence of C. proventriculi in captive cockatiels.

Efficacy of imidacloprid/flumethrin collar in preventing canine leishmaniosis in Brazil.

The Leishmania infantum (synonym, Leishmania chagasi) causes life-threatening infection, namely canine leishmaniosis (CanL), which is a chronic zoonosis prevalent in various countries and spread by the bite of the infected Lutzomyia female sandfly in South America. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a polymer matrix collar containing made up of 10% imidacloprid and 4.5% flumethrin for the prevention of canine leishmaniosis from the hyperendemic region falling under Araçatuba municipality (Brazil). The research included a total of 146 dogs chosen from 75 households. Test were initiated via physical examination; weighing and biological sample collection (blood, popliteal lymph node and conjunctival swab) of these dogs were done in March 2018 (Day 0; GA, control = 69, GB, treated = 77) to initiate laboratory tests. Post-inclusion, the animals were monitored on the 120th, 240th, 360th and 480th days, respectively. The usage of collars continued between 0 and 480 days before being substituted in second (D240) and fourth (D480) follow-up visits. On the whole, 25 dogs in GA (36.2%) and three in GB (3.9%) were found positive for L. infantum infection in a minimum of one diagnostic test used in the research. Therefore, the average collar effectiveness for protection from L. infantum infection was 89.2% (p < .01). In the last follow-up, the average incidence density rate for GA was 30.7%, whereas for GB, it was 2.9%. The imidacloprid/flumethrin collars evaluated in the research were found to be safe and extremely efficient for the prevention of L. infantum infection through Lutzomyia species among the large population of dogs in highly prone endemic regions. This is a dependable and efficient technique aimed at reducing the occurrence and propagation of this illness among the population of canines, which would eventually reduce the human-health-related hazards. In Brazil, Lutzomyia spp. is a leading vector of the infection; thus, the collar can be used to limit infection in dogs and humans.

Anthelmintic efficacy of oxibendazole against gastrointestinal nematodes in swine.

In swine production, parasites, especially gastrointestinal helminths, generate considerable economic losses. Therefore, effective control measures, such as the use of the correct anthelmintics, are of paramount importance for maintaining profitability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the anthelmintic oxibendazole, administered orally, in pigs (non-industrial) naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. To that end, we selected 18 pigs naturally parasitized by gastrointestinal nematodes, as determined by examination of fecal samples (eggs per gram (EPG > 500) of feces), and divided them into two groups: treated (with a 10-day course of oxibendazole) and control (untreated). After the treatment period, the animals were euthanized. During necropsy, the helminths in the gastrointestinal tract were identified and quantified. The species identified were, in order of occurrence, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum dentatum, and Hyostrongylus rubidus. In Brazilian swine herds, traditional (non-industrial) production systems can favor the transmission of helminths. We found that treatment with oxibendazole was 100% effective against A. suum and H. rubidus, whereas it was 99.65% effective against O. dentatum and 99.20% effective against T. suis, significantly reducing helminth counts (P < 0.01 for all). We conclude that oxibendazole is effective in controlling the main helminths in swine.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus: evaluation and comparison of classical techniques.

The aim of this study was evaluating the association and correlation between the diagnostics tests used for Leishmania spp. detection in dogs and ticks. We evaluated 99 dogs and 990 Rhipicephalus sanguineus. In dogs, we used bone marrow aspirates and lymph node fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for direct parasitological examinations and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and collected blood samples for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In ticks, two laboratory techniques [immunohistochemistry to lipophosphoglycan (IHC) and RT-PCR] were performed in the intestine, ovaries and salivary glands. With respect to the measurement of diagnostic performance in dogs, lymph node RT-PCR proved to be the best test followed by ELISA and bone marrow RT-PCR. In ticks, intestine IHC were considered as a gold standard for diagnosis of leishmaniasis with intestinal RT-PCR being the best diagnostic test. To arrive at the correlation between laboratory techniques for dogs and their ticks, we evaluated the diagnostic test used for dogs with tests performed in R. sanguineus, which used lymph node FNAB as the gold standard. The intestine IHC technique showed strongest association. We demonstrated that the best tissue for Leishmania spp. detection in dogs was the lymph node and the intestine in case of ticks. As for laboratory techniques, the isolated analysis of each species presented a strong agreement between immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR when compared to its gold standard. In addition, we concluded that the immunohistochemistry of ticks' intestines was a better technique for diagnosing Leishmania spp. in R. sanguineus, thereby showing almost perfect correlation with the lymph node FNAB.

Anthelmintic efficacy of oxibendazole against gastrointestinal nematodes in swine / Eficácia anti-helmíntica do oxibendazol contra nematódeos gastrointestinais de suínos

Abstract In swine production, parasites, especially gastrointestinal helminths, generate considerable economic losses. Therefore, effective control measures, such as the use of the correct anthelmintics, are of paramount importance for maintaining profitability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the anthelmintic oxibendazole, administered orally, in pigs (non-industrial) naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. To that end, we selected 18 pigs naturally parasitized by gastrointestinal nematodes, as determined by examination of fecal samples (eggs per gram (EPG > 500) of feces), and divided them into two groups: treated (with a 10-day course of oxibendazole) and control (untreated). After the treatment period, the animals were euthanized. During necropsy, the helminths in the gastrointestinal tract were identified and quantified. The species identified were, in order of occurrence, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum dentatum, and Hyostrongylus rubidus. In Brazilian swine herds, traditional (non-industrial) production systems can favor the transmission of helminths. We found that treatment with oxibendazole was 100% effective against A. suum and H. rubidus, whereas it was 99.65% effective against O. dentatum and 99.20% effective against T. suis, significantly reducing helminth counts (P < 0.01 for all). We conclude that oxibendazole is effective in controlling the main helminths in swine.

Resumo A presença de parasitoses na suinocultura gera prejuízos econômicos relevantes. Dentre elas, destacam-se as helmintoses gastrintestinais. Sendo assim, medidas de controle efetivas, tais como o uso de anti-helmínticos corretos, são importantes para a lucratividade na criação de suínos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia do oxibendazol, administrado pela via oral, em suínos (não industrial) naturalmente infectados por nematódeos gastrintestinais, na região de Franca/SP. Para isso, foram selecionados, por meio de exames coproparasitológicos (ovos por grama (OPG > 500) de fezes), 18 suínos naturalmente parasitados por nematódeos gastrintestinais, que foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais: grupo tratado (oxibendazol) e grupo controle. Após o tratamento, os animais foram submetidos à necropsia parasitológica, e os resultados das quantificações de helmintos presentes no trato gastrintestinais indicaram a presença das espécies Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum dentatum e Hyostrongylus rubidus em ordem decrescente de ocorrência. Nos rebanhos suínos brasileiros, os sistemas de produção não tecnificadas podem favorecer a transmissão de helmintos. O tratamento com o oxibendazol obteve eficácia de 100% para as espécies A. suum e H. rubidus, de 99,65% para o O. dentatum e de 99,20% para o T. suis, reduzindo significativamente (P < 0,01) as contagens de helmintos, comprovando que o uso do oxibendazol é eficaz no controle dos principais helmintos de suínos.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle from Unai, Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite that causes infections in animals and humans. The presence of tissue cysts in cattle musculature evidences their epidemiological significance in transmission to humans. The present study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of and risk factors of T. gondii seropositivity in beef cattle in the municipality of Unaí, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Bovine blood samples (n = 612) were collected from 31 herds. Risk factors associated with the animal-level and herd-level seroprevalence were analysed using a questionnaire that investigates the epidemiological aspects of toxoplasmosis. A search for anti-T. gondii antibodies was performed by means of an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Analysis of 612 samples showed 369 animals positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IFAT ≥64), with a seroprevalence of 60.29% (95% confidence interval (CI): 56.35-64.10). The herd-level seroprevalence was 96.77% (95% CI: 79.00-99.58). Applying a multivariate logistic regression analysis, a test of the association between seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and the potential predictors showed that cats (domestic or wild) with access to the drinking water of cattle were a significant (P = 0.001) predictor. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in cattle destined for human consumption is widely distributed throughout the entire study area. Thus, integrated control measures and strategies are suggested to prevent T. gondii infection in cattle.

High prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in beef cattle in Midwestern Brazil.

The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA-IgG) in 3,814 cows aged ≥ 24 months belonging to 353 beef farms in the Mato Grosso state. Additionally, we aimed to identify the possible risk factors associated with seropositivity in Mato Grosso, which encompasses three biomes (Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal) of Brazil. Analysis of 3,814 samples observed that 1,307 animals were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IFA-IgG ≥ 64), with an animal-level seroprevalence of 34.27%. Herd-level seroprevalence was 92.07%. In the animal-level model, cows raised in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes and breed studies on European and Zebu or hybrid were found to be at risk for T. gondii seropositivity. Prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in cows destined for human consumption was found to be widely distributed throughout the entire study area. Further studies are required to assess the impact of beef in the possible transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans residing in the region and establish additional control measures for this protozoan mainly on beef herds raised in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes, where the highest values of seroprevalence were observed.

Risk factor analysis associated with Neospora caninum in dairy cattle in Western Brazilian Amazon.

Neospora caninum is considered to be one of the main causes of abortion among cattle. The present survey was conducted in the municipality of Rolim de Moura, Rondônia State, Brazil. A questionnaire that investigates the epidemiological aspects of neosporosis was used in the analysis of risk factors associated with the animal-level and herd-level prevalence in dairy cattle. A total of 416 bovine blood samples were collected from 30 farms, and N. caninum antibody levels were measured by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). Analysis of dairy cattle serum samples revealed the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies to be 47.36% (n = 197). Risk factors associated with N. caninum infection were the management system and access locations of dogs. The results of the present survey indicated that infection of dairy cattle with N. caninum is widespread in the studied region of Western Amazon, which has implications for prevention and control of neosporosis in this region. Therefore, integrated control strategies and measures are recommended to prevent and control N. caninum infection in dairy cattle. In addition, direct contact between dairy cattle, dogs and wild animals, which can influence the epidemiology of neosporosis, should be investigated further.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in sheep intended for human consumption in the Rondônia state, Western Brazilian Amazon.

The aim of this study was to carry out a seroepidemiological study of anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies in serum samples from sheep intended for human consumption in the Rondônia state, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, and identify possible risk factors associated with seropositivity. The analysis of the 616 sheep serum samples revealed animal-level seroprevalence of T. gondii in the order of 52.4 % and of N. caninum of 60.6 %. Prevalence of co-infections was 33.4 %. The herd-level seroprevalence was 100 % for both the parasites. Applying of multivariate logistic regression analysis, test of the association between seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and the potential predictors showed that feed, fetal malformation, abortion, neurological problems (lambs), presence of rodents were the significant (P < 0.05) predictors. The variables presence of rodents, cats, wild animals and main activity showed statistical association (P < 0.05) with the seroprevalence of N. caninum. Due to the high prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum found in this study, the absence of specific slaughterhouses for sheep and raw or undercooked sheep meat for human consumption we concluded that sheep can represent an important source of infection for humans.

Risk factor analysis associated with Neospora caninum in dairy cattle in Western Brazilian Amazon / Análises de fatores de risco associado a Neospora caninum em gado leiteiro na Amazônia Ocidental Brasileira

Abstract Neospora caninum is considered to be one of the main causes of abortion among cattle. The present survey was conducted in the municipality of Rolim de Moura, Rondônia State, Brazil. A questionnaire that investigates the epidemiological aspects of neosporosis was used in the analysis of risk factors associated with the animal-level and herd-level prevalence in dairy cattle. A total of 416 bovine blood samples were collected from 30 farms, and N. caninum antibody levels were measured by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). Analysis of dairy cattle serum samples revealed the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies to be 47.36% (n = 197). Risk factors associated with N. caninum infection were the management system and access locations of dogs. The results of the present survey indicated that infection of dairy cattle with N. caninum is widespread in the studied region of Western Amazon, which has implications for prevention and control of neosporosis in this region. Therefore, integrated control strategies and measures are recommended to prevent and control N. caninum infection in dairy cattle. In addition, direct contact between dairy cattle, dogs and wild animals, which can influence the epidemiology of neosporosis, should be investigated further.

Resumo A infecção por Neospora caninum é considerada uma das principais causas de aborto entre bovinos. Esta pesquisa foi realizada no município de Rolim de Moura, estado de Rondônia, Brasil. Um questionário que investiga os aspectos epidemiológicos da neosporose foi utilizado na análise dos fatores de risco associados à prevalência em animais e em rebanhos. Um total de 416 amostras de sangue bovino foi colhido em 30 fazendas, e os níveis de anticorpos de N. caninum foram mensurados pela reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). A análise das amostras mostrou prevalência de anticorpos contra N. caninum de 47,36% (n = 197). Os fatores de risco associados à infecção por N. caninum foram o sistema de manejo e os locais de acesso dos cães. Os resultados da presente pesquisa indicam que a infecção de bovinos leiteiros com N. caninum está disseminada na região estudada da Amazônia Ocidental, o que tem implicações para a prevenção e controle da neosporose nessa região. Portanto, estratégias e medidas de controle integrado são recomendadas para prevenir e controlar a infecção por N. caninum em gado leiteiro. Além disso, o contato íntimo entre gado leiteiro, cães e animais selvagens, pode influenciar a epidemiologia da neosporose e deve ser investigada mais detalhadamente.