American visceral leishmaniasis: disease control strategies in dracen microregion in alta paulista, SP, Brazil

Despite measures adopted to control American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL), the disease is spreading in a fast and worrying way throughout western São Paulo state. The aim of this work was to study the variables involved in the disease cycle as well as the effectiveness of controlling measures. The study was carried out in the microregion of Dracena, which is composed of twelve cities and belongs to Alta Paulista, a region of western São Paulo. The necessary data were provided by the Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control and Adolfo Lutz Institute, Regional Laboratory of Presidente Prudente. From August 2005 to January 2008, the following factors were observed: detection of phlebotomine sandflies in the cities and periods in which dogs or humans were diagnosed; number of human deaths; prevalence of suspected dogs tested by serology; percentage of euthanasia in suspected dogs; a possible correlation between positive dogs and cases of the disease in humans; and the disease prevalence among municipalities from the studied region. It was verified that, despite the strategies adopted in Dracena microregion to control AVL, the disease continues to rise. Thus, some procedures of the AVL Monitoring and Control Program should be reviewed, to grant the initiative more credibility and effectiveness.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-neospora caninum em fêmeas bubalinas da região oeste do estado de são paulo

ABSTRACT Serum samples from 404 females water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were tested to verify the occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in 5 counties in the west region of São Paulo State, Brazil. The technique used was indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), with initial dilutions of 1:100. AntiNeospora caninum antibodies were observed in 38.1% (154/404) of the samples, and antibody titers ranged from 100 to 12,800. The frequency observed among the counties ranged from 16.2% to 61.4% (P 0.05). Animals from Lucelia County older than 5 years of age presented higher antibody frequencies (P 0.05). These results are a warning signal for N. caninum infection in water buffaloes in the west region of São Paulo State.

RESUMO Foram testadas 404 amostras de soro de fêmeas bubalinas (Bubalus bubalis) para se verificar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em rebanhos oriundos de cinco municípios da região oeste do Estado de São Paulo. Empregou-se a técnica da Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI), na diluição inicial de 1:100. Foram observados anticorpos antiNeospora caninum em 38,1% (154/404) dos soros testados, com títulos de anticorpos variando de 100 a 12.800. A frequência de animais sororeagentes observada entre os municípios variaram de 16,2 a 61,4% (P 0,05). A faixa etária dos animais soropositivos apresentou diferença significativa no Município de Lucélia, onde as vacas com idade superior a 5 anos apresentaram maior frequência de infecção (P 0,05). Esses resultados alertam para a presença da infecção em bubalinos da região Oeste do Estado de São Paulo.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-neospora caninum em bovinos leiteiros e de corte da região de presidente prudente, sp / Occurrence of antibodies anti-neorospora caninum in dairy and beef cattle in the region of presidente prudente, sp, brazil

RESUMO O Neospora caninum é considerado um agente de prioridade de estudo em reprodução animal em todo mundo, pelos distúrbios reprodutivos que afetam os bovinos. No Brasil, os estudos iniciais desta infecção são baseados em levantamentos soroepidimeológicos regionais. Sendo assim, amostras de soros sanguíneos de 505 de bovinos de corte da raça Nelore e de 408 bovinos leiteiros da raça Holstein localizados na região de Presidente Prudente, SP, Brasil, foram analisadas pelo teste imunoenzimático (ELISA). A ocorrência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum para o gado leiteiro foi de 35,54% (145/408) e 20,0% (101/505) para o gado de corte. A análise dos resultados mostra que há evidência de infecção de N. caninum nos rebanhos da região, sendo a ocorrência significativamente maior em rebanhos leiteiros (p < 0,01).

ABSTRACT Neospora caninum is considered one of the most important world wideagents that affect the bovine reproductive tract. In Brazil the initial studies of this infection were based on regional soroepidemiologic data. So, blood serum samples of 505 Nelore beef cattle and 408 of Holstein dairy cattle located in the region of Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil were analysed using the immunoenzymatic ELISA test. The occurrence of antibodies anti-Neorospora caninum for dairy cattle was 35.54% (145/408) and 20.0% (101/505) for the beef cattle. The analysis of the results revealed evidence of N. caninum infection in the herds of this region, which was significatively higher in dairy cattle (p < 0.01).

Amblyomma calcaratum parasitando tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) em São Paulo

Ocurrence of Amblyomma calcaratum parasitizing giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is described in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.