Serologic Detection of Coccidioidomycosis Antibodies in Northeast Brazil

Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic infection caused by Coccidioides spp. The disease is endemic in Brazil but its incidence is underreported as it is not a notifiable disease. This article presents the results of a serologic survey carried out with 229 volunteers in northeast Brazil by the immunodiffusion (ID) test with commercial Coccidioides spp. antigens. The commercial ID test detected 15 individuals without clinical diagnosis of the disease and two individuals in treatment for coccidioidomycosis. Regarding the epidemiological data, most of the positive individuals were male, between 18 and 65 years of age and were engaged in armadillo hunting. Three women who had never participated in armadillo hunts also displayed positive results for coccidioidal antibodies. Besides armadillo hunts, exposure to environmental dust in endemic areas may account for the serologic response detected in the study. The data from this study suggest the importance of performing epidemiological surveys for coccidioidomycosis in order to understand the prevalence of this disease in Brazil.     

Human toxocariasis: a seroepidemiological survey in schoolchildren of Sorocaba, Brazil

A seroepidemiological survey for toxocariasis, among 180 schoolchildren of the public schools of Sorocaba City, state of S?o Paulo, Brazil, was carried out from August 2000 to July 2001. ELISA test was performed using excretory and secretory antigens for the detection of IgG anti-Toxocara antibodies. Information regarding the children was obtained from the parents or legal guardians. The results showed that the mean age was 5.4 +/- 1.4 years, the infection coefficient (IC) was 38.3 and the infection risk was higher among the children living in the city outskirts (IC = 47.4) where the socioeconomic conditions were worse than in the central region of the city (IC = 11.1). There was an association between higher frequency of seroreactivity in the ELISA test and the condition of living in a house with a yard and/or unpaved street. The same was observed in relation to a history of enteroparasitism. There was also an association between a seronegative ELISA test and previous treatment of pet dogs and/or cats with vermifuge. Based on these results, the authors propose that public health programs should include anthelmintic for dogs and cats during the antirabies vaccination campaigns, in order to diminish environmental contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs and consequently human infection.     

Serologic evidence of human metapneumovirus circulation in Uruguay

First identified in 2001, the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), is a respiratory tract pathogen that affects young children, elderly, and immunocompromised patients. The present work represents the first serologic study carried out in Uruguay. It was performed with the purpose of obtaining serological evidence of hMPV circulation in Uruguay and to contribute to the few serologic reports described until now. Sixty nine serum samples collected between 1998 and 2001 by vein puncture from patients without respiratory symptoms or underlying pathology aged 6 days to 60 years were examined using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The global seropositivity rate of the samples was 80% (55/69). Rates of 60% (15/25) and 91% (40/44) were observed for the pediatric and adult cohorts, respectively. Results obtained from a longitudinal analysis of 6 children aged 6 days to 18 months are discussed. These results are a clear evidence of hMPV circulation in Uruguay, at least since 1998, and reinforce the previous data on worldwide circulation of this virus.     

Serologic evidence of hantavirus infection in sigmodontine rodents in Mexico

Antibodies to hantaviruses in two species of sigmodontine rodents (Peromyscus maniculatus and Reithrodontomys sumichrasti) collected in central Mexico are reported. Peromyscus maniculatus, a common species throughout much of Mexico, is the reservoir of Sin Nombre virus (SNV), the etiologic agent of the great majority of cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in North America. Although the identity of the virus detected in P. maniculatus in Mexico could not be determined by these serologic results, our findings suggest that SNV may occur throughout the range of P. maniculatus in North America. If true, the failure to identify HPS in Mexico is not due to the absence of pathogenic hantaviruses in Mexico.     

Erythrocytary zinc and the infant growth profile in northeast Brazil

This study evaluated nutritional status linked to zinc levels in 239 randomly selected children at crèches in Teresina, Brazil, aged 3 to 6. Blood samples were collected after fasting of 10 h. Erythrocytary zinc levels were determined through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zinc deficiency was determined as below 40 microg Zn/g Hb. Infant linear growth was evaluated measuring weight and height, and nutritional status by height/age, weight/height, and weight/age indices, expressed as Z scores, in line with the National Center for Health Statistics. The mean zinc concentration was 35.50 +/- 10.95 microg Zn/g Hb. Zinc distribution in the 10, 50, 75, and 90 percentiles was 24.73 microg Zn/g Hb, 35.45 microg Zn/g Hb, 40.73 microg Zn/g Hb and 52.77 microg Zn/g Hb, respectively. Based on this distribution, normal values were found only from the 75th percentile and above. Since the cutoff point adopted was 40 microg Zn/g Hb, the prevalence of zinc deficiency was 74.3%. As for growth profile, 8.4% were chronically malnourished, although the statistical association between linear impairment and nutritional status regarding zinc was insignificant. The study revealed that an important segment of the infant population was mineral deficient; however, the degree of deficiency did not influence growth profiles.     

Serologic evidence of arboviral infections in white-tailed deer from central Wisconsin

A survey conducted during 1979-1980 on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in central Wisconsin revealed serological evidence of infection by selected arboviruses. Among sera from 41 deer, antibody was detected for Jamestown Canyon virus (56%) and Bunyamwera group virus (80%), demonstrating their continuing endemic activity. Antibody for La Crosse virus, not found previously in sera from deer in central Wisconsin, also was detected (5%) in this study.     

Serologic and molecular evidence of Ehrlichia spp. in coyotes in California

In order to determine the role of coyotes in the epidemiology of granulocytic and monocytic ehrlichial agents in California (USA), we tested 149 serum samples for antibodies against Ehrlichia equi, E. risticii, and E. canis, using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to survey for the presence of members of the E. phagocytophila genogroup, E. risticii and E. canis in blood samples of 95 coyotes. Sixty-eight (46%) samples were seropositive for E. equi, two (1%) for E. risticii and none of the samples had antibodies reactive to E. canis. Two and one coyote were positive for E. risticii and members of the E. phagocytophila genogroup by PCR assay, respectively. In contrast, the 95 samples were negative for E. canis by PCR. Ninety-five percent of the 68 E. equi seropositive coyotes and the one coyote PCR positive for members of the E. phagocytophila genogroup originated from a coastal area. However, the two E. risticii seropositive coyotes and the two coyotes PCR positive for E. risticii were from northern California. Sequence analysis of the three amplified PCR products revealed the agent to be similar in two coyotes to the sequences of E. risticii from horses originating from northern California and identical in one coyote to the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis and E. equi from California. Thus, coyotes are exposed to granulocytic ehrlichiae and E. risticii and may play a role in the epidemiology of these ehrlichial agents in California.     

Serologic evidence of arbovirus infections in humans and wild animals in Alaska

Blood samples were collected from humans and several species of free-ranging wild animals in Alaska. Sera were tested for antibody to Jamestown Canyon (JC), snowshoe hare (SSH), Northway (NOR), Klamath (KLA), Sakhalin (SAK), Great Island (GI), and Silverwater (SIL) virus. JC antibody was found in 54% of 121 human, 89% of 97 bison (Bison bison), 51% of 84 Dall sheep (Ovis dalli), 43% of 68 snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), and 3% of 33 arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) sera. SSH antibody was found in 42% of 121 human, 89% of 97 bison, 41% of 84 Dall sheep, and 65% of 68 snowshoe hare sera. NOR antibody was found in 14% of 121 human, 94% of 97 bison, 84% of 84 Dall sheep, 43% of 69 caribou (Rangifer tarandus), 3% of 68 snowshoe hare, 48% of 64 grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), 3% of 33 arctic fox, and 78% of 27 moose (Alces alces) sera. KLA antibody was found in 5% of 121 human and 40% of 97 bison sera. SAK antibody was found in 2% of 97 bison and 3% of 33 arctic fox sera. GI antibody was found in 1% of 97 bison sera. No SIL antibody was found in any sera tested. Thus the natural host ranges of JC, SSH, NOR, and KLA viruses have been extended by inference from the occurrence of antibody.     

Vibrio parahaemolyticus serovar O3:K6 gastroenteritis in northeast Brazil

Aims:  To examine the virulence factors and the genetic relationship isolates of the serogroup O3 of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in outbreaks of diarrhoea in the northeast region of Brazil.
Methods and Results:  Eighteen samples of the O3:K6 and O3:KUT serotypes of V. parahaemolyticus were analysed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) for detection of the tl , tdh and trh genes, by random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using two primers, and by amplification of the rDNA 16S–23S region. The gene tl was amplified in all the samples, tdh in 16 while trh in none; amplification of rDNA 16S–23S generated only one profile; each RAPD primer produced two amplification patterns allowing grouping two tdh ^– Kanagawa-negative isolates.
Conclusions:  V. parahaemolyticus with characteristics of the pandemic clone appears to be widely disseminated in the studied region. Because of the genetic uniformity of the isolates, elucidation of outbreaks or tracking the source of contamination by the present molecular techniques seems useless.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Detection of V. parahaemolyticus with virulence potential of pandemic clone from two outbreaks and from several isolated gastroenteritis cases points out the need for inclusion of this micro-organism in the Brazilian routine monitoring of the diarrhoeas for elucidation of their aetiology.     

Serologic evidence of bunyamwera group arbovirus infections in Wisconsin and texas deer

Sera of 81 white-tailed deer from south Texas and 283 white-tailed deer from Wisconsin were tested for neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to arboviruses of the Bunyamwera group. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in 100% of the Texas deer sera and hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies were detected in 61% of those sera collected in 1969 and 78% of those sera collected in 1963. The prevalence of both neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies in Wisconsin deer sera varied from 72-100% and 42-79% respectively depending on the geographic area tested in the years 1963 and 1969.     

Melissopalynology in an area of Atlantic Forest (northeast region,Brazil)

Apis mellifera is a bee that was introduced to Brazil and has adapted very well to the climate conditions and vast diversity of plants that exist in the country. In the northeast region of Brazil, beekeepers make use of the association between bees and plants by selling various bee products, notably honey. One way to identify species visited by bees in an area is by the pollen in its products. Based on this, 16 samples of honey were analysed, which were collected over a period of two years and obtained from an apiary in the Atlantic Forest biome in the municipality of Entre Rios (Bahia). In addition, climatic data (precipitation and temperature) of the region were obtained for the months sampled. The average temperature of the region during the collection months varied from 22 to 28 °C. The highest precipitation recorded in the region was 133.7 mm³ and the lowest was 0.3 mm³. Seventy pollen types were found. The family Fabaceae was notable, with ten pollen types, of which Mimosa pudica was the most important with a high frequency of occurrence and distribution. The Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) pollen type also had a high frequency of occurrence and distribution. In addition, pollen types corresponding to species that supply nectar to bees were identified, which contributes to the large diversity of bee plants for Apis mellifera in the study area.     

Serologic evidence of West Nile virus infection in patients with exanthema in Hungary

The presence of WNV in Europe has been well known for decades, although the first human infections and avian outbreaks were diagnosed in Hungary only in 2003. An annual average of 6-8 cases of the neuroinvasive form of WNV infection has been detected in the region since then, but a higher number (17) of WNV associated neuroinvasive disease occurred in 2008. In 2004, a surveillance system was established for monitoring WNV-associated meningo-encephalitis cases in Hungary, but a milder type of illness (with fever, rash and/or influenza like symptoms) is not followed. Fifty-two sera of 45 patients with mild clinical symptoms (fever, exanthema) were tested for anti-WNV antibodies in 2008 in a retrospective study by immunofluorescence test and ELISA. Seven patients had antibodies against WNV, serologic evidence of recent WNV infection was found in 4 out of the 7 patients. Infections could be acquired predominantly in August and in September, which seems to be a risk period for WNV in Hungary. The possibility of a recent WNV infection should be taken into consideration in the occurrence of fever and rush at late summer. Differential diagnosis of exanthematous patients should include WNV serology tests and should be done routinely.     

Effects of forest degradation on the sand fly communities of northeast Brazil

The richness and abundance of sand fly species were studied in northeastern Brazil in areas of leishmaniasis transmission. The study was carried out in two forest areas with different deforestation times for agricultural and livestock activities: one modified by long‐term settlement (more than 50 years of occupation) and another less impacted by short‐term settlement (10 years). The sand flies were captured with CDC light traps from 18:00 to 06:00 for three consecutive nights, once a month, from May, 2012 to April, 2014. The study captured 21,708 specimens and also 33 species of Lutzomyia and two of Brumptomyia. Species richness and abundance were higher in the more conserved area of short‐term occupation (31 species; 61.7%) than in the more degraded area with long‐term occupation (17 species; 38.3%). In the most conserved area, the species richness was higher in the forest fragment than in the rural settlement, whereas in the degraded area the richness was higher in the peri‐domicile than in the forest. The diversity was higher in the degraded area forest. There were significant statistical differences when comparing the means of total abundance with the intra‐domicile, peri‐domicile, and forest environments. The average abundance was statistically higher in the peri‐domicile compared to the forest (p = 0.009), but there were no statistically significant differences between intra‐domicile‐peri‐domicile (p = 0.11) and forest‐intra‐domicile (p = 0.87). In conclusion, a change in vegetation cover negatively affects the richness and abundance of sand flies in the natural environment.     

Serologic survey of West Nile virus in horses from Central-West,Northeast and Southeast Brazil

Since the emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in North America in 1999, there have been several reports of WNV activity in Central and South American countries. To detect WNV in Brazil, we performed a serological survey of horses from different regions of Brazil using recombinant peptides from domain III of WNV. Positive samples were validated with the neutralisation test. Our results showed that of 79 ELISA-positive horses, nine expressed WNV-specific neutralising antibodies. Eight of the infected horses were from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and one was from the state of Paraíba. Our results provide additional evidence for the emergence of WNV in Brazil and for its circulation in multiple regions of the country.