Cryptosporidium pig genotype II diagnosed in pigs from the state of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Pigs may represent a source of Cryptosporidium sp. infection to humans. The objective of this study was to identify the Cryptosporidium species present in pigs from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and verify what risks pigs represent in the transmission of human cryptosporidiosis, because there is no such information to date in Brazil. Ninety-one samples of pig feces were collected from 10 piggeries in 2 municipalities located in the north and northwest regions of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol to amplify an 830-bp fragment of the small subunit rDNA (SSU rRNA) gene was followed by sequencing of all positive PCR samples. Two samples (2.2%) were Cryptosporidium sp. positive and were identified as pig genotype type II (PGII). This genotype has been observed in an immunocompetent person, in cattle without pigs nearby, and from a potential human source. Its potential for zoonotic transmission is little known and should be rigorously studied.     

Hepatitis B infection among patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a low endemicity in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sexual transmission must play an important role in this virus, but the prevalence and risk factors have never been properly investigated. The aim of this paper is to determine the prevalence and risk factors for HBV infection in patients attending a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic of the Universidade Federal Fluminense, from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In a retrospective study, HBV seroprevalence was investigated in 440 patients. Serum of each patient was assayed for antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). Demographic and risk factor data were extracted from clinic notes. The overall seroprevalence of exposure markers for HBV (anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HBs) were 13%, 3.4% and 8.5% respectively. Homo/bisexual behaviour, anal intercourse, HIV infection, positive serology for syphilis and blood transfusion were predictors of the HBV exposure. Among demographic data, age and place of birth were associated with the anti-HBc seropositivity.     

Seroepidemiological studies of HIV-1 infection in large Brazilian cities

The prevalence of HIV-1 antibodies in selected groups of individuals from Rio de Janeiro, S?o Paulo and Santos was determined retrospectively. These groups and respective prevalences were: hemophiliac patients from Rio de Janeiro (1983-1984) 98.0%; polytransfused hemodialysis patients from S?o Paulo (1985-1986) 3.0% and (1987) 7.7%; intravenous drug addicts from S?o Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (1986-1987) 15.9%; male prisoners from S?o Paulo (1988) 12.5%, and pregnant women from Santos (1988-1989) 3.6%. These data stress the magnitude of AIDS in Brazil.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs, sheep, goats, and cattle from Grenada and Carriacou, West Indies

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in Grenada is considered high. Little is known of the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in Caribbean Islands. Serum samples of 750 food animals in Grenada and Carriacou were tested for antibodies to T. gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT, 1∶25 or higher) were found in 23.1% of 247 pigs, 44.1% of 204 sheep, 42.8% of 180 goats, and 8.4% of 119 cattle. Seroprevalence increased with age, indicating postnatal acquisition of T. gondii. Antibody titers of 1∶200 or higher were present in 65 of 90 seropositive sheep, 61 of 77 seropositive goats, and 23 of 57 seropositive pigs. However, none of the cattle had a MAT titer of 1∶200, suggesting that bovines are a poor host for T. gondii. Results indicate that pigs, sheep, and goats could be important sources of T. gondii infection if their meat is consumed undercooked.     

Influence of leptospirosis on reproductive performance of sows in Brazil

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between seropositivity for the most frequent Leptospira serovars and reproductive losses in sows in Brazil. Serum samples from 351 sows from 18 herds (in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) with low reproductive efficiency were tested (microscopic agglutination) for antibodies against serovars of Leptospira. Antibodies were detected in serum samples of 66.1% of all sows, most frequently serovar icterohaemorrhagiae (43.1%), followed by pomona (18.1%) and tarassovi (9.9%). Seroreactivity to icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona were associated (P<0.05) with impaired reproductive performance (and substantial economic loss). Seroreactivity for pomona was associated (P<0.05) with stillborn piglets and mummified fetuses, whereas seroreactivity to icterohaemorrhagiae was associated (P<0.05) with the number of piglets born dead.     

mtDNA ancestry of Rio de Janeiro population,Brazil

Polymorphism studies concerning HVI and HVII regions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have improved the understanding of the admixture genetic process related to the occupation of the continents by human population groups. We have analyzed the mtDNA lineages of 190 healthy and maternally unrelated individuals born in the metropolitan region of the Rio de Janeiro city, the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. The data showing that 57.9, 25.3 and 16.8 % of the matrilineages found in Rio de Janeiro come from African, Amerindian and European population groups. They are, respectively, in close agreement with historical records which indicate that the admixture population of Brazil is the resulting of interethnic asymmetry crosses between individuals from those population groups. The high proportion of African mtDNA lineages in the population of Rio de Janeiro is in accordance with studies related to other Brazilian states.     

An overview of mammalian conservation at Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, southeastern Brazil

Atlantic Forest mammals are still poorly known and very few localities have been properly surveyed and/or studied. Protected reserves are of paramount importance for the conservation of native flora and fauna. Hereby we provide a survey of mammals captured and/or observed in Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, the largest lowland Atlantic Forest reserve in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. A total of 77 species were recorded, several of them endemics and/or listed as threatened either by IUCN's Red List, by the Brazilian Red List or by the regional Red List of Rio de Janeiro State. Mammals are threatened in several ways in this area: (1) habitat loss and fragmentation, (2) road mortality, (3) fires, (4) poaching, (5) cattle grazing, (6) pollution, (7) exotic species, and (8) feral populations of dogs Canis familiaris and cats Felis catus. Despite all threats, this is an important site for biodiversity conservation and scientific research. Better management and more investment would surely improve its effectiveness in protecting Atlantic Forest mammals.     

GEOGRAPHIC GENETIC STRUCTURE IN THE FRANCISCANA DOLPHIN (PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLEI)

The franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei , is endemic to the South Atlantic coast of South America. The species is of conservation concern because it suffers elevated mortality rates due to incidental captures in fishing nets, and perhaps it is one of the most threatened small cetaceans in this region. Previous morphological and genetic studies have suggested the existence of at least two distinct stocks to the north and south of Santa Catarina Island in Brazil. Fixed differences were found between a sample from Rio de Janeiro and one from Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. Using 94 sequences of the control region of mitochondrial DNA, we examined the genetic structure of the species. We found no shared haplotypes between Rio de Janeiro and samples from the southern range of the species distribution. However, a phylogenetic analysis suggests that the former population is diphyletic with respect to the southern samples. This suggests that the populations have not been isolated long enough to reach reciprocal monophyly. Furthermore, genetic differentiation is broadly consistent with a simple model of isolation by distance, that therefore appears as an alternative to a model of strict isolation of two stocks. The estimated levels of gene flow are higher among neighboring populations, and decrease as more distant localities are compared. Finally, the molecular data suggest that franciscanas have expanded in Rio de Janeiro.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in chickens from an area in southern Brazil highly endemic to humans

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens from Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, was examined to evaluate environmental contamination by oocysts. Antibodies against T. gondii were assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) in sera of chickens. Antibodies against the parasite were found in 129 of 198 chickens with MAT titers > or = 1:25. Brains and hearts of 86 of the 198 chickens were bioassayed in mice for the presence of T. gondii. Viable parasites were isolated from 61 (70.9%) of the 86 chickens. Importantly, viable T. gondii were recovered even from seronegative chickens (MAT titer < or = 1:10). The distribution of parasite-positive chickens by MAT titer was 4 of 17 (titer < or = 1:10), 3 of 4 (titer of 1:20), 2 of 6 (titer of 1:40), and 52 of 59 (titer > or = 1:80). Thus, the high recovery rate of T. gondii observed in mice is indicative of high levels of environmental contamination of free-range chickens by T. gondii oocysts in this area that is endemic to humans.     

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium andersoni in Brazilian cattle

Feces were collected from 68 dairy cattle, 1 to 12 mo of age, on 12 farms in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. All samples were subjected to molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) of the 18S rRNA. Four positive samples (4.54%) were sequenced and identified as Cryptosporidium andersoni. This species represents a risk for Brazilian cattle because infection can affect cattle productivity. Moreover, C. andersoni is considered a zoonotic species.     

Hepatitis E virus infection in selected Brazilian populations

A retrospective study on the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection was conducted in selected populations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 1,115 subjects were tested including 146 patients with acute Non-A Non-B Non-C (NANBNC) viral hepatitis, 65 hemodialysis patients, 93 blood donors, 102 intravenous drug users (IVDUs), 304 pregnant women, 145 individuals living in the rural area and 260 individuals living in the urban area. In order to characterize a favorable epidemiological set for enterically transmitted infection in the studied populations we also evaluated the prevalence of anti-HAV IgG (hepatitis A virus) antibodies. Specific antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV IgG) were detected by a commercial EIA and specific antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV IgG) were detected using a competitive "in house" EIA. We found a high prevalence of anti-HAV IgG in these populations, that could indicate some risk for infections transmitted via the fecal-oral route. The anti-HEV IgG prevalence among the different groups were: 2.1% in patients with acute NANBNC viral hepatitis, 6.2% in hemodialysis patients, 4.3% in blood donors, 11.8% in IVDUs, 1% in pregnant women, and 2.1% in individuals form the rural area. Among individuals living in the urban area we did not find a single positive serum sample. Our results demonstrated the presence of anti-HEV IgG in almost all studied populations; however, further studies are necessary to establish the real situation of HEV epidemiology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.     

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 tracks early interstate transmission of P.1 lineage and diversification within P.2 clade in Brazil

The sharp increase of COVID-19 cases in late 2020 has made Brazil the new epicenter of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The novel viral lineages P.1 (Variant of Concern Gamma) and P.2, respectively identified in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Rio de Janeiro, have been associated with potentially higher transmission rates and antibody neutralization escape. In this study, we performed the whole-genome sequencing of 185 samples isolated from three out of the five Brazilian regions, including Amazonas (North region), Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Bahia (Northeast region), and Rio de Janeiro (Southeast region) in order to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Brazil in the first months of 2021. Here, we showed a widespread dispersal of P.1 and P.2 across Brazilian regions and, except for Amazonas, P.2 was the predominant lineage identified in the sampled states. We estimated the origin of P.2 lineage to have happened in February, 2020 and identified that it has differentiated into new clades. Interstate transmission of P.2 was detected since March, but reached its peak in December, 2020 and January, 2021. Transmission of P.1 was also high in December and its origin was inferred to have happened in August 2020. We also confirmed the presence of lineage P.7, recently described in the southernmost region of Brazil, to have spread across the Northeastern states. P.1, P.2 and P.7 are descended from the ancient B.1.1.28 strain, which co-dominated the first phase of the pandemic in Brazil with the B.1.1.33 strain. We also identified the occurrence of a new lineage descending from B.1.1.33 that convergently carries the E484K mutation, N.9. Indeed, the recurrent report of many novel SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Brazil could be due to the absence of effective control measures resulting in high SARS-CoV2 transmission rates. Altogether, our findings provided a landscape of the critical state of SARS-CoV-2 across Brazil and confirm the need to sustain continuous sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 isolates worldwide in order to identify novel variants of interest and monitor for vaccine effectiveness.     

Seroepidemiological study of herpes simplex virus type 2 in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and to evaluate its association with age, sex as well as other demographic and behavioural factors in 150 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive adults patients attending the general medical outpatient ward for routine care of Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Serum samples were screened for HSV-2 antibodies using an indirect ELISA. Eighty-three patients were men (mean age: 38.8) and 67 were women (mean age: 35.4). The estimated prevalence of HSV-2 was 52% (95% CI: 44-60%) and it was higher among men (53%) than among women (50.7%). Overall, the age of first sexual intercourse and past history of genital herpes were associated with HSV-2 seropositivity. Analysis by gender disclosed significant association of number of lifetime sex partners only among men. Although HSV-2 antibodies were frequent in the study group, genital herpes was reported by 21.8% of the HSV-2 positive subjects, indicating low awareness of the HSV-2 infection. These results may have public health importance for Brazil as the high rate of HSV-2 infection may act as a cofactor of HIV transmission.     

Toxoplasma gondii isolates of free-ranging chickens from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: mouse mortality, genotype, and oocyst shedding by cats

Most isolates of Toxoplasma gondii can be grouped into 3 genetic lineages. In the present study, 67 isolates of T. gondii were obtained by bioassay in mice inoculated with brains and hearts of 96 asymptomatic chickens from an area highly endemic to human infection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Of the 48 isolates genotyped using the SAG2 locus, 34 (70%) were of type I and 13 (27%) were of type III. No isolate of type II was recovered. Isolates from 1 chicken contained a type I and type III mixed infection, indicating natural multiparasite infection in the same animal. Cats fed mice infected with 11 type I strains shed 19-535 million oocysts in their feces, indicating that type I isolates can circulate in the environment.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered pigs in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

The object of this study was to investigate Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and parasite DNA in pigs in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 305 slaughtered pigs in 11 municipalities, and their sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, cutoff 1:64); 38 (12.5%) samples were positive. Attempts were made to detect T. gondii DNA in the heart tissue of seropositive pigs using the B 1 gene and PCR; 21 (55.2%) of the 38 hearts were positive. This is the first detection of T. gondii DNA in tissues of serologically positive swine in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil.     

Cystic fibrosis: low frequency of DF508 mutation in 2 population samples from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Blood samples from 44 unrelated cystic fibrosis (CF) patients from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed for the 8 European CF mutations. Six homozygous and 15 heterozygous carriers of the DF508 mutation were found, corresponding to 47.7% of CF patients (allele frequency 0.3068). The G542X and G551D mutations were also observed with allele frequencies of 0.0227 and 0.0114, respectively. An analysis of the DF508 mutation in 291 randomly chosen, healthy individuals was performed, and only 3 heterozygous carriers were identified. These results show that the frequency of the DF508 allele in Rio de Janeiro is much lower than the world average; this may be due to the extremely heterogeneous ethnic admixture of the study population. By combining the results of these 2 different samples (CF patients and random population) and admixture data from Rio de Janeiro, we can estimate the CF incidence in this population to be 1:3542 individuals. However, taking into account the Rio de Janeiro ethnic admixture, we can find an estimate of 1:6902 individuals.     

Aedes aegypti resistance to temephos during 2001 in several municipalities in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Sergipe, and Alagoas, Brazil

For more than 30 years temephos, an organophosphate insecticide, has been the sole larvicide used in Brazil in the control of Aedes aegypti. Organophosphates were also used for adult control, being replaced by pyrethroids since 1999. In this same year the Brazilian Health Foundation started the coordination of the Ae. aegypti Insecticide Resistance Monitoring Program. In the context of this program, our group was responsible for the detection of temephos resistance in a total of 12 municipalities in the states of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Alagoas (AL), and Sergipe (SE) during 2001. In each municipality, a pool of mosquitoes collected from different districts was used, with the exception of Rio de Janeiro city, where eight districts have been separately evaluated. Exposure of larvae to the diagnostic dose of temephos revealed resistance in all localities examined, with mortality levels ranging from 4% (Pilares district, Rio de Janeiro, RJ) to 61.9% (Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ). Quantification of mortality showed resistance ratios from 6.1 (Aracaju, SE) to 16.8 (S?o Gon?alo, RJ and Penha district, Rio de Janeiro, RJ). The national dengue control program is presently using these data to subside insecticide resistance management.     

Neue Arten der neotropischen Gattung Neolindus Scheerpeltz (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae)

New species of the neotropical genus Neolindus Scheerpeltz (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). Five new species of the neotropical genus Neolindus from the Peruvian Amazon region and from Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) are described.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered pigs and cattle in Liaoning Province, northeastern China

Toxoplasmosis is an important food-borne parasitic disease. In the present study, the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered pigs and cattle was surveyed in Liaoning Province, northeastern China in May and June 2011. In total, 1,164 porcine serum samples and 646 bovine serum samples were collected from 5 counties and examined for T. gondii antibodies by an indirect hemagglutination test. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 12.0% (140/1,164) of pigs, with some regional differences. The highest prevalence of 14.4% (47/326) was found in Fuxin followed by 12.5% (62/497) in Jinzhou; overall, 6.0% (39/646) was observed in cattle but with no regional difference (P > 0.05). Prevalence of T. gondii infection in pigs was also significantly higher compared to cattle (P < 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that infection with T. gondii in pigs and cattle is widely spread in China including Liaoning Province, northeastern China, and is, therefore, of public health concern.