Fatal toxoplasmosis in a southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) from São Paulo state,Brazil: Pathological,immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization

We report the pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of fatal acute systemic toxoplasmosis in an adult, female, free‐living southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) from São Paulo state, Brazil. PCR‐RFLP genotyping analysis identified the #21 genotype of Toxoplasma gondii. This represents the first report of acute toxoplasmosis involving this genotype in humans and animals.     

Molecular typing and occurrence of beta‐lactam resistance genes of Shigella sonnei strains isolated from 1983 to 2014 in the São Paulo state of Brazil

Shigella sonnei , which has generally been associated with dysentery in developed countries, has recently been emerging in developing countries. Specifically, in Brazil few published studies have that molecularly characterized this species. The aims of this study were to analyze the efficacy of typing using multiple‐locus variable‐number tandem‐repeat analysis (MLVA), study the phylogeny by multi‐locus sequence typing (MLST) and assess the presence of some beta‐lactam resistance genes in S. sonnei strains isolated from human diarrhoeic faeces in the São Paulo State in Brazil between 1983 and 2014. Seventy‐two such S. sonnei strains were typed by MLVA and grouped into two clusters. The discrimination index of MLVA was found to be 0.996. Twenty strains were typed by MLST as ST152. In addition, the bla _TEM gene was detected in eight (72.7%) of the 11 S. sonnei strains that had previously been shown to be resistant to β‐lactams. However, bla _{CTX‐M‐1group}, bla _{CTX‐M‐9group} and bla _SHV genes were not found. MLVA results suggested the existence of two prevalent subtypes in the S. sonnei strains studied, confirming previous results. Moreover, MLVA efficiently discriminated monomorphic S. sonnei species. Because the S. sonnei strains studied belonged to clonal complex 152 and all isolates were typed as ST152, MLST is not a suitable method for studying the population structure of S. sonnei . Although, the rates of β‐lactam resistance were not high in the present study, the frequency of bla _TEM may represent a risk for patients receiving antimicrobial treatment. Taken together, the results provide better molecular characterization of this globally clinically important pathogen.

     

Hisonotus devidei,a new species from the São Francisco basin,Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

A recent expedition to headwaters of the Rio Pandeiros, a left‐bank tributary of the Rio São Francisco revealed the presence of a fourth species of Hisonotus from that basin. Hisonotus devidei sp. nov. differs from congeners by the presence of conspicuous dark blotches of distinct shapes irregularly arranged along lateral and dorsal surfaces of the body and scattered throughout all fins, by possessing small plates in lateral portions of the abdomen and adjacent areas between pelvic fins without development of dermal plates and by morphometric ratios. The putative phylogenetic placement of the new species is discussed based on morphological comparisons with species of related Hypoptopomatinae genera and the Hisonotus species diversity within the Rio São Francisco Basin is compared with that of adjacent basins.     

Reproductive biology of the guitarfish Rhinobatos percellens (Chondrichthyes,Rhinobatidae) from the São Paulo Coast,Brazil, western South Atlantic Ocean

The reproductive biology of the guitarfish Rhinobatos percellens was studied from 751 specimens caught by bottom pair trawlers off the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, between c. 24° 00′ S; 45° 15′ W and c. 25° 10′ S; 47° 52′ W, from September 2007 to August 2009. The total length (L_T) and total mass (M_T) relationship for males and females combined was M_T = 1·29E‐06 L_T^3·15 (r = 0·99, n = 751). The mean L_T of sexually mature specimens was 548 mm for males and 583 mm for females. Clasper growth was allometric and showed three distinct phases. Most claspers were calcified in specimens of c. 550 mm L_T. The mean diameter of the largest oocyte was 29·8 mm, the mean ovarian fecundity was seven oocytes and ovulation occurred between August and November. Uterine fecundity ranged from two to 13 embryos (mean of five embryos). Larger females had higher litter sizes and larger embryos; the size‐at‐birth was c. 200 mm L_T. The hepato‐somatic index oscillated seasonally for males and females; the gonado‐somatic index had little variation in males, but varied seasonally in females. The presence of many non‐pregnant adult females and of encapsulated eggs during two consecutive seasons suggests a resting period between gestations and the possibility of diapause.     

Parity and gonotrophic discordance of females of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the city of São Paulo,SP, Brazil

The objective of this study was to assess the parity, presence of blood in the stomach, and the gonotrophic discordance of females of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus captured in two areas of the city of São Paulo. The captures were undertaken monthly, by aspiration, in the period from January, 2015 to August, 2017. All the females of the two species had their midguts and ovaries dissected to determine the presence of blood and the parity/stage of maturation. With regard to parity, 27% and 34% of the females of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively, were parous or were in advanced stages of the development of their ovaries (33% and 27%, respectively). The larger part of the females of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus contained blood in their stomachs (77% and 60%, respectively), beyond which 36% and 27% of the females of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively, were in gonotrophic discordance. Our results indicate favorable conditions in the study areas because of the presence of parous females. Moreover, this frequent and multiple contact of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus females with vertebrate hosts, such as humans, increases the possibility of transmitting the viruses they may be carrying.