Search

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii protozoan with a worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in bats from Sao Paulo city, Brazil. A total of 616 serum samples were collected from 22 species of bats. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were searched using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT ≥ 1:16) and IgG anti-bat antibodies produced in sheep on samples collected during 2006-2011; 32.62% (201/616) of bats had T. gondii antibodies. The modified agglutination test (MAT ≥ 1:25) was performed on samples collected during 2010-2011; 18.61% (35/188) were seropositive. The concordance between IFAT and MAT (serum samples from 2010 to 2011) by Kappa (95% CI) was 0.144, resulting in a low agreement between the techniques. The specificity and sensitivity of MAT and IFAT have not been evaluated for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in bats. Thus, it was verified that bats are exposed to T. gondii during their lifetime and they are also part of the toxoplasmosis epidemiology.

A serological survey was made in 973 stray dogs caught near green areas in S. Paulo county by the indirect immunofluorescence test. No positive serum was found, however autochthonous human cases of ACL that occurred in the county show the circulation of the parasite in the environment. This fact, associated with the existence of the vectors and the apparent absence of infected dogs in the areas studied, suggest that stray dog plays an insignificant role in the spread of the parasite. The cycle of the parasite in Sao Paulo county has been maintained by wild animals, hence the dog would be an accidental host just as humans.

Realizou-se inquérito sorológico em cães domiciliados e errantes do Município de São José do Rio Preto, SP, para identificar animais infectados e detectar a possibilidade de transmissão da leishmaniose visceral americana. De novembro de 1998 a junho de 2000, 2.104 amostras de soros foram testadas por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta, empregando-se como antígeno formas promastigotas de Leishmania (L.) chagasi. Observaram-se 2.092 amostras não reagentes e 12 reagentes. Dos cães com sorologia positiva foi possível realizar raspados de lesão em três animais. O material fixado em lâminas foi corado por Giemsa e, em apenas um, foram encontradas formas amastigotas características de Leishmania sp. Este resultado indica a necessidade de manutenção da vigilância sorológica canina e entomológica no município de São José do Rio Preto, a fim de detectar, precocemente, qualquer alteração na epidemiologia local. A serological survey among domestic and stray dogs of the municipality of São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, was conducted to identify infected animals and detect the chances of transmitting the American visceral leishmaniasis . From November 1998 to June 2000, 2,104 sera samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescence reaction, using as antigen promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) chagasi. There were 2,092 no reactive samples and 12 reactive ones. Of the dogs with reactive serum it was possible to prepare lesion smears in only 3. The slide was stained by Giemsa method and only in one of them it was found amastigotes forms characteristic of Leishmania sp. This finding suggests the need of canine serological and entomological surveillance in São José do Rio Preto for an early detection of any local epidemiological changes.

Capybaras (Hidrochoeris hidrochoeris) are 1 of the largest rodents used for meat in South and Central America. Prevalence of anti–Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 149 feral H. hidrochoeris from the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, was evaluated using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the modified agglutination test (MAT). Using IFAT, antibodies (>1:16) were found in 104 (69.8%) and with the MAT, antibodies (>1:25) were found in 63 (42.3%) capybaras. This is the first report of prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in this host.