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The Fiocruz Mata Atlântica Campus (CFMA) represents one of the main urban growth fronts in Rio de Janeiro city. The present study evaluates the environment associated with the seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis in dogs and of toxoplasmosis in cats and production poultry belonging to the residents of the CFMA. Blood samples obtained by the census were used to assess frequency of positivity through serological assays. The proportion of seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis and CVL were respectively 37.2%, 6.2% and 1.2%. The association with the environment had different results depending on the infection. Seroprevalence of leptospirosis was significantly lower (P=0.03) in dogs from anthropized areas (3%), but this was the only region with cases of leishmaniasis. For toxoplasmosis, there was a higher seroprevalence (50%) in rural scenarios. In cats, the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 32.1% and in poultry, it was 18.1%. The seroprevalence in these animals were similar in the studied environments. The results demonstrate the occurrence of Leishmania sp., Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp. in dogs, cats, hens and ducks living in anthropic environments of the Atlantic Forest, in Rio de Janeiro city, being possible to correlate this occurrence between these domestic animal species and the living environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We evaluated the seroprevalence of 10 zoonotic agents among the general population (15 years old and over) of Eastmain and Wemindji, James Bay, Quebec, in 2007. Overall seroprevalence rates were similar between the 2 communities. Nearly half the individuals tested (n = 251; 146 women, 105 men) were seropositive (n = 115) for at least one zoonosis. The highest seroprevalence rates were for Leptospira sp. (23%), Francisella tularensis (17%), and the California serogroup viruses (JC and SSH viruses) (10%). The other zoonoses (Toxoplasma gondii, Coxiella burnetii, Echinococcus granulosus, Toxocara canis, and Trichinella sp.) had seroprevalence rates ≤5%; no exposures were identified to hantaviruses (Sin Nombre virus). Overall, seropositivity was related to age, gender, hunting, and owning a dog. There was no medical history suggestive of overt diseases. Nonetheless, physicians should consider these agents when confronted with difficult or confusing diagnoses. In particular, the bacterial zoonoses should be ruled out in individuals with high or prolonged fever. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Neosporosis is an infection of animals caused by an intracellular coccidian parasite, Neospora caninum, closely related to Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite is one of important abortifacient agents of bovine abortions worldwide. The aim of the study was to detect the prevalence of anti-Neospora antibodies in dairy aborting sheep from two eastern Slovak regions and to compare it with the occurrence of other potential abortifacient agents. Sera of 382 sheep, mainly the Improved Valachian and Merino breed, were tested for the presence of anti-Neospora and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies by ELISA, anti-Leptospira sp. by micro-agglutination-assay and anti-Chlamydophila antibodies using the complement fixation test. The mean seroprevalence of N. caninum was 3.7% and of T. gondii, 24.3%. This phenomenon of higher susceptibility of sheep to T. gondii is in the opposite of N. caninum infection in cattle. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were observed in 2.9% of serum samples with titres from 800 to 1600, whereas IgG antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus were found in 13.6% with titres from 64 to 1024. Half of N. caninum positive sera were simultaneously positive for T. gondii and one sample for C. abortus. From examined abortifacient agents the most important, from the frequency point of view, were toxoplasmosis (24.3%) and chlamydiosis (13.6%). No significant association between the frequencies of the abortions and mean seroprevalence of the abortifacient agents in Košice region was determined. Likewise, no significant differences between the mean seroprevalence of neosporosis and toxoplasmosis in the two regions were detected. The first survey of neosporosis in aborting sheep from eastern Slovakia revealed a low prevalence resulting in a lower impact on reproduction losses in these small ruminants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]