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França DAD, Silva FPD, Zanini DDS, Iglesias L, Portillo L, Cortez H, Biondo AW, Duré AÍDL, Silva MVF, Miret J, Langoni H. Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence in sheep herd from Paraguay: First evidence of bacterial circulation in the country. One Health 2024; 18:100660. [PMID: 38179312 PMCID: PMC10765107 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever, a disease that poses risks to public health and damages livestock. We discovered the circulation of C. burnetii for the first time in Paraguay, based on the seropositivity of a flock of >300 sheep. The animals were tested by IFA for anti-C. burnetii antibodies and by SAM for anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies, an important differential diagnosis for reproductive disorders in sheep in Paraguay. C. burnetii seropositivity was determined in 45%, in contrast to Leptospira spp. which had no reactive samples. Cases of miscarriage and fetal resorption were associated with high seropositivity titers. This study suggests the circulation of a unique genotype in the country and an imminent risk to public health, since in addition to being highly transmissible and infectious to humans, Q fever is still not a cause for concern on the part of government and health agencies in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Alves de França
- São Paulo State University, Prof. Doutor Walter Mauricio Correa, s/n, Unesp Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-681, Brazil
| | - Filipe Pereira da Silva
- Octavio Magalhaes Institute, Prof. Octavio Coelho De Magalhaes, s/n, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte 30210-290, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Dayane da Silva Zanini
- São Paulo State University, Prof. Doutor Walter Mauricio Correa, s/n, Unesp Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-681, Brazil
| | - Lorena Iglesias
- Universidad Nacional de Canindeyú, Calle Itambey, Curuguaty 140802, Paraguay
| | - Laura Portillo
- Universidad Nacional de Canindeyú, Calle Itambey, Curuguaty 140802, Paraguay
| | - Herminia Cortez
- Universidad Nacional de Canindeyú, Calle Itambey, Curuguaty 140802, Paraguay
| | | | - Ana Íris de Lima Duré
- Octavio Magalhaes Institute, Prof. Octavio Coelho De Magalhaes, s/n, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte 30210-290, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinicius Ferreira Silva
- Octavio Magalhaes Institute, Prof. Octavio Coelho De Magalhaes, s/n, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte 30210-290, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jorge Miret
- Universidad Nacional de Canindeyú, Calle Itambey, Curuguaty 140802, Paraguay
| | - Helio Langoni
- São Paulo State University, Prof. Doutor Walter Mauricio Correa, s/n, Unesp Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-681, Brazil
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de Souza EAR, Farias IF, Pesqueira TR, de Azevedo Serpa MC, Cunha TS, Moraes EA, Brandão PE, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Exposure of small ruminants and humans to Coxiella burnetii in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1931-1939. [PMID: 38573541 PMCID: PMC11153395 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01317-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii, for which domestic ruminants are the primary source of infection in humans. Herein, we investigated the presence of C. burnetii in humans, sheep, and goats in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. The presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies was surveyed using indirect immunofluorescence assay, and detection of C. burnetii DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anti-C. burnetii antibodies were detected in 60% of farms, 4.8% of goats, 1.5% of sheep, and 4.5% of human samples. PCR was positive in 18.9% of blood samples, 7.7% of milk samples, and 7.7% of vaginal mucus samples. A DNA sequence of a C. burnetii DNA sample extracted from the goat vaginal mucus showed 99.2-99.4% nucleotide identity with other strains previously reported in Brazil. These results indicate that C. burnetii is present in the surveyed area, where it poses a risk to both public and animal health. These findings indicate an urgent need for educative actions to protect population, as well as better training of veterinarians to detect and report Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Ila Ferreira Farias
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | - Tainã Ramos Pesqueira
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | | | - Thaís Souza Cunha
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | - Elenice Andrade Moraes
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo Eduardo Brandão
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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de Mello VVC, de Oliveira LB, Coelho TFSB, Lee DAB, Franco EO, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular survey of hemoplasmas and Coxiella burnetii in vampire bats from northern Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 106:102127. [PMID: 38277904 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
In addition to zoonotic viral pathogens, bats can also harbor bacterial pathogens, including hemoplasmas (hemotropic mycoplasmas) and Coxiella burnetii. The present study aimed to investigate, using molecular techniques, the presence of hemoplasmas and C. burnetii in spleen samples from vampire bats in northern Brazil. For this purpose, between 2017 and 2019, spleen samples were collected from Desmodus rotundus (n = 228) and Diaemus youngii (n = 1) captured in the states of Pará (n = 207), Amazonas (n = 1), Roraima (n = 18) and Amapá (n = 3). DNA samples extracted from the bat spleen and positive in PCR for the endogenous gapdh gene were subjected to conventional PCR assays for the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA and RNAse P genes from hemoplasmas and to qPCR based on the IS1111 gene element for C. burnetii. All spleen samples from vampire bats were negative in the qPCR for C. burnetii. Hemoplasmas were detected in 10 % (23/229) of spleen samples using a PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Of these, 21.73 % (5/23) were positive for the 23S rRNA gene and none for the RNAseP gene. The seven hemoplasma 16S rRNA sequences obtained were closely related to sequences previously identified in vampire bats from Belize, Peru and Brazil. The 23S rRNA sequence obtained revealed genetic proximity to hemoplasmas from non-hematophagous bats from Brazil and Belize. The analysis revealed different circulating genotypes among Brazilian vampire bats, in addition to a trend towards genera-specific hemoplasma genotypes. The present study contributes to the knowledge of the wide diversity of hemoplasmas in vampire bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Postgraduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil; Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Laryssa Borges de Oliveira
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Antonio Braga Lee
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliz Oliveira Franco
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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França DAD, Mioni MDSR, Fernandes J, Lemos ERSD, Duré AÍDL, Silva MVF, Langoni H, Megid J. Overview of Q fever in Brazil: an underestimated zoonosis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2023; 65:e39. [PMID: 37377322 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202365039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review aims to provide current information about Q fever, elucidating the etiological, epidemiological, pathogenic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic aspects of the disease for the medical community. We discuss the main forms of presentation of the agent, its ability to persist in the body, the infinite possibilities of susceptible hosts, the main known forms of transmission, its importance in populations at occupational risk, and the role of arthropods in the natural history of the disease. Focusing on Brazil, we present the cases already described and studies developed since its first report, and how there is still much to unravel. We are aware of the possibilities of the persistence of the agent and the development of severe clinical pictures and the specific treatments currently instituted. We also wish to raise awareness about the future, the new genotypes that are emerging, the need to study the effects of vaccines, and the impact of Q fever on the population. Q fever is a poorly understood disease in Latin America, and recent studies, especially in Brazil, have revealed the importance of developing new studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Alves de França
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jorlan Fernandes
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Íris de Lima Duré
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Instituto Otávio Magalhães, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Helio Langoni
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jane Megid
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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Trujillo M, Conan A, Calchi AC, Mertens-Scholtz K, Becker AA, Gallagher C, Mau A, Marchi S, Machado M, André MR, Chapwanya A, Müller A. Coxiella burnetii shedding and serological status in pregnant and postpartum ewes. Acta Trop 2023; 244:106962. [PMID: 37271355 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the occurence C. burnetii-DNA shedding by pregnant (vaginal mucus and feces) and postpartum (vaginal mucus, feces and milk) meat breed ewes from Saint Kitts. Additionally, antibodies anti-C. burnetii were detected in serum, and milk. Barbados Blackbelly ewes (n=187) were sampled using stratified convenience cross-sectional sampling. There were two animal groups: pregnant (n=96) and postpartum (n=91). Vaginal mucus (n=187), feces (n=177) and milk (n=83) samples were subjected to a TaqMan real time qPCR assay for C. burnetii based on the IS1111 multi copy element. IgG antibodies against C. burnetii were tested in blood serum (n=187) and milk (n=61) samples, via indirect ELISA. McNemar and Fischer exact tests were used to compare occurrence between routes and between groups, respectively. Overall, 86.6% of all the animals (162/187) were shedding C. burnetti DNA through at least one route (vaginal and/or fecal and/or milk). The DNA shedding occurrence via vaginal (73% vs 51%, p-value=0.003) and fecal routes (64% vs 47%, p-value=0.001) was higher in the pregnant compared to the postpartum animals. There was no prevalent shedding route among vaginal, fecal or milk in all ewes. Overall, 38% of the ewes were seropositive for C. burnetii IgG and a total of 19.7% of the tested postpartum ewes had IgG antibodies in milk. The vaginal and fecal DNA shedding were not associated with the blood serology, nor was milk DNA shedding related to the milk serology status, thus there was no association between C. burnetii seropositivity and bacterial DNA shedding. In short, high occurrence of C. burnetii DNA shedding was observed within ewes in St. Kitts, and represents the first detection of the Q fever agent within the Caribbean islands. Bacterial shedding was more prevalent in pregnant ewes, highlighting the importance of gestating animals as a source of C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Trujillo
- Graduate program, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Anne Conan
- Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholtz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Anne Amj Becker
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Christa Gallagher
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Alex Mau
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California- Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Silvia Marchi
- Research Laboratory, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Marcus Machado
- Research Laboratory, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aspinas Chapwanya
- Clinical Sciences Department, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Ananda Müller
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies; Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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Souza EARD, André MR, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Q fever and coxiellosis in Brazil: an underestimated disease? A brief review. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e009822. [PMID: 36169506 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Q fever, caused by the γ-proteobacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis of great importance and global impact. This agent has high transmissibility and can spread over long distances via wind, in which a small number of aerosolized particles are needed to infect susceptible hosts. The clinical diagnosis of Q fever is difficult owing to the variety of clinical signs shared with other diseases. In Brazil, studies related to C. burnetii are constantly being conducted, and this review aims to increase the number of approaches already studied, leading to the following question: is Q fever an unknown, neglected disease, or does it have a focal occurrence in certain areas (exotic/rare) in the country?
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCA, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
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Sero-Epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii Infection in Small Ruminants in the Eastern Region of Punjab, Pakistan. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060664. [PMID: 35745517 PMCID: PMC9231125 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Q fever in sheep and goats in Kasur, Okara, and Pakpattan in the Punjab of Pakistan. Q fever is a widely reported zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella (C.) burnetii. The main reservoirs are small ruminants that excrete the bacteria in birth by-products in high numbers. Thus, the bacteria can also be detected in the air and the dust of livestock farms. The infection is often asymptomatic in ruminants, but it can lead to reproductive disorders. This cross-sectional study found that a significant number (n = 43; 11.3%) of 300 randomly selected small ruminants of nine tehsils were seropositive using a commercially available ELISA. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in goats (17.1%) than in sheep (4.9%). Binary logistic regression analysis proved that species, age, and breed have a significant effect on the prevalence of Q fever. Tick infestation, contact with animal fomites, contact with other animals, production system, and health status of an animal had a significant impact on the prevalence of Q fever. These findings on Q fever in animals can be used to improve the visibility of this zoonotic disease. These findings will help local health authorities to focus on the origin of the problem and facilitate applying preventive measures to the affected livestock farms.
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de França DA, Mioni MDSR, Fornazari F, Duré AÍDL, Silva MVF, Possebon FS, Richini-Pereira VB, Langoni H, Megid J. Seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii in suspected patients with dengue in São Paulo state, Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010392. [PMID: 35536865 PMCID: PMC9122222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever and brucellosis are zoonoses that cause fever and other systemic clinical signs in humans; their occurrences are neglected and the differential diagnosis for some diseases is disregarded. This study aimed to investigate the seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. antibodies in patients suspected of dengue from 38 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The samples (n = 604) were obtained by convenience from the Adolfo Lutz Institute serum bank. Sera were subjected to an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using in-house and commercial diagnostic protocols to evaluate C. burnetii positivity. For Brucella spp., sera were subjected to rapid plate serum agglutination with buffered acidified antigen (AAT), slow tube serum agglutination (SAL), and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) techniques. Associations and statistical inferences of the results were performed by logistic regression according to the clinical and demographic variables collected from the patients. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) and associations were considered when p value was <0.05. In all, 129 patients showed positive results for Q fever, indicating a seropositivity of 21.4% (95% CI 18.15–24.85). Patients with 14–20 days of symptoms had 2.12 (95% CI 1.34–3.35) times more chances of being seropositive for Q fever than patients with 7–13 days, and patients with 21–27 days of fever had 2.62 (95% CI 1.27–5.41) times more chances of being seropositive for Q fever than patients with 7–13 days. For the other variables analyzed, there were no significant associations between the groups. No positivity for brucellosis was observed. This is the most comprehensive study of people seropositive for Q fever in São Paulo state and provides additional data for the medical community in Brazil. It is suggested that Q fever may be an important differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses in the region, demanding the government’s attention and investment in health. Brazil is a tropical country with a warm climate and large animal herds that favor many zoonotic agents that circulate in the territory. Due to the high prevalence of some tropical diseases, such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, important zoonoses have been neglected during the clinical evaluation of patients, resulting in misdiagnosis. Examples include Q fever and brucellosis, zoonoses that occur in animals in Brazil and are easily transmitted to humans through contaminated air and food products. There is not much data on these diseases in humans in the country representing their actual health situation. The current knowledge is supported by a few serological surveys developed by research groups and case reports. In this study, sera from patients with fever of unknown origin were positive for Q fever and brucellosis. The authors found that, contrary to brucellosis, Q fever has affected many people in São Paulo, the most populous state in the country. In addition, other findings regarding patient profile and disease behavior have been established. This research highlights the need for surveillance and control of Q fever in humans and animals to prevent acute cases and treat chronic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Alves de França
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mateus de Souza Ribeiro Mioni
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MM); (JM)
| | - Felipe Fornazari
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Íris de Lima Duré
- Octávio Magalhães Institute, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio Sossai Possebon
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Helio Langoni
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jane Megid
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MM); (JM)
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Dorsch MA, Cantón GJ, Driemeier D, Anderson ML, Moeller RB, Giannitti F. Bacterial, protozoal and viral abortions in sheep and goats in South America: A review. Small Rumin Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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10
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Identification of Immunogenic Linear B-Cell Epitopes in C. burnetii Outer Membrane Proteins Using Immunoinformatics Approaches Reveals Potential Targets of Persistent Infections. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101250. [PMID: 34684199 PMCID: PMC8540810 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a global, highly infectious intracellular bacterium, able to infect a wide range of hosts and to persist for months in the environment. It is the etiological agent of Q fever—a zoonosis of global priority. Currently, there are no national surveillance data on C. burnetii’s seroprevalence for any South American country, reinforcing the necessity of developing novel and inexpensive serological tools to monitor the prevalence of infections among humans and animals—especially cattle, goats, and sheep. In this study, we used immunoinformatics and computational biology tools to predict specific linear B-cell epitopes in three C. burnetii outer membrane proteins: OMP-H (CBU_0612), Com-1 (CBU_1910), and OMP-P1 (CBU_0311). Furthermore, predicted epitopes were tested by ELISA, as synthetic peptides, against samples of patients reactive to C. burnetii in indirect immunofluorescence assay, in order to evaluate their natural immunogenicity. In this way, two linear B-cell epitopes were identified in each studied protein (OMP-H(51–59), OMP-H(91–106), Com-1(57–76), Com-1(191–206), OMP-P1(197–209), and OMP-P1(215–227)); all of them were confirmed as naturally immunogenic by the presence of specific antibodies in 77% of studied patients against at least one of the identified epitopes. Remarkably, a higher frequency of endocarditis cases was observed among patients who presented an intense humoral response to OMP-H and Com-1 epitopes. These data confirm that immunoinformatics applied to the identification of specific B-cell epitopes can be an effective strategy to improve and accelerate the development of surveillance tools against neglected diseases.
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de Oliveira GMB, da Silva IWG, da Cruz Ferreira Evaristo AM, de Azevedo Serpa MC, Silva Campos AN, Dutra V, Nakazato L, de Aguiar DM, Bahia Labruna M, Horta MC. Tick-borne pathogens in dogs, wild small mammals and their ectoparasites in the semi-arid Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101409. [PMID: 32111546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Caatinga is a biome exclusive to the semiarid zone of Brazil, where studies on ticks and tick-borne diseases are scarce. Herein, we investigated the occurrence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Coxiella in wild mammals, domestic dogs and their ectoparasites using molecular and serological techniques. During 2014-2016, blood samples and ectoparasites were collected from 70 small mammals (51 rodents, 18 marsupials, 1 wild canid) and 147 domestic dogs in three areas of the Caatinga. Through serological analyses of domestic dogs of the three areas, 8 to 11 % were seropositive for Rickettsia rickettsii, 9 to 37 % for Rickettsia amblyommatis, 61 to 75 % for Ehrlichia canis, and 0-5% for Coxiella burnetii. All wild mammals were seronegative for Rickettsia spp. and C. burnetii, except for one rodent (Wiedomys pyrrhorhinos) and one marsupial (Didelphis albiventris) that were seroreactive to C. burnetii, one wild canid (Cerdocyon thous) for R. amblyommatis, and two Rattus rattus for Rickettsia spp. Through PCR targeting DNA of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia or Coxiella, all blood samples were negative, except for the presence of Ehrlichia canis DNA in 8.8 % of the domestic dogs, and a recently reported novel agent, Ehrlichia sp. strain Natal, in one marsupial (Gracilinanus agilis). A total of 222 ticks, 84 fleas, and six lice were collected. Ticks were mostly Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, some Ixodes loricatus, Ornithodoros rietcorreai, Haemaphysalis sp., and Amblyomma spp.; fleas were Ctenocephalides felis felis, Pulex sp. and Polygenis (Polygenis) bohlsi jordani; and lice were Polyplax sp. and Gyropus sp. Through molecular detection of microorganisms, 9% of C. felis felis contained Rickettsia felis, 20 % of A. auricularium contained R. amblyommatis and 13 % of A. parvum contained 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae', whereas Ehrlichia canis DNA was detected in at least 6% of the R. sanguineus s.l. from one area. We report a variety of ectoparasites infesting small mammals and domestic dogs in the Caatinga biome, where these ectoparasites probably act as vectors of rickettsiae, ehrlichial agents (E. canis and Ehrlichia sp. strain Natal) and C. burnetii. Our results highlight to the potential risks of human infection by these tick-borne agents in the Caatinga biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glauber Meneses Barboza de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Ivo Wesley Gomes da Silva
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Amanda Noeli Silva Campos
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Valeria Dutra
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Luciano Nakazato
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Daniel Moura de Aguiar
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
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Zanatto DCDS, Duarte JMB, Labruna MB, Tasso JB, Calchi AC, Machado RZ, André MR. Evidence of exposure to Coxiella burnetii in neotropical free-living cervids in South America. Acta Trop 2019; 197:105037. [PMID: 31128095 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii (order Legionellales, family Coxiellaceae), the etiological agent of Q fever, is a pleomorphic, obligate Gram-negative intracellular bacillococcus that can infect humans and animals. Among the mammals hosting this agent, both domestic and wild ruminants are of particular economic and public health importance. Ticks and other hematophagous arthropods or aerosols are incriminated in the transmission between reservoirs and susceptible hosts. This study used serological and molecular methods to investigate the C. burnetii occurrence in blood samples from free-living deer (143 Blastocerus dichotomus, 27 Mazama gouazoubira, 4 M. bororo, 3 M. americana, and 11 Ozotocerus bezoarticus) sampled in Mato-Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Goiás and Paraná states in Brazil. The DNA extracted from the blood samples of 188 cervids was submitted to nested (n) PCR for C. burnetii based on the IS1111 repetitive insertion element of the heat shock protein (htpAB) gene. Additionally, 169 serum samples were submitted to Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFAT) to detect Ig antibodies to C. burnetii. The nPCR results indicated that all blood samples were negative, evidencing the absence of circulating C. burnetii DNA in cervids from the studied regions or, alternatively, the C. burnetii DNA concentration in the deer blood samples was below the threshold of the used PCR technique. On the other hand, 5.32% (9/169) of deer were seropositive for C. burnetii by IFAT, with titers ranging from 256 and 16,384. In conclusion, the present work showed the first evidence of exposure of free-living deer to C. burnetii in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Carlos de Souza Zanatto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia Banhareli Tasso
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Zanatto DCS, Gatto IRH, Labruna MB, Jusi MMG, Samara SI, Machado RZ, André MR. Coxiella burnetii associated with BVDV (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus), BoHV (Bovine Herpesvirus), Leptospira spp., Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma vivax in reproductive disorders in cattle. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 28:245-257. [PMID: 31215610 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This is a cross-sectional study to assess the presence of antibodies in ruminants against selected pathogens associated with reproductive disorders in cattle in four Brazilian states, including the zoonotic agent Coxiella burnetii. The used tests were Virus Neutralization Assay for IBR and BVD, Microscopic Agglutination Test for Leptospira spp., Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for C. burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii, and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Neospora caninum and Trypanosoma vivax. Seropositivity for C. burnetii was 13.7% with titers from 128 to 131,072; 57.8% for BoHV-1, with titers between 2 and 1,024; 47.1% for BVDV-1a, with titers from 10 to 5,120; 89.2% for N. caninum; 50% for T. vivax; and 52.0% for Leptospira spp., with titers between 100 to 800 (the following serovars were found: Tarassovi, Grippotyphosa, Canicola, Copenhageni, Wolffi, Hardjo, Pomona and Icterohaemorrhagiae); 19.6% for T. gondii with titer of 40. This is the first study that has identified C. burnetii in cattle associated with BoHV and BVDV, N. caninum, Leptospira spp., T. gondii and T. vivax. Thus, future studies should be conducted to investigate how widespread this pathogen is in Brazilian cattle herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Carlos Souza Zanatto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil.,Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Igor Renan Honorato Gatto
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Samir Issa Samara
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
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de Souza Ribeiro Mioni M, Ribeiro BLD, Peres MG, Teixeira WSR, Pelícia VC, Motta RG, Labruna MB, Ribeiro MG, Sidi-Boumedine K, Megid J. Real-time quantitative PCR-based detection of Coxiella burnetii in unpasteurized cow's milk sold for human consumption. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:695-700. [PMID: 31173477 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen with a worldwide distribution that is responsible for Q fever in humans. It is a highly infectious bacterium that can be transmitted from cattle to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized milk. We report the molecular identification of C. burnetii in raw cow's milk being sold directly for human consumption in Brazil without official inspection or pasteurization. One hundred and twelve samples of raw milk were analysed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and C. burnetii was detected in 3.57% (4/112) of the samples at a concentration ranging from 125 to 404 bacteria per millilitre. The identification of this zoonotic pathogen in raw milk sold directly for human consumption is a public health concern since C. burnetii can be transmitted through the oral route. This result indicates that health education and other preventive measures should be officially implemented in Brazil to prevent the spread of infection. To our knowledge, this is the first qPCR-based detection of C. burnetii in raw milk samples from cows sold in Brazil that do not undergo official inspection or pasteurization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus de Souza Ribeiro Mioni
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Bruna Letícia Devidé Ribeiro
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Marina Gea Peres
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Wanderson Sirley Reis Teixeira
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Cristina Pelícia
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | | | - Márcio Garcia Ribeiro
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Karim Sidi-Boumedine
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Jane Megid
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, Brazil
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