PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Cunha N.C., Fonseca A.H., Rezende J., Rozental T., Favacho A.R.M., Barreira J.D., Massard C.L., Lemos E.R.S. 2009. First identification of natural infection of Rickettsia rickettsii in the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):105-108. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, more frequently, Amblyomma cajennense. The aim of this paper was to report the first molecular detection of R. rickettsii on R. sanguineus naturally infected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were collected from dogs in a rural region of Resende municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22o 30min 9.46sec S, 44o 42min 44.29sec WO), where occurred five human cases of BSF in 2006. The ticks were identified under a stereoscopic microscope and separated in pools by stages, species and sex. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®). The DNA was submitted to PCR amplification using 04 set of primers: Rr190.70p/Rr190.602n (OmpA, 532bp), BG1-21/BG2-20 (OmpB, 650bp), Tz15/Tz16 (17 kDa protein-encoding gene, 246bp) and RpCS.877p/RpCS.1258n (gltA, 381bp). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels and visualized under ultraviolet light with ethidium bromide. PCR products of the expected sizes were purified by QIAquick® and sequenced by ABI PRISM®. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited with using Bioedit® software and compared with the corresponding homologous sequences available through GenBank, using Discontiguous Mega Blast (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). It was confirmed R. rickettsii by sequencing of the material (GenBank FJ356230). The molecular characterization of R. rickettsii in the tick R. sanguineus emphasizes the role of dogs as carriers of ticks from the environment to home. Moreover, this result suggests that there is a considerable chance for active participation of R. sanguineus as one of tick species in the transmission of R. ricketsii to human being in the Brazilian territory.

• Rhipicephalus sanguineus Acari Ixodidae Rickettsia rickettsii molecular analysis Brazilian spotted fever

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Cunha N.C., Fonseca A.H., Rezende J., Rozental T., Favacho A.R.M., Barreira J.D., Massard C.L., Lemos E.R.S. 2009. First identification of natural infection of Rickettsia rickettsii in the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):105-108. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, more frequently, Amblyomma cajennense. The aim of this paper was to report the first molecular detection of R. rickettsii on R. sanguineus naturally infected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were collected from dogs in a rural region of Resende municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22o 30min 9.46sec S, 44o 42min 44.29sec WO), where occurred five human cases of BSF in 2006. The ticks were identified under a stereoscopic microscope and separated in pools by stages, species and sex. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®). The DNA was submitted to PCR amplification using 04 set of primers: Rr190.70p/Rr190.602n (OmpA, 532bp), BG1-21/BG2-20 (OmpB, 650bp), Tz15/Tz16 (17 kDa protein-encoding gene, 246bp) and RpCS.877p/RpCS.1258n (gltA, 381bp). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels and visualized under ultraviolet light with ethidium bromide. PCR products of the expected sizes were purified by QIAquick® and sequenced by ABI PRISM®. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited with using Bioedit® software and compared with the corresponding homologous sequences available through GenBank, using Discontiguous Mega Blast (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). It was confirmed R. rickettsii by sequencing of the material (GenBank FJ356230). The molecular characterization of R. rickettsii in the tick R. sanguineus emphasizes the role of dogs as carriers of ticks from the environment to home. Moreover, this result suggests that there is a considerable chance for active participation of R. sanguineus as one of tick species in the transmission of R. ricketsii to human being in the Brazilian territory.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Almeida M.B., Tortelli F.P., Riet-Correa B., Ferreira J.L.M., Soares M.P., Farias N.A.R., Riet-Correa F. & Schild A.L. 2006. [Tick fever in southern Brazil: a retrospective study of 1978-2005.] Tristeza parasitária bovina na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul: estudo retrospectivo de 1978-2005. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(4):236-242. Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: alschild@terra.com.br A retrospective study of tick fever was made, which occurred from 1978-2005 in southern Rio Grande do Sul in the influence area of the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory of the Federal University of Pelotas. From 4,884 cattle specimens, sent by practitioners or which were from necropsies performed at the Diagnostic Laboratory, 231 (4.7%) were diagnosed as tick fever. Data from 221 of those outbreaks were analyzed. Ninety one (41.1%) outbreaks were caused by Babesia bovis, 11 (4.9%) by Babesia bigemina, and 65 (29.41%) by Anaplasma marginale. In other 33 (14.93%) outbreaks of babesiosis there is no information if the disease was caused by B. bovis or B. bigemina, and 21 (9.5%) outbreaks were caused by mixed infection of A. marginale and B. bovis or B. bigemina. Mean morbidity, mortality, and letality rates in 149 outbreaks were 11.17%, 6.81%, and 70.04%, respectively. Most outbreaks occurred during summer (January-March) and autumn (April-June), mainly in 1 to 3-year-old cattle. Clinical signs were depression, weakness, fallen ears, fever, and weight loss. Low packed cell volume values were always found. Hemoglobinury was observed in babesiosis. Neurological signs characterized by gait alterations, muscular tremors, aggressiveness and falling down with tonic and clonic convulsions were observed in babesiosis by B. bovis. The main gross lesions were anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, yellow liver and cardiac hemorrhages. Hemoglobinury was observed in babesiosis, and congestion of the cerebral cortex in babesiosis by B. bovis. It is concluded that B. bovis is the main agent causing thick fever in southern Rio Grande do Sul. In that region with a cattle population of 2,630,000 heads the annual losses due to tick fever can be estimated in 6,220 cattle or US$ 1,623,000.00. Preventive measures to diminish tick fever losses in the region are necessary.

• Parasitic diseases tick fever epidemiology Babesia bovis Babesia bigemina Anaplasma marginale

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Almeida M.B., Tortelli F.P., Riet-Correa B., Ferreira J.L.M., Soares M.P., Farias N.A.R., Riet-Correa F. & Schild A.L. 2006. [Tick fever in southern Brazil: a retrospective study of 1978-2005.] Tristeza parasitária bovina na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul: estudo retrospectivo de 1978-2005. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(4):236-242. Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: alschild@terra.com.br A retrospective study of tick fever was made, which occurred from 1978-2005 in southern Rio Grande do Sul in the influence area of the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory of the Federal University of Pelotas. From 4,884 cattle specimens, sent by practitioners or which were from necropsies performed at the Diagnostic Laboratory, 231 (4.7%) were diagnosed as tick fever. Data from 221 of those outbreaks were analyzed. Ninety one (41.1%) outbreaks were caused by Babesia bovis, 11 (4.9%) by Babesia bigemina, and 65 (29.41%) by Anaplasma marginale. In other 33 (14.93%) outbreaks of babesiosis there is no information if the disease was caused by B. bovis or B. bigemina, and 21 (9.5%) outbreaks were caused by mixed infection of A. marginale and B. bovis or B. bigemina. Mean morbidity, mortality, and letality rates in 149 outbreaks were 11.17%, 6.81%, and 70.04%, respectively. Most outbreaks occurred during summer (January-March) and autumn (April-June), mainly in 1 to 3-year-old cattle. Clinical signs were depression, weakness, fallen ears, fever, and weight loss. Low packed cell volume values were always found. Hemoglobinury was observed in babesiosis. Neurological signs characterized by gait alterations, muscular tremors, aggressiveness and falling down with tonic and clonic convulsions were observed in babesiosis by B. bovis. The main gross lesions were anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, yellow liver and cardiac hemorrhages. Hemoglobinury was observed in babesiosis, and congestion of the cerebral cortex in babesiosis by B. bovis. It is concluded that B. bovis is the main agent causing thick fever in southern Rio Grande do Sul. In that region with a cattle population of 2,630,000 heads the annual losses due to tick fever can be estimated in 6,220 cattle or US$ 1,623,000.00. Preventive measures to diminish tick fever losses in the region are necessary.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Soares C.O., lshikawa M.M., Fonseca A.H. & Yoshinari, N.H. 2000. [Borrelioses, agents and vectors: a review.] Borrelioses, agentes e vetores. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 20(1):1-19. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Univ. Fed. Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km 47, Seropédica, RJ 23851-970, Brazil. Borrelioses are infectous diseases caused by spirochaetes of the genus Borrelia. They are born mainly through ticks at animals and/or human beings. In this review are shown and discussed five groups of diseases determined by borrelia, general characteristics of the spirochaetes, aspects related to transmission by arthropods, biological and pathological aspects of the diseases in domestic and wild animals, Lyme disease as an important zoonosis, the association of borrelia with other hematozoa agents, the diagnostic methods and the comparative epidemiologywith data obtained from Brazil and other countries. The borrelioses have pathological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics which vary according to physiographic regions due to the existence of different species, genospecies and strains of borrelia, of arthropod vectors, vector-agent relationship and of different ecocystems.

• Borreliosis ticks Borrelia spp. relapsing fever avian borreliosis bovine borreliosis Lyme disease epizootic bovine abortion Borreliose carrapatos febrerecurrente borreliose aviária borreliose bovina doença de Lyme aborto epizoótico bovino.

Abstract in Portuguese:

RESUMO.- Soares C.O., lshikawa M.M., Fonseca A.H. & Yoshinari, N.H. 2000. [Borrelioses, agents and vectors: a review.] Borrelioses, agentes e vetores. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 20(1):1-19. Depto Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Univ. Fed. Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km 47, Seropédica, RJ 23851-970, Brazil. As borrelioses são enfermidades infecciosas determinadas por espiroquetas do gênero Borrelia, agentes transmissíveis, principalmente, por carrapatos aos animais e/ou ao homem. Nesta revisão são apresentadas e discutidas as enfermidades determinadas por borrélias, bem como as características gerais das espiroquetas, os aspectos relacionados a transmissão por artrópodes, as enfermidades nos animais domésticos e silvestres, quanto aos aspectos biológicos e patológicos, a doença de Lyme como principal zoonose do grupo, a associação de borrélia com outros agentes hematozoários e os métodos diagnósticos e a epidemiologia comparativa entre dados obtidos no Brasil com os de outros países. Estas borrelioses possuem características patológicas, clínicas e epidemiológicas variadas de acordo à região fisiográfica, devido à existência de distintas espécies, genoespédes e cepas; estes aspectos variam ainda em função dos artrópodes vetores, da interação vetor-patógeno e dos ecossistemas distintos.

Abstract in English:

The macromolecules present in the Boophilus microplus saliva were separated by Electrophoresis on Polyacrylamide Gels and transferred to nitrocellulose paper. Some aspects were studied in both situations. Using Coomassie Brilliant Blue 250R to stain the proteins in the gel, 6 and 11 bands were detected on nondenaturing and denaturing systems respectively. Three glicoprotein and one lipoprotein bands were detected when Beta-mercaptoethanol was used (denaturing system). In this situation, three antigenic bands were observed in nitrocellulose paper after immunoenzymatic procedure when infested bovine or hyperimmune rabbit or mouse sera were used. All of these were glicoproteins.

• Boophilus microplus ticks saliva antigenicity

Abstract in Portuguese:

A saliva (pool) de Boophilus microplus foi submetida a eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida e logo a seguir procedida a transferência para papel de nitrocelulose, a fim de que a antigenicidade pudesse ser observada. A eletroforese revelou a existência de seis bandas quando em condições de não desnaturação e 11 bandas em condições desnaturantes. Neste último caso, três bandas eram glicoprotefuas e uma lipoprotefua. A revelação imunoenzimática no papel de nitrocelulose evidenciou três bandas quando se usaram soros de bovinos infestados por esse ixodídeo ou soro de coelhos e camundongos imunizados com a citada saliva.

• Boophilus microplus ixodídeos antigenicidade da saliva

Abstract in English:

The pasture species Andropogon gayanus, Melinis minutiflora and Brachiaria brizantha were studied with respect to their anti-tick properties through repellent and/or lethal mechanisms affecting infestive larvae of Boophilus microplus (Can., 1887). After two months cultivation in pots, the grasses were infested with 10-day old larvae under laboratory conditions. Observations of larvae were made at 2, 7 and 15 days after infestation and collections made at 5, 10 and 20 days after infestation. A. gayanus did not show any prejudicial affects against the larvae, under these conditions. M. minutiflora and B. brizantha showed themselves to be potentially highly lethal to larvae. M. minutiflora showed itself to be highly repellent to larvae of B. microplus. This was considered to reduce its potential as a possible anti-tick pasture as many larvae were caused to avoid its lethal effect. B. brizantha did not show this repellency and consequent disadvantage. It is thus considered to warrant further study under experimental and natural conditions to assess its value as a biological tick control agent for possible inclusion in integrated pest management (IPM) schemes for B. microplus in the tropics.

• Boophilus microplus ant-tick grasses anti-tick pastares biological control

Abstract in Portuguese:

As espécies forrageiras Andropogon gayanus, Melinis minutiflora e Brachiaria brizantha foram estudadas em relação a suas propriedades "anti-carrapato" através de mecanismos de repelência e/ou letalidade afetando larvas infestantes de Boophilus microplus (Can., 1887). Após dois meses do cultivo em vasos, as gramíneas foram infestadas com larvas de 10 dias de idade, em condições de laboratório. Foram realizadas observações das larvas aos 2, 7 e 15 dias pós-infestação (dpi) e coletas aos 5, 10 e 20 dpi. A. gayanus não apresentou qualquer efeito prejudicial sobre as larvas, ao contrário, M. minutiflora e B. brizantha demonstraram ser potencialmente letais às larvas. M. minutiflora apresentou também um elevado poder de repelência às larvas de B. microplus, sendo esta propriedade considerada prejudicial ao seu potencial "anti-carrapato" em função de muitas larvas evitarem sua ação letal; B. brizantha não mostrou ser repelente e conseqüentemente não apresentou esta desvantagem. Desta forma, justificam ser realizados em B. brizantha estudos adicionais sob condições naturais e experimentais, a fim de avaliar seu real valor no controle biológico, assim como sua inclusão no manejo integrado de pragas (1PM) nas regiões tropicais.

• Boophilus microplus gramíneas "anti-carrapato" pastagens "anti-carrapato" controle biológico

Abstract in English:

A study was made of the toxic action of Argas (P.) miniatus Koch, 1844, using material collected in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This study was conducted in the Iaboratory under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, using chickens (Gallus gallus) and ducklings (Cairina moschata) as hosts. Cutaneous ulcerative lesions were observed after larval attachment. The degree of pathogenicity increased with increasing engorgement of the larvae. Clinical symptoms characterized as tick paralysis were observed in 20 chicks and four ducklings after 3 to 5 days of larval infestation. The most frequent symptoms were: motor incoordination, increased sensibility, paralysis of the feet and wings and ventral flexion of the head. Death resulted from respiratory failure. Post-mortem, the most obvious macroscopic lesions were: atrophy of the spleen, biliary stasis and yellowing of the liver. Histopathological studies showed lesions of the skin, lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands and Iiver. This is the first reference to the toxic effect or tick paralysis dueto the larvae of A. (P.) miniatus.

• Tick paralysis toxicosis Argas miniatus

Abstract in Portuguese:

A ação tóxica da larva de Argas (P.) miniatus procedente do Estado do Rio de Janeiro foi estudada em condições de laboratório com temperatura e umidade controlada, utilizando-se pintos (G. gallus e patos (C. moschata) como hospedeiros. Lesões cutâneas do tipo ulcerativo foram evidenciadas após fixação das larvas, sendo o grau de patogenicidade mais acentuado quanto maior fosse o estado de ingurgitamento larvar. Sintomas clínicos caracterizados como paralisia, causada pela ação tóxica das larvas do carrapato foram observados em 20 pintos e quatro patos infestados com larvas, 3 a 5 dias após fixação das larvas. Incoordenação motora, aumento da sensibilidade, paralisia das patas e asas e flexão da cabeça para baixo foram os sintomas mais freqüentes, finalizando com morte por parada respiratória. À necropsia as lesões macroscópicas mais evidentes foram: atrofia esplênica, modificação da coloração e friabilidade do fígado e estase biliar. Exames histopatológicos revelaram lesões em órgãos como: pele, pulmão, coração, baço, fígado, rins e glândulas ad-renais. Esta foi a primeira citação de A.P. miniatus como agente indutor de paralisia.

• Paralisia por carrapato toxicose Argas miniatus