RESUMOAvaliou-se a ocorrência de fatores de virulência e do sorotipo O157:H7 em 120 linhagens de Escherichia coli, isoladas de 80 casos de mastite clínica bovina e 40 de mastite subclínica. Verificou-se alfahemolisina em oito (6,7%) linhagens, isoladas de cinco casos de mastite clínica e três de mastite subclínica e em nenhuma das estirpes detectou-se enteroemolisina. A presença de sideróforos foi encontrada em 11 (9,2%) linhagens, sete de mastite clínica e quatro de subclínica. Em duas (1,7%) estirpes isoladas de mastite subclínica, identificou-se enterotoxina STa. Observou-se efeito citopático em células vero compatível com a produção de verotoxina-VT em cinco (4,2%) linhagens, duas de mastite clínica e três subclínicas. Em uma (0,8%) linhagem isolada de mastite clínica, detectou-se efeito citopático compatível com o fator necrosante citotóxico. Nenhuma estirpe apresentou-se sorbitol-negativa no MacConkey-sorbitol, tampouco aglutinou com o sorotipo O157:H7. Os antimicrobianos mais efetivos foram polimixina B (97,5%) e norfloxacina (95,8%). Observou-se multi-resistência a dois ou mais antimicrobianos em 24 (20%) estirpes, principalmente com o uso de ampicilina e ceftiofur.Palavras-chave: bovino, mastite, Escherichia coli, virulência, toxina, sorotipo O157:H7 ABSTRACT The occurrence of different virulence factors and O157:H7 serotype investigation in 120 Escherichia coli strains isolated from clinical (80 cases) and subclinical (40 cases) bovine mastitis was evaluated. Alphahaemolysin was detected in 8 (6.7%) strains (5 clinical and 3 subclinical cases). None strain showed enterohaemolysin production. E. coli growth under iron restriction conditions (siderophores production) was observed in 11 (9.2%) strains (7 clinical and 4 subclinical cases). STa enterotoxin was detected in 2 (1.7%) strains from subclinical cases. Cytotoxic effect in vero cells compatible with verotoxin-VT production was observed in 5 (4.2%) strains (2 clinical and 3 subclinical cases

BackgroundRoad-killed wild animals have been classified as sentinels for detecting such zoonotic pathogens as Leishmania spp., offering new opportunities for epidemiological studies of this infection.MethodsThis study aimed to evaluate the presence of Leishmania spp. and Leishmania chagasi DNA by PCR in tissue samples (lung, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, mesenteric lymph node and adrenal gland) from 70 road-killed wild animals.ResultsDNA was detected in tissues of one Cavia aperea (Brazilian guinea pig), five Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox), one Dasypus septemcinctus (seven-banded armadillo), two Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossum), one Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris (capybara), two Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater), one Procyon cancrivorus (crab-eating raccoon), two Sphiggurus spinosus (porcupine) and one Tamandua tetradactyla (lesser anteater) from different locations in the Central Western part of São Paulo state. The Leishmania chagasi DNA were confirmed in mesenteric lymph node of one Cerdocyon thous. Results indicated common infection in wild animals.ConclusionsThe approach employed herein proved useful for detecting the environmental occurrence of Leishmania spp. and L. chagasi, as well as determining natural wild reservoirs and contributing to understand the host-parasite interaction.

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Objective To evaluate the molecular epidemiology and to georeference Staphylococcus aureus isolated from wounds and nares of patients seen at Basic Health Units (BHUs) of a Brazilian city. Methods Observational, cross‐sectional study conducted from 2010 to 2013. A total of 119 S. aureus strains isolated from the wounds and nares of 88 patients were studied. The isolates were characterised by identifying virulence genes encoding enterotoxins A–E, haemolysins α, β and δ, exfoliatins A, B and D, biofilm production, Panton‐Valentine Leukocidin and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, and by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence and spa typing. Results Eighteen methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (6 SCCmec type II and 12 SCCmec type IV) and 101 (85%) MSSA were identified. PFGE typing resulted in the formation of eight clusters, with STs 1, 5, 8, 30, 188, 1176 and 1635 and spa type t002 being the predominant types among MSSA. The 18 MRSA belonged to STs 5, 8 and 1176 and spa types t002 and t062. Conclusion The results demonstrate widespread dissemination of MSSA and MRSA clones carrying haemolysin, biofilm and toxin genes. Kernel density estimation revealed the highest density of S. aureus in the 4, 5 and 8 BHUs.

In the present study, 87 Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from milk samples of 87 cows with mastitis in 6 different municipal districts of 2 regions of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were compared pheno- and genotypically. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of the strains was performed, and PCR was carried out to detect genes for a number of staphylococcal cell surface proteins, exoproteins, and 3 classes of agr genes. Nine distinct S. aureus lineages (LA-LI) were identified by PFGE. The lineages LA and LE, which accounted together for 63 strains (72.2%), were prevalent and had been collected from all of the 6 municipal districts, indicating a broad geographic distribution of these lineages; LB, LC, LD, LF, LG, LH, and LI, however, were isolated sporadically and accounted for 24 strains (27.8%). Some characteristics, like penicillin resistance and the presence of cap8 and agr class II genes, were associated with the prevalent lineages (LA and LE), and penicillin susceptibility and the presence of cna and cap5 genes were associated with sporadic lineages. According to the present results, some S. aureus lineages possess a combination of genes that confer the propensity to cause and disseminate infection, and only a limited number of clones are responsible for the cases of bovine mastitis on the various farms.

RESUMO -O objetivo neste trabalho foi estimar as correlações entre o California Mastitis Test (CMT), a contagem células somáticas (CCS) e a produção de leite. Foram colhidas 544 amostras de leite de 38 búfalas em lactação nos anos de 2002 e 2003. O manejo de ordenha consistiu em uma ordenha diária, em que os tetos das búfalas eram desinfectados com solução de iodo, secos individualmente com papel toalha e submetidas à ordenha mecânica. O CMT foi realizado imediatamente após higienização dos tetos e as amostras de leite foram enviadas ao laboratório do DHVSP da Unesp/Botucatu, para realização da Contagem de Células Somáticas, em aparelho eletrônico Somacount 300. Foram efetuadas correlações entre Contagem de Células Somáticas, CMT, produção de leite, proteína, gordura e sólidos totais, que foram analisadas pelo SAEG (1997). A média de células somáticas foi de 63.380 células/mL, a produção diária de leite, de 4,07 ± 1,3 kg e a produção ajustada para os 270 dias, de 1214,25 ± 293,54 kg. Não foram encontradas correlações entre produção de leite, contagem de células somáticas e CMT. Para CCS e CMT, a correlação foi positiva e significativa (r = 0,53).Palavras-chave: Murrah, contagem de células somáticas, California Mastitis Test, produção de leite Correlation Between the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and Somatic Cells Count on Milk from Murrah Buffalo CowsABSTRACT -The objective of this trial was to investigate correlations among the California Mastitis Test, somatic cells count (SCC), and milk yield. Milk samples were collected from thirty-eight Murrah buffalo cows in the years of 2002 and 2003. Milking management included cleaning teats with individual paper towel followed by attachment of the milk units in cows that were milked once daily. The CMT was done immediately after teat cleaning and collected milk samples were sent to the laboratory for determination of SCC using a Somacount 300. Correlations including variables such as SCC, CMT, milk yield, and percentages of fat, protein, and total solids were done using SAEG (1997). Somatic cells count averaged 63.380 cells/mL while average milk production and milk production adjusted for 270 days were 4.07 ± 1.3 kg and 1214.25 ± 293.54 kg, respectively. No significant correlations between milk yield and SCC and milk yield and CMT were observed in this study. However, a positive and significant correlation (0.53) between SCC and CMT was found.

Investigou-se, soroepidemiologicamente, a leptospirose em 775 cães do município de Botucatu - SP, em amostras de sangue, obtidas durante a campanha anual de vacinação anti-rábica, coletadas de 14 postos de vacinação, distribuídos geograficamente, representando o total de 45 postos de cinco regiões do Município, com uma área territorial urbana de 31km². Do total de amostras, 449 eram de machos, e 326, de fêmeas; 564 eram de animais sem raça definida, e 211, puros. As idades variavam de três meses a 20 anos. Para o diagnóstico, foi realizada a soroaglutinação microscópica, utilizando-se 12 sorovares de Leptospira spp. A comparação entre o resultado do exame sorológico e as variáveis epidemiológicas foi realizada pelos testes de Goodman e do Qui-quadrado, coma= 0,05. Obtiveram-se 119 (15,3%) amostras positivas, com reação para 11 sorovares, com maior importância para o canicola, em 48 (40,3%) amostras, e pyrogenes, em 41 (34,5%). Pela análise estatística, encontrou-se diferença significativa em relação à raça - positividade em 17,7% dos animais sem raça definida e em 9,0% dos demais - e sexo - positividade em 18,4% de machos e 11,0% de fêmeas. Quanto à idade, não houve diferença significativa, com distribuição uniforme entre as faixas etárias estabelecidas.

Objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a public health threat for several tropical countries, including Brazil. Therapy failures and relapses aggravate VL morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed at identifying predictors of relapse and thus contributes to directing therapeutic options and patient followup. Methods: A nonconcurrent cohort of 571 subjects who completed successful therapy for VL in the city of Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil, was followed for 24 months in order to identify the incidence and predictors of relapse. Extensive review of medical charts and laboratory files was conducted. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression models were used to identify predictors for the outcome of interest. A hierarchical strategy was used for variable selection in multivariable models. Results: Relapses occurred in 6.8% of treated subjects, after a median of 6 months (interquartile range, 4-9). In a comprehensive multivariable model, relapse was associated with: HIV-coinfection (hazard ratio [HR], 7.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.58-21.55); the presence of lower limb edema (HR, 6.06; 95%CI, 1.38-26.77) and low platelet count upon admission (HR for platelet count  1000, 0.99; 95%CI, 0.98-0.99) ; and secondary pneumonia (HR, 5.49; 95%CI, 1.49-20.18). On the other hand, therapy with Liposomal Amphotericin (as opposed to Antimoniate) was not independently associated with relapse (HR, 5.97; 95% CI, 0.63-56.29). Conclusion: Besides reinforcing the impact of HIV coinfection on the outcome of VL, our study points to clinical and laboratory findings that characterize patients who were more likely to relapse. Those groups should be more closely followed, and possibly could benefit from novel therapeutic options.