RESUMEN
Venezuelan Haemorrhagic Fever is an endemic zoonosis exhibiting a high lethality. Discovered decades ago, it is still causing seasonal hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. With the ongoing migration crisis, transmission and spreading to other countries in Latin America remains a latent threat that should be monitored, particularly in light of recent cases.
RESUMEN
Rodents are synanthropic mammals adapted to several ecosystems, where they can contribute to the transmission of zoonotic pathogens, including gastrointestinal parasites. The aim of this study was to study the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites from rodents and discuss the risk of transmission to humans. Fecal samples (n = 110) from different rodent species, namely, Cerradomys subflavus (n = 4), Mus musculus (n = 14), Rattus norvegicus (n = 80), Rattus rattus (n = 8) and Thrichomys apereoides (n = 4), were analyzed using the FLOTAC technique. Of the samples examined, 73.6% (81/110) tested positive for at least one gastrointestinal parasite. The most commonly identified parasites were Aspiculuris sp., Hymenolepis nana, Moniliformis sp., Syphacia sp., Strongyloides spp., Taenia spp., and Trichuris spp. eggs, Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae and Entamoeba spp. cysts. The findings of this study demonstrate that rodents living in different Brazilian biomes are parasitized by a wide range of parasites, including some of public health concern. Therefore, the proximity of rodents to human settlements may represent a tangible risk of infection for people living in these areas.
Roedores são mamíferos sinantrópicos adaptados a vários ecossistemas, onde podem contribuir para a transmissão de patógenos zoonóticos, incluindo parasitas gastrointestinais. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a ocorrência de parasitos gastrointestinais de roedores e discutir o risco de transmissão ao ser humano. Amostras fecais (n = 110) de diferentes espécies de roedores, a saber, Cerradomys subflavus (n = 4), Mus musculus (n = 14), Rattus norvegicus (n = 80), Rattus rattus (n = 8) e Thrichomys apereoides (n = 4), foram analisados pela técnica FLOTAC. Das amostras examinadas, 73,6% (81/110) apresentaram resultado positivo para pelo menos um parasito gastrointestinal. Os parasitos mais comumente identificados foram ovos de Aspiculuris sp., Hymenolepis nana, Moniliformis sp., Syphacia sp., Strongyloides spp., Taenia spp., Trichuris spp., larvas de Angiostrongylus cantonensis e cistos de Entamoeba spp. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que os roedores que vivem em diferentes biomas brasileiros são parasitados por uma ampla variedade de parasitos, incluindo alguns problemas de saúde pública. Portanto, a proximidade de roedores com assentamentos humanos pode representar um risco de infecção nessas áreas.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Ratas , Zoonosis , Animales , Brasil , Ciudades , Humanos , Distanciamiento Físico , Áreas de Pobreza , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Anthropogenic environmental changes arising from settlement and agriculture include deforestation and replacement of natural vegetation by crops providing opportunities for pathogen spillover from animals to humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of rodent-borne virus infections in seven rural settlements from Midwestern Brazil. Of the 466 individuals tested 12 (2.57%) were reactive for orthohantavirus and 3 (0.64%) for mammarenavirus. These rural settlers lived under unfavorable infrastructure, socioeconomic disadvantages, and unsanitary conditions, representing a risk for rodent-borne infections. Development of public policies towards the improvement of health, sanitation and awareness of rodent-borne diseases in improvised camps and settlements is imperative, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Animales , Masculino , Femenino , Preescolar , Niño , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Adulto Joven , Roedores/virología , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Hantavirus/epidemiología , Vectores de Enfermedades/clasificación , Roedores/clasificación , Población Rural , Factores Socioeconómicos , Brasil/epidemiología , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Prevalencia , Estudios Transversales , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/transmisión , Infecciones por Hantavirus/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Hantavirus/transmisión , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangreRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Madre de Dios is located in the southeastern Amazonian region of Peru. Rodents have been estimated to be the reservoirs for up to 50 % of emerging zoonotic pathogens, including a host of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. As part of a larger study involving both human and animal research, this study serves to obtain a broader understanding of the key challenges and concerns related to health and rodent-borne illnesses from the perspective of the people living in these communities. METHODS: We used a mixed methods approach, which comprised of 12 focus group discussions, 34 key informant interviews and the application of a survey (n = 522) in four communities along the Inter-Oceanic Highway (IOH) in Madre de Dios, Peru over a two-year period. RESULTS: Although 90 % of survey respondents answered that rodents can transmit diseases and had seen rodents in their homes and immediate surroundings, most could not name specific rodent-borne diseases and, when probed, described rodents as pests or nuisance animals, but were not concerned about acquiring illnesses from them. Key informant interview data suggests that there has been a perceived increase in the amount of rodents in the communities since the construction of the IOH, however this potential increase was not coupled with increased knowledge about diseases or perceived risks among these key informants. Health providers also mentioned a lack of diagnostic tools specific for rodent-borne illnesses. This may be related to the fact that although a common rodent-borne disease like leptospirosis is frequently detected in the region, it is not routinely and readily diagnosed, therefore the real burden of the disease and exposure risk can be underestimated. If rodent-borne diseases are not on the radar of health professionals, they may not consider presumptive treatment, which could result in unnecessary morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: Awareness of rodent-borne diseases is still lacking in the area, even among health care professionals within the communities, despite the known burden of diseases like leptospirosis. We expect to report further findings as we obtain more information from all the study components.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Transmisibles/psicología , Transmisión de Enfermedad Infecciosa , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Características de la Residencia , Roedores , Animales , Enfermedades Transmisibles/transmisión , Reservorios de Enfermedades , Grupos Focales , Humanos , Percepción , Perú , Proyectos de Investigación , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Clade C, of the New World Arenaviruses, is composed of only the Latino and Oliveros viruses and, besides the geographic range of their rodent reservoirs, the distribution of these viruses has been restricted to Bolivia and Argentina. In this study, the genetic detection and phylogenetic analysis of the complete S segment sequences of sympatric arenaviruses from Brazil revealed a new geographic distribution of clade C arenaviruses, as well as the association of Oliveros virus with a new rodent reservoir.