Publications by authors named "Ana C Yamakawa"
Molecular analysis of zoonotic pathogens in free-ranging six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) from the Brazilian semiarid region.
Rev Bras Parasitol Vet
January 2025
This study investigated infection by Leishmania spp., Leptospira spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypanosoma cruzi in six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) from the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil.
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- - The study investigated the prevalence of hemoplasma, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) among cats in a university campus shelter and free-roaming cats in Brazil, using blood samples analyzed via quantitative PCR.
- - Out of 45 cats tested, 6 (13.3%) were positive for hemoplasma, with all positive cases found in free-roaming cats, who also exhibited lower packed cell volumes; gender did not significantly influence hemoplasma infection rates.
- - The research revealed that despite a seemingly healthy cat population in terms of food availability, a significant number of free-roaming cats were still affected by flea infestations and hemoplasma infections.
Although leptospirosis has been described as a worldwide bacterial zoonosis primarily affecting vulnerable populations, to date no study has focused on concomitant serosurvey of homeless persons and their dogs. The aim of the present study was, to use a One Health approach to serologically assess homeless persons and their dogs in 3 major cities of south Brazil (São Paulo, Curitiba, and Foz do Iguaçu). Environmental information was obtained with an epidemiological questionnaire given to all participants.
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- - The study introduces an affordable and user-friendly colorimetric kit for diagnosing porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2), which can be interpreted without special equipment, using hybrid nanoparticles linked with specific antibodies for the virus.
- - Testing involved 40 positive samples confirmed by qPCR and 10 negative samples, with interference tests against other viruses to ensure accuracy; a noticeable color change (purple for positive and red for negative) occurs within about a minute after sample application.
- - This diagnostic method uses techniques like localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for validation and presents a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, with a kit price of only USD 4.00.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates hoarding disorder (HD), specifically animal hoarding disorder (AHD), focusing on its potential environmental health risks associated with zoonotic diseases.
- It assessed the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in 19 individuals with AHD and 264 dogs in Southern Brazil, finding no human seropositivity but a 6.1% seropositivity rate among dogs.
- The study highlights a possible lower prevalence of leptospirosis in hoarded dogs compared to other populations and emphasizes the need for public health awareness regarding this risk in AHD households.
Hunting activities are a potential risk factor for human infection with Leptospira spp. and, although wild boar seroprevalence has been studied, there are no concurrent serosurveys of wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and hunters. The aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeroprevalence of has been extensively studied in a variety of different human populations. However, no study has focused on homeless populations. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti- antibodies and the risk factors associated in homeless persons from homeless shelter of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite vulnerability and unsanitary conditions of animal hoarding may predispose environmental contamination and spread of vectors and pathogens, no study to date has focused on their impact on public health and zoonotic diseases. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated factors in individuals with animal hoarding disorder (AHD) and their dogs in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 264 dogs (21 households) and 19 individuals with AHD (11 households).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThirty-six free-ranging agoutis () from an urban area of the municipality of Curitiba, a southern region of Brazil, were tested for antibodies against and spp. Antibodies were present in 25% and 6% agoutis, respectively. No statistical differences were observed based on sex, age, and body mass of the agoutis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSerological and molecular investigation of Leishmania spp. infection in cats from an area endemic for canine and human leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.
Rev Bras Parasitol Vet
January 2020
The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Leishmania spp. antibodies, and its association with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), in domestic cats from an area endemic for canine and human leishmaniasis in Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. Ninety-one cats were subjected to a complete clinical exam, and blood samples were collected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii has been extensively studied in wild boars worldwide due to the emerging risk for human infection through meat consumption. However, this is the first study that reports toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in wild boars, wild boar hunters and their hunting dogs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-T.
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- Leptospirosis is a neglected disease linked to poor infrastructure and socioeconomic issues in urban slums, primarily spread through rat urine, highlighting the need for local prevention strategies.
- The study in Curitiba, Brazil, classified urban neighborhoods based on twelve risk factors to identify areas potentially at higher risk for human leptospirosis, while also assessing Leptospira spp. in rats for a better understanding of transmission.
- Results showed that while most census sectors (84.8%) were considered low-risk, key risk factors for rodent presence included inadequate water supply and sanitation issues, indicating that local environmental conditions significantly influence disease risk.