Molecular typing of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo isolates from leptospirosis outbreaks in Brazilian livestock.

Background: Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira spp. This zoonotic disease is distributed globally and affects domestic animals, including cattle. Leptospira interrogans serogroup Sejroe serovar Hardjo and Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroup Sejroe serovar Hardjo remain important species associated with this reproductive disease in livestock production.

Molecular detection of Leishmania braziliensis in Rattus norvegicus in an area endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Leishmania nested PCR (LnPCR) targeted to the SSUrRNA gene and DNA sequencing were used to analyze 315 tissue samples from 80 Rattus norvegicus specimens trapped in an area endemic for leishmaniasis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Of the samples analyzed, 17.46% (55/315) of all tissues, 10% (8/80) of skin, 26.

Anti-Leptospira sp. agglutinins in ewes in the Federal District, Brazil.

To define the prevalence of anti-Leptospira sp. agglutinins in ewes in the Federal District, Brazil, serum samples from 157 ewes were tested for antibodies against serovars of Leptospira sp. by the microscopic agglutination test.

Dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families: a sustainable model for controlling the disease.

A model for the dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families was evaluated in two schools in Caeté, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Age ranged from 9 to 17 years in the two schools, one receiving the intervention (with 92 students) and the other serving as the control (96 students). All the students attended a class and received a pamphlet on visceral leishmaniasis.

[Assessment of knowledge and preventive attitudes concerning visceral leishmaniasis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil].

The main objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge concerning visceral leishmaniasis and attitudes used to prevent the disease in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in 2006. A case-control study was conducted, with home visits and a questionnaire. The odds ratio was calculated, comparing 82 cases of human visceral leishmaniasis in 2004 and 164 controls (neighbors of cases).

[Presence of IgM antibodies for Leptospira interrogans in wild animals from Tocantins State, 2002].

Four hundred and twenty-seven serum samples of wild animals were tested against 18 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Of 286 samples of Cebus apella, 46 (16.1%) were positive for the serovars pomona, brasiliensis, mini, swajizak, grippotyphosa, sarmin, fluminense, autumnalis, hebdomadis, guaratuba, javanica and icterohaemorrhagiae.

Spatial hierarchical variances and age covariances for seroprevalence to Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo, BoHV-1 and BVDV for cattle in the State of Paraíba, Brazil.

We estimated spatial hierarchal variances and age-group covariances for seroprevalence to Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo (LeptoH), bovine viral-diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) among 2343 cattle from 72 properties sampled in the State of Paraíba, Brazil in 2000. From each property, eight animals in each of the four age categories were evaluated. The age categories studied were: pre-weaned (0-6 months), young (7-18 months), replacement (19-30 months) and mature (>30 months).

[Human rabies transmitted by dogs: risk areas in Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1991-1999].

A retrospective study based on observation with the objective of identifying and characterizing the different risk areas for rabies transmission by dogs took place in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 1991 to 1999. Indicators confirmed occurrences of canine and feline rabies, notification of human rabies, and administration of appropriate vaccination. The Minas Gerais State Health System is divided into 25 Regional Health Centers, which are linked to the State Health Department (SES-MG).