Molecular identification of the agent of Q fever - Coxiella burnetii - in domestic animals in State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Introduction: Over the last recent years, the number of Q fever cases have has increased throughout the world. An epidemiological investigation was performed in the area in which the first molecular documentation of Q fever in Brazil was previously reported.

Methods: Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR of Coxiella burnetii targeting the htpAB gene were performed in samples from 14 dogs (blood); 1 cat (blood); 10 goats (blood, milk, vaginal swab and anal swab); 3 sheep (blood); and 2 horses (blood).

Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia amblyommii, and Laguna Negra hantavirus in an Indian reserve in the Brazilian Amazon.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the presence of rickettsia and hantavirus in wild rodents and arthropods in response to an outbreak of acute unidentified febrile illness among Indians in the Halataikwa Indian Reserve, northwest of the Mato Grosso state, in the Brazilian Amazon. Where previously surveillance data showed serologic evidence of rickettsia and hantavirus human infection.

Methods: The arthropods were collected from the healthy Indian population and by flagging vegetation in grassland or woodland along the peridomestic environment of the Indian reserve.

Amblyomma cajennense infestation on horses in two microregions of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with infestation by Amblyomma cajennense on horses in two microregions of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Horses on 62 farms in the municipalities of the Itaguaí and Serrana microregions were evaluated between January and May 2009. The animals were examined to determine the presence of ticks and infestation level.

Q fever as a cause of fever of unknown origin and thrombocytosis: first molecular evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Brazil.

We report a case of Q fever in a man who presented with fever of 40 days duration associated with thrombocytosis. Serological and molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction) confirmed infection with Coxiella burnetii. A field study was conducted by collecting blood samples from the patient's family and from the animals in the patient's house.

Follow-up of the health conditions of an urban colony of free-roaming cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Similar to other urban areas where food and shelter are abundant, the zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro has dealt for years with a colony of feral or semi-feral domestic cats. A survey was conducted during 2002-2004 as a follow-up to a previous study in 2001 of the cat colony to identify pathogens circulating among the population and to annually follow the status of the cats to analyze morbidity coefficients and associations among infections and infestations identified in the colony. During the 3 years of the present study, 75 cats were sampled at least once, including 44 that were caught and examined only once, 14 that were examined twice, and 17 that were examined three times.

[The effect of different strains Babesia bovis (Babes, 1888) on tick of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887)].

Two samples (modified and no-modified) of Babesia bovis, were used to evaluate the effect on engorged females of Boophilus microplus Babesia spp - free. For so much, were used three holstein breed bovine, males with 6 months of age, (BH1, BH2 and BH3), coming of the Plateau of Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Each calf was infested with 0.

[Morphologic characterization and biological aspects of evolutive forms of Babesia bigemina (Smith and Kilborne, 1893) (Protozoa: Babesiidae) in Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887)].

The development of Babesia bigemina in Boophilus microplus were studied in experimental conditions, using crossed-breed bovine from free-area of these parasites. Stages of the hemoparasites were observed in the tick vector, starting from the infected red-blood cells observed in the gut of engorged females, from the first 24 hours after detachment to the emergence of sporokinets in the larvas. In the period from 24 to 48 hours after detachment of the engorged females (DEF), the presence of some infected red-blood cells was verified, beside the occurrence of ray bodies and of vermiculars forms, known as oocynets.