O Toxoplasma gondii, agente da toxoplasmose, encontra-se distribuído mundialmente. No presente estudo, determinou-se a prevalência do T. gondii nas espécies suína, bovina, ovina e eqüina oriundas de fazendas do município de Jaguapitã , através da imunofluorescência indireta para detecção de anticorpos da classe - IgG, considerando-se sororeagentes aqueles títulos maiores ou iguais a 1:64. Verificou-se uma prevalência de 24% em 267 amostras de suínos, 25,8% em 400 amostras de bovinos, 51,8% em 228 amostras de ovinos e 12,1% em 173 amostras de eqüinos. Com relação às faixas etárias, apenas os ovinos e suínos apresentaram diferenças estatísticas significantes, aumentando a soropositividade com as idades, porém, não se verificaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas com base no sexo de nenhuma das espécies animais estudadas. Obtiveram-se correlações entre os títulos de anticorpos interespécie, positivas e significativas, sendo que apresentaram importância epidemiológica aquelas entre as espécies humana-canina (r=0,64 p=0,05), humana-felina (r=0,78 p=0,01), canina-suína (r=0,96 p=0,0001), bovina-ovina (r=0,82 p=0,006), bovina-eqüina (r=0,89 p= 0,001) e ovina-eqüina (r=0,92 p=0,0004), demonstrando que as espécies hominívoras, carnívoras e herbívoras estariam expostas avias de transmissão comuns. Os resultados demostraram a elevada prevalência da toxoplasmose na população estudada e, conseqüentemente, o alto risco da carne como via de transmissão para o homem, quando ingerida crua ou mal cozida.

correspondência. 4 Acadêmicas do Curso de Medicina Veterinária, bolsistas do CNPq. RESUMO O presente estudo determinou a soroprevalência da toxoplasmose em gatos e cães localizados na zona rural do município de Jaguapitã, Estado do Paraná, através da reação de imunofluorescência indireta para detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii da classe IgG, considerando-se reagentes títulos maiores ou iguais a 1:16. Observou-se uma prevalência de 73 % em 163 soros felinos e 84,1% em 189 soros caninos, sendo que nas duas espécies não houve diferença em relação ao sexo. Em relação aos felinos, o título mais freqüente foi 1: 4096 (28,6%) e o maior título encontrado foi de 1:65536 (0,8%), apresentando diferenças estatísticas com relação ás faixas etárias, e com aumento da soropositividade com a idade. Os títulos mais freqüentes nos caninos foram 1:64 (38,4%), e o maior título foi de 1:4096 (1,9%), com soropositividade menor nos animais com menos de 8 meses. Não houve correlação significativa na distribuição dos títulos de anticorpos entre felinos e caninos. Através do presente trabalho, verificou-se que o T. gondii está amplamente distribuído na população felina e canina da região. SUMMARYThe present study was designed to stablish the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in cats and dogs from a rural area of the Jaguapitã county, Paraná state, Antibodies against-Toxoplasma gondii were detected by indirect immunofluorescence test. Titers than 1:16 were considered positive. A prevalence rate of 73% and 84.1% was observed for cats and dogs respectively . There was no difference related to sender. The most frequent titer in cats was 1:4096 (28.6%), whereas the highest titer found was 1:65536 (0.8%). There was a statistical significant increase in seropositivity with age. The most common titers in dogs was 1:64 (38.4%), whereas the highest titer was 1:4096 (1.9%). There was a decrease in seropositivity in dogs with less than 8 of age. There was no significant correlation in the distribuition of titers between dogs and cats. Based on our data we conclude that T. gondii is widely distributed in dogs and cats from this region.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused primarily by Ehrlichia canis and canine thrombocytic anaplasmosis induced by Anaplasma platys are important emerging zoonotic tick-borne diseases of dogs. There is evidence that these pathogens can also affect humans. This study evaluated the presence of E. canis and A. platys in blood samples collected from 256 domiciled dogs in the municipality of Jataizinho, located in north region of the State of Parana, Brazil, by PCR assay. The occurrence of E. canis and A. platys was 16.4% (42/256) and 19.4% (49/256), respectively; while 5.47% (14/256) of the dogs evaluated were co-infected by these two organisms. The presence of E. canis and A. platys was not significantly associated with the variables evaluated (sex, age, outdoor access, and presence of ticks during blood collection). Infection of dogs by E. canis was associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia, while infection induced by A. platys was related only to thrombocytopenia. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and canine thrombocytic anaplasmosis should be included in the differential diagnoses when these hematological alterations are observed during routine laboratory evaluation of dogs.Keywords: Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, canine thrombocytic anaplasmosis, PCR, anemia, thrombocytopenia. ResumoErliquiose monocítica canina, causada principalmente por Ehrlichia canis, e anaplasmose trombocítica canina, devida a infecção com Anaplasma platys, são importantes doenças transmitidas por carrapatos que acometem os cães, com evidências que podem também acometer o homem. O presente estudo avaliou a ocorrência desses agentes em amostras de sangue de 256 cães domiciliados na cidade de Jataizinho, na região Norte do Paraná, Brasil, utilizando a técnica da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). A ocorrência de E. canis e A. platys foi de 16,4% (42/256) e 19,4% (49/256), respectivamente, com 5,47% (14/256) dos animais apresentando coinfecção. Não foi observada associação significativa com as variáveis sexo, idade, acesso à rua e presença de carrapatos no momento da coleta de sangue. A infecção por E. canis teve relação com anemia e com trombocitopenia, enquanto a infecção por A. platys apresentou relação apenas com trombocitopenia. Com base nos resultados obtidos, reforçou-se a necessidade de que erliquiose e anaplasmose canina devem estar entre os diagnósticos diferenciais, quando da detecção de anemia e trombocitopenia em exames laboratoriais.

Bovine hemoplasmas are bacteria found on the erythrocyte surface or free in the plasma of cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' ('C. M. haemobos') in Holstein and Jersey cattle raised in Londrina and surroundings, northern region of the State of Parana, Southern Brazil. PCR testing directed to 16S rRNA gene fragment was performed to investigate the occurrence and characterize the molecular identity of 'C. M. haemobos'. A total of 264/433 (60.97%) blood samples were positive by PCR. Further alignment of 500-bp amplicons to available sequences at the GenBank database showed high identity (100%) to 'C. M. haemobos'. To the author's knowledge, this is the first molecular confirmation of the hemoplasma 'C. M. haemobos' in cattle from Brazil. Moreover, 'C. M. haemobos' was observed in high occurrence in dairy cattle, and may have significant impact in livestock production.

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoal zoonosis common among a great variety of species worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of toxoplasmosis among 345 residents in a rural area in Jagupitã municipality, Paraná state, Brazil. The frequency of titers in human serum samples was compared with the frequency of titers found in 1,420 samples obtained from various animal species with which local residents came into contact. Titers > or = 16 were considered positive. The highest titer found was 65,536 (1%), and the most frequent titer levels were 256 (29%) and 1,024 (19%). The comparisons between humans and animals revealed a positive and significant correlation between humans and felines (r = 0.78; P = 0.01) and humans and canines (r = 0.64; P = 0.05) in terms of titer distribution. Study participants were also tested with the Amsler grid. Seventy-five of the 345 people (22%) reported some type of ocular degradation. Of these 75, 58 of them (77%) were seropositive for toxoplasmosis. Forty-one of these 58 people underwent an ophthalmologic exam. Of these 41, 9 of them, who were between 34 and 78 years old, presented lesions characteristic of healed chorioretinitis, suggesting ocular toxoplasmosis. None of the 9 had ocular inflammation. Six of the 9 patients (67%) had unilateral lesions; 4 of these 6 presented a titer level of 256. The epidemiological survey showed that the probability of presenting ocular problems was 2.06 times as great for reactive patients as for nonreactive ones. No significant differences were observed in terms of sex, contact with felines or other animals, consumption of raw or rare meat and raw milk, and slaughtering of animals for personal consumption. Our results suggest that toxoplasmosis is common in the region, with a significant incidence of ocular lesions caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Health authorities should increase their monitoring and control activities in order to decrease the risk of toxoplasmic infections, especially among pregnant women.