No abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and healthcare situation of dogs and cats owned by families assisted by the Family Health Strategy (FHS), from Santa Maria/RS, Brazil. This research was a cross-sectional and population-based study developed by applying a questionnaire to residents in the 16 FHS areas of the city. This was the first study addressing pet animal conditions in the FHS area. A total of 414 households were studied, and 88.5% of them had pets (dogs and/or cats), with an average of 2.2 dogs and 0.8 cats per household. Only 18.4% (228/1.241) of the animals were sterilized (dogs, 15.1% [135/891]; cats, 26.7% [93/348]). When considering the number of dogs, households with one resident had fewer dogs than households with two or more residents (p=0.006). The level of education and family income were not associated with the number of animals (p>0.001). However, higher levels of education and family income were associated with the sterilization of dogs, veterinary monitoring, vaccination, and treatment of ectoparasites in dogs and cats (p<0.0001). Additionally, the higher family income was associated with a higher frequency of endoparasite treatment (p<0.05). The study shows a high average number of pets per household in FSH areas compared to the average household population as well as a lack of veterinary care, making it essential to promote responsible custody.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii 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-T. gondii antibodies and the risk factors associated in homeless persons from homeless shelter of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil. In addition, anti-HIV antibodies and associated risk of T. gondii and HIV coinfection have been evaluated. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected by indirect fluorescent antibody test. In addition, anti-HIV levels were tested by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with positive samples confirmed by rapid immunoblot assay. Overall, IgG anti-T. gondii seropositivity was found in 43/120 (35.8%) homeless persons, with endpoint titers varying from 16 to 1,024. The only two pregnant women tested were negative for IgM by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with normal parturition and clinically healthy newborns in both cases. There were no statistical differences in the risk factors for anti-T. gondii serology (p > 0.05). Anti-HIV seropositivity was found in 2/120 (1.7%) homeless persons, confirmed as HIV-1. One HIV seropositive individual was also sero-reactive to IgG anti-T. gondii, and both were negative to IgM anti-T. gondii. This is the first study that reports the serosurvey of T. gondii in homeless persons worldwide. Despite the limited sample size available in the present study, our findings have shown that the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in homeless persons herein was lower than the general population, probably due to homeless diet habit of eating mainly processed food intake. No statistical differences were found regarding risk factors for anti-T. gondii exposure in homeless persons. Future studies should be conducted to fully establish risk factors for anti-T. gondii exposure in homeless persons.

No abstract

No abstract