Dados do Trabalho

Título

MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION OF ORTHOPOXVIRUS IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS FROM URBAN AREAS

Introdução

The increasing process of urbanization promotes more interaction between domestic and wild animals and, therefore, favors the sharing of zoonotic pathogens and increases the risk of human infections through contact with domestic animals. Given this context, viruses from the genus Orthopoxvirus have been emerging in urban areas all around the world. In Brazil, the species Orthopoxvirus vaccinia (VACV) has been causing Bovine Vaccinia outbreaks since 1999. Also, in 2022, a mpox outbreak was reported in the country. As smallpox vaccination was terminated in 1980, there is a considerable populational contingent unprotected against orthopoxvirus infections, which poses these outbreaks as an important public health issue. Serological and molecular data from recent studies show a possible VACV circulation between wild and domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, in Brazilian urban environments.

Objetivo (s)

In this study, we aimed to detect orthopoxvirus DNA in serum samples from 29 cats and 3 dogs from Belo Horizonte (n=32), capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, collected in the year 2023.

Material e Métodos

The samples were diluted in a phosphate saline buffer in a proportion of 1:10 and then submitted to real-time PCR targeting the C11R and A56R genes.

Resultados e Conclusão

None of the samples was positive for neither of the targets. Despite not finding viral DNA in the samples analyzed, as evidence of orthopoxvirus circulation in urban environments has been found, we stress the importance of epidemiologic surveillance over alternative transmission routes to these pathogens. Hence, more studies are needed to better understand viruses eco epidemiology in order for authorities to take actions to prevent the emergence of diseases.

Palavras Chave

Vaccinia virus, disease ecology, urbanization, ecoepidemiology