Wendell Marcelo de Souza Perinotto

Tick-borne diseases represent a challenge to both human and animal health; however, the strength of the available evidence varies among Ehrlichia species. This critical narrative review analyzes the diversity, geographic distribution, vectors, hosts, zoonotic potential, diagnosis, and surveillance of ehrlichiosis. Information was obtained through structured searches of PubMed/MEDLINE and SciELO, complemented by searches in the CAPES Journal Portal, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as targeted searches of institutional sources, and backward and forward citation tracking. The synthesis distinguished between seroreactivity, molecular detection, isolation, clinical association, vector competence, and reservoir competence. Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and E. muris subsp. eauclairensis are established human pathogens. Ehrlichia canis causes a widely distributed veterinary disease and has been molecularly confirmed in human infections; however, its frequency and population-level relevance are uncertain. For E. minasensis, E. japonica, and provisional taxa, detection in animals or ticks alone is insufficient to demonstrate zoonotic transmissions. In Latin America, particularly in Brazil, the limited evidence of human infection may reflect low clinical suspicion, limited access to PCR, the absence of specific surveillance, and the classification of cases as other febrile syndromes. Integrated surveillance is therefore recommended based on the early collection of human samples, investigation of animals and ticks linked to exposure, molecular characterization, and joint spatial and environmental analysis.

Tick-borne diseases represent a challenge to both human and animal health, but the strength of the available evidence varies among Ehrlichia species. This critical narrative review analyzed the diversity, geographic distribution, vectors, hosts, zoonotic potential, diagnosis, and surveillance of ehrlichioses. The synthesis distinguished among seroreactivity, molecular detection, isolation, clinical association, vector competence, and reservoir competence. Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and E. muris subsp. eauclairensis are established human pathogens. Ehrlichia canis causes a widely distributed veterinary disease and has been molecularly confirmed in human infections; however, its frequency and population-level relevance remain uncertain. For E. minasensis, E. japonica, and provisional taxa, detection in animals or ticks alone is insufficient to demonstrate zoonotic transmission. In Latin America, particularly in Brazil, evidence of human infection remains limited, is often based on serology, and contrasts with negative molecular investigations. The absence of a specific nationwide mandatory notification system, low clinical suspicion, and limited access to PCR contribute to underdiagnosis and underreporting. Integrated surveillance is therefore recommended, based on the early collection of human samples, investigation of animals and ticks linked to exposure, molecular characterization, and joint spatial and environmental analysis.

Entomopathogenic fungi are increasingly recognized as multifunctional bioinputs, but robust methodological approaches are needed to evaluate their compatibility with established microbial inoculants and their effects on plant performance. Our study proposes an integrative framework to assess Metarhizium–Bradyrhizobium interactions in soybean (Glycine max), combining laboratory compatibility screening with greenhouse assessment. First, Metarhizium anisopliae LCM S04 and Metarhizium brunneum LCM S11 were tested against Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens BR 85 (=SEMIA 5080) and Bradyrhizobium japonicum BR 86 (=SEMIA 5079) using dual-culture assays in a medium that supported the growth of both fungal and bacterial partners, allowing direct evaluation of intermicrobial compatibility. Subsequently, the microorganisms were evaluated in soybean under greenhouse conditions through direct seed inoculation. Each seed received bacterial culture, fungal suspension, or both (including absolute and nitrogen-fertilized controls). Plants were maintained under controlled conditions for 47 days. Plant height, leaf production, branching, nodulation, biomass, and root morphology were assessed. No inhibition zones were observed in vitro, and co-inoculation did not impair nodulation. The combination BR 86 + LCM S04 improved fine root number in soybean. This framework provides a reproducible approach for evaluating microbial compatibility and functional bioinput benefits and can be adapted to crops other than soybean.

The rise in anthelmintic resistance in small ruminants has driven the search for sustainable control alternatives. Among these, entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium robertsii stand out for their potential to reduce the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). This study evaluated the field efficacy of M. robertsii (LCM S15) under climatic conditions in the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil. The experiment was conducted between November 2022 and July 2023 in a completely randomized design with four groups (n = 8): aqueous control, oil control, aqueous suspension, and oil formulation of M. robertsii. Egg counts per gram of feces (EPG) and L3 larval recovery were assessed by coproculture and the Baermann technique. Efficacy ranged from 15.23% to 27.34%, with the oil formulation showing higher performance. Haemonchus sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. were the most prevalent genera. These findings suggest the potential of M. robertsii (LCM S15) as a biological control agent under field conditions.

We studied the immune condition of adult cattle to Anaplasma marginale , Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina and identified characteristics influencing the transmission of tick fever (TF) agents in properties from the Recôncavo baiano, a region located in the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil. Blood was sampled from cattle on 28 properties to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against A. marginale , B. bovis and B. bigemina and define the inoculation rate of B. bovis and B. bigemina on each property. A correlation test was conducted between herd seroprevalences of the TF agents to search for common transmission routes. Relation between characteristics of each property (cattle information, handling practices, tick control practices and acaricide resistance) and A. marginale herd seroprevalence and B. bovis and B. bigemina herd infection rate were explored through comparative analyses. We found seroprevalences over 75% for the three TF agents, being a positive correlation between A. marginale and B. bovis . Variables influencing the transmission of TF agents were genetic composition, use of spray acaricide formulations, use of avermectins and use of fipronil. The present study shows that adult cattle from properties in the Recôncavo baiano region have high seroprevalences for the TF agents meaning that most of the adult cattle are immune and TF outbreaks should not be frequent. We suggest that the principal propagation route of A. marginale in properties from the Recôncavo baiano is tick-borne transmission. Further investigations are necessary to establish risk factors influencing the immunity situation of cattle in the region.

This research aimed to quantify resistance levels to cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, amitraz, ivermectin, and fipronil in Rhipicephalus microplus larvae from cattle farms in the Recôncavo baiano region of the State of Bahia, Brazil. We also identified associations between resistance level and operational factors. Engorged adult female ticks were collected from 14 farms to perform bioassays for the five acaricide classes and determine the intensity of resistance. A nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was employed to identify categorical factors associated with resistance intensities. A high frequency of resistance was observed across all five compounds evaluated, even on farms that reported never using these products. On all farms, we found tick populations resistant to at least three acaricides. While cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and ivermectin showed the highest intensity of resistance (RR50: 38.06, 126, and 27.35, respectively), amitraz and fipronil showed the lowest (RR50: 11.28 and 1.06, respectively). In the Recôncavo baiano region, the incorporation of amitraz and fipronil in the formulation of strategic control protocols is recommended.

Objective: This study aimed to identify and report ophthalmic and adnexal diseases found in specimens of the Green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas ). Animal Studied and Procedures: Thirty‐nine animals stranded on the beaches of the north coast of Bahia, Brazil were submitted to necropsy. A total of 158 samples of the visual system (eyelids, eyes, and salt glands) from females (71.8%; 28/39) and males (28.2%; 11/39) were analyzed. Results: Samples without macro and microscopic changes counted as 30.4% (48/158) of the evaluated samples. Approximately 69.6% (110/158) had ophthalmic lesions; 92 were bilateral (24 eyelids, 44 eyes, and 24 salt glands), and 18 were unilateral. The anatomopathological evaluation of the specimens revealed predominantly neoplastic and inflammatory lesions, with fibropapillomatosis (FP) being the most frequent finding (58.9%; 93/158), followed by spirorchidiasis (46.8%; 74/158). Other ophthalmic lesions included mucopurulent conjunctivitis, ulcerative keratitis, corneal perforation, panophthalmitis, phthisis bulbi, bilateral scar tissue in the eyelids, and lithiasis in the salt glands. Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of understanding eye diseases as they can directly impact the management and preservation of sea turtles. This is particularly true for species in which the visual system plays a crucial role in feeding and migration. Therefore, this data can assist in promoting and implementing preventive and therapeutic measures for the conservation of these animals.

As verminoses gastrintestinais representam um dos principais entraves da caprinocultura, reduzindo o desempenho produtivo e comprometendo a sanidade dos rebanhos. O controle químico, amplamente utilizado, tem favorecido o surgimento de resistência parasitária as principais bases químicas disponíveis no mercado, levando à uma busca por métodos alternativos. Este estudo teve como objetivo, avaliar a eficácia in vitro do isolado Metarhizium robertsii (LCM S15) na concentração de 10 × 109 conídeos/mL, sobre larvas de nematoides gastrintestinais (NGIs) de caprinos, e avaliar, por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), aderência de conídios de Metarhizium robertsii (LCM S15) em formulação oleosa sobre o tegumento de larvas L3 de NGIs. O isolado apresentou redução de 71,17% das larvas e adesão de conídios ao tegumento observada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, evidenciando potencial do isolado no controle biológico de NGIs de caprinos.

This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of Lippia alba essential oil against gastrointestinal nematodes in goats, identify the helminth genera present, and perform a chemical characterization of the tested oil. Fecal samples were collected and quantified using the McMaster technique; samples with counts above 200 eggs per gram (EPG) were included in the experiment. The pooled positive sample showed an EPG of 2800. Quantitative coproculture was conducted with a negative control group (distilled water) and L. alba essential oil at concentrations of 10 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 100 mg/mL, maintained at room temperature for 10 days. Subsequently, larvae were recovered, identified, and quantified. Treatment efficacy was assessed using the larval reduction formula. Concentrations of 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 100 mg/mL were effective, achieving larval reductions of 79.5%, 87.8%, and 89.8%, respectively. The genera identified included Haemonchus sp. (56.8%), Trichostrongylus sp. (42.9%), and Oesophagostomum sp. (0.3%). Chemical composition of the oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with an advanced electron ionization source. Twenty-five compounds were identified, with E-citral (23.76%), Z-citral (20.46%), carvone (10.92%), and limonene (6.40%) being the most abundant. All tested concentrations of L. alba essential oil, except 10 mg/mL (29.7%), demonstrated anthelmintic potential by significantly reducing gastrointestinal nematode larvae in goats.