Norovirus (NoV) is the main cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. Although NoV spreads mainly from person to person, it is estimated that a large proportion of NoV outbreaks are caused by foodborne transmission. Bivalve mollusks are one of the most important foods involved in NoV transmission to humans. Little is known about NoV prevalence in shellfish harvested and commercialized in Brazil. The aim of this study was to map, for the first time, the distribution of NoV contamination in oysters and mussels harvested and commercialized in the coast of Pernambuco state, northeast Brazil. A total of 380 mollusks (260 oysters and 120 mussels) were collected between February and August 2017 either directly from harvesting areas or obtained from beach vendors at 17 sites in Pernambuco. Samples were processed and tested for NoV contamination using a SYBR Green real-time PCR assay. All samples were negative for NoV GI or GII contamination, suggesting a low risk of NoV contamination from this food source during the study period. Additional surveys in different areas of the Brazilian coast are warranted to monitor the risk of NoV infection upon seafood consumption.

RESUMO A brucelose equina é causada pela Brucella abortus e se manifesta principalmente através de fístulas na região da cernelha, que podem ser fonte de infecção para humanos. A infecção por B. abortus em equídeos ocorre principalmente pelo contato com bovinos infectados. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a frequência de anticorpos contra B. abortus em equideos procedentes da região da Zona da Mata do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Um total de 477 amostras de soros provenientes de equídeos saudáveis foram examinados por meio da prova do Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado (AAT) e do 2-Mercaptoetanol (2-ME). Na prova de AAT, 8,18% dos soros (39/477) apresentaram reação positiva, enquanto que nenhum desses reagiu na prova do 2-ME. Esses resultados demonstram que o agente não está presente na população estudada.

ABSTRACT Equine brucellosis is caused by Brucella abortus and most commonly manifests as fistulous withers in horses, which can be a source of exposure to humans. Infection by B. abortus in horses occurs mainly through contact with infected bovines. The aim of the present study was to estimate the frequency of antibodies against antigens of B. abortus in equidaes from the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 477 serum samples from healthy equines were examined by the acidified antigen modification test stained with rose-bengal (card test) and the 2-mercaptoethanol test. Using the card test, 8.18% samples (39/477) showed positive reactions, while no sample was positive using the 2mercaptoethanol test. These results show that the agent is not present in the studied population.

RESUMO A bronquite infecciosa das galinhas (BIG) é uma doença respiratória altamente contagiosa causada por um Coronavírus, o vírus da bronquite infecciosa das galinhas (VBIG). Embora o VBIG seja um patógeno primário do trato respiratório, ele é também uma causa comum de redução da produção e qualidade dos ovos em galinhas. Certos tipos de VBIG causam lesões renais, com significativa mortalidade. Há também mortalidade por conseqüências respiratórias. A doença possui grande importância econômica devida às perdas na produção, sendo estas maiores que as perdas por mortalidade. A ocorrência de múltiplos sorotipos e as características mutantes de seu agente etiológico tem complicado e aumentado os custos de produção e dificultado sua prevenção através da imunização. Recentemente, uma variante do VBIG tem sido descrita associado com a miopatia dos músculos peitorais em muitas partes do mundo, inclusive no Brasil.

ABSTRACT Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious respiratory disease of chickens caused by a Coronavirus, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Although IBV is primarily a respiratory tract pathogen, it is also a common cause of reduced egg production and egg quality in laying hens, and certain strains of IBV cause kidney lesions with significant mortality. Mortality by tracheal blockage also occurs. The disease has high economic importance due the loss of production, which is more important than the loss by mortality. The occurrence of multiple serotypes and mutants of the IBV have complicated and increased the production costs and have impaired its prevention through immunization. Recently, a variant IBV has been reported associated with pectoral muscle myopathy in many parts of world including Brazil.