The whole genome sequence of a low pathogenicity avian influenza virus (H6N2) was sequenced from a Brazilian teal ( Amazonetta brasiliensis ) in Brazil, 2023. Phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome revealed a distinct genome pertaining to South American LPAIV from 2014 to 2016, indicating extensive circulation among South American wild birds.

The aim of this study was to describe the pathological findings and causes of jaundice in 44 cats (Felis catus) over a six-year period. The cats were from two Brazilian metropolitan areas: 34.1% were female, 56.8% were male, and 9.1% had no information regarding their sex. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 13 years. Most of the cats examined were of a mixed breed (40/44), whereas the others were Angora (2/44), Oriental Short Hair (1/44) and Persian (1/44). All animals had mild to marked jaundice, and 39 were diagnosed with mild to marked anemia. The classification of icterus types (pre-hepatic, hepatic and post-hepatic) was based on gross and microscopic findings. Of the 44 animals, 10 were classified as pre-hepatic icterus, 33 with hepatic icterus and seven with post-hepatic icterus. In some cats, two types of icterus were found, of which five were classified as pre-hepatic and hepatic icterus, and one case was hepatic and post-hepatic icterus. According to the gross and microscopic findings, the cause of pre-hepatic icterus was idiopathic hemolytic anemia. The most frequent cause of hepatic icterus was hepatic lipidosis (26/44), followed by perihepatitis and hepatitis compatible with feline infectious peritonitis, lymphoma, glycogenic degeneration, cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic myeloid leukemia. In animals with post-hepatic icterus, the causes included cholangitis due to Platynosomum spp. infection, cholangioma of the common hepatic duct, and chronic cholangitis. Understanding the etiopathogenesis of jaundice requires an accurate clinic-pathological study and concomitant causes of the disease in cats should be considered.

Pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1) comprises pigeon-associated variants of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), predominantly belonging to genotypes VI, XX, and XXI. These viruses have been detected in feral pigeons in Brazil since at least 2014, and an NDV outbreak associated with a pigeon-origin genotype VI virus was reported in commercial broilers in 2024. Here, we characterized two PPMV-1 strains detected in pigeons samples from geographically distinct regions of Brazil. Virus BR/105/21 was detected in Midwestern Brazil, whereas BR/34/22 was detected in Southeastern Brazil. Genome sequencing yielded a complete genome sequence for BR/105/21 (15,192 nt; 100% reference-genome coverage; mean depth, 3334×) and a near-complete genome sequence for BR/34/22 (15,133 nt; 99.5% reference-genome coverage; mean depth, 20.8×). Both viruses possessed the F-protein cleavage-site motif ^113RQKR↓F^117, which is consistent with the molecular criterion for virulent NDV. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete F-gene coding sequence grouped both viruses with PPMV-1 previously detected in Brazil between 2014 and 2019. Analysis of VI.2.1.2 sequences identified three well-supported phylogenetic groups with between-group nucleotide distances of 6.1–8.0%. Based on established NDV classification criteria, two groups are proposed as VI.2.1.2.1, comprising viruses from Nigeria detected between 2007 and 2015, and VI.2.1.2.2, comprising Brazilian viruses detected between 2014 and 2022 and one virus detected in Argentina in 1997. These findings expand the available genetic data for pigeon-associated NDV in South America and reveal substantial genetic heterogeneity and phylogenetic structure within VI.2.1.2, reinforcing the importance of genomic surveillance of NDV in pigeons.

Capillaria plica and Capillaria feliscati are nematodes that cause feline urinary capillariosis. These parasites usually cause mild illnesses, they do not affect the lower urinary tract. This report describes two symptomatic cases of feline urinary capillariosis. Case 1: cat, 8 years old, with lack of appetite and cystitis confirmed by urinalysis and ultrasound examination. Eggs of Capillaria spp. were identified in the examination of the urinary sediment. Antiparasitic treatment with Fenbendazole was prescribed. Case 2: cat, 5 years old, with urinary and fecal incontinence. The presence of eggs of Capillaria spp. in the examination of the urinary sediment and then treatment with Fenbendazole was performed, resulting in the elimination of the parasites. Although rare, feline urinary capillariosis can be a differential diagnosis for urinary tract abnormalities in this species.

Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis is an emerging human pathogen with increasing reports of infection in domestic animals. This study describes a naturally infected mare from Brazil with no history of international travel, presenting with persistent nodular cutaneous lesions and cervical lymph node enlargement, without evidence of systemic involvement. Considering the endemicity of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in the study area, as well as previous reports of equine leishmaniasis, infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum was initially suspected. Anti-L. (L.) infantum antibodies (titer 320) were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay, and histopathological analysis of the lymph node revealed amastigote forms compatible with Leishmania spp. Therefore, while the etiological agent was still unknown, xenodiagnosis using Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis was performed during the diagnostic investigation based on the initial suspicion of L. (L.) infantum infection. Limited blood feeding was observed, and no evidence of parasite transmission was detected. In addition, flagellated parasites were isolated in vitro from a fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the cervical lymph node. Molecular characterization of clinical samples and culture isolate was performed by amplification of Leishmania spp. kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region of Trypanosomatidae ribosomal DNA, followed by Sanger sequencing, which revealed the presence of L. (M.) martiniquensis. These findings provide documented evidence of natural infection by L. (M.) martiniquensis in a horse in Brazil and highlight the circulation of this emerging pathogen in areas endemic for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Furthermore, they reinforce the need for additional studies to better elucidate its epidemiological cycle and vector-host interactions.