Canine distemper (CD) is a widespread infectious disease that can severely impact a variety of species in the order Carnivora, as well as non-carnivore species such as non-human primates. Despite large-scale vaccination campaigns, several fatal outbreaks have been reported in wild and domestic carnivore populations. This, in association with expansion of the disease host range and the development of vaccine-escape strains, has contributed to an increased demand for therapeutic strategies synergizing with vaccine programs for effectively controlling canine distemper. 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside (6MMPr) is a modified thiopurine nucleoside with known antiviral properties against certain RNA viruses. We tested the inhibitory effects of 6MMPr against a wild-type CDV strain infection in cell culture. We measured infectious particle production and viral RNA levels in treated and untreated CDV-infected cells. Ribavirin (RIB) was used as a positive control. Here, we report for the first time the antiviral effects of 6MMPr against canine distemper virus (CDV) in vitro. 6MMPr was able to reduce viral RNA levels and to inhibit the production of infectious CDV particles. The therapeutic selectivity of 6MMPr was approximately six times higher than that of ribavirin. Our results indicate that 6MMPr has high anti-CDV potential and warrants further testing against other paramyxoviruses, as well as clinical testing of the compound against CDV.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) and antimicrobial resistance among pathogens causing SSI are a growing concern in veterinary hospitals. One major reason, the widespread use of antimicrobials, has led to increased incidence of SSIs. This study identified bacteria and resistance profiles to antimicrobials in the SSI cases diagnosed at the Surgical Clinic of Small Animals in the Veterinary Hospital, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil. The main genus identified was Staphylococcus, followed by Escherichia, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Shigella, Citrobacter, Proteus, Morganella, Serratia, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella were also found, but in small number. The results indicated the predominance of Gram-negative bacteria among the collected samples. Most of isolates identified were resistant to more than one of the following antimicrobials: ampicillin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cephalotin. Of the 17 Staphylococcus sp. isolates, two (11.8%) were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 11 (64.7%) of them were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). There were bacterial genera identified with resistance to all tested antimicrobials in different proportions. This should alert veterinary hospitals to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and to the requirement for the revision of surgical protocols with regard to antimicrobial prophylaxis and therapy.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was described as an RNA virus of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in human beings (Zhu and others, 2020 ZHU, N.; ZHANG, D.; WANG, W. et al. A Novel Coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N. Engl. J. Med., v.382, p.727-733, 2020. ), and detected in different animal species worldwide, including dogs, cats, wild felids, minks, and non-human primates .

Background and Aim: The emerging concerns regarding the new Coronavirus's ability to cause infection in pets has led to animal testing and worrisome findings reported all over the world in domesticated and wild animals. This study aimed to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in dog and cat samples with the clinical presentation for respiratory or gastrointestinal disease in Brazil. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-five samples were collected from 12 states of Brazil that originated from the gastrointestinal, upper respiratory tract, and other sites, including some pools of samples from before the onset of the pandemic including blood and/or urine samples. They were tested for RT-PCR detection of respiratory or gastrointestinal pathogens through Respiratory or Diarrhea RT-PCR Panels in the TECSA (Tecnologia em Saninade Animal - Animal Health Technology) Veterinary Medicine Laboratory. This work was conducted in compliance with ethical standards. Results: Seven different microorganisms that can cause respiratory and/or gastrointestinal clinical signs were detected in cats (Feline Coronavirus [FCoV], Feline Parvovirus, Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Calicivirus, Mycoplasma felis, Campylobacter spp., and Cryptosporidium spp.) and three in dogs (canine distemper virus, Cryptosporidium spp., and Babesia spp.). Conclusion: Although the samples corresponded to the beginning of coronavirus disease-19 spread in Brazil and clinically correlated with the expected viral replication sites, none of the animals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; reassuringly, four cats tested positive or FCoV none of them were positive for SARS-CoV2. The epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in pets is considered a one health issue, important for monitoring the disease evolution, spread and minimizing the animal-human health impacts, and directing Public Health Policies.

This research aimed to conduct an epidemiological-molecular study of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in cats from shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (MRR), Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. Blood samples from 260 cats from 18 shelters located in 5 municipalities within the MRR were analyzed. DNA samples from peripheral blood were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect FeLV proviral DNA. PCR-positive samples were sequenced and analyzed using BLAST software for phylogenetic tree construction. The prevalence of infection in cats was 9.6% (25/260). Among the 18 sampled shelters, 33.3% (6/18) had cats positive for FeLV. It was observed that 60% (3/5) of the investigated municipalities had felines positive for FeLV infection. Among the positive cats, males accounted for 52% (13/25) and females for 48% (12/25). Of the 22 sequenced samples, 18 sequences were used as queries for an online BLAST search to build a dataset. This study is pioneering in the state of Pernambuco and demonstrates the prevalence of FeLV infection in felines living in shelters in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, PE. Based on these results, we recommend vaccinating any cat with outdoor access in the study region. Understanding the prevalence of FeLV in Pernambuco provides insights into the local situation and helps develop effective hygienic-sanitary programs in feline shelters in the MRR, contributing to increased awareness of responsible pet ownership and reducing FeLV transmission among community felines.