Ectoparasitos de animais silvestres no Maranhão

Objetivou-se identificar os ectoparasitos de animais silvestres recepcionados pelo Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, São Luís, Maranhão. Os ectopararasitos identificados foram: piolhos Acidoproctus sp., Trinoton sp., Ciconiphilus sp, Austromenopon sp., Quadraceps sp., Saemundssonia sp. e Trichodectes canis; carrapato Amblyomma rotundatum e Rhipicephalus sanguineus; pulgas Ctenocephalides felis e larvas de Cochliomyia hominivorax. Os resultados apresentados documentam a infestação de mamíferos, répteis e aves silvestres por ectoparasitos.

Anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in free-ranging and captive capybaras from southern Brazil

Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) are among the main hosts of Amblyomma spp. ticks, which is able to transmit Rickettsia species to human beings and animals. Since they are often infested with potential vector ticks, capybaras may be used as sentinels for rickettsiosis, such as the Brazilian Spotted Fever. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Rickettsia spp. using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in 21 free-ranging and 10 captive animals from the Zoological Park of the 'Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary' (BVBS), Itaipu Binational, Foz do Iguaçu, Southern Brazil. Antigens of six rickettsial species already identified in Brazil (Rickettsia rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. bellii, R. rhipicephali, R. amblyommii and R. felis) were used for IFA. Ticks from each capybara were collected for posterior taxonomic identification. A total of 19 (61.3%) samples reacted to at least one of tested species. Seropositivity was found in 14 (45.2%), 12 (38.7%), 5 (16.1%), 4 (12.9%), 3 (9.7%) and 3 (9.7%) animals for R. rickettsii, R. bellii, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii, R. felis and R. rhipicephali, respectively. Two captive capybaras presented suggestive titers of R. rickettsii infection and one sample showed homologous reaction to R. parkeri. Only one free-ranging capybara presented evidence R. bellii infection. Ticks collected on capybaras were identified as Amblyomma dubitatum e Amblyomma sp. Results evidenced the rickettsial circulation in the area, suggesting a potential role of capybaras on bacterial life cycle.

Ectoparasitos em preás (Galea spixii Wagler, 1831) cativos no semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte

Os roedores silvestres quando criados em cativeiro podem ser acometidos por ectoparasitos que afetam a sua sanidade. Este trabalho objetivou identificar a ectofauna natural do preá Galea spixii criado nas condições de cativeiro no semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte e estudar o comportamento da dinâmica comportamental do ectoparasitismo mais prevalente. Utilizou-se 40 espécimes de spixii cativos do Centro de Multiplicação de Animais Silvestres da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido. Os exemplares foram anestesiados e examinados para busca de ectoparasitos, durante os meses de março a outubro de 2010. Os preás estudados apresentaram Amblyomma sp., Demodex sp. e Gliricola quadrisetosa. Os dados de frequência de G. quadrisetosa, espécie de maior prevalência, revelaram que a média de piolhos recuperados nas distintas áreas corporais, foi maior para exemplares fêmeas (p=0,0498). O período climático não influenciou na frequência de G. quadrisetosa recuperada dos animais (p>0,05). Da ectofauna identificada em G. spixii, notifica-se Demodex sp. como primeiro registro neste roedor nas condições semiáridas do Brasil. Os dados sugerem que a área corporal e o período não interferiram na infra população de Gliricola quadrisetosa encontrada em Galea spixii.

Parasitos de aves e mamíferos silvestres em cativeiro no estado de Pernambuco

Resumo: Os animais silvestres são hospedeiros de uma grande variedade de parasitos que podem interferir em sua conservação ex situ. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os parasitos gastrointestinais (PGI) e ectoparasitos dos animais do Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS) do Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA) de Recife, Pernambuco, além de determinar os aspectos do manejo em cativeiro que possam estar relacionados com os parasitos identificados. Foram coletados ectoparasitos e amostras fecais de 223 aves e mamíferos, as quais foram processadas pelos métodos: microscopia direta, flutuação e sedimentação. Helmintos e/ou protozoários foram detectados em 91 (40,8%) amostras fecais, sendo 64 (70,3%) de aves e 27 (29,7%) de mamíferos. Ovos de Capillaria sp., Ascaridida, Spirurida e oocistos de Eimeria sp. foram detectados nas amostras fecais das aves, enquanto ovos de Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides sp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp., Strongylida e oocistos de Coccídios foram encontrados nas amostras fecais de mamíferos. Os ectoparasitos identificados em aves foram Colpocephalum turbinatum, Kurodaia (Kurodaia) fulvofasciata, Halipeurus sp., Naubates sp., Saemundssonia sp., Austromenopon sp., Paragoniocotes sp., Brueelia sp., Myrsidea sp. and Pseudolynchia sp., enquanto em mamíferos os ectoparasitos identificados foram Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma varium, A. calcaratum, A. nodosum, Ornithodoros talaje e Ctenocephalides felis felis. A. calcaratum e O. talaje são registrados pela primeira vez em Pernambuco e T. tetradactyla é apresentado como novo hospedeiro de O. talaje. Nenhum dos animais estudados apresentou sinais clínicos em decorrência da infecção/infestação parasitária. Parasitos com potencial zoonótico como T. trichiura, Strongyloides sp., T. canis e Ancylostoma sp. foram identificados em primatas não humanos e carnívoros. Precárias condições estruturais e sanitárias do CETAS-PE estão relacionadas com os parasitos identificados neste estudo e devem ser levadas em consideração para a adoção de medidas adequadas de controle. Os resultados deste estudo contribuirão de maneira significativa para a conservação de animais selvagens no CETAS-PE e para a saúde dos profissionais responsáveis pela manutenção destes animais.

Description of Lyme disease-like syndrome in Brazil: is it a new tick borne disease or Lyme disease variation?

An emerging clinical entity that reproduces clinical manifestations similar to those observed in Lyme disease (LD) has been recently under discussion in Brazil. Due to etiological and laboratory particularities it is named LD-like syndrome or LD imitator syndrome. The condition is considered to be a zoonosis transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, possibly caused by interaction of multiple fastidious microorganisms originating a protean clinical picture, including neurological, osteoarticular and erythema migrans-like lesions. When peripheral blood of patients with LD-like syndrome is viewed under a dark-field microscope, mobile uncultivable spirochete-like bacteria are observed. PCR carried out with specific or conservative primers to recognize Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto or the genus Borrelia has been negative in ticks and in biological samples. Two different procedures, respectively involving hematoxylin and eosin staining of cerebrospinal fluid and electron microscopy analysis of blood, have revealed spirochetes not belonging to the genera Borrelia, Leptospira or Treponema. Surprisingly, co-infection with microorganisms resembling Mycoplasma and Chlamydia was observed on one occasion by electron microscopy analysis. We discuss here the possible existence of a new tick-borne disease in Brazil imitating LD, except for a higher frequency of recurrence episodes observed along prolonged clinical follow-up.

Comparison of two methods for collecting free-living ticks in the Amazonian forest

In the present study, we compared 2 methods for collecting ixodid ticks on the verges of animal trails in a primary Amazon forest area in northern Brazil. (i) Dragging: This method was based on passing a 1-m(2) white flannel over the vegetation and checking the flannel for the presence of caught ticks every 5-10 m. (ii) Visual search: This method consisted of looking for guesting ticks on the tips of leaves of the vegetation bordering animal trails in the forest. A total of 103 adult ticks belonging to 4 Amblyomma species were collected by the visual search method on 5 collecting dates, while only 44 adult ticks belonging to 3 Amblyomma species were collected by dragging on 5 other collecting dates. These values were statistically different (Mann-Whitney Test, P = 0.0472). On the other hand, dragging was more efficient for subadult ticks, since no larva or nymph was collected by visual search, whereas 18 nymphs and 7 larvae were collected by dragging. The visual search method proved to be suitable for collecting adult ticks in the Amazon forest: however, field studies should include a second method, such as dragging in order to maximize the collection of subadult ticks. Indeed, these 2 methods can be performed by a single investigator at the same time, while he/she walks on an animal trail in the forest. (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Antimicrobial activity in the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus eggs: Cellular localization and temporal expression of microplusin during oogenesis and embryogenesis

Arthropods display different mechanisms to protect themselves against infections, among which antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role, acting directly against invader pathogens. We have detected several factors with inhibitory activity against Candida albicans and Micrococcus luteus on the surface and in homogenate of eggs of the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. One of the anti-M. luteus factors of the egg homogenate was isolated to homogeneity. Analysis by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) revealed that it corresponds to microplusin, an AMP previously isolated from the cell-free hemolymph of X (B.) microplus. Reverse transcription (RT) quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) showed that the levels of microplusin mRNA gradually increase along ovary development, reaching an impressive highest value three days after the adult females have dropped from the calf and start oviposition. Interestingly, the level of microplusin mRNA is very low in recently laid eggs. An enhance of microplusin gene expression in eggs is observed only nine days after the onset of oviposition, achieving the highest level just before the larva hatching, when the level of expression decreases once again. Fluorescence microscopy analysis using an anti-microplusin serum revealed that microplusin is present among yolk granules of oocytes as well as in the connecting tube of ovaries. These results, together to our previous data. suggest that microplusin may be involved not only in protection of adult female hemocele, but also in protection of the female reproductive tract and embryos, what points this AMP as a considerable target for development of new methods to control R. (B.) microplus as well as the vector-borne pathogens. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new tick Kunitz type inhibitor, Amblyomin-X, induces tumor cell death by modulating genes related to the cell cycle and targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of Amblyomin-X, a serine protease Kunitz-type inhibitor. Amblyomin-X induced tumor mass regression and decreased number of metastatic events in a B16F10 murine melanoma model. Alterations on expression of several genes related to cell cycle were observed when two tumor cell lines were treated with Amblyomin-X. PSMB2, which encodes a proteasome subunit, was differentially expressed, in agreement to inhibition of proteasomal activity in both cell lines. In conclusion, our results indicate that Amblyomin-X selectively acts on tumor cells by inducing apoptotic cell death, possibly by targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diversidade e potencial zoonótico de parasitos de Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1841 (Marsupialia: Didelphidae)

Didelphis albiventris, gambá-de-orelha-branca, é um marsupial de hábitos crepusculares e noturnos que se alimenta de frutos, insetos, pequenos répteis e anfíbios, filhotes de aves e pequenos mamíferos. Com a destruição de seu “habitat” natural devido às queimadas e desmatamentos, esses animais têm-se aproximado, cada vez mais, das regiões peridomiciliar e domiciliar, onde procuram abrigo e alimentos. Com o objetivo de conhecer a diversidade de parasitos de D. albiventris e relatar os que apresentam potencial zoonótico, foram examinados 30 exemplares desta espécie, através de necropsia, para coleta de ectoparasitos da superfície externa do corpo e helmintos dos órgãos e conteúdos estomacal e intestinal. Os sifonápteros foram removidos da superfície externa dos animais, conservados em álcool etílico a 70°GL, clarificados em líquido de Nesbitt, desidratados em etanol, diafanizados em creosoto de Faya e montados em lâminas com bálsamo do Canadá para identificação. Os carrapatos foram removidos da superfície externa dos animais, conservados em álcool etílico a 70°GL e identificados ao estereomicroscópio, segundo chaves específicas de Aragão & Fonseca (1961) e Guimarães et al (2001). Os helmintos foram recolhidos com auxílio de estiletes e pinças, clarificados em lactofenol e montados entre lâminas e lamínulas com bálsamo do Canadá para identificação ao microscópio. Do total de animais examinados, 70% estavam infestados com pulgas das espécies Polygenis (Neopolygenis) atopus, Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus, Polygenis (Polygenis) roberti roberti, Polygenis (Polygenis) sp., Craneopsylla minerva minerva e Ctenocephalides felis felis, todas essas registradas pela primeira vez sobre D. albiventris e, exceto C. felis felis, são também registradas pela primeira vez no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Carrapatos foram encontrados em 43,33% dos animais examinados, representados pelas espécies Ixodes loricatus, Amblyomma aureolatum e Amblyomma sp, sendo A. aureolatum registrado pela primeira vez parasitando D. albiventris no Brasil. Os helmintos encontrados foram: Filo Nematoda - Capillaria spp. (esôfago, traquéia, faringe e pulmão), Didelphostrongylus hayesi (pulmão), Turgida turgida (estômago), Gnathostoma sp. (estômago e fígado), Travassostrongylus orloffi, Viannaia hamata e Trichuris minuta no intestino delgado e Trichuris didelphis, Cruzia tentaculata e Aspidodera raillieti no intestino grosso; Classe Trematoda – Echinostoma revolutum, Plagiorchis didelphidis, Rhopalias coronatus, R. baculifer, Brachylaema migrans e Didelphodiplostomum variabile, todos no intestino delgado; Classe Cestoda – exemplares da família Diphyllobotriidae, no intestino delgado; e Filo Acanthocephala – Hamanniella microcephala e Centrorhynchus sp., ambos no intestino delgado. Dos helmintos encontrados, os que apresentam potencial zoonótico segundo a literatura são T. turgida, Gnathostoma sp., Capillaria spp., B. migrans, E. revolutum e Família Diphyllobotriidae. Além disso, os sifonápteros e ixodídeos encontrados são potenciais vetores de patógenos que infectam humanos. D. albiventris, portanto, apresenta grande diversidade parasitária, incluindo espécies que podem potencialmente atingir o homem, alertando para a importância destes marsupiais na disseminação de doenças entre animais e humanos.

Ecological aspects of the free-living ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on animal trails within Atlantic rainforest in south-eastern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Factors associated to Theileria equi in equids of two microregions from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Amostras de soro de 714 equídeos das microrregiões de Itaguaí e Serrana, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, foram submetidas ao teste de imunofluorescência indireta (título 1:80) para Theileria equi. A prevalência entre as microrregiões e os fatores associados à soropositividade foram avaliados e a razão de prevalência (RP) calculada. A prevalência geral para T. equi foi de 81,09% (n = 579), com maior prevalência (p < 0,05) para microrregião de Itaguaí (85,43%), quando comparado a Serrana (76,92%). A região, altitude, nível da propriedade e origem dos equídeos foram associados (p < 0,05) com a soropositividade para T. equi. Equídeos criados na microrregião de Itaguaí (RP = 1,11; p = 0,003) e em altitudes abaixo de 500 m (RP = 1.10; p = 0,014) apresentaram maior chance de se tornarem soropositivos para T. equi. Além disso, quando são criados em propriedades de nível ruim (RP = 1,13; p = 0,018) e nascidos na propriedade (RP = 1,10; p = 0,008) apresentaram mais chance de terem contato com T. equi. As principais espécies de carrapatos encontradas parasitando os equídeos foram Amblyomma cajennense e Dermacentor (Anocentor) nitens. As microrregiões estudadas são endêmicas para theileriose equina e de estabilidade enzoótica para T. equi. Apenas os fatores relacionados à área de coleta das amostras de soro influenciaram a soropositividade dos equídeos para T. equi naquela região.

Brazilian spotted fever: A reemergent zoonosis

Brazilian spotted fever is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, which is the most pathogenic species of the spotted-fever rickettsiae group and is transmitted by the bite of infected ticks. Amblyomma cajennense is the most important tick species involved in the cycle of this zoonosis in Brazil as it presents low host specificity, great number of natural reservoirs and wide geographic distribution. It was first described in the state of São Paulo in 1929 and later in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Bahia. The number of cases decreased in the 1940's with the development of new plague control techniques and antibiotics. In the last decades, the number of new cases has increased. The current review aimed at reporting some of the epidemiological and public health aspects of this reemergent disease with new foci, mainly in the southeastern region of Brazil.

Diversity of ectoparasites in sheep flocks in São Paulo, Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of São Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the 'Associação Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; São Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.

Hepatozoon canis infection associated with dog ticks of rural areas of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Hepatozoon canis is a tick-borne protozoan that infects dogs and has been reported throughout the world. Manifestation of H. canis infection varies from being sub-clinical in apparently healthy dogs to severe illness. The main vector of the infection is the dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus although other species may also transmit this agent. H. canis has been reported previously in Brazil, but mostly as an occasional finding during laboratory exams and always associated with other diseases. The prevalence of H. canis in dogs of rural areas of Brazil has been little studied. For this study, 250 dogs from seven counties of Rio de Janeiro state were examined. All the dogs were from rural areas, near forest. of the dogs examined, 26 dogs were from Seropedica, 82 from Itaguai, 41 from Paracambi, 26 from Mangaratiba, 32 from Barra do Pirai, 32 from Pirai and 11 from Miguel Pereira. Blood smears from the peripheral blood of the ear were taken and ticks found on the dogs were collected for identification in the laboratory. Using blood smear evaluation, H. canis was identified in 39.2% of the animals examined. Other hemoparasites identified were Babesia canis (5.2%) and Ehrlichia canis (4.8%). Four tick species were found parasitizing the dogs: Amblyomma cajennense (23.6%), R. sanguineus (12.4%), Amblyomma aureolatum (2.8%) and Amblyomma ovale (2.0%). There was a positive correlation between the presence of A. cajennense and H. canis infection. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Babesia spp. infection in dogs from rural areas of São Paulo State, Brazil

The status of Babesia spp. infection in dogs from rural areas of São Paulo State, Brazil was Studied. For this, l 50 animals were examined by blood smears and by PCR; the presence of tick infestation was also investigated. By the blood smear examination, 3 animals (2%) were detected positive and by PCR for Babesia spp. 12 (8%) were positive, with bands Visualized in 450 bp. Rhipicephalus sanguineus or Amblyomma spp. were found on 36 (24%) of the 150 dogs. Amblyomma species found were A. cajennense (9/36-25%) and A. ovale (9/36-25%). It was not possible to correlate the presence of R. sanguineus and the infection with Babesia spp. The sequencing of four positive samples demonstrated close identity with B. canis vogeli already characterized in Brazil.