Estudo dos mixozoários (Myxozoa : Myxosporea) parasitos dos peixes characiformes Acestrorhynchus lacustris (Lütken, 1875) e Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernández-Yépez, 1948) coletados no Rio do Peixe, médio Rio Tietê, SP, Brasil

The São Paulo State has as one of its main rivers the Tietê, which is an extremely important source because of its biodiversity, use in navigation and mainly as direct supplier of water for thousands of people in the region. Currently, the biodiversity of marine and freshwater ecosystems has been threatened, primarily by environmental problems resulting from the degradation of ecosystems, an example is the stretch of the Middle Tietê River, where the Barra Bonita dam (SP) focused virtually the whole load organic effluents from the metropolitan region of São Paulo, leading to eutrophication with the loss of water quality. This basin is located in the Peixe’s River, a tributary of the Barra Bonita whose sources are on the slopes of the Cuesta de Botucatu, presenting an altitudinal gradient in a good state of conservation and water quality. From another perspective, the studies related to parasites and other pathogens of aquatic organisms have considerably increased the relevance, especially those hosts with potential for growing and marketing, given the significant increase these activities in Brazil and worldwide. Among the agents responsible for diseases in fish are the myxosporean, which can cause major economic damage, with high mortality ratios. Based on the above, this study evaluated the biodiversity of myxosporean parasites of two species of fish Acestrorhynchus lacustris and Steindachnerina insculpta. During the period January to November 2012, 40 specimens of Acestrorhynchus lacustris and 33 specimens of Steindachnerina insculpta were collected from the Peoxe’s river at four different points. The necropsies were performed and all organs were analyzed looking for myxosporean. Only the species Steindachnerina insculpta had their gills parasitized by two species of the genus Henneguya

Modelagem matemática para a dispersão de fungos fitopatogênicos via autômatos celulares

Brazil is a major world producer and exporter of agricultural products like soybeans, sugar, coffee, orange and tobacoo. However, the action of phytopathogenic fungi has been one of the largest challenges encountered in the field as they are responsible for approximately 25 to 50 per cent of losses in crops of fruits and vegetables. The presence of these pathogens is always a problem, because the damage on the tissues and organs promote lesions which decreses growth vegetation and often leads the individual (host) to death. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the process of spreading of these pathogens in the field to develop strategies which prevent the epidemics caused by them. In this study, the dispersal of fungi phytopathogenic in the field was modeled using the automata cellular formalism. The growth rate of infected plants population was measured by the radius of gyration and the influence of host different susceptibility degrees into the disease spread was assessed. The spatial anisotropy related to the plant-to-plant space and the system’s response to distinct seasonal patterns were also evaluated. The results obtained by a mean field model (spatially implicit models) emphasized the importance of the spatial structure on the spreading process, and dispersal patterns obtained by simulation (using a cellular automata) were in agreement with thse observed in data. All computational implementation was held in language Cl

Diferentes métodos de diagnóstico molecular na diferenciação das espécies de Sarcocystis spp

The Sarcocystis genus includes obligatory two-host life cycle protozoan parasites. It is the most numerous of the six genera of the Sarcocystidae family. The infection caused by parasites of this genus is a zoonotic and cosmopolitan disease known as sarcosistosis or sarcosporidiosis. The sarcositosis though frequently asymptomatic in its definitive hosts can be fatal in its intermediate hosts. The usual diagnoses of sarcosistosis takes place through a histological demonstration of schizonts in blood vessels and organs, and the presence of cysts in muscle tissue by necropsy or biopsy, this second method still more common and based on morphological features of the sarcocyst. However, these methods can be inadequate to a precise identification of the infector species once that, besides the genus being of numerous species, these often present similar morphological features. Another factor that makes the diagnostic more difficult is the non specificity of some Sacocystis species to their hosts. Consequently, molecular diagnostic methods have been used in order to identify the infector species and the parasite specific biological cycles, demonstrating also new species and coevolutive aspects between parasite and host. Among the most employed molecular techniques the Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the nested-PCR and the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) stands out

Perfil sanitário e pesquisa de Salmonella em frangos e lingüiças pela metodologia tradicional e pela PCR

Novos hábitos alimentares da população e as mudanças nos sistemas de produção e distribuição dos alimentos podem estar fortemente relacionados aos casos de doenças transmitidas pelo consumo de alimentos contaminados por microorganismos. Isso faz com que a preocupação com a qualidade microbiológica dos alimentos aumente mundialmente. Dentre os principais patógenos, destaca-se a Salmonella sp, que pertence à microbiota gatrentestinal de animais silvestres e de animais domésticos criados para o consumo humano (aves, bovinos e suínos). Este fato torna o problema de grande relevância para as autoridades de saúde pública, pois esses microrganismos podem estar associados às infecções ou surtos provocados pela ingestão de alimentos contaminados. Foram coletadas 35 amostras de lingüiças e 25 cortes de frango, nos principais supermercados do município de Botucatu-SP e avaliados quanto à qualidade higiênico-sanitária através da determinação do número mais provável de coliformes termotolerantes (CT), além da presença de Salmonella sp. Os resultados obtidos mostram que 31% das lingüiças e 84% das amostras de frango estavam fora dos padrões higiênico-sanitários estabelecido pela ANVISA (RDC n° 12), que determina uma quantidade máxima de 5x103 CT/g em lingüiça e 104 /g em carne de aves. Em relação à Salmonella sp, estabeleceu-se a ausência dessa bactéria em 25g de lingüiça e não determina nenhum parâmetro para o frango. Entre as 25 amostras de frango analisadas, duas (8%) foram positivas pela metodologia tradicional. Esse... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Etiopatogênia da artrite-encefalite caprina e estratégias para seu controle

The arthritis-encephalitis caprine vírus is found at mostly areas of the world, especially at the countries that milk goats is strongly tecnific, and already was found in many brasilian states. The illness causes greats econimics prejudice, influencing badly the productive life time of the flock, related with the low production, decrease of the reproductive performance and lost of the genetic potential, determining constants flock’s renew. Many authors calls the atention for the probable dissemination of the illness and reinforce the necessity of the adoption strong sanitary politics for the illnes control. The controls programs, basically, based on knowledeg of the target-cells, that keep and distribute the virus on the guests organisms; on the transmition way; on sensibility and specificity of the sorologics tests, as well as your frequency of realitation in the flock; and after all on the management that the flock is submeted

Comparação da sensibilidade da técnica parasitológica (OPG) e da PCR para o diagnóstico de Strongyloides venezuelensis em fezes de ratos (Rattus norvegicus) da linhagem Lewis infectados experimentalmente

Espécies do gênero Strongyloides são importantes parasitas de humanos e animais domésticos e aquelas que parasitam roedores são freqüentemente utilizadas como modelos experimentais para o estudo da estrongiloidíase. S. venezuelensis parasita ratos (Rattus norvegicus) e seu estudo tem permitido o entendimento de mecanismos imunológicos envolvidos na relação parasita–hospedeiro da estrongiloidíase humana e animal. O diagnóstico parasitológico de S. venezuelensis pode ser realizado pela detecção de ovos embrionados nas fezes, com o uso do OPG (ovos por grama de fezes), também empregado no monitoramento da infecção. Entretanto, essa técnica se mostra pouco sensível quando a carga parasitária é leve. Os métodos moleculares aumentam a sensibilidade e a especificidade das análises. A PCR tem se mostrado como uma técnica sensível e precisa na detecção de parasitas em tecidos e fezes de hospedeiros infectados. A fim de comparar a sensibilidade das técnicas de OPG e PCR em ratos Lewis infectados por S. venezuelensis, foram realizados dois protocolos no presente estudo. No Protocolo I foi comparada a sensibilidade das duas técnicas em amostras de ratos Lewis com diferentes cargas parasitárias. A PCR com o emprego par de primers descrito por Dorris et al. (2002) obteve melhores resultados que o OPG nos grupos inoculados com 40 L3, considerada como infecção leve. Entretanto, não foi verificada diferença estatística significativa entre as técnicas (P>0,05), provavelmente por terem sido utilizados poucos animais (n=10). O outro par de primers utilizado foi desenhado a partir de uma seqüência parcial do gene do rDNA de S. venezuelensis e não foi capaz de detectar a presença do DNA do helminto em nenhuma amostra desse grupo. Já nos grupos inoculados com 400 e 4000 L3, tanto a PCR com...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Correlações fisiológicas da carga parasitária em Rhinella icteriucus (Anura: marinus)

A presença de parasitas, que podem afetar inúmeros aspectos da biologia de seus hospedeiros, possivelmente levando a uma queda em seu desempenho. Entretanto, ao longo do estabelecimento da associação parasita-hospedeiro, alterações na fisiologia e morfologia deste último podem representar mecanismos compensatórios para os danos causados pelos parasitas. Sendo assim, carga parasitária deve ser um importante determinante do valor adaptativo (fitness) do hospedeiro. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estabelecer possíveis correlações entre carga parasitária, massas de diversos órgãos e desempenho locomotor no sapo-cururu, Rhinella ictericus (Anura: Bufonidae). O desempenho locomotor dos indivíduos capturados de R. ictericus foi medido através do uso de uma pista circular de madeira. Durante um período de 10 minutos, os animais foram forçados a manter desempenho locomotor constante e a distância total percorrida foi corrigida para o comprimento rostro-cloacal. Depois das medidas de desempenho locomotor, os órgãos internos foram dissecados, tendo seus parasitas contabilizados. As massas de todos os órgãos escalaram positivamente com a massa corpórea. O número de parasitas nos pulmões e o índice corpóreo também se mostraram positivamente relacionados à variação em massa corpórea. Indivíduos com maior carga parasitária intestinal foram também aqueles que apresentaram um maior número total de parasitas, sugerindo a existência de variação individual na susceptibilidade a diferentes parasitas. O desempenho locomotor foi negativamente associado à carga parasitária total, demonstrando um efeito deletério causado pelos parasitas ao hospedeiro em um aspecto crucial de sua história de vida. Hospedeiros com maior carga parasitária pulmonar apresentaram maior massa intestinal e renal, sugerindo possíveis mecanismos compensatórios dos possíveis danos causados pelos parasitas

Helmintofauna de duas espécies de anfíbios, Haddadus binotatus (Anura: Craugastoridae) e Ischnocnema guentheri (Anura: Brachycephalidae), da Mata Atlântica, no município de São Luiz do Paraitinga, São Paulo, Brasil

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest harbors a rich biodiversity with more than four hundred of amphibian species and many of these are endemic in this environment. This high rate of restricted endemism associated with global decline of amphibian diversity and density make it an important priority for the conservation of this ecosystem and to warrant intensive monitoring amphibian populations. Considering the importance that the parasites have on the ecology of their hosts, parasitic infections become a considerable factor in conservation biology. To expand the knowledge of this area, 23 specimens of Haddadus binotatus (Anura: Craugastoridae) and 36 Ischnocnema guentheri (Anura: Brachycephalidae) were collected from Santa Virginia, São Luiz do Paraitinga, São Paulo, between January and February 2010, to study their helminth parasites. Twelve helminth taxa were diagnosed and six of them were common to both hosts. The higher prevalence (P = 96%), mean abundance (MA = 11.7 ± 1.6) and mean intensity of infection (MII = 12.3 ± 1.6) were presented by H. binotatus compared to I. guentheri (P = 67%, MA = 2.4 ± 0.5, MII = 3.6 ± 0.6). Nematode species were found in different stages (cysts, larvae and adults) and acanthocephalans were found in both anurans. However, cestode species was found only in I. guentheri. Differences in parasitism of two species of frogs have been attributed to different sizes and micro-habitats of animals that allow different diets and contact with different helminth species. All helminths found have not been reported H. binotatus and also three new species records were noticed for I. guentheri

Influência do enriquecimento ambiental nos padrões comportamentais de Galictis cuja, furão-pequeno, mantidos em cativeiro no zoológico municipal de Piracicaba, SP

Currently zoos and management centers are valuable tools in the maintenance and study of various species. Studies of behavior of captive animals contribute to the improvement of management techniques and the well - being of themselves, encouraging captive breeding and reintroduction also to the natural environment . One of the ways to increase the levels of well-being is the use of environmental enrichment techniques that provide necessary incentives for the welfare of both physical and psychological captive animal . The aim of this study was to identify the types, frequencies and intensities of behavior displayed by three individuals of the species Galictis cuja, belonging to the family Mustelidae and popularly known as lesser grisson , which are captives in municipal zoo in Piracicaba , SP . In addition to evaluating the influence of environmental enrichment techniques on these behavioral parameters. The animals had their behaviors recorded in ethograms through the focal sampling method , 40 hours per person , totaling 120 hours of observation . Were introduced four environmental enrichment techniques related to physical environment, nutrition , perception and cognitive stimulation . At the end, the results of observations before and after the introduction of enrichment techniques were compared and it was possible to observe significant changes in behavior such as run , walk and scratching . The animals were more active and spent longer visible during the day, the enrichment also increased the frequency of social behaviors and the end of the work occurred even attempted copulation , thus showing that the enrichment exerted a positive influence on the behavioral patterns of lesser grisson (Galictis cuja)

Avaliação da influência do enriquecimento ambiental nas variáveis comportamentais de saguis-de-cara-branca (Callithrix geoffroyi) em cativeiro

Six species of the genus Callithrix can be found across the Atlantic Forest extension, being the Callithrix geoffroyi, Geoffroy`s marmoset, the least studied species. The objective of this study is to investigate the behavioral aspects of the species in captivity, and how the environmental enrichment techniques influence those behaviors. To this end, we have studied three specimens of C. geoffroyi, in captivity at Municipal Zoo of Piracicaba, São Paulo. The enclosure includes a 37m2 with under masonry, concrete platforms with external deep, trunks, a floor of grass and soil, e grid in their other three sides. The sampling method was focal per time interval, with records every 30 seconds in sessions of 30 minutes, totaling 30 hours for each animal, which were distributed in a baseline phase, an environmental enrichment phase and post-enrichment phase (n = 3660 records in each phase). The twelve enrichment techniques were applied: the physical environment (branches for perches and hoses fabrics for bedding and vanishing points), cognitive (radio, mirror, puzzle food) and food (insects, flowers and eggs hidden, wrapped). Initially, to determine the period of greatest activity of marmosets, we investigated the pattern of activity for three days (9:00 am to 17:00 pm) consecutively at intervals of 15 minutes, recording the number of active and inactive individuals. The 495 records signaled greater activity in the morning, then selected period for the completion of this work. The ethogram comprised 16 behaviors. The inactivity was the predominant phase behavior baseline and post-enrichment with a significant decrease (h=8,62, p <0.01) in the enrichment phase, and a significant increase in the post enrichment (h=18,15, p <0.001). The same was seen for the use of substrate (grid and ground vs. Trunk and concrete, h=5,09, p <0.001 and h=3,98, p <0.05)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Centro da vida selvagem

This work proposes a wildlife center in the city of Presidente Prudente, offering a diversity of activities as part of a wildlife clinic, rehabilitation nurseries, parazoológico and a visitor center. This project will benefit both the people like animals, because in the same area is the rehabilitation of animals and environmental education, showing the importance of animals in the conservation and preservation of their natural habitats. The principle of the Wildlife Center is receiving wild animals, assess their status, provide veterinary care and give the best destination. The differential design is that people can follow all these procedures, encouraging reporting on contact with animals

Platinosomíase em felinos domésticos: um diferencial para obstrução biliar

The platinosomiase is a disease the hepatobiliary system of domestic felines being caused by trematode Platynosomum fastosum. The life cycle of the parasite includes the presence of three intermediate hosts (snails, terrestrial isopodes, lizards or frogs). The cat is considered definitive host of the parasite and acquires the infection eating a vertebrate intermediate host containing metacercariae. The adult parasites generally inhabit the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts of cats. The severity of clinical manifestations depends mainly on the number of flukes in the biliary tract. Many animals are asymptomatic or exhibit nonspecific clinical manifestations such as anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea. In large infestations can occur biliary obstruction resulting in jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis cholangiohepatitis and even death. The definitive diagnosis is accomplished through by the detection of fluke eggs in feces or through laparotomy and liver biopsy. Treatment should be based on the use of anthelmintic for the elimination of the parasite and supportive therapy for the animal. Prevention is difficult due to predatory nature of the cat. The control can be accomplished through periodic fecal examinations

Análise dos efeitos do fipronil (ingrediente ativo do Frontline) nas células das glândulas salivares de fêmeas de Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

O presente estudo analisou os efeitos da substância química fipronil, ingrediente ativo do Frontline® (acaricida e inseticida), nas glândulas salivares de fêmeas em jejum e semi-ingurgitadas de carrapatos Rhipicephalus sanguineus. As fêmeas em jejum foram expostas apenas à concentração de 1ppm do composto e as semi-ingurgitadas foram expostas a três concentrações de 1ppm, 5ppm e 10ppm (foi utilizada água destilada como controle). Os resultados histológicos e histoquímicos revelaram ação significativa desse composto, alterando morfofisiologicamente o tecido glandular dos indivíduos em jejum e semiingurgitados. Nas fêmeas em jejum, verificaram-se mudanças morfológicas nos ácinos do tipo I, como aumento do tamanho e do diâmetro do seu lúmen. Estas mudanças, provavelmente, estejam relacionadas à função excretora, apontando para os ácinos I como sendo os responsáveis pela eliminação do sistema deste xenobiótico ao qual o parasita foi exposto. Naquelas semi-ingurgitadas, o composto não interferiu no processo de morte que, nestes indivíduos, é por meio de apoptose. Nas fêmeas semi, no entanto, o fipronil acelerou o processo de degeneração das glândulas salivares, que se intensificou (danos mais acentuados) à medida que aumentaram as concentrações do produto. Os dados aqui apresentados deixaram clara a interferência dessa substância no processo de ingurgitamento das fêmeas de R. sanguineus, o que conseqüentemente poderia refletir no seu processo reprodutivo, diminuindo ou mesmo cessando a postura de ovos e provocando menores perdas de sangue nos hospedeiros, reduzindo assim, a transmissão de patógenos veiculados por estas glândulas.

Caracterização do padrão eletroforético de glândulas salivares de Triatoma lecticularia e Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) em diferentes tempos pós repasto sanguíneo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Caracterização morfológica e fenotípica de leveduras do gênero Cryptococcus com ênfase na pesquisa de Cryptococcus neoormans isoladas de amostras de água de mar e areia de três ambientes costeiros do estado de São Paulo: Canal de São Sebastião, Baixada Santista e Ubatuba

The yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is the etiologic agent of cryptococcosis, an infectious cosmopolitan disease that affects humans. Although rare, this disease is potentially fatal, especially for immunocompromised hosts. This pathogen is frequently isolated from excrements of pigeons and parrots, with many environmental sources such as birds, pigeon droppings, eucalyptus leaves, decaying trees, towers, churches and places of storage of grain (the port area). The isolation of this microorganism has been obtained also from the aquatic environment. The identification of environmental sources is needed to protect human health, especially susceptible populations such as immunocompromised. Therefore, this study investigated the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans in yeast isolates obtained from samples of sea water and sand from three regions of São Paulo: São Sebastião Channel, Santos and Ubatuba. Isolates were analyzed according to micro-and macroscopic characteristics and biochemical tests: microculture, urease, ink nankin, auxanograma, zymogram and phenol. We analyzed 199 isolates, 175 of which had features suggestive for Cryptococcus spp. in microculture. All these 175 isolates were sown in the Christensen urea middle to verify the production of urease and submitted to the technique nankin ink to visualize the capsule. Of these, only 24 were selected for the next test that was the auxanograma (assimilation of carbohydrate and nitrogen). Of the 24, 10 were tested in zymograms (fermented sugar), from which 5 were selected for the phenoloxidase test in medium containing dopamine. None of the 5 isolates tested had black or brown color characteristic of Cryptococcus neoformans. According to these tests, we arrived at 5 isolates identified to the genus Cryptococcus, but not the neoformans specie