Physical, epidemiological, and molecular evaluation of infection by Cryptosporidium galli in Passeriformes

Due to the scarcity of information related to the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium infection in passerine birds, this study aimed to determine the periodicity of fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, after natural infection, and its clinical signs, mortality, and molecular characterization. Four hundred eighty fecal samples were collected from 40 birds, including 372 samples from 31 adult birds and 108 samples from nine young birds (up to 12 months old), housed in five aviaries, monthly from September 2007 to September 2008, with the exception of April. The birds originated from aviaries in which the following species were raised: great-billed seed-finch (Oryzoborus maximiliani), lesser seed-finch (Oryzoborus angolensis), ultramarine grosbeak (Cyanocompsa brissonii), and rusty-collared seedeater (Sporophila collaris). The samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate at 4A degrees C until processing. The oocysts were purified by centrifugal flotation in Sheather`s solution, followed by genomic DNA extraction and molecular characterization of oocysts using the nested polymerase chain reaction for amplification of fragments of the 18S subunit of rRNA gene. Intermittent shedding of oocysts was observed by positive amplification for Cryptosporidium spp. in 91 (24.5%) samples of adult birds and 14 (13%) of young birds. The sequencing of the amplified fragments enabled the identification of Cryptosporidium galli. Although all the aviaries had birds positive for C. galli, morbidity or mortality was observed in only one aviary and was associated with concomitant infection with Escherichia coli and Isospora sp.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from fecal samples of birds kept in captivity in Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in birds kept in captivity in Brazil. A total of 966 samples from 18 families of birds was collected and stored in 5% potassium dichromate solution at 4 degrees C until processing. Oocysts were purified in Sheather sugar solution following extraction of genomic DNA. Molecular analyses were performed using nested-PCR for amplification of fragments of the 18S subunit of rRNA gene and of the actin gene. Amplification of Cryptosporidium DNA fragments was obtained in 47 (4.86%) samples. Sequencing of amplified fragments and phylogenetic analyses allowed the identification of Cryptosporidium baileyi in a black vulture (Coragyps atratus), a domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) and a saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola); Cryptosporidium galli in canaries (Serinus canaria), a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and lesser seed-finches (Oryzoborus angolensis); Cryptosporidium meleagridis in a domestic chicken (G. g. domesticus); Cryptosporidium parvum in a cockatiel (N. hollandicus); Cryptosporidium avian genotype I in a canary (S. canaria) and an Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus); Cryptosporidium avian genotype II in ostriches (Struthio camelus) and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in a cockatiel (N. hollandicurs) and a peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicolis). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gastrointestinal symbionts of chimpanzees in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau with respect to habitat fragmentation

One of the major factors threatening chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Guinea-Bissau is habitat fragmentation. Such fragmentation may cause changes in symbiont dynamics resulting in increased susceptibility to infection, changes in host specificity and virulence. We monitored gastrointestinal symbiotic fauna of three chimpanzee subpopulations living within Cantanhez National Park (CNP) in Guinea Bissau in the areas with different levels of anthropogenic fragmentation. Using standard coproscopical methods (merthiolate-iodine formalin concentration and Sheather's flotation) we examined 102 fecal samples and identified at least 13 different symbiotic genera (Troglodytella abrassarti, Troglocorys cava, Blastocystis spp., Entamoeba spp., Iodamoeba butschlii, Giardia intestinalis, Chilomastix mesnili, Bertiella sp., Probstmayria gombensis, unidentified strongylids, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni, and Trichuris sp.). The symbiotic fauna of the CNP chimpanzees is comparable to that reported for other wild chimpanzee populations, although CNP chimpanzees have a higher prevalence of Trichuris sp. Symbiont richness was higher in chimpanzee subpopulations living in fragmented forests compared to the community inhabiting continuous forest area. We reported significantly higher prevalence of G. intestinalis in chimpanzees from fragmented areas, which could be attributed to increased contact with humans and livestock.

Experimental Infection of Swine by Isospora suis Biester 1934 for Species Confirmation

A survey of Isospora suis performed in 177 faecal samples from 30 swine farms detected thin wall type I. suis oocysts in seven samples. This type of oocyst measuring 23.9 by 20.7 mm had a retracted thin wall similar to that of the genus Sarcocystis. This type of oocysts, isolated from four different faecal samples, was inoculated in four-five-days-old piglets free of contamination in order to verify the life cycle and pathogenicity of the species. The pigs were kept in individual metal cages and fed with cow milk. Daily faecal collections and examinations were performed until the 21st day after infection. MacMaster and Sheather' s methods were used for oocyst counting and identification. Infected piglets produced yellowish-pasty diarrhoea with slight dehydration. The prepatent and patent periods were respectively from 6 to 9 and 3 to 10 days after infection. Oocyst elimination was interrupted on the 10th and 11th days after infection with biphasic cycles. Thin and thick wall oocysts were detected in the same faecal samples. Thin walls were not observed in unsporulated oocysts. The observations suggest that this type of oocysts could appear in specific strains which occur in the later stages of their development. These oocysts seem to be responsible for clinical and pathogenic signs of neonatal isosporosis in pigs.

Gastrointestinal parasites of swine raised in different management systems in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: From 2012 to 2013 were surveyed gastrointestinal parasites from pig farms located in different municpaliyies in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Fecal samples from 790 pigs were collected from the rectum on 88 family farms and 702 farms with industrial production. The samples were subjected to Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz and direct examination faecal techniques. The estimated parasite prevalence was 93.1% in family farms and 59.1% in industrial farms. Balantidium coli, coccidia and Entamoeba sp. were the parasites with the highest frequencies, and the male and female reproductive categories and fatteners pigs the most infected (p<0.05). Trophozoites of B. coli were most evident in stool samples from semi-solid followed by solid and diarrheal consistencies. Strongyles eggs and Trichuris suis have been detected exclusively in family farms. Ascaris suum eggs and Strongyloides ransomi showed low frequency. The high degree of parasitism, especially protozoa, indicates the need to reassess the management of pigs in both types of production.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from fecal samples of birds kept in captivity in Brazil

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

Diagnóstico de criptosporidiose em amostras fecais de bezerros por imunofluorescência direta e microscopia de contraste de fase

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

Physical, epidemiological, and molecular evaluation of infection by Cryptosporidium galli in Passeriformes

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

Padronização da reação de imunofluorescência direta para detecção de oocistos de cryptosporidium parvum em amostras fecais de bezerros

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação física, epidemiológica e molecular da infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. em passeriformes

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

Detecção molecular e subtipagem de Cryptosporidium spp. em caprinos, ovinos, bovinos, leitões e eqüinos jovens

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

Pesquisa de oocistos de Isospora spp. em passeriformes criados em cativeiro

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

KDENS: Stata module for univariate kernel density estimation

kdens produces univariate kernel density estimates and graphs the result. kdens supplements official Stata's kdensity. Important additions are: adaptive (i.e. variable bandwidth) kernel density estimation, several automatic bandwidth selectors including the Sheather-Jones plug-in estimator, pointwise variability bands and confidence intervals, boundary correction for variables with bounded domain, fast binned approximation estimation. Note that the moremata package, also available from SSC, is required.

Anemia en ovejas de desarrollo en Finca Santa Rosa durante el período Junio –Julio 2014

Con el objetivo de elaborar un plan sanitario que prevenga el síndrome anémico en el hato ovino de la Facultad de Ciencia Animal - UNA. Se determinó la prevalencia de esta patología en los ovinos en desarrollo, Analizando los niveles de infestación ( NI ) de las especies parasitarias y evaluando los valores de hematocrito en relación con la carga gastro - parasitaria. Se tomaron 18 muestras biológicas de heces fecales y sangre, antes de la desparasitación y 20 días después, en el periodo de Junio – Julio 2014, se utilizó la técnica de Sheather, se determinó Hematocrito y Hemoglobina , Los datos s e analizaron a través del estudio epidemiológico descriptivo y analítico utilizando diferentes técnicas de laboratorio y método estadístico de correlación de variables cuantitativas de Pearson . En el primer y segundo muestreo se identificaron los parásitos Haemonchus sp, Cooperia sp, Strongylus sp, Coccidia sp, Bunostomum sp y Moniezia sp . Al primer muestreo la variable prevalencia de síndrome anémico del hato ovino es del 50% y el 100% de los animales analizados presentaron Strongylus sp, Haemonchus sp, Co ccidia sp, Bunostomum sp y Moniezia sp, y el 72,2% presentaron Cooperia sp , presentaron NI Alto 77.7% afectados con Haemonchus sp, 16.6% Strongylus sp, y un 11.1% para las especies de Cooperia sp, Coccidia sp y Moniezia sp. , NI Moderado, Moniezia sp y C occidia sp , un 88.8%, Strongylus sp 83.3%, Bunostomum sp y Haemonchus sp 22.2% y Cooperia sp 11.1%, NI Leve, el 77.7% con Bunostomum sp y el 50% presentaron Cooperia sp. Al segundo muestreo 20 días después del tratamiento, el valor de hematocrito, e staban en los rangos de 22 - 38%. Los niveles de infestación variaron, presentando NI Alta , para Moniezia sp con 22.2%, aumentado su carga parasitaria en relación con el primer muestreo . Se observó la disminución de las cargas parasitarias de las especies Ha emonchus sp con 16.6%, Strongylus sp y Coccidia sp 5.5%.En el NI Moderada , Coccidia sp , mantuvo el 88.8%. Strongylus sp aumentó con 88.8%, Haemonchus sp 83.3%. Las cargas de Moniezia sp , prevalecieron con el 77.7%. Cooperia sp , se presentó con el 50%, B onostomus sp , 27.7%. NI Leve , encontramos el 44.4% de la población con Bunostomum sp y un 5.5% con Cooperia sp y Coccidia sp. De la relación existente entre la presencia de los parásitos y los valores de hematocrito, las combinaciones parasitarias siguient es fueron significativos con P= 0.67, <0.0022 para Cooperia sp y Haemonchus sp , P= 0.65, <0.0036 Cooperia sp con Bunostomum sp , P= 0.62, <0.0060 Cooperia sp con Strongylus sp , P= 0.50, <0.0353 Strongylus sp con Moniezia sp y P= 0.64 <0.0043 para Haemon chus sp con Bunostomum sp. Las parasitosis gastrointestinales son un factor importante de las causas del síndrome anémico, ya que la relación de los valores de hematocritos con la combinación de diferentes especies de parásitos fue significativa y que con la utilización de fármacos antihelmínticos de uso continuo se encontraron cargas parasitarias, con niveles de infestación de alto a moderado .