RESUMO
ABSTRACT: This study assessed microscopic morphology of protozoan and metazoan parasites, as well as parasite-associated histopathologic changes in five Brazilian free-ranging armadillos. Three armadillos had intra sarcolemmal cysts of Sarcocystis sp. in skeletal muscles without microscopic changes. One Dasypus novemcinctus was found parasitized with a nematode morphologically compatible with an oxyurid in the small intestine. One Dasypus sp. had neutrophilic enteritis associated with adult and larval stages of Strongyloides sp. and one D. novemcinctus had multiple embryonated eggs free in the lumen of the small intestine with mild neutrophilic enteritis. These findings represent a contribution for expanding our knowledge on parasitic diseases of armadillos.
RESUMO: Este estudo avaliou a morfologia microscópica de parasitos protozoários e metazoários, bem como lesões associadas ao parasitismo em cinco tatus de vida livre no Brasil. Três tatus tinham cistos de Sarcocystis sp. Intra-sarcolemal em músculos esqueléticos sem alterações microscópicas. Um Dasypus novemcinctus estava parasitado com um nematodo morfologicamente compatível com oxiurideo no intestino delgado. Um Dasypus sp. apresentou enterite neutrofílica associada com estágios larvais de Strongyloides sp. e um D. novemcinctus apresentou múltiplos ovos embrionados livres no lúmen do intestino delgado, associado a enterite neutrofílica discreta. Estes achados representam uma contribuição para a expansão do conhecimento sobre doenças parasitárias de tatus.
RESUMO
There is little information on the anatomical pathology of Brazilian anteaters. Considering the relevance of knowledge of diseases of these species for their conservation, the aim of this study was to describe pathological changes in 99 captive and free-ranging anteaters from the Brazilian states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul and Amazonas. Forty-two animals were killed on roads and 10 died from burns injuries. Other significant conditions included the metabolic diseases of iron storage disease, tissue mineralization and taurine deficiency, protozoan and metazoan infections, candidiasis, sporotrichosis, clostridiosis and proliferative disorders including squamous cell carcinoma.