RESUMO

Neutrophils (PMNs) are cellular markers used for diagnosing inflammation and/or infections. In this study, the objective was to highlight the importance of recording the toxic morphological alterations of the PMNs as markers of infection in 10 cases, positive bacterial isolation by culture due to dysuria, hematuria and/or fetid urine, as manifestations of urinary tract disease. Smear observations were performed by immersion for counting and morphological evaluations of 3,000 leukocytes in smears and in leukocyte concentrate. One (10.0%) of the dogs had leukocytosis, and two (20.0%) dogs had leukopenia. All animals showed toxic PMNs with positive bacterial culture. None of the cases in the study showed any quantitative alterations in PMNs such as: neutropenia or neutrophilia, where 100% had nuclear displacement of the regenerative type of PMNs to the left. 100% cases had toxic morphological changes: 90.0% had PMNs with toxic granulations, 80.0% had giant rod neutrophils, 70.0% had target PMNs, in 50.0% of those with vacuolation in the cytoplasm, in 40.0% of the animals, the presence of giant PMNs, 10.0% with Döhle bodies, and another animal 10.0% with karyorrhexis. All case studies had at least one association of two types of toxic changes. Toxic morphological alterations observed in PMNs through cystoscopy proved to be more reliable and sensitive in evidencing the diagnosis of infections than the quantitative alterations of absolute values of total leukocytes; therefore, they were essential in the laboratory diagnosis by blood count in the course of infections in dogs.

Os neutrófilos (PMNs) são marcadores celulares para o diagnóstico de inflamação e/ou infecções. Neste estudo, o objetivo foi apresentar a importância das alterações morfológicas tóxicas dos PMNs envolvidos como marcadores de infecção, em 10 casos com isolamento bacteriano positivo por cultura devido à disúria, hematúria e/ou urina fétida, como manifestações clínicas de doença do trato urinário. As observações de esfregaço foram realizadas para contagens e avaliações morfológicas de 3.000 leucócitos, em esfregaços e em concentrado de leucócitos. Um (10,0%) dos cães teve leucocitose e dois (20,0%) cães apresentaram leucopenia. Todos os animais tiveram alterações tóxicas em PMNs (100% dos casos) e com cultura bacteriana positiva. Nenhum dos casos do estudo apresentou qualquer alteração quantitativa nos PMNs como: neutropenia ou neutrofilia onde 10 (100%) tiveram deslocamento nuclear do tipo regenerativo de PMNs para a esquerda. 10 (100%) casos apresentaram alterações morfológicas tóxicas: nove (90,0%) tinham PMNs com granulações tóxicas, oito (80,0%) tinham neutrófilos de bastonetes gigantes, sete (70,0%) tinham PMNs-alvo, em cinco (50,0%) daqueles com vacuolização no citoplasma, em quatro (40,0%) dos animais a presença de PMNs gigantes, um (10,0%) com corpos de Döhle e outro animal (10,0%) com cariorrexia. Todos os casos observados tiveram pelo menos uma associação de dois tipos de alterações tóxicas. As alterações morfológicas tóxicas, observadas nos PMNs através da cistoscopia, foram mais confiáveis, e sensíveis em evidenciar o diagnóstico de infecções, do que as alterações dos valores absolutos de leucócitos totais e mesmo de PMNs em exames de rotina no curso de infecções em cães.

RESUMO

Platynosomum illiciens is a liver trematode encountered infecting mainly felids although it has also been reported in birds and in additional mammalian species, including non-human primates. The current study reports a natural P. illiciens infection primate of the genus Callithrix. The diagnosis was made using a combination of copro-parasitological techniques, morphological evaluation of adult specimens recovered from the liver during necropsy, and molecular analyses. Eggs were brown in color, oval, operculated, and contained a miracidium. Adult specimens recovered during necropsy were measured and showed dimensions compatible with P. illiciens. Molecular characterization of the trematode involved amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in combination with nucleotide sequencing, of an approximately 900 base pairs fragment corresponding to 18S-ITS1-5.8S ribosomal DNA. Sequenced amplicons showed 100% nucleotide identity with sequences deposited in the GenBank database as derived from specimens of P. illiciens recovered from cats in Malaysia and Brazil. It was concluded that the morphological and molecular analyses presented herein, confirmed the identification of the trematode recovered as P. illiciens.

Assuntos

Assuntos

RESUMO

Portugal has some rehabilitation centers for wild animals, which are responsible for the rehabilitation and reintroduction of birds, among other animals, into the wild. Coccidian parasites of these wild birds in rehabilitation centers are especially important because these centers can introduce coccidian species into new environments through the reintroduction of their respective hosts. In this context, the current study aimed to identify intestinal coccidia from wild birds at two rehabilitation centers for wild animals located in two municipalities of Portugal. Eighty-nine wild birds of 9 orders and 11 families were sampled, of which 22 (25%) were positive for Coccidia. Avispora spp. were found in raptors. Sporocysts of Sarcocystinae subfamily were recovered from owls. An Isospora sp. was found in Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758, and an Eimeria sp. was found in Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758. Among the coccidian species, Avispora bubonis (Cawthorn, Stockdale, 1981) can be highlighted. The finding of this species indicates that transmission of coccidians from the New World to the Old World may be occurring, potentially through dispersion by Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) through Arctic regions or by means of anthropic activities, and/or through other unknown mechanisms.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Abstract Portugal has some rehabilitation centers for wild animals, which are responsible for the rehabilitation and reintroduction of birds, among other animals, into the wild. Coccidian parasites of these wild birds in rehabilitation centers are especially important because these centers can introduce coccidian species into new environments through the reintroduction of their respective hosts. In this context, the current study aimed to identify intestinal coccidia from wild birds at two rehabilitation centers for wild animals located in two municipalities of Portugal. Eighty-nine wild birds of 9 orders and 11 families were sampled, of which 22 (25%) were positive for Coccidia. Avispora spp. were found in raptors. Sporocysts of Sarcocystinae subfamily were recovered from owls. An Isospora sp. was found in Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758, and an Eimeria sp. was found in Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758. Among the coccidian species, Avispora bubonis (Cawthorn, Stockdale, 1981) can be highlighted. The finding of this species indicates that transmission of coccidians from the New World to the Old World may be occurring, potentially through dispersion by Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) through Arctic regions or by means of anthropic activities, and/or through other unknown mechanisms.

Resumo Portugal possui alguns centros de reabilitação de animais silvestres, responsáveis ​​pela reabilitação e reintrodução de aves, entre outros animais, na natureza. Os coccídios parasitas dessas aves silvestres em centros de reabilitação são especialmente importantes porque esses centros podem introduzir espécies de coccídios em novos ambientes através da reintrodução de seus respectivos hospedeiros. Neste contexto, o presente estudo visou identificar coccídios intestinais de aves silvestres em dois centros de reabilitação de animais silvestres localizados em dois municípios de Portugal. Oitenta e nove aves silvestres de 9 ordens e 11 famílias foram amostradas, das quais 22 (25%) foram positivas para coccídios. Avispora spp. foram encontradas em aves de rapina. Esporocistos de coccídios da subfamilia Sarcocystinae foram encontrados em corujas. Uma Isospora sp. foi encontrada em Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 e uma Eimeria sp. foi encontrada em Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758. Entre as espécies de coccídios, Avispora bubonis (Cawthorn, Stockdale, 1981) pode ser destacada. O encontro dessa espécie indica que a transmissão de coccídios do Novo Mundo para o Velho Mundo pode estar ocorrendo, potencialmente através da dispersão por Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) pelas regiões árticas ou por meio de atividades antrópicas, e/ou através de outros mecanismos desconhecidos.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Portugal has some rehabilitation centers for wild animals, which are responsible for the rehabilitation and reintroduction of birds, among other animals, into the wild. Coccidian parasites of these wild birds in rehabilitation centers are especially important because these centers can introduce coccidian species into new environments through the reintroduction of their respective hosts. In this context, the current study aimed to identify intestinal coccidia from wild birds at two rehabilitation centers for wild animals located in two municipalities of Portugal. Eighty-nine wild birds of 9 orders and 11 families were sampled, of which 22 (25%) were positive for Coccidia. Avispora spp. were found in raptors. Sporocysts of Sarcocystinae subfamily were recovered from owls. An Isospora sp. was found in Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758, and an Eimeria sp. was found in Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758. Among the coccidian species, Avispora bubonis (Cawthorn, Stockdale, 1981) can be highlighted. The finding of this species indicates that transmission of coccidians from the New World to the Old World may be occurring, potentially through dispersion by Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) through Arctic regions or by means of anthropic activities, and/or through other unknown mechanisms.(AU)

Portugal possui alguns centros de reabilitação de animais silvestres, responsáveis pela reabilitação e reintrodução de aves, entre outros animais, na natureza. Os coccídios parasitas dessas aves silvestres em centros de reabilitação são especialmente importantes porque esses centros podem introduzir espécies de coccídios em novos ambientes através da reintrodução de seus respectivos hospedeiros. Neste contexto, o presente estudo visou identificar coccídios intestinais de aves silvestres em dois centros de reabilitação de animais silvestres localizados em dois municípios de Portugal. Oitenta e nove aves silvestres de 9 ordens e 11 famílias foram amostradas, das quais 22 (25%) foram positivas para coccídios. Avispora spp. foram encontradas em aves de rapina. Esporocistos de coccídios da subfamilia Sarcocystinae foram encontrados em corujas. Uma Isospora sp. foi encontrada em Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 e uma Eimeria sp. foi encontrada em Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758. Entre as espécies de coccídios, Avispora bubonis (Cawthorn, Stockdale, 1981) pode ser destacada. O encontro dessa espécie indica que a transmissão de coccídios do Novo Mundo para o Velho Mundo pode estar ocorrendo, potencialmente através da dispersão por Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) pelas regiões árticas ou por meio de atividades antrópicas, e/ou através de outros mecanismos desconhecidos.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

The little owl Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769) is a small raptor that is widely distributed from northern to southern Portugal and several other countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa, and which has been introduced into New Zealand. In the current study, 18 fecal samples were collected from little owls kept at the Lisbon Center for Wild Animal Recovery, which is located in Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon, Portugal. Twelve (67%) of them were found to be passing an undescribed species of Avispora in their feces. The oocysts of Avispora mochogalegoi n. sp. were ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall and measured 38.9 × 32.9 µm, with a shape index of 1.18. No micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar granule was present. The sporocysts were subspherical, measuring 21.1 × 20.1 µm. Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of a compact subspherical mass of granules. This is the fourth species of Avispora reported in Strigiformes.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Abstract The little owl Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769) is a small raptor that is widely distributed from northern to southern Portugal and several other countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa, and which has been introduced into New Zealand. In the current study, 18 fecal samples were collected from little owls kept at the Lisbon Center for Wild Animal Recovery, which is located in Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon, Portugal. Twelve (67%) of them were found to be passing an undescribed species of Avispora in their feces. The oocysts of Avispora mochogalegoi n. sp. were ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall and measured 38.9 × 32.9 µm, with a shape index of 1.18. No micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar granule was present. The sporocysts were subspherical, measuring 21.1 × 20.1 µm. Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of a compact subspherical mass of granules. This is the fourth species of Avispora reported in Strigiformes.

Resumo O mocho-galego Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769) é uma pequena ave de rapina amplamente distribuída de norte a sul de Portugal, em vários países da Europa, Ásia e norte da África, e foi introduzida na Nova Zelândia. No presente trabalho, 18 amostras de fezes foram coletadas de mochos-galegos mantidos no Centro de Recuperação de Animais Silvestres de Lisboa, localizado no Parque Florestal de Monsanto, Lisboa, Portugal. Doze (67%) deles eliminaram uma espécie não descrita de Avispora em suas fezes. Os oocistos de Avispora mochogalegoi n. sp. foram elipsóides, com parede de dupla camada, medindo 38,9 × 32,9 µm, e índice morfométrico de 1,18. A micrópila, resíduo do oocisto e grânulo polar foram ausentes. Os esporocistos foram subesféricos, medindo 21,1 × 20,1 µm. Corpos de Stieda, substieda e parastieda foram ausentes. O resíduo do esporocisto foi composto de uma massa subesférica compacta de grânulos. Esta é a quarta espécie Avispora relatada em Strigiformes.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Non-human primates are our closest relatives and represent an interesting model for comparative parasitological studies. However, research on this topic particularly in relation to intestinal parasites has been fragmentary and limited mainly to animals held in captivity. Thus, our knowledge of host-parasite relationships in this species-rich group of mammals could be considered rudimentary. The current study combined morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular analyses to characterize isolates of intestinal tetratrichomonads recovered from the feces of three species of South American, non-human primates. Fecal samples were collected from 16 animals, representing 12 distinct species. Parabasalid-like organisms were evident in five samples (31%) of feces: two from Alouatta sara, two from Callithrix penicillata, and one from Sapajus apella. The five samples presented morphologies consistent with the description of Tetratrichomonas sp., with four anterior flagella of unequal length, a well-developed undulating membrane, and a long recurrent flagellum. Sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 region demonstrated that the isolates from A. sara, and C. penicillata were closely related and highly similar to isolates of Tetratrichomonas brumpti, recovered previously from tortoises (Geochelone sp.). The flagellate recovered from S. apella demonstrated a similar morphology to those of the other isolates, however, sequence analysis showed it to be identical to an isolate of Tetratrichomonas sp. recovered from white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari). The findings of this study extend and enhance our knowledge of parasitism of non-human primates by members of the genus Tetratrichomonas and indicate that the host range of these parasites is broader than previously believed.

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RESUMO

Strains of Toxoplasma gondii in Brazil are highly genetically diverse compared to strains from North America and Europe. Dogs are epidemiologically important because they act as sentinels for T. gondii infections in humans and are good indicators of environmental contamination. The aim of this study was to isolate and genetically characterize T. gondii strains from tissues of naturally infected Brazilian dogs. For this study, 21 blood samples were collected from dogs at the Zoonosis Control Centers of Ilhéus and Itabuna cities, Bahia, Brazil. The sera were examined for T. gondii antibodies using the indirect hemagglutination test. Brains and hearts of seropositive dogs were bioassayed in mice to isolate and characterize T. gondii parasites by PCR-RFLP using 10 genetic markers (SAG1, newSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, c22-8, c29-2, GRA6, PK1, APICO, and L358). However, T. gondii was isolated from only 4 (57.1%) dogs, designated TgDgBr6, 13, 17, and 21. All strains were virulent, causing clinical changes (rough hair coat, lethargy, and abdominal distention) and the death of all mice within 8-20 days after inoculation. Genetic analysis of these 4 T. gondii isolates revealed 4 distinct genotypes with different clonal lineage combinations (types I, II, and III) and 2 atypical alleles. Using PCR-RFLP with several markers, this study contributes to evaluations of the genetic diversity of strains circulating in Brazil.

Assuntos