Here, we assessed outcome of experimental infection by Neospora caninum in goats intravenously inoculated with 106 tachyzoites of the Nc-Spain7 isolate at 40 (G1), 90 (G2) and 120 (G3) days of gestation. Infected goats had fever between 5 and 9 days post inoculation (dpi); all were seropositive at the time of abortion/birth. Foetal death occurred in G1 from 10 to 21 dpi (n = 7) and in G2 from 27 to 35 dpi (n = 4). Goats in G2 also had seropositive stillbirth (n = 1) and healthy kids (n = 2). G3 goats (n = 7) had 3 seropositive and 3 seronegative weak kids, and 2 seronegative healthy kids. Parasite DNA detection in placentomes was 100% in G2, 85.7% in G3 and in G1 was detected only in placentomes from the goats with foetal losses from 17 dpi (100%). Parasites were detected in foetal/kid brain (>85.7%) and liver (≥50%) of G2 and G3, and in G1 after 17 dpi (100%). The highest parasite loads were detected in the placentomes of G1 from 17 dpi and G2, and in foetal tissues of G1 from 17 dpi and G3. Multifocal necrotic lesions were observed in the placentas of the three groups, but they were larger and more frequent in G1 and G2. Similar lesions were observed in foetal tissues, but they were more frequent in G3. These findings suggest that, as observed in cattle and sheep, the clinical consequences of N. caninum in pregnant goats are dependent in part on the time of gestation when animals were infected.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-016-0312-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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The aim of the present study was to detect and genotype T. gondii in free-range chickens destined to human consumption in Alagoas state, Brazil. Methods Two hundred blood samples were collected from free-range chickens and submitted to indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Brain tissue from 14 animals randomly selected were subjected to mouse bioassay. Positive samples in mouse bioassay were submitted to PCR and genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Results Out of two hundred blood samples from chickens, 72 (36%) samples were considered positive by IFAT. Two T. gondii strains were isolated, both being characterized as atypical and classified as #146 and a new genotype, named #279 in ToxoDB database. Conclusions Our results showed a sero-occurrence of T. gondii in free-range chickens intended for humans, and the genetic diversity of the parasite in Brazil, with a new genotype described.

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect many domestic and wild animals, including birds. These animals are important sources for monitoring of environmental contamination, as they could become infected through sporulated oocysts; however, the real role of birds in the biological cycle of N. caninum remains uncertain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies, evaluate associated factors, detect the parasite by molecular testing of free-range chickens from Brazil, and evaluate different techniques for its serological diagnosis. Blood samples of 366 chickens from 25 farms were collected for serological assays. The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect anti-N. caninum antibodies. Chickens that tested seropositive by IFAT had their brain tissues and a pool of organs (heart, lung, and liver) submitted to PCR for molecular detection of the parasite. Out of 366 chickens, 65 (17.8%) and 163 (44.6%) were seropositive by IFAT and ELISA, respectively. Brain tissues (n=60) and the pools of organs (n=65) were negative in the PCR. Our results showed a high prevalence of antibodies in free-range chickens and that IFAT is the more sensitive technique for the detection of anti-N. caninum antibodies.

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The present study aimed to perform an epidemiological and morphological identification of Eimeria infection in sheep in Brazil. Fecal samples from sheep were collected from 20 farms in northern Paraná, Brazil. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to evaluate the risk factors. Fecal samples containing oocysts per gram of feces (OoPG) ≥1000 were subjected to the modified Willis-Mollay method to perform oocyst identification. Sporulated oocysts were observed microscopically for morphological identification. A total of 807 fecal samples were collected. Based on the morphological characteristics of the sporulated oocysts, 10 species of Eimeria were identified, with main species observed: Eimeira ovinoidalis (98.1%), Eimeria crandallis (87.6%), Eimeria parva (79.1%), and Eimeria bakuensis (60.8%). Only 2.6% (7/268) of the sheep were infected with a single species, 4.8% (13/268) contained two different species, and 92.5% (248/268) were infected with three or more species. The analysis of risk factors showed that an intensive rearing, no rotation of pasture, dirt, and slatted floors, and age up to 12 months were associated with infection. This study showed a high prevalence of Eimeria natural infection in sheep from northern Paraná, Brazil. Furthermore, based on the risk factors, good management and hygiene practices must be employed to avoid infection.

There is an increase in tick-borne diseases in dogs in urban and rural areas in Brazil and some of these are of public health importance. Rhipicephalus sanguineus-transmitted hemoparasitoses are the main causes of mortality in dogs. The present study investigated the molecular occurrence of Ehrlichia canis, Babesia vogeli and Anaplasma platys in dogs with clinical sings and hematological abnormalities suggestive of tick-borne diseases. These dogs were seen at a Veterinary Hospital of a Public University between January 2014 and December 2016, and were evaluated through anamnesis, clinical examination and complementary exams. The polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect the presence of hemoparasites DNA. From the 461 dogs that were tested for B. vogeli, 10.6% (49/461) were positive, the associated variable was age. Regarding the 730 animals screened for E. canis, 15.1% (110/730) were positive, and the infection was associated with hematocrit and number of platelets. Relative to the 86 samples evaluated for A. platys, 15.1% (13/86) were positive, and no variable presented statistical significance. From the animals positive for B. vogeli, no of these showed positivity by qPCR for Rangelia vitalii. It is concluded that the occurrence of hemoparasitosis in dogs from the Londrina region is common. Therefore, it is emphasized that molecular techniques should be used as an auxiliary tool for the differential diagnosis of the different etiological agents causing hemoparasitosis. Additionally, these molecular tools are essential for better investigation and preventive assertiveness because it allows to detect parasite DNA.

This study aimed to identify the intestinal parasites of road-killed wild felines in the North Central and North, Paraná state, southern Brazil. The animals were monitored by sampling previously established transects. The places where the felines were run over were mapped, the animals were identified, and the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated. The feces were submitted to coproparasitological techniques of spontaneous sedimentation, floating in hypersaturated NaCl solution and centrifugal floating in zinc sulfate. All the parasitic structures detected were photomicrographed. In the coproparasitological analyses were identified oocysts of Cystoisospora spp., eggs of Ancylostomatidae, and Capillaria spp.; eggs of Aelurostrongylus spp., Toxocara spp., Physaloptera spp., Taenia spp., and Spirometra spp.; Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae; and eggs and adults of Ancylostoma cati and Taenia spp. One of the cats was parasitized by a flea of Ctenocephalides felis felis. Based on these results, the animals analyzed in this study supplied important samples for the evaluation of parasitic diversity of North of Paraná and suggested that this region may have conditions that allow the maintenance of these parasites life cycles in the environment and among wildlife.