The giant kidney worm Dioctophyme renale is normally found in wild carnivores and domestic dogs, with aquatic oligochaetes acting as intermediate hosts. In the present study a prevalence of 50% of third-stage larvae of D. renale was recorded in 60 specimens of the freshwater turtle Trachemys dorbigni from southern Brazil. Larvae were encysted in muscles, the coelomic cavity and mesentery, the serous lining of the stomach and on the surfaces of the lung, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen and intestines. There are no previous records of reptiles being part of the life cycle of D. renale, although fish and amphibians normally act as paratenic hosts. This is the first report of third-stage D. renale larvae in the freshwater turtle, T. dorbigni.

Dioctophyme renale is a zoonotic nematode that parasites the kidneys of wild and domestic carnivores, and it has been reported frequently in Brazil. The aim here was to register the number of cases of dogs and cats diagnosed with dioctophymosis by necropsy (1981 to 2014) and ultrasound examination (2010 to 2015) in Pelotas-RS. In this context, a survey was conducted on dioctophymosis cases diagnosed at the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory (LPV) and Veterinary Clinical Hospital (HCV) of the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), and at a specialist veterinary imaging diagnostics clinic. In total, 95 cases were registered. The high series of the disease in dogs can be related to the presence of a large number of stray and semi-domestic dogs in the city, and also due to the ingestion of intermediate hosts of D. renale parasitized with the infective larvae. Thus, it can be concluded that Pelotas is a city with favorable conditions for the occurrence of dioctophymosis with high rate of disease in recent years.Keywords: Giant kidney worm, dioctophymosis, nematode, parasitosis, urban zone. ResumoDioctophyme renale é um nematódeo zoonótico que parasita principalmente o rim de carnívoros silvestres e domésticos, e tem sido relatado com frequência no Brasil. Objetivou-se registrar o número de casos de cães e gatos diagnosticados com dioctofimatose por necropsia (1981 a 2014) e exame ultrassonográfico (2010 a 2015) em Pelotas-RS. Nesse contexto, foi realizado um inquérito de casos de dioctofimatose em animais de companhia no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária (LPV) e no Hospital de Clínicas Veterinária (HCV) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), e em uma clínica veterinária especializada em diagnóstico por imagem, totalizando 95 casos registrados. A elevada casuística da doença em cães pode estar relacionada à presença de um grande número de cães errantes e semi-domiciliados na cidade, e também devido à ingestão dos hospedeiros intermediários de D. renale parasitados com a larva infectante. Assim, conclui-se que Pelotas é uma cidade propícia para a ocorrência de dioctofimatose, com elevada casuística da doença nos últimos anos.Palavras-chave: Verme gigante do rim, dioctofimatose, nematoide, parasitose, zona urbana.

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The Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife and Center for Selection of Wild Animal of the Federal University of Pelotas has attended two nestlings of Megascops choliba (tropical screech-owl) (Strigiformes -Strigidae) and two of Pitangus sulphuratus (great kiskadee) (Passeriformes -Tyrannidae) heavily parasitized by mites, in May 2005 and December 2006, respectively. The nestlings and the nest of P. sulphuratus were collected in the Pelotas urban area after severe storms. The mites were removed, clarified in lactofenol, permanently mounted in Hoyer's medium and identified as Ornithonyssus bursa (Acari -Macronyssidae). Megascops choliba and Pitangus sulphuratus are reported as host of Ornithonyssus bursa in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

En este estudio se recogieron registros de 135 taxones de helmintos parásitos (Nematoda, Trematoda, Cestoda, Monogenoidea y Acanthocephala) y ectosimbiontes (Temnocephalida) asociados a Testudines continentales de Sudamérica. Se identificaron 89 helmintos a nivel de especie, mientras que otros se identificaron hasta el nivel de género o familia. La mayor diversidad de helmintos asociados a los Testudines se registró en Brasil. Chelidae fue la familia con el mayor número de especies de helmintos. En cuanto al estado de conservación, 17 especies de Testudines con registros de helmintos están citadas en la Lista Roja de Especies Amenazadas de la IUCN. El conocimiento de la biodiversidad de los helmintos y de las relaciones entre estos organismos y los Testudines puede aportar datos importantes sobre la biología de los hospedadores. Por lo tanto, la información generada por los estudios de los helmintos puede contribuir a la investigación que tiene como objetivo la conservación de los organismos y sus hábitats.

ÍNDICEEn el examen externo, el principal hallazgo fue la mala condición corporal (57,1%).En corazón, no se evidenciaron hallazgos macroscópicos ni microscópicos relevantes.En el examen macroscópico de vías aéreas se encontró exudado mucopurulento (40%), edema (31,4%) y cuerpos extraños (leche, agua, piedras) (20%). Además, en pulmones se observó congestión (74,3%), edema (14,2%), exudado mucopurulento (11,4%) y cuerpos extraños (8,6%). En el 48,6% de los animales examinados se encontraron parásitos del género Orthohalarachne, principalmente en tráquea y bronquios. Se presentó neumonía en distintos grados en el 37,1% de los animales.Los principales hallazgos microscópicos en vías aéreas fueron hiperemia (26,9%) y congestión (19,2%) y en pulmones fueron congestión (93,5%), hiperemia (87%), edema intersticial (67,7%) y alveolar (61,3%), infiltrado inflamatorio (45,2%) y enfisema (22,6%).Se concluye que el período más adecuado para realizar estudios post mortem en cachorros de lobo fino austral en la colonia de isla Guafo, es a partir de la segunda semana de enero, por otra parte, los estudios sobre parasitismo por Orthohalarchne deberían ser a partir de la primera semana de febrero. El promedio de los pesos de los cachorros fue 6,1 kg, mientras que el de las longitudes estándar fue de 71,2 cm. El 57,1% de los animales presentó emaciación, lo que puede ser considerado como causa de muerte en algunos casos. Los hallazgos macroscópicos más relevantes en vías aéreas y pulmones fueron los parásitos del género Orthohalarachne, el exudado mucopurulento asociado a neumonía y los cuerpos extraños. Los hallazgos microscópicos más importantes fueron la hiperemia, el edema intersticial y alveolar, el infiltrado inflamatorio y el enfisema alveolar.Palabras claves: Lobo fino austral, Arctocephalus australis, Orthohalarachne, isla Guafo. SUMMARY "CARDIORESPIRATORY FINDINGS IN SOUTH AMERICAN FUR SEAL (Arctocephalus australis, ZIMMERMAN 1783) PUPS, FOUND DEAD IN GUAFO ISLAND, REGION DE LOS LAGOS, CHILE"The aim of the present study was to describe the main cardiorespiratory findings in a post mortem examination of South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) pups, found dead, between December of 2004 and March of 2005, of the reproductive colony at Guafo island (43º 36'S y 74º 43'W), Region de los Lagos, Chile.35 necropsies of Arctocephalus australis pups were performed. A tamponed formalin solution 10% was used taking samples of trachea, lungs and heart, as well as a 70% alcohol solution for parasite samples. All this material was later analyzed at the Instituto de Patología Animal at Universidad Austral de Chile.The main finding at the external exam was a bad corporal condition (57.1%).There were no prominent macroscopic nor microscopic finds when examining heart.In the macroscopic examination of the airways the main findings were mucopurulent exudate (40%), edema (31.4%) and foreign bodies (milk, water, stones) (20%). In lungs this study found congestion (74.3%), edema (14.2%), mucopurulent exudate (11.4%) and foreign bodie...

The presence of helminths associated with freshwater turtles is rarely reported. There are no records of nematodes parasitizing Acanthochelys spixii, and for Hydromedusa tectifera, there is only the report of unidentified nematodes found in this species in Argentina. This is the first report of nematodes (Spiroxys contortus and Camallanus sp.) in A. spixii and the first record of Spiroxys contortus and Camallanus sp. in H. tectifera. This is the southernmost record of S . contortus because this nematode was previously recorded only in Mexico.

Thirty-two specimens of Columbina picui (picui ground-dove) were examined, and a collection of arthropods was made by washing the external surface of the body and the nasal cavity. The species in the order Phthiraptera found and their respective prevalences, mean abundance and mean intensity were: Columbicola passerinae (84.4%; 10.3; 12.2), Hohorstiella passerinae (21.9%; 0.7; 3.1) and Physconelloides eurysema (3.1%; 0.1; 2). The gamasid mites found in the birds and their respective prevalences, mean abundance and mean intensity were: Pellonyssus marui (31.3%; 1.2; 3.9), Ornithonyssus bursa (15.6%; 0. Phthiraptera e Gamasida parasitos de Columbina picui (Temminck) (Columbiformes: Columbidae) no sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil ResumoForam examinados 32 espécimes de Columbina picui (rolinha-picui), sendo que a coleta de artrópodes foi realizada por meio de lavagem da superfície externa do corpo e da cavidade nasal. As espécies da ordem Phthiraptera encontradas e suas respectivas prevalências, abundância média e intensidade média foram: Columbicola passerinae (84,4%; 10,3; 12,2), Hohorstiella passerinae (21,9%; 0,7; 3,1) e Physconelloides eurysema (3,1%; 0,1; 2). Os ácaros Gamasida encontrados nas aves e suas respectivas prevalências, abundância média e intensidade média foram: Pellonyssus marui (31,3%; 1,2; 3,9), Ornithonyssus bursa (15,6%; 0,2; 1,2) e Mesonyssus sp. (6,3%; 0,1; 1). Columbicola passerinae, H. passerinae, P. eurysema, O. bursa, P. marui e Mesonyssus sp. são relatados pela primeira vez parasitando C. picui no Brasil. Exceto O. bursa, as demais espécies são relatadas pela primera vez no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.Palavras-chave: malófagos, ácaros, rolinha-picui.