The aim of this study was to evaluate the parasitological contamination of vegetables to be consumed raw and commercialized in Niterói and Rio de Janeiro cities. We studied 128 samples of vegetables--lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale)--from supermarkets, greengrocer shops and self-service restaurants. Only 6.2% of the samples were positive for parasitic structures with morphological aspects similar to those of animal parasites. We detected acarids, acarid eggs, insects, nematode larvae and ciliated protozoa in most of the samples (96.1%), including those from restaurants. This high percentage suggests a risk of human infection since parasite structures capable of infecting man may exist in association with these agents.

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.

Foram estudadas 131 amostras de fezes de gatos de comportamento domiciliado e errante da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, obtendo-se uma positividade de 63,4% das amostras, com maior ocorrência no grupo de animais errantes. Foi observado predomínio de parasitismo por Ancylostoma sp (43,5%), Toxocara sp (19,1%) e Cystoisospora sp (43,5%) em ambos os grupos. Também foram encontrados ovos de Uncinaria sp (1,5%), Toxascaris leonina (7,6%), cistos de Giardia sp (6,1%) e esporocistos de Sarcocystis sp (0,8%). A alta prevalência de enteroparasitas na amostra estudada ressalta a importância de um maior controle parasitológico nesses animais, para proteção da saúde animal e humana.

Resumo Foram estudados oito cães provenientes do Município de Maricá (RJ), com lesões sugestivas de leishmaniose tegumentar americana por métodos parasitológicos e sorológicos. Leishmania spp foi encontrada em seis cães através do cultivo in vitro. Anticorpos específicos foram detectados em seis animais pelo ELISA e em dois pela imunofluorescência indireta. Cinco isolados caninos analisados apresentaram zimodema similar a Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Sugere-se que cães clinicamente suspeitos sejam acompanhados periodicamente, na tentativa de confirmar o diagnóstico da leishmaniose tegumentar canina. Palavras-chaves: Cão. Leishmania. Diagnóstico.Abstract Eight dogs from Maricá Municipality (RJ), with suggestive lesion of american tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by parasitological and serological methods. Leishmania spp was found in six dogs by in vitro cultivation. Specific antibodies were detected in six dogs by ELISA and in two by indirect immunofluorescence. Five canine isolates were found to belong to the same zymodeme as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The authors suggest that clinically suspect dogs should be followed-up in an attempt to confirm the diagnostic of canine tegumentary leishmaniasis. Key-words: Dog. Leishmania. Diagnosis. Apesar de ser uma zoonose originalmente silvestre, a LTA causada pela Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis tem sido descrita por diversos autores ocorrendo em ambientes domésticos, tendo sido aventada a possibilidade de que animais domésticos e peridomésticos, e em especial o cão, estariam funcionando como importantes fontes de infecção nesse locais 2 8 13 . Vários questionamentos ainda permanecem quanto ao verdadeiro papel do cão nessa nova adaptação do ciclo de transmissão 16 .Pouco também se conhece sobre os aspectos clínicos, parasitológicos e imunológicos do curso da infecção pela L. braziliensis em cães, sendo portanto, necessários mais estudos visando elucidar esses aspectos, que contribuirão não só para o diagnóstico precoce dos casos caninos bem como para o esclarecimento do papel dessa espécie animal na epidemiologia da LTA.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar casos de cães com lesão sugestiva de LTA provenientes do Município de Maricá (Rio de Janeiro), descrevendose a apresentação das lesões e correlacionando-as com os resultados parasitológicos e sorológicos.

Background Gastrointestinal parasites may determine diarrhea, dysentery or even death in captive mammals. These animals tend to be more susceptible to parasitic infections due to confinement and stress. Purpose To increase the information about these etiological agents in captive animals in Brazil, the gastrointestinal parasites of the captive mammals of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo were investigated. Methods From 2016 to 2018, 180 fecal samples were collected from animals housed in the Rio de Janeiro Zoo: 63 from animals of the order Primates, 26 of Carnivora, 78 of Artiodactyla, 9 of Perissodactyla and 4 of the order Rheiformes. The feces were processed by direct examination and by the techniques of Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz, and smears were stained with safranin. Immunoenzymatic assays were also performed to investigate antigens of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar. Results Parasite positivity was identified in 68.3% of the fecal samples, with a parasite positivity rate of 68.2% among primates, 65.3% among carnivores, 69.2% among artiodactyls, 33.3% among perissodactyls, and 100% among rheiformes. The most frequently detected parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar antigens, which showed a statistically significant positivity rate (33.3%; p = 0.000), particularly in the feces of carnivores (30.7%) and artiodactyls (53.8%). A statistically significant positivity rate of Balantioides coli (11.1%; p = 0.001) was also detected in feces from nonhuman primates, tapirs, collared peccaries and rheas. The positivity of Cryptosporidium sp. antigens in feces of the orders Carnivora, Artiodactyla and Primates was also statistically significant (7.2%, p = 0.010). Oocysts compatible with Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 6.3% from primates. The helminths most frequently detected were thin-shelled eggs of nematodes (17.7%, p = 0.000), nematode larvae (15.5%, p = 0.000) and Trichuris trichiura eggs (6.1%, p = 0.018). ConclusionThe positivity rate for gastrointestinal parasites demonstrates the need for a sanitation management program to be implemented in the zoo, including routine diagnostic parasitology tests followed by specific treatment for each parasitosis.