Neospora caninum is a heteroxenous protozoa, whose definitive hosts are canids and intermediate hosts are herbivores, and is of great importance in cattle. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of N. caninum in dairy cattle and dogs, to detect the presence of the protozoa at the molecular level in aborted fetuses, and to identify the risk factors associated with infection in properties in the western region of the state of Paraná. For this study, 600 bovine serum samples from 60 properties, 163 canine serum samples from 52 properties and 17 bovine fetuses from nine properties were collected. Data were collected using an epidemiological questionnaire to verify the risk factors. Serum samples were analyzed using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Fetal tissues were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and subsequent DNA sequencing. Of the bovine samples, 23.67% were positive for N. caninum. Among the canine samples, 11.66% were positive for N. caninum. Risk factors in cattle were history of abortion, low milk production, extensive breeding, and Jersey breed (p<0.05). Protozoan DNA was detected in 52.94% of the 17 fetuses and the sequencing presented high similarity with N. caninum.

Considered a zoonosis of utmost importance, cryptosporidiosis has a worldwide distribution and can infect mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. It is caused by a highly resistant protozoan present in the environment and can cause death in immunosuppressed individuals and pups, as well as in farm animals such as cattle and sheep, generating losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep feces from the farms of Western Paraná, which have different management styles, and compare the results with their respective management methods. One hundred and forty-four stool samples were collected (69 from Property 1 and 75 from Property 2) and analyzed using a fecal smear on slides after staining by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Samples tested positive by this method were subjected to nested PCR and the products obtained were sent for sequencing to determine the species. While 82.60% of the samples from Property 1 were tested positive, only 36% of the samples from Property 2 were tested positive. On analyzing the sequencing data, it was observed that the Cryptosporidium species of samples from Property 1 showed high similarity to Cryptosporidium xiaoi and those from Property 2, to Cryptosporidium ubiquitum. The reason for divergence in results can be attributed to differences in management systems adopted by each property, thus showing the importance of detecting carrier animals, as they can contaminate the environment, especially the water sources, and spread the disease to humans and other animals. Key words: Cryptosporidium ubiquitum. Cryptosporidium xiaoi. Nested-PCR. Sheep. Ziehl-Neelsen. ResumoConsiderada uma zoonose de extrema importância, a cryptosporidiose possui distribuição mundial e pode infectar mamíferos, aves, répteis e anfíbios. É causada por um protozoário muito resistente no ambiente, podendo gerar mortes em indivíduos imunossuprimidos e filhotes, principalmente em animais de produção como bovinos e ovinos, gerando prejuízos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi pesquisar a presença de Cryptosporidium spp. em fezes de ovinos de propriedades rurais do Oeste do Paraná, que possuem manejos diferenciados e comparar os resultados encontrados com o respectivo manejo. Foram coletadas 144 amostras de fezes, sendo 69 da Propriedade 1 e 75 da Propriedade 2, analisadas pelo esfregaço de fezes em lâminas após a coloração pelo método de Ziehl-Neelsen modificado. As amostras positivas por esse método foram submetidas à Nested-PCR sendo os produtos obtidos enviados ao sequenciamento para a determinação da espécie. A Propriedade 1 apresentou positividade em 82,60% das amostras, enquanto a Propriedade 2 obteve 36% de amostras positivas. Foi encontrada alta similaridade para Cryptosporidium xiaoi na primeira propriedade e Cryptosporidium ubiquitum na segunda propriedade. A divergência nos resultados pode ser comprovada pela diferente forma de manejo adotada em cada propriedade, mostrando a importância de detectar os animais portadores, uma vez que estes podem contami...

Digestive and respiratory tracts parasite's protozoan, Cryptosporidium spp. now-a-days is a major zoonotic agent, it causes self-limiting diarrhea, remaining in the body passively until the moment immune system decreases, leading to an increase in its multiplication in the mucosa and appearance of clinical signs. As there are few studies on cryptosporidiosis in wild free-living and captive animals, especially in Brazil, this study aimed to identify the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in feces of captive animals in Cascavel, PR Municipal Zoo. Between 2011 and 2012 there have been four collections of bird feces and five mammalian feces totaling 65 and 118 samples respectively. Samples were sent to the laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Federal University of Parana. The feces were diluted, centrifuged and the pellets were used to make blades which were stained by the Ziehl-Neelsen modified method and observed under a microscope with 1000X magnification. Then the blades containing the oocysts were observed under a capture microscope, where they were measured. Mammals showed 49.15% and birds 44.61% of positivity. Oocysts' sizes ranged from 3,54μm to 5,81μm with an average of 4,32μm for birds and 3,11μm to 5,60μm averaging 4,63μm to mammals. As of yet, there isn't effective treatment against this parasite and considering that it's a zoonotic disease, preventive measures should be taken to prevent transmission to humans. Key words: Cryptosporidium, wild animals, Ziehl-Neelsen, zoonosis ResumoProtozoário que parasita o trato digestório e respiratório dos animais, o Cryptosporidium spp. é um importante agente zoonótico da atualidade, responsável por causar diarreia auto limitante, permanecendo no organismo de forma passiva até o momento em que há uma queda da imunidade, levando a um aumento na sua multiplicação na mucosa e aparecimento de sinais clínicos. Como há poucos estudos sobre a criptosporidiose em animais silvestres de vida livre e de cativeiro, especialmente no Brasil, esse trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma pesquisa para identificar a presença método de Ziehl-Neelsen modificado e observadas em microscópio com aumento 1000X. Em seguida as lâminas contendo os oocistos foram observadas em microscópio de captura, onde os mesmos foram mensurados. Os mamíferos apresentaram 49,15% de positividade e as aves 44,61% das amostras positivas. O tamanho dos oocistos variou de 3,54µm a 5,81µm com uma média de 4,32µm para aves e de 3,11µm a 5,60µm com média de 4,63µm para mamíferos. Como ainda não há tratamento eficaz para esse parasito e considerando que se trata de uma zoonose, medidas preventivas devem ser tomadas para evitar a transmissão para humanos.

In Brazil, Trypanosoma vivax is present in several states. The disease is endemic in Pantanal and Minas Gerais. In Paraná there is still no report of the parasite, but due to the state borders with Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Paraguay and Argentina, it is believed that the protozoan circulates in the region without diagnosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of T. vivax in dairy cattle in the western region of Paraná. For this purpose, 600 blood samples and 400 serum samples were collected from dairy cattle, distributed in 60 and 40 properties, respectively. While buffy coat smears were performed on blood samples, serum samples were used in Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction. All samples, in both techniques, presented negative results for T. vivax. These results indicate that the studied hemoprotozoan is not circulating among the cattle in the western region of Paraná. However, future work evolving beef cattle must be carried out and preventive measures should be adopted in order to avoid the entry of the parasite in the State of Paraná. Key words: IFAT. Buffy coat. Hemoprotozoan. Smear. Trypanosomiasis. ResumoNo Brasil o Trypanosoma vivax está presente em diversos Estados. No Pantanal e em Minas Gerais a doença é endêmica. No Paraná ainda não há relato do parasito, porém como o Estado possui fronteiras com Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Paraguai e Argentina acredita-se que o protozoário circula na região sem diagnóstico. O objetivo desse trabalho foi pesquisar a prevalência do T. vivax em bovinos leiteiros da região Oeste do Paraná, sendo esse o primeiro estudo com o protozoário no Estado. Para isso, foram coletadas 600 amostras de sangue total e 400 amostras de soro sanguíneo de bovinos leiteiros, distribuídos em 60 e 40 propriedades, respectivamente. Foi realizado esfregaço de papa leucocitária das amostras de sangue e Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta das amostras de soro. Todas as amostras, em ambas as técnicas, apresentaram resultado negativo para o T. vivax. Esses resultados indicam que o hemoprotozoário pesquisado não está circulando entre os bovinos de leite da região Oeste do Paraná. Porém, novos trabalhos com bovinos de corte devem ser realizados e medidas preventivas devem ser adotadas para evitar a entrada do parasito no Estado do Paraná. Palavras-chave: Esfregaço papa leucocitária. Hemoprotozoário. RIFI. Tripanossomose.

Digestive and respiratory tracts parasite's protozoan, Cryptosporidium spp. now-a-days is a major zoonotic agent, it causes self-limiting diarrhea, remaining in the body passively until the moment immune system decreases, leading to an increase in its multiplication in the mucosa and appearance of clinical signs. As there are few studies on cryptosporidiosis in wild free-living and captive animals, especially in Brazil, this study aimed to identify the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in feces of captive animals in Cascavel, PR Municipal Zoo. Between 2011 and 2012 there have been four collections of bird feces and five mammalian feces totaling 65 and 118 samples respectively. Samples were sent to the laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Federal University of Parana. The feces were diluted, centrifuged and the pellets were used to make blades which were stained by the Ziehl-Neelsen modified method and observed under a microscope with 1000X magnification. Then the blades containing the oocysts were observed under a capture microscope, where they were measured. Mammals showed 49.15% and birds 44.61% of positivity. Oocysts' sizes ranged from 3,54μm to 5,81μm with an average of 4,32μm for birds and 3,11μm to 5,60μm averaging 4,63μm to mammals. As of yet, there isn't effective treatment against this parasite and considering that it's a zoonotic disease, preventive measures should be taken to prevent transmission to humans. Key words: Cryptosporidium, wild animals, Ziehl-Neelsen, zoonosis ResumoProtozoário que parasita o trato digestório e respiratório dos animais, o Cryptosporidium spp. é um importante agente zoonótico da atualidade, responsável por causar diarreia auto limitante, permanecendo no organismo de forma passiva até o momento em que há uma queda da imunidade, levando a um aumento na sua multiplicação na mucosa e aparecimento de sinais clínicos. Como há poucos estudos sobre a criptosporidiose em animais silvestres de vida livre e de cativeiro, especialmente no Brasil, esse trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma pesquisa para identificar a presença método de Ziehl-Neelsen modificado e observadas em microscópio com aumento 1000X. Em seguida as lâminas contendo os oocistos foram observadas em microscópio de captura, onde os mesmos foram mensurados. Os mamíferos apresentaram 49,15% de positividade e as aves 44,61% das amostras positivas. O tamanho dos oocistos variou de 3,54µm a 5,81µm com uma média de 4,32µm para aves e de 3,11µm a 5,60µm com média de 4,63µm para mamíferos. Como ainda não há tratamento eficaz para esse parasito e considerando que se trata de uma zoonose, medidas preventivas devem ser tomadas para evitar a transmissão para humanos.

Cryptosporidiosis is an emerging zoonosis that causes many outbreaks worldwide. Its main route of transmission is the consumption of contaminated water or food. In Brazil, data on to the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis in animals and in humans are scarce; thus, it is important to determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. and to identify possible sources of water and food contamination in order to prevent the disease and, consequently, preserve of human health. From July/2011 to March/2012, five liters of water were collected in 10 different locations from eight artificial beaches of Itaipu Lake, Paraná, in a total of 40 samples. In two other small beaches of the lake, water was also collected from two different sites of each beach, given their size and because they were made up of water from different sources. Samples were analyzed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique and nested-PCR (nPCR). All samples were negative in the modified Ziehl-Neelsen; only one (2.25%) sample was positive in nPCR. These results indicate that PCR is a more sensitive technique for the identification of Cryptosporidium in water samples. In this study, it was not possible to identify the species involved and, thus, the source of infection. Water contamination by Cryptosporidium oocytes can be caused by livestock kept near waterways, and by the people who use the place for recreational purposes. These results demonstrate risk for people who use the lake. Care should be determined to prevent the transmission of this important zoonosis.