No abstract

The environmental contamination of Toxoplasma gondii in an endemic area in Brazil was mapped by georeferencing isolates from chickens in farms in the Southeast of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Tissue samples obtained from 153 adult chickens were analyzed by the mouse bioassay for T. gondii infection. These animals were reared free-range on 51 farms in the municipalities of Rio Bonito and Maricá. The ArcGIS kernel density estimator based on the frequency of T. gondii-positive chickens was used to map the environmental contamination with this parasite. A questionnaire was applied to obtain data on the presence and management of cats and the type of water consumed. Of the farms studied, 64.7% were found to be located in areas of low to medium presence of T. gondii, 27.5% in areas with a high or very high contamination level and 7.8% in non-contaminated areas. Additionally, 70.6% kept cats, 66.7% were near water sources and 45.0% were in or near dense vegetation. Humans used untreated water for drinking on 41.2% of the farms, while all animals were given untreated water. The intensity of environmental T. gondii contamination was significantly higher on farms situated at a distance >500 m from water sources (P=0.007) and near (≤500 m) dense vegetation (P=0.003). Taken together, the results indicate a high probability of T. gondii infection of humans and animals living on the farms studied. The kernel density estimator obtained based on the frequency of chickens testing positive for T. gondii in the mouse bioassay was useful to map environmental contamination with this parasite.

clinical consultation. Hemogram and abdominal ultrasonography exams were requested; however the latter one was the exam that identified the nematoid inside the right kidney. The nephrectomy was performed the day after the diagnosis and the patient is currently well.

ResumoO Lynxacarus radovskyi é um ácaro da pele do gato que se alimenta da superfície do pêlo. O potencial das manifestações clínicas é proporcional ao número de ácaros fixados no animal e a duração da infestação. Com o objetivo de pesquisar a presença de ectoparasitos em 10 felinos que apresentavam pontos avermelhados nos pêlos foi realizado o tricograma e observou-se a presença de ovos e exemplares adultos de L. radovskyi aderidos aos pêlos dos animais. Observou-se, ainda, que um canino, macho e adulto, que convivia com estes felinos, também estava parasitado por estes artrópodes, embora apresentando menor grau de infestação. Em cães, não existem relatos deste parasito na literatura mundial. Concluiu-se que, devido ao pequeno tamanho do parasito e as dificuldades no diagnóstico, é necessário um estudo amplo que avalie a ocorrência deste parasito e suas implicações na sanidade dos felinos.Palavras-chave: Lynxacarus radovskyi, ácaro, dermatopatias, cães, gatos. AbstractThe cat fur mite, Lynxacarus radovskyi, is a hair clasping surface feeder. Its potencial clinical significance is proportionate to the number of mites that attach to the animal and duration of infestation. With the objective to search for the presence of the parasites in 10 felines that showed red spots in their coats, the tricograme test was carried through and showed the presence of L. radovskyi individuals and eggs adhered to the animals' coats. It was also noticed that an adult male canine, which shared the same environment with the felines, was also infested by these arthropods in a lesser degree. World literature shows no trace of these ectoparasites in dogs. We concluded that due to this parasite's small size and the difficulties in the diagnosis, a broader study that evaluates the occurrence of the parasitic agent, and its implications to both feline and canine health becomes necessary.Keywords: Lynxacarus radovskyi, mite, dermatopathologies, dogs, cats. IntroduçãoO Lynxacarus radovskyi é um ácaro relacionado c0m dermatopatias de felinos e sua distribuição geográfica está relacionada com climas úmidos e tropicais (Craig et al