In both seasons, Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Median (± IQR/2) STT was 12.0 ± 3.5 mm/min, EAPPTT-1 was 15.9 ± 0.7 mm/15 s, and EAPPTT-2 was 15.4 ± 0.4 mm/min (OD) and 17.8 ± 1.0 mm/min (OS). Anterior chamber depth was 1.0 ± 0.1 mm, lens axial length was 2.3 ± 0.1 mm, vitreous chamber depth was 4.3 ± 0.2 mm, and axial globe length was 7.7 ± 0.3 mm. PFL was 11.7 ± 1.7 mm. Intraocular pressure was 11.5 ± 2.8 mmHg for males and 14.0 ± 3.5 mmHg for females (dorsoventral position) and 18.0 ± 3.2 mmHg for males and 24.1 ± 3.0 mmHg for females (ventrodorsal position with inclination of 45°). The ophthalmic parameters reported here can aid in the diagnosis of eye diseases in red-footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria).

Background: Because of their usually cryptic behaviour, most knowledge on the biology of beaked whales are from records of stranded animals. Although the Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is the best known species of the ziphiidae family, little information on its reproduction is available. Results: Here we report on the stranding of a dead pregnant female with clear signs of anthropogenic impact, including the presence of a fishing artefact in the stomach. Conclusions: The region of the stranding (north-eastern coast of Brazil) is an area of increasing interest for oil and gas exploitation. Conservation concerns may arise from findings such as the one presented and discussed here.

In South America, some wild canids are considered natural reservoirs of Leishmania chagasi. The immunological response of wild canids to Leishmania is not well understood, and the development of diagnostic methods is necessary for such purpose. In the present study, the standardization of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazilian species of wild canids is described. Serum and plasma samples from 12 captive wild canids were studied: seven from maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), three from hoary foxes (Lycalopex vetulus), and two from crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous). Samples from C. brachyurus and L. vetulus, both captive in an endemic area for VL, presenting clinical disease and positivity in Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction and Polymerase Chain Reaction tests were used as positive controls. The antibody anti-dog IgG and Protein A, both conjugated with horseradish peroxidase, were compared in indirect ELISA tests which detected four (04/12) and three (03/12) seropositive C. brachyurus for anti-Leishmania antibodies, respectively. The ELISA tests were able to clearly distinguish negative from positive samples, as the mean optical density (OD) of the negative samples was 4.8 and 15.5 times lower than those of the positive ones either using anti-dog IgG and Protein A, respectively. Samples from three ELISA -positive C. brachyurus were analyzed by Western blotting and identified immunodominant bands of 19, 22, 24, 45 and 66 kDa, among 22 protein bands detected. The ELISAs with protein A and anti-dog IgG showed respectively excellent (Kappa = 1.0; p<0.001) and moderate (Kappa = 0.8; p<0.0015) agreement with the Western blotting assay. The ELISA tests showed to be adequate for screening studies to identify antibody responses, thus indicating contact with Leishmania infection by wild canids.INDEX TERMS: Wild canids, Leishmania, visceral leishmaniasis, ELISA, protein A.

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