This study investigated the occurrence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in rodents and marsupials from the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Two hundred and four fecal samples were collected from different forest areas in the municipalities of Ilhéus, Una, Belmonte, and Mascote. Identifications were performed using PCR and nested PCR followed by sequencing of the gdh and tpi genes for G. duodenalis, and the gp60 and Hsp-70 genes for Cryptosporidium. The total frequency of positive PCR samples for both G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. was 5.4% (11/204). Giardia duodenalis occurred in 2.94% (4/136) of rodents and 2.94% (2/68) of marsupials. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in rodents and marsupials was 1.47% (2/136) and 4.41% (3/68), respectively. In the areas sampled, the frequency of parasitism was 50% (7/14), while the Mascote region alone had no parasitized animals. The G. duodenalis subgenotype AI was identified in the rodent species Hylaeamys laticeps, Oecomys catherinae, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Akodon cursor, and in the marsupials Gracilinanus agilis and Monodelphis americana. In the rodents Rhipidomys mastacalis, H. laticeps and in the marsupial Marmosa murina the protozoa Cryptosporidium fayeri, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium ubiquitum with subtypes IIa and IVg by the gp60 gene were found. In conclusion, this study provides the genetic characterization of Giardia and Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in rodents and marsupials. And, these findings reinforce that the rodent and marsupial species mentioned above play a role as new hosts for Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

The occurrence of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 in mammals of the order Didelphimorphia indicates the infection-predisposition of these animals, which in turn is mainly determined for their eating habits. The objective of this work was to evaluate the parasitism of Eimeria spp. in marsupials of the Atlantic Forest of the southern region of Bahia. Fecal samples were collected from marsupials captured in the regions of Ilhéus, Una, Belmonte and Mascote, with traps of the Sherman model (23 × 8 × 9 cm), Tomahawk (50 × 17 × 17 cm) and pitfall and analyzed by Sheather's modified centrifugal-flotation method. Oocysts were identified by microscopical evaluation of their morphology and morphometry. Didelphis aurita Wied-Neuwied, 1826, Gracilinanus agilis Burmeister, 1854, Monodelphis americana Müller, 1776, Marmosa demerarae O. Thomas, 1905 and Marmosa murina Linnaeus, 1758 were parasitized by Eimeria philanderi Lainson & Shaw, 1989 and Eimeria gambai Carini, 1938. Mixed parasitism for these two coccidia was observed in two of the 56 marsupials sampled. In conclusion, this work registers new hosts for E. philanderi and E. gambai, as well as the state of Bahia as a new distribution site for these coccidia.

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii present in wild mammals that were trap captured in forest fragments in the State of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. A total of 368 individuals (246 rodents, 104 marsupials and 18 bats) were captured using live catch traps. Serum samples were tested using the modified agglutination test, with a cut-off point at 1:25 dilution. The total occurrence of antibodies to T. gondii was 10.6% (39/368), being 16.3% (17/104) in marsupials, 8.5% (21/246) in rodents, and 5.5% (1/18) in bats. Antibody titers varied between 25 and 50 for rodents, between 25 and 400 for marsupials, and were 25 for bats. This is the first report on antibodies to T. gondii in certain rodent species (Thaptomys nigrita, Hylaeamys laticeps, and Cerradomys subflavus), marsupial species (Monodelphis americana, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Gracilinanus agilis and Marmosops incanus), and bats of the genus Rhynchonycteris. The presence of antibodies to T. gondii in wild mammals demonstrates the possibility of these animals as sentinels of toxoplasmosis, especially on regions under high anthropogenic effect.

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a prevalência e identificar os possíveis fatores de risco associados à infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em 103 gestantes atendidas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, em uma unidade de saúde especializada no município de Curitiba, Paraná. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico transversal quantitativo a partir da realização de entrevistas utilizando um questionário estruturado. As informações referentes à sorologia para T. gondii foram obtidas a partir das cadernetas das gestantes durante a entrevista. A investigação sorológica foi realizada por meio do ensaio imunoenzimático indireto e ensaio imunoenzimático de captura para identificação de IgG e IgM, respectivamente. Os testes do Qui Quadrado e Exato de Fischer foram utilizados para estimar a associação entre fatores de risco e sorologia. Anticorpos IgG e IgM foram detectados em 56,31% (58/103) e 0,97% (1/103), respectivamente. Houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre as variáveis renda familiar (p = 0,03), tipo de moradia (p = 0,005), consumo de carne crua ou malcozida e ingestão de frutas e vegetais mal higienizados (p = 0,045). Deste modo, a identificação de prováveis fatores de risco, poderá auxiliar na implantação de medidas de prevenção e controle da toxoplasmose materna e congênita. Palavras-chave: Fonte de infecção; prevalência; toxoplasmose; transmissão vertical. ABSTRACT:The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and to identify the potential risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in 103 pregnant women attended by the Unified Health System in a specialized health unit in the city of Curitiba, Paraná. For this, a quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out based on interviews using a structured questionnaire. Information regarding serological screening was obtained from the pregnant women 's records during the interview. Serological investigation was performed by Indirect immunoenzymatic assay and capture immunoenzymatic assay for identification of IgG and IgM, respectively. The Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis, and the odds ratio (OR) was used to estimate the chance of association between exposure and outcome variables. IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 56.31% (58/103) and 0.97% (1/103), respectively. There was a statistically significant association between the variables household income (p = 0.03), type of housing (p = 0.005), consumption of raw or undercooked meat, and ingestion of poorly hygienized fruits and vegetables (p = 0.045). Thus, the identification of probable risk factors may assist in the implementation of prevention Eficácia do uso distintos estimulantes do crescimento folicular em um protocolo para IATF em fêmeas NeloreArchives of Veterinary Science, v.25, n.1, p.67-79, 2020. and control measures for maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis.