No abstract

Background: Non-invasive sampling through faecal collection is one of the most cost-effective alternatives for monitoring of free-living wild mammals, as it provides information on animal taxonomy as well as the dynamics of the gastrointestinal parasites that potentially infect these animals. In this context, this study aimed to perform an epidemiological survey of gastrointestinal parasites using non-invasive faecal samples from carnivores and artiodactyls identified by stool macroscopy, guard hair morphology and DNA sequencing in Itatiaia National Park. Between 2017 and 2018, faeces from carnivores and artiodactyls were collected along trails in the park. The host species were identified through macroscopic and trichological examinations and molecular biology. To investigate the parasites, the Faust, Lutz and modified Ritchie and Sheather techniques and enzyme immunoassays to detect Cryptosporidium sp. antigens were used. Results: A total of 244 stool samples were collected. The species identified were Chrysocyon brachyurus, Leopardus guttulus, Canis familiaris, Cerdocyon thous, Puma yagouaroundi, Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor and Sus scrofa. There were 81.1% samples that were positive for parasites distributed mainly in the high part of the park. Helminths, especially eggs of the family Ascarididae, were more frequently detected in carnivore faeces (70.9%). Protozoa, especially Cryptosporidium sp., represented the highest frequency of infection in artiodactyl faeces (87.1%). This zoonotic protozoon was detected in eight mammalian species, including in a wild boar. High values of structural richness and Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were observed for the parasites, especially in the faeces of C. brachyurus. Significant differences in parasite diversity were observed between wild and domestic animals, such as C. brachyurus and C. familiaris, respectively, and between taxonomically distant species, such as C. brachyurus and S. scrofa. The highest values for parasite similarity were found among the species that frequented similar areas of the park, such as C. brachyurus and L. guttulus.

Avaliar a frequência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e os fatores de risco inerentes à infecção por esse parasito; e comparar técnicas de diagnóstico sorológico em pacientes atendidos no Laboratório Municipal de Oriximiná, estado do Pará, Brasil. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas amostras de soro dos pacientes, além de informações socioeconômicas e ambientais via aplicação de formulário. As amostras de soro dos pacientes foram submetidas à pesquisa de anticorpos IgM e IgG, por meio de ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA) indireto e reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). RESULTADOS: Das 521 amostras coletadas, a frequência de soropositivos para T. gondii foi de 68,7%. Em 51%, foram evidenciados somente anticorpos IgG e, em 17,7%, anticorpos IgG/IgM, perfil compatível com infecção aguda. Concordância quase perfeita entre ELISA e RIFI foi verificada na pesquisa de IgG (Kappa = 0,84). Na análise univariada, as variáveis significativamente associadas à positividade para T. gondii foram: faixa etária, consumo de folhas e hortaliças, resultado prévio positivo, ocorrência de aborto e presença de gato no domicílio. Já pela regressão logística, identificou-se que maior faixa etária, presença de gatos como animais de estimação e menor faixa de renda foram fatores que apresentaram maior risco à infecção por T. gondii. CONCLUSÃO: Foi evidenciada a elevada frequência de pacientes soropositivos para T. gondii atendidos no Laboratório Municipal de Oriximiná, bem como a falta de concordância em 100% entre RIFI e ELISA, demonstrando-se a necessidade de se utilizar mais de uma técnica laboratorial para a detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii.

Specimens of Oncicola venezuelensis (Marteau, 1977) were recovered from fragments of intestinal tissue of a female Puma concolar (Linn, 1771) found dead in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro in 2017. A total of 140 helminths were recovered. Five males and 5 females of the helminths were analyzed morphologically as well as 50 parasite eggs recovered in intestinal contents. Morphologically, these helminths were compatible with the genus Oncicola, because of the size and shape of the proboscis, the size and disposition of the lemnisci and the morphometry of the eggs, in which the external membrane of the shell was delicate and clear. From histopathology, the helminths were deeply embeded in the mucosa reaching up to the muscle layer. One specimen was also identified molecularly with universal primers that amplified the eukaryote region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2. The helminth showed 99% identity with the gene sequence of O. venezuelensis deposited in GenBank. It is important to emphasize, this parasite has been very little reported in the literature, which reinforces the importance of this report.