Platynosomum fastosum is a hepatic trematode which causes the so-called lizard poisoning in cats. This parasite is reported in tropical and sub-tropical areas infecting the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts of cats. Despite its clinical importance, the diagnosis of P. fastosum has been poorly investigated so far. In this study, three cases of infection by P. fastosum in cats are reported. The FLOTAC technique was utilized for the first time in the detection of eggs of this parasite. Three cats (two males and one female), being one of them with a history of diarrhea and vomiting, were diagnosed positive for the presence of P. fastosum eggs through the FLOTAC technique. In conclusion, this study provides important and new insights into the diagnosis of P. fastosum in cats, expanding the geographical knowledge of this parasite in Brazil.

Gastrointestinal parasites are important pathogens affecting animals, some of them are of medical and veterinary concern. Although the dynamic of parasitic infections is a complex phenomenon that has been studied under experimental conditions, it shows several gaps in knowledge, especially in insular regions where a confined population of animals and parasites co-exists. In this study was assessed the parasitism by endoparasite gastrointestinal in feral cats (n = 37) and rodents (n = 30) from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago; in addition, the risk of human infection and ecological implications of these findings were discussed. Out of all samples analysed, 100% scored positive for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites in both feral cats and rodents. A total 17 genera and/or species of endoparasite gastrointestinal were identified, Ancylostoma sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichuris campanula and Toxocara cati were the parasites more frequently in feral cats. In rodents Eimeria sp., Strongyloides sp. and Trichuris muris were parasites more frequently herein detected. Human population living in this area are at risk of parasite infections due to the population of rodents and feral cats in the archipelago.Keywords: Helminths, protozoal disease, zoonosis, synanthropic animals. ResumoParasitas gastrointestinais são importantes agentes patogênicos que afetam os animais, sendo alguns destes de interesse médico e veterinário. Embora a dinâmica das infecções parasitárias seja um fenômeno complexo que tem sido estudado sob condições experimentais, existem várias lacunas no conhecimento, especificamente em regiões insulares onde existem populações confinadas de animais e parasitas. Neste estudo foi avaliado o parasitismo por endoparasitas gastrointestinais em gatos ferais (n = 37) e roedores (n = 30) do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha. Além disso, discutiu-se o risco de infecção humana e implicações ecológicas desses achados. De todas as amostras analisadas, 100% obtiveram resultados positivos para a presença de parasitos gastrointestinais tanto em gatos ferais quanto em roedores. Um total de 17 gêneros e/ou espécies de endoparasitos gastrointestinais foram identificados, Ancylostoma sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichuris campanula e Toxocara cati foram os parasitos mais frequentes em gatos ferais. Em roedores Eimeria sp., Strongyloides sp. e Trichuris muris foram os mais detectados. A população humana que vive nesta área corre o risco de infecções parasitárias, devido à população de roedores e gatos ferais no arquipélago.Palavras-chave: Helmintos, doenças protozoárias, zoonoses, animais sinantrópicos.

RESUMO.-Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a soroprevalência da toxoplasmose em equídeos mantidos em diferentes formas de manejo no estado de Pernambuco. Para tanto, um total de 400 amostras de soro sanguíneo de equídeos clinicamente saudáveis foram analisados através do teste de aglutinação modificado (MAT) considerando-se cut-off de 1:25. Dados referentes às características dos animais e dos rebanhos, sistema de criação, presença de outros animais, idade, sexo, raça, aptidão, condição física foram coletados por meio de questionários investigativos. Anticorpos IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii foram detectados em 12,5% (50/400) dos animais analisados. Dos 12 municípios estudados, houve positividade em 91,67% (11/12) com variação entre 4,4% e 33,3%. Quando avaliados os fatores de risco, apenas o fator mesorregião (p=0,029) apresentou associação com a infecção, particularmente Zona da Mata (OR=3), seguida de Região Metropolitana do Recife (OR=2,2), Agreste (OR=1,7) e Sertão (OR=1). Os resultados revelam a presença do parasito na área estudada, o que pode representar um elo na cadeia de transmissão da toxoplasmose a qual tem repercussão em saúde pública tendo em vista que o Brasil é o oitavo maior exportador de carne equina do mundo. This paper reports seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in horses kept in different forms of breeding system in the state of Pernambuco. For that, 400 blood serum samples from clinically healthy horses were analyzed through the test of modified agglutination (MAT) considering cut-off of 1:25. Data related to the characteristics of the animals and herds, breeding system, presence of other animals, age, gender, breed, aptitude, and physical conditions were collected throughout investigative surveys. IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were detected in 12.5% (50/400) of the analyzed animals. In the 12 studied towns, there was a positivity in 91. 67% (11/12) with a variation between 4% and 33.3%. When the risk factors were evaluated, only the mesoregion factor (p=0.029) had an association with the infection, particularly the Zona da Mata region (OR=3), followed by the Recife Metropolitan Area (OR=2.2), Agreste region (OR=1.7) and Sertão region (OR=1). The results shows the presence of the parasites on the studied area, which may represent a link with the transmission chain of toxoplasmosis which has influence on the public health system, considering that Brazil is the eighth greatest exporter of equine meat in the world.

Among the nematodes that infect the urinary tract of dogs, the Dioctophyma renale and Capillaria plica are those more frequently reported. For a long time, sedimentation was the only method used to detect eggs of these parasites in urine. The aim of this study was to analyze urine samples (n = 54) of dogs, obtained by bladder catheterization or cystocentesis, by using a modified FLOTAC technique. Animals were divided into two groups, i.e., with (n = 20) and without (n = 34) suspicion of urinary disease. The overall positivity herein observed was 3.8 % (2/54), being all animals (10 %; 2/20) from the group with suspicion of urinary disease. In the first positive sample, a single egg of D. renale was detected, whereas in the second sample two trematode-like eggs were observed. This is the first short survey employed to detect eggs of parasites that inhabit the urinary tract of dogs using a modified FLOTAC technique; in addition, for the first time, eggs of D. renale have been detected using this tool.