The prevalence of ectoparasites and endoparasites was studied in 58 free-living pigeons (Columba livia) in urban areas of Lages, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The pigeons were visually inspected and fecal and blood samples were collected to determine the presence of ectoparasites. The serological diagnosis was established through the use of blood smears stained with Quick Panoptic and Giemsa methods. The fecal samples were analyzed using Sheather's method. The Quick Panoptic and Giemsa methods detected 67.24% (39/58) and 46.55% (27/58) of Haemoproteus sp, respectively. The prevalence rate amounted to 57% of 116 smears analyzed (P value=0.0387; odds ratio = 2.357 with a 95% confidence interval). The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 74.14% (43/58). Protozoa (100% for Eimeria sp.) were detected in 86.05% of the cases and nematodes (Ascaridia sp. and Capillaria sp.) in 32.56%, whereas 20.93% of the pigeons were infected by multiple parasites. The fly Pseudolynchia canariensis was found beneath the feathers of all pigeons. This is the first report of parasites in C. livia in the state of Santa Catarina.

Evidence suggests that oral diseases might be more prevalent in Portuguese adults than the European average. Efforts should be made to promote good oral-hygiene habits among older people and people from lower social classes.

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SUMMARY Giardia duodenalis is an enteric parasite that has distinct genetic groups. Human infections are mainly caused by assemblages A and B, although sporadic infections by assemblages C and D have also been reported. Animals can be infected by a wide range of assemblages (A to H). The aim of this study is to identify the assemblages and sub-assemblages of G. duodenalis with zoonotic features in fecal samples of school-aged children, and in dogs that coexist in the same households in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Fecal samples of 91 children and 108 dogs were obtained and G. duodenalis cysts were detected in samples from 11 (12.08%) children and 10 (9.25%) dogs. DNA extracted from the 21 positive samples was analyzed by PCR-RFLP, using the gdh gene. Results showed the presence of sub-assemblages AI (2/11), AII (4/11), BIII (2/11), and BIV(3/11) among children and AI (5/10) and BIV(3/10) in dogs, with zoonotic characteristics, and the carnivore specific assemblage C (2/10). G. duodenalis was found to infect both children and dogs living in the same household, with the same sub-assemblage (BIV) indicating that pet dogs are a potential risk of transmission of G. duodenalis to humans.

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Cryptosporidium spp is a common intestinal pathogen of animals and humans. It may have an important economic impact on farms and cause potentially zoonotic infections. Fecal specimens were collected from 331 domestic animals (81 beef cattle, 50 sheep, 100 pigs and 100 dogs) and checked for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts by way of Ziehl Neelsen and auramine staining methods. An overall positivity rate of 7.5% (25/331) was found, with rates of 10% (10/100) among the dogs and 18.5% (15/81) among the beef cattle. The feces of sheep and pigs tested negative. In beef cattle, 15 and 12 positive samples were detected by the auramine and Ziehl Neelsen staining techniques, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two methods. In dogs, the same number of positive samples was found by both techniques.

A case-control study was carried out in litters of 1 to 7-day-old piglets to identify the main infectious agents involved with neonatal diarrhea in pigs. Fecal samples (n=276) from piglets were collected on pig farms in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from May to September 2007. Litters with diarrhea were considered cases (n=129) and normal litters (n=147) controls. The samples were examined by latex agglutination test, PAGE, conventional isolating techniques, ELISA, PCR, and microscopic methods in order to detect rotavirus, bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens type A and C, and Clostridium difficile), and parasites (Coccidian and Cryptosporidium spp.). Outbreaks of diarrhea were not observed during sampling. At least one agent was detected in fecal samples on 25 out of 28 farms (89.3%) and in 16 farms (57.1%) more than one agent was found. The main agents diagnosed were Coccidia (42.86%) and rotavirus (39.29%). The main agents identified in litters with diarrhea were Clostridium difficile (10.6%), Clostridium perfringens type A (8.8%) and rotavirus (7.5%); in control litters, Clostridium difficile (16.6%) and Coccidian (8.5%). Beta hemolytic Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens type C were not detected. When compared with controls, no agent was significantly associated with diarrhea in case litters. These findings stress the need for caution in the interpretation of laboratorial diagnosis of mild diarrhea in neonatal pigs, as the sole detection of an agent does not necessarily indicate that it is the cause of the problem. dos surtos e a diarréia, quando presente, apresentou-se leve. Pelo menos um agente foi identificado nas amostras fecais de 25 entre 28 granjas (89,3%) analisadas e em 16 granjas (57,1%) mais de um agente foi detectado. Os principais agentes encontrados nas granjas foram coccídeos (42,86%) e rotavírus (39,29%). Os principais agentes detectados nas leitegadas com diarreia foram Clostridium difficile (10,6%), Clostridium perfringens tipo A (8,8%) e rotavírus (7,5%). Por outro lado, nas leitegadas controle os agentes mais prevalentes foram Clostridium difficile (16,6%) e coccídeos (8,5%). E. coli Beta hemolítica e Clostridium perfringens tipo C não foram detectados. O presente estudo de caso-controle demonstrou que nenhum agente infeccioso esteve associado significativamente com diarreia (p>0.05). Esses achados reforçam a necessidade de que haja cuidado na interpretação de resultados de exames laboratoriais em materiais coletados de leitões com diarreia neonatal leve, pois a detecção isolada de um agente infeccioso não indica necessariamente que o mesmo seja a causa do problema.

Intestinal parasites in free-range chickens in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, RS ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in free range chicken reared in extensive conditions in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. 112 fecal specimens were analyzed poultry properties 14 and processed by flotation techniques with saturated solution of sodium chloride and spontaneous sedimentation. Thirteen properties (92.9 %) were parasitized birds. The overall prevalence was 55.4 % (62/112) of the infected birds with helminth eggs of genus Capillaria, Heterakis, Ascaridia, Strongyloides, Strongyloidea and protozoa of the genus Eimeria. The only cestode found was the genus Choanotaenia. Capillaria sp. was the most prevalent helminth (78.6 %) independent municipality. The parasitological diagnosis using fecal samples is suitable tool to assist in parasitic control. Although the prevalence detected was high, the creators showed no health problem in poultry.