Parasitological and immunological diagnoses from feces of captive-bred snakes at Vital Brazil Institute

Abstract

Fecal samples from 56 snakes at the Vital Brazil Institute, in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, were tested using the sedimentation and flotation techniques to investigate the evolutionary forms of parasites such as helminths and protozoa, and using enzyme immunoassay techniques to detect antigens of Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia sp. Among the animals tested, 80.3% were positive for parasites. Out of these, there were 16 Bothrops jararaca, 16 B. jararacussu and 13 Crotalus durissus. The prevalence of parasitic nematodes was 41.1%, and nematodes were found in all three snake species. Among these, the most frequent finding was eggs of Kalicephalus sp., which were diagnosed in 25% of the snakes. The positivity for protozoa detected using parasite concentration techniques was 75%, including oocysts of Caryospora sp. in 75%, cysts with morphology similar to Giardia sp. 3.6%, amoeboid cysts in 41.1% and unsporulated coccidia oocysts in 8.9%. Immunoassays for Cryptosporidium sp. antigens produced positive findings in 60.7%. Pseudoparasites were detected in 64.3%. These results show that there is a need to improve the sanitary handling of captive-bred snakes, and also for the animal house that supplies rodents to feed them. The results also highlight that diagnostic tests should be performed periodically on stool specimens from captive-bred snakes.Keywords: Antigens, ELISA, nematode parasites, snake, protozoa. ResumoForam analisadas amostras fecais de 56 serpentes do Instituto Vital Brazil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, por técnicas de sedimentação e flutuação, para pesquisa de formas evolutivas de parasitos, como helmintos e protozoários, e utilizando técnica imunoenzimática para detecção de antígenos de Cryptosporidium sp. e Giardia sp. Dos animais estudados, 80,3% foram positivos para parasitos, dos quais 16 pertenciam à espécie Bothrops jararaca, 16 à B. jararacussu e 13 à Crotalus durissus. A prevalência de nematódeos parasitos foi de 41,1%, sendo evidenciados nas três espécies de serpentes. Dentre estes, o mais frequente foi o encontro de ovos de Kalicephalus sp., diagnosticado em 25% das serpentes. A positividade para protozoários detectados pelas técnicas de concentração foi de 75%, nas quais oocistos de Caryospora sp. foram detectados em 75%, cistos com morfologia similar a Giardia sp. em 3,6%, cistos de amebídeos em 41,1% e oocistos não esporulados de coccídios em 8,9%. Obteve-se positividade para antígenos de Cryptosporidium sp. por imunoensaio em 60,7%. Pseudoparasitos foram detectados em 64,3%. Estes resultados apontam para a necessidade de aprimoramento do manejo sanitário das serpentes cativas, bem como no biotério que fornece roedores para sua alimentação, destacando a realização periódica de diagnóstico nas amostras fecais de serpentes cativas.

Giardiasis as a neglected disease in Brazil: Systematic review of 20 years of publications

“…However, apart from the single exception just mentioned, there are no data regarding the genetic assemblages in wildlife [ 62 – 67 ]. A prevalence of 3.6% was found in captive snakes based on enzyme immunoassay [ 68 ].…”

A study on endoparasitic and ectoparasitic fauna of snakes in Mizoram, India

“…Parasites may have detrimental effects on the well-being of reptiles kept in zoos, farms or as domestic pets [4,5]. The different techniques were used for detection of parasitic ova in feces of snakes as per previous researchers [9][10][11][12]. For the identification of nematode eggs and protozoan oocysts, fecal floatation was found superior to other methods.…”

“…Several species of the family Ascarididae including Ophidascaris and Polydelphis have been reported [15][16][17]. De Souza et al [18] and Bino Sundar et al [19] also reported Ophidascaris in snakes. Eggs of Ophidascaris and Polydelphis were found in the fecal samples from pythons, cobras, green vipers and rat snakes.…”

“…Direct smear, flotation and sedimentation techniques were used for fecal examination as per standard procedure [9][10][11][12]. Fecal samples of dead snakes were examined during post mortem examination.…”

Caryospora bigenetica (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in South America: new hosts and distribution records

“…It is noteworthy, that in a previous study with snakes from Vital Brazil Institute was recorded prevalence of 75% of Caryospora sp. in C. durissus, B. mooojeni, and B. jararacussu (SOUZA et al, 2014).…”