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At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Chlamydophila psittaci in free-living Blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) and Hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci) infection was evaluated in 77 free-living nestlings of Blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) and Hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Tracheal and cloacal swab samples from 32 wild parrot and 45 macaw nestlings were submitted to semi-nested PCR, while serum samples were submitted to complement fixation test (CFT). Although all 32 Amazon parrot serum samples were negative by CFT, cloacal swabs from two birds were positive for Chlamydophila DNA by semi-nested PCR (6.3%); these positive birds were 32 and 45 days old. In macaws, tracheal and cloacal swabs were positive in 8.9% and 26.7% of the samples, respectively. Complement-fixing antibodies were detected in 4.8% of the macaw nestlings; macaw nestlings with positive findings were between 33 and 88 days old. These results indicate widespread dissemination of this pathogen in the two evaluated psittacine populations. No birds had clinical signs suggestive of chlamydiosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on C. psittaci in free-living Blue-fronted Amazon parrots and Hyacinth macaws in Brazil.

Amazona↗
PubMed2003

Hepatozoon spp.: report of some cases in dogs in Brasília, Brazil.

Canine hepatozoonosis is a disease caused by the tick-borne protozoan Hepatozoon spp. It has been reported in the United States, southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East. In Brazil, canine hepatozoonosis is an emerging protozoal tick-borne disease, and is characterized by distinct clinical signs. The objective of this study was to analyze the laboratory findings of some hepatozoonosis cases in dogs in Brasília, Brazil, and their clinical signs. The animals of this experiment showed low parasitemia, similar to H. americanum, but the clinical signs presented were similar to H. canis. According to our observations and in agreement with O'Dwyer et al. [Vet. Parasitol. 94 (2001) 143], the Brazilian Hepatozoon appears more to resemble the species found in the eastern Hemisphere than with H. americanum of North America, or could be caused by a new species. Our data revealed that hepatozoonosis could be considered endemic in Brasília.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) from southeastern and midwestern regions of Brazil.

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum in captive maned wolves from Brazil, considering that little information is available at the literature about infections by these parasites in this wild animal. Serum samples were obtained from 59 maned wolves originated from six zoos and from one ecological reserve of the southeastern and midwestern regions of Brazil. To detect IgG antibodies against T. gondii, an ELISA protocol was used and the results were expressed as ELISA reactivity indexes (EI). Serology for N. caninum was carried out by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and cut-off titers were established at 1:25 dilution. From the total of the analyzed samples, 44 (74.6%) were seropositive for T. gondii and only 5 (8.5%) for N. caninum. Seropositivity for T. gondii ranged from 0 to 100% in the seven different origin locals, with rates over 50% among the six zoos, whereas no positivity was found in the samples from ecological reserve. For N. caninum, seroprevalence varied from 0 to 50% in the different locals, with the highest rates also detected in zoos. Seroprevalence for T. gondii was strongly related with age, with rates significantly higher among adult wolves (91.7%) when compared to newborn or young animals. Seropositive samples for N. caninum were found predominantly in adult wolves. For both parasites, seroprevalence did not show a significant distinction in relation to gender. Although seroprevalence for T. gondii was significantly higher when compared to N. caninum in the Brazilian captive maned wolves tested, these findings reflect the great exposure of this species to T. gondii and, in lower extension, to N. caninum. Also, the present study demonstrated for the first time the presence of antibodies to N. caninum in wild life from South America.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

First molecular detection of Babesia vogeli in dogs from Brazil.

The present work describes the detection and first molecular characterization of Babesia vogeli in dogs, naturally infected in Brazil and even in South America. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears collected from dogs originating from four different locations in Brazil revealed the presence of large Babesia merozoites and trophozoites (>2.5 microm). DNA was extracted from infected blood samples and PCR amplifications of the 18S rDNA were carried out. As a reference, DNA from an isolate of B. vogeli originated from Egypt was used. PCR products were purified and sequenced. The DNA sequences demonstrated 100% identity among the Brazilian isolates. Comparisons with the 18S rDNA sequence of the B. vogeli isolate from Egypt and with other B. vogeli sequences from Spain, France, Japan, Australia and South Africa confirmed the affiliation of all Brazilian isolates to the species B. vogeli.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Detection of a spotted fever group Rickettsia in the tick Haemaphysalis juxtakochi in Rondonia, Brazil.

The tick genus Haemaphysalis is represented by four species in the New World, of which only the species Haemaphysalis leporispalustris has been associated with Rickettsiae. The present study reports for the first time the presence of a Rickettsia strain in the tick Haemaphysalis juxtakochi. A free-living male of H. juxtakochi, collected in the state of Rondonia, Western Amazon, Brazil, was subjected to DNA extraction and tested by PCR targeting the four rickettsial genes: gltA, 17-kDa, ompA and ompB. The nucleotide sequences obtained from the PCR products were, by BLAST analyses, closest to Rickettsia rhipicephali sharing 99.7% (1147/1150), 98.8% (429/434), 99.0% (486/491) and 99.0% (809/817) identities with the partial sequences of the gltA, 17-kDa, ompA and ompB genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the four rickettsial genes showed a high-degree of similarity of this H. juxtakochi-Rickettsia with R. rhipicephali. These two agents grouped together in all trees, always with high bootstrap support (75-96%). This study gives molecular evidence for the presence of a Rickettsia species, designated as strain R300, in the tick H. juxtakochi from the Western Amazon area of Brazil. Genetic analyses showed R300 to be closely related to R. rhipicephali.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Larval Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Hoplias malabaricus and Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Osteichthyes: Erythrinidae) of economic importance in occidental marshlands of Maranhão, Brazil.

This work describes the presence of Contracaecum sp. larvae (Nematoda: Anisakidae) found in food fish of economic importance captured in occidental marshlands in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. Hoplias malabaricus (Erythrinidae) and Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Erythrinidae), commonly called "traíra" and "jejú", respectively, were examined. All H. malabaricus were infected with a mean intensity of 24.6+/-38.3 (1-137 parasites per host) while eighty percent of H. unitaeniatus showed a mean intensity of 10.4+/-9.2 (2-31) parasites. Nematodes were most similar to larvae of a type 2 described by Moravec, Kohn and Fernandes [Moravec, F., Kohn, A., Fernandes, B.M.M., 1993. Nematode parasites of fishes of the Parana River, Brazil. Part 2. Seuratoidea, Ascaridoidea, Habronematoidea and Acuarioidea. Folia Parasitol. 40, 115-134], but differed in having a longer intestinal caecum and greater caecum/ventricular appendix ratio. Larval measurements and a description of their Brazilian fish hosts are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from the Northern region of Brazil.

Anti-Neospora caninum antibodies were determined in sera of 196 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from three farms of the northern region of Brazil, using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Antibody titers were found in 139 (70.9%) buffaloes with dilution values ranging from > or =25 to <200 in 41 animals, > or =200 to <800 in 35 animals, and > or =800 in 63 animals. The number of animals presenting titers > or =800 was statistically higher (p<0.05). All farms presented positive animals, however, the occurrence was higher (p<0.05) in farm 1 (87.2%) when compared with farm 2 (65.7%) and farm 3 (65.8%). The occurrence by age groups presented no differences (p>0.05). Results indicate a high exposure of water buffaloes to N. caninum in the Northern region of Brazil.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Occurrence of Neospora caninum in dogs and its correlation with visceral leishmaniasis in the urban area of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular protozoan that can infect domestic and wild canids, as well as ruminants and equines, and is described as causing neuromuscular alteration and death in dogs. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious disease that affects both humans and animals, being caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, of which Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi is found in Brazil -- transmitted by sand flies, such as Lutzomyia longipalpis, in most of the American continent. The immunosuppression caused by VL can promote the occurrence of co-infections with other agents. In order to determine the frequency of N. caninum and its relationship to VL in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, 345 blood sera were collected from dogs. The sera were submitted to an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for detection of anti-N. caninum antibodies and VL antibodies. N. caninum was found in 26.5% of VL-negative dogs and in 29% of VL-positive ones. Among males, it was found in 30.7% of VL-negative animals and in 30.4% of VL-positive ones; among females, in 21% of VL-negative animals and in 27.7% of VL-positive ones. Among juvenile dogs (under 1 year), N. caninum was detected in 10.5% of VL-negative animals and in 11.2% of VL-positive ones. For adult dogs (1 year and older) the results were 31.4% for VL-negative animals and 28.8% of VL-positive ones. The study revealed a statistically significant association with age (chi(2)=9.76, P<0.05) in the N. caninum results for VL-negative animals. No significant correlation in N. caninum seroprevalence was found when VL-positive or VL-negative dogs were compared (chi(2)=0.21, P=0.64). The findings suggest that in Campo Grande N. caninum and VL co-infection is common in dogs, though VL does not appear to enhance susceptibility to N. caninum.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora spp. infection in horses from Brazil based on presence of serum antibodies to parasite surface antigen.

Sera from 961 horses from Brazil were tested for antibodies against the major surface antigens SnSAG4 and NhSAG1 to determine the seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi, respectively. Antibodies against SnSAG4 were detected in 669 (69.6%) of the horses, while antibodies against NhSAG1 were detected in only 24 (2.5%) of the horses. These serologic results suggest that there is a high concentration of S. neurona in the environment of Brazil, which results in marked exposure of horses to this parasite. Additionally, the data further confirm that infection with Neospora spp. is relatively uncommon in horses.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Occurrence of Libyostrongylus sp. (Nematoda) in ostriches (Struthio camelus Linnaeus, 1758) from the north region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Domestic production of ostrich in Brazil started in the beginning of the last decade, but its sanitary state has not been reported. Libyostrongylus sp. is an ostrich specific nematode whose parasitism can severely affect the birds. Thus, Libyostrongylus spp. larvae were identified in commercial ostriches in the north region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The EPG was determined and fecal cultivation was performed. The eggs presented typical characteristics of strongylid and were present in five out of six farms. The mean EPG varied from 22 to 2395 and Libyostrongylus spp. prevalence was from 0 to 100%, with adult birds more infected. Two types of infective larvae with tail finishing in a tipped spiny knob were distinguished. The first had a mean length of 848 microm (710-1010) with a long sheath tail of about 66 microm (52-112). The other had a mean length of 826 microm (620-940) with a short, more abruptly ending sheath tail of 32 microm (22-40) and a less rounded cephalic end. The differences between these larvae suggest two Libyostrongylus species.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Babesia gibsoni genotype Asia in dogs from Brazil.

Babesia gibsoni was first recognized in India in 1910. Analysis of 18S rRNA has shown that there are at least three distinct isolates that are morphologically identical. Although organisms similar to B. gibsoni have been identified in peripheral blood smears from one dog in Brazil, this isolate has not been molecularly characterized. Accordingly, we obtained blood samples from 16 dogs with intraerythrocytic inclusion bodies. DNA was extracted and amplified with primers that detect a segment of the 18S rRNA gene of the Babesia genus. Amplicons of the expected size for B. gibsoni were observed in 4 of the 16 dogs. The sequence of the 18S rRNA yield a 460 base pair segment that had a 99% homology with the B. gibsoni genotype Asia 1. Our findings suggest that the small piroplasm that naturally infects dogs in Brazil is B. gibsoni genotype Asia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiology of eurytrematosis (Eurytrema spp. Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae) in slaughtered beef cattle from the central-west region of the State of Paraná, Brazil.

Bovine eurytrematosis (BE) in Brazil is caused by Eurytrema coelomaticum; the disease results in the condemnation of the pancreas of infected animals. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of eurytrematosis in cattle submitted for slaughter during June 2003 to May 2004 at the municipal abattoir of Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brazil, and compare gross observation of infection with histological findings. During the period studied, 1828 pancreases were collected randomly. The average prevalence was 47.8% (874/1828); prevalence varied from 26.9% (46/171) to 72.9% (105/144). It was discovered that the quantity of parasites within the interlobular pancreatic ducts was directly proportional to pancreatic destruction; females were more predominately infected relative to males; BE is endemic within the region of Campo Mourão; the average age of infection increases proportionally with prevalence; gross evaluation of bovine eurytrematosis is not efficient to characterize infection by E. coelomaticum in susceptible animals.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in horses from Brazil.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi has been associated with natural cases of abortion and stillbirth in horses. However, little is known about the prevalence of this parasite in horses. We examined sera from 559 horses from Brazil for antibodies to E. cuniculi using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test and the direct agglutination test (DAT). We found that 79 (14.1%) were positive in the IFA test and 70 (12.5%) were positive in the DAT. Compared to the IFA as the "gold standard" the sensitivity of the DAG was 94.0% and the specificity was 96.1%. Our study indicates that horses in Brazil are frequently exposed to E. cuniculi.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2006

A preliminary investigation of Ehrlichia species in ticks, humans, dogs, and capybaras from Brazil.

A molecular epidemiologic investigation in two Brazilian states (Rondônia and São Paulo) was undertaken to determine if Ehrlichia species responsible for human and animal ehrlichioses in North America could be found in Brazilian vectors, potential natural mammalian reservoirs and febrile human patients with a tick bite history. Samples, including 376 ticks comprising 9 Amblyomma species, 29 capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) spleens, 5 canine blood, and 75 human blood samples from febrile patients with history of tick bites were tested by a real-time PCR assay targeting a fragment of the Ehrlichia dsb gene. Ehrlichia DNA was not detected in any tick, capybara or human samples. In contrast, 4 out of 5 dogs contained Ehrlichia canis DNA in their blood, which were sequenced, representing the first report of E. canis infecting dogs in the Amazon region of Brazil. Further studies are needed to evaluate the presence of other agents of human and animal ehrlichioses in Brazil.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Biologic and genetic comparison of Toxoplasma gondii isolates in free-range chickens from the northern Pará state and the southern state Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil revealed highly diverse and distinct parasite populations.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in 84 free-range chickens (34 from the northern Pará state, and 50 from Rio Grande do Sul, the southern state) from Brazil, South America was determined. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT), and found in 39 (46.4%) of 84 chickens with titers of 1:10 in one, 1:20 in two, 1:40 in four, 1:80 in seven, 1:160 in five, 1:320 in six, 1:640 in eight and > or =1:1280 in six. Hearts and brains of 45 chickens with titers of 1:20 or less were pooled and fed to two T. gondii-free cats. Hearts and brains of 39 chickens with titers of 1:10 or higher were bioassayed in mice. Feces of cats were examined for oocysts. One cat fed tissues from 31 chickens with titers of less than 1:10 from Rio Grande do Sul shed T. gondii oocysts. T. gondii was isolated by bioassay in mice from 33 chickens with MAT titers of 1:20 or higher. All infected mice from 10 isolates died of toxoplasmosis. All 34 isolates (15 from Pará, 19 from Rio Grande do Sul) were genotyped using 11 genetic markers including SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, a new SAG2 and Apico. Eleven genotypes were revealed for Pará isolates and seven genotypes for Rio Grande do Sul. No genotype was shared between the two geographical locations. These data suggest that T. gondii isolates are highly diverse and genetically distinct between the two different regions in Brazil that are 3500 km apart.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Giant kidney worm (Dioctophyma renale) infections in dogs from Northern Paraná, Brazil.

This article describes the pathological observations of Dioctophyma renale in dogs from the northern region of the State of Paraná, Brazil. A female, 6-year-old dog, Fila Brasileiro breed and a 16-year-old, male Poodle were diagnosed positive for D. renale during routine necropsy. Clinically, both dogs demonstrated hematuria, and the Poodle had a radiographic diagnosis of prostatic tumor, but neither had a clinical diagnosis of this infection prior to necropsy. Three giant worms were observed in the urinary bladder of the first case and one within the renal pelvis of the other dog. Histological findings were similar in both cases and represented compressive atrophy due to the presence of the nematode. Additionally, aspects of the life cycle, pathogenesis and epidemiology associated with this parasitism in Brazil are also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

High prevalence of Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi in opossums and triatomids in a formerly-endemic area of Chagas disease in Southeast Brazil.

In Brazil Trypanosoma rangeli has been detected in humans, sylvatic mammals and vectors in the Amazon Basin and in wild rodents in a Southern State. Here we report for the first time a high prevalence of T. rangeli in opossums and triatomids captured in peridomestic environments in a formerly-endemic area of Chagas disease in Southeast Brazil. Five molecular typing tools clearly indicate the presence of T. rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi in mammalian reservoirs and triatomids. Twenty-one opossums (Didelphis albiventris) were captured and flagellates were detected in the blood of 57.1% (12/21) of the animals. Single infections with T. rangeli or T. cruzi were diagnosed, respectively, in 58.4 and 8.3% of the opossums. Mixed infections were observed in 33.3%. Forty-four triatomids (38 Rhodnius neglectus and 6 Panstrongylus megistus) were collected in palm trees within 50 m from human dwellings. Flagellates were observed in the digestive tract and feces of 50% of the insects. PCR assays performed in DNA samples obtained from 16 cultures of the intestinal tract revealed single infection with T. cruzi (68.7%) or T. rangeli (6.3%), as well as mixed infections (25%). T. rangeli was also detected in the hemolymph of two specimens. Genotyping revealed predominance of T. cruzi I. The data suggest that R. neglectus in conjunction with D. albiventris may be significant factors in the maintenance of the sylvatic and peridomestic cycles of T. rangeli in the region. The finding of T. cruzi and T. rangeli in triatomine species capable of domiciliation and therefore considered as alternative vectors for the parasite transmission opens up the possibility of re-establishment of Chagas disease following reinfestation of houses.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the predominant species infecting patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the State of Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil.

Skin biopsies from 53 patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were used for a characterization of the Leishmania parasites. A pair of primers flanking the conserved region of the Leishmania minicircle kDNA was used to obtain amplified DNA via the polymerase chain reaction. The amplified products were subsequently hybridized with Leishmania subgenus-specific radiolabeled probes. Parasites from 49 out of 53 samples (92.5%) were characterized as belonging to the subgenus Viannia and four (7.5%) as belonging to the subgenus Leishmania. Clinical, epidemiological and molecular evidence allow us to conclude that Leishmania (V.) braziliensis and Leishmania (L.) amazonensis are the species present in the patients studied and that L. (V.) braziliensis is the predominant species in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Adolescent↗