Survey of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in wild red-tailed Amazon parrots (Amazona brasiliensis).

Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona are obligate intracellular parasites within the phylum Apicomplexa. The red-tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) is a near-threatened species of psittacine that is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and has been designated as a bioindicator because of its sensitivity to environmental qualitative status and changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum and S. neurona in wild red-tailed Amazon parrot nestlings on Rasa Island, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 51 parrots and plasma samples were stored at - 20 °C until immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) were performed. Antigen slides were prepared using tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH strain) and, N. caninum (NC-1 strain) and using merozoites of S. neurona (SNR37 strain). Plasma samples were tested at initial dilutions of 1:16 for T. gondii, 1:50 for N. caninum and 1:5 for S. neurona. An anti-chicken antibody conjugated with FITC was used as a secondary antibody at 1:50 dilution. No antibodies for any of these three protozoa were found, thus suggesting that these wild red-tailed Amazon parrot nestlings had not been exposed to these parasites.

Survey of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in wild red-tailed Amazon parrots (Amazona brasiliensis) / Pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-Neospora caninum e anti-Sarcocystis neurona em papagaios-de-cara-roxa (Amazona brasiliensis) de vida livre

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona are obligate intracellular parasites within the phylum Apicomplexa. The red-tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) is a near-threatened species of psittacine that is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and has been designated as a bioindicator because of its sensitivity to environmental qualitative status and changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum and S. neurona in wild red-tailed Amazon parrot nestlings on Rasa Island, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 51 parrots and plasma samples were stored at - 20 °C until immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) were performed. Antigen slides were prepared using tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH strain) and, N. caninum (NC-1 strain) and using merozoites of S. neurona (SNR37 strain). Plasma samples were tested at initial dilutions of 1:16 for T. gondii, 1:50 for N. caninum and 1:5 for S. neurona. An anti-chicken antibody conjugated with FITC was used as a secondary antibody at 1:50 dilution. No antibodies for any of these three protozoa were found, thus suggesting that these wild red-tailed Amazon parrot nestlings had not been exposed to these parasites.

Resumo Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum e Sarcocystis neurona são protozoários intracelulares do filo Apicomplexa. O papagaio-de-cara-roxa (Amazona brasiliensis) é um psitacídeo endêmico da floresta atlântica, considerado uma espécie quase ameaçada de extinção e bioindicadora por sua sensibilidade às mudanças no ambiente. O objetivo do presente estudo foi detectar a presença de anticorpos contra T. gondii, N. caninum e S. neurona em filhotes de papagaios-de-cara-roxa (Amazona brasiliensis) de vida livre na Ilha Rasa, Brasil. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 51 papagaios e armazenadas a - 20ºC até a realização da Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). As lâminas de RIFI com os antígenos, foram preparadas com taquizoítos de T. gondii (cepa RH) e N. caninum (cepa NC-1) e com merozoítos de S. neurona (cepa SNR37). Os plasmas foram diluídos em PBS (Ph 7,2) nas diluições 1:16 para T. gondii, 1:50 para N. caninum e 1:5 para S. neurona. O conjugado anti-IgG de galinhas marcado com fluoresceína (FITC) foi utilizado na diluição de 1:50. Não foram detectados anticorpos para os três protozoários nas amostras sugerindo que os filhotes de papagaios-de-cara-roxa não foram expostos aos protozoários.

HEMATOLOGICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS OF ENDANGERED CAPTIVE BLACK-FRONTED PIPING-GUANS (ABURRIA JACUTINGA) IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ, BRAZIL.

The black-fronted piping-guan (Aburria jacutinga) is and an endangered cracid species and little is known about its health. Hematology allows researchers to assess the health and physiological status of a population, but, to our knowledge, reference intervals are not available in the literature for A. jacutinga. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the hematological reference intervals of 31 captive black-fronted pipingguan adults in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from brachial vein and stored in heparinized tubes to be processed. The red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were performed in a hemocytometer, and hemoglobin (HGB) concentration was obtained by the spectrophotometric cyanmethemoglobin method; packed cell volume (PCV) was determined by microhematocrit technique, and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated according to a previously established formula. The heterophil : lymphocyte ratio was calculated by dividing the number of heterophils by the number of lymphocytes. Determination of the 95% reference intervals and 90% confidence intervals were performed in accordance with American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines using Reference Value Advisor (version 2.0). The results obtained were as follows: RBC, 1.4-2.8 × 106/µl; PCV, 34.3-51.2%; HGB, 8.0-12.6 g/dl; MCV, 157.3-261.4 fl; MCHC, 22.0-26.7 g/dl; WBC, 2.3-33.1 × 103/µl; heterophils, 12.1-16.3%, 0.5-14.4 × 103/µl; lymphocytes, 19.8-69.0%, 1.4-16.4 × 103/µl; monocytes, 0.7-17.3%, 0.1-2.8×103/µl; eosinophils, 0.4-12.8%, 0.0-3.9 × 103/µl; basophils, 0.8-12.0%, 0.0-1.9 × 103/µl; and the heterophil : lymphocyte ratio, 0.2-3.0. The present study fills gaps in the literature on hematological values for A. jacutinga, which can be used to assess the health of the species populations. In addition, it contributed to establishing the health status of captive black-fronted piping-guans, indicating the possible welfare of the birds.

Detection molecular of Rangelia vitalii in dogs from Parana State, Southern Brazil / Detecção molecular de Rangelia vitalii em cães do Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil

Abstract Rangelia vitalii infects erythrocytes, leukocytes and endothelial cells of dogs. The present study aimed to report the molecular detection confirmed by sequencing of R. vitalii in the state of Paraná, as well as describe the clinical, hematological and biochemical alterations of the infected dogs. Three sick dogs from the metropolitan area of Curitiba, PR, Brazil, underwent a physical exam, and laboratory tests included hematology, biochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gene sequencing. Clinical signs included apathy, anorexia, and hemorrhage. Intra-erythrocytic and extracellular piroplasms were found on peripheral blood smears from all three dogs. Blood samples from these animals were positive for Babesia sp. by PCR targeting 18S rRNA. PCR products from all three dogs were sequenced, and BLAST analysis showed that the PCR-generated sequences were highly homologous with those of R. vitalii previously reported. Hematologic findings included severe anemia, shift of neutrophils to the regenerative left, and thrombocytopenia. Serum urea levels were increased in all three dogs, and direct bilirubin levels were elevated in one dog.

Resumo Rangelia vitalii infecta eritrócitos, leucócitos e células endoteliais de cães. O presente estudo objetivou relatar a detecção molecular confirmada por sequenciamento de R. vitalii no estado do Paraná e descrever as alterações clínicas, hematológicas e bioquímicas dos cães infectados. Três cães doentes da região metropolitana de Curitiba, PR, Brasil, foram submetidos a exame físico e exames laboratoriais que incluíram hematologia, bioquímica, reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e sequenciamento genético. Os sinais clínicos incluíram apatia, anorexia e hemorragia. Piroplasmas intra-eritrocíticos e extracelulares foram encontrados em esfregaços de sangue periférico dos três cães. As amostras de sangue destes animais foram positivas para Babesia sp. pela PCR baseada no gene 18S rRNA. Os produtos de PCR dos três cães foram sequenciados e a análise de BLAST mostrou que as seqüências geradas por PCR eram altamente homólogas com as de R. vitalii previamente relatadas. Os achados hematológicos incluíram anemia grave, desvio de neutrófilos à esquerda regenerativo e trombocitopenia. Os níveis de uréia no soro aumentaram nos três cães, e os níveis de bilirrubina direta foram elevados em um cão.

Detection molecular of Rangelia vitalii in dogs from Parana State, Southern Brazil.

Rangelia vitalii infects erythrocytes, leukocytes and endothelial cells of dogs. The present study aimed to report the molecular detection confirmed by sequencing of R. vitalii in the state of Paraná, as well as describe the clinical, hematological and biochemical alterations of the infected dogs. Three sick dogs from the metropolitan area of Curitiba, PR, Brazil, underwent a physical exam, and laboratory tests included hematology, biochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gene sequencing. Clinical signs included apathy, anorexia, and hemorrhage. Intra-erythrocytic and extracellular piroplasms were found on peripheral blood smears from all three dogs. Blood samples from these animals were positive for Babesia sp. by PCR targeting 18S rRNA. PCR products from all three dogs were sequenced, and BLAST analysis showed that the PCR-generated sequences were highly homologous with those of R. vitalii previously reported. Hematologic findings included severe anemia, shift of neutrophils to the regenerative left, and thrombocytopenia. Serum urea levels were increased in all three dogs, and direct bilirubin levels were elevated in one dog.

Detection molecular of Rangelia vitalii in dogs from Parana State, Southern Brazil

Abstract Rangelia vitalii infects erythrocytes, leukocytes and endothelial cells of dogs. The present study aimed to report the molecular detection confirmed by sequencing of R. vitalii in the state of Paraná, as well as describe the clinical, hematological and biochemical alterations of the infected dogs. Three sick dogs from the metropolitan area of Curitiba, PR, Brazil, underwent a physical exam, and laboratory tests included hematology, biochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gene sequencing. Clinical signs included apathy, anorexia, and hemorrhage. Intra-erythrocytic and extracellular piroplasms were found on peripheral blood smears from all three dogs. Blood samples from these animals were positive for Babesia sp. by PCR targeting 18S rRNA. PCR products from all three dogs were sequenced, and BLAST analysis showed that the PCR-generated sequences were highly homologous with those of R. vitalii previously reported. Hematologic findings included severe anemia, shift of neutrophils to the regenerative left, and thrombocytopenia. Serum urea levels were increased in all three dogs, and direct bilirubin levels were elevated in one dog.

Resumo Rangelia vitalii infecta eritrócitos, leucócitos e células endoteliais de cães. O presente estudo objetivou relatar a detecção molecular confirmada por sequenciamento de R. vitalii no estado do Paraná e descrever as alterações clínicas, hematológicas e bioquímicas dos cães infectados. Três cães doentes da região metropolitana de Curitiba, PR, Brasil, foram submetidos a exame físico e exames laboratoriais que incluíram hematologia, bioquímica, reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e sequenciamento genético. Os sinais clínicos incluíram apatia, anorexia e hemorragia. Piroplasmas intra-eritrocíticos e extracelulares foram encontrados em esfregaços de sangue periférico dos três cães. As amostras de sangue destes animais foram positivas para Babesia sp. pela PCR baseada no gene 18S rRNA. Os produtos de PCR dos três cães foram sequenciados e a análise de BLAST mostrou que as seqüências geradas por PCR eram altamente homólogas com as de R. vitalii previamente relatadas. Os achados hematológicos incluíram anemia grave, desvio de neutrófilos à esquerda regenerativo e trombocitopenia. Os níveis de uréia no soro aumentaram nos três cães, e os níveis de bilirrubina direta foram elevados em um cão.