Sarcocystis spp. in sheep and goats: frequency of infection and species identification by morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular tests in Bahia, Brazil.

Sarcocystis spp. are cyst-forming coccidia that infect numerous animals species, including several livestock species. Despite the importance of sheep and goat production in Brazil, little it is known about the Sarcocystis species that infect small ruminants in the country and their potential impact on meat condemnation due to the presence of macroscopic cysts of the parasite. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of infection by Sarcocystis spp. in goats and sheep intended for human consumption in Bahia State, Brazil, as well as to identify the parasite species in selected samples. The entire tongue, esophagus, and heart were collected from 120 goats and 120 sheep. Tissues were examined for Sarcocystis spp. by macroscopic evaluation, light microscopy, electron microscopy, and molecular tests. Microscopic cysts of Sarcocystis spp. were detected in 95.8 % of sheep and 91.6 % of goats. Using either transmission electron microscopy or partial sequencing of the 18S region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for species identification, Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis arieticanis were observed in sheep and Sarcocystis capracanis in goats. Macroscopic cysts were not detected in the analyzed samples. We concluded that goats and sheep destined for human consumption in Bahia possess high frequencies of Sarcocystis infection. Carcass condemnation due to Sarcocystis macrocysts seems to be rare in the studied region. S. arieticanis and S. capracanis were confirmed for the first time by electron microscopy or by molecular tests in small ruminants from Brazil.

Ophthalmic diagnostic tests, orbital anatomy, and adnexal histology of the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for selected diagnostic tests, and to describe the orbital anatomy and adnexal histology of the broad-snouted caiman. METHOD: A total of 35 Caiman latirostris that were free of obvious ocular diseases were used to measure the parameters in this investigation. Ages ranged from 5 to 15 years. Ophthalmic diagnostic tests were conducted, including evaluation of tear production with Schirmer Tear test-1 (STT1), culture of the conjunctival bacterial flora, applanation tonometry, conjunctival cytology, nictiating membrane incursion frequency test (NMIFT), endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPPTT), palpebral fissure length measurement (PFL) and B-mode ultrasonography. Adnexal histology and skull samples were studied. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) STT1 was 3.4 ± 3.6 mm/min (95% confidence interval of 2.01-4.78 mm/min), intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12.9 ± 6.2 mmHg, NMIFT was 6.0 ± 3.5, EAPPTT was 17.1 ± 2.5 mm/min, PFL was 28.9 ± 3.0 mm, anterior chamber depth was 3.1 ± 0.3 mm, lens axial length was 8.4 ± 0.6 mm, vitreous chamber depth was 7.9 ± 0.7 mm and axial globe length was 19.9 ± 1.3 mm. For all animals evaluated, Bacillus sp., Diphteroids and Staphylococcus sp. were predominant.

Ophthalmic diagnostic tests in captive red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) in Salvador, northeast Brazil.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for select diagnostic tests in red-footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria). A total of 52 animals, approximately 20-30 years old, were studied. METHOD: Ophthalmic diagnostic tests included culturing of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora in summer and winter, evaluation of tear production using Schirmer tear test (STT) and endodontic absorbent paper point tear test in two different environmental temperatures (EAPPTT-1 at 32 °C and EAPPTT-2 at 18 °C), cytology of conjunctival cells, B-mode ultrasonography, measurement of palpebral fissure length (PFL), and applanation tonometry (in two different positions). RESULTS: In both seasons, Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Median (± IQR/2) STT was 12.0 ± 3.5 mm/min, EAPPTT-1 was 15.9 ± 0.7 mm/15 s, and EAPPTT-2 was 15.4 ± 0.4 mm/min (OD) and 17.8 ± 1.0 mm/min (OS). Anterior chamber depth was 1.0 ± 0.1 mm, lens axial length was 2.3 ± 0.1 mm, vitreous chamber depth was 4.3 ± 0.2 mm, and axial globe length was 7.7 ± 0.3 mm. PFL was 11.7 ± 1.7 mm. Intraocular pressure was 11.5 ± 2.8 mmHg for males and 14.0 ± 3.5 mmHg for females (dorsoventral position) and 18.0 ± 3.2 mmHg for males and 24.1 ± 3.0 mmHg for females (ventrodorsal position with inclination of 45°). The ophthalmic parameters reported here can aid in the diagnosis of eye diseases in red-footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria).