Occurrence of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) in capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Linnaeus, 1766) in Minas Gerais, Brazil / Ocorrência de Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) em capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Linnaeus, 1766) em Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that affects the hepatic ducts of several species of domestic and wild vertebrates, causing huge economic losses to livestock rearing worldwide. Reports on occurrences of F. hepatica in capybaras are an important epidemiological aspect of this disease, since these rodents can be a source of contamination for other animals and humans. In the present study, conducted in a rural area of the municipality of Confins, Minas Gerais, fresh feces from capybaras were collected from the ground near a lagoon at the edge of the Ribeirão da Mata river. These were examined using the technique of four metal sieves. F. hepatica eggs were recovered. This trematode species was confirmed by observing morphological characteristics and measuring the eggs recovered from the capybara feces, and through experimental infection of Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) by miracidia from these eggs and subsequent infection of C57/BL06 mice with metacercariae originating from these infected mollusks. The data suggest the occurrence of natural cycle of F. hepatica in this region and provide a warning that expansion of the geographical distribution of this parasite by means of this rodent is possible. It is therefore important to adopting measures for epidemiological control of this helminthiasis.

Resumo Fasciola hepatica é um parasito que acomete os ductos hepáticos de diversas espécies de vertebrados domésticos e silvestres, causando grandes perdas econômicas na pecuária global. Relatos sobre a ocorrência de F. hepatica em capivaras constituem um importante aspecto epidemiológico dessa parasitose, visto que esses roedores podem ser fonte de contaminação para outros animais e humanos. No presente estudo realizado em área rural do município de Confins, Minas Gerais, foram coletadas no solo, próximo à lagoa marginal do rio Ribeirão da Mata, fezes frescas de capivaras. Essas foram examinadas pela técnica de quatro tamises metálicos. Foram recuperados ovos de F. hepatica. A confirmação da espécie desse trematódeo foi realizada por observação de características morfológica e mensuração dos ovos recuperados das capivaras, infecção experimental de moluscos Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) por miracídios oriundos desses ovos e pela infecção de camundongos C57/BL06 com metacercárias oriundas desses moluscos infectados. Os dados obtidos sugerem a ocorrência do ciclo natural de F. hepatica na região, alertando que a expansão da distribuição geográfica deste parasito por esse roedor é possível. Portanto, é importante a adoção de medidas para o controle epidemiológico desta helmintíase.

Occurrence of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) in capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Linnaeus, 1766) in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that affects the hepatic ducts of several species of domestic and wild vertebrates, causing huge economic losses to livestock rearing worldwide. Reports on occurrences of F. hepatica in capybaras are an important epidemiological aspect of this disease, since these rodents can be a source of contamination for other animals and humans. In the present study, conducted in a rural area of the municipality of Confins, Minas Gerais, fresh feces from capybaras were collected from the ground near a lagoon at the edge of the Ribeirão da Mata river. These were examined using the technique of four metal sieves. F. hepatica eggs were recovered. This trematode species was confirmed by observing morphological characteristics and measuring the eggs recovered from the capybara feces, and through experimental infection of Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) by miracidia from these eggs and subsequent infection of C57/BL06 mice with metacercariae originating from these infected mollusks. The data suggest the occurrence of natural cycle of F. hepatica in this region and provide a warning that expansion of the geographical distribution of this parasite by means of this rodent is possible. It is therefore important to adopting measures for epidemiological control of this helminthiasis.

Autochthonous infection of buffaloes and cattle by Fasciola hepatica in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Fasciola hepatica is a digenetic trematode that parasitizes the bile ducts of different species of vertebrate hosts. In Brazil, this parasitosis is expanding and occurrences have been reported in the southern, southeastern, central-western and northeastern regions. This study aimed to report the first case of naturally infection of buffaloes by this parasite in the state of Minas Gerais. A total of 250 stool samples, 176 from cattle and 74 from buffaloes, from the districts of São José da Lapa and Pedro Leopoldo, were examined. Also, 402 snails of the genus Lymnaea were collected on the same farms and the viability of the eggs from naturally infected buffaloes and cattle and the susceptibility of the snails to infection were tested. A total of 54 animals were found to be positive, 33 cattle (18.75%) and 21 buffaloes (28.37%), and two molluscs showed immature forms of F. hepatica. In experimental infection of specimens of Lymnaea, cercariae were obtained through spontaneous elimination from the 57th day post-infection onwards. The importance of this first case report can be emphasized because it confirms that this parasite is being dispersed in municipalities in this state that had previously been considered to be unaffected.

Autochthonous infection of buffaloes and cattle by Fasciola hepatica in Minas Gerais, Brazil / Infecção autóctone de búfalos e bovinos por Fasciola hepatica em Minas Gerais, Brasil

Fasciola hepatica is a digenetic trematode that parasitizes the bile ducts of different species of vertebrate hosts. In Brazil, this parasitosis is expanding and occurrences have been reported in the southern, southeastern, central-western and northeastern regions. This study aimed to report the first case of naturally infection of buffaloes by this parasite in the state of Minas Gerais. A total of 250 stool samples, 176 from cattle and 74 from buffaloes, from the districts of São José da Lapa and Pedro Leopoldo, were examined. Also, 402 snails of the genus Lymnaea were collected on the same farms and the viability of the eggs from naturally infected buffaloes and cattle and the susceptibility of the snails to infection were tested. A total of 54 animals were found to be positive, 33 cattle (18.75%) and 21 buffaloes (28.37%), and two molluscs showed immature forms of F. hepatica. In experimental infection of specimens of Lymnaea, cercariae were obtained through spontaneous elimination from the 57th day post-infection onwards. The importance of this first case report can be emphasized because it confirms that this parasite is being dispersed in municipalities in this state that had previously been considered to be unaffected.

Fasciola hepatica é um trematódeo digenético que parasita os ductos hepáticos de diferentes espécies de hospedeiros vertebrados. No Brasil, essa parasitose encontra-se em expansão e a sua ocorrência tem sido descrita nas regiões Sul, Sudeste, Centro-oeste e Nordeste. Esse trabalho objetivou relatar o primeiro caso de búfalos naturalmente infectados no estado de Minas Gerais. Um total de 250 amostras de fezes, sendo 176 de bovinos e 74 de búfalos, provenientes dos municípios de São José da Lapa e Pedro Leopoldo foram examinadas. Também foram coletados 402 moluscos do gênero Lymnaea nas propriedades estudadas e a viabilidade dos ovos oriundos dos búfalos e bovinos naturalmente infectados e a susceptibilidade do molusco a infecção foi testada. Um total de 54 animais apresentavam-se positivos sendo 33 bovinos (18,75%) e 21 bubalinos (28,37%) e dois moluscos apresentaram formas imaturas de F. hepatica. Na infecção experimental dos exemplares de Lymanea, foram obtidas cercarias eliminadas espontaneamente a partir do 57° dia pós infecção. Ressalta-se a importância desse primeiro relato de caso, pois certifica a dispersão do parasito em municípios antes considerados indenes no Estado.

Parasitological and hematological aspects of co-infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum and Ancylostoma caninum in dogs.

Dogs are frequently infected by one or more species of endoparasites, which can lead to secondary infections that cause high morbidity and death. In this context, 2 nematode species are of veterinary importance: Angiostrongylus vasorum, which is a parasite of the pulmonary artery and right ventricle in domestic and wild canids, and Ancylostoma caninum, which is a parasite of the small intestine in felids and domestic and wild canids. We used 20 mongrel dogs that were divided into groups and infected as follows: Group A included 5 uninfected dogs, Group B included 5 dogs infected with A. vasorum, Group C included 5 dogs infected with A. caninum, and Group D included 5 dogs co-infected with A. vasorum and A. caninum. Parasitological and hematological monitoring were performed. The counts of larvae and eggs shed in the feces varied throughout the collection period. Moreover, negativation was not observed in any of the infected groups. The animals in Group C had macrocytic and hypochromic anemia, whereas the animals in Group D had macrocytic and normochromic anemia. Infected dogs also presented with eosinophilia and lymphocytosis. These data from coproparasitological techniques provide an improved assessment of disease severity and a more thorough understanding of parasitism in the host.

Soil contaminatoon in public squares in belo hoizonte, minas gerais, by caninee parasites in different developmentalsstages / Contaminacao do solo em pracas de Belo Horizonte, MG, por estadios evolutivos de parasitos de caes

SUMMARY To evaluate soil contamination by parasites in different developmental stages in public squares used as recreation and leisure areas for children in Belo Horizonte (MG, Brazil), 210 soil samples and 141 canine fecal samples were collected from 42 squares in the city. These samples were analyzed by the Caldwell and Caldwell technique and the Hoffman, Pons, and Janer technique. Of the samples analyzed, 89 (42.4%) soil samples and 104 (73.5%) fecal samples were contaminated with Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp., Trichuris sp., or Dipylidium sp. eggs; Giardia sp. cysts; or Isospora sp. oocysts. The commonest parasite was Ancylostoma sp., found in 85% soil and 99% fecal samples, followed by Toxocara sp., found in 43.7% soil and 30.7% fecal samples. .

RESUMO Visando avaliar a contaminação do solo por estágios evolutivos de parasitos em praças públicas utilizadas como áreas de lazer e recreação infantil em Belo Horizonte (MG, Brasil) foram coletadas 210 amostras de solo e 141 amostras de fezes de cães em 42 praças do município. Estas amostras foram analisadas pelas técnicas de Caldwell & Caldwell, Hoffmann, Pons, Janer. Do total das amostras analisadas, 89 (42,4%) amostras de solo e 104 (73,5%) amostras de fezes estavam contaminadas com ovos de Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp., Trichuris sp. e Dipylidium sp.; cistos de Giardia sp; oocistos de Isospora sp., sendo o parasito mais freqüente Ancylostoma sp. com 85% no solo e 99% nas fezes, seguido por 43,7% no solo e 30,7% nas fezes de Toxocara sp. .