Gastrointestinal helminths and related histopathological lesions in black-necked swans Cygnus melancoryphus from the Carlos Anwandter Nature Sanctuary, Southern Chile / Helmintos gastrintestinais e lesões histopatológicas relacionadas em cisnes de pescoço negro Cygnus melancoryphus do Santuário da Natureza Carlos Anwandter, Sul do Chile

Black-necked swans are distributed across South America and face conservation problems in Chile according to data of the State institution SAG. The aim of this study was to identify helminths and to assess associated tissue damage via histopathology. A total of 19,291 parasites were isolated from 21 examined birds; 17 species were identified, including nematodes, flukes, and tapeworms. Of these, 12 were new host records, 13 were reported for the first time in Chile, and 5 were new records for the Neotropical region. Further, the flukes Schistosomatidae gen. sp. and Echinostoma echinatum are of zoonotic concern. Regarding histopathology, an inflammatory response was found along the birds entire digestive tract. Nevertheless, it is difficult to declare that there is a clear association between such lesions and isolated parasites, as other noxa could be responsible as well. Although in some cases there was an evident association, such inflammatory responses and necrosis were minimal, as occurred with Capillaria, Retinometra, Catatropis, Echinostoma, and Schistosomatidae gen. sp. Nevertheless, Epomidiostomum vogelsangi caused granulomatous injuries, an important inflammatory response, and necrosis, but it always circumscribed to superficial layers of the gizzard. Conversely, Paramonostomum was not associated with an inflammatory response despite a high parasitic load.(AU)

O cisne de pescoço negro é distribuído por toda a América do Sul, e enfrenta problemas de conservação no Chile, sendo protegido pela Lei Estadual de Caça. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar helmintos em cisnes e avaliar o dano tecidual por meio de histopatologia. Um total de 19.291 parasitas foi isolado de 21 aves examinadas, sendo 17 espécies identificadas, entre nematóides, trematódeos e tênias. Destes, 12 são novos registros de hospedeiros, 13 são reportados pela primeira vez no Chile, e 5 são novos registros para a região Neotropical. Além disso, os trematódeos Schistosomatidae gen. sp. e Echinostoma echinatum detectados têm importância zoonótica. Em relação à histopatologia, uma resposta inflamatória foi encontrada em todo o trato digestivo. Entretanto, é difícil estabelecer uma associação estrita de tais lesões com parasitas isolados, porque outros fatores também poderiam ser responsáveis. Em alguns casos, houve uma associação óbvia entre parasitas e lesões, embora a resposta inflamatória e a necrose fossem mínimas, como foi o caso dos gêneros Capillaria, Retinometra, Catatropis, Echinostoma e Schistosomatidae gen. sp. Entretanto, Epomidiostomum vogelsangi causou lesões granulomatosas com importante resposta inflamatória e necrose, mas sempre circunscrita às camadas superficiais da moela. Por outro lado, Paramonostomum não foi associado com uma resposta inflamatória óbvia apesar da alta carga parasitária.(AU)

Identification of Neospora caninumin aborted bovine fetuses of southern Chile

The aim of this study was to identify Neospora caninum in histologic sections of brain and optic nerve of aborted bovine fetuses. Sections of these tissues from 296 aborted bovine fetuses from Southern Chile, submitted between 2000 and 2010, to the Instituto de Patología Animal of the Universidad Austral de Chile were analyzed. Forty-four (14.9%) fetuses had microscopic lesions compatible with bovine neosporosis, including gliosis, necrosis, intralesional protozoan cysts and neuritis of optic nerves. N. caninum was identified by immunohistochemistry in brain sections of 27 cases (9.1%) with compatible lesions. Positive immunostaining was also found in the optic nerves of 13 cases (4.4%) with neuritis. N. caninum DNA was identified by PCR in brain sections in 31 cases (10.5%). In total, 36 cases (12.2%) were positive by either technique. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1 gene sequence of N. caninum revealed a high degree of conservation among different isolates. This is the first report of N. caninum-associated optic neuritis in cattle and also the first report of confirmed bovine abortion associated with this parasite in Chile.

Identification of Neospora caninumin aborted bovine fetuses of southern Chile

The aim of this study was to identify Neospora caninum in histologic sections of brain and optic nerve of aborted bovine fetuses. Sections of these tissues from 296 aborted bovine fetuses from Southern Chile, submitted between 2000 and 2010, to the Instituto de Patología Animal of the Universidad Austral de Chile were analyzed. Forty-four (14.9%) fetuses had microscopic lesions compatible with bovine neosporosis, including gliosis, necrosis, intralesional protozoan cysts and neuritis of optic nerves. N. caninum was identified by immunohistochemistry in brain sections of 27 cases (9.1%) with compatible lesions. Positive immunostaining was also found in the optic nerves of 13 cases (4.4%) with neuritis. N. caninum DNA was identified by PCR in brain sections in 31 cases (10.5%). In total, 36 cases (12.2%) were positive by either technique. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1 gene sequence of N. caninum revealed a high degree of conservation among different isolates. This is the first report of N. caninum-associated optic neuritis in cattle and also the first report of confirmed bovine abortion associated with this parasite in Chile.(AU)

Sarcocystis spp. in red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and pudu (Pudu pudu) in southern Chile / Sarcocystis spp. em veado (Cervus elaphus), Gamo (Dama dama) e Pudu (Pudu pudu) no sul do Chile

Worldwinde, cervids are considered an important source of infection and dissemination of a wide variety of pathogens, both for farm animals and humans. Among this diseases is sarcosporidiosis, which is a parasitic disease caused by Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Most frequent clinical signs are hemolytic anemia, weakness, weight loss and decrease of growth and some species of Sarcocystis might cause abortions. The clinical disease in ruminants is fairly rare but the infection is very frequent. Infections are accumulative and the parasite does not generate immunity in any of the hosts. Ovine sarcosporidiosis is a serious issue in the some regions of Chile due to the macrocysts located in the muscle which means condemnation of the whole carcass. Sarcocystis spp. has been widely reported in red deer and other cervid species but in Chile the situation remains unknown. Nowadays there is little to no evidence of Sarcocystis in foreign deer in Chile and there is only one report of the parasite on pudu. The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer in Chile, and confirm the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in pudu. All cervid cases from 1994 to 2013 of the Institute of Animal Pathology of the Universidad Austral de Chile were reviewed. The animals selected were those in which a myocardium sample was taken. From the histopathological samples observed, it was found that 5 of the 9 red deer, 1 of the 4 fallow deer and in 11 of the 23 pudu there were Sarcocystis cysts in the myocardium. This study represents the first record for Chile of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer. Stablishing the red deer, fallow deer and pudu as hosts of Sarcocystis aids to have a better understanding of the parasite epidemiology in Chile and the role of wild and captive cervids in the maintenance and spread of these parasites.(AU)

No mundo, os cervos são considerados uma fonte de infecção e propagação de uma grande variedade de patógenos para animais de criação e para os seres humanos. Entre estas doenças está a sarcosporidiosis, que é uma doença parasitária causada por Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Os sinais clínicos mais comuns são anemia hemolítica, fraqueza, perda de peso e diminuição do crescimento e em algumas espécies de Sarcocystis podem causar abortos. A doença clínica em ruminantes é bastante rara, mas a infecção é muito comum. As infecções são cumulativos e o parasita não gera imunidade em nenhum dos seus hospedeiros. A Sarcosporidiosis ovina é um problema grave em algumas regiões do Chile devido a microcistos localizados no músculo provocando a reprovação total da carcaça. Sarcocystis spp. tem sido amplamente relatado em cervos vermelhos e outras espécies de cervídeos, mas no Chile a sua situação permanece desconhecida. Atualmente há pouca ou nenhuma evidência de Sarcocystis em cervos introduzidos no Chile e há apenas um relatório do parasita em pudú. O principal objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio no veado vermelho e cervo gamo no Chile e confirmar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. em pudus. Revisaram-se todos os casos de cervos desde 1994-2013 do Instituto de Patologia Animal da Universidad Austral de Chile. Os animais selecionados para o estudo foram aqueles em que se tomou amostra de miocárdio. Das amostras histopatológicas observadas, verificou-se que em cinco dos nove cervos vermelhos, em um dos quatro veados gamo e 11 dos 23 pudus tinham cistos de Sarcocystis no miocárdio. Este estudo representa o primeiro relatório para o Chile de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio de veados vermelhos e cervo gamo. Definir o veado vermelho, o cervo gamo e os pudú como anfitriões de Sarcocystis ajuda a uma melhor compreensão da epidemiologia deste parasita no Chile e o papel de cervos selvagens e em cativeiro para a manutenção e divulgação deste parasita.(AU)

Sarcocystis spp. in red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and pudu (Pudu pudu) in southern Chile / Sarcocystis spp. em veado (Cervus elaphus), Gamo (Dama dama) e Pudu (Pudu pudu) no sul do Chile

Worldwinde, cervids are considered an important source of infection and dissemination of a wide variety of pathogens, both for farm animals and humans. Among this diseases is sarcosporidiosis, which is a parasitic disease caused by Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Most frequent clinical signs are hemolytic anemia, weakness, weight loss and decrease of growth and some species of Sarcocystis might cause abortions. The clinical disease in ruminants is fairly rare but the infection is very frequent. Infections are accumulative and the parasite does not generate immunity in any of the hosts. Ovine sarcosporidiosis is a serious issue in the some regions of Chile due to the macrocysts located in the muscle which means condemnation of the whole carcass. Sarcocystis spp. has been widely reported in red deer and other cervid species but in Chile the situation remains unknown. Nowadays there is little to no evidence of Sarcocystis in foreign deer in Chile and there is only one report of the parasite on pudu. The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer in Chile, and confirm the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in pudu. All cervid cases from 1994 to 2013 of the Institute of Animal Pathology of the Universidad Austral de Chile were reviewed. The animals selected were those in which a myocardium sample was taken. From the histopathological samples observed, it was found that 5 of the 9 red deer, 1 of the 4 fallow deer and in 11 of the 23 pudu there were Sarcocystis cysts in the myocardium. This study represents the first record for Chile of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer. Stablishing the red deer, fallow deer and pudu as hosts of Sarcocystis aids to have a better understanding of the parasite epidemiology in Chile and the role of wild and captive cervids in the maintenance and spread of these parasites.(AU)

No mundo, os cervos são considerados uma fonte de infecção e propagação de uma grande variedade de patógenos para animais de criação e para os seres humanos. Entre estas doenças está a sarcosporidiosis, que é uma doença parasitária causada por Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Os sinais clínicos mais comuns são anemia hemolítica, fraqueza, perda de peso e diminuição do crescimento e em algumas espécies de Sarcocystis podem causar abortos. A doença clínica em ruminantes é bastante rara, mas a infecção é muito comum. As infecções são cumulativos e o parasita não gera imunidade em nenhum dos seus hospedeiros. A Sarcosporidiosis ovina é um problema grave em algumas regiões do Chile devido a microcistos localizados no músculo provocando a reprovação total da carcaça. Sarcocystis spp. tem sido amplamente relatado em cervos vermelhos e outras espécies de cervídeos, mas no Chile a sua situação permanece desconhecida. Atualmente há pouca ou nenhuma evidência de Sarcocystis em cervos introduzidos no Chile e há apenas um relatório do parasita em pudú. O principal objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio no veado vermelho e cervo gamo no Chile e confirmar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. em pudus. Revisaram-se todos os casos de cervos desde 1994-2013 do Instituto de Patologia Animal da Universidad Austral de Chile. Os animais selecionados para o estudo foram aqueles em que se tomou amostra de miocárdio. Das amostras histopatológicas observadas, verificou-se que em cinco dos nove cervos vermelhos, em um dos quatro veados gamo e 11 dos 23 pudus tinham cistos de Sarcocystis no miocárdio. Este estudo representa o primeiro relatório para o Chile de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio de veados vermelhos e cervo gamo. Definir o veado vermelho, o cervo gamo e os pudú como anfitriões de Sarcocystis ajuda a uma melhor compreensão da epidemiologia deste parasita no Chile e o papel de cervos selvagens e em cativeiro para a manutenção e divulgação deste parasita.(AU)

Sarcocystis spp. in red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and pudu (Pudu pudu) in southern Chile

ABSTRACT: Worldwinde, cervids are considered an important source of infection and dissemination of a wide variety of pathogens, both for farm animals and humans. Among this diseases is sarcosporidiosis, which is a parasitic disease caused by Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Most frequent clinical signs are hemolytic anemia, weakness, weight loss and decrease of growth and some species of Sarcocystis might cause abortions. The clinical disease in ruminants is fairly rare but the infection is very frequent. Infections are accumulative and the parasite does not generate immunity in any of the hosts. Ovine sarcosporidiosis is a serious issue in the some regions of Chile due to the macrocysts located in the muscle which means condemnation of the whole carcass. Sarcocystis spp. has been widely reported in red deer and other cervid species but in Chile the situation remains unknown. Nowadays there is little to no evidence of Sarcocystis in foreign deer in Chile and there is only one report of the parasite on pudu. The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer in Chile, and confirm the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in pudu. All cervid cases from 1994 to 2013 of the Institute of Animal Pathology of the Universidad Austral de Chile were reviewed. The animals selected were those in which a myocardium sample was taken. From the histopathological samples observed, it was found that 5 of the 9 red deer, 1 of the 4 fallow deer and in 11 of the 23 pudu there were Sarcocystis cysts in the myocardium. This study represents the first record for Chile of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer. Stablishing the red deer, fallow deer and pudu as hosts of Sarcocystis aids to have a better understanding of the parasite epidemiology in Chile and the role of wild and captive cervids in the maintenance and spread of these parasites.

RESUMO: No mundo, os cervos são considerados uma fonte de infecção e propagação de uma grande variedade de patógenos para animais de criação e para os seres humanos. Entre estas doenças está a sarcosporidiosis, que é uma doença parasitária causada por Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Os sinais clínicos mais comuns são anemia hemolítica, fraqueza, perda de peso e diminuição do crescimento e em algumas espécies de Sarcocystis podem causar abortos. A doença clínica em ruminantes é bastante rara, mas a infecção é muito comum. As infecções são cumulativos e o parasita não gera imunidade em nenhum dos seus hospedeiros. A Sarcosporidiosis ovina é um problema grave em algumas regiões do Chile devido a microcistos localizados no músculo provocando a reprovação total da carcaça. Sarcocystis spp. tem sido amplamente relatado em cervos vermelhos e outras espécies de cervídeos, mas no Chile a sua situação permanece desconhecida. Atualmente há pouca ou nenhuma evidência de Sarcocystis em cervos introduzidos no Chile e há apenas um relatório do parasita em pudú. O principal objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio no veado vermelho e cervo gamo no Chile e confirmar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. em pudus. Revisaram-se todos os casos de cervos desde 1994-2013 do Instituto de Patologia Animal da Universidad Austral de Chile. Os animais selecionados para o estudo foram aqueles em que se tomou amostra de miocárdio. Das amostras histopatológicas observadas, verificou-se que em cinco dos nove cervos vermelhos, em um dos quatro veados gamo e 11 dos 23 pudus tinham cistos de Sarcocystis no miocárdio. Este estudo representa o primeiro relatório para o Chile de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio de veados vermelhos e cervo gamo. Definir o veado vermelho, o cervo gamo e os pudú como anfitriões de Sarcocystis ajuda a uma melhor compreensão da epidemiologia deste parasita no Chile e o papel de cervos selvagens e em cativeiro para a manutenção e divulgação deste parasita.

Bacterial meningoencephalitis in a free Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango temucoensis)

A subadult male Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango temucoensis) was found in an agricultural beef cattle field of Southern Chile. The bird was non-responsive to visual or auditory stimulation, and unable to fly. Clinical examination showed moderate body condition, partial blindness and a left wing fracture. The bird was euthanized and a complete necropsy was performed. The most important macroscopic findings were a complete left radius fracture, a subcutaneous hematoma over the occipital bone region and the complete loss of structure of the left pallium and striatum of the telencephalon. Necrotic areas of greenish discoloration in the caudal telencephalon were observed. Histologically, the brain had wide areas of liquefactive necrosis surrounded by abundant inflammatory infiltrate. Escherichia coli was isolated from the affected areas of the brain. Although bacterial encephalitis is uncommon among free ranging birds, it should be considered as a candidate diagnosis in wild birds with neurological signs.(AU)

Bacterial meningoencephalitis in a free Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango temucoensis)

A subadult male Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango temucoensis) was found in an agricultural beef cattle field of Southern Chile. The bird was non-responsive to visual or auditory stimulation, and unable to fly. Clinical examination showed moderate body condition, partial blindness and a left wing fracture. The bird was euthanized and a complete necropsy was performed. The most important macroscopic findings were a complete left radius fracture, a subcutaneous hematoma over the occipital bone region and the complete loss of structure of the left pallium and striatum of the telencephalon. Necrotic areas of greenish discoloration in the caudal telencephalon were observed. Histologically, the brain had wide areas of liquefactive necrosis surrounded by abundant inflammatory infiltrate. Escherichia coli was isolated from the affected areas of the brain. Although bacterial encephalitis is uncommon among free ranging birds, it should be considered as a candidate diagnosis in wild birds with neurological signs.