Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium baileyi in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domesticus) in free-range production systems / Identificação molecular de Cryptosporidium baileyi em patos Muscovy (Cairina moschata domesticus) em sistemas de produção ao ar livre

Cryptosporidiosis is considered an infection with impact on animal health. It has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, leading to significant economic losses to the poultry industry. This study investigated the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in domestic ducks of family Anatidae (Cairina moschata) from two rustic commercial aviaries located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 315 fecal samples were collected from domestic ducks in two different areas (N=186 in area A and N=129 in area B). The microscopic analysis was conducted using a sugar centrifugal flotation technique for the identification of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, followed by PCR/sequencing analyses of the partial sequence of the 18S rDNA gene to determine the Cryptosporidium species. Of the 315 samples collected, only 10 (186/5.38%) from area A were positive for Cryptosporidium. The nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analyses identified that all samples were identical (100%) and belonged to Cryptosporidium baileyi species, which is closely related to gastric species and of importance in animal health.

Criptosporidiose é considerada uma infeção com impacto na saúde animal. Tem sido associada a altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade, levando a perdas econômicas significativas para a indústria avícola. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a presença de Cryptosporidium spp. em patos domésticos da família Anatidae (Cairina moschata) de dois aviários comerciais rústicos localizados na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Um total de 315 amostras fecais foram coletadas de patos domésticos em duas áreas (Área A / n= 186; Área B / n= 129). Amostras fecais foram processadas e utilizando a técnica de centrífuga e flutuação em solução saturada de açúcar para a identificação de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. através da observação microscópica. Naquelas amostras positivas, procedeu-se com o diagnóstico molecular para determinação de espécie de Cryptosporidium. Das 315 amostras coletadas, apenas 10 (186 / 5,38%) da área A foram positivas para Cryptosporidium. A sequência de nucleotídeos e as análises filogenéticas identificaram que todas as amostras eram idênticas (100%) e pertenciam à espécie Cryptosporidium baileyi, intimamente relacionada às espécies gástricas e de importância na saúde animal.

Perna perna mussels as bioindicators of aquatic contamination by Cryptosporidium spp

Background: Bivalve mollusks, such as the Perna perna mussels, are used as bioindicators of aquatic contamination by heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The protozoan Cryptosporidium spp. has species capable of infecting several hosts, including humans, with ingestion being the only form of transmission of oocysts, through water and/or contaminated food. The objective of this study was to use Perna perna mussels as bioindicators of aquatic contamination through the genetic characterization of species and/or genotypes of Cryptosporidium, associating the sources of environmental contamination by faeces and correlating the possible presence of the protozoan with precipitation indexes in the region of Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro.Materials, Methods & Results: The mussels were obtained from two sites, both formed by rocks bathed in natural sea water. Site A is called Lage Black and site B is called beach Bag. Samples were taken monthly from March 2009 to February 2010, totaling 12 collections. For the analyzes, the DNA extracted from tissues of mussels was used in the amplification of 18 SSU rDNA sequences, through the Nested-PCR technique. During all months of the study, we diagnosed Cryptosporidium-positive Perna perna mussels samples from, at least, one of the sites studied. We could identify the species C. andersoni, C. meleagridis and C. parvum...(AU)

Perna perna mussels as bioindicators of aquatic contamination by Cryptosporidium spp

Background: Bivalve mollusks, such as the Perna perna mussels, are used as bioindicators of aquatic contamination by heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The protozoan Cryptosporidium spp. has species capable of infecting several hosts, including humans, with ingestion being the only form of transmission of oocysts, through water and/or contaminated food. The objective of this study was to use Perna perna mussels as bioindicators of aquatic contamination through the genetic characterization of species and/or genotypes of Cryptosporidium, associating the sources of environmental contamination by faeces and correlating the possible presence of the protozoan with precipitation indexes in the region of Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro.Materials, Methods & Results: The mussels were obtained from two sites, both formed by rocks bathed in natural sea water. Site A is called Lage Black and site B is called beach Bag. Samples were taken monthly from March 2009 to February 2010, totaling 12 collections. For the analyzes, the DNA extracted from tissues of mussels was used in the amplification of 18 SSU rDNA sequences, through the Nested-PCR technique. During all months of the study, we diagnosed Cryptosporidium-positive Perna perna mussels samples from, at least, one of the sites studied. We could identify the species C. andersoni, C. meleagridis and C. parvum...

Natural infection of pigeons (Columba livia) with Cryptosporidium spp / Infecção natural de pombos (Columba livia) por Cryptosporidium spp

The aim of this study was to diagnose microscopically and molecularly the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts from pigeons (Columba livia) faecal samples in Rio de Janeiro city. The fecal samples were collected fresh, after the birds defecated and conditioned under refrigeration and sent to the processing and research of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts to the protozoology laboratory of the Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. The samples were submitted to centrifugation and flotation with saturated sugar solution technique and the slides observed with a 40X objective. In the positive samples for the Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts the extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Nested- PCR was performed. A total of 387 pigeons faecal samples were obtained, in the microscopic diagnosis it was possible to observe oocysts of this parasite in 81 samples (20.93%). Of these, 53 samples amplified DNA specific for Cryptosporidium spp. in the Nested-PCR reaction. Worldwide, Cryptosporidium spp. parasitizing pigeons is reported in only four countries: Turkey, China, Iran and Thailand. The results found in this study, in three populated neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro city, were worrisome because they are areas where there is a marked quantity of animal and human population, facilitating the dispersion and environmental contamination of oocysts. This is the first record in Brazil of parasitism of Cryptosporidium spp. having as host the pigeon andthese results, should not be neglected.(AU)

O estudo teve como objetivo diagnosticar microscopicamente e molecularmente a presença de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. provenientes de amostras fecais de pombos (Columba livia) no município do Rio de Janeiro. As amostras fecais foram coletadas frescas, logo após as aves defecarem e acondicionadas sob refrigeração e encaminhadas para o processamento e pesquisa de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. ao laboratório de Protozoologia do Departamento de Parasitologia, da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. As amostras foram submetidas a técnica de centrifugação e flutuação com solução saturada de açúcar e as lâminas observadas com objetiva de 40X. Nas amostras positivas para a presença de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. foi realizada a extração de ácido desoxirribonucleico (DNA) para uso nas reações em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) e Nested-PCR. Um total de 387 amostras fecais de pombos foram obtidas, no diagnóstico microscópico foi possível a observação de oocistos deste parasita em 81 amostras (20,93%). Destas, 53 amostras amplificaram DNA específico para Cryptosporidium spp. na reação da Nested-PCR. Mundialmente, Cryptosporidium spp. parasitando pombos é assinalado em apenas quatro países: Turquia, China, Irã e Tailândia. O resultado encontrado neste trabalho, em três bairros populosos do município do Rio de Janeiro, revelou ser preocupante, por serem áreas onde há uma quantidade acentuada da população animal e humana, facilitando a dispersão e contaminação ambiental dos oocistos. Este é o primeiro registro no Brasil de parasitismo de Cryptosporidium spp. tendo como hospedeiro o pombo e estes resultados, não devem ser negligenciados.(AU)