Resumo

The Brazilian tick fauna currently comprises 77 valid species categorized into two families: Ixodidae (53 species) and Argasidae (24 species). In the state of Alagoas, only six Ixodid ticks have been reported to date, with no previous reports of ticks in the Argasidae family. Here, we assessed 33 White-eared Opossum (Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840) rescued in the metropolitan region of Maceió and referred to the Wild Animal Screening Center (Cetas) in the city. Upon arrival, the animals were examined for ectoparasites within 24 hours. In total, 10/33 (30%) opossums were found to be infested by 26 larvae of the argasid tick Ornithodoros mimon Kohls, Clifford & Jones, 1969. Morphological identification of ticks was corroborated by generating partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene from three tick specimens. This study marks the first report of an argasid tick in the state of Alagoas. Future studies should investigate whether populations of both O. mimon ticks and their host, D. albiventris, in the state of Alagoas carry potential zoonotic agents capable of causing tick-borne diseases.(AU)

A fauna de carrapatos do Brasil compreende, atualmente, 77 espécies válidas, categorizadas em duas famílias: Ixodidae (53 espécies) e Argasidae (24 espécies). No estado de Alagoas, apenas seis carrapatos ixodídeos foram registrados até o momento, sem nenhum relato anterior de argasídeos. Neste estudo, 33 gambás-de-orelha-branca (Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840), resgatados na região metropolitana de Maceió, foram encaminhados ao Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (Cetas) da cidade. Ao chegarem, os animais foram submetidos a exames de ectoparasitas em um prazo de 24 horas. Do total, 10/33 (30%) deles foram encontrados infestados por 26 larvas do carrapato argasídeo Ornithodoros mimon Kohls, Clifford & Jones, 1969. A identificação morfológica dos carrapatos foi corroborada pela obtenção de sequências parciais do gene mitocondrial 16S rRNA de três espécimes deles. Este estudo marca o primeiro relato de um carrapato argasídeo no estado de Alagoas. Estudos futuros devem investigar se as populações de ambos os carrapatos, O. mimon e seu hospedeiro, D. albiventris, no estado de Alagoas, carregam potenciais agentes zoonóticos capazes de causar doenças transmitidas por carrapatos.(AU)

Resumo

The aim was to describe the incidence and lesions caused by metazoan and protozoan parasites in Didelphis virginiana opossums in Mexico. From 2019 to 2021, twenty D. virginiana were collected from the state of Colima, Mexico. Post mortem, parasitological, and histopathological studies were performed to identify and describe their lesions and findings. All opossums(20/20) presented at least one type of parasite of the twelve found; the most abundant were nematodes 58.33% (7/12) Didelphostrongylus hayesi, Turgida turgida, Cruzia sp., Viannaia sp., Trichuris didelphis, Trichostrongylidae and Gnathostoma sp. Protozoa 25% (3/12), including Sarcocystis sp., Besnoitia sp., and Sarcocystis sp. A single specimen of Mathevotaenia sp., 8.3% (1/12), and Paragonimus mexicanus 8.3%, were identified (1/12). The most affected systems were the digestive, respiratory, and musculoskeletal. The most abundant parasites were Turgida turgida (20/20) 100%, Cruzia sp., (16/20) 80%, and Viannaia sp. (6/20) 30%, followed by Sarcocystis sp. cysts, (6/20) 30%. The associated parasitic lesions were: D. hayesi produce eosinophilic granulomatous bronchopneumonia, P. mexicanus eosinophilic focal granulomatous pneumonia, and Besnoitia sp., focal eosinophilic lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia. Gnathostoma and T. turgida caused severe eosinophilic granulomatous focal gastritis. Viannaia sp., Sarcocystis sp., Mathevotaenia sp., and Trichostrongylidae; caused diffuse eosinophilic mucosal enteritis. Cruzia sp., and T. didelphis, induced diffuse eosinophilic mucosal typhlitis. Sarcocystis sp. cysts were detected in the cytoplasm of muscle fibers without histological changes.

O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever a frequência e as lesões causadas por parasitas metazoários e protozoários em gambás (Didelphis virginiana) no México. De 2019 a 2021, vinte Gambás (D. virginiana) foram coletados no estado de Colima, México. Estudos post mortem, parasitológicos e histopatológicos foram realizados para identificar e descrever suas lesões. Todos os gambás (20/20) apresentaram pelo menos um tipo de parasita dos doze encontrados, os mais abundantes foram os nematóides 58,33% (7/12) Didelphostrongylus hayesi, Turgida turgida, Cruzia sp., Viannaia sp., Trichuris didelphis, Trichostrongylidae e Gnathostoma sp. Protozoários 25% (3/12) Sarcocystis sp., Besnoitia sp. e Sarcocystis sp. Só uma única espécie de Mathevotaenia sp., 8,3% (1/12) e Paragonimus mexicanus 8,3% (1/12). Os sistemas mais acometidos foram o digestivo, respiratório e musculoesquelético. Os parasitas mais abundantes foram T. turgida (20/20) 100%, Cruzia sp., 80% (16/20), e Viannaia sp., 30% (6/20), seguidos pelos cistos de Sarcocystis sp., 30% (6/20). As lesões observadas causadas pelos vários tipos de parasitas foram: D. hayesi produziu broncopneumonia granulomatosa eosinofílica, P. mexicanus gerou pneumonia granulomatosa focal eosinofílica e Besnoitia sp. produziu pneumonia intersticial linfoplasmocítica eosinofílica focal. Ganthostoma e T. turgida geraram uma gastrite focal granulomatosa eosinofílica grave. Viannaia sp., Sarcocystis sp., Mathevotaenia sp. e Trichostrongylidae causaram enterite mucosa eosinofílica difusa. Cruzia sp. e Trichuris didelphis causaram tiflite mucosa eosinofílica difusa. Cistos de Sarcocystis spp. foram detectados no citoplasma das fibras musculares, sem alterações histológicas.

Resumo

The synanthropization of wild animals puts public health at risk by promoting the circulation of zoonotic agents, found naturally in the wild, in the anthropic environment. The objective of this work was to carry out screening by molecular detection of pathogens of the Anaplasmatacea family in Didelphis albiventris, a specie characterized as having a synanthropic habit. Opossums that were dead (n = 25) after being road-killed were collected in the North of Paraná state, southern Brazil during the 2016 and 2018 years, through active search. A questionnaire was filled out with information about the animal and collected place. Biological samples of spleen and liver were collected. The genetic material extracted from the spleen and liver was submitted to molecular diagnosis through PCR for amplification of dsb of Ehrlichia and 16S genes for the other agents of the Anaplasmataceae family. One animal was positive for the genus Ehrlichia in semi-nested PCR for amplification of the 349 bp fragment of the dsb gene in extracted from the liver samples. In PCR for the 16S target no animal was positive. These are preliminary results that reinforce the circulation of Ehrlichia in opossums. To improve the knowledge of these agents in opossums more studies are necessary.(AU)

A sinantropização de animais silvestres coloca em risco a saúde pública por propiciar a circulação de agentes zoonóticos, encontrados naturalmente em ambiente silvestre, no ambiente antrópico. O trabalho teve como objetivo realizar a triagem por detecção molecular de patógenos da família Anaplasmataceae em Didelphis albiventris, espécie caracterizada como de hábito sinantrópico. Gambás mortos (n=25) por atropelamento durante os anos de 2016 e 2018 foram coletados na região norte do Paraná, sul do Brasil, por meio de busca ativa. Realizou-se o preenchimento de formulário com informações sobre a espécie do animal e o local do atropelamento. Foi realizada a necrópsia e coleta de amostras biológicas, de baço e fígado. O material genético extraído de baço e fígado foi submetido a diagnóstico molecular, por meio de PCR, para amplificação dos genes dsb de Ehrlichia sp. e 16S para os demais agentes da família Anaplasmataceae. Um animal foi positivo para o gênero Ehrlichia em semi-nested PCR para a amplificação do fragmento de 349 pb do gene dsb, extraído de fígado. Na PCR para detecção do gene 16S nenhum dos animais foi positivo. Esses resultados preliminares reforçam a circulação de Ehrlichias em gambás. Para melhorar o conhecimento desses agentes em gambás mais estudos são necessários.(AU)

Resumo

Although the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) is a species widely distributed in South America, knowledge about their helminth parasites and helminth community structure is scarce. The aims of this study were to describe the species composition and analyze the structure of the helminth community of the common opossum in an area of the Amazonian Arc in northern Mato Grosso. The helminths were recovered, counted, and identified in 32 individuals. Overall, 10,198 specimens were categorized into 9 helminths taxa (seven nematodes, one cestode, and one acanthocephalan). The most abundant species were Aspidodera raillieti, Viannaia hamata, and Travassostrongylus orloffi. No statistically significant differences in helminth abundance and prevalence were observed between host sexes. However, young hosts had higher abundance and prevalence of Didelphonema longispiculata, whereas Oligacanthorhynchus microcephalus had higher abundance and prevalence in adult hosts. This was the first study to analyze the helminth fauna and helminth community structure of D. marsupialis in the Amazonian Arc. This is the first report of the presence of A. raillieti, D. longispiculata, T. orloffi, T. minuta, V. hamata, and O. microcephalus in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.(AU)

Embora o gambá comum, Didelphis marsupialis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) seja uma espécie amplamente distribuída na América do Sul, o conhecimento sobre seus helmintos parasitos e a estrutura da comunidade de helmintos são escassos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever a composição de espécies e analisar a estrutura da comunidade helmíntica do gambá comum em uma área do Arco Amazônico, no norte de Mato Grosso. Os helmintos foram recuperados, contados e identificados em 32 indivíduos. Ao todo, 10.198 espécimes foram categorizados em 9 táxons de helmintos (sete nematoides, um cestoide e um acantocéfalo). As espécies mais abundantes foram Aspidodera raillieti, Viannaia hamata e Travassostrongylus orloffi. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas na abundância e prevalência de helmintos entre os sexos dos hospedeiros. No entanto, hospedeiros jovens apresentaram maior abundância e prevalência de Didelphonema longispiculata, enquanto Oligacanthorhynchus microcephalus apresentou maior abundância e prevalência em hospedeiros adultos. Este foi o primeiro estudo a analisar a helmintofauna e a estrutura da comunidade helmíntica de D. marsupialis no Arco Amazônico. Este é o primeiro relato da presença de A. raillieti, D. longispiculata, T. orloffi, T. minuta, V. hamata e O. microcephalus no estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil.(AU)

Resumo

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan that belongs to the Apicomplexa phylum, coccidian subclass, and affects all warm-blooded animals. The role of opossums in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Brazil is not fully understood, and there are very few descriptions of toxoplasmosis lesions in these animals. This report describes the anatomopathological, molecular and immunohistochemical findings of a case of encephalic toxoplasmosis in free-living white-eared possum (Didelphis albiventris). Case: A young male opossum (D. albiventris), was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of Wild Animals of the University of Brasília, Federal District. The animal was apathetic, uncoordinated, reluctant to move, and had an exposed proximal fracture in the left radius and ulna with laceration of muscles and adjacent tendinous structures. Amputation on the left thoracic limb was performed followed by analgesia and antibiotic therapy. The environment is frequented by other wild animals, and stray cats have access to the patio of the building. Twenty-five days after arriving at the hospital, the animal was found dead in its cage. After death, a necropsy was performed. Organ fragments from the abdominal cavity, thoracic and central nervous system were collected, processed routinely for histology and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Macroscopic lesions in the central nervous system were not observed. On microscopy, the brain showed moderate random glial nodules throughout the neuropil associated with the presence of spherical to elongated parasitic cysts of about 20 µm, with a thin wall and with its interior full of bradyzoites, consistent with Toxoplasma gondii. There was also moderate fibrinoid necrosis and moderate multifocal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate surrounding the blood vessels (perivascular cuffs) To investigate the etiology of the brain injury, brain sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique for detection of T. gondii and Neospora caninum. Immunostaining for T. gondii in the cyst wall and in bradyzoites and negative immunostaining for N. caninum. qPCR was positive for T. gondii and negative for N. caninum. Discussion: Diagnosis of encephalic toxoplasmosis in a Didelphis albiventris was possible based on histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular findings. The morphological classification of the brain lesion was important for the diagnosis. Brain toxoplasmosis in opossums usually results in focal areas of malacia on macroscopy and focally extensive necrosis on microscopy, neutrophil infiltrate, calcified necrotic material, and perivascular cuffs of lymphocytes and plasma cells. In the present case, similar histopathological lesions were noted, but no significant macroscopic changes were observed. The etiology here was defined by immunohistochemistry and qPCR, techniques proven to be useful and with good specificity for diagnosing toxoplasmosis in mammals. It is believed that the positive immunohistochemical and molecular result for Toxoplasma gondii together with the negative result for Neospora caninum were conclusive for the diagnosis. Thus, we demonstrate here a post mortem diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in a free-living synanthropic opossum and the use of anatomopathology, immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic option for this disease in opossums.

Resumo

Entre fevereiro de 2009 a abril de 2011, nove exemplares adultos (sete machos e duas fêmeas) de Didelphis albiventris (Lund, 1841), foram encontrados mortos por atropelamento no município de Palotina, Paraná. Os animais foram encaminhados para necropsia e coleta de material. Os parasitos encontrados foram fixados em formol acético e, posteriormente identificados. Os nove gambás estavam parasitados por helmintos, com predominância para o filo Nemathelminthes (66%), seguido por Acanthocephala (17%) e Platyhelminthes (17%). Foram isolados os seguintes helmintos e respectivas prevalências: Turgida turgida (89%) no estômago; Cruzia tentaculata (44%), Aspidodera sp. (22%) e Trichuris sp. (11%) no intestino grosso; Hamanniella microcephala (78%) e Rhopalias coronatus (11%) no intestino delgado. Em 80% dos D. albiventris ocorreu a associação parasitária entre, no mínimo, duas espécies de helmintos.(AU)

From February 2009 to April 2011, nine adult specimens (seven male and two female) of Didelphis albiventris (Lund, 1841) were found dead by roadkill in Palotina, Paraná. The animals were submitted for necropsy and collection of material. The parasites found were fixed in formalin acetic acid and subsequently identified. The nine opossums were parasitized by helminths, predominantly belonging to the Nemathelminthes (66%) phylum, followed by Acanthocephala (17%) and Platyhelminthes (17%). The following helminths were isolated and their prevalences were as follows: Turgida turgida (89%) in the stomach; Cruzia tentaculata (44%), Aspidodera sp. (22%) and Trichuris sp. (11%) in the large intestine; Hamanniella microcephala (78%) and Rhopalias coronatus (11%) in the small intestine.Parasitic association between at least two helminth species occurred in 80% of D. albiventris samples.(AU)

De febrero de 2009 a abril de 2011, nueve ejemplares adultos (siete machos y dos hembras) de Didelphis albiventris (Lund, 1841), fueron encontrados muertos por arrollamiento en el municipio de Palotina, Paraná. Los animales fueron enviados para necropsia y colecta de material. Los parásitos encontrados fueron fijados en formol acético, y posteriormente identificados. Las nueve zarigüeyas estaban parasitadas por helmintos, especialmente por Nemathelminthes (66%), seguido de Acanthocephala (17%) y Platyhelminthes (17%). Fueron aislados los siguientes helmintos y sus respectivas prevalencias: Turgida turgida (89%) en el estómago; Cruzia tentaculata (44%), Aspidodera sp. (22%) y Trichuris sp. (11%) en el intestino grueso; Hamanniella microcephala (78%) y Rhopalias coronatus (11%) en el intestino delgado. En 80% de los D. albiventris ocurrió la asociación parasitaria entre al menos dos especies de helmintos.(AU)

Resumo

South American opossums are the definitive hosts of Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis falcatula, Sarcocystis speeri and Sarcocystis lindsayi. The sporocysts of these species of Sarcocystis are morphologically similar and methods like infectivity and pathogenicity for intermediate hosts (immunodeficient mice and psittacine birds) and molecular tools are used for identification. Opossums are synanthropic wild animals, and widely distributed in Brazilian territory. Previous studies have shown high environmental contamination with S. neurona sporocysts in several Brazilian regions. This paper reviews information on Sarcocystis spp. shed by various opossum species and its occurrence in Brazil.(AU)

Os gambás Sul-americanos são os hospedeiros definitivos de Sarcocystis falcatula, Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis speeri e Sarcocystis lindsayi. Estas espécies de Sarcocystis são morfologicamente similares, mas podem ser distinguidas por sua patogenicidade e infectividade em hospedeiros intermediários (aves e camundongos imunodeficientes) e técnicas moleculares. Os gambás são animais silvestres e sinantrópicos e amplamente distribuídos no território nacional. Estudos anteriores demonstraram uma alta contaminação ambiental com esporocistos de S. neurona em diversas regiões brasileiras. Este artigo revisa informações sobre Sarcocystis spp. excretados por gambás e sua ocorrência no Brasil.(AU)

Resumo

Durante 24 meses foram capturados, inspecionados e liberados no mesmo espaço do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, 96 marsupiais e 64 roedores. Neles foram recolhidos manualmente 105 carrapatos, de 10 espécies em duas famílias. A espécie de carrapato dominante entre os roedores foi Amblyomma longirostre e entre os marsupiais foi Ixodes loricatus. Houve correlação direta significativa entre a temperatura e a intensidade de parasitismo por carrapatos...

During 24 months 96 marsupials and 64 rodents were captured, inspected and set free in the same space of the Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro. From them, 105 ticks from 10 species in two families were manually collected. The dominant tick species on the rodents was Amblyomma longirostre and on the marsupials was Ixodes loricatus. There was a significant correlation of the temperature in relation to intensity of parasitism for ticks, demonstrating that the higher the temperature, greater is the number of ticks...