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Acta sci. vet. (Impr.); 41(supl.1): Pub. 10, 2013. ilus

Artigo em Inglês | VETINDEX | ID: biblio-1372667

Resumo

Background: The rhea (Rhea americana) is a Brazilian wild bird that produce meat, leather and feathers of excellent quality. Rhea production has been increasing every day in Brazil due to many favorable conditions for breeding and there are also large native populations in various regions of the country. The incidence of parasites is a limiting factor when raising many animals, and rheas are not an exception. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp in captive rheas in a Brazilian zoo and Spain was described. However, little is known about cryptosporidiosis in rhea, which makes the need for further studies. Thus, this study aimed to detect Cryptosporidium parvum in rheas from the South of Brazil. Case: This study evaluated two properties located in Southern Brazil. Property A was located in Rio Rufi no, Santa Catarina State, Brazil and it had 40 rheas for commercial purposes. Property B was located in Santa Maria, a small town in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil and it had 10 rheas. Fresh fecal samples were collected and kept refrigerated from adult birds (n = 4) and chicks (n = 2) from property A, and chicks (n = 3) of three months of age from property B. Samples were analyzed by the method of direct examination, followed by centrifugal flotation with zinc sulfate. Only the centrifugal flotation technique allowed the observation of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in three adults and one chick. Fecal samples were stored in ethanol and analyzed by PCR for C. parvum, all being positive for this protozoan. Feces contaminated by C. parvum oocysts from one young rhea was used to inoculate two mice orally (BALB/c), previously confirmed protozoan free by faecal examination and PCR. Feces from inoculated mice were collected on days 1, 3 e 5 post-inoculation for analysis by the centrifugal flotation technique. After five days of inoculation all mice presented diarrhea and high numbers of oocysts of protozoan in their feces. Discussion: Cryptosporidiosis can evolve into severe diarrhea, followed by abdominal cramps, anorexia, vomiting, dehydration, nausea and fever in different animals. However the incubation period of this disease in rheas is unknown because this is only the third report of cryptosporidiosis in this wild bird. The Cryptosporidium spp. is an obligate parasite of vertebrates, and its colonization occurs at the periphery of the intestinal cells of the host and it may cause atrophy of these structures and enteritis, but these findings have not been described in rheas yet. The species of Cryptosporidium that are mainly reported in birds are Cryptosporidium meleagridis, Cryptosporidium baileyi and Cryptosporidium galli. In our study, the molecular analysis was performed in order to identify the protozoan, being detected the C. parvum, a zoonotic agent reported in several mammals. The rhea is wild birds with habits similar to ostriches. Already, in studies have reported the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in ostriches; however the species identified were different from that described in this study. Based on these results, we conclude that rhea may be parasitized by C. parvum, an important zoonotic parasite. Prevalence studies should be conducted in this area to estimate the role and impact of rhea as reservoirs and disseminators of this zoonotic parasite.

Biblioteca responsável: BR68.1