SARS-CoV-2 Spillback to Wild Coatis in Sylvatic-Urban Hotspot, Brazil.

We tested coatis (Nasua nasua) living in an urban park near a densely populated area of Brazil and found natural SARS-CoV-2 Zeta variant infections by using quantitative reverse transcription PCR, genomic sequencing, and serologic surveillance. We recommend a One Health strategy to improve surveillance of and response to COVID-19.

Polyarteritis nodosa in a captive common wooly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) associated with intestinal necrosis, peritonitis, and sepsis.

Polyarteritis nodosa is an idiopathic necrotizing vasculitis that affects small to medium-sized arteries. We describe a case of polyarteritis nodosa in a captive common wooly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) associated with transmural intestinal necrosis and secondary peritonitis. This condition must be considered for differential diagnosis of segmental arteritis in neotropical primates.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in a lethal toxoplasmosis outbreak affecting captive howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.).

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and warm-blooded animals. This study describes an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) and survival of capuchins (Sapajus apella), under the same environmental conditions. METHODS: Howler monkeys were submitted to post-mortem examination. Tissue samples were processed to histopathology and immunohistochemistry to detect lesions and tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii. Tissue samples were also frozen and submitted to PCR and genotyping of T. gondii. RESULTS: Typical lesions were observed in several organs including the liver, lymph node, and brain, with intralesional cysts and tachyzoites of T. gondii demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. T. gondii genomic sequences were amplified by PCR, and genotyping characterized the same T. gondii clone in all howler monkeys. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the notion that some species of neotropical primates are highly susceptible to toxoplasmosis and the hypothesis that capuchins (S. apella) may be resistant.

Fetal dystocia in guinea pigs: A case report.

Dystocia is a common complication in guinea pig pregnancies, presenting significant challenges in clinical management. The present case report describes the presentation, diagnosis, and surgical intervention in an 8 months old female guinea pig with dystocia. The subject is a primiparous guinea pig originating from a commercial breeder, exhibited prolonged labor with two pups, one of which was stillborn. Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen, lack of uterine contractions, signs of distress, and vulvar discharge. Radiographic and ultrasound tests confirmed obstruction due to large fetal size and mineralization of the pubic symphysis. Surgical intervention proceeded with a ventral midline approach, ovariohysterectomy and removal of three fetuses. The guinea pig recovered well from the procedure, being discharged with postoperative care, and the use of anti-inflammatory, analgesics, prokinetics, antibiotics as well as scopolamine. The objective of the present work is to discuss and emphasize the importance of veterinary intervention, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutics for the multifactorial nature of dystocia management. Despite the surgical treatment, the prognosis for both dam and offspring remains guarded, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention to optimize outcomes in guinea pig dystocia cases.

A distocia é uma complicação comum em gestações de porquinhas-da-índia, apresentando desafios significativos no manejo clínico. Este relato de caso descreve a apresentação, diagnóstico e intervenção cirúrgica em uma porca-da-índia fêmea de oito meses que estava experimentando distocia. A porquinha-da-índia, primípara e proveniente de um criador comercial, apresentou trabalho de parto prolongado com dois filhotes, um dos quais nasceu natimorto. O exame físico revelou abdome distendido, falta de contrações uterinas, sinais de angústia e secreção vulvar. Exames radiográficos e de ultrassom confirmaram obstrução devido ao tamanho fetal grande e mineralização da sínfise púbica. A intervenção cirúrgica prosseguiu com uma abordagem ventral na linha média, ovariohisterectomia e remoção de três fetos. A paciente se recuperou bem do procedimento e recebeu alta com cuidados pós-operatórios, incluindo o uso de anti-inflamatórios, analgésicos, pró-cinéticos, antibióticos e escopolamina. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir e destacar a importância da intervenção veterinária, avaliação diagnóstica e terapêutica na natureza multifatorial do manejo da distocia. Apesar do tratamento cirúrgico, o prognóstico tanto para a mãe quanto para a prole permanece reservado, ressaltando a necessidade de detecção e intervenção precoces para otimizar os resultados em casos de distocia em porquinhas-da-índia.

Heavy metals bioaccumulation in free-ranging South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) in Southeastern Brazil.

Anthropogenic activities are the main sources of soil, air, and water pollution by metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), the metalloid arsenic (As), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). The goal of this study was to assess the presence and concentration of toxic (As, Cd, Pb, and Cr) and essential metals (Mg, Zn, and Cu) in the liver and kidneys from 96 free-ranging rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) from Minas Gerais (Brazil). Bioaccumulation of Cd and Pb were significantly higher in males and heavier rattlesnakes (those with body weight above the average of the study population). Average ± standard deviations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mg, Zn, and As in the general population (n = 96) were 3.19 ± 2.52; 5.98 ± 8.49; 0.66 ± 1.97; 3.27 ± 2.85; 776.14 ± 2982.92; 27.44 ± 29.55; and 0.32 ± 1.46; respectively. Bioaccumulation of some metals correlated positively with changes in hematologic and serum biochemical parameters. Results of this study were contrasted with previous studies assessing metal bioaccumulation in other species of terrestrial or aquatic snakes. Considering their position in the food chain and the broad range of bioaccumulation of both toxic and essential metals observed in this study, rattlesnakes may function as highly relevant biological sentinels for environmental pollution.

Acute, fatal Sarcocystis falcatula infection in rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri).

Sarcocystosis is an important avian disease that affects several intermediate host species. Birds not endemic from Americas, like Old World psittacine species, appear to be more susceptible to lethal infection than New World psittacine species. The aim of this study was to investigate the sudden death of rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) in an exotic private parrot's aviary. Macroscopically, the most prevalent findings were severe lung congestion, slight superficial myocardial hemorrhagic lesions, enlarged liver and congestion of meningeal vessels. The initial diagnosis of sarcocystosis was made in all birds by microscopic observations of intravascular pulmonary schizonts, as well hepatitis, myocarditis, and nephritis. Immunohistochemistry for detection of Sarcocystis sp. antigen revealed an intense immunoreactivity in the lungs. Molecular identification of Sarcocystis falcatula were obtained by nested PCR and sequencing of amplified fragments of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and three surface antigen-coding genes (SAG2, SAG3 and SAG4). SAG-based phylogenies showed a close relatedness of the isolate described here and S. falcatula previously detected in naturally infected native birds, which suggests that the isolates that affected ringnecks are a common isolate that circulates in Brazil.

A Survey of Diseases in Different Species of Wild, Captive, and Illegally Traded Birds in Brazil.

Native and exotic avian species can act as reservoirs of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, with conservation and public health implications. A retrospective study on the diagnosis and frequency of diseases in wild and exotic avian species was conducted. The occurrence of particular diseases was associated with the type of captivity or the bird's origin. The investigation included macroscopic and microscopic descriptions and the molecular determination of the causative agent(s). Additional immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, PCR, and genetic sequencing were conducted. A total of 243 cases were compiled for the study, mainly consisting of native wild species (39.1%) obtained from illegal trade. Primary infectious diseases, mainly parasitic (18.1%) and viral (17.7%), were the most common, although coinfections were substantial (18.1%) in birds rescued from trafficking. Fractures and neoplasms accounted for 3.7% and 3.3% of the cases, respectively. Parasitic and viral diseases were the most common in both exotic and wild birds. Chlamydia psittaci, a lethal and zoonotic bacterium, was an important cause of death, especially in native Psittaciformes. The recent detection of Psittacid alphaherpesvirus 5 (PsAHV 5) in exotic psittacines and the diagnosis of coinfections in trafficked birds highlight the importance of monitoring avian health to control potential pathogens that may endanger conservation efforts.

BoaγPLI: Structural and functional characterization of the gamma phospholipase A2 plasma inhibitor from the non-venomous Brazilian snake Boa constrictor.

Plasma in several organisms has components that promote resistance to envenomation by inhibiting specific proteins from snake venoms, such as phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). The major hypothesis for inhibitor's presence would be the protection against self-envenomation in venomous snakes, but the occurrence of inhibitors in non-venomous snakes and other animals has opened new perspectives for this molecule. Thus, this study showed for the first time the structural and functional characterization of the PLA2 inhibitor from the Boa constrictor serum (BoaγPLI), a non-venomous snake that dwells extensively the Brazilian territory. Therefore, the inhibitor was isolated from B. constrictor serum, with 0.63% of recovery. SDS-PAGE showed a band at ~25 kDa under reducing conditions and ~20 kDa under non-reducing conditions. Chromatographic analyses showed the presence of oligomers formed by BoaγPLI. Primary structure of BoaγPLI suggested an estimated molecular mass of 22 kDa. When BoaγPLI was incubated with Asp-49 and Lys-49 PLA2 there was no severe change in its dichroism spectrum, suggesting a non-covalent interaction. The enzymatic assay showed a dose-dependent inhibition, up to 48.2%, when BoaγPLI was incubated with Asp-49 PLA2, since Lys-49 PLA2 has a lack of enzymatic activity. The edematogenic and myotoxic effects of PLA2s were also inhibited by BoaγPLI. In summary, the present work provides new insights into inhibitors from non-venomous snakes, which possess PLIs in their plasma, although the contact with venom is unlikely.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for infectious stomatitis in snakes: Clinical views and microbiological findings.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has been broadly investigated as an alternative to treat localized infections, without leading to the selection of resistant microorganisms. Infectious stomatitis is a multifactorial disease frequently reported in captive snakes characterized by infection of the oral mucosa and surrounding tissues. In this study, we investigated methylene blue (MB)-mediated APDT to treat infectious stomatitis in snakes and verified the resistance phenotype and genotype before and after APDT. METHODS: Three Boid snakes presented petechiae, edema and caseous material in their oral cavities. MB (0.01%) was applied on the lesions and after 5min they were irradiated using a red laser (λ=660nm), fluence of 280J/cm2, 8J and 80s per point, 100mW, spot size 0.028cm2 and fluence rate of 3.5W/cm2. APDT was repeated once a week during 3 months. Samples of the lesions were collected to identify bacteria and antibiotic resistance profiles. To analyze the clonality of bacterial isolates before and after APDT, isolates were subjected to ERIC PCR analysis. RESULTS: Snakes presented clinical improvement such as reduction of inflammatory signs and caseous material. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were present in all snakes; Klebsiella pneumoniae and Morganella morganii were also identified in some animals. We also observed that the oral microbiota was completely replaced following APDT. However, K. pneumoniae isolates before and after APDT were a single clone with 100% of genetic similarity that lost resistance phenotype for seven antibiotics of four classes. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that APDT can be used to treat infectious stomatitis in snakes.

MICROCOMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, MORPHOMETRIC, AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC ASSESSMENT OF CONGENITAL BONE MALFORMATIONS IN TWO NEOTROPICAL VIPERIDS.

Congenital malformations have been reported in all classes of vertebrates and may be a determinant of life span and survival. In reptiles, the incidence of congenital malformations can be associated with genetic and environmental causes, including pollution. The characterization of pathological processes involved in the development of congenital malformations of bone in snakes is rare in the literature, but is of great relevance in the field of reptile conservation and environmental health. We describe congenital bone lesions in 50 newborn jararaca (Bothrops jararaca) and 26 South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) born from wild-caught pregnant females in Southeastern Brazil. Lesions were evaluated by morphometric quantitative analysis, x-ray microtomography, and histopathologic descriptive analysis. Morphometric analysis showed that jararaca presented more severe axial lesions (kyphosis, scoliosis, and kyphoscoliosis) than rattlesnakes. Female rattlesnakes presented more severe axial lesions than did males. In rattlesnakes, spinal deformities were more frequently diagnosed in the caudal segment of the body. We present x-ray microtomographic assessments and images of malformed snakes (n=9) and characterized novel malformations, such as the agenesis of frontal, parietal, and supraoccipital bones in a jararaca specimen. Histopathologic findings included vertebral body fusion, myositis, coagulation necrosis, and disorganization of periaxial muscle fibers. The new methods and results presented in this study will be useful and informative for future research in pathology, teratology, embryology, and ecotoxicology in snakes.

Functional characterization of neotropical snakes peripheral blood leukocytes subsets: Linking flow cytometry cell features, microscopy images and serum corticosterone levels.

Reptiles are the unique ectothermic amniotes, providing the key link between ectothermic anamniotes fish and amphibians, and endothermic birds and mammals; becoming an important group to study with the aim of providing significant knowledge into the evolutionary history of vertebrate immunity. Classification systems for reptiles' leukocytes have been described by their appearance rather than function, being still inconsistent. With the advent of modern techniques and the establishment of analytical protocols for snakes' blood by flow cytometry, we bring a qualitative and quantitative assessment of innate activities presented by snakes' peripheral blood leukocytes, thereby linking flow cytometric features with fluorescent and light microscopy images. Moreover, since corticosterone is an important immunomodulator in reptiles, hormone levels of all blood samples were measured. We provide novel and additional information which should contribute to better understanding of the development of the immune system of reptiles and vertebrates.

Histology of the gastrointestinal tract from Bothrops jararaca and Crotalus durissus / Aspectos histológicos do trato gastrointestinal de Bothrops jararaca e Crotalus durissus

Recent studies have discussed the importance of snakes, going beyond the context of Public Health (snakebites). Promising research demonstrates the utility of snake venom in several fields, including oncology, diagnosis, anticoagulant therapy, and pain treatment. Nevertheless, there are still gaps in the basic knowledge on these animals, specifically regarding the histological characterization of the gastrointestinal tract, which ultimately hinder comparative histology and pathology studies. In this context the present study intends to contribute with the advance of current knowledge on snake histology by describing and analyzing histological samples of the gastrointestinal tracts of Bothrops jararaca and Crotalus durissus. Samples were collected from 12 individuals (six from each species), up to 6 months of age and equally distributed between males and females. Histological slides were prepared from the organs collected and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and alcian blue. The slides were photographed with a high-resolution camera to create a portfolio representative of the histology of the gastrointestinal systems of these animals.(AU)

Na atualidade, a importância das serpentes extravasa a conotação em saúde pública (acidentes ofídicos), e pesquisas promissoras têm demonstrado a utilidade dos venenos das serpentes em diversas áreas como oncologia, diagnóstico, terapia anticoagulante e tratamento da dor. Ainda assim, existem lacunas no conhecimento básico sobre esses animais, tais como a caracterização histológica do seu sistema gastrointestinal, que se tornam obstáculos para estudos nos campos da histologia e patologia comparadas. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho pretende contribuir com o avanço do conhecimento sobre histologia de serpentes a partir da descrição e análise histológica de amostras do trato gastrointestinal de exemplares das espécies Bothrops jararaca e Crotalus durissus. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras de 12 indivíduos com até seis meses de idade, seis por espécie (distribuídos igualmente entre machos e fêmeas). A partir dos órgãos colhidos, lâminas histológicas foram preparadas e coradas pela técnica de hematoxilina e eosina, bem como PAS com Alcian Blue. As lâminas foram fotografadas por câmera de alta resolução, resultando em um portfólio representativo da histologia do sistema gastrointestinal desses animais.(AU)

Histological analysis of the eyeball of Neotropical birds of prey Caracara plancus, Falco sparverius, Rupornis magnirostris, Megascops choliba and Athene cunicularia / Análise histológica do bulbo ocular de aves de rapina neotropicais: Caracara plancus, Falco sparverius, Rupornis magnirostris, Megascops choliba e Athene cunicularia

The growing use of ophthalmic examination as a screening tool in birds intended for reintroduction into natural environments over the last few years has given renewed significance to avian ophthalmology in the context of free-ranging and captive bird conservation. The eye plays a vital role in prey detection and capture by birds of prey. The remarkable eyesight of such birds makes them interesting subjects for avian visual system anatomical and histological investigation. This study set out to describe histological features of the eyeball of ubiquitous birds of prey in Brazil (Falconiformes, Accipitriformes and Strigiformes). Twenty enucleated cadaveric eyeballs obtained from birds with natural death, Caracara plancus, Falco sparverius, Rupornis magnirostris, Megascops choliba and Athene cunicularia were used. Routinely prepared histological slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin were analyzed under light microscopy. Similarities and variations in ocular structures between the different bird species studied were highlighted in this study, with major differences concerning the lens and retina. This study highlights the importance of determining the ocular histological pattern of the species so they can be better understood. These results may well assign baseline information of the species and assist in eye histopathological diagnostics.(AU)

Nos últimos anos a oftalmologia aviária se tornou um instrumento de grande relevância para a conservação de aves de vida livre e de cativeiro, principalmente pela crescente utilização do exame oftalmológico para a triagem de indivíduos designados para reintrodução em ambientes naturais. Os olhos das aves de rapina são estruturas imprescindíveis para detectar e capturar suas presas, e a sua notável capacidade visual torna o seu sistema de visão assunto de grande interesse para o estudo anatômico e histológico. Neste contexto, no presente trabalho foi realizada a análise histológica do bulbo ocular de aves de rapina representadas por espécies pertencentes às ordens Falconiformes, Accipitriformes e Strigiformes presentes em território brasileiro. Para realização do estudo foram utilizados vinte bulbos oculares obtidos de animais mortos por causas naturais, das espécies Caracara plancus, Falco sparverius, Rupornis magnirostris, Megascops choliba e Athene cunicularia.. As lâminas histológicas foram coradas pela técnica de hematoxilina e eosina e, analisadas por microscopia óptica. Foi constatada a existência de um padrão histológico com discreta variação entre as estruturas oculares nas diferentes espécies avaliadas, com destaque para o cristalino e a retina. Este estudo salienta a importância da determinação do padrão histológico ocular das espécies, e seus resultados atribuem informações histológicas basais auxiliares na determinação de diagnósticos histopatológicos oculares.(AU)