Worldwide Dispersion of Coccidia from Migratory Birds: First Report of Eimeria bazi Chauhan et Bhatia, 1970 (Eimeriidae) Outside Asia from Buff-Necked Ibises Theristicus caudatus (Boddaert, 1783) (Threskiornithidae) in South America.

BACKGROUND: Eimeria spp. are coccidian protozoan parasites of domestic and wild animals. Pelecaniform birds are hosts of some Eimeria spp., however, from the family Threskiornithidae only one eimerian species is recorded, Eimeria bazi Chauhan et Bhatia, 1970 which was described from red-naped ibises Pseudibis papillosa (Temminck, 1824) in India. In this study, in turn, this species is morphologically and molecularly identified from buff-necked ibises Theristicus caudatus (Boddaert, 1783) in Brazil. PURPOSE: This study aimed to report E. bazi from buff-necked ibises T. caudatus in southeastern Brazil, revealing the worldwide distribution of this coccidian species, in addition to providing preliminary genotypic identification via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. METHODS: A total of 73 fecal samples were collected from a flock of buff-necked ibises, which remained on the campus of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro-UFRRJ) from March 2019 to August 2020. Fecal samples were processed by the Sheather's method to recover oocysts. The morphological and morphometrical studies of the oocysts were performed using an optical microscope and graphic editing software. Molecular analysis was performed by sequencing of the COI gene, and the phylogenetic analysis was based in the neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood estimates. RESULTS: Forty-five fecal samples were positive for oocysts identified as E. bazi. This oocysts are ovoidal, 26.2 × 18.9 µm, with smooth to slightly rough wall, c.1.7 µm thick. Micropyle robust and protruding, sometimes with a polar body attached. Oocyst residuum absent, but one or two small polar granules are present. Sporocysts ovoidal to lemon-shaped, 14.2 × 8.7 µm. The Stieda body is knob-like to rounded and sub-Stieda body is absent or vestigial. Sporocyst residuum is composed of granules often membrane-bound. Sporozoites are vermiform, with refractile bodies. This morphology was consistent with the original description of E. bazi from P. papillosa in India. Molecular analysis at the COI gene exhibited low similarity with coccidians sequenced for the same genic region deposited in GenBank, sitting E. bazi separately on the cladogram. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological and molecular studies support the identification of E. bazi from T. caudatus in South America, thus revealing the wide distribution of this eimerian species in the world provided by migratory birds and/or with intercontinental distribution.

STATUS OF THE AMERICAN TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS IN THE STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO , BRAZIL, FROM 2004 TO 2013.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the status of the American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, from 2004 to 2013, through its spatiotemporal distribution. We also described variables considered relevant to the epidemiology of the disease, such as the clinical form, gender, ethnic group, age group, and progression of disease. This is a descriptive study, which used notified secondary data from the Brazilian Information System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), Ministry of Health, Brazil, regarding confirmed diagnoses. To help the calculation of coefficients of detection and mortality, we used population data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). We analyzed 1,470 cases of ATL with the predominance of the cutaneous clinical form (1,292/87.89%). The data has also revealed seven deaths, a predominance of males (922/62.72%), and a higher incidence of ATL in the white ethnic group (731/49.72%). We observed a high incidence of ATL in the group of 20 - 39 years old (477/32.44%). We concluded that there was a decrease in the number of ATL cases in the state of Rio de Janeiro, based on a coefficient of detection of 1.44/100.000 inhabitants in 2004 decreasing to 0.20/100.000 inhabitants in 2013. The localities with the highest occurrences of ATL were the metropolitan region (843 cases) and the municipality of Rio de Janeiro (740 cases). In 2005, the highest incidence of the disease was observed (351 cases) in the study. Among the variables selected to describe the epidemiology of the disease, the following categories: cutaneous clinical form, male patients, white ethnic group, and the age group of 20 - 39 years old were more affected than the others.