Trypanosoma sp. infection in Boa constrictor snakes: morphological, hematological, clinical biochemistry, molecular, and phylogenetic characteristics.

There are few reports of Trypanosoma in snakes, as well as little information about its pathogenicity in these animals. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize Trypanosoma found in Boa constrictor snakes, to verify the influence of the parasitism on hematological and clinical biochemistry parameters, and to perform a phylogenetic study of the isolates. Blood samples from sixty-one boas were analyzed for the presence of trypanosomatids and by hematological and clinical biochemistry assays. The flagellates that were found in this analysis were used for cell culture, morphometry, and molecular analysis. Later, molecular typing phylogenetic studies were performed. Nine positive animals (14.75%) were identified by microscopy analysis. The hematological results showed that parasitized animals presented significantly lower levels of packed cell volume, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. In the leukogram, eosinophils and heterophils counts were higher in parasitized animals. Considering the molecular analyses, the isolates presented a higher identity of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene fragments with Trypanosoma serpentis. The phylogenetic tree, using the GAPDH, clustered all isolates with T. serpentis and Trypanosoma cascavelli. This is the first description of T. serpentis parasitizing boas and of the clinical changes caused by trypanosomatid infection in snakes.

Hematology and Clinical Biochemistry Profiles in Antillean Manatee Trichechus manatus manatus from Different Types of Captivity and Free Living in Northeast Brazil.

The Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus can be found along the northern and northeastern coasts of Brazil. Previous studies on the clinical biochemistry of these animals were conducted in North America and the Caribbean, whereas little is known regarding these parameters in South American manatee populations. Accordingly, the objective of the present study was to examine the hematology and clinical biochemistry of Antillean manatees of different sexes and from different environments in northeast Brazil. Whole-blood and serum samples were obtained from healthy individuals. The hemogram analysis was performed and the levels of blood biochemical components were determined using an automated platform. The only statistically significant difference observed in the hemogram was a higher number of heterophils in manatees that were screened during the dry season of the year. Clinical biochemistry profiling revealed that free-ranging manatees presented lower levels of creatinine. Albumin was detected in higher concentrations in animals from rehabilitation captivity, and amylase presented higher levels in manatees that were kept in acclimation captivity. Free-ranging manatees showed higher serum aspartate aminotransferase levels than manatees in rehabilitation captivity. These results can aid veterinarians and conservation professionals in the development of better captive management procedures and in the clinical approach to manatees.