Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1889 on collared anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) from the Andean region of Colombia / Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1889 em Tamanduá-mirim (Tamandua tetradactyla) da Região Andina Colombiana

Abstract Amblyomma nodosum is a Neotropical tick species distributed from Mexico to Argentina, with adult individuals infesting different mammal species, including anteaters (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae). Few reports in Colombia have recorded this species in departments such as Meta, Tolima and Valle del Cauca. In this paper we describe this species using taxonomic, morphometric and molecular methods after collecting individuals parasitizing collared anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) in the departments of Cundinamarca and Tolima. Adult specimens were identified based on current taxonomic keys and different morphometric variables were documented in nonengorged individuals. Also, DNA was extracted for PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA, COI and ITS2 genes. Phylogenetic trees were built. One hundred and thirty-four adult ticks were collected and identified as Amblyomma nodosum, based on morphological, morphometric, molecular and phylogenetic analyses. This is the first study to report the presence of this tick species in the department of Cundinamarca, using multiple identification approaches, thus expanding its geographical records in Colombia.

Resumo Amblyomma nodosum é uma espécie de carrapato Neotropical distribuída do México à Argentina com indivíduos adultos, infestando diversas espécies de mamíferos, incluindo tamanduás (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae). Na Colômbia, limitados relatos têm registrado essa espécie em alguns departamentos como Meta, Tolima e Valle del Cauca. Neste trabalho, espécimes foram identificados por meio de métodos taxonômicos, morfométricos e moleculares após serem coletados parasitando indivíduos de tamanduá-mirim (Tamandua tetradactyla) dos departamentos de Cundinamarca e Tolima. Espécimes adultos foram identificados por meio de chaves taxonômicas e diversas variáveis morfométricas foram ristradas em indivíduos não ingurgitados. Além disso, o DNA foi extraído para amplificação pela PCR e por sequenciamento dos genes 16S rDNA, COI e ITS2. Árvores filogenéticas foram construídas. No total, 134 carrapatos adultos foram coletados e identificados como Amblyomma nodosum por meio de análises morfológicas, morfométricas, moleculares e de filogenia. Este é o primeiro estudo que relata, por meio de múltiplas ferramentas de identificação, esta espécie no departamento de Cundinamarca ampliando assim seus registros geográficos na Colômbia.

Factores de riesgo asociados a la miiasis por cochliomyia hominivorax en fincas ganaderas de Puerto Boyacá (Colombia) / Associated risk factors to myiasis by cochliomyia hominivorax on cattle farms in Puerto Boyacá (Colombia)

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-transversal en el municipio de Puerto Boyacá para identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la miiasis por Cochliomyia hominivorax en bovinos. En 44 fincas ganaderas seleccionadas en un muestreo por conveniencia, se efectuó una entrevista personal a cada ganadero acerca del uso del suelo, sistema de producción ganadera y productos para el tratamiento de la miiasis traumática, entre el 6 y el 15 de febrero del 2007. El material suministrado para recolección de larvas fue recogido entre la última semana de abril y la primera semana de mayo del 2007. Análisis de frecuencias, medidas de asociación y pruebas no paramétricas fueron utilizados. Se detectaron 49 casos (0,4 por ciento) de miiasis por C. hominivorax en 12.325 bovinos registrados, en 18 (41 por ciento) de 44 fincas ganaderas. La causa de herida más frecuente fue abrasión por alambre de púas en 16 casos (32,7 por ciento). Los lugares de infestación más frecuente fueron el ombligo y el escroto con 9 casos (18,4 por ciento) cada uno. Se encontró asociación entre grupos etarios en bovinos y la presentación de casos por C. hominivorax (P=0,000; α=0,05). Se halló asociación entre el sistema de producción bovina y la presentación de casos por C. hominivorax (P=0,044; α=0,05). Se registró el uso de productos no adecuados en el tratamiento de la miiasis traumática como creolina (31 fincas), gasolina (4 fincas), aceite quemado (2 fincas), Baygon® (1 finca) y Vanodine® (1 finca). Se concluye que las fincas ganaderas seleccionadas compartieron factores de riesgo, según el sistema de producción ganadera. Se requiere intervención para evitar perjuicios en animales y consumidores por la utilización de productos no apropiados.

A Cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in countryside of Puerto Boyacá town for identification of Cochliomyia hominivorax myiasis risk factors on cattle. Fourty four cattle farms were selected with a not-random sampling. Personal interviews were carried out to livestock farmers. Land use, livestock production system, and products for treatment of screwworm myiasis were investigated on February 6-15 of 2007. Stuff and instructions were supplied for taking larvae from animal wounds afterwards register survey application. Those materials were collect since last week on April of 2007 until first week on May of 2007. Frequency analysis, cross-tabs measures and non parametric tests were used. 49 screwworm myiasis cases (0.4 percent) out of 12,325 registered cattle were found, in 18 (41 percent) out of 44 selected cattle farms. The main cause of wounds recorded was injury by barbed wire with 16 cases (32.7 percent). Body sites more frequently infested were navel and scrotum with 9 cases (18.4 percent) each one. Association between age group in cattle and screwworm myiasis cases was founded (P=0.000; α=0.05). Association between cattle production system and screwworm myiasis cases was founded (P=0.044; α=0.05). Usual handling of non appropriate products for screwworm myiasis treatment like “creolina” (31 farms), gasoline (4 farms), used motor lubricant oil (2 farms), Baygon® (1 farm) and Vanodine® (1 farm) was registered. It may be concluded that selected cattle farms shared risk factors, depending on cattle production system. It demands epidemiological intervention to avoid damages to animals and consumers for using of inappropriate products for treatment of traumatic myiasis.

Prevalencia de parásitos gastrointestinales zoonóticos (helmintos y protozoarios) en caninos del Centro de Zoonosis de Bogotá / Prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites (helminths and protozoa) in canines at the Zoonosis Center of Bogota

El aumento del numero de mascotas, la falta de educación y el manejo un adecuado por parte de los propietarios, ha generado un incremento de poblaciones callejeras de caninos, que son una de las más importantes fuentes de contaminación de los ambientes urbanos, con huevos de helmintos y con quistes y ooquistes de protozoarios. El presente estudio determino la prevalencia de parásitos gastrointestinales en caninos recolectados por el Centro de Zoonosis de Bogotá a partir de 650 muestras fecales, distribuidas proporcionalmente por localidades. Mediante pruebas coprológicas se diagnosticó presencia de helmintos y protozoarios gastrointestinales, causantes de enfermedades zoonóticas en la población humana

The increase in the number of pets, the lack of education and inadequate management by pet owners has led to an increase in stray canine populations, which are one of the most important sources of contamination of urban environments with helminth eggs and with cysts and oocysts of protozoa. The present study determined the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in canines collected by the Zoonosis Center of Bogotá from 650 fecal samples, distributed proportionally by localities. The presence of gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa, which cause zoonotic diseases in the human population, was diagnosed by coprological tests: 156 samples (24%) showed no helminth or protozoan eggs or cysts, while positivity was observed in 494 (76%). The presence of Ancylostomidae eggs (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinada stenocephala) was evidenced in 355 samples (71.9%), in 47 samples (9.5%) the presence of Toxocara canis eggs, in 9 (1.8%) the presence of Dipylidium caninum eggs, 8 samples (1.6%) Giardia spp. cysts and 6 samples (1.2%) Sarcocystis spp. oocysts. The high percentage of infected animals indicates that free canines are directly involved in the dissemination of helminths and protozoa relevant to public health in Bogota, such as Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, Giardia spp. and Sarcocystis spp. Although the parasitic problems generated by helminths are considered to have been overcome, this study reveals that their importance is maintained in free canine populations where there is no sanitary management, in addition to the fact that protozoa are important pathogens within emerging zoonotic diseases.