Changes in hematological and biochemical parameters of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum ) parasitized by metazoan species / Alterações nos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) parasitado por espécies de metazoários

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of metazoan parasites on hematological and biochemical parameters and relative condition factor of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum ) farmed in northern Brazil. A total of 32 juvenile fish were captured from a commercial fish farm located in the municipality of Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas state, Brazil. Parasite prevalence was 100% for Anacanthorus spathulatus, Mymarothecium boegeri and Notozothecium janauachensis, 100% for Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae and 53.13% for Dolops geayi. The greatest mean parasite intensity was found in acantocephalans followed by monogeneans and branchiuran crustaceans. A negative correlation was observed between abundance of N. buttnerae and hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin concentration, total thrombocyte count and glucose and between abundance of the monogenean and glucose concentration. Parasitic infections caused damage in tambaqui in terms of the observed hematological parameters that were characterized by hypochromic anemia and thrombocytopenia, which are important parameters to be used in parasitic diagnosis. This study is the first record of the occurrence of Dolops geayi in farmed tambaqui in the Amazon.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do parasitismo por metazoários sobre os parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e fator de condição relativo de tambaquis (Colossoma macropomum) cultivados na região Norte do Brasil. Foram coletados 32 tambaquis em fase de engorda numa piscicultura comercial no município de Rio Preto da Eva, estado do Amazonas, Brasil. A prevalência de parasitos foi de 100% para Anacanthorus spathulatus, Mymarothecium boegeri e Notozothecium janauachensis, 100% para Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae e 53,13% para Dolops geayi. A maior intensidade média foi de acantocéfalos, seguida por monogenéticos e branquiúros. Correlação negativa significativa foi observada entre abundância de N. buttnerae e os parâmetros de hematócrito, concentração de hemoglobina, trombócitos totais e glicose, bem como entre a abundância de monogenéticos e glicose. A infecção por parasitos metazoários foi capaz de debilitar os tambaquis como observado por meio das alterações hematológicas; sendo este quadro de anemia hipocrômica e trombocitopenia importante para ser utilizado no diagnóstico destas parasitoses. Este estudo foi o primeiro registro da ocorrência de Dolops geayi em tambaquis cultivados na Amazônia.

[Some biochemical parameters in sheep infected with endoparasites (Fasciola spp., Dicrocoelium dendriticum, hydatid cysts, Trichostrongylidae and Protostrongylidae)]. / Endoparazitli (Fasciola spp., Dicrocoelium dendriticum, kist hidatik, Trichostrongylidae ve Protostrongylidae) koyunlarda bazi biyokimyasal parametreler.

This study was performed in order to investigate the variations of some blood biochemical parameters as well as the levels of Vitamin. B(12) and some macro elements in sheep infected with endoparasites. The blood samples were taken from the sheep that were to be slaughtered in the Van Municipality Slaughterhouse while the stool samples were taken after the slaughtering of the same animals. The postmortem examinations were made to investigate for the presence of Fasciola spp., D. dendriticum and cyst hydatid infections. The stool samples were examined helminthologically using native, sedimentation, flotation and Baermann-Wetzel methods. The control group was composed of animals not showing any internal organ parasites or parasites in the stool examination. Following the macroscopic and the stool examination, the animals found to have the same type of parasites were considered to be the study group. According to the analyses performed on the animals, the levels of total protein (in Trichostrongylidae, hydatid cysts), globulin, amylase, chlorine, and Vit.B(12) were found to be increased significantly, while the levels of albumin, magnesium, and phosphorus were found to be decreased significantly. The other parameters analyzed were not significant statistically between the groups.

Interaction between cadmium exposure and infection with the intestinal parasite Moniliformis moniliformis (Acanthocephala) on the stress hormone levels in rats.

The impact of an infection with the acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis and a simultaneous Cd-exposure on the stress hormone levels of rats was studied. Immediately after the application of cadmium to some rats, cortisol levels in all groups of rats, as quantified by radioimmunoassay (RIA), significantly increased. However, infections with M. moniliformis as well as the uptake of Cd reduced significantly the cortisol release compared to untreated controls. While catecholamine concentrations, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), showed no clear tendency during the experimental period, the ratio of C(adrenaline)/C(noradrenaline) in the controls showed the significantly lowest value of all four groups after killing the animals. Thus, the acanthocephalan infection as well as the Cd-exposure and the combination of both treatments affect hormone homeostasis in the rats which probably lead to negative effects on the health of the rat. Therefore parasite infections must be carefully considered in environmental impact studies, as an important factor affecting the host's health.

An experimental study on the effects of polymorphiasis in common eider ducklings.

Eight common eider (Somateria mollissima) ducklings were experimentally infected from 1 June through 13 June, 1995 with acanthocephalans (Polymorphus minutus) by allowing the birds to feed on Gammarus spp. (Gammarus oceanicus, G. salinus, G. zaddachi, and G. lacustris) containing acanthocephalan cystacanths. Uninfected Gammarus spp. were fed to a control group of seven ducklings. No mortality of ducklings occurred during the experiment. However, the infected ducklings gained weight more slowly than the control birds. After the 2 wk study period, the mean serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, beta-globulin, gamma-globulin, fructosamine and creatine kinase were lower in the infected group than in the controls. The mean (+/-SE) number of acanthocephalans in the intestine of the infected ducklings was 21 (+/-4). The parasites were attached to the mucosa of the posterior small intestine of the infected ducklings with a mixed inflammatory reaction consisting of heterophils and mononuclear lymphocytes surrounding the attachment sites.