APPLICATION OF A NOVEL ASPERGILLUS LATERAL-FLOW DEVICE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASPERGILLOSIS IN CAPTIVE GENTOO PENGUINS (PYGOSCELIS PAPUA PAPUA).

Aspergillosis is the primary fungal disease affecting captive penguins globally. Its diagnosis remains challenging, and currently no tests are both sensitive and specific for the detection of early infection. The present study evaluated a recently developed Aspergillus lateral-flow device (AspLFD) for the detection of Aspergillus spp. antigen in plasma and glottis mucus from captive penguins. In a pilot retrospective study, banked frozen plasma samples from captive penguins were reviewed: samples from 11 gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua papua) and 4 king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used in the analysis. Positive plasma AspLFD test results were found in 80% (four of five) of the aspergillosis-positive cases tested. All of the aspergillosis-negative cases tested negative (10 of 10) on the AspLFD test. In a cohort prospective study, paired plasma and glottis swab samples were opportunistically and nonrandomly collected from captive gentoo penguins. In total, 26 penguins were tested. In the negative control group, AspLFD test was negative on plasma and swab in 100% of birds (14 of 14). In the aspergillosis-positive group, AspLFD test was positive on plasma samples from 33% (4 of 12) of birds, on swab samples from 50% (6 of 12) of birds, and on either plasma or swab samples from 75% (9 of 12) of birds. The AspLFD is currently used for the diagnosis of aspergillosis in humans and also shows promise for use in penguins. Larger prospective studies are recommended.

COMPARISON OF BLOOD SYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE AND CREATININE AS ENDOGENOUS MARKERS OF KIDNEY FUNCTION IN CAPTIVE TIGERS (PANTHERA TIGRIS).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive tigers (Panthera tigris). Blood creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen measurements are inexpensive and common biomarkers used to evaluate renal function. However, several limitations have been reported regarding their sensitivity and interindividual variability. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) has been suggested to be a more sensitive biomarker that is less affected by extrarenal factors and has a strong correlation with glomerular filtration rate and blood Cr in several species. This project aimed to identify the usefulness of SDMA as an endogenous marker of kidney function in captive tigers. The hypothesis of this study is that increased circulating SDMA is positively associated with increased blood Cr. SDMA and Cr were measured in 65 banked samples (serum and plasma) from 30 individual captive tigers. The samples were collected over a 38-y period and stored at -21°C. SDMA and Cr concentrations were determined using the commercially available SDMA test and enzymatic colorimetric methods, respectively. SDMA had a significant positive association with Cr (for every 1 unit increase of log SDMA, Cr increased by 82%, P = 0.0002). Age and subspecies influenced Cr but not SDMA concentrations. In one animal, blood SDMA increased above the ZIMS reported range. approximately 3.6 mo before Cr increased. SDMA is currently indicated for the diagnosis of CKD in domestic felids and seems also promising in nondomestic felids. Further prospective studies might improve the understanding of the performance of this biomarker.

First report of straelensiosis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).

BACKGROUND: Straelensia cynotis, a trombidioid larval mite, was identified as a cause of nodular dermatitis in dogs in Southern Europe. It has been suggested that red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a natural host for S. cynotis. However, no case has been reported in this species. OBJECTIVE: To describe three suspected cases of straelensiosis in red foxes. ANIMALS: Three juvenile wild red foxes from Portugal. RESULTS: Erythematous papules and nodules were found in the head, neck and limbs of these foxes with no associated pruritus. In skin biopsies, well-preserved larval mites were found within dilated hair follicles. These follicular lesions were multifocal and consisted of a degenerative and necrotic area nearby the parasite's mouthparts with marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and perifollicular mucinosis. These features are considered pathognomonic in S. cynotis infestations in dogs. Treatment and outcome are outlined. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present case series documents the first known occurrence of nodular dermatitis by Straelensia spp. in red foxes. This new evidence may corroborate participation of the red fox in the life cycle of S. cynotis.

Biometric values, C-reactive protein, and proteinogram of healthy blonde capuchin (Sapajus flavius) kept in northeast of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Sapajus flavius is a species of capuchin monkey classified as critically endangered. Studies related to their biometric values are scarce with incomplete external measurement reports available from only four specimens. Moreover, information regarding proteinogram is limited with no reference to C-reactive protein (CRP) and globulin fractions for this species. METHODS: Biometric values, CRP, and proteinogram were determined for 12 clinically healthy S. flavius, kept in captivity in João Pessoa, Brazil. RESULTS: The measured values in biometric parameters present a tendency to be higher in males. The CRP mean values from 12 S. flavius were 1.2±0.2 mg/dL. For albumin, alpha, beta, and gamma globulin fraction parameters, the reference interval was calculated. CONCLUSIONS: Authors believe that with certain limitations, results obtained can be helpful for the populations in the wild, which could be of great aid in detecting unhealthy individuals and therefore contributing to the conservation of this species.

Cryptococcus Infection in Captive Callitrichids in the United Kingdom.

Cryptococcosis is widely reported in North America and Australia but considered rare in the UK. Disease is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii and affects animals and humans. Cases of cryptococcosis have been described in non-human primates, including a few in the Callitrichidae family. Six captive callitrichids from five zoological facilities in the UK were diagnosed with cryptococcosis on post-mortem examination over a 13-year period. Histological examination revealed intralesional yeast bodies consistent with Cryptococcus spp in lung, brain, lymph nodes, larynx, salivary gland and ears. C. neoformans was confirmed in two cases by culture and by culture and polymerase chain reaction (28S rRNA gene), respectively. This case series is the first report of Cryptococcus spp in captive callitrichids in the UK and reinforces the need to include this fungal disease in the differential diagnosis of sick callitrichids in zoo settings.

Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) health surveillance in Britain: Assessing a disjunctive reintroduced population.

BACKGROUND: Numerous translocations of Eurasian beavers have occurred with little implementation of standardised health screening. Pre-release health screening enables the selection of individuals with the best survival prospects and reduces potential health risks, but this is by-passed during unofficial releases. Beaver reintroduction to Britain has been haphazard and currently disjunctive populations of varying status exist. METHODS: This observational cross section study investigated the health status of three beaver populations, with 90 live beavers tested for a range of pathogens comprising 56 from Tayside (unofficially released Scotland), nine from Knapdale (officially released Scotland) and 25 from Devon (unofficially released England). In addition, a further 32 cadavers were screened (25 from Tayside and seven from Knapdale). RESULTS: All beavers were in good physical condition, did not harbour any non-native disease or parasites of concern and demonstrated remarkably low levels of any disease or parasite exposure. CONCLUSION: Beavers are establishing and adapting well to British landscapes and are not acting as reservoirs of significant zoonotic diseases. Official, licensed reintroduction programmes may appear overly convoluted; however, reputational damage of unofficial releases should be considered, along with the health and welfare of the animals involved and collateral damage to other wildlife, domestic animals and humans.

Hematological profile of captive bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) from Northeastern Brazil / Perfil hematológico de macacos-prego (Sapajus libidinosus) do nordeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT: Bearded Capuchin or Black-striped Capuchin monkeys (Sapajus lidibinosus) are New World robust capuchin monkeys widely used in medical research. Few data are available concerning hematological reference values for these species, with no studies available from the Northeast region in Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine the hematological reference values for healthy bearded capuchin monkeys and to analyze the influence of sex and age factors. Blood samples were collected from 50 healthy bearded capuchin monkeys housed in captivity. These were analysed for total erythrocyte, hemoglobin, leukocyte and platelet count, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). When considering the age factor, significant differences were reported for total erythrocyte count, PCV, hemoglobin, total leucocytes, band neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes (higher in juveniles). Significant sex-associated differences were noted for total erythrocyte count, PCV, hemoglobin (higher in males) and number of lymphocytes (higher in females).We have reported for the first time the hematological profile of bearded capuchin monkeys in captivity in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. These results can contribute for a better understanding of the normal physiology of capuchin monkeys, while demonstrating that factors such as sex and age influence hematological parameters should be taken into consideration in the hematological evaluation of this species.

RESUMO: Os macacos-prego (Sapajus lidibinosus) são macacos capuchinhos robustos do Novo Mundo amplamente utilizados na pesquisa médica. Poucos dados estão disponíveis sobre valores de referência hematológicos para essas espécies, e não há estudos na região Nordeste no Brasil. O nosso objetivo foi determinar os valores de referência hematológicos para macacos-prego saudáveis e analisar a influência de fatores como o sexo e a idade. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 50 macacos-prego saudáveis alojados em cativeiro. Determinaram-se as contagens de eritrócitos, hemoglobina, leucócitos e plaquetas, hematócrito, volume corpuscular médio (MCV), hemoglobina corpuscular média (MCH) e concentração média de hemoglobina corpuscular (MCHC). Foram encontradas diferenças significativas relacionadas à idade para a contagem total de eritrócitos, hematócrito, hemoglobina, leucócitos totais, neutrófilos em banda, eosinófilos e linfócitos (maior em juvenis). Diferenças significativas associadas ao sexo foram observadas para a contagem total de eritrócitos, hematócrito, hemoglobina (maior nos machos) e número de linfócitos (maior nas fêmeas). Relatamos o primeiro perfil hematológico de macacos-prego alojados em cativeiro no estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Estes resultados contribuem para uma melhor compreensão da normal fisiologia dos macacos-prego e demonstram que fatores como sexo e a idade têm influência e devem ser considerados na sua avaliação hematológica.

Natural infection by Microsporum canis in a capuchin monkey / Infeção natural por Microsporum canis em macaco capuchinho

ABSTRACT: This paper described a case of a capuchin monkey (Sapajus libidinosus) with non-pruritic skin lesions. During the physical examination, multifocal areas of alopecia with crusts, erythema and scaling compatible with dermatophytosis were reported on the right fore and hind limbs and on tail. Fungal culture findings revealed a diagnosis of dermatophytosis due to Microsporum canis. The animal was successfully treated with itraconazole. This is the first report of a dermatophytosis case in S. libidinosus and the first description of an effective treatment in this species.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho relata o caso de um macaco capuchinho (Sapajus libidinosus) com lesões de pele não-pruriginosas. Durante o exame físico foram encontradas lesões multifocais com crostas, eritema e descamação compatíveis com dermatofitose, nos membros anterior e posterior direitos, bem como na cauda. O animal não tinha outras alterações. O diagnóstico de dermatofitose por Microsporum canis foi realizado através de cultura fúngica das lesões. O animal foi tratado com sucesso com itraconazol. Este é o primeiro relato de um caso de dermatofitose em S. libidinosus e a primeira descrição de um tratamento eficaz para esta espécie.