Supplementary morphological data and molecular analyses of Eimeria labbeana (Labbé, 1896) Pinto, 1928 (Chromista: Miozoa: Eimeriidae) from columbiform birds in Portugal.

Columbiformes have a worldwide distribution, of which 166 species occur in Eurasia. They have been reported parasitized by coccidians recurrently in recent years; however, Eimeria labbeana (Labbé, 1896) Pinto, 1928, which is first Eimeria sp. from Columbiformes described in the late nineteenth century, is not taxonomically identified by its oocysts since the 1930s. In this context, the current study aimed to supplement the morphology of E. labbeana from Eurasian collared doves Streptopelia decaocto Frivaldszky, 1838 and from a common woodpigeon Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 in Portugal, providing a preliminary genotypic characterization. Three of the four columbiforms were positive for oocysts identified as E. labbeana, which were morphologically revised as having micropyles, in addition to other minor adjustments. Oocysts from S. decaocto and C. palumbus were morphologically identical and equivalent in all morphometric aspects, besides having genotypic similarity of 99.5%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene resulted in a large clade with Eimeria spp. and Isospora spp. from different vertebrates and low similarity between Eimeria spp. from Columbiformes, whereas the phylogenetic analysis based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene resulted in well-supported monophyletic groups, including one with the coccidians of columbiform birds.

Guidelines for the Detection of Rickettsia spp.

The genus Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) includes Gram-negative, small, obligate intracellular, nonmotile, pleomorphic coccobacilli bacteria transmitted by arthropods. Some of them cause human and probably also animal disease (life threatening in some patients). In these guidelines, we give clinical practice advices (microscopy, serology, molecular tools, and culture) for the microbiological study of these microorganisms in clinical samples. Since in our environment rickettsioses are mainly transmitted by ticks, practical information for the identification of these arthropods and for the study of Rickettsia infections in ticks has also been added.

Cryptosporidium spp. in ruminants at the Lisbon Zoo.

Feces from 34 species of ruminants housed at the Lisbon Zoo was examined for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Three hundred and eighty-eight samples were analyzed. Three hundred and eighty species-specific group fecal samples were collected monthly, from September 1998 until August 1999, along with eight individual specimens from eight neonates. All samples were examined by four different techniques: microscopic observation of direct and concentrated fecal smears, staining with modified Ziehl-Nielsen, immunofluorescent assay, and immunoenzymatic assay. The prevalence of infection was 3.6%. Five neonates with diarrhea were infected. Cryptosporidial oocysts were shed more frequently during winter months. Some facilities may have permitted oocysts to remain viable, possibly contributing to cryptosporidial transmission between animals.