Helminth Fauna of Juvenile Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

The helminth fauna of juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758) is still poorly known. Herein, we study the gastrointestinal helminths of 28 juvenile green sea turtles found stranded on the north coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. All turtles were infected showing a rich helminth fauna. In total, 14802 trematodes belonging to 30 species and 5 families including Micros-caphidiidae, Plagiorchiidae, Pronocephalidae, Hapalotrematidae, and Telorchiidae were recovered. An unidentified nematode specimens was also found. The mean intensity was 536 (95% CI = 362 - 853) (range: 1 - 2831), and the species richness was 7.86 (95% CI = 6.46 - 9.21) (range: 1 - 17). The coast of Rio de Janeiro state represents new locality records for Angiodictyum posterovitellatum, Microscaphidium aberrans, M. warui, Octangium hyphalum, O. sagitta, Enodiotrema reductum and Pleurogonius laterouterus. This study confirms that the green sea turtle harbors the richest helminth fauna among sea turtle species and provides useful information on the gastrointestinal helminths of a poorly known stage in the life cycle of this endangered chelonian.

First report of Rhytidodes gelatinosus (Rudolphi, 1819) Looss, 1901 (Digenea: Rhytidodidae) in an olive-ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) from Brazil.

This article reports the first occurrence of Rhytidodes gelatinosus (Rudolphi, 1819) Looss, 1901 (Digenea: Rhytidodidae) in the olive-ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Testudines: Chelonidae), in an individual found in the State of Sergipe, Brazil. Although R. gelatinosus has already been described in other species of sea turtles in the world, this is the first report of this parasite in L. olivacea. We also present a list of hosts and locations where this helminth has already been identified.

Some Digenetic Trematodes Found in a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta Caretta) from Brazil.

This paper reports three recovered species of digeneans from an adult loggerhead sea turtle - Caretta caretta (Testudines, Cheloniidae) in Brazil. These trematodes include Diaschistorchis pandus (Pronocephalidae), Cymatocarpus solearis (Brachycoeliidae) and Rhytidodes gelatinosus (Rhytidodidae) The first two represent new geographic records. A list of helminths reported from the Neotropical region, Gulf of Mexico and USA (Florida) is presented.

Plesiochorus Cymbiformis (Rudolphi, 1819) Looss, 1901 (Digenea: Gorgoderidae) in Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Lepidochelys Olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Testudines: Chelonidae) from The Brazilian Coast: New Geographic Occurrence and Associated Injuries.

The present study reports the first occurrence of Plesiochorus cymbiformis (Digenea: Gorgoderidae), in two Olive Ridley Sea turtles Lepidochelys olivacea (Testudines: Chelonidae), from the states of São Paulo and Sergipe in Brazilian coast. Concerning the Neotropical region, P. cymbiformis has been previously reported in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Panama and Brazil, in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from Brazil, in hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from Puerto Rico, and in Olive Ridley Sea turtles only in Costa Rica. Lesions resulting from the presence of parasites in the hosts' urinary bladders are also presented. This is the second report on endoparasites in Olive Ridley sea turtles from Brazil.

Ocular spirorchiidiosis in sea turtles from Brazil.

The causes of the beaching and death of sea turtles have not been fully clarified and continue to be studied. Mild, moderate and severe lesions caused by spirorchiidiosis have been seen for decades in different organs and were recently defined as the cause of death of a loggerhead turtle. In the present study, eyes and optic nerves were analysed in green sea turtles with spirorchiidiosis and no other debilitating factors. Injuries to the optic nerve and choroid layer were described in 235 animals (90%) infected with spirorchiids. Turtles with ocular spirorchiidiosis are approximately three times more likely to be cachectic than turtles with spirorchiidiosis without ocular involvement.

Is Amphiorchis (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) an Exclusive Parasite of Sea Turtles?

The side-necked turtle Hydromedusa tectifera commonly inhabits the tributary streams of the Rio de La Plata and occasionally is found in brackish waters within the estuary of the Rio de La Plata. Few studies have been conducted on its parasitic fauna, especially in Argentina. In the present work Amphiorchis sp. is registered for the first time in a freshwater turtle, expanding the knowledge about the specifi city of the genus that until now was considered inhabiting only marine turtles.

The Genus Rhytidodoides Price, 1939 (Digenea: Rhytidodidae) in Brazil: New Geographic Occurrence and Report of Pathology in the Gallbladder.

The present note describes the occurrence of Rhytidodoides intestinalis and Rhytidodoides similis (Digenea: Rhytidodidae) in the gallbladder of two juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas - Testudines, Cheloniidae) found on the coast of Brazil. Both were detected in gallbladder and intestine of green turtles: Rhytidodoides similis (United States, Panama, Costa Rica and Brazil) and R. intestinais (United States, Panama and Costa Rica). This note is the first report of R. intestinalis in Brazil and South-West Atlantic Ocean. Also the histological lesions caused by the parasites in one gallbladder are described.

First Report of Pyelosomum Cochlear Looss 1899 (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) in a Hawksbill Turtle - Eretmochelys Imbricata L. Found in Brazilian Coast.

Pyelosomum cochlear Looss 1899 (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) is a parasite exclusive to sea turtles, having been described in the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Egypt, the USA, Panama, Costa Rica and Brazil as well as the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) in Brazil. The present note describes the first occurrence of P. cochlear in a hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) found on the coast of Brazil.

Fibropapillomatosis in green turtles Chelonia mydas in Brazil: characteristics of tumors and virus.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a benign neoplasia that affects physiological functions of sea turtles and may lead to death. High prevalence of FP in sea turtle populations has prompted several research groups to study the disease and the associated herpesvirus, chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). The present study detected and quantified ChHV5 in 153 fibropapilloma samples collected from green turtles Chelonia mydas on the Brazilian coast between 2009 and 2010 to characterize the relationship between viral load and tumor characteristics. Of the tumor samples collected, 73 and 87% were positive for ChHV5 in conventional PCR and real-time PCR, respectively, and viral loads ranged between 1 and 118.62 copies cell⁻¹. Thirty-three percent of turtles were mildly, 28% were moderately and 39% were severely affected with FP. Skin samples were used as negative control. High viral loads correlated positively with increasing FP severity in turtles sampled on the Brazilian coast and with samples from turtles found dead in the states of São Paulo and Bahia. Six viral variants were detected in tumor samples, 4 of which were similar to the Atlantic phylogenetic group. Two variants were similar to the western Atlantic/eastern Caribbean phylogenetic group. Co-infection in turtles with more than one variant was observed in the states of São Paulo and Bahia.

Anoxia Effects in Asphyxiated Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) Caught in an Artisanal Fishing Net on the Coast of Brazil.

Among studies of drowning in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), none have associated drowning with injuries of organs other than the lung. We describe the gross and microscopical findings in 23 green sea turtles found dead in a fishing net. Deprived of air, these animals experienced hypoxia and anoxia before dying, which caused congestion, hydropic degeneration and necrosis in several organs. There was no evidence of an alternative cause of death. These findings demonstrate a pattern characteristic of death by asphyxia caused by drowning.

Tissue Lesions Due to Spirorchiid Eggs in a Loggerhead Turtle ( Caretta caretta Linnaeus 1758) from Brazil: First Report Outside of the United States.

Spirorchiids (family Spirorchiidae Stunkard 1921) are a group of flukes that inhabit the circulatory system of turtles. Infection by members of the family Spirorchiidae involves egg deposition in the host bloodstream and accumulation in tissues, which cause inflammatory reactions and embolisms, leading or contributing to the death of the host. Reports of spirorchiid egg lesions in loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) have only been reported from U.S. hosts. In the present report a female loggerhead sea turtle was found dead on the beach in the north part of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During gross necropsy, no parasite egg nodule was found. But the microscopic analysis revealed a mild granulomatous inflammatory process due to eggs from the family Spirorchiidae and both Langhans giant cells and foreign-body giant cells in the heart, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and spleen. The present note is the first record of tissue lesions due to spirorchiid eggs in a loggerhead sea turtle outside the United States.

First Report of Kidney Lesions Due to Renicola sp. (Digenea: Trematoda) in Free-Living Magellanic Penguins ( Spheniscus magellanicus Forster, 1781) Found on the Coast of Brazil.

This paper presents the first report of parasites from the genus Renicola sp. in the kidneys of Magellanic penguins. The histological analysis revealed inflammatory infiltrate (eonsinophils, lymphocytes, and plasmocytes), together with fibroplasia and compression of the adjacent ducts.

Effect of LED-LCU light irradiance distribution on mechanical properties of resin based materials.

The objective of this study is to analyze the light power distribution along the tip end of the light guide of three LED-LCUs (Light Curing Units) and to evaluate its effect on the mechanical properties of a polymer based dental composite. Firstly, the light power distribution over the whole area of LED-LCU light guide surface was analyzed by three methods: visual projection observation, spectral measurement and optical spectral analysis (OSA). The light power distribution and the total irradiance were different for the three LEDs used, but the wavelength was within the camphorquinone absorption spectrum. The use of a blank sheet was quite on hand to make a qualitative analysis of a beam, and it is costless. Secondly, specimens of a hybrid composite with approximately 8mm diameter and 2mm thickness were produced and polymerized by 20s exposition time to each LED-LCU. Thirdly, the elastic modulus (E) and hardness (HV) were measured throughout the irradiated area by instrumented micro-indentation test (IIT), allowing to correlate localized power and mechanical properties. Both E and HV showed to be very sensitive to local power and wavelength dependent, but they followed the beam power profile. It was also shown that the mechanical properties could be directly correlated to the curing process. Very steep differences in mechanical properties over very short distances may impair the material performance, since residual stresses can easily be built over it.

Spirorchiid Infection in Olive Ridley Turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Testudines: Cheloniidae), from Brazil.

The Olive Ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Testudines: Cheloniidae), is 1 of the 5 species of sea turtle found along the coast of Brazil. Little is known regarding infection by species of the family Spirorchiidae in the host, as only 1 report exists. This case report describes granulomas in different tissues associated to type 1 and 3 spirorchiid eggs in 5 L. olivacea from the Brazilian coast. The occurrence of the eggs was considered an incidental finding and may have contributed to the debility and death of the hosts. This is the second report of tissue lesions due to spirorchids eggs in this host and the first occurrence in Olive Ridley turtle from the Brazilian coast.

Helminth Parasites of Juvenile Green Turtles Chelonia mydas (Testudines: Cheloniidae) in Brazil.

The present study offers a parasitological analysis of juvenile individuals of the green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) found on the Brazilian coast between 2004 and 2011. Helminths were found in 90 out of 136 individuals (66.2%, CI = 57.7-74.0). In total, 29,411 helminths were collected, belonging to the families Brachycoeliidae, Cladorchiidae, Microscaphidiidae, Pronocephalidae, Rhytidodidae, and Spirorchiidae. Mean species richness was 4.74 (CI = 4.03-5.46), the mean intensity was 327 (CI = 223-489), and the mean abundance was 216 (CI = 146-339). This study also reports new geographical records for: Angiodictyum longum, Angiodictyum parallelum, Rameshwarotrema uterocrescens, Pyelosomum cochlear, Schizamphistomum scleroporum, Cymatocarpus solearis, and Neospirorchis sp. This is the first analysis of helminth composition in juveniles of green turtles.

Helminth Parasites of the Juvenile Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (Testudines: Cheloniidae) in Brazil.

The helminth fauna of 31 juvenile specimens of Eretmochelys imbricata from the Brazilian coast was examined. Seventeen individuals were infected with helminths (54.8%). The helminths found were: Diaschistorchis pandus, Cricocephalus albus, Metacetabulum invaginatum, Pronocephalus obliquus (Pronocephalidae), Cymatocarpus solearis (Brachycoeliidae), Styphlotrema solitaria (Styphlotrematidae), Carettacola stunkardi, Amphiorchis caborojoensis (Spirorchiidae), Orchidasma amphiorchis (Telorchiidae), and Anisakis nematode larvae. This report is the first analysis of parasite communities in this host.

Lesions associated with Halocercus brasiliensis Lins de Almeida, 1933 in the lungs of dolphins stranded in the Northeast of Brazil.

The parasitic fauna of cetaceans is an important tool for ecological studies, including analyses on the causes of death. Halocercus brasiliensis is a nematode frequently found in the bronchi and bronchioles of some cetaceans, and it is commonly associated with focal inflammation of the respiratory tract leading to bacterial pneumonia and septicemia and, sometimes, to death. The objective of this study was to report infections by H. brasiliensis in the respiratory tract of Delphinidae stranded on the northern seaside of Bahia, Sergipe, and south of Alagoas, all states in the northeast region of Brazil. A total of 30 individuals, 1 Feresa attenuate (pygmy killer whale), 9 Stenella clymene (Clymene dolphin), and 20 Sotalia guianensis (Guiana dolphin) were studied. In 16 of them, the presence of H. brasiliensis was observed with a mean intensity of 3.5 ± 0.6 (range 1-9) in the hosts. Macroscopically, parasitic calcified nodules, lung congestion, edema, and emphysema were observed. Histopathological examination showed interstitial and granulomatous pneumonia with multifocal infiltrates, discrete to moderate edema, congestion, diffuse hemorrhage, and foci of calcification. We conclude that parasitic pneumonia in the sampled individuals may have directly contributed to stranding and death of the animals.

Comparative analysis of PCR-deletion detection and immunohistochemistry in Brazilian Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients.

We studied 48 patients with dystrophinopathies (29 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), 13 Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), four possible carriers, one female with DMD, and one intermediate form, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of muscle tissue for 20 exons and compared them with immunohistochemistry studies for dystrophin. Of these, 42 (87.5%) showed at least one intragenic deletion. Most of them (47.45%) involved exons 2 to 20. All BMD patients presented deletions on the dystrophin gene. The 29 patients with DMD showed abnormal dystrophin in immunohistochemistry studies, some with total absence (17/29), others with residual (3/29), and the remaining with scattered positive fiber (9/29). The majority of the 13 patients with BMD had abnormal immunohistochemistry studies with diffuse reduction in the majority of muscle fibers (10/13), a few with patch discontinuation in the sarcolemma (2/13), and one normal (1/13). The immunohistochemistry exam for dystrophin is still the gold-standard method for DMD/BMD diagnosis. An ethnic difference, the analysis of several exons, the sample size, and the use of muscle tissue could explain this high frequency of deletions in the dystrophin gene found in our cases.

Development of an evanescent-field fibre optic sensor for Escherichia coli O157:H7.

An intensity-modulated fibre optic sensor was developed for Escherichia coli O157:H7. The interaction between the whole natural bacteria and the guided lightwave was carried out by means of evanescent-field coupling. A correlation between optical response and the current number of bacteria was achieved. The device sensitivity had been calibrated for initial number of bacteria (N(0)) from 10-800. The sensor sensitivity was 0.016 (+/-0.001) dB/h/N(0). The sensing mechanism starts together with the log phase leading the present sensor response to be five to ten times faster than conventional bacteriological techniques.

Effect of generator nonlinearities on the accuracy of respiratory impedance measurements by forced oscillation.

Measurements of respiratory impedance by means of the forced oscillation technique (FOT) are usually made using a loudspeaker as the excitation device. Its nonlinear nature can introduce artifacts that coincide with the frequencies applied to excite the respiratory system, limiting the accuracy of the impedance estimation. In this paper, this hypothesis is evaluated in the case of both a traditional estimator and the unbiased estimator proposed by Daróczy and Hantos (1982). A simulated study under apnoea conditions in the pressure range 0.5-3.0 cmH2O peak-to-peak reveals that loudspeaker nonlinearities introduce a characteristic pattern of dispersion in both the resistance and reactance curves that can be significantly decreased (p approximately equal to 0.03, signtest) by reducing the nonlinearities. A simulation of spontaneous breathing shows the same pattern, and is observed in the case of traditional as well as unbiased estimators. The dispersion is quantified by the mean absolute distance between the theoretical and simulated data and decreases with the reduction of nonlinearities when impedance is estimated with a traditional estimator (from 6.63 to 4.72% in real estimates and from 6.78 to 3.47% in imaginary estimates) as well as with an unbiased estimator (real estimates from 4.84 to 1.57% and 5.61 to 2.06% in imaginary estimates). Studies with normal subjects show the same dispersion pattern, which decreases if the generator nonlinearities are reduced. These results supply substantial evidence that reducing generator nonlinearities can contribute to the production of more reliable mechanical impedance FOT measurements.