Coccidiosis in clinically asymptomatic alpaca (Vicugna pacos) crias from the Peruvian Andes.

Parasites of the genus Eimeria are involved in the neonatal diarrhea complex of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) crias, and infection by Eimeria is commonly known as coccidiosis. There are limited reports of these protozoa in clinically asymptomatic crias. In this study, fecal samples from 78 clinically asymptomatic alpaca crias were analyzed to evaluate the prevalence, parasitological load, and diversity of Eimeria species. This study was conducted in the Quenamari community located in the Peruvian Andes (Marangani, Cuzco) at 4500 m above sea level. All fecal samples were examined for parasites using the quantitative McMaster and modified Stoll techniques. Microscopic examination showed the presence of Eimeria oocysts in 68 out of the 78 samples (87.18%). Among the 78 samples we found E. lamae in 67 (85.90%), E. punoensis in 49 (62.82%), E. alpacae in 42 (53.85%), E. macusaniensis in 32 (41.03%), and E. ivitaensis in four (5.13%). Regarding parasitized crias, overall there was a mean parasitological load of 43,920 oocysts per gram of feces (OPG). Eimeria lamae had the highest parasitological load (mean 206,600 OPG). These findings could be due to environmental contamination with oocysts of different Eimeria species. Additional research is needed to determine if this burden of coccidiosis could produce subclinical impacts to the health of alpaca crias.

Cloacal myiasis by Lucilia spp. (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus) and two Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus).

In this study, cloacal myiasis caused by dipterans of Lucilia genus was found in a rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus) and two Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) from Peru. Larval dipteran were collected and preserved in ethanol. Morphological analysis indicated two species: Lucilia sericata in the rooster and in one Harris's hawk, and Lucilia cuprina in the other Harris's hawk. Molecular analysis confirmed the diagnosis by amplification of the nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene and internal transcribed spacer 2 region. The sequences were compared with sequence references from a public sequence database, which showed a 100% matched identity. This study demonstrated for first time cloacal myiasis by L. sericata in a domestic bird from Peru and in Harris's hawk. Also, for the first time, L. cuprina was found in a bird of prey.

Finding of pentastomes of genus Reighardia (Pentastomida) in the Belcher's gull (Larus belcheri).

This report describes the finding of Reighardia sp. (Pentastomida) infecting the air sac of two Belcher's gulls (Larus belcheri) found dead on the beaches of Pucusana, a district in southern Lima, Peru. Three pentastomes were collected from two Belcher's gulls. Then, they were morphologically and molecular analyzed. Molecular characterization of the parasite was achieved by amplifying a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA). Based on both morphological and molecular data the pentastomes were identified as pentastomes of the genus Reighardia. This is the first report showing that the Belcher's gull is a new natural definitive host for this pentastome.

Primer registro de Serratospiculum tendo (Nematoda: Diplotriaenidae) para el Perú

Reportamos por primera vez la presencia del nematodo, Serratospiculum tendo Nitzsch, 1819, parasitando los sacos aéreos de un halcón peregrino (Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771). Seis nematodos (2 machos y 4 hembras) fueron colectados e identificados como S. tendo. El hallazgo de este nematodo constituye el primer registro en el Perú

We report for first time the presence of nematode, Serratospiculum tendo Nitzsch, 1819, parasitizing air sacs of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771). Six nematodes (2 males and 4 females) were collected and identified as S. tendo. The discovery of this nematode is the first record in Peru