[Comparison of 4 microscopy techniques for the diagnosis of leptospirosis in wild rodents in a rural area of Valdivia, Chile]. / Comparación de cuatro técnicas microscópicas para el diagnóstico de leptospirosis en roedores silvestres en el area rural de Valdivia, Chile.

Kidneys of six different species of 93 wild rodents captured in the rural area of Valdivia (Chile) were simultaneously examined for leptospira infection by means of Levaditi silver stain, dark ground microscopy in wet smears, and immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques using pooled antiserum against hardjo and pomona serovars. Leptospira was shown to be present in 40 (43.0%) rodents. They were detected in five of the six species: Akodon olivaceus, Akodon longipilis, Rattus rattus, Oryzomis longicaudatus and Mus musculus. Levaditi's technique detected the highest number of positive samples (67.5%) and the dark field microscopy the lowest (32.5%). The detection of leptospira in the kidneys of these wild rodents suggests that their urine may play an important role in the dissemination of leptospirosis in this area of Valdivia.

Ecological aspects of nematode parasites of introduced salmonids from Valdivia river basin, Chile.

Between 1986 and 1987, 666 fishes distributed among the following species introduced in Chile, and from different sectors of the Valdivia river basin (39 degrees 30'-40 degrees 00'S, 73 degrees 30'-71 degrees 45'W), were examined: 348 Salmo trutta, 242 Salmo gairdneri, 24 Cyprinus carpio and 52 Gambusia affinis holbrooki. The presence of Camallanus corderoi and Contracaecum sp. in S. gairdneri and of C. corderoi in S. trutta is recorded in Chile for the first time. Cyprinus carpio and G. a. holbrooki did not present infections by nematodes. The prevalence and mean intensity of the infections by nematodes presented significant differences among some sectors of the Valdivia river basin. In general, the prevalence and intensity of the infections by C. corderoi were greater than those by Contracaecum sp. The infections in S. gairdneri were higher than in S. trutta. The sex of the hosts had no influence on the prevalence and intensity of the infections by both nematodes. The length of the hosts did have an influence, except in the case of the infections by Contracaecum sp. in S. gairdneri. The infrapopulations of both nematode species showed over-dispersion in most cases. The diet of the examined salmonids suggests that they would become infected principally through the consumption of autochthonous fishes.

[Distribution of the infection by Camallanus corderoi (Nemata: Spiruroidea) in different autochthonous hosts and localities of the Valdivia river basin, Chile]. / Distribución de la infección por Camallanus corderoi (Nemata: Spiruroidea) en distintos hospedadores autóctonos y sectores de la cuenca del río Valdivia, Chile.

Six hundred and thirty nine autochthonous fish were examined in 1986-1987 in search for Camallanus corderoi infection on different biotopes from Valdivia River basin (between 39 degrees 30'-40 degrees 00'S, 73 degrees 30'-71 degrees 45'' W). Brachigalaxias bullocki, Galaxias maculatus, Galaxias platei, Aplochiton taeniatus, Cheirodon australe, Basilichthys australis and Cauque mauleanum are new hosts for C. corderoi. Infection by C. corderoi in fish is acquired by ingestion of infected copepods and prevalence and intensity of infection showed differences between host fish and biotopes. In general, infrapopulations of C. corderoi showed overdispersion in different hosts.

[Serological survey of human leptospirosis in a high risk population in Chile]. / Encuesta serológica de leptospirosis humana en ocupaciones de alto riesgo en Chile.

Two hundred and sixty five subjects with high risk works for leptospirosis were submitted to microscopic agglutination test for leptospira. 122 worked at animal farms, 71 in rice growing fields and 72 in slaughter houses. 30 control subjects were also tested. A total of 66 samples (22%) were positive, most of them with low titers. Percentage of positive reactions were higher for persons working in rice fields, followed by those working in slaughter houses and animal farms. The 21-40 year age group was most affected in all working sites. Serovars found most commonly were ichterohemorrhagic in rice field workers, hardjo and ballum in slaughter houses and pomona and hardjo in animal farms.