Transmissibility of Leishmania infantum from maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) to Lutzomyia longipalpis.

Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is the cause of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. The disease is transmitted mostly through the bite of the invertebrate vector, the phlebotomine Lutzomyia longipalpis in the New World. Although the domestic dog is considered the most important reservoir of the disease, other mammalian, including wildlife, are susceptible to infection. The goal of this study was to perform xenodiagnosis to evaluate the capacity of naturally infected maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) to transmit Leishmania infantum to female sand flies (L. longipalpis). Xenodiagnoses were performed in February and August, 2013, when 77.7% (three maned wolves and four bush dogs) or 100% of the animals were positive, respectively. However, parasite loads in the engorged sand flies was low (<200 promastigotes and <150.2 parasites/µg of DNA). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two species or the two time points (February and August). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that maned wolves (C. brachyurus) and bush dogs (S. venaticus) asymptomatically infected with L. infantum are capable of transmitting L. infantum to the invertebrate host L. longipalpis, although the parasite loads in engorged phlebotomines exposed to these animals were very low.

Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals / Diagnóstico de infecção por Leishmania infantum pela reação em cadeia da polimerase em mamíferos silvestres

Visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Leishmania infantum (synonym: Leishmania chagasi) and transmitted by the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. It is an endemic zoonosis in several regions of the country, including Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais). In urban areas, the domestic dog is susceptible and considered the most important animal reservoir. However, L. infantum has been previously diagnosed in other species, including captive primates and canids. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the agent DNA in captive animals as well as some free ranging animals from the Zoo-Botanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Eighty one blood samples from primates, carnivores, ruminants, edentates, marsupial, and a monogastric herbivore were analyzed. Three primates Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey), and two canids Speothos venaticus (bush dog) were positive, demonstrating the importance of leishmaniasis control in endemic areas for preservation of wildlife species in captivity.

A leishmaniose visceral é uma doença infecciosa crônica de mamíferos causada, no Brasil, pelo protozoário Leishmania infantum (sinonímia: Leishmania chagasi) e transmitida pelo flebótomo Lutzomyia longipalpis. Trata-se de uma zoonose endêmica em muitas regiões do Brasil, inclusive em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Em centros urbanos, leishmaniose visceral acomete principalmente o cão doméstico. Entretanto, L. infantum já foi diagnosticada em outras espécies, incluindo canídeos e primatas de cativeiro em zoológicos. Este estudo buscou avaliar a presença do DNA deste agente em animais de cativeiro e de vida livre da Fundação Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte através da reação em cadeia da polimerase. Foram analisadas oitenta e uma amostras de sangue oriundas de primatas, carnívoros, ruminantes, edentatos, marsupial e herbívoro de estômago simples. Três primatas Alouatta guariba (bugio marrom) e dois canídeos Speothos venaticus (cachorro-do-mato-vinagre), foram positivos, demonstrando a importância do controle da leishmaniose em áreas endêmicas com a finalidade de conservar a fauna silvestre mantida em cativeiro.

Hemorrhagic colitis associated with Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis infection in a captive western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Enteric diseases are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in gorillas, and it is often caused by bacteria. METHODS: A thirteen-year-old captive female western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) developed hemorrhagic diarrhea. Despite the treatment, the animal died 7 days after the onset of clinical signs. The animal was submitted to a thorough pathological and microbiological evaluation. RESULTS: Pathologic examination revealed a severe acute hemorrhagic colitis, neutrophilic splenitis, glomerulitis, and interstitial pneumonia. Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis was isolated from a mesenteric lymph node. CONCLUSION: A diagnosis of hemorrhagic colitis associated with Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis was established.