Detection of Pathogenic Leptospira in Captive Chelonians (Kinosternon scorpioides-Linnaeus, 1766) in the Brazilian Amazon.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of great importance for One Health. In this context, the Amazonian biome may harbor numerous hosts for Leptospira spp. that contribute to the maintenance of the pathogen in the environment. Some reptiles, such as chelonians, have been little studied in terms of their involvement with leptospires. The objective of this study was to detect Leptospira spp. DNA in Kinosternon scorpioides turtles kept in captivity in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 147 samples of blood (n = 40), cloacal fluid (n = 27), cloacal lavage (n = 40), and stomach (n = 40) were collected from 40 chelonians. After DNA extraction, the samples were subjected to amplification of a 331 base pair product of the 16S rRNA gene using the Lep1 and Lep2 primers. PCR products were Sanger sequenced, assembled, and subjected to online blast search and phylogenetic analysis. Of the animals tested, 40% (16/40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25-55) had at least one or two samples positive for Leptospira spp. Considering the total number of samples collected, 12.93% (19/147) were positive, being blood clots (27.5%; 11/40), followed by cloacal washings (10%; 4/40), cloacal fluid (11.11%; 3/27) and gastric washings (2.5%; 1/40). Of these, 11 samples were sequenced and showed 99% to 100% identity with Leptospira interrogans sequences, which was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. This is the first study to detect pathogenic Leptospira DNA in chelonians in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. It has been concluded that K. scorpioides turtles in captivity have been exposed to pathogenic Leptospira.

Etnozoologia e educação ambiental para escolas da amazônia: experimentação de indicadores quantitativos / Ethnozoology and environmental education for schools in the amazon: experimentation of quantitative indicators / Etnozoología y educación ambiental para escuelas de la amazonia: experimentación de indicadores cuantitativos

Resumo Desenvolvido em escolas públicas de diferentes contextos ambientais e educacionais de Belém, no Pará, o estudo apresentado objetivou criar uma abordagem metodológica possível de ser reproduzida por qualquer escola de ensino fundamental ou médio na Amazônia, gerando informações sobre as interações homem-animal-ambiente e a evolução da consciência ecológica do alunado. Testaram-se cinco indicadores quantitativos: ‘Diferenciação de animais silvestres e domésticos’, ‘Animais no prato’, ‘Proximidade aluno-animal’, ‘Sentimentos em relação à fauna’ e ‘Justificativas de falta dos alunos’. Obtiveram-se resultados significativos: na identificação do conhecimento prévio dos alunos sobre o conceito de animais silvestres-domésticos, verificou-se que em uma das escolas o avançar das séries não determinava maior capacidade de diferenciação dos animais; jacaré, tatu e tartaruga foram as espécies mais citadas pelos alunos nas duas escolas e constituíam o cardápio alimentar das famílias; foi comum a presença de animais domésticos e silvestres criados nos cômodos internos das casas, registrando-se altos percentuais de criações múltiplas de animais; sentimentos de ‘querer matar’ e ‘medo/nojo’ ainda foram bastante frequentes, principalmente para répteis, traduzindo a necessidade de maiores investimentos em educação ambiental; faltas por motivo de doença foram recorrentes e tinham estreita relação com animais. A metodologia é válida para etnozoologia e educação ambiental, adequando-se à realidade socioeconômica e ambiental das escolas.

Abstract Carried out in public schools in different environmental and educational contexts of Belém, state of Pará, Brazil, the study presented was designed to create a possible methodological approach to be reproduced by any primary or secondary school in the Amazon, generating information about the human-animal-environment interactions and the progress made in ecological awareness among the students. Five quantitative indicators were tested: ‘Distinction between wild and domestic animals,’ ‘Animals on the plate,’ ‘Student-animal proximity,’ ‘Feelings regarding the fauna,’ and ‘Student absence justifications.’ Significant results were obtained: In the identification of the students' prior knowledge about the concept of wild-domestic animals, it was found that at one of the schools, although students passed from one grade to the next, they were not necessarily more able to distinguish among the animals; alligators, armadillos, and turtles were the species students mentioned most frequently in the two schools, and they were on their families’ food menus; keeping domestic and wild animals in the homes was common, and keeping multiple animals was frequently recorded; feelings of ‘want to kill’ and ‘fear/disgust’ were still quite common, especially with regard to reptiles, reflecting the need for greater investments in environmental education; absences due to illness were recurrent and were closely related with animals. The methodology is valid for ethnozoology and environmental education, and is appropriate for the socioeconomic and environmental realities of the schools.

Resumen Desarrollado en escuelas públicas de diferentes contextos ambientales y educativos de Belém, en el estado de Pará, Brasil, el estudio presentado buscó crear un enfoque metodológico que se pudiera reproducir en cualquier escuela de la enseñanza fundamental o media, en la Amazonia, generando información sobre las interacciones hombre-animal-ambiente y la evolución de la conciencia ecológica del alumnado. Se probaron cinco indicadores cuantitativos: ‘Diferenciación de animales silvestres y domésticos’, ‘Animales en el plato’, ‘Proximidad alumno-animal’, ‘Sentimientos con relación a la fauna’ y ‘Justificativas de falta de los alumnos’. Se obtuvieron resultados significativos: en la identificación del conocimiento previo de los alumnos sobre el concepto de animales silvestres-domésticos, se observó que en una de las escuelas, el avanzar de grado no determinaba mayor capacidad de diferenciación de los animales; yacaré, tatú y tortuga eran las especies más citadas por los alumnos en las dos escuelas y constituían el menú familiar; era común la presencia de animales domésticos y silvestres criados en los cuartos de las casas, registrándose altos porcentajes de crías múltiples de animales; sentimientos de ‘querer matar’ y ‘miedo/asco’ todavía eran bastante frecuentes, principalmente para reptiles, lo que traduce la necesidad de mayores inversiones en educación ambiental; faltas por motivo de enfermedad eran recurrentes y guardaban estrecha relación con animales. La metodología es válida para la etnozoología y educación ambiental, adecuándose a la realidad socioeconómica y ambiental de las escuelas.

Prevalence for nematodes of hygiene-sanitary importance in fish from Colares Island and Vigia, Pará, Brasil / Prevalência de nematoides de importância higiênico-sanitária em peixes da ilha de Colares e Vigia, Pará, Brasil

Zoonotic parasites can infect fish and be a serious threat to human health. The objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence for the main fish-borne zoonotic parasitic diseases of freshwater fish marketed in Colares Island and Vigia, Pará, Brazil. In February, 2012, 85 (40 of Colares and 45 of Vigia) fish were randomly sampled by means of net fishing. Eighty and 76% of fish sampled were parasitized, being silver croacker (Plagioscion squamosissimus), kumakuma (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum), and gilded catfish (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii) the species most parasitized. The most prevalent parasites were Anisakis (50% in Colares and 49% in Vigia) and Contracaecum (60% in Colares and 40% in Vigia), followed by Pseudoterranova (2% in Colares and 11% in Vigia), Eustrongylides (10% in Colares and 0% in Vigia) and Hysterothylacium (2% in Colares and 7% in Vigia) in the species: silver croacker, kumakuma and gilded catfish, in both cities. Mesentery (55%) was the organ with highest level of intense infestation. A greater proportion of massive infestation was observed in females (57%) than in males (12%). Results of this study indicate that fish caught in Colares and Vigia could be of high risk for consumer.

Parasitos zoonóticos podem infectar peixes e causar sérios agravos à saúde humana. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a prevalência e identificar os fatores de risco para doenças parasitárias veiculadas por peixes de água doce comercializados na ilha de Colares e Vigia, Pará, Brazil. Em fevereiro de 2012, 85 peixes (40 de Colares e 45 de Vigia) foram coletados de forma aleatória com redes de pesca. Oitenta por cento e 76% dos peixes amostrados estavam parasitados, sendo a corvina (Plagioscion squamosissimus), piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) e dourada (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii), as espécies mais parasitadas. Os parasitos mais prevalentes foram: Anisakis (50% em Colares e 49% em Vigia) e Contracaecum (60% em Colares e 40% em Vigia), seguido pelo Pseudoterranova (2% em Colares e 11% em Vigia), Eustrongylides (10% em Colares e 0% em Vigia) e Hysterothylacium (2% em Colares e 7% em Vigia) nas espécies: corvina, piramutaba e dourada, em ambos os municípios. O mesentério (55%) foi o órgão que apresentou infestação maciça em maior quantidade. A infestação maciça também foi observada com maior proporção em fêmeas (57%) do que em machos (12%). Os resultados deste estudo indicam que o peixe capturado em Colares e Vigia pode ser de alto risco para a o consumidor.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge and practices at Colares Island, Pará state, eastern Amazon, Brazil.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The lack of ethnoveterinary surveys in Brazil, especially in the Amazon region, results in losses in the veterinary phytopharmacology field and in scientific documentation of the cultural traditions of plant use in the treatment of animal diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: To catalog, analyze and disseminate the ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of Colares Island, Pará state, eastern Amazon, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 interviews were conducted, and semi-structured questionnaires were answered by 18 men and 54 women. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed using the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV). The plants with a reported medicinal use for domestic animals were harvested, herbalized and botanically identified. RESULTS: Fifty-six plants, distributed in 49 genera and 35 families, were indicated to have 23 different medicinal uses, divided into six categories of use. The highest ICF (0.80) was obtained for the antiparasitic class. The Euphorbiaceae family exhibited the highest number of citations, and the species with the highest UVs were Caladium cf. bicolor, Bixa orellana, Carapa guianensis, Jatropha curcas and Cymbopogon citratus. The parts of the 56 plants that were most frequently used to prepare ethnoveterinary medications were the leaves (46%), bark (15%), roots and fruit (10%). The use of the macerated leaves was the most common method of application, used by 43% of the interviewees, and the majority of the preparations (87.3%) used a single plant. In addition to medicinal plants, the interviewees reported the use of products of animal and mineral origin. CONCLUSION: The present study contributed to the establishment of an inventory of plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in this region of the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the identified plants, enabling communities to use them in a more economic, effective and safe manner.

Renal evaluation of Aotus azarai infulatus by ultrasonography and serum chemistry profile.

This study aimed to characterize anatomical and biochemical properties of owl monkey kidneys in order to provide normal reference values. Sixty-nine Aotus azarai infulatus (45 males and 24 females) were divided into four different age groups (AG1: 3 months-1 year; AG2: 2-3 years; AG3: 4-6 years; and AG4: over 7 years old). The monkeys were evaluated with a serum chemistry profile, focusing on serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and with ultrasound. Mean body mass differed among the age groups. This significance was attributed to AG1 body mass being significantly lower than in AG2 and that in both AG2 and AG3 being significantly lower than in the two older age groups (AG3 and AG4). SCr and BUN concentrations differed significantly between the sexes and SCr level correlated positively with age. In contrast, renal measurements did not differ between males and females. Left and right renal volumes did not differ significantly within age groups, or among AG2, AG3, and AG4. Renal volumes in AG1, however, while not differing from those in AG2, did differ significantly from those in AG3 and AG4. In conclusion, this study provides ultrasonographic reference values for the morphology the kidneys in A. a. infulatus. Evidence is also provided that SCr and BUN levels in owl monkeys are influenced by the sex and age of the individual, factors that should be considered when interpreting test results.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of Marajó Island, Eastern Amazonia, Brazil / Conhecimento etnoveterinário dos habitantes da Ilha de Marajó, Amazônia Oriental, Brasil

There have been ethnoveterinary reports from around the world investigating plant usage in therapeutic protocols; however, there is no information regarding the ethnoveterinary practices in Brazilian Amazonia. The objective of this work was to register and document the ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of the Island of Marajó, eastern Amazonia, Brazil. In the study, interviews were conducted with 50 individuals, with the application of semi-structured questionnaires that were quantitatively analyzed using descriptive statistic methods of frequency distribution. Use-value was calculated to determine the most important species. Samples of plants that were reported to have medicinal value were collected and identified by botanical classification. Fifty plants, distributed among 48 genera and 34 families, were indicated for 21 different medicinal uses. The family Asteraceae had the largest number of reported species; Carapa guianensis Aubl., Copaifera martii Hayne, Crescentia cujete L., Caesalpinia ferrea Mart., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Jatropha curcas L. and Momordica charantia L. were species with highest use- value. The plant parts that were more commonly utilized for the preparation of ethnoveterinary medicines were the leaves (56 percent), bark (18 percent), roots (14 percent), seeds (14 percent) and fruit (8 percent). With regard to usage, tea was reported as a usage method by 56 percent of the informants; most preparations (90.9 percent) utilized only a single plant. In addition to medicinal plants, informants reported using products of animal and mineral origin. The present study contributed to the construction of an inventory of Marajó Island's ethnoveterinary plants, which might be the basis for future scientific validation studies.

Em várias partes do mundo existem relatos etnoveterinários sobre a utilização de plantas em protocolos terapêuticos, entretanto não existem informações disponíveis sobre a etnoveterinária praticada na Amazônia brasileira. Desta forma, objetivou-se documentar o conhecimento etnoveterinário de habitantes da Ilha do Marajó, Amazônia Oriental. Foram realizadas 50 entrevistas individuais com aplicação de questionários semi-estruturados que foram analisados quantitativamente através de estatística descritiva utilizando freqüência de distribuição. O valor de uso foi calculado para determinar as espécies mais importantes. Amostras de plantas com relatos de uso medicinal foram coletadas e identificadas botanicamente. Cinqüenta plantas, distribuídas em 48 gêneros e 34 famílias, foram indicadas para 21 diferentes usos medicinais. A família Asteraceae foi a que teve maior número de espécies citadas e Carapa guianensis Aubl, Crescentia cujete L., Copaifera martii Hayne, Caesalpinia ferrea Mart., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Jatropha curcas L. e Momordica charantia L. foram as espécies com maiores valor de uso. As partes das plantas mais utilizadas para preparo dos medicamentos etnoveterinários foram folhas (56 por cento), cascas (18 por cento), raizes (14 por cento), sementes (14 por cento) e frutos (8 por cento). Quanto à forma de uso o chá foi citado por 56 por cento dos entrevistados e a maioria das preparações (90,9 por cento) utiliza uma só planta. Além das plantas medicinais, os entrevistados relataram o uso de produtos de origem animal e mineral. Esse trabalho contribui para realização de um inventário das plantas utilizadas na etnoveterinária marajoara que pode servir de base de dados para futuros estudos de validação científica.

Utilização dos recursos naturais por comunidades humanas do Parque Ecoturístico do Guamá, Belém, Pará / Utilization of natural resources by the human communities of the Guamá Ecotouristic Park, Belém, Pará

O trabalho apresenta dados sobre o uso dos recursos naturais por populações humanas em pequenas comunidades (vilas) localizadas no entorno (n = 6) e no interior (n = 1) do Parque Ecoturístico do Guamá (PEG), visando avaliar os impactos sobre a fauna e flora local, ante a implantação de um projeto de infra-estrutura rodoviária local. A metodologia consistiu da aplicação de dois modelos de questionários. Um direcionado a pessoas-chave, como: moradores mais antigos, presidentes de associações, agentes de saúde, etc, e o outro aplicado aleatoriamente aos adultos locais. Buscou-se atingir pelo menos 50 por cento das famílias das pequenas localidades (<10 famílias) e 10-15 por cento no caso de comunidades maiores ( >11 famílias). Em todos os casos é realizado o extrativismo da fauna e flora, principalmente com o objetivo de subsistência. As espécies mais caçadas foram Agouti paca,Dasyprocta agouti,Nasua nasua, Euphractus sexcintus e Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris. A complementação da renda familiar através do comércio de caça sob encomenda é realizada em todas as comunidades estudadas. Frutíferas como Euterpe oleracea Mart., Musa spp e Theobroma cacao foram encontradas em 100 por cento das comunidades (n=7). Plantas medicinais são rotineiramente cultivadas e empregadas. As espécies madeireiras exploradas são utilizadas com o objetivo de produção de carvão, construção de casas e de meios de transporte, predominando o Inga edulis, Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb e Simaruba amara (Aubl.). O trabalho discute os resultados sob o aspecto da implantação do projeto viário, oferecendo recomendações para a minimização dos impactos do mesmo sobre a fauna, a flora e o modo tradicional de vida das comunidades.

This work shows data about the use of natural resources by the human population located in (n=1) and around (n=6) the Guamá Ecotouristic Park (GEP), in order to evaluate the impact on the local fauna and flora in view of the project for constructing a road through the park. The methodology utilized in this community study was the application of two different types of questionnaires. One was directed to key persons such as old residents, presidents of associations, health agents, etc., and the other was randomly applied to local adults. We attempted to approach at least 50 percent of the families in the small villages (< 10 families) and 10-15 percent in the larger communities (> 11 families). In all cases, there was flora and fauna extractivism, especially for subsistence. The most hunted species were the Agouti paca, Dasyprocta agouti, Nasua nasua, Euphractus sexcintus and Hidrochaeris hidrochaeris. All the communities studied complement their family income by hunting wildlife on order. Fruit trees such as Euterpe oleracea Mart., Musa spp and the Theobroma cacao were found in 100 percent of the communities (n=7). Medicinal plants are cultivated and used routinely. Timber species such Inga edulis,Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb e Simaruba amara (Aubl.) are used for charcoal production, house building and transportation means. We discuss the results relating to construction of the road, and make recommendations for reducing the impact on the fauna, the flora and the traditional livelihood of the communities.