Non-invasive sampling in Itatiaia National Park, Brazil: wild mammal parasite detection.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive sampling through faecal collection is one of the most cost-effective alternatives for monitoring of free-living wild mammals, as it provides information on animal taxonomy as well as the dynamics of the gastrointestinal parasites that potentially infect these animals. In this context, this study aimed to perform an epidemiological survey of gastrointestinal parasites using non-invasive faecal samples from carnivores and artiodactyls identified by stool macroscopy, guard hair morphology and DNA sequencing in Itatiaia National Park. Between 2017 and 2018, faeces from carnivores and artiodactyls were collected along trails in the park. The host species were identified through macroscopic and trichological examinations and molecular biology. To investigate the parasites, the Faust, Lutz and modified Ritchie and Sheather techniques and enzyme immunoassays to detect Cryptosporidium sp. antigens were used. RESULTS: A total of 244 stool samples were collected. The species identified were Chrysocyon brachyurus, Leopardus guttulus, Canis familiaris, Cerdocyon thous, Puma yagouaroundi, Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor and Sus scrofa. There were 81.1% samples that were positive for parasites distributed mainly in the high part of the park. Helminths, especially eggs of the family Ascarididae, were more frequently detected in carnivore faeces (70.9%). Protozoa, especially Cryptosporidium sp., represented the highest frequency of infection in artiodactyl faeces (87.1%). This zoonotic protozoon was detected in eight mammalian species, including in a wild boar. High values of structural richness and Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were observed for the parasites, especially in the faeces of C. brachyurus. Significant differences in parasite diversity were observed between wild and domestic animals, such as C. brachyurus and C. familiaris, respectively, and between taxonomically distant species, such as C. brachyurus and S. scrofa. The highest values for parasite similarity were found among the species that frequented similar areas of the park, such as C. brachyurus and L. guttulus. CONCLUSIONS: The animals and parasite infections were identified through the combination of three techniques. High frequency parasite structures were diagnosed. Zoonotic protozoa were found and mainly occurred in samples from introduced species.

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Captive Animals at the Rio de Janeiro Zoo.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal parasites may determine diarrhea, dysentery or even death in captive mammals. These animals tend to be more susceptible to parasitic infections due to confinement and stress. Purpose To increase the information about these etiological agents in captive animals in Brazil, the gastrointestinal parasites of the captive mammals of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo were investigated. METHODS: From 2016 to 2018, 180 fecal samples were collected from animals housed in the Rio de Janeiro Zoo: 63 from animals of the order Primates, 26 of Carnivora, 78 of Artiodactyla, 9 of Perissodactyla and 4 of the order Rheiformes. The feces were processed by direct examination and by the techniques of Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz, and smears were stained with safranin. Immunoenzymatic assays were also performed to investigate antigens of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar. RESULTS: Parasite positivity was identified in 68.3% of the fecal samples, with a parasite positivity rate of 68.2% among primates, 65.3% among carnivores, 69.2% among artiodactyls, 33.3% among perissodactyls, and 100% among rheiformes. The most frequently detected parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar antigens, which showed a statistically significant positivity rate (33.3%; p = 0.000), particularly in the feces of carnivores (30.7%) and artiodactyls (53.8%). A statistically significant positivity rate of Balantioides coli (11.1%; p = 0.001) was also detected in feces from nonhuman primates, tapirs, collared peccaries and rheas. The positivity of Cryptosporidium sp. antigens in feces of the orders Carnivora, Artiodactyla and Primates was also statistically significant (7.2%, p = 0.010). Oocysts compatible with Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 6.3% from primates. The helminths most frequently detected were thin-shelled eggs of nematodes (17.7%, p = 0.000), nematode larvae (15.5%, p = 0.000) and Trichuris trichiura eggs (6.1%, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The positivity rate for gastrointestinal parasites demonstrates the need for a sanitation management program to be implemented in the zoo, including routine diagnostic parasitology tests followed by specific treatment for each parasitosis.

Comparison of Four Parasitological Techniques for Laboratory Diagnosis of Eggs from Spirometra spp. in Wild Mammal Fecal Samples.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the performance of four different microscopic coproparasitological techniques in relation to egg recovering and the frequency of alterations in the eggs observed through each technique. METHODS: A total of 213 fecal samples from free-living carnivorous mammals were collected between 2017 and 2018 in Itatiaia National Park, RJ, Brazil. Faust and modified Sheather floatation techniques as well as Lutz and modified Ritchie sedimentation techniques were applied. RESULTS: The total positivity rate for Spirometra spp. eggs was 24.4%, and these were detected mainly through Lutz and modified Ritchie sedimentation techniques, with substantial agreement (kappa = 0.73; p = 0.00 < 0.05; McNemar p value = 1.0; Fisher's exact test p = 0.616). Faust and modified Sheather flotation techniques did not present good egg recovery, with frequencies of 6.6% and 7.5%, respectively. Eggs with morphological alterations were mostly observed through Faust (17.3%) and modified Sheather (13.5%). Both flotation techniques presented statistically significant frequencies of deformed eggs, in comparison with the sedimentation techniques (p = 0.00). Low frequencies of deformed eggs were observed when the samples were analyzed through modified Ritchie and Lutz sedimentation techniques. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, sedimentation techniques such as modified Ritchie and Lutz methods were more efficient for diagnosing the eggs of this helminth in fecal material from free-living carnivores and should always be used when analyzing fecal samples from hosts of different species.