MOLECULAR DETECTION OF Babesia canis vogeli IN DOGS AND IN Rhipicephalus sanguineus FROM THE MIDDLE-WEST REGION OF MARANHÃO, NORTHEAST BRAZIL / DETECÇÃO MOLECULAR DE Babesia canis vogeli EM CÃES E EM Rhipicephalus sanguineus NA MESORREGIÃO DO OESTE MARANHENSE, NORDESTE BRASILEIRO

The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Babesia canis vogeli in dogs and in the tick vector from urban and rural environment of the microregion of Imperatriz, middle-west of Maranhão, evaluating risk factors associated with infection by this agent. Samples were collected from blood and tick specimens from 300 dogs from urban and rural areas of the microregion of Imperatriz. DNA was extracted from blood samples and ticks, and tested by polymerase chain reaction assays using subspecies-specific initiating oligonucleotides for B. c. vogeli. PCR from the blood revealed that 3.33% (10/300) of dogs were positive for  B. c. vogeli, and that 1.0% (3/300) came from urban and 2.33% (7/300) from rural area. No association was verified in relation to the environment, race group, sex and tick control; however young animals were more frequently positive to the infection. Ticks collected were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and six (2.56%) were positive for B. c. vogeli, of which 1.28% (3/235) were collected in the urban area and 1.28% (3/235) from dogs in rural areas. This study confirmed the presence of  B. c. vogeli in dogs and in R. sanguineus in urban and rural microregion of Imperatriz-MA.KEYWORDS: B. canis vogeli; molecular epidemiology ; PCR; R. sanguineus.

Objetivou-se determinar a ocorrência de Babesia canis vogeli em cães e no carrapato vetor de ambiente urbano e rural da microrregião de Imperatriz, mesorregião do Oeste Maranhense, verificando-se os possíveis fatores de risco associados à infecção por esse agente. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue e espécimes de carrapatos de 300 cães provenientes da área urbana e rural da microrregião de Imperatriz. Foram realizadas extração do DNA do sangue e dos carrapatos. Posteriormente, as amostras foram submetidas a ensaios de reação em cadeia pela polimerase, utilizando-se oligonucleotídeos iniciadores subespécie-específico para B. c. vogeli. A PCR a partir de amostras de sangue revelou que 3,33% (10/300) dos cães estavam positivos para B. c. vogeli, sendo que 1,0% (3/300) era da área urbana e 2,33% (7/300) da área rural. Não foram verificadas associações entre ambiente de coleta, grupo racial, sexo e controle de carrapatos; contudo, a taxa de positividade para B. c. vogeli foi maior entre os cães jovens. Os carrapatos coletados foram identificados como Rhipicephalus sanguineus, sendo seis (2,56%) positivos para B. c. vogeli, com 1,28% (3/235) provenientes de cães da área urbana e 1,28% (3/235) de cães da área rural. Este estudo confirmou a presença de B. c. vogeli em cães e em R. sanguineus na área urbana e rural da microrregião de Imperatriz-MA.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: B. canis vogeli; epidem

MOLECULAR DETECTION OF Babesia canis vogeli IN DOGS AND IN Rhipicephalus sanguineus FROM THE MIDDLE-WEST REGION OF MARANHÃO, NORTHEAST BRAZIL / DETECÇÃO MOLECULAR DE Babesia canis vogeli EM CÃES E EM Rhipicephalus sanguineus NA MESORREGIÃO DO OESTE MARANHENSE, NORDESTE BRASILEIRO

The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Babesia canis vogeli in dogs and in the tick vector from urban and rural environment of the microregion of Imperatriz, middle-west of Maranhão, evaluating risk factors associated with infection by this agent. Samples were collected from blood and tick specimens from 300 dogs from urban and rural areas of the microregion of Imperatriz. DNA was extracted from blood samples and ticks, and tested by polymerase chain reaction assays using subspecies-specific initiating oligonucleotides for B. c. vogeli. PCR from the blood revealed that 3.33% (10/300) of dogs were positive for  B. c. vogeli, and that 1.0% (3/300) came from urban and 2.33% (7/300) from rural area. No association was verified in relation to the environment, race group, sex and tick control; however young animals were more frequently positive to the infection. Ticks collected were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and six (2.56%) were positive for B. c. vogeli, of which 1.28% (3/235) were collected in the urban area and 1.28% (3/235) from dogs in rural areas. This study confirmed the presence of  B. c. vogeli in dogs and in R. sanguineus in urban and rural microregion of Imperatriz-MA.KEYWORDS: B. canis vogeli; molecular epidemiology ; PCR; R. sanguineus.

Objetivou-se determinar a ocorrência de Babesia canis vogeli em cães e no carrapato vetor de ambiente urbano e rural da microrregião de Imperatriz, mesorregião do Oeste Maranhense, verificando-se os possíveis fatores de risco associados à infecção por esse agente. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue e espécimes de carrapatos de 300 cães provenientes da área urbana e rural da microrregião de Imperatriz. Foram realizadas extração do DNA do sangue e dos carrapatos. Posteriormente, as amostras foram submetidas a ensaios de reação em cadeia pela polimerase, utilizando-se oligonucleotídeos iniciadores subespécie-específico para B. c. vogeli. A PCR a partir de amostras de sangue revelou que 3,33% (10/300) dos cães estavam positivos para B. c. vogeli, sendo que 1,0% (3/300) era da área urbana e 2,33% (7/300) da área rural. Não foram verificadas associações entre ambiente de coleta, grupo racial, sexo e controle de carrapatos; contudo, a taxa de positividade para B. c. vogeli foi maior entre os cães jovens. Os carrapatos coletados foram identificados como Rhipicephalus sanguineus, sendo seis (2,56%) positivos para B. c. vogeli, com 1,28% (3/235) provenientes de cães da área urbana e 1,28% (3/235) de cães da área rural. Este estudo confirmou a presença de B. c. vogeli em cães e em R. sanguineus na área urbana e rural da microrregião de Imperatriz-MA.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: B. canis vogeli; epidem

Phthiraptera (Arthropoda, Insecta) in Gallus gallus from isolated and mixed backyard rearing systems / Phthiraptera (Arthropoda, Insecta) em Gallus gallus de criações de fundo de quintal isoladas e mistas

The objectives were to identify the species of chewing lice (Mallophaga) at different body sites in chickens (Gallus gallus), in isolated and mixed rearing systems, and to determine the dynamics and structure of the louse populations collected. The prevalences were 100 and 35% for chickens in the isolated and mixed systems, respectively. The species recorded were: Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae and Lipeurus caponis. The chickens in the isolated system presented more lice than did the ones in the mixed system. The most prevalent species were M. gallinae (30.58 and 62.31%) and L. caponis (29.12 and 14.49%), in the isolated and mixed systems, respectively. The preferential sites of parasitism were the dorsum, venter and wings among the chickens in the isolated system, while among the ones in the mixed system, the preferential sites were the dorsum and venter. The mean intensity of infestation in the isolated system was 111.4 for males and 19.1 for females, while in the mixed system it was 80 for males and 6.75 for females. The amplitudes of the infestation were 1-226 for males and 1-22 for females in the isolated system, while in the mixed system, the amplitudes were 1-111 and 1-8, respectively. It can be concluded that chickens reared in the isolated system harbor a greater number of lice than do chickens in the mixed system. However, the kind of rearing system does not prevent louse infestations. (AU)

Objetivou-se identificar as espécies de malófagos em diferentes regiões do corpo de Gallus gallus, sob os sistemas de criação isolado e misto e determinar a dinâmica e estrutura da população. A prevalência de parasitismo foi de 100 e 35% para as aves no sistema de criação isolado e misto, respectivamente. As espécies identificadas foram: Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae e Lipeurus caponis. As aves mantidas isoladas apresentaram maior parasitismo do que aquelas sob o sistema misto de criação. As espécies mais prevalentes foram M. gallinae (30,58 e 62,31%) e L. caponis (29,12 e 14,49%), nos sistemas isolado e misto, respectivamente. As regiões do corpo preferenciais dos malófagos foram dorso, ventre e asa para as aves do sistema isolado; e o dorso e ventre para as do sistema misto. Para as aves do sistema isolado, a intensidade média de infestação para os machos foi de 111,4 e para as fêmeas foi de 19,1. E, para o sistema misto foi de 80 e 6,75 para machos e fêmeas, respectivamente. A amplitude de infestação variou de 1-226 e 1-22 para machos e fêmeas, respectivamente (sistema isolado); enquanto para o sistema misto foi de 1-111 e 1-8, para machos e fêmeas, respectivamente. Conclui-se que as aves de fundo de quintal, criadas sob o sistema isolado de criação, apresentam maior infestação por malófagos do que aquelas criadas com outras espécies de aves, embora o sistema de criação não isente as aves do parasitismo. (AU)

Ectoparasitos de animais silvestres no Maranhão / Ectoparasites of wild animals in Maranhão

Objetivou-se identificar os ectoparasitos de animais silvestres recepcionados pelo Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, São Luís, Maranhão. Os ectopararasitos identificados foram: piolhos Acidoproctus sp., Trinoton sp., Ciconiphilus sp, Austromenopon sp., Quadraceps sp., Saemundssonia sp. e Trichodectes canis; carrapato Amblyomma rotundatum e Rhipicephalus sanguineus; pulgas Ctenocephalides felis e larvas de Cochliomyia hominivorax. Os resultados apresentados documentam a infestação de mamíferos, répteis e aves silvestres por ectoparasitos.

The objective of this study was to identify the ectoparasites of wild animals received by the Center of Wild Animals of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. The ectoparasites identified were: the lice Acidoproctus sp., Trinoton sp., Ciconiphilus sp., Austromenopon sp., Quadraceps sp., Saemundssonia sp., and Trichodectes canis; the ticks Amblyomma rotundatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus; the fleas Ctenocephalides felis, and larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax. The data presented register the infestation of wild mammals, reptiles and birds by ectoparasites.

Ectoparasitos de animais silvestres no Maranhão / Ectoparasites of wild animals in Maranhão

Objetivou-se identificar os ectoparasitos de animais silvestres recepcionados pelo Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, São Luís, Maranhão. Os ectopararasitos identificados foram: piolhos Acidoproctus sp., Trinoton sp., Ciconiphilus sp, Austromenopon sp., Quadraceps sp., Saemundssonia sp. e Trichodectes canis; carrapato Amblyomma rotundatum e Rhipicephalus sanguineus; pulgas Ctenocephalides felis e larvas de Cochliomyia hominivorax. Os resultados apresentados documentam a infestação de mamíferos, répteis e aves silvestres por ectoparasitos.(AU)

The objective of this study was to identify the ectoparasites of wild animals received by the Center of Wild Animals of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. The ectoparasites identified were: the lice Acidoproctus sp., Trinoton sp., Ciconiphilus sp., Austromenopon sp., Quadraceps sp., Saemundssonia sp., and Trichodectes canis; the ticks Amblyomma rotundatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus; the fleas Ctenocephalides felis, and larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax. The data presented register the infestation of wild mammals, reptiles and birds by ectoparasites.(AU)

Chronic hepatitis C virus in the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil

Knowledge of genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has clinical importance due to genotype 1 lower response to treatment compared with genotypes 2 and 3. The goal of this survey was to describe clinical and laboratorial profiles of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in the State of Piauí, as well as to expand the overall awareness of the distribution of HCV genotyping in Northeast of Brazil. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out between April 1999 and August 2005. A total of 153 patients were included, 119 (77.8 percent) males and 34 (22.2 percent) females; mean age = 48.01 ± 9.11 years. We observed a homogeneous distribution between genotypes 1 (50.0 percent) and 3 (49.0 percent), while the most frequent subtype noticed was 3a (49.0 percent). The mean viral load among patients with subtype 1b (1,232,476 UI/mL) was significantly superior to the subtype 1a (391,204 UI/mL; p = 0.010) and to the subtype 3a (594,228 UI/mL; p = 0.047). The average levels of gamma-glutamiltransferase of genotype 1 (144 mg/dL) had statistical differences when compared to genotype 3 (74 mg/dL; p = 0.014). Most patients showed mild to moderate degrees of histopathological necroinflammatory activity and hepatic fibrosis (79.0 percent and 56.2 percent, respectively). We concluded that most candidates to treatment of CHC in the State of Piauí presented with clinically stable hepatic illness; the distribution of genotypes 1 and 3 was virtually homogeneous; and there was no significant demographic or clinical differences among genotypes or subtypes of HCV.

Chronic hepatitis C virus in the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil.

Knowledge of genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has clinical importance due to genotype 1 lower response to treatment compared with genotypes 2 and 3. The goal of this survey was to describe clinical and laboratorial profiles of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in the State of Piauí, as well as to expand the overall awareness of the distribution of HCV genotyping in Northeast of Brazil. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out between April 1999 and August 2005. A total of 153 patients were included, 119 (77.8%) males and 34 (22.2%) females; mean age = 48.01 +/- 9.11 years. We observed a homogeneous distribution between genotypes 1 (50.0%) and 3 (49.0%), while the most frequent subtype noticed was 3a (49.0%). The mean viral load among patients with subtype 1b (1,232,476 UI/mL) was significantly superior to the subtype 1a (391,204 UI/mL; p = 0.010) and to the subtype 3a (594,228 UI/mL; p = 0.047). The average levels of gamma-glutamiltransferase of genotype 1 (144 mg/dL) had statistical differences when compared to genotype 3 (74 mg/dL; p = 0.014). Most patients showed mild to moderate degrees of histopathological necroinflammatory activity and hepatic fibrosis (79.0% and 56.2%, respectively). We concluded that most candidates to treatment of CHC in the State of Piauí presented with clinically stable hepatic illness; the distribution of genotypes 1 and 3 was virtually homogeneous; and there was no significant demographic or clinical differences among genotypes or subtypes of HCV.

[Ectoparasites of small wild mammals from the adjacent areas of Itapecuru River and Environmental Preservation Area of Inhamum, state of Maranhão, Brazil]. / Ectoparasitos de pequenos mamíferos silvestres de áreas adjacentes ao Rio Itapecuru e Área de Preservação Ambiental do inhamum, estado do Maranhão, Brasil.

During fauna studies, thirty-six wild mammals were collected in adjacent areas of Itapecuru River and Environmental Preservation area of Inhamum, state of Maranhão, Brazil. They were sampled for ectoparasites. The following specimens of the order Rodentia and its respective ectoparasites were identified: Akodon sp. (Androlaelaps sp. and Laelaps sp.), Oecomys sp. (Androlaelaps sp. and Amblyomma cajennense), Oligoryzomys sp. (Androlaelaps sp. Laelaps sp. and Amblyomma sp.) e Oryzomys megacephalus (A. cajennense). In Calomys callosus no ectoparasite was found. It was observed infestation in the order Didelphimorphia as follows: Didelphis marsupialis (Androlaelaps sp., Laelaps sp. and larvae of Diptera Cyclorrhapha); Gracilinanus sp. (Laelaps sp. and larvae of Diptera Cyclorrhapha), Monodelphis domestica (Poplygenis (Polygenis)), Cummingsia sp., Amblyomma sp. and Androlaelaps sp.). Marmosa sp. e Thylamis sp. had no ectoparasites. From the captured hosts 56% were infested, 82% and 44% rodents and marsupials, respectively. Mites from the family Laelapidae presented the great diversity of hosts and genus.

[Efficacy of extracts of plants in engorged females of Boophilus microplus from the mesoregion West of Maranhão, Brazil.]. / Eficácia de fitoterápicos em fêmeas ingurgitadas de Boophilus microplus, provenientes da mesorregião oeste do Maranhão, Brasil.

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of hydro-alcoholic extracts of nim and citronela at 20% and eucalipto at 10% in Boophilus microplus engorged females collected in cattle naturally infected from the mesoregion West of Maranhão. At the laboratory the females were separated, weighted and distributed in six groups of 10, in duplicate. Each group was immersed in 10mL of the solution of the extracts, for two minutes. In the nim and citronela extracts there was 32% e 17%, respectively, while larval emergence the eucalipto extracts demonstrated 96% of efficacy. In the groups treated by Cipermetrina + Clorpirifós + Citronetal and Deltametrina (positive controls) the mortality occurred after 48h of treatment, while the groups immersed in distilled water (negative control) showed 100% of eggs mass and larval emergence. According to the results, it can be concluded that the extract of eucalipto could be used as acaricide in the control of B. microplus females since it was efficient in vitro, however to nim and citronela showed not efficacy. B. microplus females were not resistant to the chemical compounds used in this experiment.