Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp. in Free-Range Agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) from an Urban Area of Southern Brazil.

Thirty-six free-ranging agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) from an urban area of the municipality of Curitiba, a southern region of Brazil, were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp. Antibodies were present in 25% and 6% agoutis, respectively. No statistical differences were observed based on sex, age, and body mass of the agoutis. High T. gondii seropositivity indicated environmental contamination, whereas lower seropositivity of Leptospira spp. suggested low environmental contamination or low susceptibility.

Echinococcus oligarthrus in the subtropical region of Argentina: First integration of morphological and molecular analyses determines two distinct populations.

Echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis that is considered as a neglected disease by the World Health Organization. The species Echinococcus oligarthrus is one of the causative agents of Neotropical echinococcosis, which is a poorly understood disease that requires a complex medical examination, may threaten human life, and is frequently associated with a low socioeconomic status. Morphological and genetic diversity in E. oligarthrus remains unknown. The aim of this work is to identify and characterize E. oligarthrus infections in sylvatic animals from the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest in the province of Misiones, Argentina, by following an integrative approach that links morphological, genetic and ecological aspects. This study demonstrates, for the first time, one of the complete life cycles of E. oligarthrus in an important ecoregion. The Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest constitutes the largest remnant continuous forest of the Atlantic Forest, representing 7% of the world's biodiversity. This is the first molecular determination of E. oligarthrus in Argentina. In addition, the agouti (Dasyprocta azarae), the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and the puma (Puma concolor) were identified as sylvatic hosts of Neotropical echinococcosis caused by E. oligarthrus. Mitochondrial and nuclear molecular marker analyses showed a high genetic diversity in E. oligarthrus. Moreover, the genetic distance found among E. oligarthrus isolates is higher than the one observed among Echinococcus granulosus genotypes, which clearly indicates that there are at least two different E. oligarthrus populations in Argentina. This study provides valuable information to understand the underlying conditions that favour the maintenance of E. oligarthrus in sylvatic cycles and to evaluate its zoonotic significance for devising preventive measures for human and animal wellbeing.

AEROBIC MICROFLORA AND ENDOPARASITES OF FRESHLY SHOT WILD AGOUTI (DASYPROCTA LEPORINA) IN TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES.

The agouti ( Dasyprocta leporina ) is a New World wild rodent hunted for its meat in Trinidad and other Latin American countries. Studies on agouti under captive conditions have yielded some data on health-related aspects, but relatively very little is known about their wild counterparts. The environment of the agouti can influence the microflora and parasites harbored by the animals, which may contain zoonotic pathogens. Here, the microflora found on the nasal mucosa and sections of the intestinal tract and endoparasites of freshly shot agouti from various areas of Trinidad are described. Staphylococcus epidermidis , S. intermedius , Bacillus spp., Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli comprised the majority of bacteria isolated from the nasal mucosa whereas Escherichia coli , Streptococcus viridans, Bacillus spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae were predominant in all sections of the intestinal tract. The fungi Aspergillus fumigatus , Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., Penicillium spp., and Mucor spp. were only isolated from the nasal cavity but not in any section of the intestinal tract. The parasites Strongyloides spp., Ascaridia spp., a hookworm, a trematode, and Trichuris spp. were detected at variable frequencies in each of the sections of the intestines (small intestine, large intestine, caecum), whereas Eimeria spp. were found in all sections (76.9%, 10 of 13 agoutis). These wild agoutis were presumably healthy at the time of death and represent animals that hunters may encounter. Some of the detected pathogens and parasites have the potential to cause opportunistic infections or infestations, especially in immune-compromised hosts.