Epidemiology of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna): a cross-sectional study in Andean highland communities in Peru.

Sarcoptic mange or scabies is a contagious parasitic skin disease that affects a wide range of domestic and wildlife species. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, molecular identification, and characteristics of sarcoptic mange in vicuñas. A total of 3,274 vicuñas were examined. Following ritual harvesting events ("chaccus") in 13 Andean communities. The presence of mange mites was determined by the skin scraping technique and confirmed by PCR analysis using specific primers for the ITS2 gene of Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of mange mites was also confirmed by microscopy using samples taken from wallows. A data collection form was used to register the characteristics of the vicuñas sampled. The prevalence of sarcoptic mange was 4.9% (95% CI: 4.1 - 5.6%). All samples from wallows tested positive (9/9). Importantly, the presence of the species S. scabiei was molecularly confirmed. Adult females with regular body condition were more susceptible to sarcoptic mange, although the lesions were mild. This study confirms the presence of S. scabiei in semi-captive vicuñas and points to the possible role of wallows in the dissemination of Sarcoptes mites.

Evaluation of abortions spontaneously induced by Neospora caninum and risk factors in dairy cattle from Lima, Peru.

Our objective was to identify the direct and indirect presence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle and their aborted fetuses from Lima, Peru. A total 219 blood samples obtained from dairy cattle with records of spontaneous abortion were collected to detect antibodies against N. caninum in serum with indirect ELISA and search for risk-factor associations. 68 fetal aborted tissue samples of these cows were analyzed by PCR, indirect ELISA and histopathology assay to detect N. caninum presence. The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Univariate analysis was performed using the chi-squared test. Among the 68 aborted fetuses collected, 10 (15%) were positive in at least two diagnostic tests. Among 219 serum samples, 46.6% (95% CI: 40.0%-53.3%) were positive. Cows with 4 years or older (PR: 7.10; 95% CI: 4.89-10.67) and multiparous (PR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.11-2.80) were found to be more likely to possess N. caninum antibodies. This study detects presence of N. caninum in dairy cattle and their aborted fetus from Lima valley, suggesting biosecurity management improve to neosporosis control.

Evaluation of abortions spontaneously induced by Neospora caninum and risk factors in dairy cattle from Lima, Peru / Avaliação de abortos induzidos espontaneamente por Neospora caninum e fatores de risco em bovinos leiteiros de Lima, Peru

Abstract Our objective was to identify the direct and indirect presence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle and their aborted fetuses from Lima, Peru. A total 219 blood samples obtained from dairy cattle with records of spontaneous abortion were collected to detect antibodies against N. caninum in serum with indirect ELISA and search for risk-factor associations. 68 fetal aborted tissue samples of these cows were analyzed by PCR, indirect ELISA and histopathology assay to detect N. caninum presence. The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Univariate analysis was performed using the chi-squared test. Among the 68 aborted fetuses collected, 10 (15%) were positive in at least two diagnostic tests. Among 219 serum samples, 46.6% (95% CI: 40.0%-53.3%) were positive. Cows with 4 years or older (PR: 7.10; 95% CI: 4.89-10.67) and multiparous (PR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.11-2.80) were found to be more likely to possess N. caninum antibodies. This study detects presence of N. caninum in dairy cattle and their aborted fetus from Lima valley, suggesting biosecurity management improve to neosporosis control.

Resumo O objetivo do trabalho foi diagnosticar a presença direta e indireta de Neospora caninum em fetos abortados e de soros de bovinos leiteiros de Lima, Peru. Um total de 219 amostras de sangue obtido de vacas leiteiras, com registros de abortos espontâneos, foi coletado para detectar anticorpos contra N. caninum no soro (pelo ELISA indireto), e para estudar associações com fatores de risco. Foram examinadas 68 amostras de tecido fetal abortado das vacas soropositivas pela PCR, ELISA indireto e histopatologia para determinar a presença de N. caninum. A taxa de prevalência (PR) e o intervalo de confiança (CI) de 95% foram estimados. Análise univariada foi realizada usando o teste de Qui-quadrado. Entre os 68 fetos abortados, 10 (15%) foram positivos em pelo menos dois testes diagnósticos. Entre as 219 amostras de soro, 46,6% (95% IC: 40,0%-53,3%) foram positivas. Vacas com 4 anos ou mais de idade (RP: 7,10; 95% IC: 4,89-10,67) e multíparas (RP: 1,76; 95% IC: 1,11-2,80) apresentaram maior frequência de anticorpos contra N. caninum. Este estudo demonstrou a presença de N. caninum em bovinos leiteiros e em fetos abortados oriundos do vale de Lima, sugerindo a implementação de medidas de biossegurança, para o controle da neosporose.

Sarcocystis masoni, n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae), and redescription of Sarcocystis aucheniae from llama (Lama glama), guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

There is considerable confusion concerning the species of Sarcocystis in South American camelids (SAC). Several species names have been used; however, proper descriptions are lacking. In the present paper, we redescribe the macroscopic sarcocyst forming Sarcocystis aucheniae and describe and propose a new name, Sarcocystis masoni for the microscopic sarcocyst forming species. Muscles samples were obtained from llamas (Lama glama) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) from Argentina and from alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas from Peru. Individual sarcocysts were processed by optical and electron microscopy, and molecular studies. Microscopic sarcocysts of S. masoni were up to 800 µm long and 35-95 µm wide, the sarcocyst wall was 2·5-3·5 µm thick, and had conical to cylindrical villar protrusions (vp) with several microtubules. Each vp had 11 or more rows of knob-like projections. Seven 18S rRNA gene sequences obtained from sarcocysts revealed 95-96% identity with other Sarcocystis spp. sequences reported in the GenBank. Sarcocysts of S. aucheniae were macroscopic, up to 1·2 cm long and surrounded by a dense and laminar 50 µm thick secondary cyst wall. The sarcocyst wall was up to 10 µm thick, and had branched vp, appearing like cauliflower. Comparison of the 11 sequences obtained from individual macroscopic cysts evidenced a 98-99% of sequence homology with other S. aucheniae sequences. In conclusion, 2 morphologically and molecularly different Sarcocystis species, S. masoni (microscopic cysts) and S. aucheniae (macroscopic cysts), were identified affecting different SAC from Argentina and Peru.

Huevos de Toxocara sp. en parques públicos de los conos Norte y Este de Lima Metropolitana / Eggs of Toxocara sp. in public parks in the eastern and north part of Lima Metropolitan

Contamination with Toxocara sp. in public parks of the eastern and the northern zone of Lima was evaluated to determinate human health risk in surrounding areas. Turf samples were collected from 259 out of 748 parks (151 from eastern Lima and 108 from northern Lima) using the double W method. Samples were processed by the flotation method using CINa satured solution. A sample was considered positive when was found at least one egg of Toxocara sp. Parks were grouped according to the level of conservation as good (well covered with grass), moderate (around 50% covered with grass) and poor conserved (without grass), and according to the social economic level as high (Level I), middle-high (Level II), middle (Level III), middle Low- (Level IV) and low (Level V). The prevalence rate was 41,1 more less 7,8% (mean more less confidence interval) and 34,3 more less 9% for parks in eastern and northern Lima, respectively. Contamination level was 92.3, 44.7 and 7.7% in parks with good, moderate and poor level of conservation, respectively in eastern Lima, whereas it was 64.5, 27.6 and 18.8% respectively, in parks of northern Lima. Contamination according to the social economic level was 87.5, 46.2, 50.0, 66.7, 37.9, 25.8 and 17.9% in levels I, II, III, IV and V respectively, in northern Lima. Good and moderate conserved parks coincided with parks in levels I and II, whereas poor conserved parks coincided with parks in levels IV and V.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el grado de contaminación por huevos de Toxocara sp. en parques públicos de los conos Este y Norte de Lima Metropolitana, a fin de evaluar el riesgo existente en la salud de la población aledaña. Muestras de tierra y césped de 259 de los 748 parques existentes (151 del Cono Este y 108 del Cono Norte) fueron colectadas empleando el método de la doble W y procesadas mediante el método de flotación con solución sobresaturada de CINa. Los parques fueron categorizados según su estado de conservación en parques bien conservados (césped en toda su área), medianamente conservados (césped en cerca del 50% del área) y mal conservados (sin césped); y según el estrato socioecononómico de la población circundante en estratos de poder adquisitivo alto (Nivel I), medio alto (Nivel II), medio (Nivel III), medio-bajo (Nivel IV) y bajo (Nivel V). La contaminación de los parques bien, medianamente y mal conservados fue de 92,3; 44,7 y 7,7% respectivamente, para el Cono Este, y de 64,5; 27,6 y 18,8%, respectivamente, para el Cono Norte. Asimismo, se registró una contaminación en parques de nivel socioeconómico I, II, III, IV y V de 87,5; 46,2; 50,0; 34,7 y 37,1% en el Cono Este y de 50,0; 66,7; 37,9; 25,8 y 17,9% en el cono Norte, respectivamente. Los resultados en parques bien y medianamente conservados coinciden con los hallados en el nivel I y II, en tanto que los parques mal conservados corresponden a los niveles IV y V.

Presencia de enteroparásitos en lechuga (lactusa sativa) en establecimientos de consumo público de alimentos en el Cercado de Lima / Presence of enteroparasites (Lactuca sativa) in restaurants of Lima downtown

Parasitic diseases are one of the most serious problems in Public health among the food borne diseases, mainly due to the high morbidity. Enteroparasitic diseases, especially those related to protozoa have a high prevalence in Peru, mostly affecting children and immunosupressed people through water and food contaminated with infective larvi forms, this purpose of this study was to determinate the degree of enteroparasite contamination in raw vegetables that are served in Lima downtown restaurants a total of 105 lettuce (Lactuca sativa) samples from restaurants specialized in local food, marinated fish (ceviche), and roasted chicken were collected. Samples were processed using the sedimentation method and direct observation, plus the modified Ziehl Neelsen method. The level of contamination was 12,4 more less 6,3% (Giardia Sp.: 1,9%; Isospora SP.: 3,8%; Crystosposridium parvum: 6,7%). It is recommended the continuous monitoring of restaurants by official authorities of the Ministry of Health and local municipalities.

Las enfermedades parasitarias constituyen uno de los más graves problemas de salud pública dentro de las enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos, principalmente por su alta morbilidad. Las enteroparasitosis y dentro de ellas las producidas por protozoos presentan una alta prevalencia en el Perú, afectando mayormente a niños e inmunosuprimidos, a través del agua y alimentos contaminados con las formas parasitarias infectantes. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar el grado de contaminación por enteroparásitos en verduras crudas expendidas en restaurantes del Cercado de Lima. Se recolectaron 105 muestras de lechuga (Lactuca sativa) de restaurantes de comida criolla, de cebicherías y de pollerías. Las muestras fueron procesadas por el método de sedimentación y observación directa, así como por la técnica de coloración de Ziehl Neelsen modificado, encontrándose un 12,4 más menos 6,3% de contaminación enteroparasitarias (1,9% para Giardia sp., 3,8% para Isospora sp., y 6,7% para Crystosporidium parvum). Por los resultados hallados en el presente estudio se recomienda el monitoreo continuo a todo establecimiento de consumo público de alimentos a cargo de entidades competentes como las municipalidades y el Ministerio de Salud.