Platynosomum fastosum in an asymptomatic cat in the state of Espírito Santo: first report

Platynosomum fastosum is a parasite that affects cats, and among these, domestic cats, especially those originating from areas with tropical and subtropical climates. It is the most common liver parasite of domestic cats and is usually located in the bile ducts and gall bladder, but may also be found in the small intestine and pancreas. Infection occurs through ingestion of geckos containing metacercariae, causing cholangitis in the bile ducts of domestic cats. The aim of this study was to report the occurrence of P. fastosum after necropsy of an asymptomatic domestic cat, with a history of sudden death, received at the Animal Pathology sector of the Ricardo Alexandre Hippler Veterinary Hospital, Espírito Santo, Brazil. In macroscopic examination adult specimens of P. fastosum were observed inside the visibly dilated bile ducts. The dilatation, the presence of parasites and papillary proliferations into the lumen of the ducts were confirmed by histopathological examination. Then, a cholangiohepatitis associated to P. fastosum infection was classified. This is the first report of the occurrence of P. fastosum in a domestic cat in the state of Espírito Santo

Nematocidal activity of extracellular enzymes produced by the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on cyathostomin infective larvae.

Duddingtonia flagrans produces chitinases, however, optimization of the production of these enzymes still needs to be explored, and its nematocidal activity should still be the subject of studies. The objective of the present study was to optimize chitinase production, and evaluate the nematocidal activity of extracellular enzymes produced by the nematophagous fungus D. flagrans on cyathostomin infective larvae. An isolate from D. flagrans (AC001) was used in this study. For the production of enzymes (protease and chitinase), two different culture media were inoculated with AC001 conidia. Both enzymes were purified. The statistical Plackett-Burman factorial design was used to investigate some variables and their effect on the production of chitinases by D. flagrans. After that, the design central composite (CCD) was used in order to determine the optimum levels and investigate the interactions of these variables previously observed. Only two variables (moisture and incubation time), in the evaluated levels, had a significant effect (p<0.05) on chitinase production. The conditions of maximum chitinase activity were calculated, with the following values: incubation time 2 days, and moisture 511%. The protease and chitinase derived from D. flagrans, individually or together (after 24h), led to a significant reduction (p<0.01) in the number of intact cyathostomin L3, when compared to the control, with following reduction percentage values: 19.4% (protease), 15.5% (chitinase), and 20.5% (protease+chitinase). Significant differences were observed (p<0.05) between the group treated with proteases in relation to the group treated with proteases+chitinases. In this study, the assay with the cyathostomins showed that chitinase had a nematocidal effect, suggesting that this enzyme acts on the "fungus versus nematodes" infection process. It is known that nematode eggs are rich in chitin, and in this case, we could think of a greater employability for this chitinase.