Filarial hyperinfection in two neotropical primates from eastern Amazon peri-urban areas.

We report two cases of disseminated hyperinfection by filariae in free-living primates Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus niger from eastern Amazon. Histopathological examination showed the presence of Dipetalonema gracile microfilariae in blood, liver, lungs, spleen, small intestine, kidney, brain, liver, and adults in peritoneal thoracic cavity.

Hyperinfection by Strongyloides in captive callitrichids with progressive weight loss syndrome.

We report three cases of disseminated hyperinfection by Strongyloides in primates Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata in captivity and with progressive weight loss syndrome. Histopathological examination revealed severe lesions in lungs, liver, and intestines with the presence of Strongyloides larvae and in a generalized manner, including other organs such as the pancreas and heart.

Anatomical, Histological, and Histochemical Analyses of the Scent Glands of the Scorpion Mud Turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides).

Fossil evidence suggests that scent glands are basal features of Testudines. However, we know little about the structure of these glands in the Brazilian Kinosternidae. In this study, we described the macroscopic anatomy, histology, and histochemistry of the scent glands of three males and three females of Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides from the Marajó mesoregion, Pará State, Brazil. In all of the specimens analyzed, regardless of sex, we found four scent glands, including two axillary and two inguinal glands that were structurally similar to each other. Each gland consisted of a single holocrine secretory lobule, a large lumen surrounded by relatively thin glandular secretory epithelium, an adjacent narrow layer of loose connective tissue, and a thick layer of skeletal striated muscle tissue surrounded by a serous tunic. The secretory epithelium produced a characteristic malodorous yellowish substance that was passed via a single duct through a bone channel in the bridge connecting the carapace to the plastron and excreted through an outer pore in the plate of each respective gland. Histologically, the secretory epithelium presented cells with two types of secretory vacuoles. Type 1 vacuoles stained red were the largest and most frequently found, and stained positively with Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), suggesting they contained glycoproteic complexes. Type 2 vacuoles were translucent, smaller in size and fewer in number, and negative for PAS staining. Because they are very primitive structures, scent glands must play important roles in the lives of chelonians, but their real function remains unknown. Several hypotheses suggest that they can act as protection against ectoparasites, as a repellent of predators, in addition to attracting mates and eliciting other pheromonal responses. In this study, all animals reacted by exuding malodorous substances when handled, as a form of defense. However, these are just assumptions that need to be clarified with additional studies on animal behavior. Anat Rec, 303:1489-1500, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.

Hallmarks of liver lesions in pigs naturally infected by hepatitis E virus genotype 3 / Perfil das lesões histopatológicas hepáticas em suínos infectados naturalmente pelo genótipo 3 do vírus da hepatite E

Histopathological evaluation of liver from 33 pigs slaughtered for human consumption in Amazon region, previously tested by serology and molecular techniques for hepatitis E virus infection (HEV), was analysed in three groups: Group 1, negative for both HEV-RNA and anti-HEV IgG (n=10); Group 2, positive for HEV-RNA (n=13); Group 3, positive for anti-HEV IgG (n=10). Group 2 showed a significant difference among the groups for liver lesions such as lobular activity (P=0.007), periportal interface hepatitis (P=0.004), portal inflammation (P=0.028) hepatitis with lobular, portal and periportal interface activity (P=0.001). HEV detection by immunohistochemistry was performed and 3 of 6 samples of group 2 were positive. Pigs naturally infected by HEV genotype 3 present microscopic necroinflammatory liver lesions similar to HEV in humans. Liver histopathology showed be important in the diagnosis of active asymptomatic HEV infection in pigs slaughtered for human consumption because hepatic liver lesions may present distinct profiles according to molecular and serological diagnosis and in this sense, histopathology and immunohistochemistry may be an important complementary diagnostic tool.(AU)

A avaliação histopatológica hepática de 33 suínos abatidos para consumo humano na região amazônica, previamente testados para infecção pelo vírus da hepatite E (HEV) por sorologia e técnicas moleculares, foi realizada em três grupos: Grupo 1, animais negativos para HEV-RNA e anti-HEV IgG (n=10); Grupo 2, positivos para HEV-RNA (n=13); e Grupo 3, positivos para anti-HEV IgG (n=10). O grupo 2 apresentou diferenças estatísticas significantes entre os grupos em relação à presença de atividade lobular (P=0,007), hepatite periportal de interface (P=0,004), inflamação portal (P= 0.028) e atividade lobular acompanhada por inflamação portal e periportal de interface (P=0,001). A detecção imunohistoquímica do HEV foi realizada e três de seis amostras do Grupo 2 foram positivas. Suínos naturalmente infectados pelo genótipo 3 do HEV apresentam lesões necroinflamatórias no fígado similares a lesão em humanos. A histopatologia hepática demonstrou ser importante no diagnóstico de infecção ativa e assintomática por HEV em suínos abatidos para consumo humano, pois as lesões no fígado apresentaram perfis diferenciados de acordo com o diagnóstico sorológico e molecular da infecção e, neste sentido, a histopatologia e imunohistoquímica podem representar importantes ferramentas complementares de diagnóstico.(AU)

Lesões pulmonares associadas ao parasitismo por Sebekia oxycephala (Pentastomida) em jacarés-açu (Melanosuchus niger Spix, 1825) oriundos de vida livre na Amazônia brasileira / Pulmonary lesions associated with parasitism by Sebekia oxycephala (Pentastomida) in free-ranging Black caimans (Melanosuchus niger Spix, 1825) from the Brazilian Amazon

O presente estudo objetivou descrever as lesões pulmonares macro e microscópicas associadas ao parasitismo por Sebekia oxycephala em 100 espécimes de jacarés-açu (Melanosuchusniger), abatidos na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, situada no Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Durante a avaliação macroscópica, exemplares dos parasitos encontrados no tecido pulmonar foram coletados individualmente em AFA (Álcool etílico - Formalina - Ácido acético glacial) e formol a 5% para avaliação parasitológica e classificação taxonômica. Amostras de tecido pulmonar de todos os animais, independentemente da ocorrência de lesões macroscópicas, foram fixadas em formol 10% e incluídas em parafina. Secções histológicas coradas por Hematoxilina-Eosina destas amostras foram avaliadas por meio de microscopia óptica. Macroscopicamente, 4 dos 100 animais (4%) apresentaram espécimes de pentastomídeos no parênquima pulmonar. Os parasitos foram classificados taxonomicamente como pertencentes à espécie Sebekia oxycephala. Nenhuma alteração macroscópicas foi observada, porém, microscopicamente, lesões pulmonares foram encontradas em 37% dos casos, sendo que, lesões inflamatórias associadas ao parasitismo corresponderam a 75,6% dos mesmos (28/37). Nestes, segmentos degenerados e ovos de S. oxycephala encontravam-se envolvidos por cápsula de tecido conjuntivo fibroso e infiltrado inflamatório predominantemente composto por células gigantes do tipo corpo estranho. Três espécimes apresentaram espessamento de septos alveolares e sete exemplares continham infiltrado inflamatório granulocítico multifocal no parênquima pulmonar. As lesões associadas ao parasitismo, de modo geral, apresentaram intensidade discreta e parecem não representar uma causa importante de doença pulmonar entre a população estudada. Esta é a primeira descrição de lesões pulmonares em M. niger associadas ao parasitismo por S. oxycephala na Amazônia brasileira.

The goal of this study was to describe gross and microscopic lung lesions associated with the parasitism by Sebekia oxycephala between 100 specimens of black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) slaughtered in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, situated in the Amazonas State, Brazil. During the macroscopic evaluation, specimens of parasites found in the lung tissue were collected individually in AFA (ethyl alcohol - formalin - glacial acetic acid) and 5% formalin for parasitological evaluation and taxonomic classification. Lung tissue samples of all the animals, regardless of the occurrence of gross lesions, were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Histological sections obtained from the samples stained by Hematoxylin-Eosin were evaluated by light microscopy. Grossly, 4 of the 100 animals (4%) presented pentastomid specimens in the lung parenchyma. These parasites were taxonomically classified as Sebekia oxycephala. No macroscopic alterations were observed, however microscopically pulmonary lesions were found in 37% of the cases, and inflammatory lesions associated with the parasitism corresponded to 75.6% of them (28/37). In these cases, degenerate segments and eggs of S. oxycephala were surrounded by a fibrous capsule and inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly by foreign body giant cells. Three specimens exhibited thickening of the alveolar septa and seven specimens presented multifocal inflammatory granulocytic infiltration in the lung parenchyma. Generally, the associated parasitic lesions had mild intensity and did not appear to represent an important cause of lung disease in the studied population. This is the first description of lung lesions in M. niger associated with parasitism by S. oxycephala in the Brazilian Amazon.

Occurrence of infection by Platynosomum illiciens (Braun, 1901) in captive neotropical primates.

Platynosomum illiciens (Trematoda, Plagiorchida) is a trematode parasite reported in felids and falconiforms. It was identified in the gall bladder of eight captive neotropical necropsied primates from the National Primate Center (CENP), Ananindeua, State of Pará, Brazil. This is the first description of Platynosomum illiciens as a parasite of primates.