New records of Amblyomma ticks parasitizing neotropical primates in Brazil.

Amblyomma is an important tick genus for animal and human health, with some species being the vectors of zoonotic pathogens, such as Rickettsia rickettsii, in the Neotropical region. Knowing their hosts may help to understand the distribution of these agents and decrease the occurrence of clinical cases. Primates are intelligent and adaptable animals that can get close to humans in the search for food. So, they may be an important epidemiological link for the spread of these ticks. Beyond that, primates also suffer from these infections, serving as sentinels for different diseases. Thus, the present study aims to report the parasitism by Amblyomma spp. on six species of Neotropical primates from different locations in Brazil. The 337 collected ticks were morphologically identified using stereomicroscopes and taxonomic keys, and six distinct species of ticks were identified. We report here the first record of nymphs of the tick species Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto on Alouatta belzebul, a male of Amblyomma fuscum on Alouatta guariba clamitans, nymphs of Amblyomma sculptum on Leontopithecus chrysopygus and Callithrix aurita, as well as nymphs of Amblyomma geayi on Saimiri collinsi. Of the 337 tick specimens collected, 256 (75,96%) were nymphs. The importance of primates in the life cycle of these species remains to be elucidated.

Sedative Effect of Ketamin-Midazolam Administered at Acupoint GV20 Compared to Intramuscular Route in Blue-Fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva): a Pilot Study.

Background: The growth of exotic pet medicine is leading to fast developments in clinical investigations on birds. Acupuncture, specifically pharmacopuncture, offers safe chemical restraint options. Objectives: To investigate pharmacopuncture at acupoint GV20 in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) using ketamine and midazolam. Methods: Sixteen healthy birds were distributed into four groups (C: intramuscular control; 1/2 C: 1/2 dose intramuscular control; 1/2 GV20: 1/2 dose at acupoint GV20; 1/5 GV20: 1/5 dose at acupoint GV20). Degree of sedation, latency, recuperation time, heart and respiratory rate, and body temperature were measured. Quantitative data were analyzed by a Student's t-test. Results: The C, 1/2 C, and 1/2 GV20 groups showed the same degree of sedation. The 1/2 GV20 group showed longer latency times (6 ± 2.1) than the 1/2 C (2.5 ± 0.5) group. Sedation time did not differ between the C (28 ± 9.8), 1/2 C (30.5 ± 8.6), and 1/2 GV20 (41 ± 22.24) groups. The 1/2 GV20 group recuperated faster (13.7 ± 3.7) than the C group (64.2 ± 3.5). The C and 1/2 C groups showed tremors and slow and unstable recovery. Two animals in the C group showed mild hypothermia (38°C). Conclusion: The use of 1/2 GV20 was effective and safe to sedate blue-fronted Amazon parrots without side effects, providing easy, stable, and fast recovery. The use of 1/5 GV20 had a shorter sedation time. These findings show that the combination of acupuncture and drugs provides new possibilities for efficient anesthetic protocols with fewer side effects in birds.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae as Unexpected Cause of Fatal Outbreak in Captive Marmosets, Brazil.

After the sudden death of captive marmosets in São Paulo, Brazil, we conducted a histologic and microbiologic study. We found hyperacute septicemia caused by hypermucoviscous sequence type 86 K2 Klebsiella pneumoniae. We implemented prophylactic antimicrobial therapy, selected dedicated staff for marmoset interactions, and sanitized the animals' fruit to successfully control this outbreak.

Estudo da biomecânica oclusal e da aderência da resina acrílica auto-polimerizável (polimetilmetacrilato) em fraturas de rinoteca de tucanos (Ramphastos toco) / Study of the occlusion biomechanics and adherence of acrylic resin (polimetilmetacrilate) in fractures of rhinotheca in toucans (Ramphastos toco)

Esforço de tração foi aplicado perpendicularmente ao eixo do bico e para realização do ensaio foi utilizado um dinamômetro. O bico íntegro fraturou quando submetido a uma tração de 270,40 N, com deslocamento de 22,59mm. Para a fixação dos bicos fraturados foi utilizada resina acrílica e a área compreendeu uma faixa com 2,0 cm de largura. O segundo bico ensaiado apresentou resistência até 69.75 N. O bico submetido a condicionamento ácido resistiu a uma força de 63,29 N. Outros dois novos ensaios foram realizados, preenchendo-se toda a superfície da rinoteca. Aquele não submetido ao condicionamento ácido resistiu até 134,40 N e, aquele submetido ao condicionamento ácido, resistiu até 101,50 N. No presente trabalho não se observou correlação estatística e, conseqüentemente, diferença entre os procedimentos com utilização prévia de condicionamento ácido e aqueles sem a utilização do mesmo.

Traction effort was applied perpendicularly to the axis of toucan beaks and for accomplishment of the essay a dynamometer was used. The beak was completely fractured when submitted to traction of 270.40 N. For fixation of the fractured beaks acrylic resin was applied using a strip of 2.0cm of width. The second beak presented resistance up to 69.75 N. The third beak was submitted to acid conditioning and resisted to force of 63.29 N. Other two new tests were accomplished the whole surface of the rhinotheca filled out. The fourth beak was not submitted to the acid attack and it resisted up to 134.40 N, and the fifth was submitted to the acid etch and it resisted up to 101.50 N. The present work did not observe statistical correlation and, consequently, differences among the procedures with previous use of acid attack and those without the use of the same.