Isolation of Salmonella spp. from yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) and broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) from the Argentine Chaco.

Presence of Salmonella spp. was evaluated in yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) and broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) from a ranching facility in the Argentine Chaco. Crocodilian ranching programs are based on captive breeding of wild-harvested eggs and release of excess hatchlings into the wild. Samples for bacterial isolation were collected from 102 captive (35 C. yacare and 67 C. latirostris) and seven free-ranging caiman (four C. yacare and three C. latirositris) between 2001 and 2005 and from three artificially incubated C. yacare wild eggs. Two Salmonella spp. of known zoonotic potential, S. infantis and S. nottingham, were isolated from captive caiman in 2001 and 2002, respectively. This is the first report for S. nottingham in reptiles and of S. infantis in caiman. Salmonella spp. prevalence varied significantly between years, with a 77% prevalence peak in 2002. Although the cause of this increase was not confirmed, we found no correlation with the type of enclosure, caiman species, or body weight. Deteriorated physical condition of caiman hatchlings due to dietary changes in 2002 could have influenced Salmonella spp. shedding. However, external sources such as food, water, or enclosures could not be ruled out. Pathogenic Salmonella spp. present a risk for human infection. Inadvertent introduction of Salmonella spp. or other bacteria into the environment when caiman are released could pose a threat to wild caiman populations. Prophylactic measures to detect and decrease Salmonella spp. presence in caiman ranching facilities are recommended to reduce risk to humans and make caiman-ranching a sound conservation strategy for crocodilian species.

Inmovilización química y evaluación de salud de vizcachas salvajes (Lagostomus maximus) en el chaco arido argentino / Chemical restraint and sanitary assessment of wild vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus) in the arid argentin chaco / Contenção farmacologica e avaliação sanitaria de viscachas selvagens (lagostomus maximus) no chaco árido argentino

Con el objetivo de evaluar la salud de vizcachas salvajes (Lagostomus maximus), se capturaron en el Chaco Árido argentino 10 ejemplares y se efectuaron 11 inmovilizaciones con anestesias fijas o inhalatoria. Para las anestesias, se administraron una combinación de tiletamina- zolazepam (n = 7) o una combinación de medetomidina y ketamina (n = 2) o gas isofluorano con un vaporizador portátil creando un circuito semicerrado (n = 2). Los estudios de salud comprendieron hematología, bioquímica sanguínea, análisis parasitológicos y de exposición a agentes infecciosos mediante cultivo y serología. El uso de tiletamina-zolazepam resultó en una pobre calidad anestésica y recuperaciones prolongadas. Por El contrario, el uso de medetomidina-ketamina o de isofluorano, proporcionaron inmovilizaciones más seguras. Se concluye que el protocolo testado de tiletamina-zolazepam no sería recomendable para esta especie, sobre todo en vida libre. La búsqueda de anticuerpos para los agentes infecciosos evaluados resultó negativa, por otra parte, se aisló Listeria innocua serovar 6a em hisopados rectales, se constató infestación con pulgas (Pulex irritans), ooquistes de Eimeria lagostomi, huevos de la Familia Trichostrongylidae y huevos similares a Heteroxynema viscaciae

RESUMO: Com objetivo de avaliar a condição sanitária de viscachas selvagens (Lagostomus maximus), foram capturados, no Chaco Árido argentino, 10 animais e realizadas 11 imobilizações, com anestesia injetável ou inalatória. Empregaram-se três diferentes protocolos: tiletamina-zolazepam (n = 7), metetomidina-cetamina (n = 2) ou isoflurano com vaporizador portátil em sistema semi-fechado (n = 2). A avaliação sanitária consistiu de hematologia, bioquímica sérica, exames parasitológicos e avaliação da exposição a agentes infecciosos por cultura e sorologia. O uso de tiletamina-zolazepam proporcionou má qualidade anestésica e recuperações prolongadas, enquanto a combinação medetomidina-cetamina, possibilitou imobilizações mais seguras. Assim, o protocolo testado de tiletamina-zolazepam não é indicado para esta espécie, especialmente em animais de vida livre. A pesquisa de anticorpos para os agentes infecciosos avaliados foi negativa, mas isolou-se Listeria innocua serovar 6a de suabes retais, e foram encontradas pulgas (Pulex irritans), oocistos de Eimeria lagostomi, ovos de Trichostrongylidae e ovos similares a Heteroxynema viscaciae

ABSTRACT: In order to evaluate the sanitary condition of wild vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus), 10 animals were captured in the Arid Chaco of Argentina and 11 immobilizations were performed through injectable or volatile anesthesia. Three different protocols were used: tiletamine-zolazepam (n = 7), medetomidine-ketamine (n = 2), or isofluorane with a portable vaporizer in a semi-closed circuit (n = 2). The sanitary assessment consisted of hematology, blood chemistry, parasitological analysis, and the assessment of the exposure to infectious agents by culture and serology. The use of tiletamine-zolazepam caused poor anesthetic quality and prolonged recoveries, while the medetomidine-ketamin combination, however, caused safer immobilizations. Thus, the use of the tested protocol of tiletamine-zolazepam is not advisable for this species, mainly for free-ranging animals. The search of antibodies for the evaluated infectious agents was negative, but there was isolated Listeria innocua serovar 6a from rectal swabs , fleas were found (Pulex irritans), oocytes of Eimeria lagostomi, Trichostrongylidae eggs as well as similar Heteroxynema viscaciae eggs.

[Abdominal zygomycosis in a bitch due to Absidia corymbifera]. / Cigomicosis abdominal en una perra causada por Absidia corymbifera.

We report a case of abdominal zygomicosis in a Doberman bitch. Clinical signs consisted of urinary incontinence and hard abdominal masses detected by palpation. The masses were surgically removed by exploratory laparatomy and had a tumoral-like appearance. A granulomatous reaction containing coarse and non septate hyphae was the main histological finding. Direct microscopic examination revealed the presence of fungal structures. On Sabouraud honey agar the fungus developed fluffy, greyish white colonies that were identified as Absidia corymbifera on the basis of their macro and microscopic morphology.

Pulmonary aspergillosis in a great rhea (Rhea americana).

A 5-mo-old great rhea (Rhea americana) gradually became emaciated over a 1-wk period and died. Necropsy revealed several small yellow nodules in the lungs. Microscopically, the nodules consisted of granulomas containing numerous thin, 4-microm-diameter, septate, branching fungal hyphae. Aspergillus fumigatus grew readily on Sabouraud dextrose agar. This report appears to be the first of mycotic pneumonia in great rheas.

Virus encefalitis de San Luis : Búsqueda de anticuerpos en equinos de Tandil y alredores

Se analizaron 282 sueros equinos del Partido de Tandil y alrededores, con el objeto de investigar si el virus Encefalitis de San Luis u otro Flavivirus puede interesar o no a la patología equina de la región. Se estudiaron 10 establecimientos, 4 de ellos presentaron en total 23 sueros positivos con anticuerpos inhibidores de la hemoaglutinación y/o fijadores de complemento, de los cuales 6 pudieron determinarse como correspondientes a virus Encefalitis de San Luis por neutralización. Los restantes se enterpretan como positivos en algún otro Flavivirus presente en la zona

Virus encefalitis de San Luis : Búsqueda de anticuerpos en equinos de Tandil y alredores

Se analizaron 282 sueros equinos del Partido de Tandil y alrededores, con el objeto de investigar si el virus Encefalitis de San Luis u otro Flavivirus puede interesar o no a la patología equina de la región. Se estudiaron 10 establecimientos, 4 de ellos presentaron en total 23 sueros positivos con anticuerpos inhibidores de la hemoaglutinación y/o fijadores de complemento, de los cuales 6 pudieron determinarse como correspondientes a virus Encefalitis de San Luis por neutralización. Los restantes se enterpretan como positivos en algún otro Flavivirus presente en la zona

Virus encefalitis de San Luis : Búsqueda de anticuerpos en equinos de Tandil y alredores

Se analizaron 282 sueros equinos del Partido de Tandil y alrededores, con el objeto de investigar si el virus Encefalitis de San Luis u otro Flavivirus puede interesar o no a la patología equina de la región. Se estudiaron 10 establecimientos, 4 de ellos presentaron en total 23 sueros positivos con anticuerpos inhibidores de la hemoaglutinación y/o fijadores de complemento, de los cuales 6 pudieron determinarse como correspondientes a virus Encefalitis de San Luis por neutralización. Los restantes se enterpretan como positivos en algún otro Flavivirus presente en la zona