Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a captive western black-handed tamarin (Saguinus niger).

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic fungal disease that occurs in Latin America and primarily affects humans. The disease has been rarely documented in non-human primates. This report details a disseminated and fatal case of PCM caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in a western black-handed tamarin (Saguinus niger) under human care. Histopathological examination revealed extensive pyogranulomatous inflammation in the lungs, spleen, liver, lymph nodes, kidneys, epididymis, right testicle, heart, adrenal gland and intestines, associated with characteristic yeast forms consistent with Paracoccidioides spp and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Molecular analysis indicated a high nucleotide similarity with P. brasiliensis sequences for both the 18S rRNA and gp43 genes. This naturally occurring infection highlights the susceptibility of these animals to PCM and their role in ecoepidemiology warrants further investigation.

Ticks (Parasitiformes: Ixodida) on new world wild primates in Brazil

Brazil concentrates the largest number of primate species in the world. In the present study, an extensive literature review of ticks on New World wild monkeys has been carried out, demonstrating that between the years 1912 to 2018, 182 larvae, 137 nymphs and 31 adult ticks (10 males and 21 females) were collected on 78 primates (from 12 different species) in 28 distinct localities in the Brazilian territory. Additionally, examination of allotments of 11 tick collections of Brazil revealed that from 1919 to 2019, 93 larvae, 91 nymphs and 175 adult ticks (62 males and 113 females) were collected from 100 monkeys (among 20 different species) from 43 localities in distinct Brazilian biomes. Overall, 19 tick species were identified on wild primates in the country: Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772), Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) sensu stricto, Amblyomma coelebs Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma geayi Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma incisum Neumann, 1906, Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844), Amblyomma naponense (Packard, 1869), Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844, Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca & Aragão, 1952, Amblyomma romarioi Martins, Luz & Labruna, 2019, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch, 1844, Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Cooley, 1946, Ixodes fuscipes Koch, 1844, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) sensu lato,and Ornithodoros rostratus Aragão, 1911. The presence of A. incisum, A. naponense, A. nodosum, A. rotundatum and I. fuscipes on monkeys is recorded for the first time. Thisresearch is therefore a significant contribution to the knowledge of tick speciesassociated with non-human primates in the Neotropical region.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on wild raptors in Brazil

This research reports ticks on wild raptors in Brazil. Between the years 1936 and 2019, 127 larvae, 230 nymphs and 34 adult ticks were collected on 92 raptors (among 27 different species) from 35 localities in distinct Brazilian biomes. Additionally, an extensive literature review on ticks on wild raptors has been carried out, demonstrating that from 1993 to 2016, 29 larvae, 81 nymphs, 29 adults and 186 indeterminate immature ticks (larvae or nymphs) were collected on 41 raptors (16 different species) in 17 distinct localities in the Brazilian territory. The following tick species were identified on wild raptors in the country: Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772), Amblyomma auricularium (Conil, 1878), Amblyomma brasiliense Aragão, 1908, Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) sensu stricto, Amblyomma calcaratum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma coelebs Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844), Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844, Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca & Aragão, 1952, Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Cooley, 1946, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) sensu lato. This study is therefore a significant contribution to our knowledge of the ticks associated with Brazilian raptors.

Fatal toxoplasmosis in a southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) from São Paulo state, Brazil: Pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization

We report the pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of fatal acute systemic toxoplasmosis in an adult, female, free­living southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) from São Paulo state, Brazil. PCR­RFLP genotyping analysis identified the #21 genotype of Toxoplasma gondii. This represents the first report of acute toxoplasmosis involving this genotype in humans and animals.

Relatamos as características patológicas, imuno-histoquímicas e moleculares da toxoplasmose sistêmica aguda fatal em um muriqui do sul adulto (feminino) de vida livre (Brachyteles arachnoides) do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A análise de genotipagem por PCR ­ RFLP identificou o genótipo # 21 de Toxoplasma gondii. Isso representa o primeiro relato de toxoplasmose aguda envolvendo esse genótipo em humanos e animais

Epidemiology of leptospirosis at Sorocaba Zoo, São Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil / Epidemiologia da leptospirose no Zoológico de Sorocaba, Estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil

Leptospirosis is considered a worldwide distributed zoonosis, caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp. Since several species of wildlife animals are reportedly reservoirs, the aim of the present study was to know the epidemiology of leptospirosis at the Sorocaba Zoo, Southern Brazil. Serum samples of wild mammals from Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Perissodactyla, Pilosa, Primates, Proboscidea and Rodentia orders, kept in captivity as well as from zoological staff were assayed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Whole blood, urine and tissue samples from wild mammals and synanthropic animals were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An epidemiological survey was applied to evaluate the risk factors for animal infection and staff level of knowledge on leptospirosis. A total of 13/229 (5.68%; CI95% 3.37-9.47%) serum samples from wild mammals were reagent on MAT. Serology from synanthropic animals, zoo staff and molecular analysis of animal samples were all negative. Leptospirosis knowledge of zoo park staff was considered medium. In conclusion, leptospiral infection occurs at the studied zoo but due to the low occurrence found, the lowest reported in literature, wild captive mammals do not act as source of infection of leptospirosis to other animals and human beings.

A leptospirose é considerada uma zoonose de distribuição mundial, causada por bactérias do gênero Leptospira spp. Uma vez que muitas espécies de animais selvagens são consideradas como reservatórios, o objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer a epidemiologia da leptospirose no Zoológico de Sorocaba, sudeste do Brasil. Amostras de soro de mamíferos selvagens cativos das ordens Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Perissodactyla, Pilosa, Primates, Proboscidea e Rodentia, assim como dos funcionários do zoo foram analisados pela soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM). Sangue total, urina e amostras de tecidos dos animais selvagens e sinantrópicos foram analisados pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR). Um questionário epidemiológico foi aplicado para se avaliar os fatores de risco de infecção por leptospira dos animais e também para avaliar o grau de conhecimento dos funcionários do parque sobre a leptospirose. Um total de 13/229 (5,68%; CI95% 3.37-9.47%) amostras de soro dos mamíferos selvagens foram reagentes na SAM. A sorologia dos animais sinantrópicos, funcionários do zoológico e a análise molecular lograram-se negativas. O conhecimento dos funcionários sobre a leptospirose foi considerado médio. Em conclusão, a infecção leptospírica ocorre no parque zoológico estudado, porém devido à baixa ocorrência encontrada, a menor descrita na literatura, os mamíferos cativos não desempenham um papel de fonte de infecção para outros animais e para o homem.

Malófagos ( Phthiraptera ) recolhidos de aves silvestres no Zoológico de São Paulo, SP, Brasil / Chewing lice ( Phthiraptera ) from wild birds in the São Paulo Zoo, State of São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Vinte e oito espécies de malófagos foram recolhidas de aves silvestres no acervo do Zoológico de São Paulo durante o ano de 2003. Vinte e três foram identificadas ao nível de espécie e cinco ao nível genérico. Os relatos de novas espécies no Brasil e novas associações parasitárias para a literatura são discutidos.