Surveillance of avian malaria and related haemoparasites in common terns (Sterna hirundo) on the Atlantic coast of South America.

Haemosporidia (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are protozoa that infect vertebrate blood cells and are transmitted by vectors. Among vertebrates, birds possess the greatest diversity of haemosporidia, historically placed in 3 genera: Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium, the causative agent of avian malaria. In South America, existing data on haemosporidia are spatially and temporally dispersed, so increased surveillance is needed to improve the determination and diagnosis of these parasites. During the non-breeding season in 2020 and 2021, 60 common terns (Sterna hirundo) were captured and bled as part of ongoing research on the population health of migratory birds on the Argentinian Atlantic coast. Blood samples and blood smears were obtained. Fifty-eight samples were screened for Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, as well as for Babesia parasites by nested polymerase chain reaction and by microscopic examination of smears. Two positive samples for Plasmodium were found. The cytochrome b lineages detected in the present study are found for the first time, and are close to Plasmodium lineages found in other bird orders. The low prevalence (3.6%) of haemoparasites found in this research was similar to those reported for previous studies on seabirds, including Charadriiformes. Our findings provide new information about the distribution and prevalence of haemosporidian parasites from charadriiforms in the southernmost part of South America, which remains understudied.

Gastrointestinal helminths of Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) from Stranger Point, 25 de Mayo/King George Island, Antarctica.

The aim of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of gastrointestinal parasites of the Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) from 25 de Mayo/King George Island (South Shetlands, Antarctica). Gastrointestinal tracts of 37 fresh dead individuals (21 chicks, 10 juveniles, and 6 adults) were collected from December 2006 to February 2012 and examined for macroparasites. Four adult parasite species were found: one Cestoda species (Parorchites zederi), two Nematoda species (Stegophorus macronectes and Tetrameres wetzeli), and one Acanthocephalan (Corynosoma shackletoni). Two species of immature acanthocephalans, Corynosoma hamanni and Corynosoma bullosum, were found in a single host. This is the first record of Tetrameres wetzeli in Gentoo penguins. The low parasite richness observed could be related to the stenophagic and pelagic diet of this host species which feeds almost exclusively on krill.

The genus Contracaecum Raillet & Henry (Nematoda: Anisakidae): host and geographical distribution on Neotropical and Antarctic species.

Nematodes of the genus Contracaecum Raillet & Henry, 1912 (Anisakidae, Contracaecinae) have a worldwide distribution. The taxonomy of the genus Contracaecum is well-known nowadays due to several morphometric studies, scanning electron microscopy, and molecular biology. The aim of this work was to review, clarify, and summarize the valid species of the genus Contracaecum parasitizing piscivorous sea birds and mammals from both the Neotropical and Antarctic regions reviewing all scientific available papers and electronic searching data up to date. A checklist on Neotropical and Antarctic Contracaecum spp. was organized through a revision of scientific papers and original descriptions. The systematic online search and the most updated papers were obtained through SCOPUS, Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, World Register of Marine Species, etc. We provide information about hosts, Neotropical and Antarctic localities where worms were collected, references, molecular markers, and Genbank accession numbers. Twenty-five Neotropical and Antarctic Contracaecum species have been recorded up to date and checked out as valid ones according to the most updated data. Twenty-one species parasitize exclusively fish-eating birds, two species were reported only on marine mammals, and the other two parasitize both sea birds and mammals. A total of 20 Contracaecum species are exclusively reported for the Neotropical region, three only for Antarctic hosts, and two species were reported parasitizing both Neotropical and Antarctic hosts. Several Contracaecum species (10) have been corroborated by molecular analysis of different genetic markers. After reviewing all morphological descriptions of the Contracaecum species, and despite most of them have been characterized only by morphometric methods, we are convinced that all species listed in this work correspond to good and valid Contracaecum Neotropical and Antarctic species. Present results indicate that more taxonomic and molecular studies are needed to advance the understanding of the distribution and host specificity of the Contracaecum species.

Osteonecrose dos maxilares associada ao uso dos bisfosfonatos / Bisphosphonates-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

A osteonecrose dos maxilares associada ao uso de bisfosfonatos tem sido um assunto de muita relevância na clínica odontológica neste século. A alta taxa de utilização desses medicamentos obrigou os cirurgiões-dentistas a buscar conhecimento sobre o tema, uma vez que as lesões necróticas associadas ao uso desses bisfosfonatos afetam negativamente a qualidade de vida e produzem significativa morbidade nos pacientes acometidos. Assim, conhecer a doença, sua epidemiologia, taxa de risco e gerenciamento dos pacientes se faz necessário. Objetivo: o presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral buscar na literatura informações relevantes acerca dessa patologia e desses medicamentos, por meio de uma revisão de literatura. Métodos: levantamento de artigos nas bases de dados EBSCO e MEDLINE, publicados no período de 1996 a 2014. Foram selecionados artigos originais e de revisão que embasaram o desenvolvimento dos tópicos propostos. Resultados: 22 artigos preencheram os critérios estabelecidos. Durante o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, foram encontrados outros medicamentos associados à enfermidade, que também estão sendo relatados nessa revisão. Conclusões: devido à utilização dos bisfosfonatos, o tecido ósseo diminui sua capacidade de reabsorção e, assim, aumenta a possibilidade de não cicatrização e consequente necrose; ainda, fica clara a ação desses medicamentos inibindo a proliferação de células dos tecidos moles e vasos sanguíneos. Por último, evidencia-se que o correto gerenciamento dos pacientes em uso dos fármacos é de grande importância para a submissão desses pacientes a procedimentos cirúrgicos...

Osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with the use of bisphosphonates has been a relevant subject in Dentistry in the last century. The excessive use of these medications obligated dentists to seek knowledge on the theme, since necrotic lesions associated with the use of bisphosphonates affect quality of life negatively, in addition to causing significant morbidity. Thus, being aware of the disease, its epidemiology, risk rate and patient management is necessary. The present study aimed to search literature on relevant information regarding the referred pathology and medications by means of a review. Methods: EBSCO and MEDLINE databases were used, seeking articles published between 1996 and 2014. Original and review articles were selected to base the development of proposed topics. Results: A total of 22 articles fulfilled the established criteria. During the development of the study, other medications associated with the pathology were found and are also reported in this review. Conclusions: Due to the use of bisphosphonates, bone tissue diminishes its resorption capacity and, thus, increases the probability of non-healing and consequent necrosis. In additionthe effects of these medications, inhibiting soft tissue cells and blood vessels proliferation, are clear. At last, it is clear that the correct management of patients using such drugs is of great importance to their submission to surgical procedures...

Técnica alternativa de transferência da posição de implantes sem a utilização de material de moldagem na fase transcirúrgica / Alternative technique for transferring implant position during trans-surgical stage without using of impression material

A temporização imediata de implantes em casos unitários, parciais ou totais, é hoje utilizada e bem descrita por vários profissionais. Existem diversas técnicas para se obter função imediata. Cada uma destas apresenta vantagens e desvantagens uma em relação à outra. A técnica preconizada pelos autores e descrita nesse artigo prioriza menor manipulação tecidual e menor contato de materiais com a área recém operada objetivando, principalmente, uma diminuição do risco de contaminação e do tempo de procedimento transcirúrgico.

The immediate temporization of single, partial or full-arch implants is nowadays useful and well-described by several professionals. There are many techniques for immediate loading with accompanying advantages and disadvantages. The advocated technique by the authors described in this paper aims less tissue manipulation and contact with the fresh surgical area, decreasing the risk of contamination and timing of transurgical procedure.