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The hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata is a critically endangered species with a worldwide distribution. Limited information is available about the naturally occurring intestinal parasites of this species and what impact these parasites may have on the health of the hawksbill turtle. Diaschistorchis pandus was identified postmortem in 5 hawksbill turtles from Grenada, West Indies, using morphologic characterization. Sanger sequencing was performed for conserved ribosomal regions (5.8S, ITS2, 28S) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI). Phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rRNA gene sequence data shows D. pandus clustering with other trematodes in the family Pronocephalidae, corroborating morphological classification. No genetic sequences have been previously reported for this trematode species, which has limited the collection of objective epidemiological data about this parasite of marine turtles.

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Canine heartworm (CHW) disease is a common parasitic infection in dogs in the Caribbean islands. However, studies on temporal trends and risk factors are limited for this region. This study represents the time trends in laboratory prevalence and risk factors of canine heartworm infections between 2003 and 2015. In this case series, 662 cases of laboratory-diagnosed heartworm were compared to 662 dogs without a laboratory diagnosis of heartworm (controls). One hundred and seventy two frozen serum positive samples were later analyzed for heartworm antigens using Heska solo® Step CH, and all 172 cases of microfilariae were confirmed as Dirofilaria immitis. Annual prevalence, linear trends and odds ratios (OR) for CHW were estimated using EPIINFO version 7 at a significance level of α = 0.05. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of CHW with variables showing a statistically significant univariate relationship. Laboratory prevalence of CHW decreased from 72 cases per 1000 dogs per year in 2003 to 15 cases per 1000 dogs per year in 2015 [X2 for linear trend = 151.8, p < 0.0001], with the occurrence of an epidemic of CHW between 2008 and 2010. The odds of CHW were higher among adult dogs [(OR) = 3.9 (95% CI, 2.9-7.0)] and geriatric dogs [OR = 2.1 (95% CI, 1.1-4.3)] compared to puppies. The odds of CHW were higher [OR = 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1-1.6)] among male dogs than female dogs, but the odds for CHW were lower among neutered dogs [OR = 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2 - 0.6)] compared to intact dogs. The odds of a dog being diagnosed with CHW were elevated [OR = 4.1 (95% CI, 3.2-5.2)] during the dry season compared to the rainy season. Our findings show that canine heartworm is extensive in laboratory submissions in Grenada. However, the laboratory prevalence of CHW decreased between 2003 and 2015, with an epidemic occurring between 2008 and 2010. Age of the dog, sex, neutered status, and seasonality of diagnosis were significantly associated CHW in Grenada.

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BACKGROUND AND AIM: Arthropod ectoparasites (mites, lice, ticks, and fleas) on common house rats or brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are known to transmit zoonotic pathogens and diminish rat health. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published information regarding the prevalence of ectoparasites on R. norvegicus in Grenada. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of ectoparasites present on brown rats from Grenada. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty-eight rats were collected live from the parishes of St. George and St. David, Grenada, from May to July 2017. Following euthanasia, external parasites were collected using fine combs, thumb forceps, and paper tape. Tape samples and free specimens were placed in containers with 70% ethanol. External parasites were evaluated using dissection microscopy. RESULTS: Over 2000 ectoparasites were collected from 149 of the 168 trapped rats (88.7%). Ectoparasites identified included mesostigmatid mites (found on 84.6% of infested rats), fur mites in the families Atopomelidae and Listrophoridae (67.1%), Polyplax spp. lice (6.7%), fleas (3.4%), an unidentified larval tick (0.7%), and a mite in the family Myobiidae (0.7%). Infestation rates were higher in St. David Parish (86/89; 96.6%) than in St. George Parish (63/79; 79.7%) (p=0.001). When comparing sex and age, males had a marginal increase in infestation rate (83/89; 93.3%) compared to females (66/79; 83.5%) (p=0.054), and adults had an infestation rate of 90.7% (97/107) compared to juvenile rats who had a 66.7% (14/21) infestation rate. CONCLUSION: Brown rats in Grenada are heavily infested with ectoparasites, including known vectors of pathogens. Future studies will examine the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens in these arthropods.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Helminths in Selar crumenophthalmus fish were identified by PCR. Two helminth taxa were identified: Anisakis typica and an unknown acanthocephalan. Neither taxon of helminth identified is zoonotic. To our knowledge, this is the first report of either type of helminth in fish in Grenada.

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BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is currently no published information on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of commensal Escherichia coli in dogs of Grenada origin. Monitoring antimicrobial resistance helps in the empirical selection of antibiotics. This study determined the occurrence of E. coli including the O157:H7 serotype in feces of non-diarrheic dogs of Grenada origin and the antibiotic resistance pattern of the E. coli isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fecal samples from 142 of the 144 (98.6%) dogs were culture positive for E. coli. Selection of up to three colonies from each of the 142 E. coli-positive samples yielded a total of 402 E. coli isolates, which were analyzed for the presence of non-sorbitol fermenting colonies, and O157-agglutination. RESULTS: Of the 402 E. coli isolates, 30 (7.5%) were non-sorbitol fermenters. However, none of the 402 isolates gave a positive reaction (O157:H7) to the E. coli O157:H7 latex kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests against 12 antibiotics revealed low resistance rates to all the tested antibiotics except for tetracycline (Te) (23.4%), cephalothin (CF) (13.2%), and ampicillin (AM) (7.7%). Thirty-nine out of the 402 (9.7%), E. coli isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics of different classes. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibilities of commensal E. coli from non-diarrheic dogs in Grenada. Some of the isolates (39/402 isolates, 9.7%) were resistant to multiple antibiotics. This study showed that presently, dogs in Grenada should not be considered a reservoir for the E. coli O157:H7 serotype and for multiple antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains. Among the 402 E. coli isolates, the resistance rate to drugs other than Te, CF, and AM was very low.

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Non-typhoidal salmonellosis remains an important public health problem worldwide. Dogs may harbour Salmonella in their intestines and can easily shed Salmonella in the environment with the possibility of transmission to humans. Thus, monitoring is essential to understand the role of dogs in zoonotic transmission. The objectives of this study were to determine the shedding of Salmonella by owned, apparently healthy dogs in Grenada, West Indies, to identify the serovars, and to examine their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. Faecal samples collected during August to October, 2016 from 144 non-diarrhoeic owned dogs were examined by enrichment and selective culture for the presence of Salmonella spp. Eight (5.6%) of the tested animals were culture positive, yielding 35 Salmonella isolates that belonged to six serovars of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica. These were serovars Arechavaleta from two dogs, Arechavaleta and Montevideo from one dog, and Javiana, Rubislaw, Braenderup and Kiambu from one dog each. All these serovars have been reported as causes of human salmonellosis globally. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests on 35 isolates showed absence of resistance to the currently used drugs for cases of human salmonellosis, including ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. One isolate (2.9%) was resistant to neomycin, two isolates (5.7%) showed intermediate susceptibility to neomycin, and another (2.9%) had intermediate susceptibility to tetracycline. This is the first report of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibilities of non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars from dogs in Grenada. This study shows that dogs in Grenada may be involved in the epidemiology of salmonellosis.

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One hundred specimens of Rhinella marina , (Anura: Bufonidae) collected in St. George's parish, Grenada, from September 2010 to August 2011, were examined for the presence of ectoparasites and helminths. Ninety-five (95%) were parasitized by 1 or more parasite species. Nine species of parasites were found: 1 digenean, 2 acanthocephalans, 4 nematodes, 1 arthropod and 1 pentastome. The endoparasites represented 98.9% of the total number of parasite specimens collected. Grenada represents a new locality record for Mesocoelium monas, Raillietiella frenatus, Pseudoacanthacephalus sp., Aplectana sp., Physocephalus sp., Acanthacephala cystacanth, and Physalopteridae larvae. The digenean M. monas occurred with the highest prevalence of 82%, contrasting many studies of R. marina where nematodes dominate the parasite infracommunity. Female toads were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of Amblyomma dissimile than male toads. Only 2 parasites exhibited a significant difference between wet and dry season with Parapharyngodon grenadensis prevalence highest in the wet season and A. dissimile prevalence highest during the dry season. Additionally, A. dissimile was significantly more abundant during the dry season.

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Parapharyngodon grenadaensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of the cane toad, Rhinella marina, is described and illustrated. Parapharyngodon grenadaensis n. sp. is the 48th species assigned to the genus and the 16th species from the Neotropical region. It differs from other species in the genus by possessing 4 pairs of caudal papillae, an echinate anterior cloacal lip, and a blunt spicule of 67-104 µm. This is only the second report of R. marina harboring a species of Parapharyngodon.

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The economic impact caused by Neospora caninum in beef cattle is not clear, the most relevant disturbance is the abortion, which is provoked by this parasite, therefore the identification of the disease etiology is important in order to determine measure of prevention and control. The objective of this study was to find out the occurrence of N. caninum in beef cattle and in farm dogs from Avaré region, the importance of the presence of dogs in farms and its relation to the number of cattle and winter food supplementation. It was collected 777 samples of beef cattle sera and 39 samples of dog sera, which lived with this cows in eight farms, and these sera were submitted to indirect fluorescent antibody test. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 15.57% (121/777) of the beef cattle, at dilutions from 1:200 to 1:3200, and 58.97% (23/39) of the dogs at dilutions from 1:50 to 1:400. The occurrence of antibodies have no relation to absence of dogs in two farm, however, the rate of the infected beef cattle were lower in farm with lower number of cattle per hectare. The winter food supplement have no influence in the presence of antibodies anti-N. caninum in the herd.

O impacto econômico causado pelo Neospora caninum em bovinos de corte ainda não está bem definido, sendo que o distúrbio mais evidente provocado por este parasita, é o abortamento. Assim, a identificação do agente é fundamental para se determinar medidas de prevenção e controle. O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum em bovinos de corte e em cães rurais e a importância da presença de cães nessas propriedades, bem como a influência da lotação e da suplementação de inverno na ocorrência do agente. Foram colhidas 777 amostras de soros de vacas de corte e, 39 soros de cães que conviviam com esses animais pertencentes a oito propriedades, e submetidas à reação de imunofluorescência indireta. Anticorpos anti-N. caninum foram detectados em 15,57% (121/777) dos bovinos, cujas diluições variaram entre 1:200 e 1:3200, e em 58,97% (23/39) dos cães com diluições variando entre 1:50 e 1:400. A ausência de cães em duas propriedades não foi um fator determinante para a não ocorrência da doença, entretanto, o menor número de bovinos por hectare foi um fator que contribuiu para que houvesse uma menor taxa de animais infectados. A existência de suplementação de inverno também não influenciou no índice de infecção do rebanho pelo N. caninum.

RESUMEN

The economic impact caused by Neospora caninum in beef cattle is not clear, the most relevant disturbance is the abortion, which is provoked by this parasite, therefore the identification of the disease etiology is important in order to determine measure of prevention and control. The objective of this study was to find out the occurrence of N. caninum in beef cattle and in farm dogs from Avaré region, the importance of the presence of dogs in farms and its relation to the number of cattle and winter food supplementation. It was collected 777 samples of beef cattle sera and 39 samples of dog sera, which lived with this cows in eight farms, and these sera were submitted to indirect fluorescent antibody test. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 15.57% (121/777) of the beef cattle, at dilutions from 1:200 to 1:3200, and 58.97% (23/39) of the dogs at dilutions from 1:50 to 1:400. The occurrence of antibodies have no relation to absence of dogs in two farm, however, the rate of the infected beef cattle were lower in farm with lower number of cattle per hectare. The winter food supplement have no influence in the presence of antibodies anti-N. caninum in the herd.

O impacto econômico causado pelo Neospora caninum em bovinos de corte ainda não está bem definido, sendo que o distúrbio mais evidente provocado por este parasita, é o abortamento. Assim, a identificação do agente é fundamental para se determinar medidas de prevenção e controle. O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum em bovinos de corte e em cães rurais e a importância da presença de cães nessas propriedades, bem como a influência da lotação e da suplementação de inverno na ocorrência do agente. Foram colhidas 777 amostras de soros de vacas de corte e, 39 soros de cães que conviviam com esses animais pertencentes a oito propriedades, e submetidas à reação de imunofluorescência indireta. Anticorpos anti-N. caninum foram detectados em 15,57% (121/777) dos bovinos, cujas diluições variaram entre 1:200 e 1:3200, e em 58,97% (23/39) dos cães com diluições variando entre 1:50 e 1:400. A ausência de cães em duas propriedades não foi um fator determinante para a não ocorrência da doença, entretanto, o menor número de bovinos por hectare foi um fator que contribuiu para que houvesse uma menor taxa de animais infectados. A existência de suplementação de inverno também não influenciou no índice de infecção do rebanho pelo N. caninum.

RESUMEN

Sera of 521 dairy cows from herds in Avaré County, SP were examined by indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to Neospora caninum. The positive samples for Neospora were also tested for Toxoplasma gondii by IFAT. By using IFAT 15.9% of the samples reacted for N. caninum with dilution between 1:200 and 1: 1600. By using ELISA 30.5% were seropositive for Neospora. Of the samples that were positive to ELISA and negative to IFAT for antibodies titers of 1:200, 46 showed IFAT titers of 1:160. All 129 cows that were seropositive to IFAT with titers of 1:200 and 1:160 were also positive to ELISA. Out of 44 detected abortions, 14 (31.8%) and 18 (40.9%) cows had IFAT titers of ³ 1:200 and ³ 1:160, respectively, and 24 (54.5%) cows were positive to ELISA. Of the 159 seropositive samples to N. caninum to IFAT and/or ELISA, only six were positive to IFAT to T. gondii. Moreover, among the 44 cows with history of abortion, only one demonstrated antibodies to Toxoplasma. These results suggest the presence of N. caninum in the herds that were evaluated and the potential relationship with the observed abortions.

Soros de 521 vacas do município de Avaré, SP, foram analisados pelos métodos de reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e teste imunoenzimático (ELISA) para a detecção de anticorpos contra Neospora caninum. As amostras reagentes para Neospora também foram submetidas à RIFI para Toxoplasma gondii. Pelo método de RIFI 15,9% das amostras foram positivas para N. caninum nas diluições de 1:200 a 1:1600 e pelo teste de ELISA 30,5% dos soros foram positivos. Das amostras positivas para ELISA e negativas para a RIFI 1:200, 46 foram reagentes na diluição de 1:160. Todas as 129 vacas positivas para RIFI nas diluições ³ 1:160 também o foram para ELISA. Dos 44 abortamentos constatados, 14 (31,8%) e 18 (40,9%) vacas apresentaram título na RIFI ³ 1:200 e ³ 1:160, respectivamente, e 24 (54,5%) reagiram ao teste de ELISA. Dos 159 soros que reagiram para N. caninum nos testes de RIFI e/ou ELISA, apenas seis foram positivos para T. gondii pelo método de RIFI e, das 44 vacas com histórico de abortamentos, apenas uma apresentou anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma. Esses resultados sugerem a presença de N. caninum nos rebanhos estudados e sua relação com os abortamentos observados.

RESUMEN

Sera of 521 dairy cows from herds in Avaré County, SP were examined by indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to Neospora caninum. The positive samples for Neospora were also tested for Toxoplasma gondii by IFAT. By using IFAT 15.9% of the samples reacted for N. caninum with dilution between 1:200 and 1: 1600. By using ELISA 30.5% were seropositive for Neospora. Of the samples that were positive to ELISA and negative to IFAT for antibodies titers of 1:200, 46 showed IFAT titers of 1:160. All 129 cows that were seropositive to IFAT with titers of 1:200 and 1:160 were also positive to ELISA. Out of 44 detected abortions, 14 (31.8%) and 18 (40.9%) cows had IFAT titers of ³ 1:200 and ³ 1:160, respectively, and 24 (54.5%) cows were positive to ELISA. Of the 159 seropositive samples to N. caninum to IFAT and/or ELISA, only six were positive to IFAT to T. gondii. Moreover, among the 44 cows with history of abortion, only one demonstrated antibodies to Toxoplasma. These results suggest the presence of N. caninum in the herds that were evaluated and the potential relationship with the observed abortions.

Soros de 521 vacas do município de Avaré, SP, foram analisados pelos métodos de reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e teste imunoenzimático (ELISA) para a detecção de anticorpos contra Neospora caninum. As amostras reagentes para Neospora também foram submetidas à RIFI para Toxoplasma gondii. Pelo método de RIFI 15,9% das amostras foram positivas para N. caninum nas diluições de 1:200 a 1:1600 e pelo teste de ELISA 30,5% dos soros foram positivos. Das amostras positivas para ELISA e negativas para a RIFI 1:200, 46 foram reagentes na diluição de 1:160. Todas as 129 vacas positivas para RIFI nas diluições ³ 1:160 também o foram para ELISA. Dos 44 abortamentos constatados, 14 (31,8%) e 18 (40,9%) vacas apresentaram título na RIFI ³ 1:200 e ³ 1:160, respectivamente, e 24 (54,5%) reagiram ao teste de ELISA. Dos 159 soros que reagiram para N. caninum nos testes de RIFI e/ou ELISA, apenas seis foram positivos para T. gondii pelo método de RIFI e, das 44 vacas com histórico de abortamentos, apenas uma apresentou anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma. Esses resultados sugerem a presença de N. caninum nos rebanhos estudados e sua relação com os abortamentos observados.