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In this study, whole blood samples and ticks were collected from 57 capybaras in recreational areas in the Federal District, Brazil, aiming to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) assays. None of the capybara blood samples yielded rickettsial DNA by PCR. Among 55 capybara serum samples tested by IFAT, 53 (96.3%) reacted to Rickettsia spp. Among these, 21 (39.6%) identified the R. bellii antigen as the probable antigen involved in a homologous reaction (PAIHR), whereas 2 (3.8%) identified the R. parkeri antigen. Ticks collected from capybaras were identified as 173 Amblyomma sculptum and 410 A. dubitatum, in addition to nine Amblyomma spp. larvae. A sample of 231 ticks was subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for Rickettsia species. None of 122 A. sculptum yielded rickettsial DNA. Molecular evidence of R. bellii was found in 25/108 (23.1%) and of Rickettsia sp. strain Cooperi (R. parkeri-like agent) in 2/108 (1.9%) of the A. dubitatum samples. These results suggest a greater exposure to R. bellii in these capybara populations, in addition to a more significant number of A. dubitatum, which might characterize the Federal District region as not endemic for Brazilian spotted fever.

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Total serum protein is a significant indicator of health condition in animals. The aim of this study was to analyze the precision of the portable refractometer in determining the concentration of total serum proteins in Podocnemis expansa and Phrynops geoffroanus. A total of 26 animals were used. The blood samples were collected from the supraoccipital sinus and stored in tubes without anticoagulant. Total serum protein was determined using both the biuret reaction and refractometry. The total serum protein mean concentration (g dL-1) with biuret method and refractometry for P. expansa were 3.16 and 3.2; and for P. geoffroanus were 3.56 and 2.72, respectively. These results indicate that total serum protein values can be determined with precision in P. expansa and P. geoffroanus using a portable refractometer.

A proteína sérica total é um indicador significativo do estado de saúde em animais. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a precisão do refratômetro portátil para determinar a concentração de proteínas séricas totais em Podocnemis expansa e Phrynops geoffroanus. Foram utilizados um total de 26 animais. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas por punção do seio supraoccipital e armazenadas em tubos sem anticoagulante. A concentração de proteína sérica total foi determinada utilizando tanto a reação de biureto como um refratômetro portátil. A média da proteína sérica total (g dL-1) pela reação de biureto e pela refratometria para P. expansa foram de 3,16 e 3,2; e para P. geoffroanus foram de 3,56 e 2,72, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicam que os valores de proteínas séricas totais podem ser determinados com precisão em P. expansa e P. geoffroanus usando o refratômetro portátil.

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Total serum protein is a significant indicator of health condition in animals. The aim of this study was to analyze the precision of the portable refractometer in determining the concentration of total serum proteins in Podocnemis expansa and Phrynops geoffroanus. A total of 26 animals were used. The blood samples were collected from the supraoccipital sinus and stored in tubes without anticoagulant. Total serum protein was determined using both the biuret reaction and refractometry. The total serum protein mean concentration (g dL-1) with biuret method and refractometry for P. expansa were 3.16 and 3.2; and for P. geoffroanus were 3.56 and 2.72, respectively. These results indicate that total serum protein values can be determined with precision in P. expansa and P. geoffroanus using a portable refractometer.(AU)

A proteína sérica total é um indicador significativo do estado de saúde em animais. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a precisão do refratômetro portátil para determinar a concentração de proteínas séricas totais em Podocnemis expansa e Phrynops geoffroanus. Foram utilizados um total de 26 animais. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas por punção do seio supraoccipital e armazenadas em tubos sem anticoagulante. A concentração de proteína sérica total foi determinada utilizando tanto a reação de biureto como um refratômetro portátil. A média da proteína sérica total (g dL-1) pela reação de biureto e pela refratometria para P. expansa foram de 3,16 e 3,2; e para P. geoffroanus foram de 3,56 e 2,72, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicam que os valores de proteínas séricas totais podem ser determinados com precisão em P. expansa e P. geoffroanus usando o refratômetro portátil.(AU)

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Background: Hemogregarines are the most common intraerythrocytic parasites found in reptiles. The genus Haemogregarina has aquatic vertebrates as intermediate hosts, and as definitive hosts the leeches. The genus Hepatozoon can be found parasitizing amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and its main vectors invertebrates are mosquitoes, tsetse flies, lice, fleas and mites. The diagnosis of these parasites is done by the technique of blood smear, but modern diagnoses include evaluation of blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The aim this study was to determine the occurrence of infection by hemogregarine in freshwater turtles, through PCR. Materials, Methods & Results: Samples from 99 freshwater turtles of species P. expansa and P. geoffroanus of Fundação Zoológico de Brasília,Distrito Federal, Brazil, were used. The animals was captured using a hand net, and were immediately individually identified. The blood samples was collected by puncture of the occipital sinus, and placed into tubes containing sodium heparin anticoagulant for hematologic and molecular analysis. Two different sets of oligonucleotides were used, one to detect hemogregarines and other to detect Hepatozoon sp. infection. The presence of hemogregarine was detected in 20 samples analyzed (n = 99), these eleven samples were positive for hemogregarine, 5 were Hepatozoon sp. and 4 were positive for both [...]

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Background: Hemogregarines are the most common intraerythrocytic parasites found in reptiles. The genus Haemogregarina has aquatic vertebrates as intermediate hosts, and as definitive hosts the leeches. The genus Hepatozoon can be found parasitizing amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and its main vectors invertebrates are mosquitoes, tsetse flies, lice, fleas and mites. The diagnosis of these parasites is done by the technique of blood smear, but modern diagnoses include evaluation of blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The aim this study was to determine the occurrence of infection by hemogregarine in freshwater turtles, through PCR. Materials, Methods & Results: Samples from 99 freshwater turtles of species P. expansa and P. geoffroanus of Fundação Zoológico de Brasília,Distrito Federal, Brazil, were used. The animals was captured using a hand net, and were immediately individually identified. The blood samples was collected by puncture of the occipital sinus, and placed into tubes containing sodium heparin anticoagulant for hematologic and molecular analysis. Two different sets of oligonucleotides were used, one to detect hemogregarines and other to detect Hepatozoon sp. infection. The presence of hemogregarine was detected in 20 samples analyzed (n = 99), these eleven samples were positive for hemogregarine, 5 were Hepatozoon sp. and 4 were positive for both [...](AU)

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