RESUMO
A 52-year-old pine forest is characterized as an environment with low plant diversity and large accumulation of allelopathic litter with poor nutrient content. Collembola is sensitive to environmental conditions and may have difficulties living in these forests. This study aimed (1) to evaluate the abundance and richness of Collembola in the soil of a 52-year-old pine afforestation with different moisture contents; and (2) to identify the landhopper sampled unintentionally. For sampling, pitfall traps were set up for four days, in areas of a Pinus elliottii afforestation with high and low soil moisture located at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Collembola specimens were counted and identified to family and genus level. The total abundance of springtails was greater in the low soil moisture area. The genera Desoria and Lepidocyrtus, and specimens of the family Onychiuridae were more abundant in low soil moisture, meanwhile, the genus Ceratophysella was more abundant in the high soil moisture. The landhopper Talitroides sylvaticus was sampled unintentionally by traps set up in the soil with higher moisture and calcium content. Six genera of Collembola and the landhopper T. sylvaticus were identified in soil of a P. elliottii afforestation and their distribution is influenced by soil moisture.(AU)
Assuntos
Pinus/parasitologia , Infestações por Pulgas , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Umidade do Solo , BiodiversidadeRESUMO
Bat ectoparasites have a complex natural history narrowly tied to their hosts at ecological, behavioral, and evolutionary scales. As flying and social organisms, bats represent a potential mechanism of dispersal, a source of feeding, and a roost for ectoparasite reproduction. The chiggerflea Hectopsylla pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) is widely distributed across the Neotropics. Females of this ectoparasite have been found in their neosomal form on bats of the family Molossidae, Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, and Vespertilionidae. Here we present the record of infestation of chiggerfleas on the Argentine bat, Eptesicus furinalis (Vespertilionidae) in Colombia, representing the first record of the flea on this species, and providing novel genetic information of this poorly known flea species.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Quirópteros/parasitologia , EctoparasitosesRESUMO
Rattus spp. are reservoirs of many human zoonoses, but their role in domestic transmission cycles of human trypanosomiasis is underestimated. In this study, we report trypanosome-infected Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus in human dwellings in slums neighboring Maracay, a large city near Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Blood samples of R. norvegicus and R. rattus examined by PCR and FFLB (fluorescent fragment length barcoding) revealed a prevalence of 6.3% / 31.1% for Trypanosoma lewisi (agent of rat- and flea-borne human emergent zoonosis), and 10.5% / 24.6% for Trypanosoma cruzi (agent of Chagas disease). Detection in flea guts of T. lewisi (76%) and, unexpectedly, T. cruzi (21.3%) highlighted the role of fleas as carriers and vectors of these trypanosomes. A high prevalence of rats infected with T. lewisi and T. cruzi and respective flea and triatomine vectors poses a serious risk of human trypanosomiasis in Venezuelan slums. Anthropogenic activities responsible for growing rat and triatomine populations within human dwellings drastically increased human exposure to trypanosomes. This scenario has allowed for the reemergence of Chagas disease as an urban zoonosis in Venezuela and can propitiate the emergence of atypical T. lewisi infection in humans.
Assuntos
Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Doenças dos Roedores/epidemiologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Tripanossomíase/veterinária , Animais , Doença de Chagas/veterinária , DNA de Protozoário , Reservatórios de Doenças/parasitologia , Áreas de Pobreza , Ratos , Trypanosoma cruzi/genética , Trypanosoma lewisi/genética , Venezuela/epidemiologia , Zoonoses/transmissãoRESUMO
To reduce morbidity and mortality caused by visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the Brazilian Visceral Leishmaniasis Control and Surveillance Program promotes the diagnosis and treatment of cases, vector control, euthanasia of seropositive dogs, and health education. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these measures is questionable as they lead to little reduction in the transmission of the disease. Thus, the effectiveness of strategies such as insecticide-impregnated collars, spot-on insecticides, and immunization of dogs should be assessed. Herein, we evaluated the effectiveness of deltamethrin-impregnated collars on reducing the incidence of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs living in an endemic area of VL. An intervention study was conducted and a total 5,850 dogs were analyzed in baseline. Of these 3,742 seronegative dogs were divided into two groups: collared and uncollared (control). Dogs were followed for 12 months and three interventions were performed. The Cox regression model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the collar. All analyzes were performed by Intention-to-treat and per-protocol. By intention-to-treat, the incidence rates of L. infantum infection were 7.5 and 7.9 in the collar group, and 6.5 and 13.2 per 1,000 dogs-months in the control group after 6 and 12 months, respectively. In the per-protocol analysis, the incidence rates in the control group were similar to those observed in the intention-to-treat analysis. In the collar group, the incidence rate was 5.1/1,000 dogs-months after 6 and 12 months. The effectiveness by intention-to-treat after adjustment by the multivariate Cox model was 48%. In the analysis per-protocol, the effectiveness increased to 63%. Although collar use was effective when it was evaluated by intention-to-treat, higher effectiveness was found in the per-protocol analysis after one year of follow-up. The data emphasize the importance of the uninterrupted use of deltamethrin-impregnated collars to increase protection against canine VL.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Inseticidas/química , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologia , Nitrilas/química , Piretrinas/química , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Doenças do Cão/patologia , Cães , Feminino , Incidência , Inseticidas/toxicidade , Leishmania infantum/efeitos dos fármacos , Leishmania infantum/fisiologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/patologia , Masculino , Nitrilas/toxicidade , Controle de Pragas , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Piretrinas/toxicidade , Sifonápteros/efeitos dos fármacos , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Carrapatos/efeitos dos fármacos , Carrapatos/parasitologiaRESUMO
Piroplasmoses are one of the most prevalent arthropod-borne diseases of animals. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of piroplasmid in wild mammals, domestic dogs and ectoparasites in southern Pantanal region, central-western Brazil. For that purpose, blood or tissue samples from 31 Nasua nasua, 78 Cerdocyon thous, 7 Leopardus pardalis, 42 dogs, 110 wild rodents, and 30 marsupials, and 1582 ticks were submitted to PCR assays for piroplasmid targeting 18SrRNA and hps70 genes. Seven dogs, one C. thous, five L. pardalis, three N. nasua, six wild rodents, eight Amblyomma parvum, two Amblyomma sculptum and one Amblyomma ovale were positive for piroplasmid-PCR assays. Genotypes closely related to Babesia vogeli were detected in six dogs and five wild rodents. While genotypes closely related to Babesia caballi were detected in one C. thous, one dog, one A. ovale and one A. sculptum, genotypes closely related to Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis were detected in four A. parvum ticks. Four sequences obtained from A. parvum, three coatis and one wild rodent were closely related to Theileria equi. Cytauxzoon spp. was detected in four ocelots. The present study revealed that wild and domestic animals in Brazilian southern Pantanal are exposed to different piroplasmid species.
Assuntos
Animais Selvagens , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Ixodidae/parasitologia , Piroplasmida/classificação , Infecções Protozoárias em Animais/epidemiologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Animais , Biodiversidade , Brasil/epidemiologia , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP70/análise , Filogenia , Prevalência , Infecções Protozoárias em Animais/parasitologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/análise , RNA de Protozoário/análise , RNA Ribossômico 18S/análise , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) lewisi is a cosmopolitan parasite of rodents strongly linked to the human dispersal of Rattus spp. from Asia to the rest of the world. This species is highly phylogenetically related to trypanosomes from other rodents (T. lewisi-like), and sporadically infects other mammals. T. lewisi may opportunistically infect humans, and has been considered an emergent rat-borne zoonosis associated to poverty. We developed the THeCATL-PCR based on Cathepsin L (CATL) sequences to specifically detect T. (Herpetosoma) spp., and assess their genetic diversity. This method exhibited high sensitivity using blood samples, and is the first molecular method employed to search for T. lewisi in its flea vectors. THeCATL-PCR surveys using simple DNA preparation from blood preserved in ethanol or filter paper detected T. lewisi in Rattus spp. from human dwellings in South America (Brazil and Venezuela), East Africa (Mozambique), and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR). In addition, native rodents captured in anthropogenic and nearby human settlements in natural habitats harbored T. (Herpetosoma) spp. PCR-amplified CATL gene fragments (253bp) distinguish T. lewisi and T. lewisi-like from other trypanosomes, and allow for assessment of genetic diversity and relationships among T. (Herpetosoma) spp. Our molecular surveys corroborated worldwide high prevalence of T. lewisi, incriminating Mastomys natalensis as an important carrier of this species in Africa, and supported its spillover from invader Rattus spp. to native rodents in Brazil and Mozambique. THeCATL-PCR provided new insights on the accurate diagnosis and genetic repertoire of T. (Herpetosoma) spp. in rodent and non-rodent hosts, revealing a novel species of this subgenus in an African gerbil. Phylogenetic analysis based on CATL sequences from T. (Herpetosoma) spp. and other trypanosomes (amplified using pan-trypanosome primers) uncovered rodents harboring, beyond mammal trypanosomes of different subgenera, some species that clustered in the lizard-snake clade of trypanosomes.
Assuntos
Catepsina L/genética , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Doenças dos Roedores/epidemiologia , Trypanosoma lewisi/genética , Tripanossomíase/veterinária , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Distribuição Animal , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Camboja/epidemiologia , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Gerbillinae/parasitologia , Humanos , Laos/epidemiologia , Moçambique/epidemiologia , Murinae/parasitologia , Filogenia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Ratos , Doenças dos Roedores/parasitologia , Doenças dos Roedores/transmissão , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Tailândia/epidemiologia , Trypanosoma lewisi/classificação , Trypanosoma lewisi/isolamento & purificação , Tripanossomíase/epidemiologia , Tripanossomíase/parasitologia , Tripanossomíase/transmissão , Zoonoses/parasitologia , Zoonoses/transmissãoRESUMO
This survey was conducted in four Brazilian cities, from three federative units (Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, and Federal District), representing different socioeconomic settings, to determine the presence of antibodies to or antigens and DNA of selected pathogens in privately owned dogs. From January to April 2015, blood and serum samples were collected and assayed using different tests. In particular, antibodies to Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Ehrlichia spp., and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis were detected using a rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas antibodies to Babesia spp. were detected by an immunofluorescence antibody assay. Moreover, the presence of Leishmania DNA in blood samples was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Overall, 208 (69.3%) out of 300 dogs were positive for at least one tested pathogen (intended here as antibodies, antigen or DNA, as abovementioned), with 139 (66.8%) of them being positive to two or more pathogens. No dog presented antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l., and D. immitis antigens were detected exclusively in dogs from Pernambuco. Among positive dogs, the most common clinical signs were lymphadenomegaly (45.2%), onychogryphosis (41.3%), dermatitis (34.1%), pale mucous membranes (19.7%), weight loss (14.9%), fever (12.5%), alopecia (11.1%), and lethargy (4.8%). Tick and flea infestations were recorded in 41.7% and 29.3% of the dogs, respectively, with 49 (16.3%) dogs being co-infested by both ticks and fleas. Most of the tick- and flea-infested dogs presented high level of infestation (>10 ticks and >20 fleas). The level of tick infestation varied significantly among federative units, being highest in Minas Gerais (68.0%), followed by Pernambuco (36.0%) and Federal District (21.0%). On the other hand, the level of flea infestation was higher in Pernambuco (50.0%), followed by Minas Gerais (29.0%) and Federal District (9.0%). The number of dog owners reporting the use of ectoparasiticides (on dogs and/or in the environment) varied significantly, ranging from 6.0% in Pernambuco to 60.0% in Federal District. This study reveals disparate results in terms of dog exposure to fleas and ticks in the studied communities, which may be related to factors such as the owners' capability/willingness to afford the use of ectoparasiticides on their dogs and the dog's level of restriction. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between dog owners' socioeconomic situation and the level of exposure to ectoparasites and their transmitted pathogens.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Infestações por Pulgas/veterinária , Sifonápteros , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Carrapatos , Anaplasma/genética , Anaplasma/imunologia , Anaplasma/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Vetores Aracnídeos/microbiologia , Vetores Aracnídeos/parasitologia , Babesia/genética , Babesia/imunologia , Babesia/isolamento & purificação , Borrelia burgdorferi/genética , Borrelia burgdorferi/imunologia , Borrelia burgdorferi/isolamento & purificação , Brasil/epidemiologia , Dirofilaria immitis/genética , Dirofilaria immitis/imunologia , Dirofilaria immitis/isolamento & purificação , Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Ehrlichia/genética , Ehrlichia/imunologia , Ehrlichia/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Infestações por Pulgas/epidemiologia , Infestações por Pulgas/microbiologia , Infestações por Pulgas/parasitologia , Humanos , Insetos Vetores/microbiologia , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Masculino , Animais de Estimação , Prevalência , Sifonápteros/microbiologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/microbiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/parasitologia , Carrapatos/microbiologia , Carrapatos/parasitologiaRESUMO
Hepatozoon parasites comprise intracellular apicomplexan parasites transmitted to vertebrate animals by ingestion of arthropods definitive hosts. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. in wild animals, domestic dogs and their respective ectoparasites, in southern Pantanal region, central-western Brazil, by molecular techniques. Between August 2013 and March 2015, 31 coatis (Nasua nasua), 78 crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), seven ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), 42 dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), 110 wild rodents (77 Thichomys fosteri, 25 Oecomys mamorae, and 8 Clyomys laticeps), 30 marsupials (14 Thylamys macrurus, 11 Gracilinanus agilis, 4 Monodelphis domestica and 1 Didelphis albiventris), and 1582 ticks and 80 fleas collected from the sampled animals were investigated. DNA samples were submitted to PCR assays for Hepatozoon spp. targeting 18S rRNA gene. Purified amplicons were directly sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. A high prevalence of Hepatozoon among carnivores (C. thous [91.02%], dogs [45.23%], N. nasua [41.9%] and L. pardalis [71.4%]) was found. However, ticks and fleas were negative to Hepatozoon PCR assays. By phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA sequences, Hepatozoon sequences amplified from crab-eating foxes, dogs, coatis and ocelots clustered with sequences of H. canis, H. americanum and H. felis. The closely related positioning of Hepatozoon sequences amplified from wild rodents and T. macrurus marsupial to Hepatozoon from reptiles and amphibians suggest a possible transmission of those Hepatozoon species between hosts by ectoparasites or by predation. Hepatozoon haplotypes found circulating in wild rodents seem to present a higher degree of polymorphism when compared to those found in other groups of animals. Although rodents seem not to participate as source of Hepatozoon infection to wild carnivores and domestic dogs, they may play an important role in the transmission of Hepatozoon to reptiles and amphibians in Pantanal biome.
Assuntos
Coccidiose/veterinária , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Eucoccidiida/isolamento & purificação , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Carrapatos/parasitologia , Anfíbios , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Coccidiose/epidemiologia , Coccidiose/parasitologia , Coccidiose/transmissão , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Doenças do Cão/transmissão , Cães , Eucoccidiida/classificação , Eucoccidiida/genética , Feminino , Geografia , Masculino , Mamíferos , Filogenia , Prevalência , Répteis , Roedores , Análise de Sequência de DNA/veterináriaRESUMO
This study aimed to identify the species of fleas and ticks of Cerdocyon thous from the state of Pernambuco. Animals (n = 20) were examined, with 30% (6/20) ectoparasitized. Fleas (n = 16) and ticks (n = 17) parasitizing free-living crab-eating fox and captive in state of Pernambuco were collected. The fleas were identified as: Pulex irritans and Ctenocephalides felis; and the ticks were: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Amblyomma ovale. The presence of ectoparasites of domestic animals parasitizing C. thous, suggests a close contact of this species to the peridomicile. Furthermore, this is the first report of the occurrence of A. ovale in C. thous in northeastern Brazil.(AU)
Objetivou-se identificar as espécies de pulgas e carrapatos de Cerdocyon thous provenientes do estado Pernambuco. Foram examinados 20 animais, estando 30% (6/20) ectoparasitados. Foram coletadas 16 pulgas e 17 carrapatos em cachorros-do-mato de vida livre e de cativeiro no estado de Pernambuco. As pulgas foram identificadas como: Pulex irritans e Ctenocephalides felis; e os carrapatos foram: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato e Amblyomma ovale. A presença de ectoparasitos de animais domésticos parasitando C. thous, sugere a aproximação de indivíduos desta espécie ao peridomicílio. Além disso, este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de A. ovale em C. thous no nordeste brasileiro.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Cães , Ctenocephalides/parasitologia , Ectoparasitoses/veterinária , Rhipicephalus sanguineus/parasitologia , Animais Selvagens/parasitologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Carrapatos/parasitologiaRESUMO
This study aimed to identify the species of fleas and ticks of Cerdocyon thous from the state of Pernambuco. Animals (n = 20) were examined, with 30% (6/20) ectoparasitized. Fleas (n = 16) and ticks (n = 17) parasitizing free-living crab-eating fox and captive in state of Pernambuco were collected. The fleas were identified as: Pulex irritans and Ctenocephalides felis; and the ticks were: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Amblyomma ovale. The presence of ectoparasites of domestic animals parasitizing C. thous, suggests a close contact of this species to the peridomicile. Furthermore, this is the first report of the occurrence of A. ovalein C. thous in northeastern Brazil.(AU)
Objetivou-se identificar as espécies de pulgas e carrapatos de Cerdocyon thous provenientes do estado Pernambuco. Foram examinados 20 animais, estando 30% (6/20) ectoparasitados. Foram coletadas 16 pulgas e 17 carrapatos em cachorros-do-mato de vida livre e de cativeiro no estado de Pernambuco. As pulgas foram identificadas como: Pulex irritans e Ctenocephalides felis; e os carrapatos foram: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato e Amblyomma ovale. A presença de ectoparasitos de animais domésticos parasitando C. thous, sugere a aproximação de indivíduos desta espécie ao peridomicílio. Além disso, este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de A. ovaleem C. thous no nordeste brasileiro.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Cães , Rhipicephalus sanguineus/parasitologia , Ctenocephalides/parasitologia , Ectoparasitoses/veterinária , Carrapatos/parasitologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Animais Selvagens/parasitologiaRESUMO
American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a disease caused by different species of Leishmania protozoa, Leishmania braziliensis being the main species found in Brazil. In this study, two rural areas in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, where ACL is endemic, were selected. Genomic DNA was extracted from canine ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, and lice) and tested using a conventional PCR and a quantitative real time PCR. A total of 117 ectoparasites were collected, being 50 (42.74%) of them positive for L. braziliensis (in at least one PCR protocol), with a mean parasite load of 14.14 fg/µL. Furthermore, 46 (92.00%) positive ectoparasites were collected from positive dogs and 4 (8.00%) from negative ones. This study reports the detection of L. braziliensis DNA in ectoparasites, but does not prove their vector competence. Certainly, experimental transmission studies are necessary to assess their role, if any, in the transmission of Leishmania parasites to dogs.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Leishmania braziliensis/isolamento & purificação , Ftirápteros/parasitologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Carrapatos/parasitologia , Animais , DNA de Protozoário/isolamento & purificação , Cães , Ectoparasitoses/parasitologia , Ectoparasitoses/veterináriaRESUMO
Reports on ectoparasites on dogs in Central America are scarce. The aim of this study was to identify flea, louse and tick species infesting dogs in home environments on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica, and determine their frequency and coexistence. Ectoparasites were collected from dogs in 83 rural homes at five study sites. Specimens were identified and separated according to species. Fleas were the most common ectoparasite (G = 22,217, DF = 8, p = 0.004). Ctenocephalides felis and Pulex simulans were found in 83% and 55% of the homes with ectoparasites, respectively. Trichodectes canis (13%), Heterodoxus spiniger (10%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (18%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (5%) and Amblyomma ovale (8%) were also present. More than one species was collected in most cases (66%), and the most common combination was C. felis and P. simulans (59% of homes with fleas). The high frequency of P. simulans emphasizes the need for adequate identification. This was the first study involving different ectoparasites of dogs in Costa Rica, as well as the first report of T. canis in this country. The relative frequency and coexistence of these ectoparasites in the home environment may have implications for animal and human health.
Relatos de ectoparasitos em cães da América Central são escassos. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar espécies de pulgas, piolhos e carrapatos que infestam os cães no ambiente doméstico da vertente Caribe da Costa Rica, determinando sua frequência e coexistência. Foram coletados ectoparasitos de cães em 83 casas rurais de cinco sítios do estudo. Os indivíduos foram separados e identificados. Os ectoparasitos mais comuns foram as pulgas (G = 22.217, DF = 8, p = 0.004). Ctenocephalides felis e Pulex simulans foram observados em 83% e 55% das moradias com ectoparasitos, respectivamente. Da mesma forma também foram observados Trichodectes canis (13%), Heterodoxus spiniger (10%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (18%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (5%) e Amblyomma ovale (8%). Na maioria dos casos, mais de uma espécie foi achada (66%), sendo que a combinação mais comum foi C. felis e P. simulans (59% de moradias com pulgas). A frequência alta de P. simulans ressalta a necessidade de sua adequada identificação. Este é o primeiro estudo que envolve diferentes ectoparasitas de cães na Costa Rica, da mesma forma, é o primeiro relato de T. canis no país. A frequência relativa e coexistência destes ectoparasitos no ambiente domiciliar poderiam ter implicações na saúde animal e humana.
Assuntos
Animais , Ectoparasitoses/parasitologia , Cães/parasitologia , Carrapatos/parasitologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Ftirápteros/parasitologia , Costa RicaRESUMO
Reports on ectoparasites on dogs in Central America are scarce. The aim of this study was to identify flea, louse and tick species infesting dogs in home environments on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica, and determine their frequency and coexistence. Ectoparasites were collected from dogs in 83 rural homes at five study sites. Specimens were identified and separated according to species. Fleas were the most common ectoparasite (G = 22,217, DF = 8, p = 0.004). Ctenocephalides felis and Pulex simulans were found in 83% and 55% of the homes with ectoparasites, respectively. Trichodectes canis (13%), Heterodoxus spiniger (10%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (18%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (5%) and Amblyomma ovale (8%) were also present. More than one species was collected in most cases (66%), and the most common combination was C. felis and P. simulans (59% of homes with fleas). The high frequency of P. simulans emphasizes the need for adequate identification. This was the first study involving different ectoparasites of dogs in Costa Rica, as well as the first report of T. canis in this country. The relative frequency and coexistence of these ectoparasites in the home environment may have implications for animal and human health.
Relatos de ectoparasitos em cães da América Central são escassos. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar espécies de pulgas, piolhos e carrapatos que infestam os cães no ambiente doméstico da vertente Caribe da Costa Rica, determinando sua frequência e coexistência. Foram coletados ectoparasitos de cães em 83 casas rurais de cinco sítios do estudo. Os indivíduos foram separados e identificados. Os ectoparasitos mais comuns foram as pulgas (G = 22.217, DF = 8, p = 0.004). Ctenocephalides felis e Pulex simulans foram observados em 83% e 55% das moradias com ectoparasitos, respectivamente. Da mesma forma também foram observados Trichodectes canis (13%), Heterodoxus spiniger (10%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (18%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (5%) e Amblyomma ovale (8%). Na maioria dos casos, mais de uma espécie foi achada (66%), sendo que a combinação mais comum foi C. felis e P. simulans (59% de moradias com pulgas). A frequência alta de P. simulans ressalta a necessidade de sua adequada identificação. Este é o primeiro estudo que envolve diferentes ectoparasitas de cães na Costa Rica, da mesma forma, é o primeiro relato de T. canis no país. A frequência relativa e coexistência destes ectoparasitos no ambiente domiciliar poderiam ter implicações na saúde animal e humana.
Assuntos
Animais , Carrapatos/parasitologia , Cães/parasitologia , Ectoparasitoses/parasitologia , Ftirápteros/parasitologia , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Costa RicaRESUMO
The occurrence of the insect vector (sand flies) with low rates of Leishmania infection, as well as autochthonous transmission in the absence of the natural vector in dogs, have been reported. These unexpected data suggest a hypothesis of other arthropods as a possible way of Leishmania transmission. The prevalence of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in fleas and ticks collected from dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), as well as parasite viability, were evaluated herein. The presence of L. (L.) infantum was assayed by PCR and ELISA in ectoparasites and biological samples from 73 dogs living in a Brazilian endemic area. As the occurrence of Leishmania DNA in ticks and fleas is expected given their blood-feeding habits, we next investigated whether parasites can remain viable inside ticks. PCR and ELISA confirmed that 83% of the dogs had CVL. Fleas and ticks (nymphs, male and female adults) were collected in 55% and 63% of the 73 dogs, respectively. Out of the 60 dogs with CVL, 80% harbored ectoparasites infected with L. (L.) infantum. The infection rates of the ectoparasites were 23% and 50% for fleas and ticks, respectively. The RNA analysis of the extract from ticks left in laboratory conditions during 7 to 10 days after removal from CVL dogs showed that parasites were alive. In addition, live parasites were also detected inside adult ticks recently molted in laboratory conditions. These findings indicate a higher infection rate of L. (L.) infantum in ticks and fleas, but they do not conclusively demonstrate whether these ticks can act as vectors of CVL, despite the fact that their rates were higher than those previously described in Lutzomyia longipalpis. The presence of viable L. (L.) infantum in ticks suggests the possible importance of dog ectoparasites in CVL dissemination.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Ectoparasitoses/veterinária , Leishmania infantum/genética , RNA de Protozoário/genética , RNA de Protozoário/isolamento & purificação , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Carrapatos/parasitologia , Animais , Brasil , Cães , Ectoparasitoses/parasitologia , Feminino , Masculino , Sifonápteros/genética , Carrapatos/genéticaRESUMO
Several species of Leishmania spp. cause diseases in humans that range from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral leishmaniosis. It has been observed that besides being transmitted by sand flies, Leishmania spp. may also be transmitted by arthropods such as ticks and fleas. To investigate the possible role of dog fleas in the transmission of Leishmania spp., Ctenocefalides felis were removed from 22 dogs which were positive according to ELISA and rK-39 tests. A C. felis sample from each of the 22 dogs was used to infect a hamster. The 22 hamsters were euthanized 4 months after infection with the fleas and the blood was subjected to ELISA to detect antibody anti-Leishmania spp., and the spleen samples were submitted to PCR for detection of Leishmania spp. DNA. PCR and ELISA were both positive in 18.1% (4/22), with PCR alone being positive in 45% (10/22) and ELISA alone in only 9% (2/22). These results suggest the participation of dog fleas in the Leishmania spp. cycle. Confirmation that C. felis indeed transmit leishmaniosis to dogs requires new strategies against leishmaniosis to be enforced by public health authorities and which focus on better ways to keep dogs free of fleas.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Doenças do Cão/transmissão , Leishmania/fisiologia , Leishmania/patogenicidade , Leishmaniose/veterinária , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários , Cricetinae , DNA de Protozoário/análise , Cães , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Leishmania/genética , Leishmania/isolamento & purificação , Leishmaniose/parasitologia , Leishmaniose/transmissão , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Baço/químicaRESUMO
In total, 1500 specimens (448 males and 1052 females) of the flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were collected over a period of a year from 150 dogs captured by the Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Microscopic examination of the dissected fleas revealed that 180 fleas were infected with a species of gregarine that was subsequently identified as a member of the genus Steinina. The relative abundances, prevalence rates, and seasonal variation of the different developmental stages of this endoparasite in C. felis felis were determined. Both gamonts and gametocysts presented significant seasonal variation.
Assuntos
Apicomplexa/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Ectoparasitoses/veterinária , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Animais , Brasil , Cães , Ectoparasitoses/parasitologia , Feminino , Estágios do Ciclo de Vida , Masculino , Prevalência , Estações do AnoRESUMO
El objetivo de este trabajo fué conocer las percepciones y conductas respecto a Tunga penetrans de los habitantes de la localidad de Santa Ana de los Guácaras, Corrientes, Argentina. Se relevaron 46 hogares seleccionados de modo accidental, donde se aplicó una encuesta semiestructurada. En 182 personas evaluadas, se registró una infestación de 68,1%, siendo niños y mujeres los más afectados, con lesiones en pies y manos más frecuentemente. 98% (n=63) de los perros evaluados estaban infestados. 34,8% de las personas reconoció a tunga como una pulga, aunque nadie conocía el ciclo de vida ni el mecanismo de transmisión. Los pobladores usan un instrumento punzante para extraer la pulga de la piel y 47,8% se desinfecta posteriormente. La persistencia de tungiasis en el área puede atribuirse a diseminación por animales, falta de su valoración como problema de salud, desconocimiento de métodos de combate y falta de planificación comunitaria para adoptar medidas de control.
Assuntos
Humanos , Comportamento , Transmissão de Doença Infecciosa , Percepção , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Argentina , Biologia , ParasitologiaRESUMO
In order to investigate the possible role of dog fleas in the transmission of trypanosomatids, ectoparasites were removed from 59 dogs testing positive for canine zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis according to the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of the fleas collected, 4/207 (1.9%) showed the presence of promastigotes in smears stained by Giemsa, whilst 43/144 (29.9%) exhibited positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification assays for Leishmania DNA. Fleas (409) from 9 Leishmania chagasi-infected dogs, each hosting more than 20 fleas per animal, were macerated and administered by peritoneal injection or orally to 36 hamsters. After 6 months, the 30 surviving hamsters were sacrificed and liver and spleen fragments were removed for PCA assay and to produce imprint smears, whilst blood samples were subjected to IFAT assay. Sixteen hamsters tested positive for Leishmania infection, 14 on the basis of PCR amplification and four by IFAT assay (two animals testing positive in both assays). Of the infected hamsters, 11/16 (68.7%) had been infected peritoneally and 5/16 (31.2%) orally. The imprint smears for all animals were, however, negative. Since both PCR and IFAT could present cross-reactivity for Leishmania and Leptomonas, the possibility of oral transmission of L. chagasi by fleas cannot be proven unambiguously even though the hamsters developed infection.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/veterinária , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Animais , DNA de Protozoário/isolamento & purificação , Doenças do Cão/transmissão , Cães , Feminino , Leishmaniose Visceral/transmissão , Masculino , Reação em Cadeia da PolimeraseRESUMO
Specimens of fleas Ctenocephalides felis felis (1052 female symbol/448 male symbol), obtained from 150 dogs in Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were dissected and examined for endosymbionts. Three protozoan, Nolleria pulicis, a gregarine (Actinocephalidae) and Leptomonas sp., together with one cestode, Dipylidium caninum were identified. Infections by N. pulicis and Leptomonas sp. occurred mainly in the warm-rainy period. The prevalence and distribution of these endosymbionts in fleas derived from Brazil and South America, and the their variation according to sex and season, are reported for the first time.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Ectoparasitoses/veterinária , Sifonápteros/parasitologia , Simbiose , Animais , Brasil , Cestoides/patogenicidade , Cestoides/fisiologia , Clima , Cães , Ectoparasitoses/parasitologia , Eucariotos/patogenicidade , Eucariotos/fisiologia , Feminino , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Masculino , Estações do AnoRESUMO
Parasite surveys of free-ranging wildlife provide important information for monitoring population health. Between March 2001 and March 2003, we sampled 10 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), eight Geoffroy's cats (Oncifelis geoffroyi), a jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi), five pampas foxes (Pseudalopex gymnocercus), and three crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) at three sites in the Bolivian Chaco. The objective of the study was to survey the parasite fauna of these carnivores and compare prevalence of parasites among the sites. The parasite community of these carnivores was diverse, with representatives from eight genera of nematodes, two families of cestodes, two protozoan species, and six arthropod species. Fecal parasites identified from 12 of the 13 felids and five of the six canids examined included Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Uncinaria sp., Crenosoma sp., Toxocara cati, Spirurida, Capillaria aerophila, Spirometra sp., Taeniidae, and Cystoisospora sp. Four tick species, Amblyomma parvum, A. tigrinum, A. ovale, and A. cajennense, and two flea species, Pulex irritans and Delostichus phyllotis, were identified. Two crab-eating foxes had serologic evidence of heartworm disease (HWD). Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were found in 15 of 26 animals. Although HWD was found only in canids inside the national park, parasite prevalence did not appear to differ among sites, and no evidence was found of parasite spillover from domestic to wild carnivores.