André Almeida Fernandes

Biology of Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772) (Acari: Ixodidae) on some laboratory hosts in Brazil

The ixodid Amblyomma aureolatum is suspected to play a role in the epidemiology of wild life-cycle hemoparasites, which frequently infect dogs in rural and hunting areas in Brazil. Little is known about its bionomics. The objective of the present study was to evaluate some bionomic aspects of A. aureolatum ticks in Brazil. One engorged female, collected from a dog (Canis familiaris) in São Sebastião das Aguas Claras, State of Minas Gerais, was used to establish a colony in the laboratory. Subsequently its parasitic stage progeny were fed on domestic dogs and laboratory animals. The free-living stages were incubated at 27 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C and minimum 70% relative humidity in a BOD incubator. The egg incubation period ranged from 31 to 34 days; the parasitic period of larvae ranged from 4 to 6 days and ecdysis to nymphs occurred from day 19 up to day 22. The parasitic period of nymphs ranged from 5 to 8 days and the period of ecdysis to adults from 31 to 33 days. The parasitic period of adults ranged from 11 to 15 days, the pre-oviposition period from 6 to 12 days, and the oviposition period from 9 to 38 days. The total duration of the life cycle ranged from 116 to 168 days.

New Records and Human Parasitism by Ornithodoros mimon (Acari: Argasidae) in Brazil

ABSTRACT The bat tick Ornithodoros mimon Kohls, Clifford & Jones is currently known by only few reports in Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, and the state of São Paulo in southeastern Brazil. Here, we expand the distribution of O. mimon in Brazil to the states of Minas Gerais (southeastern region), Goiás (central-western), Pernambuco, and Rio Grande do Norte (northeastern). Ticks were collected on human dwellings, where there had been repeated complains of tick bites on persons during the night. Tick bites were generally followed by intense inflammatory reactions that lasted for several weeks at the bite site. Bats and opossums were reported to inhabit the attic of the infested houses. In addition, a free-ranging opossum (Didelphis albiventris Lund) trapped in Rio Grande do Norte was found infested by argasid larvae. Based on morphological and/ or molecular analysis, all ticks were identified as O. mimon. From one of the sites (Tiradentes, state of Minas Gerais), 20 field-collected nymphs were tested by a battery of polymerase chain reaction protocols targeting tick-borne microorganisms of the genera Babesia, Hepatozoon, Rickettsia, Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Coxiella; no tick specimen was found infected by any of these microorganism genera. The current study expands northwards the distribution of O. mimon, which has been shown to be very harmful to humans because of the intense inflammatory response that usually occurs after tick bites.

Isolation and characterizaton of Edwardsiella tarda from pacu Myleus micans

Investigaram-se as causas da mortalidade de peixes ocorrida em janeiro de 2005 na bacia do Rio Sao Francisco, Brasil. Edwardsiella tarda foi isolada dos rins de pacu Myleus micans. O isolado, denominado Et-LIS, caracterizado por bastonetes Gram negativos moveis, foi identificado por testes bioquimicos e confirmado pelo kit comercial Bactray. A susceptibilidade a 10 drogas das 12 testadas foi determinada pelo metodo de difusao de discos, enquanto as caracteristicas de virulencia foram avaliadas mediante inoculacao experimental em Cyprinus carpio e em Oreochromis spp. Ambas as especies desafiadas apresentaram sinais compativeis com infeccao por E. tarda. As tilapias (Oreochromis spp.) morreram 48h apos a inoculacao, enquanto as carpas (Cyprinus carpio) sobreviveram por 72h. Este e o primeiro relato da ocorrencia de E. tarda em pacu.

First report of Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) as vector of Dermatobia hominis (L.jr.) (Diptera: Cuterebridae) in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Biological transmission of eggs and larvae of the human bot fly Dermatobia hominis by a female of the horn fly Haematobia irritans is reported for the first time in South America. Seventeen females of H. irritans were collected near the municipality of Morada Nova (19oS, 45oW) in the Três Marias, region of northwestern Minas Gerais in June 1993 and sent to the Entomology Laboratory, Dept. of Prevention Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais for identification based on the keys of B Greenberg (1971 Flies and Diseases: Ecology, Classification and Biotic Associations, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 483 pp.) (Fig. 1). One of the flies bore 21 viable eggs of D. hominis which were incubated in a BOD oven at 27oC and 80% RH. Hatching of first instar larvae was observed after four days. Various authors (A Neiva & JF Gomes 1917 An Esc Pau Med Cir 8: 197-209, JT Greighton & WW Neel 1952 Turrialba 2: 59-65) have cited a five-day mean incubation period for D. hominis eggs. The viability of recently eclosed larvae was demonstrated by host-seeking behaviour consisting of vibratory movements and projection of the anterior part of the body in response to stimulation with heat and CO2 (Fig. 2). Four larvae were used for experimental inoculation of a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus ) where they completed their larval development. These observations of the emergence of D. hominis larvae transported by H. irritans suggest that the latter species could be an efficient biological vector of the human bot fly. The importance of this report lies in the fact that H. irritans had never been implicated in the transportation of eggs of D. hominis (PT Artigas & RG Serra 1965 Ciênc Cult 17: 21-29, JH Guimarães et al. 1983 Rev Bras Zool 4 : 239-416, Z Rodríguez 1987 Ocorrência e Distribuição de Larvas de Dermatobia hominis (L. Jr., 1781) em Bovinos e Flutuação de Dípteros Sinantrópicos Rurais, Msc Thesis, UFPel, 70 pp., N Kasai et al. 1990 Rev Bras Entomol 34 : 369-380). The high population densities and behavioural characteristics of H. irritans (permanent and close association with cattle, punctuated by brief, slow flights away from the bodies of the animals) would seem to predispose it to parasitism by D. hominis and the establishment of the horn fly in South America (MR Honer et al. 1990 Embrapa-CNPGC, Circ Tec 45, p. 34) could increase the problem of human bot fly infestations in areas where the latter species is endemic.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF CAPTIVE TINAMIDS (AVES, TINAMIFORMES) IN BRAZIL

Ninety-five (95) captive tinamids (Aves, Tinamiformes) of species Crypturellus obsoletus (brown tinamou), Crypturellus parvirostris (small-billed tinamou), Crypturellus tataupa (Tataupa tinamou), Crypturellus undulatus (undulated tinamou), Rhynchotus rufescens (red-winged tinamou), and Tinamus solitarius (solitary tinamou) were evaluated for diseases of mandatory control in the Brazilian Poultry Health Program (PNSA). Antibodies were detected by serum agglutination test (SAT) in 4 birds for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and in 27 birds for Salmonella Pullorum (SP) and Salmonella Gallinarum (SG). However, by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), sera were negative to MG and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS). Bacteriology was negative for SP and SG. No antibody was detected by HI to avian paramyxovirus type 1. However, antibodies to infectious bursal disease virus were detected in 9.4% (9/95) by ELISA. Fecal parasitology and necropsy revealed Capillaria spp. in 44.2% (42/95), Eimeria rhynchoti in 42.1% (40/95), Strongyloides spp. in 100% (20/20), Ascaridia spp., and unknown sporozoa in small-billed tinamou. Ectoparasites were detected in 42.1% (40/95) by inspection, and collected for identification. The louse Strongylocotes lipogonus (Insecta: Phthiraptera) was found on all Rhynchotus rufescens. An additional four lice species were found on 14 individuals. Traumatic lesions included four individual R. rufescens (4/40, 10%) with rhinotheca fracture, one with mandible fracture and three with posttraumatic ocular lesions (3/40, 7.5%). One C. parvirostris had phalangeal loss, another had tibiotarsal joint ankylosis and another had an open wound on the foot. Results suggest that major poultry infections/ diseases may not be relevant in tinamids, and that this group of birds, as maintained within distances for biosecurity purposes, may not represent a risk to commercial poultry. Ecto- and endoparasites were common, disseminated, and varied; regular monitoring of flocks is recommended for best performance.

Serologic, parasitic, and bacteriologic assessment of captive cracids (Aves: Galliformes: Cracidae) in Brazil.

Abstract:  Captive cracids (Aves: Galliformes: Cracidae), including endangered species, were studied (n = 130) for the assessment of health status, including Aburria jacutinga (black-fronted piping-guan, n = 42), Crax blumenbachii (red-knobbed curassow, n = 54), Crax fasciolata (bare-faced curassow, n = 28), and Penelope obscura (dusky-legged guan, n = 6). The exposure to Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), Salmonella pullorum (SP), Salmonella gallinarum (SG), avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1), and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were determined by serology, and SG and SP also were evaluated by culture. Ectoparasites and endoparasites were identified using light microscopy. Sera were negative by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for antibodies to MG or MS, although serum was reactive to MG (32%, 42/130) by the rapid serum agglutination test (SAT). Although positive reactions (26.9%, 35/130) for SP and SG were detected by SAT, cloacal swab cultures were negative for SP and SG. IBDV antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in two dusky-legged guans (1.5%, 2/130). HI antibody titers to APMV-1 were found in 20 (15.3%) cracids, with titers ranging from 16 to 1,024. Fifty percent of birds (65/130) had ectoparasites. Lice (Menacanthus spp.) and mites (Astigmata: Analgesidae, Megninidae; Megninia spp.) were found in red-knobbed curassow; Megninia spp. also were found in bare-faced curassow, black-fronted piping-guan, and dusky-legged guan. Eleven black-fronted piping-guans presented dual parasitism by Megninia spp. and Ornithonyssus spp. Endoparasites were detected in 16.1% (21/130) of birds, and some with multiple parasites. Oocysts of coccidia and eggs of Capillaria spp. (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) were found in the feces of red-knobbed curassow. Eggs of Strongyloides spp. were found in the feces of bare-faced curassow, and eggs of Ascaridia spp., Capillaria spp., and Strongyloides spp. were found in black-fronted piping-guan. Cysts of Blastocystis spp. were found in dusky-legged guan. Antibodies to IBDV and APMV-1 indicate previous exposure. However, considering that birds were clinically normal, immune stimulation might have been from live chicken vaccine strain infections that are widely used in Brazilian poultry. The high parasitism levels indicate that a routine inspection for internal and external parasites is warranted.

Laminosioptes cysticola in free-range chickens in Minas Gerais, Brazil

The subcutaneous acarid parasite Laminosioptes cysticola, the fowl cyst mite, has been found for a number of years in free-range chickens of peri-urban and rural Minas Gerais, forming collagen cysts which may be subsequently calcified after the parasites death. The role of free-range chickens as hosts and the possible risk of food-borne human allergy, as a result of its consumption in feed, are considered.

Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from broilers with vertebral osteomyelitis in Southeast Brazil

ABSTRACT Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is a worldwide emerging disease that affects broilers. Recently, the isolation of Enterococcus faecalis in cases of the disease has been described. This study aimed at determining the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance profile of 12 E. faecalis strains isolated from broilers with VO. Strains were isolated from nine flocks from six farms in a high-density poultry production area in Southeast Brazil and were evaluated using multilocus sequence typing and phylogenetic analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and PCR were performed to detect antimicrobial resistance genes. E. faecalis isolates belonged to different sequence types (ST), six of which (ST49, ST100, ST116, ST202, ST249, and ST300) have been previously described. Strains ST708 and ST709 were newly identified in this study. Strain ST49 was most frequently isolated (50% of the flocks) from the analysed VO cases. No phylogenetic or phylogeographic relationship was found among the strains. The VO isolated E. faecalis strains showed highest resistance to aminoglycosides, mainly gentamicin (40%), but were highly susceptible to vancomycin (10%). Aminoglycoside resistance genes were detected in seven E. faecalis strains, and AAC6′-APH2″ genes were most frequently detected. The results showed that E. faecalis strains isolated from recently reported VO cases were highly diverse genetically. The diversity of genotypes in circulation in the analysed flocks, without apparent relationship among them, raises questions on aetiopathogenesis of the disease in broilers and evolutionary aspects of E. faecalis.

Fatal sarcosporidiosis in a passerine of species Gnorimopsar chopi chopi

Relata-se um caso fatal de sarcosporidiose em passaro-preto (melro), Gnorimopsar chopi chopi, caracterizado por intensa prostracao, respiracao superficial e decubito lateral. Embora nao tenham sido observadas alteracoes significativas no sistema respiratorio, o quadro clinico confundia-se com doenca nesse sistema, em decorrencia do comprometimento dos musculos ligados a respiracao.

Modelagem das trajetórias médias do peso vivo e do rendimento de carcaça de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) por meio de funções B-spline

Employing the method of least squares and quadratic B-spline polynomials, different statistical models were tested to identify the most appropriate to model the mean trajectories of live weight and carcass yield of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Data of live weight (8,758) and carcass yield (2,042) of tilapias with ages between 106 and 245 days were obtained from 72 families derived from 36 males and 72 females. The sex and tank variables were considered as classificatory and the coefficients of quadratic polynomials B-spline of two to five intervals of the same size were used as covariables. According to most fit criteria used, the models with quadratic B-spline polynomial with five intervals of the same size presented the best adjustments. The increase in number of intervals of B-spline polynomial improved the fit of the polynomials to the data. The inclusion of classificatory effects from sex, tank, the interaction of these effects and the quadratic polynomial B-spline nested in this interaction indicated that, over time, each sex, grown in different tank, presented different mean trajectory, necessitating the inclusion of nesting time in the interaction sex x tank in order to avoid the under or overestimation of breeding values of the selection candidates in breeding programs of this species.