Daniel Ambrózio da Rocha Vilela

The Goitrogen 6-n-Propyl-2-Thiouracil (PTU) Given during Testis Development Increases Sertoli and Germ Cell Numbers per Cyst in Fish: The Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Model

The main objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) on Sertoli cell proliferation, germ cell number, and testis size in Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus). In this regard, young fish (∼1 g BW and ∼3.5 cm total in length) were treated for a period of 40 d with different concentrations (100 and 150 ppm) of PTU. The animals were killed and analyzed on d 1, 30, 40, 98, and 208 after the beginning of the treatment. On d 30 and 40 the spermatogenic process was delayed in fish treated with PTU compared with the control group. Also at these periods, treated tilapia had decreased (P 0.05) to those of the controls. However, testis weight and gonadosomatic index (testis mass/body weight) were approximately 100% higher (P < 0.05) in treated tilapia. Similarly, the area occupied by seminiferous tubules, the number of Sertoli cells an...

Fatal Toxoplasmosis in a Vinaceous Amazon Parrot (Amazona vinacea)

SUMMARY. Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a vinaceous Amazon parrot based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The bird was prostrate on the bottom of the cage and died. Necropsy revealed edema and congestion of the lungs, cloudy air sacs, and mild hepatomegaly. Histopathology revealed severe pulmonary congestion and edema and interstitial mononuclear cell inflammation associated with many cysts containing bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii scattered throughout. The heart had mild multifocal lymphocytic myocarditis and free tachyzoites in the muscle fibers, and the kidneys had mild interstitial nephritis and a few cysts containing bradyzoites of T. gondii. Immunohistochemistry was negative for Sarcocystis falcatula and Neospora caninum and confirmed the protozoa as T. gondii. This is the first description of T. gondii in an endangered species of a Brazilian psittacine.

A bumblefoot outbreak and fatal septicemia in captive aquatic birds in Brazil.

portuguesEste trabalho relata um surto de esparavao em aves aquaticas cativas com prognostico variado conforme a especie de ave. Foram examinados um marreco carolina (Aix sponsa), tres guaras (ibis vermelha) (Eudocimus ruber), dois cisnes negros (Cygnus atratus), cinco marrecas piadeiras (Dendrocygna viduata) e dois colhereiros (Platalea ajaja) mantidos em recinto comunitario, em cativeiro e em criatorio. No recinto, a piscina e margeada por borda de cimento abrasivo que possibilita a abrasao da pele podal. Todas as aves apresentaram erosoes da pele na face de apoio dos pes, indicando fator predisponente (erosao) similar e possivel semelhante desafio infeccioso. Entretanto, incoordenacao e mortalidade ocorreram em colhereiros e no cisne negro, mas nao nas outras especies. Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positivo e resistente a penicilina foi isolado do liquido sinovial e do figado das aves recem-mortas e conservadas em geladeira. A susceptibilidade diferenciada das especies aquaticas estudadas a infeccao por S. aureus coagulase positivo e discutida. Palavras-chave : aves aquaticas; esparavao; marreco carolina (Aix sponsa); guara ou ibis vermelha (Eudocimus ruber); cisne negro (Cygnus atratus); marreca piadeira (Dendrocygna viduata); colhereiro (Platalea ajaja) EnglishA bumblefoot outbreak with different prognosis according to host species was studied in captive aquatic avian species. Six wood ducks (Aix sponsa), three scarlet-ibis (Eudocimus ruber), two black-swans (Cygnus atratus), five white-faced ducks (Dendrocygna viduata) and two roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) were kept in a common pen with abrasive pavement pond margin, predisposing to podal skin wear. Incoordination and mortality occurred in the two roseate spoonbils and one black swan. Coagulase-positive penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the synovial fluid and from the liver. All birds sharing the pen presented active or cicatricial foot lesions, indicating a possible challenge to the environmental Staphylococci. However, except for the roseate spoonbill and the black swan, which had fatal disease, for all other species the case did not evolve to a clinically debilitating or fatal disease. The different susceptibility to a fatal Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive infection is discussed. Palavras-chave : aquatic birds; Bumblefoot; pododermatitis; wood duck (Aix sponsa); scarlet-ibis (Eudocimus ruber); black-swan (Cygnus atratus); white-faced duck (Dendrocygna viduata); roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)A bumblefoot outbreak with different prognosis according to host species was studied in captive aquatic avian species. Six wood ducks (Aix sponsa), three scarlet-ibis (Eudocimus ruber), two black-swans (Cygnus atratus), five white-faced ducks (Dendrocygna viduata) and two roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) were kept in a common pen with abrasive pavement pond margin, predisposing to podal skin wear. Incoordination and mortality occurred in the two roseate spoonbils and one black swan. Coagulase-positive penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the synovial fluid and from the liver. All birds sharing the pen presented active or cicatricial foot lesions, indicating a possible challenge to the environmental Staphylococci. However, except for the roseate spoonbill and the black swan, which had fatal disease, for all other species the case did not evolve to a clinically debilitating or fatal disease. The different susceptibility to a fatal Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive infection is discussed.

Fatal Coccidiosis by Isospora icterus (Upton & Whitaker, 2000) in Captive Campo Troupial (Icterus jamacaii) in Brazil

Abstract: An outbreak of coccidiosis by Isospora icterus (I. icterus, Upton & Whitaker, 2000) in captive Campo Troupial (Icterus jamacaii) (Gmelin, 1788) at the Wild Animals Triage Center (IBAMA, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) is described. Clinical history and the necropsy findings documented diarrhea with diffuse necrotic enteritis. Sporulated oocysts (n = 100) had a bilayered wall, were subspherical, and measured 30.1 (27.5–32.5) μm in length and 28.5 (26.2–30.0) μm in width. A polar body but no micropyle was present and the length/width ratio was 1.1 (1.00–1.2). Each oocyst contained two ellipsoidal sporocysts measuring 17.6 (15.0–20.0) μm in length and 12.9 (12.5–15.0) μm in width, with a length/width ratio of 1.4 (1.2–1.5), and with Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies. Each sporocyst contained four sporozoites with granular sporocyst residuum. Oocysts were compatible with those from I. icterus, previously described in Campo Troupial.