Elane Guerreiro Giese

Detection of dog filariasis in Marajo Island, Brazil by classical and molecular methods

Canine filariasis in domestic and wild dogs, foxes, and wolves is caused by several species of filarids. Although these filarial species inhabit different loci in the vertebrate definitive hosts, they generally release microfilariae into the bloodstream. Data about filarial infection in dogs in Brazil, especially on the Marajo Island, is scarce. For this reason, we conducted an analysis of 188 domestic dogs within two Marajo Island municipalities. The overall prevalence of microfilaremic was 32.45%; taken by blood smear and modified Knott’s method. No significant difference of positivity between male and female was observed (X2 Yates’s correctionu2009=u20090.341; pu2009=u20090.559). Significant age–infection ratios were detected (X2u2009=u200932.943; pu2009<u20090.0001). A high occult infection was detected (53.84%). PCR of rDNA and phylogenetic tree indicated that the microfilariae and adult worms found in domestic dogs from Marajo Island were Dirofilaria immitis.

Rhabdias paraensis sp. nov.: a parasite of the lungs of Rhinella marina (Amphibia: Bufonidae) from Brazilian Amazonia

The nematode parasites of Rhinella marina include species of the genus Rhabdias (Rhabdiasidae: Rhabditoidea). The present study describes Rhabdias paraensis sp. nov., which parasitizes the lungs of R. marina in Brazilian Amazonia. Of the more than 70 known species of this genus, 18 are parasites of bufonids, of which, eight are Neotropical. The new species described here is similar to Rhabdias alabialis in the absence of lips is different by the presence of conspicuous cephalic papillae. We describe details of the four rows of pores, which are distributed equally along the whole of the length of the body and connected with hypodermal cells, using histology and scanning electron microscopy. Other histological aspects of the internal structure of this nematode are also described.

First record of larval Pseudoproleptus sp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) in fish host

Infective third-stage larvae of the cystidicolid nematode Pseudoproleptus sp. were found encapsulated in the mesentery of the freshwater fish Satanoperca jurupari Heckel (Cichlidae) from the Guamá River, close to the Amazon River Delta, Pará State, Brazil. The prevalence in fish (total body length 9-24 cm) examined from March 2009 to June 2010 (n=53) was 37%, with an intensity of 4-45 (mean 14±11) larvae per fish. The nematode larvae (body length 16.2-21.6mm), characterized by the cephalic end provided with a helmet-like cuticular structure having a thickened free posterior margin, were studied based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Fish play a role of paratenic hosts for this nematode species. This is the first record of a larval nematode of the genus Pseudoproleptus from fish, and the second record of a larval nematode belonging to Cystidicolidae in the Amazon and in the Neotropics. Additional larval specimens were found free in the stomach of only 0.9% Ageneiosus ucayalensis Castelnau (Auchenipteridae) examined (n=205). This finding can be considered as occasional parasitism.

Histopathologic aspects in Plagioscion squamosissimus (HECKEL, 1940) induced by Neoechinorhynchus veropesoi, metacestodes and anisakidae juveniles

Plagioscion squamosissimus (Heckel 1840), a fish endemic to the Amazon Basin and commonly known as the silver croaker, plays an important role in the ecology and economy of Pará State, Brazil. Knowledge of host-parasite relationships is important to understanding the role of parasites in the control of natural host populations. This work describes histopathological aspects caused by several common intestinal parasites found during a helminthological survey of fish in northern Brazil. We observed a high prevalence of helminth infection, especially by J3 nematode juveniles of the family Anisakidae and metacestodes of the family Protocephalidae (both with 100% prevalence). An external capsule surrounded each juvenile with numerous juveniles inside sac-like structures formed of connective tissue. Inflammation was observed to be caused by infection of metacestodes, reaching the intestinal muscularis mucosa. Neoechinorhynchus veropesoi (38% prevalence) was found in the small intestine of P. squamosissimus, invading the mucosa, submucosa, and internal muscularis of the intestine causing intense inflammation. Histopathology of host-parasite relationships in fish has been rare, and the pathology of parasites in P. squamosissimus is described herein.

Parasites of Satanoperca jurupari (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) from Brazil

Satanoperca jurupari (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) is reported for the first time to be parasitized by the nematodes Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) rarus Travassos, Artigas and Pereira, 1928, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) sp., larvae of Raphidascaroides sp. and Anisakidae gen. sp., and by the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) paraguayensis Machado Filho (Rev Bras Biol 19:379–381, 1959).

Nematodes Parasites of Teiid Lizards from the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

Abstract This study presents the helminth composition and parameters of infection by several species of nematodes in teiid lizards, Ameiva ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus, 1758), Cnemidophorus cryptus Cole and Dessauer, 1993, and Kentropyx calcarata Spix, 1825 from the Brazilian Amazonian Rainforest. The population of lizards studied were parasitized by 6 species of Phylum Nemata including: Spinicauda spinicauda (Olfers, 1919), Parapharyngodon alvarengai Freitas, 1957, Physaloptera sp. (adults), Physaloptera sp. (larvae), Piratuba digiticauda Lent and Freitas, 1941, and Anisakidae (larvae). The overall prevalence was 66.17% and the mean intensity of infection was 19.40 ± 25.48. The association between the body-length of lizards and the abundance and richness of parasitic nematodes was statistically significant only in Ameiva a. ameiva. A new host record is reported here with 1 specimen of the family Anasakidae in Ameiva a. ameiva. Both S. spinicauda and Physaloptera sp. represent new records from C. cryptus.

Gongylonema Parasites of Rodents: A Key to Species and New Data on Gongylonema neoplasticum

Abstract Specimens of the genus Gongylonema were collected from the gastric mucosa of rodents of Rattus rattus Linnaeus, 1758, and Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769, collected in urban areas in Belém, Pará, in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. The helminths were processed for analysis using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques and presented taxonomic characteristics of the species Gongylonema neoplasticum. The SEM analyses revealed the presence of 2 developed buccal plates (1 dorsal, 1 ventral), also called interlabia, with a prominent and bifurcated ventral plaque. The occurrence of the bifurcated ventral interlabium had not yet been identified by any other author from G. neoplasticum. As a result of our extensive research on published data on Gongylonema spp., we propose a taxonomic key for species of this genus that parasitize rodents. This is the first record of G. neoplasticum in urban areas of the Brazilian Amazon.

Morphological Characterization of Diaphragm in Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

The wall of the diaphragm can be affected by congenital or acquired alterations which allow the passage of viscera between the abdominal and chest cavities, allowing the formation of a diaphragmatic hernia. We characterized morphology and performed biometrics of the diaphragm in the common squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus. After fixation, muscle fragments were collected and processed for optical microscopy. In this species the diaphragm muscle is attached to the lung by phrenopericardial ligament. It is also connected to the liver via the coronary and falciform ligaments. The muscle is composed of three segments in total: 1) sternal; 2) costal, and 3) a segment consisting of right and left diaphragmatic pillars. The anatomical structures analyzed were similar to those reported for other mammals. Histological analysis revealed stable, organized muscle fibers with alternation of light and dark streaks, indicating transverse striation.

Morphology of the Diaphragm Muscle in Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and its Importance in Cases of Traumatic Hernia

The wall of the diaphragm can be affected by changes caused by physical trauma, allowing the passage of viscera between the abdominal cavity and thoracic cavity, thus reducing the space for pulmonary expansion, leading to the formation of hernia and possible death. Thus, we aimed to characterize, size and determine the topography of the diaphragmatic muscle in the Southern Tamandua, since clinical and surgical activities in wild animals have become a reality more and more present in veterinary medicine. We used six adult animals, x-rayed and dissected, followed by collection of fragments of muscular portions for histological analysis. Initially we observed that the animals presented 17 thoracic vertebrae, 3 lumbar vertebrae and 5 sacral vertebrae. The diaphragm was conformed by three segments: sternal, costal and right and left diaphragm pillar, with presence of tendinous centre that housed the passage of the caudal vena cava, called foramen of the caudal vena cava. Dorsally to the tendinous centre, already in the muscle portion, we located the esophageal and aortic hiatus. These findings, as well as the microscopic, were equivalent to that found in the general literature also, corroborating with descriptions already carried out in other mammals diaphragms.

Morphology of the Stomach of Tayra (Eira barbara)

Background: The Tayra (Eira barbara) is a mammal of the family Mustelidae with a significant presence in Latin America, it is considered an opportunist and extremely agile omnivorous. Some organs compose the digestive system and the stomach is a substantial organ for this system. The stomach have a small and a large curvature and the regions of the cardia, fundus, body and pylorus. Histologically, the stomach is made up of four layers or tunics that contributes in digestive functions.xa0 However, due the limited information available in the literature about morphophysiology of wildlife, this study aimed to clarify the morphology of Eira barbara stomach to understand your digestive system. Materials, Methods & Results: Three males and three females of Eira barbara species were studied (all young adults), all samples were originated of the Bauxite Mine area, in Paragominas, Para state, Brazil provided of donation to Morphological Animal Research Laboratory (LaPMa) of the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazonia (UFRA), after death by trampling. The corpses were treated with aqueous 10% formaldehyde solution intramuscular injections, subcutaneous and intracavitary. After dissection, the collected material was processed following histologic standard protocols for the subsequent preparation of slides. The studied animals showed the stomach on the left antimere the abdominal cavity, with saccular format with the presence of large and small curvatures. The organ showed composite mucosa made with various gastric folds distributed in regions of the cardia, fundus and pylorus. A microscopic analysis of Eira barbara stomach revealed the presence of tunics or layers which gradually invaginate the lumen of the organ and underlying lamina propria was located to the prismatic epithelium and muscular mucosae and mucosa itself. In the region of the cardia, the muscle layer was deeply situated on the lamina propria, consisting of smooth muscle tissue with circular and longitudinal fibers. The submucosa consists of loose connective tissue; it is much thicker than the lamina propria and has many vessels. The first portion of the stomach showed long glands, while with short pits. In light microscopy, the fundic region revealed the presence of a highly pleated epithelium with elongated glands composed of clear and basally placed cells, with flattened nuclei. These cells are named mucous. Along the short region of the gastric pits, the presence of large cells was reported, pyramidal or rounded, central nucleus, called parietal. The pyloric region microscopy revealed the presence of short glands, similar to those previously described in the cardia region. The wide presence of goblet cells in the final portion of the pylorus indicated gradual transition between the regions of the stomach to the intestine, called duodenum-pylorus transition. The muscular layer showed thick muscle bundles just in circular direction, being responsible for the formation of the pyloric sphincter. Discussion: The morphological analysis of the stomachs showed morphological and topographical similarities to the literature description for pets and wild mammals, however, were found in abundant quantities goblet cells in the transition duodenal pylorus. The goblet cells are located throughout the length of the small and large intestine and are responsible for the production and maintenance of the protective mucus synthesizing as glycoproteins known as mucins.