Fábio Silva de Souza

Prevalence of parasites in soil and dog feces according to diagnostic tests.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of parasites in soil and dog feces according to diagnostic tests. We studied soil from 25 public squares in Seropédica, Brazil. Five samples of soil were collected from each square. Eighty-one fresh fecal samples from dogs were analyzed. The technique described by Dunsmore et al. and an adaptation of the Rugai et al. method were used to recover parasites in soil, and the Willis, Hoffman and Centrifugal-Flotation techniques were used to detect parasites in feces. The chi(2) and Fischers exact tests were used to analyze the statistical significance of the results. Seven squares were found to be contaminated, and the most prevalent parasites were Ancylostoma spp. (13.6%) and Toxocara spp. (4.0%). The Dunsmore et al. technique and the adaptation of the Rugai et al. method did not differ in the detection of Toxocara spp. (p=0.21), Trichuris spp. (p=0.25), Ascaris spp. (p=0.49) and Strongyloides spp. (p=0.49) in soil. However, the two methods differed in the detection of Ancylostoma spp. eggs (p=0.029) and larvae (p=0.001). According to granulometric analysis, the soil samples consisted mainly of sand (from 96.6% to 82.8%). Parasites were detected in 75 fecal samples, the most frequent being Ancylostoma spp. (80.1%), Toxocara spp. (11.1%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (7.4%). There was no difference between the Willis and Centrifugal-Flotation techniques in the detection of Ancylostoma spp., and both techniques were better than the Hoffman technique for detecting this parasite in feces. The Hoffman and Centrifugal-Flotation techniques were different (p=0.03) in Toxocara spp. detection. No difference was observed among these three for Cryptosporidium spp. detection. The prevalences of zoonotic parasites in both dog feces and soil have implications for the spread of human disease in these areas.

Inquiry of cases of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax in dogs (Canis familiaris) of the Northern and Western zones of Rio de Janeiro city in 2000

Foi realizado um inquerito sobre os casos de miiase por larvas de Dermatobia hominis em caes atendidos em 190 clinicas e consultorios veterinarios das Zonas Norte e Oeste do Municipio do Rio de Janeiro em 2000. Casos foram atendidos em 37 de 108 estabelecimentos veterinarios da Zona Norte e em 55 de 82 estabelecimentos da Zona Oeste do municipio. A presenca de areas rurais e animais como bovinos e equinos proximos aos caes criou um ambiente adequado a proliferacao de moscas, inclusive as vetoras dos ovos da D. hominis. Caes adultos, de raca definida e de pelagem curta e escura foram os mais acometidos. Machos foram os mais infestados na Zona Norte, enquanto nao se observou predilecao por sexo na Zona Oeste. Caes mantidos em quintais de casas ou sitios, como os adultos e os de raca de grande porte (normalmente utilizados para guarda), foram os mais acometidos. O dorso e a regiao lombar foram as regioes do corpo mais afetadas, por serem facilmente acessiveis as moscas. Programas preventivos contra miiases devem ser intensificados nos meses de maior incidencia, apesar de algumas vezes isso nao ser possivel, pois varios veterinarios relataram que nenhum mes apresentou maior incidencia ou nao souberam responder a pergunta. Os veterinarios devem alertar os proprietarios que sao necessarias a correcao do manejo e a manutencao da higiene do local onde os caes sao mantidos, para evitar a presenca de moscas. Mais estudos sao necessarios para identificar outras causas predisponentes as miiases e evitar essa doenca.

Inquérito sobre os casos de miíase por Dermatobia hominis em cães da zona sul do município do Rio de Janeiro no ano 2000

In the Southern Zone of Rio de Janeiro municipality, it was performed an inquiry about myiasis by Dermatobia hominis larvae in dogs presented to 34 veterinary establishments during 2000, to identify predisposing factors, and to contribute to the comprehension of epidemiological features and prevention of this disease. At least one case was presented to 24 establishments, and adult, male, light and short-haired, and pure breed dogs were most infected. Most affected body regions were those that flies can easily access: limbs, dorsal region, lumbar region, head, and neck. In most cases, no complications were observed during and after the treatment, and healing time was less than five days. As no month of the year presented higher occurrence of cases, prevention programs should be developed during all the year, based on epidemiological data as phenotypical features (breed, hair color, hair size, age, and sex) of infested animals. Pet owners should be encouraged to look for veterinary assistance when larvae are found on the animals, and to maintain environmental hygiene. Prevention programs should be developed specially in areas where D. hominis and flies that play the role of D. hominis egg vectors are found, because most dogs have became infected when traveling to small farms outside the studied area, and, then, cases of myiasis were found in a predominantly urban area as the Southern Zone.

Inquérito sobre os casos de miíase por Cochliomyia hominivorax em cäes da zona sul do município do Rio de Janeiro no ano 2000

An inquiry about the cases of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae in dogs presented to 34 veterinary establishments of the Southern Zone of Rio de Janeiro municipality in 2000 was performed, to identify predisposing factors and to contribute to the comprehension of the epidemiological features and prevention of this disease. In 31 establishments, at least one case of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae in dogs was presented. Adult, dark and short-haired, and pure breed dogs, living in houses, were the most infested, but no predilection for sex was noticed. Ears were the most affected, due to otitis. Occurrence was higher in warmer weather months of the year. Most owners did not try to treat their pets by themselves, and adequate treatment of the wound, prescribed by the clinician, led to short healing period and absence of complications during and after the treatment. Myiasis is seen as a consequence of owners negligence, but some dogs had already presented this disease before. It is necessary to develop prevention programs against screwworm infestation based on identified predisposing factors, such as phenotypical features of infested animals and body regions more affected. Causes that lead to larvae infestation, such as otitis and wounds, should be avoided and environment hygiene must be maintained. Besides, prevention programs should be intensified during the months of the highest incidence of the disease.

Inquérito sobre os casos de miíase por Cochliomyia hominivorax em gatos das zonas norte, sul e oeste e do centro do município do Rio de Janeiro no ano 2000

An inquiry about the cases of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae in cats presented to 227 veterinary establishments of the Northern, Southern, and Western Zones of Rio de Janeiro municipality in 2000 was performed, to identify predisposing factors and to contribute to the comprehension of the epidemiological features of this parasitic disease. In one hundred and fifty two establishments, at least one case of myiasis by C. hominivorax larvae in cats was presented, and dogs were most infested than cats. Incidence was higher in hot weather months or periods of the year: January, February, November, and December. Adult, dark and short-haired, intact males, and mixed-breeding cats were the most affected. Because myiasis by C. hominivorax larvae are often in Rio de Janeiro City, as concluded in this inquiry, and it is not necessary to report the cases to authorities, a lot of clinicians did not consider it as a disease of great importance. Preventive programs against screwworm infestation should be developed according to identified predisposing factors, such as phenotypic features of infested animals (breed, hair color, hair size, sex, and age) and months of highest incidence, when programs should be intensified. Pet owners should be warned by veterinary clinicians about harm caused by myiasis and should receive directions about preventive rules, including maintenance of environment hygiene and avoidance of more common myiasis causes.

Diagnostic ectoparasites involving in canine and feline veterinary laboratory in a clinical analysis in Manaus, AM

The dermatopathies ectoparasitária origin of key importance in small animal veterinary clinic, because, besides the injury to the health of the animal, many of them have a zoonotic potential. The study objectives were to analyze events involving ectoparasites in animals to species, sex, age and race affected, diagnosed in a veterinary clinical laboratory. The data were obtained from reports of examinations of samples collected from animals treated at a veterinary care or the third seven years of clinical work. Species, breed, sex, age and also the parasites found: data relating to the characteristics of affected animals as were recorded. Of 1,668 tests, 233 were diagnostic of ectoparasites, and of these 96 were positive. Eight different ectoparasites such as Malassezia pachydermatis with 39.58 % (38/96) of occurring, Demodex canis and 31.25% (30/96), dermatophytes 8.33% (8/96), Otodectes cynotis 7 were diagnosed 29 % (7/96), Sarcoptes scabiei 6.25% (6 /96) Lynxacarus radovskyi 3.12% (3/96), Notoedres cati 3.12% (3/96) and Cheyletiella sp. 1.04 % (1/96). Were more frequent in requests for samples from dogs, aged between one and five years old, female and mixed breed. Have the most affected breeds were Poodle, Dachshund, Pinscher and Yorkshire.

Use of body mass index in canine body condition assessment of dogs served in a veterinary clinic in Manaus

Maintaining ideal weight dog not only helps to prevent the onset / worsening of many diseases, but also to increased life expectancy and their welfare. The Araújo et al., Revista Brasileira de Higiene e Sanidade Animal (v.8, n.4) p. 243 – 251, out dez (2014) 244 objective of this study was to evaluate body condition in dogs using the canine body mass index. Data were collected from dogs using the methods described in the literature. Of the 50 animals evaluated, 30 were females and 20 males, 35 animals aged between 1 and 7 years and 15 animals over the age of 7 years. Only six of the 50 evaluated animals were castrated. After analyzing the data, according to the methodology applied, the 50 animals were divided into four categories, according to adapted clothing IMCC, then it was found: 44% of animals (22) were within the ideal weight condition , 30% (15) overweight , 14% (7) of obese rats and 12% (6) just below the weight. Therefore, we applied a method more objective, fast and easy on the body condition of dogs providing a more reliable result that can qualify guidance to clients and patients care.