Herlandes Penha Tinoco

Naturally acquired visceral leishmaniasis in non-human primates in Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic and often fatal protozoal disease that is endemic in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil). Leishmania sp. is an intracellular obligatory parasite of macrophages that can naturally infect several mammalian species. Non-human primates (NHP) have been used as experimental models for infection with Leishmania of the donovani complex. The present report describes a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a black-fronted titi. Among 41 primates kept in captivity in a zoo in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil), one animal, a black-fronted titi (Callicebus nigrifrons), was positive for Leishmania chagasi infection by PCR and immunohistochemistry, and developed a fatal disease with clinical signs and lesions compatible with VL. Other 17 NHP, including six black-fronted titis (C. nigrifrons), one howler monkey (Alouatta guariba), three golden-bellied capuchins (Cebus xanthosternos), one golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus crysomelas), one black-headed owl monkey (Aotus nigriceps), two Rio Tapajós sakis (Pithecia irrorata) and three emperor tamarins (Saguinus imperator) had blood samples that tested positive for amplification of Leishmania kDNA by PCR, although these NPH had no clinical signs of the disease.

Transmissibility of Leishmania infantum from maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) to Lutzomyia longipalpis

Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is the cause of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. The disease is transmitted mostly through the bite of the invertebrate vector, the phlebotomine Lutzomyia longipalpis in the New World. Although the domestic dog is considered the most important reservoir of the disease, other mammalian, including wildlife, are susceptible to infection. The goal of this study was to perform xenodiagnosis to evaluate the capacity of naturally infected maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) to transmit Leishmania infantum to female sand flies (L. longipalpis). Xenodiagnoses were performed in February and August, 2013, when 77.7% (three maned wolves and four bush dogs) or 100% of the animals were positive, respectively. However, parasite loads in the engorged sand flies was low (<200 promastigotes and <150.2 parasites/μg of DNA). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two species or the two time points (February and August). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that maned wolves (C. brachyurus) and bush dogs (S. venaticus) asymptomatically infected with L. infantum are capable of transmitting L. infantum to the invertebrate host L. longipalpis, although the parasite loads in engorged phlebotomines exposed to these animals were very low.

Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals

Visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Leishmania infantum (synonym: Leishmania chagasi) and transmitted by the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. It is an endemic zoonosis in several regions of the country, including Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais). In urban areas, the domestic dog is susceptible and considered the most important animal reservoir. However, L. infantum has been previously diagnosed in other species, including captive primates and canids. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the agent DNA in captive animals as well as some free ranging animals from the Zoo-Botanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Eighty one blood samples from primates, carnivores, ruminants, edentates, marsupial, and a monogastric herbivore were analyzed. Three primates Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey), and two canids Speothos venaticus (bush dog) were positive, demonstrating the importance of leishmaniasis control in endemic areas for preservation of wildlife species in captivity.

Hemorrhagic colitis associated with Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis infection in a captive western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Brazil.

Enteric diseases are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in gorillas, and it is often caused by bacteria.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Salmonella enterica Serotype Infantis Strains Isolated from a Captive Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and a Cohabitant Black and White Tegu (Tupinambis merianae) in Brazil

ABSTRACT The draft genome sequences of two Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis isolates are reported here. One of the strains was isolated from a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with colitis. The second strain was isolated from a reptile that inhabited the same premises. Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated that these isolates were not clonal.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in two captive golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)

Two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 2 female captive golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) are described. HCC was diagnosed in both, with pulmonary metastasis in one of them. Neoplastic cells were positive for hepatocyte‐specific antigen (HSA) by immunohistochemistry, confirming the diagnosis.

Visceral leishmaniasis in an infant gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): Clinical signs, diagnosis, and successful treatment with single-dose liposomal amphotericin B

A 2‐year‐old captive gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil, and treated with a single dose of liposomal amphotericin B, which resulted in clinical cure. This is the first report of visceral leishmaniasis in gorillas, and the first reported liposomal amphotericin B treatment in great apes.

SYSTEMIC HISTIOCYTIC SARCOMA IN A COMMON HIPPOPOTAMUS (HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS)

Abstract A 37-yr-old captive common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) developed lethargy and decline in mobility that progressed to death, despite supportive therapy. Histopathologic examination revealed severe, diffuse, intravascular and interstitial infiltration of neoplastic histiocytes in the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, lungs, large intestine, kidneys, and thyroid gland. Neoplastic cells were pleomorphic with marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, scattered multinucleated giant cells, numerous bizarre mitotic figures, and marked erythrophagocytosis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that neoplastic cells were positive for ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (a histiocytic marker) and negative for CD3 (a T-cell marker) and myeloperoxidase, confirming the diagnosis of systemic histiocytic sarcoma.