Marcelo Alcindo de Barros Vaz Guimarães

Epidemiologia da Leptospirose em animais silvestres na Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo

A Leptospirose e uma doenca bacteriana de carater zoonotico que afeta os animais domesticos, silvestres e o homem. Levantamentos sorologicos tem demonstrado o envolvimento de diferentes especies sinantropicas e silvestres na epidemiologia da doenca. Com o objetivo de conhecer melhor a epidemiologia da Leptospirose dentro da Fundacao Parque Zoologico de Sao Paulo, foi realizado um estudo sorologico nos animais silvestres mantidos em cativeiro, no periodo de 1996 a 1999. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 302 animais atendidos na rotina da Divisao de Veterinaria, das quais 59 apresentaram resultado positivo (19.5%) para a prova de Soroaglutinacao Microscopica. Os sorovares mais provaveis para o conjunto total de resultados foram : copenhageni (15/59=25.4%), pomona (13/59=22%) e castellonis (10/59=16.9%). Entre os animais silvestres examinados os sorovares mais provaveis foram : Familia Callithrichidae : castellonis (3/3=100%), Familia cebidae : copenhageni : (13/21=65%), grippotyphosa (2/21=9.5%) e castellonis (1/21=44.7%). Familia felidae : pomona (12/17=70.5%), icterohaemorrhagiae (2/17=11.7%) e grippotyphosa (1/17=5.8%), Familia canidae : castellonis (2/4=50%), cynopteri (1/4=25%) e mini (1/4=25%), Familia cervidae : mini (1/1=100%), Familia bovidae : copenhageni (2/3=66.6%), pomona (1/3=33.3%), Familia dasyproctidae : castellonis (2/3=66.6%), Familia macropodidae: sentot (1/1=100%), familia giraffidae : castellonis (1/1=100%). Animais de vida livre como ratos (Rattus norvegicus) e gambas (Didelphis marsupialis) tambem foram submetidos a prova de soroaglutinacao necroscopica e cultura bacteriologica. Foram encontrados testes positivos para o sorovar icterohaemorrhagiae em 42,8% dos ratos e 40% dos gambas estudados. As frequencias de positivos quando analisadas do ponto de vista da localizacao espacial dos recintos destes animais, permitiram a verificacao da existencia de areas criticas para exposicao a leptospira dentro da Fundacao Parque Zoologico de Sao Paulo. As frequencias de positivos para as varias areas examinadas foram : Setor extra (36/113=31.8%), Alameda dos felinos (10/20=50%), Ilhas+Alameda, Lago+Alameda Girafa (3/14=21.4%), Alameda Urso+Alameda Zebra (3/21=14.2%), Gaiolao II (1/21=14.2%), Planicie Africana (2/15=13.3%) e Alameda Bisao (1/2=50%). As razoes desta constatacao foram discutidas e medidas de profilaxia e controle para a Leptospirose no ambiente da Fundacao Parque Zoologico de Sao Paulo foram sugeridas. Tambem foi discutida a importância do monitoramento sorologico em ambientes de zoologico para acoes de vigilância.

TOXOPLASMOSIS IN GOLDEN-HEADED LION TAMARINS (LEONTOPITHECUS CHRYSOMELAS) AND EMPEROR MARMOSETS (SAGUINUS IMPERATOR) IN CAPTIVITY

Abstract From 1991 to 1995, eight New World nonhuman primates of the family Callitrichidae belonging to the collection of Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo died of toxoplasmosis. Of the eight affected nonhuman primates, four were Leontopithecus chrysomelas (one male, three females) and four were Saguinus imperator (two males, two females). The most commonly affected organs were the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes, with hemorrhagic and necrotic lesions. Histopathologic examination revealed protozoa that were morphologically consistent with Toxoplasma gondii. Immunohistochemical assays were strongly positive for T. gondii.

Semen Collection and Evaluation in Free-Ranging Brazilian Rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus)

Two hundred-ninety species of reptiles are estimated to need urgent action for conservation, with at least 113 threatened species worldwide. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species includes 80 species of snakes, with six native Brazilian species, a number likely to be an underestimation. Some authors believe that assisted reproduction would be an important tool to improve reproduction in captivity of some reptiles. An efficient technique for semen collection and evaluation is an important step in development of protocols for cryopreservation of semen or artificial insemination in snakes, contributing to the conservation of endangered species. Although these techniques are important, some basic semen parameters are described for four of the approximately 2,900 snake species in the world. The Brazilian rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) was chosen as a model for semen collection in snakes because it is found quite often in Sao Paulo State. Semen was collected once from each animal by the same investigator during the mating season of this species in Brazil. After antiseptic cleansing of the skin around the cloaca, the snakes were injected subcutaneously with a dose of 15 mg/kg of 1% solution of lidocaine around the cloaca. Semen was collected with ventral massages after cloacal relaxation and directly from genital papilla inside the cloaca. A total of 28 ejaculates from 39 animals were obtained, representing collection efficiency of 71.80%. Semen volume and concentration in Brazilian rattlesnakes ranged from 3-70 microl and from 0.94-2.23 x 10(9) spermatozoa/ml, respectively. Zoo Biol 0:1-6, 2007. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Comparison of two methods for glucocorticoid evaluation in maned wolves

Analysis of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites provides a powerful noninvasive tool for monitoring adrenocortical activity in wild animals. However, differences regarding the metabolism and excretion of these substances make a validation for each species and sex investigated obligatory. Although maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) are the biggest canids in South America, their behaviour and physiology are poorly known and they are at risk in the wild. Two methods for measuring glucocorticoid metabolites in maned wolves were validated: a radio- and an enzyme immunoassay. An ACTH challenge was used to demonstrate that changes in adrenal function are reflected in faecal glucocorticoid metabolites. Our results suggest that both methods enable a reliable assessment of stress hormones in maned wolves avoiding short-term rises in glucocorticoid concentrations due to handling and restraint. These methods can be used as a valuable tool in studies of stress and conservation in this wild species.

Comparison of two commercial kits and two extraction methods for fecal glucocorticoid analysis in ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) submitted to ACTH challenge

Dias E.A., Nichi M. & Guimaraes M.A.B.V. 2008. Comparison of two commercial kits and two extraction methods for fecal glucocorticoid analysis in ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) submitted to ACTH challenge. Pesquisa VeterinariaThe ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is included in list of wild felid species protected by CITES and is part of conservation strategies that necessarily involve the use of assisted reproduction techniques, which requires practical and minimally invasive techniques of high reproducibility that permit the study of animal reproductive physiology. The objective of this study was to compare and validate two commercial assays: ImmuChem Double Antibody Corticosterone 125I RIA from ICN Biomedicals, Costa Mesa, CA, USA; and Coat-a-Count Cortisol 125I RIA from DPC, Los Angeles, CA, USA, for assessment of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in ocelots submitted to ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) challenge. Fecal samples were collected from five ocelots kept at the Brazilian Center of Neotropical Felines, Associacao Mata Ciliar, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and one of the animals was chosen as a negative control. The experiment was conducted over a period of 9 days. On day 0, a total dose of 100 IU ACTH was administered intramuscularly. Immediately after collection the samples were stored at 20C in labeled plastic bags. The hormone metabolites were subsequently extracted and assayed using the two commercial kits. Previously it was performed a trial with the DPC kit to check the best extraction method for hormones metabolites. Data were analyzed with the SAS program for Windows V8 and reported as means ± SEM. The Schwarzenberger extraction method was slightly better when compared with the Wasser extraction method (103,334.56 ± 19,010.37ng/g of wet feces and 59,223.61 ± 12,725.36ng/g of wet feces respectively; P=0,0657). The ICN kit detected an increase in glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in a more reliable manner. Metabolite concentrations (ng/g wet feces) on day 0 and day 1 were 66,956.28 ± 36,786.93 and 92,991.19 ± 28,555.63 for the DPC kit, and 205,483.32 ± 83,811.32 and 814,578.75 ± 292,150.47 for the ICN kit, respectively. The limit of detection for the ICN kit was 7.7 ng/mL for 100% B/Bo (25ng/mL for 88%B/Bo) and for the DPC kit it was 0.2ug/dL for 90.95% B/Bo (1ug/dL for 81.27% B/Bo). In conclusion it was confirmed that the Schwarzenberger extraction method and the ICN kit are superior for extracting and measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in ocelot fecal samples.

Analysis of some normal parameters of the spermiogram of captive capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella Linnaeus, 1758 )

Nine adult males of capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) were electro-ejaculated with a rectal bipolar probe under general anaesthesia with tiletamine -zolazepan association. From the obtained ejaculate, we only analysed the liquid fraction in order to avoid any kind of chemical treatment to attain dissolution of the seminal coagulum. The mean obtained volume was 0,2ml with the sperm concentration of 56.169 x 106 sperm/ml and mean motility 68,4% and vigor 2,6. The mean percentage of morphologic normal spermatozoa was 39%. The technique was efficient for semen collection in Cebus apella and allowed seminal evaluation without possible sperm lesions caused by chemical treatment for coagulum dissolution.

Toxoplasmosis in emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator): case report

A case of toxoplasmosis in an adult male emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator) is reported. The primate was found dead and no clinical sign was noticed before death. Pathological findings included moderate to severe interstitial pneumonia, multifocal necrotizing hepatitis and multifocal to coalescing necrotizing lymphadenitis. Immunohistochemistry assays (strepto-avidin-biotin-peroxidase) performed on paraffin embedded tissues (lung, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, heart, intestine and adipose tissue) were strongly positive for Toxoplasma gondii.

Valores de referência das provas de funções hepática, renal e de alguns eletrólitos em Cebus apella, anestesiados com cetamina

Blood serum samples obtained from 127 Capuchin monkeys, anesthetized with ketamine, were analysed. Hepatic function tests (total protein, albumin, glucose, bilirrubins and enzimatic activity of ALT, AST and ALP), renal function tests (urea and creatinine), and some electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and inorganic phosphorus) were quantified. Differences related to sex and age were studied. Among the hepatic function tests, the values of ALP and ALT were higher in the young animals, while the levels of AST were higher in the young males when compared to adult males. The albumin parameters were more elevated in adult males and females than in young males and the total protein showed higher in adult females. In relation to the renal function tests, the levels of creatinine were more elevated in adult males and the urea were more elevated in young males than in adult animals. Chloride were higher in young females while sodium showed more elevated in adult males than young females.

Semen characteristics of captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): a comparison of a German with a Brazilian colony

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is of interest for reproductive studies because of their high and variable fertility in captivity. However, to understand this variability, much basic information still needs to be gathered. This study is the first to characterize marmoset semen comparing a German and a Brazilian colony.

INACTIVATED SUCKLING MOUSE BRAIN RABIES VACCINE PROVIDES SHORT-TERM IMMUNITY IN CAPUCHIN MONKEYS (CEBUS APELLA)

Abstract Eight capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) were vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated suckling mouse brain vaccine (SMBV). Three 1-ml doses of 2% brain tissue suspension were given by i.m. injection at 0, 30, and 60 days. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 90, 150, 210, 240, 300, and 365 days and were tested by simplified fluorescence inhibition to titer-neutralizing antibodies. All of the animals developed neutralizing antibodies with titers >0.5 IU/ml after vaccination, but the immune response persisted for only 122.3 ± 32.6 days. The SMBV was able to induce immune response in the capuchin monkeys, but protection was short-lived.