Plasmodium infection and its association with biochemical and haematological parameters in free-living Alouatta guariba clamitans (Cabrera, 1940) (Primates: Atelidae) in Southern Brazil

BACKGROUND The influence of Plasmodium spp. infection in the health of Southern brown howler monkey, Alouatta guariba clamitans, the main reservoir of malaria in the Atlantic Forest, is still unknown. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the positivity rate of Plasmodium infection in free-living howler monkeys in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Joinville/SC and to associate the infection with clinical, morphometrical, haematological and biochemical alterations. METHODS Molecular diagnosis of Plasmodium infection in the captured monkeys was performed by Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (18S rRNA and coxI). Haematological and biochemical parameters were compared among infected and uninfected monkeys; clinical and morphometrical parameters were also compared. FINDINGS The positivity rate of Plasmodium infection was 70% among forty captured animals, the highest reported for neotropical primates. None statistical differences were detected in the clinical parameters, and morphometric measures comparing infected and uninfected groups. The main significant alteration was the higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in infected compared to uninfected monkeys. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Therefore, Plasmodium infection in howler monkeys may causes haematological/biochemical alterations which might suggest hepatic impairment. Moreover, infection must be monitored for the eco-epidemiological surveillance of malaria in the Atlantic Forest and during primate conservation program that involves the animal movement, such as translocations.

Detection of Plasmodium in faeces of the New World primate Alouatta clamitans

Abstract Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax have evolved with host switches between non-human primates (NHPs) and humans. Studies on the infection dynamics of Plasmodium species in NHPs will improve our understanding of the evolution of these parasites; however, such studies are hampered by the difficulty of handling animals in the field. The aim of this study was to detect genomic DNA of Plasmodium species from the faeces of New World monkeys. Faecal samples from 23 Alouatta clamitans from the Centre for Biological Research of Indaial (Santa Catarina, Brazil) were collected. Extracted DNA from faecal samples was used for molecular diagnosis of malaria by nested polymerase chain reaction. One natural infection with Plasmodium simium was identified by amplification of DNA extracted from the faeces of A. clamitans. Extracted DNA from a captive NHP was also used for parasite genotyping. The detection limit of the technique was evaluated in vitro using an artificial mixture of cultured P. falciparum in NHP faeces and determined to be 6.5 parasites/µL. Faecal samples of New World primates can be used to detect malaria infections in field surveys and also to monitor the genetic variability of parasites and dynamics of infection.

Plasmodium simium/Plasmodium vivax infections in southern brown howler monkeys from the Atlantic Forest

Blood infection by the simian parasite, Plasmodium simium, was identified in captive (n = 45, 4.4%) and in wild Alouatta clamitans monkeys (n = 20, 35%) from the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil. A single malaria infection was symptomatic and the monkey presented clinical and haematological alterations. A high frequency of Plasmodium vivax-specific antibodies was detected among these monkeys, with 87% of the monkeys testing positive against P. vivax antigens. These findings highlight the possibility of malaria as a zoonosis in the remaining Atlantic Forest and its impact on the epidemiology of the disease.

Associação de cetamina S(+) e midazolam pelo método convencional de cálculo e pela extrapolação alométrica em bugios-ruivo (Alouatta guariba clamitans): resposta clínica e cardiorrespiratória / S(+) ketamine and midazolam association by the conventional method of calculation and allometric extrapolation in red howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans): clinical and cardiopulmonary response

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o protocolo de contenção química com cetamina S(+) e midazolam em bugios-ruivos, comparando o cálculo de doses pelo método convencional e o método de extrapolação alométrica. Foram utilizados 12 macacos bugios (Alouatta guariba clamitans) hígidos, com peso médio de 4,84±0,97kg, de ambos os sexos. Após jejum alimentar de 12 horas e hídrico de seis horas, realizou-se contenção física manual e aferiram-se os seguintes parâmetros: frequência cardíaca (FC), frequência respiratória (f), tempo de preenchimento capilar (TPC), temperatura retal (TR), pressão arterial sistólica não invasiva (PANI) e valores de hemogasometria arterial. Posteriormente, os animais foram alocados em dois grupos: GC (Grupo Convencional, n=06), os quais receberam cetamina S(+) (5mg kg-1) e midazolam (0,5mg kg-1), pela via intramuscular, com doses calculadas pelo método convencional; e GA (Grupo Alometria, n=06), os quais receberam o mesmo protocolo, pela mesma via, utilizando-se as doses calculadas pelo método de extrapolação alométrica. Os parâmetros descritos foram mensurados novamente nos seguintes momentos: M5, M10, M20 e M30 (cinco, 10, 20 e 30 minutos após a administração dos fármacos, respectivamente). Também foram avaliados: qualidade de miorrelaxamento, reflexo podal e caudal, pinçamento interdigital, tempo para indução de decúbito, tempo hábil de sedação, qualidade de sedação, e tempo e qualidade de recuperação. O GA apresentou menor tempo para indução ao decúbito, maior grau e tempo de sedação, bem como redução significativa da FC e PANI de M5 até M30, quando comparado ao GC. Conclui-se que o grupo no qual o cálculo de dose foi realizado por meio da alometria (GA) apresentou melhor grau de relaxamento muscular e sedação, sem produzir depressão cardiorrespiratória significativa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a protocol of chemical restraint comparing the conventional method of calculation (weight dose) and allometric extrapolation. Twelve healthy red howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans), average weight 4.84±0.97kg, male and female, were used for this study. After a 12-hour period of food restriction and 6 hours of water restriction, the animals were physically restraint and the following parameters were measured: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), capillary refill time (CRT), rectal temperature (RT), non invasive systolic arterial pressure (NISAP) and arterial blood gases analysis. The animals were distributed into two groups: CG (Conventional Group, n=6), in which the animals received S(+) ketamine (5mg kg-1) and midazolam (0.5mg kg-1), by intramuscular (IM) injection; and AG (Allometry Group, n=6), in which the animals also received S(+) ketamine and midazolan IM, but the doses were calculated by allometric extrapolation. Parameters were evaluated at the following moments: M5, M10, M20 and M30 (5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after IM injection, respectively). Muscle relaxation, pedal and caudal reflexes, interdigital pinch, recumbency time, sedation's quality and duration, and recovery time and its quality were also evaluated. The AG had a faster time for recumbency, higher period and quality of sedation, and a significantly reduction on HR and SAP from M5 to M30 when compared to CG. It was concluded that allometric extrapolation presented a better muscle relaxation and sedation without significant cardiorespiratory depression.

Bertiellosis in brazilian non-human primates: natural infection in Alouatta guariba climatans (Cabrera, 1940) (Primates: Atelidae) in Santa Catarina state, Brazil

Este artigo descreve o primeiro relato de parasitismo por Bertiella mucronata (Cestoda-Anoplocephalidae) em primata não humano brasileiro, da subespécie Alouatta guariba clamitans (Cabrera, 1940) (Primates: Atelidae), no estado de Santa Catrina. Animais de ambiente natural, provindos de três municípios diferentes da região do Vale do Rio Itajaí-Açu, estavam parasitados. São também descritas a prevalência e a eliminação diária de proglotes nas fezes de 28 bugios ruivos cativos. Alerta-se para a possibilidade de ocorrer bertielose humana na região. Para evitar a introdução deste parasito em áreas indenes, a investigação desta parasitose deve ser realizada sempre em avaliações sanitárias de espécimes de bugios ruivos suscetíveis de serem submetidos a processos de translocação e reintrodução.

Nota sobre infecção por Salmonella sp. e Shigella sp. em bugios-ruivos, Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940 (Primates: atelidae) mantidos em cativeiro / Note about Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. infections in southern brown howler monkeys, Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940 (Primates: atelidae) on captivity

Amostras de fezes de bugios-ruivos cativos foram investigadas quanto a presença de Salmonella sp. e Shigella sp. O padrão de sensibilidade a antibióticos foi testado. Este é o primeiro relato de infecção assintomática por Salmonella sp. nesta espécie. Não foi detectada infecção por Shigella sp. Destaca-se a importância de investigação em animais submetidos a translocação ou a reintrodução e a necessidade de inquéritos periódicos em populações cativas a fim de se evitar agravos ocupacionais.

Fecal samples of captive souther brown howler monkeys were screened for the presence of Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. The sensibility for antibiotics was also measured. This is the first report of asymptomatic infection by Salmonella sp. in this specie. Shigella sp. infection was not detected. Screening for this bacteria should be performed during translocation and reintroduction programs. We recommend periodic investigations to prevent occupational hazard on captivity.

Equidade inversa e desigualdades no acesso à tecnologia no parto em Santa Catarina, Brasil, 2000 a 2004 / Inverse equity and inequalities in the use of technology in childbirth, in Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2000 to 2004

OBJETIVOS: investigar a evolução temporal das taxas de cesariana e fatores associados em Santa Catarina, no período de 2000 a 2004. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Informações de Nascidos Vivos. As variáveis analisadas foram: escolaridade, idade materna, etnia/cor da pele do recém-nascido, duração da gestação e número de consultas pré-natal. Razões de prevalência de cesariana, brutas e ajustadas para confundimento, foram estimadas para cada uma das variáveis utilizando Regressão de Poisson. RESULTADOS: as taxas encontradas para o período foram o triplo daquelas preconizadas pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e aumentaram de 43,3 por cento em 2000 para 50,6 por cento em 2004. Para todo o período razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas mostraram-se positivamente associadas ao mais alto grau de escolaridade (R Paj=1,50; IC95 por cento: 1,47-1,52), idade mais elevada (R Paj=2,10; IC95 por cento: 2,05-2,15), maior freqüência ao pré-natal (RPaj=1,27; IC95 por cento: 1,26-1,29), partos pré-termo (RPaj=1,10; IC95 por cento: 1,06-1,13) e pós-termo (RPaj=1,22; IC95 por cento: 1,14-1,30) e proteção para as etnias "indígena" (RPaj=0,79; IC95 por cento: 0,75-0,85) e "não branca" (RPaj=1,10; IC95 por cento: 1,06-1,14). Uma diminuição significante nas RPs ajustadas ao comparar os extremos do período (2000 e 2004) apareceu para quase todas as categorias estudadas. CONCLUSÕES: as taxas de cesariana encontradas estão bem acima daquelas justificando indicações estritamente médicas. Uma diminuição nas RPs ao comparar os extremos do período nos remete a uma redução temporal nos efeitos da "equidade inversa", provável reflexo de um maior acesso à tecnologia no parto entre as camadas de menor padrão socioeconômico, pelo menos em parte atribuível a uma maior liberalidade da prática obstétrica, incluindo uma ampliação das indicações médicas.

OBJECTIVES: to investigate changes over time and factors associated with caesarean section rates in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, between 2000 and 2004. METHODS: data from the Live Births National Information System for the State of Santa Catarina were used. The variables analyzed were maternal age and literacy, ethnicity/skin color of the newborn, duration of gestation and number of prenatal consultations. Crude and adjusted prevalence rates were estimated for each of the variables using Poisson regression. RESULTS: rates for the period were three times higher of those accepted by the World Health Organization and increased from 43.3 percent in 2000 to 50.6 percent in 2004. For the whole period (2000-2004) prevalence rates, both crude and adjusted, were found to be positively associated with higher maternal literacy (PRadj=1.50; 95 percentCI: 1.47-1,52), older age (PRadj=2.10; 95 percentCI: 2.05-2.15), greater number of prenatal consultations (PRaj=1.27; 95 percentCI: 1.26-1.29), pre-term (PRadj=1.10; 95 percentCI: 1.06-1.13) and post-term deliveries (PRadj=1.22; 95 percentCI: 1.14-1.30), and protection for the indigenous (PRadj=0.79; 95 percentCI: 0.75-0.85) and "non-white" newborns (PRadj=1.10; CI95 percent: 1.06-1.14). A significant decrease in the adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) when comparing the extremes in the period (2000 and 2004) appeared for all variables and categories. CONCLUSIONS: the caesarean section rates were well above those justified for medical reasons alone. The decrease in the caesarean section PRs when comparing extremes during the period calls attention to a reduction in the effects of the "inverse equity" probably connected to a higher access to childbirth technology among women of lower socio-economic status, at least partly attributable to more liberal use of this technology in obstetrical practice, including more widespread medical recommendation of caesarean section.