A new focus of spotted fever caused by Rickettsia parkeri in Brazil

ABSTRACT Spotted fever (SF) is a tick-borne zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia . The disease varies in severity from mild clinical forms to severe cases. In Brazil, Rickettsia rickettsii SF is the most serious rickettsiosis and can result in death if not diagnosed and treated at the onset of symptoms. The SF mild form is caused by Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest, and this etiological agent has been reported in the South, Southeast and Northeast regions of the country, in areas of preserved or little antropized Atlantic Rainforest. Amblyomma ovale is the proven vector and dogs are the hosts associated with the bioagent cycle. During a SF case investigation in Paraty municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, an Atlantic Rainforest biome area in Southeastern Brazil, the human pathogen R. parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest was detected by PCR in a sample of human skin inoculation eschar and in a female A. ovale tick collected from a dog. These results expand the known area of occurrence of this mild form rickettsiosis in Brazil. In addition, the results of the present study indicate the importance of implementing programs to control canine ectoparasites and to raise awareness of the risks of infection, signs and symptoms of SF caused by R. parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest.

Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associated with Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae) / Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associado a Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae)

Four deutonymphs of bulb mites (hypopus) from Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) were found attached to the head of Atta sexdens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This mite species is commonly associated with ornamental plants and trees with bulbs, corms and tubers. The results of this study provided an insight into the phoretic relationship between mites and ants, indicating the role of the latter in the dispersion of the first. Despite the abundant and diverse mite fauna existing in ants, little is known about their diversity, biology, ecology and the nature of their associations.(AU)

Quatro deutoninfas de ácaros do bulbo (hipopus) da espécie Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) foram encontradas fixadas na cabeça de formigas da espécie Atta sexdens no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Essa espécie de ácaro está comumente associada a plantas ornamentais e plantas com bulbos e tubérculos. Os resultados desse estudo fornecem uma visão sobre a relação forética entre ácaros e formigas, indicando o papel destas últimas na dispersão dos primeiros. Apesar da abundância e da fauna diversa do ácaro em formigas, pouco se sabe sobre a diversidade, a biologia, a ecologia e a natureza dessa associação.(AU)

Detection of a Rickettsia genotype related to the old world infecting Amblyomma sculptum tick in an endemic area of brazilian spotted fever

Brazilian Spotted Fever is an important tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted mainly by the human-biting tick Amblyomma sculptum. During an epidemiological surveillance in Pedro Leopoldo, an endemic area of Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil, ectoparasites were collected from vertebrate hosts and from the environment. Rickettsial genes were obtained from a male A. sculptum and the resulting phylogenetic tree grouped this bacterium with Rickettsia sp. isolate Pampulha, a strain closely related to the pathogenic species Rickettsia tamurae and Rickettsia monacensis. This is the first report of sequences phylogenetically related to R. tamurae and R. monacensis infecting A. sculptum in Brazil.

Malófagos (Phthiraptera, Amblycera, Ischnocera) em aves cativas no sudeste do Brasil / Chewing lice (Phthiraptera, Amblycera, Ischnocera) on captive birds in southeastern Brazil

Foram identificadas 12 espécies de malófagos no Parque Zoológico Municipal Quinzinho de Barros, Sorocaba e Fundação Jardim Zoológico, Rio de Janeiro. Ciconiphilus pectiniventris em Cygnus atratus (Anseriformes, Anatidae); Kurodaia sp. em Buteo albicaudatus (Falconiformes, Accipitridae); Degeeriella sp. em Falco sparverius (Falconiformes, Falconidae); Colpocephalum sp. e Goniocotes parviceps em Pavo cristatus (Galliformes, Phasianidae); Goniodes pavonis em Rhea americana (Rheiformes, Rheidae); Colpocephalum cristatae e Heptapsogaster sp. em Cariama cristata (Gruiformes, Cariamidae); Austrophilopterus cancellosus em Ramphastos dicolorus (Piciformes, Ramphastidae); Strigiphilus crucigerus em Otus choliba (Strigiformes, Strigidae); Kurodaia sp. em Rhinoptynx clamator (Strigiformes, Strigidae) e Colpocephalum pectinatum em Speotyto cunicularia (Strigiformes, Strigidae). As relações parasito hospedeiros em Strigiformes são novas no Brasil.

Twelve chewing lice species were identified in Parque Zoológico Municipal Quinzinho de Barros, Sorocaba and Fundação Jardim Zoológico, Rio de Janeiro. The parasites found were: Ciconiphilus pectiniventris in Cygnus atratus (Anseriformes, Anatidae); Kurodaia sp. in Buteo albicaudatus (Falconiformes, Accipitridae); Degeeriella sp. in Falco sparverius (Falconiformes, Falconidae); Colpocephalum sp. and Goniocotes parviceps in Pavo cristatus (Galliformes, Phasianidae); Goniodes pavonis in Rhea americana (Rheiformes, Rheidae); Colpocephalum cristatae and Heptapsogaster sp. in Cariama cristata (Gruiformes, Cariamidae); Austrophilopterus cancellosus in Ramphastos dicolorus (Piciformes, Ramphastidae); Strigiphilus crucigerus in Otus choliba (Strigiformes, Strigidae); Kurodaia sp. in Rhinoptynx clamator (Strigiformes, Strigidae) and Colpocephalum pectinatum in Speotyto cunicularia (Strigiformes, Strigidae). The host-lice relationships are new in Strigiformes in Brazil.

Ácaros da família Cheyletidae (Acari: Actinedida) em ecossistema domiciliar no município de Juiz de Fora, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Mites from Cheyletidae family (Acari: Actinedida) in domiciles in Juiz de Fora municipality, Minas gerais State, Brazil

A presença de ácaros da família Cheyletidae tem sido relatada na poeira domiciliar. Esses ácaros estão associados a doenças cutâneas em animais e hmanos, nesses últimos, sua presença tem sido pouco valorizada na prática clínica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de ácaros da família Cheyletidae no ecossistema domiciliar. Tendo como amostra 160 casas do município de Juiz de Fora, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, o estudo evidenciou que 13 (0,85por cento) dos ácaros encontrados eram da família Cheyletidae, com 6,9por cento de prevalência de domicílios positivos para ácaros desta família. Cheyletus malaccensis, Ker bakeri, Cheyletus fortis, Cheletonella vespertillionis e Cheletonella caucasica foram as espécies identificadas. A diversidade de espécies encontradas em locais de íntimo contato com humanos e o relato de dermatites a elas associadas mostram a necessidade de estudos sobre esta etiologia.

Análise do número de cerdas internas do órgão de Haller de larvas de Amblyomma nodosum Neumann (Acari, Ixodidae) / Analysis of the number of internal setae in Haller's organ of larvae of Amblyomma nodosum Neumann (Acari, Ixodidae)

Larvae from Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899 from engorged female ticks removed from Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) were obtained under laboratory conditions. Two hundred and nineteen larvae were examined under brightfiel microscopy with and imersion objective and confocal laser scanning microscopy in order to analyze the variation of the number of internal setae of the right and left side of the Haller's organ chamber. The mean number of internal setae was 5,06±0,71, with parametric valves of 4-11 setae.

A partir de teleógina de Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899, removida de Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) foram obtidas posturas que originaram larvas, em condições de laboratório. Um total de 219 larvas foi examinado em microscopia de luz, com objetiva de imersão e microscopia de confocal com varredura a laser. Buscou-se analisar a variação do número das cerdas internas dos lados direito e esquerdo, no fundo da cápsula do Orgão de Haller, com intuito de utilizá-las como um parâmetro quetotáxico na diagnose específica. A média do número de cerdas foi 5,06±0, 71, com valores limites da amplitude de 4-11.

Caamembecaia gratiosus n. gen., n. sp. (Acari: Trombiculidae), from Trinomys gratiosus (Gunter) (Rodentia: Echimydae), of Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

From June 1999 to May 2001, small mammals were captured in three areas of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil and examined for ectoparasites. Analysis of ectoparasites revealed the presence of a new chigger genus and species, Caamembecaia gratiosus, from Trinomys gratiosus. This is the first record of a chigger from T. gratiosus.

Malófagos ( Phthiraptera ) recolhidos de aves silvestres no Zoológico de São Paulo, SP, Brasil / Chewing lice ( Phthiraptera ) from wild birds in the São Paulo Zoo, State of São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Vinte e oito espécies de malófagos foram recolhidas de aves silvestres no acervo do Zoológico de São Paulo durante o ano de 2003. Vinte e três foram identificadas ao nível de espécie e cinco ao nível genérico. Os relatos de novas espécies no Brasil e novas associações parasitárias para a literatura são discutidos.

Ocorrência de Dentocarpus silvai silvai Dusbabek & Cruz, 1966 (Acari: Chirodiscidae) em duas espécies de molossídeos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Occurence of Dentocarpus silvai silvai, Dusbabek & Cruz, 1966 (Acari: Chirodiscidae) on two molossids (Mammalia: Chiroptera) species in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil - In 2001 mites from three bats were collected, Molossus ater at Silva Jardim municipality and from Molossus molossus at Rio de Janeiro municipality, both in the Rio de Janeiro state. The mites where identified as Dentocarpus silvai silvai (Acari: Chirodiscidae), this being the first report of this mite species in Brazil.

Parasitismo por Acari e Phthiraptera em cobaios [Cavia Porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)] de ambientes rural e urbano nos municípios de Silva Jardim e Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Parasitism by Acari and Phthiraptera on guinea pigs [Cavia porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)] from rural and urban environment in Silva Jardim and Duque de Caxias municipal districts, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Neste trabalho foram estudadas as cargas parasitárias de Acari e Phthiraptera em 28 cobaios provenientes de dois municípios do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os cobaios foram contidos mecanicamente para remoção dos ectoparasitos, pelo ato de pentear a pelagem com pente fino. Os espécimes de parasitas encontrados foram contados com auxílio de estereomicroscópio e identificados com ajuda de microscopia de luz. Dos sete cobaias de vida rural foram removidos 3134 ácaros, e dos 21 cobaios de vida urbana, foram recolhidos 1472 ácaros, todos da espécie Chirodiscoides caviae. Também foram encontrados 263 malófagos nos animais de ambiente urbano e 567 malófagos nos de ambiente rural, sendo estes de três espécies distintas: Gliricola porcelli, Gyropus ovalis e Trimenopon hispidum. Os valores de Abundância Parasitária e Intensidade Média de Parasitismo dos dois grupos foram muito próximos e a prevalência de ambos muito alta. Os resultados permitiram concluir que o habitat dos cobaios influencia a carga parasitária de todas as espécies de ectoparasitos encontrados.

The patterns of tungiasis in Araruama township, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This paper describes patterns of infestation with Tunga penetrans (L., 1758) within the poor community of Araruama municipality, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, assessed by the number of persons and domestic animals parasitized. The overall prevalence of infestation was 49.2 percent (211 parasitized hosts) of the 429 examined. Humans (p < 0.01) and dogs (p < 0.01) were the most important hosts with 62.6 percent and 35.6 percent respectively. Dogs were considered as the potential infestation source to humans. Considering sex and age groups, both measures showed a significant difference (p < 0.01): female (62.2 percent infested of 143 examined) and male (43.9 percent infested of 98 examined). All age classes were found infested with significant difference (G = 42.5; p < 0.01) and most of the infestation occurred in children in the 0-9-year old category (27.3 percent). In contrast and based on mean of chigoe burden per person, the parasitic intensity was significantly higher on male than on female in all age categories, except for the 50+ (H = 27.1; p < 0.01) and decreasing with the increase of age (chi2 = 69.7, A = -124.6, p < 0.01). Growing urbanization, improved housing and sewage systems, use of appropriate footwear, examination of the feet principally in young children, antitetanus prophylaxis and reduction of stray dogs population are the major prophylactic methods recommended

Ecological analysis of Acari recovered from coprolites from archaeological site of Northeast Brazil

Coprolite samples of human and animal origin from the excavations performed at the archaeological site of Furna do Estrago, at Brejo da Madre de Deus in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil and sent to the Paleoparasitology Laboratory at Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, were analyzed for mites. After rehydratation and sedimentation of the coprolites, the alimentary contents and the sediments were examined and the mites collected and prepared in definitive whole mounts, using Hoyer's medium. Mites of the following suborders and orders were recovered: suborder Acaridia; order Gamasida; order Ixodida with the familiy Ixodidae (Ixodes sp. and Amblyomma sp. larvae, scutum, idiosoma, gnathosoma); order Oribatida (Aphelacarus sp., Apolohmannia sp., Eophypochthonius sp., Cosmochthonius sp., Pterobates sp., Poronoticae with pteromorphae not auriculate); order Astigmata with the families Atopomelidae (Chirodiscoides caviae), Anoetidae hypopus, Acaridae (Suidasia pontifica), Glycyphagidae (Blomia tropicalis), Pyroglyphidae (Hirstia passericola); order Actinedida with the family Tarsonemidae (Iponemus radiatae). The present work discusses the possibility of the preservation of the mite groups found up to the present day. We also discuss their relationship with the environment and their importance to present populations

Evidence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ticks were obtained from dogs from February to September of 1999 at weekly intervals, in the County of Piraí, State of Rio de Janeiro. Four hundred seventy four ixodids were taxonomically identified, 103 Amblyomma cajennense, seven Amblyomma ovale, 209 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 155 Amblyomma sp. An hemolymph test associated with Giemsa's stain revealed two specimens in 163 ticks tested (R. sanguineus and Amblyomma sp), containing rickettsia-like organisms. Direct immunofluorescence verified the presence of spotted fever group rickettsia in one specimen of R. sanguineus. Considering the limited information on rickettsiosis in Brazil, principally in relation to the vectors involved in perpetuating it in foci, these preliminary results give us an idea on the importance of infection in ticks, allowing to expand our knowledge on this zoonosis

Evaluation of the acarofauna of the domiciliary ecosystem in Juiz de Fora, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

From August 1999 to January 2000, samples of house dust were collected from 160 domiciles in the city of Juiz de Fora, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In 36 of these domiciles kitchen samples were obtained. Prevalence rate was 77.5 percent, varying according to the geographical sector. There were found 2,278 specimens of mites, with 1,530 (67.2 percent) in the adult stage and 748 (32.8 percent) in immature forms. The main species found were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Euroglyphus maynei, Blomia tropicalis and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. In a minor incidence we found Lepidoglyphus destructor, Suidasia pontificiae, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, Cheyletus malaccensis, C. fortis, Ker bakeri, Cheletonella vespertilionis, C. caucasica and others. C. vespertilionis and C. caucasica were identified for the first time in the domiciliary ecosystem and in Brazil. The abundance rate and the infestation intensity were analyzed. There was a varied correlation between climatic conditions and positive domiciles and number of mites. The difference between the number of positive domiciles in the urban area and in the expanding urban area was significant and so was the difference between samples from the domiciles compared to those from the kitchens

Seasonal analysis of the number of aeropiles in Anocentor nitens (Neumann, 1897) (Acari: Ixodidae) from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Variation between aeropile numbers of the right and left peritrematic plate in male and female Anocentor nitens (Neumann, 1897) is reported from a site in Brazil. From January to December 1998, 146 males and 247 females of A. nitens were recovered from Equus caballus L. in Silva Jardim District, State of Rio de Janeiro. Asymmetry of numbers of aeropiles between right and left plates occurred in 83.6 percent of the males and 82.2 percent of the females. Differences in the number of aeropiles between the sexes were not significant. Quantitative variation of aeropiles was correlated to the period of recovery, with significant asymmetry detected in August-September and November-December, mainly in males. Results suggest an adaptation, especially in the male ticks, that expresses itself as greater variation in the number of aeropiles in some periods of the year

Bradypophila garbei EM radypus variegatus no Río de Janeiro / Bradypophila garbein in bradypus variegatus at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

De quarenta examplares de ectoparasitos colhidos de uma preguica (Bradypus variegatus) cativa na Fundacao Rio-Zoo, procedeu-se a identificacao do material. Os ectoparasitos semelhantes a pequena mariposa, removidos de entre a pelagem e crostas da pele, foram trabalhados entre dezembro/93 e outubro/94. Procedeu-se a investigacao bibliográfica com base na literatura do Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro e do Laboratório de Morfofisiologia e Patogenia de Carrapatos-Sanidade Animal (LMPC/SA) do Departamento de Parasitologia Animal do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (DPA/IB/UFRRJ). Para a análise das característic desses lepidópteros foi necessário o processamento para a descamacao das asas, que permitisse a identificacao a nivel de genero e espécie. A metodologia utilizada para tanto foi desenvolvida especificamente para este Colecao Entomológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz sob o número PIR-001. Todo este estudo enquadra-se no projeto interinstitucional envolvendo a Fundacao Jardim Zoológico do Rio de Janeiro e a Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, representada pelo LMPC-SA/DPA/IB

Ocorrencia natural de ornithoica confluenta (hippoboscidae, ornithomyinae) em casmerodius albus no estado de Sao Paulo / Ornithoica confluenta on casmerodius albus in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

During the examination of a Great Egret (Casmeridus albus) when captured and taken to the Quinzinho de Barros Municipal Zoo in Sorocaba, state of Sao Paulo, seven arthropod were taken from the bird and put into ethanol at 70ºGL, and afterwards turned over to the Laboratory of Tick Morphophysiology and Pathogeny-Animal Sanity (LMPC-SA), of the Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University. Animal's Parasite Study Department (DPA/IB/UFRRJ) where they were identified. These arthropod were then classified as belonging to the Hippoboscidae (Diptera, Pupipara) family. To make the genus and species identification possible it was necessary to prepare microscope slides for observation. The hippoboscidae were then identified as Ornithoica confluenta (Say), and sent to the Entomological Collection of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. This study is fit into the inter-institutional project that involves the PZMQB and the LMPC-SA/DPA/IB/UFRRJ

lxodofauna de cervídeos no Brasil / Deer ixodofauna in Brazil

Com carrapatos recolhidos de cervídeos mantidos livres na natureza e/ou cativos em zoológicos do Brasil e encaminhados ao Laboratório de Morfofisiologia e Patogenia de Carrapatos, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, e ao Laboratório de lxodídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, avaliou-se a ixodofauna de cervídeos que estão no Brasil. Quatro espécies foram investigadas: Mazama gouazoubira (veado catingueiro), Blastocerus dichotomus (cervo do pantanal), Ozotochoerius bezoarticus (veado campeiro) e Odocoileus virginianus (veado de cauda branca). Cinco gêneros de carrapatos da família lxodidae foram encontrados. Em M. gouazoubira foram identificadas as espécies Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787), Amblyomma mantiquirense Aragão, 1908, Anocentor nitens (Neumann, 1897), Boophilus microlus (Canestrini, 1887), lxodes luciae Senevet, 1953; neste hospedeiro comprovou-se o parasitismo simultâneo por A. nitense B. microplus sempre em animais que viviam próximo ou em fazendas de exploração zootécnica. Em B. dichotomus foram identificados Amblyomma tigrinun Koch, 1844, e B. microplus; este foi o primeiro registro de A. tigrinum em veados do Brasil. Em O. bezoarticus registrou-se o parasitismo por A. mantiquirense, B. microplus e Haemophysalis kohlsi Aragão & Fonseca 1961; em O. virginianus por A. cajennense e B. microplus (esta espécie de veado não é natural do Brasil). O presente levantamento aumenta o número de espécies de ixodídeos parasitos dos cervídeos no Brasil.

Ticks collected from deer bred free and/or into zoological garden were used to evaluate the ixodofauna of deers in Brazil. Four deer species were studied: Mazama gouazoubira, Blastocerus dichotomus, Ozotochoerius bezoarticus and Odocoileus virginianus. Five genus of lxodidae tick were recognized. Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius 1787), Amblyomma mantiquirense Aragão, 1908, Anocentor nitens (Neumann, 1897), Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887), lxodes luciae Senevet, 1953 were identified in M. gouazoubira; in B. dichotomus the parasitism by Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844, and B. microplus was identified; this was the first report of A. tinigrium parasiting deers in Brazil. In O. bezoarticus the parasitism, by A. mantiquirense, B. microplus and Haemophysalis kohlsi Aragão & Fonseca, 1961 was registered, and in O. virginianus the parasitism by A. cajennense and BZ. microplus was also identified.

Descriçao morfologica do estadio de larva de carrapato (acari: ixodidae): amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 / Morphological description of tick larval stage (acri: ixodidae): amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844

A partir de teleóginas identificadas como A. amblyomma rotundatum removida de Boa contrictor (jibóia) da Fundaçao Rio-Zoo, foram obtidas posturas que deram origem as neolarvas em condiçoes de laboratório. Objetivou-se identificar de forma rápida e segura as neolarvas desta espécie de carrapato. As neolarvas foram sacrificadas com água quente (ù70§C) ainda em jejum, 24 horas após a eclosao a preservadas em etanol 70§C GL. Foram processadas segundo técnica de rotina no laboratório de morfofisiologia e patogênia de carrapatos (LMPC-UFRRJ-IB-DPA) para preparaçao em montagem definitiva entre lâmina e lamínula. Cem larvas foram analisadas morfologicamente através de microscopia óptica, quanto a presença ou nao de mancha ocular;: forma do gnatossoma, do escudo e o idiossoma; espinho caxais, órgao de Haller, número de fileira de dentes no hipostômio, estructuras sensoriais e dentículos e número de dentículos por fileira na no hipostômio; quetotaxia dos palpos, do idiossoma e das patas. Também foram analisados com auxílio de estereomicroscópio, a coloraçao da neolarva e o padrao. Esses caracteres e atributos morfológicos, contribuiram na diagnose de larva dessa espécie