Acute Chagas' cardiopathy in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) in Guadalajara, Mexico

Relatamos o caso de uma ursa polar (Ursus maritimus) de 24 anos de idade, que contraiu a infecção chagásica no Zoológico de Guadalajara, em Jalisco, no México, e morreu de cardite chagásica aguda 15 dias após o início da sintomatologia. Os achados histopatológicos são descritos, bem como a presença de triatomíneos (Triatoma longipennis Usinger) infectados por Trypanosoma cruzi coletados a 5 metros do local onde o animal vivia, na cidade de Guadalajara.

We report a 24-year-old female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) who contracted Chagas' infection at the Guadalajara Zoo, in Jalisco, México, and died of acute Chagas' carditis 15 days later. The histopathological findings are described, as well as the presence of triatomids (Triatoma longipennis Usinger) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi collected within 5 meters from the place where the animal lived in the city of Guadalajara.

Trichinella in arctic, subarctic and temperate regions: Greenland, the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic States.

The transmission and occurrence of Trichinella spp according to the zoogeography of different climatic conditions, socioeconomy and human activity are discussed. Comparing arctic, subarctic and temperate regions, it appears that the species of Trichinella present, the composition of the fauna and the human activity are all very important interacting factors affecting epidemiology. In Greenland, where only sylvatic trichinellosis is present, the high prevalence in wildlife appears closely connected with polar bear hunting. In the Scandinavian countries, the prevalence of both sylvatic and domestic trichinellosis differ widely. Denmark is regarded as Trichinella-free in the case of domestic trichinellosis and sylvatic trichinellosis is very rare. In Sweden and Norway, Trichinella is found in wildlife but domestic trichinellosis is rare. In Finland, both domestic and sylvatic trichinellosis have increased dramatically during the last decade. Among the Scandinavian countries, Finland also has the largest populations of carnivorous mammals. In the Baltic states, Trichinella is frequently found in wildlife and domestic trichinellosis is increasingly diagnosed. The high prevalence in the widespread wildlife populations may have epidemiological importance in relation to the recent changes in production and infrastructure in these former Soviet states.

Ancylostoma malayanum, Alessandrini, 1905 in Thailand.

Ancylostoma malayanum was recorded from a Malayan Sunbear, Helarctos malayanus, in Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province, Southern Thailand. Comparison of the body measurements recorded by various authors were presented. The morphological features were described and illustrated, including the anogenital papillae.