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.

Pancreatite aguda necrótica em bugio-ruivo (Alouatta guariba clamitans) macho adulto / Necrotic acute pancreatitis in male adult Southern Brown Howler Monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans)

This paper reports the development of necrotic acute pancreatitis in a captive male adult Southern Brown Howler Monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans, Cabrera, 1940) presenting acute apathy and anorexia. Blood samples were collected and supportive treatment was made although death could not be avoided. Necropsy was performed. First erythrogram results showed polycythaemia due to dehydration; second exam revealed anemia after fluid administration. Leukopenia with neutropenia suggested poor prognosis. Creatinine was in the reference range although BUN (blood urea nitrogen) was increased. Increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatin kinase serum activities were observed. Amylase and lipase serum activities were incredibly high. Necropsy revealed intense icterus in subcutaneous tissue and internal structures, including misshapen pancreas with rare glandular tissue. Acute pancreatitis diagnosis was made by clinical signs, laboratory findings, and necropsy.

Valores hematológicos de bugios pretos (Alouatta caraya) de vida livre da região do Alto Rio Paraná, sul do Brasil / Hematologic values of free-ranging black-and-gold howlers monkeys (Alouatta caraya) from the region of Upper Paraná River, Southern Brazil

Descreveram-se os valores hematológicos de bugios pretos (Alouatta caraya) e estabeleceram-se diferenças entre sexo e idade, de 36 animais aparentemente saudáveis, de vida livre da região do Alto Rio Paraná, sul do Brasil. Os animais foram capturados e contidos quimicamente com cloridrato de tiletamina e cloridrato de zolazepam, na dose média de 5,5mg/kg, por via intramuscular. Na comparação entre os sexos, houve diferença para número de hemácias (4,48±1,36 e 3,58±0,91 x10(6)/mm³), maior nas fêmeas, e volume globular médio (90,99±27,65 e 118,36±44,63fL) e número de eosinófilos (0,30±0,24 e 0,76±0,85 x10³/mm³), maior nos machos. O volume globular (39,46±3,53 e 36,69±3,54 por cento) e a proteína total plasmática (7,91±0,53 e 7,40±0,63g/dL) foram significativamente mais baixos nos animais jovens.

The hematologic values and the influence of gender and age were described in 36 free-ranging healthy black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) from the region of Paraná river, Southern Brazil. The animals were caught with trap models and intramuscularly anesthetized with 5.5mg/kg tilitamine/zolazepam hydrochlorides. The red blood cells were higher in females (4.48±1,36 vs. 3.58±0.91x10(6)/mm³) while mean corpuscular volume (90.99±27.65 and 118.36±44.63 fL) and eosinophils (0.30±0.24 and 0.76±0.85x10³/mm³) were significant higher in males. The packed cell volume (39.46±3.53 and 36.69±3.54 percent) and plasma total protein (7.91±0.53 and 7.40±0.63g/dL) were lower in juveniles.