Occurrence of Capillaria sp. in the liver of sheep (Ovis aries ) in a slaughterhouse in the state of Acre, Brazil / Ocorrência de Capillaria sp. em fígado de ovino ( Ovis aries) em um abatedouro no estado do Acre, Brasil

Abstract Although sheep farming has grown in the state of Acre over the past four decades, little is known about occurrences of helminthiases in the herds of this region. The objective of the study was to assess the occurrences of non-intestinal helminthiasis among sheep slaughtered in Rio Branco. A total of 110 sheep livers were inspected from two slaughter batches (july 2014 and march 2015) in a slaughterhouse in Rio Branco. Livers with macroscopic lesions were photographed and were then subjected to histopathological analysis under an optical microscope. The macroscopic lesions showed small nodes with inflammatory characteristics and areas of fibrosis, which appeared to be calcified, thus suggesting a granulomatous reaction. Of the 110 evaluated livers, we noticed 110 nodules in total; these nodules have an average size of 0.5 cm. The histopathological analysis showed alterations to the architecture of the hepatic lobe, with multiple foci of necrosis and polymorphonuclear cells. Two samples revealed the presence of helminths from Nematode class and Capillaria sp. eggs identified by the typical morphology and morphometry. This seems to be the first report of Capillaria sp. in sheep livers in Brazil, and it serves as an important alert regarding animal health surveillance and control and regarding the Capillaria sp. zoonotic role in humans.

Resumo Embora a ovinocultura tenha despertado o interesse de criadouros no estado do Acre nas últimas quatro décadas, pouco se conhece sobre a ocorrência de helmintoses no plantel de ovinos dessa região. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a possibilidade de ocorrência de helmintíases não intestinais entre ovinos abatidos no município de Rio Branco. Foram inspecionados 110 fígados de ovinos em dois abates (julho de 2014 e março de 2015) em um abatedouro no município de Rio Branco. Fígados com lesões macroscópicas foram fotografados com posterior análise histopatológica por microscopia de luz. Nas lesões macroscópicas foram encontrados pequenos nódulos apresentando características inflamatórias com áreas de fibrose, aparentemente calcificadas, sugerindo uma reação granulomatosa. Dos 110 fígados avaliados, observou-se 110 nódulos no total; estes nódulos têm um tamanho médio de 0,5 cm. A análise histopatológica mostrou alterações na arquitetura do lóbulo hepático, com múltiplos focos de necrose, além da formação de abscessos hepáticos constituídos por polimorfonucleares. Duas amostras revelaram a presença de helmintos da Classe Nematoda e ovos de Capillaria sp. identificados pela morfologia típica e morfometria. Esse resultado parece ser o primeiro registro de Capillaria sp. em fígado de ovino no Brasil, o que é um importante alerta para a vigilância no controle sanitário animal e o seu papel zoonótico para humanos.

OCCURRENCE OF Calodium hepaticum (BANCROFT, 1893) MORAVEC, 1982 EGGS IN FECES OF DOGS AND CATS IN LAGES, SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

This study aims to report the incidence of Calodium hepaticum among dogs and cats, pets or stray animals, captured by the Zoonosis Control Center (CCZ) in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Fecal samples from 108 pet dogs and eight pet cats, and from 357 stray dogs and 97 stray cats, captured by CCZ, were analyzed within the period from July 2010 to November 2012. Coproparasitological exams were performed by techniques of sedimentation, centrifuge-flotation, and simple flotation. Among 465 fecal samples from dogs and 105 from cats, the overall spurious infections for C. hepaticum eggs were 1.05%. For dogs, this positivity was 0.43% and for cats it was 3.81%. The two positive dogs were stray and out of the four cats, three were stray and one was a pet. Although the occurrence of C. hepaticum eggs was low, these data reveal the existence of infected rodents, especially in public places, since, out of the six infected animals, five (83.33%) were stray. These results are discussed and analyzed with an emphasis on the risk to public health.

PREVALENCE OF Calodium hepaticum (SYN. Capillaria hepatica) IN Rattus norvegicus IN THE URBAN AREA OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL / Prevalência de Calodium hepaticum (sin. Capillaria hepatica) em Rattus norvegicus em área urbana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The nematode Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a zoonotic helminth found mainly infecting rats. It was studied the prevalence of C. hepaticum infection in Rattus norvegicus in an urban area of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), with low urban planning and sanitation. The presence of C. hepaticum was identified through visible yellowish-white lesions in liver tissue and histological analyses. The total prevalence of infection was 45%, with no significant differences between sex and age. The presence of infected rodents near the peridomestic area poses substantial risk to human health.

O nematóide Calodium hepaticum (sin. Capillaria hepatica) é um helminto zoonótico encontrado infectando principalmente ratos. A prevalência da infecção de C. hepaticum em Rattus norvegicus foi investigada em área urbana do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) com baixo planejamento e saneamento. A presença de C. hepaticum foi identificada através da presença de lesões macroscópicas caracterizadas por manchas extensas de coloração branco-amarelada difusa por toda superfície do tecido do fígado e através de análise histológica. A prevalência total da infecção foi de 45% sem diferença significativa entre o sexo e idade. A presença de roedores infectados próximos do peridomicílio representa um risco substancial para a saúde humana.

High occurrence of Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) spurious infection in a village in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil

Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a nematode of the Capillariidae family that infects rodents and other mammals. In Brazil, human spurious infections of C. hepaticum have been detected in indigenous or rural communities from the Amazon Basin, but not in the southern states of the country. Here, we report the highest occurrence (13.5% of 37 residents) of C. hepaticum human spurious infection detected in Brazil and the first record in a southern region, Guaraqueçaba. The finding is explained by the area being located in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Paraná, surrounded by preserved forests and because the inhabitants consume the meat of wild mammals.

Eficácia de Chenopodium ambrosioides (erva-de-santa-maria) no controle de endoparasitos de Gallus gallus (galinha caipira) / Effectiveness of Chenopodium ambrosioides (santa maria herb) for controlling Gallus gallus (free range chicken) endoparasites

The present survey was carried out at Zoology Laboratory, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, and Animal Parasitology Sector, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro state, from 2011 to 2012. The aim was to test in vitro and in vivo the effectiveness of the medicinal plant Chenopodium ambrosioides Linnaeus, 1786 (santa maria herb) regarding phytotherapeutic and homeopathic alternative methods to control endoparasites of Gallus gallus Linnaeus, 1758 (free range chicken), a serious problem affecting domestic poultry performance causing losses, retarded development, decreased food conversion rate and increase of susceptibility to infectious diseases. In vitro essay demonstrated high reduction rate on eggs eclosion inhibition (97.18%), and in vivo essay showed high fecal eggs counting reduction rate (91.67%). Presence of the genera Ascaridia (35.00%), Capillaria (30.00%), Heterakis (25.00%) and Strongyloides (10.00%) was displayed by this survey. The plant C. ambrosioides showed upper rates front traditional products (Thiabendalol/Mebendazol) as well as to those ones advocated by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and the World Health Organization as effective.

A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no Laboratório de Zoologia da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro e Setor de Parasitologia Animal da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período de 2011 a 2012. O objetivo foi testar in vitro e in vivo a eficácia da planta medicinal Chenopodium ambrosioides Linnaeus, 1786 (erva-de-santa-maria), nas formas fitoterápica e homeopática, como meios alternativos para o controle de endoparasitos de Gallus gallus Linnaeus, 1758 (galinha caipira), um sério problema que afeta a criação e desempenho de aves domésticas, ocasionando morte quando muito intenso, retardo de crescimento, redução do índice de conversão alimentar e aumento na suscetibilidade às doenças infecciosas. As metodologias utilizadas foram preconizadas por Coles et al. (1992), creditada pela World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). O ensaio in vitro demonstrou alta taxa de redução na inibição de eclosão de ovos (97,18%), e o ensaio in vivo, elevada taxa na redução da contagem de ovos nas fezes (91,67%). A pesquisa evidenciou a presença dos gêneros Ascaridia (35,00%), Capillaria (30,00%), Heterakis (25,00%) e Strongyloides (10,00%). C. ambrosioides mostrou em certos momentos superioridade frente ao produto tradicional (Thiabendazole/Mebendazole) e índices superiores aos preconizados pelo Ministério da Agricultura do Brasil e Organização Mundial da Saúde como indicativos de eficácia.

The First Case of Capillaria hepatica Infection in a Nutria (Myocastor coypus) in Korea

This study reports the first case of Capillaria hepatica infection in a nutria in Korea. Ten nutrias, captured near the Nakdong River, were submitted to our laboratory for necropsy. White-yellowish nodules were found in the liver of 1 of the nutrias at necropsy. Histologically, the lesions were granulomatous, and infiltrations of lipid-laden macrophages, eosinophils, and several multinucleated giant cells were observed. The lesions consisted of numerous eggs and necrotic hepatocytes. The eggs were lemon-shaped and had polar plugs at the ends of both long sides. The eggs were morphologically identified as those of C. hepatica. Worldwide, C. hepatica infection in nutrias is very rare. Nutrias are a kind of livestock, as well as wildlife; therefore, an epidemiological study for parasitic infections needs to be conducted.

Rattus norvegicus como indicador de la circulación de Capillaria hepatica y Taenia taeniaeformis en la Plaza Minorista de Medellín, Colombia / Rattus norvegicus as an indicator of circulation of Capillaria hepatica and Taenia taeniaeformis on a groceries trade center of Medellín, Colombia

Introducción. Rattus norvegicus cumple un papel epidemiológico en el mantenimiento y dispersión de agentes zoonóticos bacterianos, virales y parasitarios de interés en salud pública. La presencia de infección por helmintos en especies Rattus cercanas a poblaciones expuestas en condiciones ambientales propicias, puede convertirse en un factor de riesgo de transmisión. Objetivo. Reportar la frecuencia de infección con Capillaria hepatica y formas larvarias de Taenia taeniaeformis en ratas silvestres (R. norvegicus) capturadas en una zona urbana de Medellín. Materiales y métodos. Se capturaron 254 ejemplares de R. norvegicus. Los hígados de 54 ejemplares que presentaron lesión hepática macroscópica durante la necropsia, fueron examinados por histopatología convencional. Resultados. La frecuencia de infección por C. hepatica fue de 20,1 % (51/254). Seis hígados fueron también positivos para larvas de T. taeniaeformis con una frecuencia de 2,4 % (6/254). Los hígados infestados con C. hepatica exhibían parásitos en el estadio adulto o juvenil y huevos ovalados con opérculos bipolares, asociados con hepatitis granulomatosa leve a moderada multifocal y acompañada por infiltrado leucocitario. Se observaron lesiones granulomatosas en resolución y fibrosis residual o calcificada que contenía huevos. Donde se encontraron cisticercos de T. taeniaeformis, el hallazgo más frecuente fueron quistes hepáticos que contenían larvas, y lesiones inflamatorias y fibróticas. Conclusión. Estos resultados indican que helmintos de potencial zoonótico circulan en R. norvegicus de ambientes urbanos. Debe investigarse la verdadera distribución de estos parásitos, para determinar el riesgo potencial que corren las poblaciones animales y humanas expuestas a adquirir este tipo de infecciones.

Introduction. Rattus norvegicus, the Norway rat, plays a pivotal role in the maintenance and spread of several zoonotic bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens of public health interest. The presence of helminthic infections near susceptible human populations can, under appropriate environmental conditions, become a risk factor for their transmission. Objective. Frequencies of infection were reported for Capillaria hepatica and larval forms of Taenia taeniaeformis in wild rats (R. norvegicus) captured in an urban area. Materials and methods. Two hundred and fifty-four adult specimens of R. norvegicus were collected in an urban zone of Medellín, Colombia. The livers of 54 specimens that showed macroscopic hepatic lesions during necropsy were examined by conventional histopathology. Results. The frequency of infestation with C. hepatica was 20.1% (51/254). Six livers (2.4%) were also positive for larvae of T. taeniaeformis. Livers infested with C. hepatica exhibited adult or juvenile parasites and oval eggs with bipolar opercula, and were associated with mild to moderate multifocal granulomatous hepatitis with leucocyte infiltrate. Granulomatous lesions and calcified residual fibroses were found with eggs but without adult parasites. Those animals with cysticerci of T. taeniaeformis showed a high frequency of hepatic cysts containing larvae as well as inflammed and fibrotic lesions. Conclusion. Zoonotic helminths circulate at high frequency in R. norvegicus that occur in urban environments. Further research about the distribution of these parasites will determine the level of health threat they present for susceptible human and domestic animal populations.

Human intestinal capillariasis: A rare case report from non-endemic area (Andhra Pradesh, India).

Human intestinal capillariasis is caused by Capillaria philippinensis. This disease is endemic in Philippines and Thailand. To the best of our knowledge, we report the third case of human intestinal capillariasis from India and the first case from Andhra Pradesh, which is a non-endemic area. A 40-year-old female presented with diarrhoea, vomiting, decreased urinary output, ascitis, pedal oedema, hypoalbuminemia, and electrolyte imbalance. Microscopic examination of stool sample revealed the presence of ova, larvae, and adult worms of C. philippinensis. Patient recovered from the disease after taking albendazole 400 mg daily for 1 month along with supportive treatment.

Hidatidose policística no norte do Brasil: abordagem parasitológica e histopatológica de pacas e casos humanos / Polycystic hydatid in northern Brazil: parasitological and histopathological approach from human and pacas cases

A hidatidose policística é uma zoonose causada pelo cestóide Echinococcus vogeli, amplamente distribuído no norte do Brasil. Os hospedeiros definitivos são Speothos venaticus (cachorro-vinagre) e Canis familiaris (cães domésticos), enquanto Agouti paca (paca) é hospedeiro intermediário. Tanto as pacas quanto o homem (hospedeiro acidental) desenvolvem a forma larvar (metacestóide), principalmente na superfície e no interior do fígado. Esta tese tem como objetivo geral estudar as características parasitológicas e histopatológicas de metacestóides de E. vogeli, originários de pacas e humanos da região norte do Brasil, visto o conhecimento insuficiente ou mesmo o seu desconhecimento. Os fígados e mesentérios foram obtidos de oito pacientes com hidatidose policística durante ato cirúrgico na Fundação Hospital Estadual do Acre. Pacas foram capturadas no Município de Bujari, Floresta Estadual do Antimary, Acre. Durante a necropsia das pacas, foram observadas lesões macroscópicas (massas esbranquiçadas ou amareladas, semelhantes a bolhas na superfície dos fígados). Para a análise parasitológica foram aplicadas as microscopias de luz, contraste interferencial de Normaski (DIC) e varredura laser confocal. A análise morfométrica foi realizada com o auxílio do Programa Image Pro Plus Media Cybernetics. Os órgãos de pacas e humanos foram submetidos à análise histopatológica. Os pequenos e grandes ganchos rostelares apresentaram polimorfismo morfológico, enquanto a organização dos protoescólices acompanhou o padrão descrito para Echinococcus sp. Todas as pacas apresentavam cistos hepáticos, porém em apenas duas encontramos líquido hidático, comprovados pela presença dos ganchos e protoescólices. A análise histopatológica dos tecidos hepáticos das pacas confirmou a hidatidose policística e evidenciou, pela presença de agrupamentos de ovos, a coinfecção com Calodium hepaticum. As características morfológicas dos ganchos rostelares dos casos humanos não diferiram...

Polycystic hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus vogeli, largely distributed in northern Brazil. The definitive hosts are Speothos venaticus (bush dogs) and Canis familiaris (domestic dogs), while Agouti paca (paca) is the intermediate host. Both the pacas and man (accidental host) develop the larval form (metacestodes), mainly on the surface and inside the liver. This thesis aims to study histopathological and parasitological characteristics of metacestodes of E. vogeli, from pacas and humans of the north region of Brazil, seen the insufficient knowledge or lack of it. The mesentery and livers were recovered from eight patients with polycystic hydatidosis during surgery in the Acre State Hospital Foundation. Pacas were captured in the municipality of Bujari, Antimary State Forest, Acre. During the pacas necropsy, macroscopic lesions were observed (whitish or yellowish masses, similar to blisters on the surface of the liver). Identification analyses were applied to light microscopy, interferential contrast microscopy of Normaski (DIC) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Morphometric analysis was performed by Image Pro Plus Media Cybernetics program. The pacas and human organs were subjected to histopathological analysis. The small and large rostellar hooks presented morphological polymorphism while protoscoleces organisation accompanied the pattern described in Echinococcus sp. All pacas presented liver cysts, however in only two found proven by the presence of hydatid fluid, hooks and protoscoleces. Histopathological analysis of pacas’ hepatic tissues confirmed polycystic hydatidosis and evidenced by the presence of eggs clusters the Calodium hepaticum coinfection. The morphological characteristics of human cases rostellar hooks did not differ from described to the pacas; however, the hooks were greater than the mesenteric ones. Already in relation to protoscoleces, the mesenteric ones were larger than the liver...

Concurrent Capillaria and Heterakis Infections in Zoo Rock Partridges, Alectoris graeca

Two adult rock partridges raised in a city zoo were examined parasitologically and pathologically. Two distinctive eggs resembling those of Capillaria and Heterakis were detected in the feces. At necropsy, a markedly-dilated duodenum with severe catarrhal exudates, containing adult worms of Capillaria sp. and Heterakis sp. in the cecum, was observed. Male Capillaria had the cloacal aperture extended almost terminally with a small bursal lobe and an unsheathed spicule with transverse folds without spines. Female Capillaria had a vulva that was slightly prominent and slightly posterior to the union of the esophagus and intestine. The esophagus of the adult Capillaria was more than a half as long as the body in the male, but was much shorter in the female. Based on these morphological features, the capillarid nematode was identified as Capillaria obsignata. The male adult worms of Heterakis was identifiable by 2 dissimilar spicules, a unique morphological feature where the right spicule was considerably longer than the left, which is also a characteristic feature of Heterakis gallinarum. This is the first report of concurrent infections with C. obsignata and H. gallinarium in rock partridges.

Capillariasis: chronic watery diarrhea--not only from microorganisms.

A 54-year-old male Thai patient from Prachin Buri Province presented with a history of chronic watery diarrhea for many years. He passed stool five to ten times per day with occasionally colicky pain, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting. He had visited hospitals and private clinics and received treatment but with no improvement. He presented to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, Thailand, where on physical examination, he had moderate dehydration, weakness, abdominal distension and a gurgling abdomen. The eggs, larvae and adult worms of Capillaria philippinensis were found on stool examination. The patient was admitted and treated with Mebendazole for 20 days, whereupon his symptoms resolved. Two months previously, he had ingested a raw small fresh-water fish dish called "Phra-Pla Siw/Soi". Small fresh-water fish near the patient's home were collected and examined for Capillaria philippinensis larva. The results were negative for parasitic organisms.

Capillaria spp. eggs in Patagonian archaeological sites: statistical analysis of morphometric data

Discriminant analysis was used to identify eggs of Capillaria spp. at specific level found in organic remains from an archaeological site in Patagonia, Argentina, dated of 6,540 ± 110 years before present. In order to distinguish eggshell morphology 149 eggs were measured and grouped into four arbitrary subsets. The analysis used on egg width and length discriminated them into different morphotypes (Wilks' lambda = 0.381, p < 0.05). The correlation analysis suggests that width was the most important variable to discriminate among the Capillaria spp. egg morphotypes (Pearson coefficient = 0.950, p < 0.05). The study of eggshell patterns, the relative frequency in the sample, and the morphometric data allowed us to correlate the four morphotypes with Capillaria species.

Granulomatous, hepatolithiasis and hepatomegaly caused by Capillaria hepatica infection: first case report of Thailand.

This is the first case report in Thailand of a Capillaria hepatica infection causing a granulomatous hepatic lesion, bile duct dilatation, hepatolithiasis and hepatomegaly. The patient's chief complaint was abdominal pain with fever and chills. Imaging of the liver revealed a 3-cm mass in the postero-inferior sub-segment of the right lobe of the liver with bile duct dilatation. Right hepatectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Gross pathology of the right hepatectomy revealed focal intrahepatic duct dilatation with prominent periductal fibrosis. The histopathological section revealed chronic inflammation and some granuloma formation surrounding the bile ducts, generalized portal infiltration, prominence of eosinophils and hepatolithiasis. Histopathotogical section revealed oblique sections of C. hepatica egg (size 35.4+/-6.38 microm in width) and brown amorphous pigment.

Compostela Valley: a new endemic focus for Capillariasis philippinensis.

A 20 year old female from Compostela Valley Province in the Philippines, presenting with chronic diarrhea, borborygmi, bipedal edema, anorexia and weight loss was seen at Davao Regional Hospital. Her stool specimen, suspected by a local medical technologist to have Capillaria philippinensis ova, was forwarded to the Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory of the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila. It was examined and found to contain Capillaria philippinensis adults, larvae and eggs. Twelve deaths among people coming from the same barangay, affected by a similar illness with no definite diagnosis except "gastroenteritis" were also reported. These prompted health officials to send a team that would investigate the etiology of the disease outbreak labeled as a "Mystery Disease". Seventy-two stool samples from symptomatic patients were examined. Fifty-three (73.6%) individuals were proven to harbor at least one parasite with 16 (22.2%) individuals positive for Capillaria philippinensis infection. Ocular inspection, interviews and focus group discussions revealed that the people's eating habits are not much different from the habits of those from the Ilocos provinces where capillariasis was initially described. In both areas, people are fond of eating kinilaw or raw fish. They also eat raw shrimps, crabs and snails. Furthermore, the people defecate in the field or in the same body of water where they get the fishes, shrimps, crabs and snails that they eat, thus completing the life cycle of Capillaria philippinensis. Fish-eating birds were likely to have spread this parasite to the area. This is the first report of a capillariasis outbreak in Compostela Valley Province, and this should alert health authorities to consider embarking on serious efforts for developing proficiency of laboratory and clinical diagnosis especially in government health facilities where the poor and marginalized sectors of society are likely to consult.

Tercer caso de capilariasis hepática humana en México / Third case of human hepatic capillariasis in Mexico

Se presenta un caso de capilariasis hepática en una mujer de 54 años que estuvo confinada en una institución psiquiátrica. Ingresó al Hospital General de México para recibir cuidados terminales de un cáncer avanzado de mama; murió 12 días después de su ingreso. Clínicamente se detectó hepatomegalia y en la autopsia se encontraron numerosos huevecillos de Capillaria hepática en el hígado. No se observó eosinofilia. Veintiséis casos de capilariasis hepática humana se han registrado en la literatura mundial. Este caso es el tercero que se presenta en la república mexicana, y mientras que los dos primeros ocurrieron en niños éste es el primero en un adulto. Por haber tenido un padecimiento psiquiátrico importante, la paciente pudo haber tenido hábitos alimenticios aberrantes. Por primera vez se describen e ilustran los huevecillos de C. hepática teñidos con metenamina de Jones, lo que permite demostrar una capa multilaminada interna y otra externa dotada de canalículos radiados

Parasitismo gastrointestinal en la perdiz común nothoprocta perdicaria en la zona de Ñuble en Chile / Gastrointestinal parasitism in nothoprocta perdicaria common partridge at Ñuble, Chile

A study on gastrointestinal parasitism in wild chilean partridges (Nothoprocta perdicaria) in the Ñuble province (Chile) determined that 75 percent of birds were infected. The species capillaria caudinflata, subulura suctoria, aploparaksis tinamoui and oocysts of eimeria sp. were observed