Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in family farming goats from the Luracatao Valley, Salta, Argentina.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections are important causes of abortion in ruminants. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and frequency of T. gondii and N. caninum titers in goats raised by family farmers in the Luracatao Valley of Salta province, Argentina. A total of 259 serum samples were collected from adult goats in 42 family farms in nine communities and tested for indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, cut-off 1:100). Seroprevalences were 34.36% (89/259) for T. gondii and 64.09% (166/259) for N. caninum. Co-infection was found in 25.86% (67/259) of the goats tested. The most frequent IFAT titer of T. gondii found was 100 (23.93%; 62/259), and only 2% (5/259) of the goats presented titer 800. For N. caninum, the most frequent titers were 100 (25.86%; 67/259), and titers 200 (20.46%; 53/259) and 400 (14.61%, 38/259). The titers found for T. gondii could suggest a chronic infection in goats, being of importance for the region due to meat consumption and cheese production. The elevated seroprevalence of N. caninum identified in this study may be attributed to the community-specific dog population and the close interaction between dogs and goats, despite the absence of a statistically significant association. Subsequent research is warranted to assess the productive implications of T. gondii and N. caninum.

Zoonotic nematode in the city of La Plata, Argentina: Report of a case of Calodium hepaticum in Rattus rattus.

This study describes a case of Calodium hepaticum (Trichinellida: Capillariidae) infection in an adult rat (Rattus rattus) from the periurban area of the city of La Plata in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The rat was found with neurological signs (ataxia, lethargy, and episodes of unresponsiveness) in the food storage of a goat production facility. The liver was observed with hepatomegaly and diffuse and irregular yellowish-white spots appearing in striae or small nodules on the external surface and inside the liver. Subsequent microscopic and histopathological studies were performed. Eggs were observed by direct microscopy of the impression smear of liver tissue. A multifocal granulomatous tissue reaction with different stages of fibrocellular tissue was observed in the liver parenchyma. The granulomas contained adults and degenerated eggs delimited by an intense infiltrate of mononuclear cells. Macro and microscopic observations and histopathological liver lesions were compatible with C. hepaticum infection. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmation of C. hepaticum infection in R. rattus in Argentina, increasing the host record of this parasite and a new record of distribution in goat production systems in the country.

Types of true bugs (Insecta, Hemiptera, Heteroptera) deposited in the Museo de La Plata, Argentina.

A checklist of Heteroptera type specimens deposited in the collection of División Entomología, Museo de La Plata. It harbours type material of 1153 species belonging to 37 families (Enicocephalidae, Schizopteridae, Gerridae, Veliidae, Hydrometridae, Naucoridae, Belostomatidae, Nepidae, Corixidae, Notonectidae, Pleidae, Saldidae, Cimicidae, Polyctenidae, Nabidae, Miridae, Tingidae, Vianaididae, Thaumastocoridae, Reduviidae, Aradidae, Alydidae, Coreidae, Rhopalidae, Berytidae, Blissidae, Lygaeidae, Oxycarenidae, Rhyparochromidae, Idiostolidae, Largidae, Pyrrhocoridae, Anthocoridae, Cydnidae, Pentatomidae, Scutelleridae, Thyreocoridae), represented by 207 holotypes, 26 allotypes, 578 paratypes, 1 lectotype, 1 paralectotype and 340 syntypes. For each taxon providing update information on valid names, categories of types, and locality.