ABSTRACT
Amphibian and reptile lungs are frequently infected with Rhabdias parasites, and this condition ultimately leads to reduced survival, performance, and growth because of granulomatous inflammation, nodule formation, and nematodal pneumonia onset. Here we investigate the histopathological features of naturally infected Rhinella marina by the lung nematode Rhabdias paraensis. A total of 10 host animals were captured in peridomiciliar areas in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, and anatomic-histological analyses were performed on both the infected and non-infected lungs of these amphibians. Helminths were usually found within the secondary and primary septa of infected lungs whereas parasites were not detected within vessels or adhering to tissues. In addition, we observed discrete erythrocytes, diapedesis foci, few granulocytes and erythrocytes in the interseptal spaces, discrete cell infiltration, and a small number of melanomacrophages, and no granulomas or cysts were observed. New aspects related to changes in tissue and helminth-host interactions are discussed for the relationship of R. paraensis × Rhi. marina from the Amazon region.
Subject(s)
Bufo marinus/parasitology , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary , Rhabditida Infections/veterinary , Rhabditoidea , Animals , Brazil , Bufo marinus/anatomy & histology , Host-Parasite Interactions , Lung/anatomy & histology , Lung/parasitology , Lung/pathology , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/pathology , Rhabditida Infections/parasitology , Rhabditida Infections/pathology , Rhabditoidea/isolation & purification , Trachea/anatomy & histology , Trachea/parasitology , Trachea/pathologyABSTRACT
Kentropyxia hylae n. sp. is described based on material from small intestine of Osteocephalus taurinus Steindachner from Caxiuanã National Forest, municipality of Melgaço, state of Pará, Brazil. The new species is easily distinguished from the type-species and only species of the genus, Kentropyxia sauria Baker, 1982, by its smaller dimensions, the presence of cervical alae, spicules divided into three parts: a robust, single pointed outer processes ending with small finger-like projections and latero-dorsal and latero-ventral processes branching at final portion of spicule into six main branches, each ending with 14 projections in the latero-dorsal process and 15 projections in the latero-ventral process and by the presence of a middle groove in bursa ray 4. This is the second species parasitic in hylids from the Brazilian Amazon and a new parasite for O. taurinus.