In the Dawn of an Early Invasion: No Genetic Diversity of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Ecuador?

The nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been reported worldwide. However, some basic questions remain unanswered about A. cantonensis in Ecuador: (1) Was the invasion of A. cantonensis in Ecuador unique, or did it occur in different waves? (2) Was this invasion as recent as historical records suggest? (3) Did this invasion come from other regions of South America or elsewhere? To address these issues, we assessed the genetic diversity of MT-CO1 gene sequences from isolates obtained in 11 of Ecuador's 24 provinces. Our Bayesian inference phylogenetic tree recovered A. cantonensis as a well-supported monophyletic group. All 11 sequences from Ecuador were identical and identified as AC17a. The haplotype AC17a, found in Ecuador and the USA, formed a cluster with AC17b (USA), AC13 (Thailand), and AC12a-b (Cambodia). Notably, all the samples obtained in Ecuadorian provinces' different geographic and climatic regions had no genetic difference. Despite the lack of genetic information on A. cantonensis in Latin America, except in Brazil, our finding differs from previous studies by its absence of gene diversity in Ecuador. We concluded that the invasion of A. cantonensis in Ecuador may have occurred: (1) as a one-time event, (2) recently, and (3) from Asia via the USA. Further research should include samples from countries neighboring Ecuador to delve deeper into this.

A Structural Analysis of Host-Parasite Interactions in Achatina fulica (Giant African Snail) Infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a nematode parasite that resides in the pulmonary arteries of rodents, serving as its definitive hosts. The life cycle involves several species of non-marine gastropods as intermediate hosts, and the African giant snail Achatina fulica is considered one of the most important around the world. Experimental data concerning A. cantonensis infection in the African giant snail remains notably limited. This helminth causes eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis in humans, representing an emergent zoonosis in Brazil. Understanding the host-parasite relationship through the application of new tools is crucial, given the complex interaction between zoonosis and the intricate mechanisms involving wild/human hosts, parasite adaptation, and dispersion. The objective of this study was to employ SEM as a novel methodology to understand the structural organization of the host tissue, particularly the granuloma formation. This sheds light on the complex balance between A. fulica and A. cantonensis. Nine three-month-old snails were randomly selected and exposed for 24 h to a concentration of 2000 L1/dose of A. cantonensis. A necropsy was performed 37 days after the infection, and the samples were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The histopathological results revealed third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis associated with granulomas distributed throughout the head-foot mass, mantle, and kidney. Scanning electron microscopy of the histological section surface showed that the granuloma is surrounded by a cluster of spherical particles, which are distributed in the region bordering the larvae. This reveal details of the nematode structure, demonstrating how this methodology can enhance our understanding of the role of granulomas in molluscan tissue. The structural characteristics of granuloma formation in A. fulica suggest it as an excellent invertebrate host for A. cantonensis. This relationship appears to provide protection to the parasite against the host's immune defense system while isolating the snail's tissue from potential exposure to nematode antigens.

New species of Delicata (Molineidae: Anoplostrongylinae) parasite of Cabassous tatouay (Desmarest, 1804) from the Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A new species of nematode parasite of the genus Delicata (Molineidae: Anoplostrongylinae) is described from the small intestine of a road-killed Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo Cabassous tatouay (Cingulata: Chlamyphoridae) on the BR-040 highway in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The genus Delicata includes 13 species of parasitizing armadillos and anteaters distributed in Brazil, Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. The present species is distinguished from almost all species of Delicata by the longest length of the body, except for D. khalili and D. appendiculata. However, these can be distinguished from each other by the length of the spicules. The species that closely resembles, Delicata tatouay n. sp. is D. speciosa, but it can be distinguished by a robust branch from rays 2 and 3, rays 4 larger, and rays 8 longer compared to those of the new species. The new species is the only one with a tail, characterized by a terminal spine with rattlesnake tail-like transversal striations.

New hosts for a snake's helminth: First report of intermediate and definitive hosts naturally infected by Ophidascaris arndti (Ascarididae) in the wild.

We wish to report the occurrence of adult nematodes Ophidascaris arndti (Ascarididae) naturally infecting a new definitive host, the Fonseca's lancehead Bothrops fonsecai (Viperidae), and third-stage larvae of O. arndti parasitizing a new intermediate host, the montane grass mouse Akodon montensis (Cricetidae), both found in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We elucidated the morphological characteristics of both adults and larvae using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Taxonomic affinities between larvae and adult worms were assessed using MT-CO1 gene sequences. Adult and larval gene sequences formed a well-supported clade and had low pairwise p-distances, suggesting that they are conspecific. Our phylogenies also supported the 'arndti', 'filaria', and 'obconica' groups as independent lineages and confirmed the allocation of Ophidascaris within the family Ascarididae, although as an early offshoot. This is the first report of natural infection of this helminth's larvae in a wild intermediate host.

Spontaneous Adverse Event Reporting by COVID-19 Vaccinated Healthcare Professionals Through an Electronic Form Implemented by the Hospital Pharmacy.

Aim: Implementation of a web-form based pharmacovigilance plan for the spontaneous notification of adverse events to the Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine during its administration to hospital healthcare professionals. Methods: An electronic pharmacovigilance form was developed containing 8 pre-defined event options, an open answer option for the description of other events and/or symptoms, and a question about the overall intensity of symptoms. The adverse events reports were standardized according to physiological and pathological condition. Results: A total of 4119 adverse events notifications were obtained with a 45% rate of electronic notification. The most clinically relevant events reported were:tachycardia (n = 19), dyspnea (n = 7), chest pain (n = 6), facial/labial edema (n = 6), lipothymia (n = 5), bronchospasm (n = 2), herpetic infection (n = 2), vasculitis (n = 2), arrhythmia (n = 1), difficult to control arterial hypertension (n = 1), gastritis (n = 1), and spontaneous abortion (n = 1). Regarding the intensity of symptoms (n = 2928), 70.0% were reported as mild, 25.8% as moderate, and 4.27% as severe, with higher intensity in the second dose compared to first dose. The highest frequency of severe events were reported in the groups from 40 to 59 years in both vaccination periods. During the vaccination process, no hospitalizations and no deaths were notified and/or recorded. Conclusion: In this real world study, comparing with Comirnaty clinical trials program, it was observed a higher frequency of adenomegaly and gastrointestinal disorders. Noteworthy, the notification of a case of miscarriage. The use of hospital pharmacy pharmacovigilance electronic forms, seemed to be relevant to notification adherence and to obtain a greater and faster knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine safety profile.

New Pudicinae (Nematoda, Heligmonellidae) parasite of Trichomys fosteri (Rodentia: Echimyidae) from Pantanal, Brazil.

Pudica trichomysae n. sp. (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea, Helligmonellidae, Pudicinae) from the small intestine of Trichomys fosteri (Rodentia: Echimydae) from the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul is described by light and scanning electron microscopy. Pudica trichomysae n. sp. is characterized by caudal bursa type 2-2-1, proportion of spicules length in relation to body length (SpL/BL) of 17 to 18% left and right, respectively. Dorsal ray divided at about the distal third into two branches, each branch divided into two long sub-branches, rays 9 and 10. Furthermore, this study shows for the first time details of the anterior region demonstrating papillae organization, amphids, derides, and opening of the excretory pore. The posterior end of the caudal bursa showed detail of the genital cone, papillae, and ray 1, and in the female, it showed interrupted ridges between the vulva and anus. In conclusion, the present species is the seventeenth described in the genus in South America and the first in Pantanal.

Ten-year follow-up of full-arch rehabilitations supported by implants in immediate function with nasal and full-length palatine bicortical anchorage on the anterior maxilla.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate function of anterior maxillary implants. METHODS: One hundred nine patients (42 males and 67 females; average age 55.2 years; range 38-81 years) were followed for 10 years. One hundred eighty-eight implants using nasal and full-length palatine cortical anchorage were inserted in the anterior section of the maxilla together with 188 tilted implants placed posteriorly. Outcome measures were implant success and survival, prosthesis survival, bone loss, and the incidence of biological and mechanical complications. Cumulative success and survival were computed through Kaplan-Meyer product limit estimator (at patient level) and life tables (implant level). RESULTS: Four patients lost one implant each, giving a 10-year cumulative survival rate of 95.8% and 97.7% using the patient and the implant as the unit of analysis, respectively. The prosthesis survival rate was 98.2%, and the average marginal bone loss was 1.79 mm (1.06 mm). The cumulative success rate was 89.1% and 92.5% using the patient and the implant as the unit of analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Full-arch fixed prosthetic rehabilitations supported by immediately functional implants inserted in the anterior maxilla with bicortical anchorage together with posterior-tilted implants are viable in the long term.

Similarity of the parasite communities of codlings Urophycis brasiliensis and U. mystacea (Gadiformes: Phycidae) from the Brazilian coastal zone.

A total of 182 specimens of codling, 107 Urophycis brasiliensis (Kaup, 1858), and 75 U. mystacea Miranda Ribeiro, 1903 from the coastal zone of the states of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil was examined to study the composition and structure of their parasite communities. A total of 1,684 individual parasites were collected: 506 in U. brasiliensis and 444 in U. mystacea from RJ; 328 in U. brasiliensis and 406 in U. mystacea from SC. There was a total of 21 species in the parasite communities of codlings from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Santa Catarina (SC) localities. Urophycis brasiliensis presented a total of 18 species of parasites, being 16 and 12 species in RJ and SC, respectively. The parasite infracommunities of U. brasiliensis and U. mystacea from Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina were significant different in the mean total abundance and Brillouin diversity index values. Urophycis brasiliensis and U. mystacea from Santa Catarina present differences in the mean parasite richness, mean total abundance, values of the Brillouin diversity index and the values of Bray-Curtis and Jaccard indexes. However, it was observed higher similarity between the parasite infracommunities of U. brasiliensis and U. mystacea from Santa Catarina. Samples studied of U. mystacea showed significant differences suggested the presence of different stocks of this species, however, this possibility needs to be confirmed with studies using multivariate analysis of additional samples along the geographical distribution area of this species. These results emphasized the necessity for understanding the influence of ecological factors on the composition and structure of parasite communities of the marine fish from Brazil.

Molecular phylogenetic study in Spirocercidae (Nematoda) with description of a new species Spirobakerus sagittalis sp. nov. in wild canid Cerdocyon thous from Brazil.

The nematode family Spirocercidae Chitwood and Wehr, 1932, comprises three subfamilies, Spirocercinae Chitwood and Wehr, 1932; Ascaropsinae Alicata and McIntosh, 1933; and Mastophorinae Quentin, 1970, which occur worldwide. Spirocercids infect canids and can cause severe illness. The crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), is a canid that inhabits most of South America, including Brazil and is a host for several parasitic worms, in particular, nematodes. However, few reports or genetic data are available on the spirocercids found in this host. In the present study, we describe a new species of Spirobakerus Chabaud and Bain 1981, from the intestine of two crab-eating foxes from two different biomes in Brazil. Spirobakerus sagittalis sp. nov. presents a) unequal spicules, with a long, thin left spicule with a lanceolated shape at the tip; b) a pair of sessile papillae and a median unpaired papillae located anteriorly of the cloaca, and c) a tuft without spines at the tip of the tail in females. The molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that S. sagittalis sp. nov. is basal to the other species of the subfamily Ascaropsinae, which was not recovered as monophyletic. Our phylogenies also indicated that Spirocercidae is paraphyletic, given that Mastophorinae did not group with Ascaropsinae and Spirocercinae. We provide the first molecular data on the genus Spirobakerus and expand the molecular database of the spirocercids. However, further studies, including the sequences of other spirocercid taxa, are still needed to infer the relationships within this family more accurately.

Pathological effects of ECHINOSTOMA PARAENSEI infection associated with pyogenic abscesses caused by PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA in swiss mice / Efectos patológicos de la infección por ECHINOSTOMA PARAENSEI asociada a abscesos piógenos causados ​​por PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA en ratones suizos / Efeitos patológicos da infecção por ECHINOSTOMA PARAENSEI associada a abscessos piogênicos causados ​​por PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA em camundongos suíços

The trematode Echinostoma paraensei is an intestinal parasite transmitted by ingestion of the infectious stage of metacercariae. For scientific purposes, its life cycle has been maintained in the laboratory, allowing analysis using various biological approaches. Different parasite isolates have revealed atypical patterns of migration and establishment in ectopic sites in Swiss-Webster mice. During the investigation of the biological life cycle of an E. paraensei isolate from the silvatic rodent Nectomys squamipes collected in the municipality of Rio Bonito (State of Rio de Janeiro), a bacterial coinfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed, which produced anatomopathological alterations, mainly in the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, and small intestine. The main macroscopic signs were the whitish suppurative pyogenic punctual lesions. The histological sections stained by hematoxylin-eosin showed an intense inflammatory reaction formed by mononuclear cells and macrophages surrounding the bile ducts, although the hepatic parenchyma still presented its normal aspect. Thus, pyogenic abscesses can be associated with E. paraensei infection depending on the strain and aggravating pathogenesis in the definitive host.

El trematodo Echinostoma paraensei es un parásito intestinal transmitido por ingestión de la etapa infecciosa de las metacercarias. Para fines científicos, su ciclo de vida se ha mantenido en el laboratorio, lo que permite el análisis mediante diversos enfoques biológicos. Diferentes aislamientos de parásitos han revelado patrones atípicos de migración y establecimiento en sitios ectópicos en ratones Swiss-Webster. Durante la investigación del ciclo biológico de un aislado de E. paraensei del roedor silvático Nectomys squamipes colectado en el municipio de Rio Bonito (Estado de Rio de Janeiro), se observó una coinfección bacteriana con Pseudomonas aeruginosa, que produjo alteraciones anatomopatológicas, principalmente en el hígado, los conductos biliares, el páncreas y el intestino delgado. Los principales signos macroscópicos fueron las lesiones puntuales piógenas blanquecinas supurativas. Los cortes histológicos teñidos con hematoxilina-eosina mostraron una intensa reacción inflamatoria formada por células mononucleares y macrófagos que rodeaban las vías biliares, aunque el parénquima hepático aún presentaba su aspecto normal. Por tanto, los abscesos piógenos pueden asociarse con la infección por E. paraensei dependiendo de la cepa y agravando la patogenia en el hospedador definitivo.

O trematódeo Echinostoma paraensei é um parasita intestinal transmitido pela ingestão da fase infecciosa das metacercárias. Para fins científicos, seu ciclo de vida foi mantido em laboratório, permitindo análises por meio de diversas abordagens biológicas. Diferentes isolados de parasitas revelaram padrões atípicos de migração e estabelecimento em sítios ectópicos em camundongos Swiss-Webster. Durante a investigação do ciclo de vida biológico de um isolado de E. paraensei do roedor silvático Nectomys squamipes coletado no município de Rio Bonito (Estado do Rio de Janeiro), foi observada uma coinfecção bacteriana por Pseudomonas aeruginosa, que produziu alterações anatomopatológicas, principalmente no fígado, dutos biliares, pâncreas e intestino delgado. Os principais sinais macroscópicos foram as lesões pontuais piogênicas supurativas esbranquiçadas. Os cortes histológicos corados pela hematoxilina-eosina mostraram intensa reação inflamatória formada por células mononucleares e macrófagos circundando as vias biliares, embora o parênquima hepático ainda apresentasse seu aspecto normal. Assim, abscessos piogênicos podem estar associados à infecção por E. paraensei dependendo da cepa e agravando a patogênese no hospedeiro definitivo.

A New Species of Bidigiticauda (Nematoda: Strongylida) from the Bat Artibeus Planirostris (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in the Atlantic Forest and a Molecular Phylogeny of the Molineid Bat Parasites.

The nematode genus Bidigiticauda has 2 species (Bidigiticauda vivipara and Bidigiticauda embryophilum), which are parasites of bats from the Neotropical region. The present paper describes a new species of Bidigiticauda from a male Artibeus planirostris specimen collected in the Pratigi Environmental Protection Area in Bahia state, Brazil. The new species, Bidigiticauda serrafreirei n. sp., differs from B. embryophilum by having longer spicules, rays 5 and 6 arising from a common trunk and bifurcating in its first third, rays 3 and 4 emerging slightly separated from each other, and dorsal rays reaching the margin of the caudal bursa. The new species also differs from B. vivipara by the dorsal ray bifurcating at the extremity of the trunk. A molecular phylogenetic analysis was conducted to determine the evolutionary affinities of Bidigiticauda serrafreirei n. sp. within the Strongylida, which identified a clade that grouped Bidigiticauda with the other members of the Anoplostrongylinae. However, the molineid subfamilies did not group together, indicating that the family Molineidae is polyphyletic. Further analyses, which include additional taxa and genetic markers, should elucidate the complex relationships within the Molineidae, in particular its subfamilies and the evolution of the traits that define these groups.

Helminth metacommunity structure of wild rodents in a preserved area of the Atlantic Forest, Southeast Brazil / Estrutura da metacomunidade de helmintos de roedores silvestres em uma área preservada da Floresta Atlântica, sudeste do Brasil

Abstract The helminth fauna and metacommunity structure of eight sympatric sigmodontine rodents were investigated at the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, an Atlantic Forest reserve located in the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeast Brazil. Rodents of the species Abrawayaomys ruschii, Akodon montensis, Blarinomys breviceps , Delomys dorsalis, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oxymycterus quaestor and Thaptomys nigrita were found infected with helminths. Akodon montensis presented the highest total helminth species richness, with six different species of helminths. The nematode Stilestrongylus lanfrediae was the most abundant and prevalent helminth species observed. The host-parasite network analysis showed little interactions among host species. Akodon montensis seems to act as a keystone-species in the rodent community. This species shared the nematodes Stilestrongylus aculeata with A. ruschii and Protospirura numidica criceticola with T. nigrita, and the cestode Rodentolepis akodontis with D. dorsalis. The congeners host species O. flavescens and O. nigripes shared the nematodes Guerrerostrongylus zetta and S. lanfrediae. The rodents B. breviceps and O. quaestor did not share any helminths with other hosts. The helminth metacommunity showed a random pattern on both infracommunity and component community levels, indicating different responses by each helminth species to the environmental gradient.

Resumo Foram investigadas a helmintofauna e suas estruturas da metacomunidade em oito roedores sigmodontíneos simpátricos ao longo do Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, uma reserva de Mata Atlântica no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Roedores das espécies Abrawayaomys ruschii, Akodon montensis, Blarinomys breviceps, Delomys dorsalis, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oxymycterus quaestor e Thaptomys nigrita foram infectados por helmintos. Akodon montensis apresentou a maior riqueza total de espécies de helmintos, com seis espécies. O nematoide Stilestrongylus lanfrediae foi a espécie de helminto com maior abundância e prevalência. A análise de rede parasito-hospedeiro mostrou poucas interações entre as espécies hospedeiras e A. montensis atuou como uma espécie-chave na comunidade de roedores. Esta espécie compartilhou os nematoides Stilestrongylus aculeata com A. ruschii e Protospirura numidica criceticola com T. nigrita, e o cestoide Rodentolepis akodontis com D. dorsalis. As espécies congêneres O. flavescens e O. nigripes compartilharam os nematoides Guerrerostrongylus zetta e S. lanfrediae. Os roedores B. breviceps e O. quaestor não compartilharam helmintos com outros hospedeiros. A metacomunidade de helmintos mostrou um padrão aleatório em ambos os níveis, comunidade componente e infracomunidade, indicando diferentes respostas de cada espécie de helminto ao gradiente ambiental.

Helminth metacommunity structure of wild rodents in a preserved area of the Atlantic Forest, Southeast Brazil.

The helminth fauna and metacommunity structure of eight sympatric sigmodontine rodents were investigated at the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, an Atlantic Forest reserve located in the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeast Brazil. Rodents of the species Abrawayaomys ruschii, Akodon montensis, Blarinomys breviceps , Delomys dorsalis, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oxymycterus quaestor and Thaptomys nigrita were found infected with helminths. Akodon montensis presented the highest total helminth species richness, with six different species of helminths. The nematode Stilestrongylus lanfrediae was the most abundant and prevalent helminth species observed. The host-parasite network analysis showed little interactions among host species. Akodon montensis seems to act as a keystone-species in the rodent community. This species shared the nematodes Stilestrongylus aculeata with A. ruschii and Protospirura numidica criceticola with T. nigrita, and the cestode Rodentolepis akodontis with D. dorsalis. The congeners host species O. flavescens and O. nigripes shared the nematodes Guerrerostrongylus zetta and S. lanfrediae. The rodents B. breviceps and O. quaestor did not share any helminths with other hosts. The helminth metacommunity showed a random pattern on both infracommunity and component community levels, indicating different responses by each helminth species to the environmental gradient.

Achatina fulica infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis on beaches, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is considered the main etiological agent of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. At present, this zoonosis is considered an emerging disease mainly in the Americas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Achatina fulica infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in restinga areas along beaches in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. The study areas included the following beaches: Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Reserva, Prainha and Grumari. Ninety specimens of Achatina fulica were collected. Positive molluscs were found only in Barra da Tijuca. Infection prevalence was 5.5%. The presence of this parasite in the beachfront areas, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro city demonstrates the potential risk of infection for visitors and the expansion of this helminth in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

First Record of Raillietina celebensis (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) in South America: Redescription and Phylogeny.

Raillietina celebensis is a cestode that parasitizes the small intestine of rats and humans. Here, we detail the morphology and morphometry of R. celebensis based on specimens collected from Rattus norvegicus in the municipality of São Gonçalo, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by light and confocal scanning laser microscopies and also report the results of molecular phylogenetic analyses to determine its relationships within the family Davaineidae. Analysis of the number and size of testes, number and shape of rostellar hooks, cirrus sac length, capsules and eggs per capsule, and morphology of the mature proglottid allowed concluding that the present specimens constitute a new record of R. celebensis in South America. Our genetic and phylogenetic analyses, based on the partial small subunit 18S rRNA gene, revealed R. celebensis to be in the family Davaineidae within the genus Raillietina, in agreement with the morphological taxonomy. Phylogenetic trees obtained by neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood methods demonstrated R. celebensis as a unique taxonomic unit, and also demonstrated some taxonomic inconsistences. The incorporation of Brazilian R. celebensis sequences derived from mammals in the phylogeny of davaineids is consistent with the assertion that neither Raillietina nor Fuhrmannetta can be supported as distinct genera.

Lungworm Heterostrongylus heterostrongylus Travassos, 1925 from the black-eared opossum in South America: Morphologic, histopathological and phylogenetic aspects.

Nematode parasites of the cardiopulmonary system of livestock and pet animals have been receiving attention due to the pathogenic effects they produce in the course of the infection. However, parasitism in wild animals by metastrongilid nematodes has been neglected, resulting in potential risk to wildlife. Heterostrongylus heterostrongylus is the etiological agent of bronchial pneumonia in the black-eared opossum, Didelphis aurita, a widely distributed marsupial frequently reported to inhabit areas from wild environments to peri-urban spaces. In this study, we reassessed the taxonomy of H. heterostrongylus, describing and comparing morphology of L1 and L3 larvae and adult worms with closely related angiostrongilids, and inferring phylogenetic affinities within the family Angiostrongylidae; we also detailed histopathological reactions under natural infection. Ultrastructural morphology and light microscopy confirmed cephalic structures with well-developed trilobed lips, patterns of caudal bursa rays, spicules shape, terminal anal aperture and presence of the ventral protuberance in L3 larvae, characteristics present for the family Angiostrongylidae. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on the partial small subunit (SSU) 18S rRNA gene, suggested that H. heterostrongylus and Didelphostrongylus hayesi are closely related. Pathological analyses agreed with previous findings, showing that cardiopulmonary parasitism provokes verminous pneumonia and mucous bronchiolitis with hypertrophy of the smooth bronchiolar muscle. These data confirmed that H. heterostrongylus represents a pulmonary pathogen in D. aurita, produces severe pathological effects, and may represent risk to domestic and wild animals.

New records of three species of nematodes in Cerdocyon thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands.

We report the occurrence of nematodes collected from the gut of roadkilled crab-eating foxes (two adult males and one juvenile female), Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), found on the BR 262 highway in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil in 2011. Three helminth species were identified: Ancylostoma buckleyi, Pterygodermatites (Multipectines) pluripectinata, and Ascaridia galli. These nematodes are reported for the first time to infect C. thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands, thereby expanding their geographical distribution.

New records of three species of nematodes in Cerdocyon thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands / Novos registros de três espécies de nematoides em Cerdocyon thous do Pantanal brasileiro

We report the occurrence of nematodes collected from the gut of roadkilled crab-eating foxes (two adult males and one juvenile female), Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), found on the BR 262 highway in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil in 2011. Three helminth species were identified: Ancylostoma buckleyi, Pterygodermatites (Multipectines) pluripectinata, and Ascaridia galli. These nematodes are reported for the first time to infect C. thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands, thereby expanding their geographical distribution.

Este estudo relata a ocorrência de nematoides coletados no sistema digestório de cachorros-do-mato Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766) encontrados atropelados na rodovia BR 262, no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, em 2011. Três espécies foram identificadas: Ancylostoma buckleyi, Pterygodermatites (Multipectines) pluripectinata e Ascaridia galli. A ocorrência destes nematoides foi registrada pela primeira vez em C. thous no bioma Pantanal, ampliando a distribuição geográfica destes helmintos parasitos em C. thous.

Prevalence of Calodium hepaticum (SYN. Capillaria hepatica) in Rattus norvegicus in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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.