Characterization of the zoonotic potential of Toxoplasma gondii in horses from Rio de Janeiro State.

The aim of this study was to perform a survey on the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. From 2012 to 2013, a total of 624 blood samples were collected from horses from the eight regions comprising Rio de Janeiro State (Baixadas Litorâneas, Serrana, Norte Fluminense, Noroeste Fluminense, Centro-Sul, Metropolitana, Médio Paraíba, and Costa Verde). All sera samples were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies by performing the modified agglutination test with a cut-off of 1:25. Positive serology for T. gondii was detected in 22.8% (142/624) of the horses studied. Seropositivity was detected in all regions sampled; furthermore, statistical significance was observed when all locations were compared at once. The Médio Paraíba region had the highest number of positive animals 54.76% (23/42) in the Bonferroni correction among Costa Verde, Centro Sul, Metropolitana, and Serrana (p<0.001). Seropositivity was 39.58% (38/96) in Norte Fluminense, which was the second most prevalent region. The results indicated that the T. gondii parasite is widely distributed in horses in Rio de Janeiro State and represents a risk to public and animal health. These findings emphasize the need to increase control and prevention of this disease in horses.

Toxoplasma gondii transmission by artificial insemination in sheep with experimentally contaminated frozen semen.

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite considered one of the major causes of reproductive problems in sheep. Furthermore, the presence of the agent in ram semen urges the possibility of sexual transmission in this species. The aim of this study was to evaluate if ram's frozen semen spiked with T. gondii tachyzoites would be able to cause infection in sheep by laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI). Nine ewes tested seronegative to anti-T. gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT) were superovulated and inseminated to collect embryos. Animals were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 5), ewes inseminated with semen containing 4 × 107 tachyzoites; and G2 (n = 4), ewes inseminated with tachyzoite-free semen (control group). To confirm infection, ewe's blood samples were collected on days -14, -7, 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 49 and 57 after AI for analysis by MAT and PCR. Tissue samples of these ewes were also collected for histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Seven days after AI, all ewes of group G1 had specific antibodies to T. gondii, while those of G2 were negative. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in the blood of one ewe and parasites were observed in tissues of all five animals inseminated with contaminated semen, indicating that semen freezing protocol does not affect T. gondii transmission by artificial insemination in sheep.

A new coccidian, Isospora rheae sp. nov. (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae), from Rhea americana (Aves, Rheidae) from South America.

A NEW SPECIES OF COCCIDIAN (PROTOZOA: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) obtained from rheas, Rhea americana, is reported in Brazil. Oocysts of Isospora rheae sp. nov. are spherical to subspheroidal, measuring 22.6 × 21.0 µm, and have a double and smooth wall that is approximately 1.7 µm thick. The micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are slightly ovoid, measuring 13.9 × 9.6 µm. The Stieda body is flattened, the substieda body is pointed, irregular and wavy and the sporocyst residuum is composed of scattered granules of varying sizes. Sporozoites have an oblong refractile body and one nucleus. This is the first description of an isosporid coccidian infecting birds of the family Rheidae.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cattle and pigs in a highly endemic area for human toxoplasmosis in Brazil.

Sera from 77 cattle and 61 pigs from herds of Campos dos Goytacazes and neighborhood, north of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, were analyzed for the presence of antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii via ELISA. The seropositivity was confirmed at 49.4% (38 of 77) for cattle and at 11.5% (7 of 61) for pigs. Pigs bred under free-ranging systems presented with 20.6% (7 of 34) seropositivity and no pigs bred under indoor systems were positive (n  =  27). The seropositivity verified for cattle and pigs confirmed the extensive distribution of the parasite in this region. In the face of these data, we discuss the potential risk for human infection by consumption of raw or undercooked meat in this geographic region of Brazil. This is the first report of seropositivity for anti-T. gondii antibodies in cattle in the north of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

[Swine cryptosporidiosis related to production systems in the state of Rio de Janeiro]. / Criptosporidiose suína associada aos sistemas de produção no estado do Rio de Janeiro.

The purpose of this study was to verify the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in swine farms of familiar and technical production systems, located in the North and Northwest Regions of the State of Rio de Janeiro. A total of 103 fecal samples of different swines were collected, proceeding from 10 farms, of which five were familiar and five technical. For the diagnosis, the modified concentration by sedimentation technique with posterior staining by modified Ziehl-Neelsen was used. Forty and 29.3% of prevalence were observed in the familiar and technical farms respectively, and they were not statistically different. The parasitism occurs in both production systems, probably due to an absence of previous diagnosis of the illness. After morfometric and morphological analysis and statistical study of correlation of the 87 oocysts found, it was suggested that exists more than one species of Cryptosporidium spread in the properties, and they are common to each of the production systems. This hypothesis needs to be confirmed through studies of molecular biology, to characterize the species.

Sarcocystis lindsayi-like (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystinae) of the opossum (Didelphis aurita) from Southeastern Brazil.

Sporocysts of Sarcocystis were obtained from intestinal scrapings of three out of five opossums (Didelphis aurita) trapped in the southeastern region, of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fifteen caged budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) received, orally, twenty-six sporocysts in 500 mL PBS, but only five belonging to one of the groups developed clinical signs, that consisted of anorexia, lethargy, ruffled feathers and dyspnoea, and parasitism in tissues. Two of the five budgerigars died on the 25th and 29th days after infection (DAI). The other three budgerigars were posted on the 30th DAI. In all the five infected birds were observed meronts in the capillaries of the lungs and cysts in muscles, mainly in the tongue and legs.

[Species from genus Eimeria observed in domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) feces raised at the Municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Espécies do Gênero Eimeria observadas em fezes de coelhos domésticos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) criados no Município de campos dos Goytacazes, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

This study was designed to identify species of the genus Eimeria from eleven rabbit meat breeders from Campos dos Goytacazes. Fecal samples were collected from rabbits with different health conditions and consintence of feces. The following species of Eimeria were identified: E. perforans; E. magna; E. coecicola; E. irresidua; E. media; E. flavescens; E. nagpurensis; E. intestinalis, E. exigua and E. stiedae. Parasites from this genus were detected in 81.82% (9) of the rabbit meat production sites, regardless of the management and hygiene conditions. In all cases the infection was always caused from more than one species of Eimeria.