Threats to health and conservation of free-living sloths (Bradypus and Choloepus) under anthropic influence in the city of Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil / Ameaças à saúde e conservação de preguiças (Bradypus e Choloepus) de vida livre sob influência antrópica em Manaus, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract Anthropogenic disturbances affecting forest areas can increase disease prevalence and susceptibility in several species of arboreal mammals, such as sloths. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the most common conditions in body systems of free-ranging sloths admitted at the Wildlife Triage and Rehabilitation Center of Amazonas of the Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources. A total of 227 individuals (139 retrospective cases from 2015 to 2019, and 88 prospective cases from July 2020 to July 2021) were evaluated over a six-year period. Cases from the genus Bradypus showed involvement of the following body systems: 44% respiratory, 29% integumentary, 15% musculoskeletal, 5% digestive, 3% visual, 2% auditory, 1% circulatory and 1% genitourinary, while that distribution in the genus Choloepus was: 39% musculoskeletal, 27% integumentary, 19% respiratory, 9% digestive, 3% circulatory, 1% visual, 1% auditory and 1% genitourinary. The results reveal significant differences between the condition detected and the genus (Bradypus and Choloepus), age and case outcome. These results can provide data for future investigations of sloth diseases, confirming lesions, as well as motivating and suggesting adequate management methods.

Resumo Distúrbios antrópicos que afetam áreas florestais podem aumentar a prevalência de afecções e a suscetibilidade às doenças em diversas espécies de mamíferos arborícolas, como as preguiças. Desta forma, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as condições mais comuns nos sistemas orgânicos de preguiças de vida livre admitidas no Centro de Triagem e Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres do Amazonas. Um total de 227 indivíduos (139 casos retrospectivos de 2015 a 2019 e 88 casos prospectivos de julho de 2020 a julho de 2021) foram avaliados durante um período de seis anos. Para o gênero Bradypus foram diagnosticadas 44% de afecções do sistema respiratório, 29% tegumentar, 15% musculoesquelético, 5% digestório, 3% visual, 2% auditivo, 1% circulatório e 1% genitourinário. Por sua vez, para o gênero Choloepus foram detectadas 39% de afecções do sistema musculoesquelético, 27% tegumentar, 19% do sistema respiratório, 19% do sistema respiratório, 9% digestório, 3% circulatório, 1% visual, 1% auditivo e 1% genitourinário. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significativas na prevalência da afecção e gênero das preguiças (Bradypus e Choloepus), a faixa etária e desfecho do caso. Esses resultados podem fornecer subsídios para investigar as doenças de preguiças, confirmando afecções, motivo e sugerir métodos adequados de manejo.

Fratura exposta do fêmur em preguiça-real (Choloepus didactylus) - tratamento e reabilitação / Open fracture of the femur in a two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) - treatment and rehabilitation

Background: The Choloepus didactylus is characterized by having 2 fingers on the forelimbs and 3 on the hind limbs, being found more frequently in northern South America, in countries such as Venezuela, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. In Brazil, deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has threatened the survival of C. didactylus. In addition, these animals can be affected by several diseases, being those of the musculoskeletal system with limited reports. Thus, the present report aimed to describe the treatment and evolution of an open fracture of the femur in a free-living Choloepus didactylus, which after rehabilitation was released back to the wild. Case: A free-living female two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus), weighing 7.0 kg, was found in Manaus city and referred to the Wild Animal Treatment Center (CETAS - IBAMA-AM) located in Amazonas, Brazil, after initial treatment and osteosynthesis in a private clinic (CVMinasPet). According to history, the animal had suffered electrocution 30 days ago and, as a result, had an extensive wound that resulted in the exposure of the knee joint, distal fracture of the femur, and areas of necrosis in the right pelvic limb. After cleansing of the area and removal of necrotic tissues, the fracture was stabilized with the cross-pinning technique (2 Steinmann pins). Then, the stifle joint was stabilized with external skeletal fixation (Type 1b, unilateral biplanar). The external fixator and cross-pins were removed 2 months after the surgical procedure, being observed bone healing. Next, the animal underwent physical rehabilitation for 30 days. After the rehabilitation period, a microchip and a radio collar were applied, and the sloth was released back to the wild. Discussion: Electrocution has been one of the causes of wildlife rescue, with consequences varying depending on the degree of the burn. Generally, the burn is most severe at the entry and exit sites. Since suspensory quadrupedal locomotion requires that sloths have specialized hands and feet to connect with the supports, probably the animal of the current report touched the right pelvic limb on a high-tension pole. The cross-pinning technique combined with the external fixator was used because the animal had an exposed Salter-Harris type I fracture with soft tissue loss. The younger the animal presents physeal fractures, the greater is the chance of developing growth abnormalities due to growth plate closure caused by fracture type or immobilization method. Since the sloth was a free-living animal, the age was unknown. However, pelvic limb length discrepancy was not observed after removing the implants. Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test were not done and may be considered a limitation of this report. However, the application of ceftriaxone was adequate to control the infection, since the animal did not show signs of infection or draining sinus tracts. Ceftriaxone is a third-generation antibiotic that can be used in chronic osteomyelitis. In addition, the animal in the present report showed good adaptation to captive conditions that contributed to the clinical management. The longevity of the sloth in captivity can reach more than 30 years, but the goal is always to return the animal to nature after the treatment. Surgical treatment of the fracture and physical therapy after implant removal allowed this action in the current report, confirmed by monitoring with the radio collar.

Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum infection in Neotropical primates in the western Amazon, Brazil.

The Brazilian Amazon is endemic for malaria and natural infections by Plasmodium spp. have been detected in Neotropical primates. Despite the diversity of primate species in the region, studies on infections by these agents are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of infection by Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum in free-born primates that were kept in captivity, in the western Amazon, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 98 Neotropical primates. Detection of P. vivax and P. falciparum DNA was performed using a semi-nested PCR, and the amplified products were sequenced. Plasmodium spp. DNA was detected in 6.12% (6/98) of the primates. P. vivax, and P. falciparum DNA was detected in 2.04% (2/98) and 4.08% (4/98) of these mammals, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the results obtained from the semi-nested PCR. The presence of infected non-human primates (NHP) can be auxiliary in the maintenance of P. falciparum and P. vivax and may have implications for the malaria surveillance and control in the Brazilian Amazon. It is necessary to structure an efficient surveillance system for the aetiological agents of malaria that infect NHP and humans to reduce the risk of Plasmodium spp. introduction into new areas, to protect all susceptible species.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in captive Neotropical primates in the Brazilian Amazon.

The aim of this study was to detect the infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in captive Neotropical primates in the Brazilian Amazon. From February 2013 to July 2014, 112 blood samples were collected from Neotropical primates from the Amazonas, Amapá, and Pará States, north of Brazil. The subjects belonged to the families Cebidae (N = 59), Atelidae (N = 41), Callitrichidae (N = 5), Pitheciidae (N = 4), and Aotidae (N = 3). Blood smears also were examined for the presence of trypomastigotes by optical microscopy. For the detection of T. cruzi DNA, a Nested-PCR with primers TCZ1/TCZ2 and TCZ3/TCZ4 was performed. T. cruzi DNA was detected in 12.5% (14/112) of Neotropical primates examined. Positive samples were detected in 16%, 12.5%, and 11.11% of the different species of primates sampled from the Amapá, Pará, and Amazonas states, respectively. The analysis of the blood smears did not reveal trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi. In conclusion, Neotropical primates kept in captivity were infected by T. cruzi in the studied areas. We recommend that a health management protocol be put into place to prevent the transmission of infectious agents among captive populations, captive and wild populations, and between NHPs and the technicians who handle these animals.

Morphological and molecular identification of ticks infesting Boa constrictor (Squamata, Boidae) in Manaus (Central Brazilian Amazon).

The Boa constrictor is one of the world's largest vertebrate carnivores and is often found in urban areas in the city of Manaus, Brazil. The morphological identification of ticks collected from 27 snakes indicated the occurrence of Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 on all individuals sampled. In contrast, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch was found on only two snakes. An analysis of the 16S rRNA molecular marker confirmed the morphological identification of these ectoparasites.

Morphological and molecular identification of ticks infesting Boa constrictor (Squamata, Boidae) in Manaus (Central Brazilian Amazon) / Identificação morfológica e molecular de carrapatos coletados de jiboias (Boa constrictor) (Squamata, Boidae) da zona urbana de Manaus

The Boa constrictor is one of the world's largest vertebrate carnivores and is often found in urban areas in the city of Manaus, Brazil. The morphological identification of ticks collected from 27 snakes indicated the occurrence of Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 on all individuals sampled. In contrast, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch was found on only two snakes. An analysis of the 16S rRNA molecular marker confirmed the morphological identification of these ectoparasites.

A jiboia (Boa constrictor), vertebrado carnívoro, tem sido encontrada em abundância na área urbana de Manaus. A identificação morfológica dos carrapatos coletados em 27 dessas serpentes verificou a ocorrência de Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844, em todos os exemplares avaliados e a presença de Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844, em duas dessas serpentes. A análise do marcador 16S rRNA confirma a identificação morfológica das espécies A. rotundatum e A. dissimile e apresenta novas sequências destes organismos.

Morphological and molecular identification of ticks infesting Boa constrictor (Squamata, Boidae) in Manaus (Central Brazilian Amazon) / Identificação morfológica e molecular de carrapatos coletados de jiboias (Boa constrictor) (Squamata, Boidae) da zona urbana de Manaus

The Boa constrictor is one of the world's largest vertebrate carnivores and is often found in urban areas in the city of Manaus, Brazil. The morphological identification of ticks collected from 27 snakes indicated the occurrence of Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 on all individuals sampled. In contrast, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch was found on only two snakes. An analysis of the 16S rRNA molecular marker confirmed the morphological identification of these ectoparasites.

A jiboia (Boa constrictor), vertebrado carnívoro, tem sido encontrada em abundância na área urbana de Manaus. A identificação morfológica dos carrapatos coletados em 27 dessas serpentes verificou a ocorrência de Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844, em todos os exemplares avaliados e a presença de Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844, em duas dessas serpentes. A análise do marcador 16S rRNA confirma a identificação morfológica das espécies A. rotundatum e A. dissimile e apresenta novas sequências destes organismos.