First report of Giardia duodenalis assemblage F in humans and dogs in southern Brazil.

The present study aimed to molecularly characterize Giardia duodenalis from stool samples of humans, dogs, and cats. Molecular analyses were performed on 59 samples that tested positive for G. duodenalis on coproparasitological examinations. After extraction, the samples were first tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) analysis of the SSU-rRNA gene, and for the samples that were positive, the ß-giardin, TPI, and GDH genes were analyzed. The amplicons obtained in the n-PCR of the ß-giardin gene were subjected to PCR-restriction length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and subsequent digestion with the enzyme HaeIII to differentiate the assemblages. Seven (11.8 %), 34 (57.7 %), and 18 (30.5 %) out of 59 samples were from humans, dogs, and cats, respectively. Nested-PCR results showed that 49.2 % (29/59) of samples were positive for the SSU-rRNA gene, with 42.9 % (3/7) of humans, 55.9 % (19/34) of dogs, and 38.9 % (7/18) of catsve. Of the other genes analyzed, ß-giardin was amplified most frequently, in 34.5 % (10/29) of samples, followed by GDH in 27.6 % (8/29) of samples, and TPI in 10.3 % (3/29) of samples. Only one sample from a dog showed the amplification of all genes. PCR-RFLP analysis showed assemblage F in a human, dog, and cat samples; and assemblage C and D in dog samples. This is the first description of assemblage F in humans from Brazil and the first description of assemblage F in dogs. Further studies are needed to verify the frequency with which these infections occur, and provide information that will contribute to the molecular epidemiological understanding of giardiasis.

First report of Dipetalonema gracile in a captive Marcgrave's capuchin monkey (Sapajus flavius) in northeastern Brazil: Scientific communication / Primeira descrição de Dipetalonema gracile em macaco-prego-galego (Sapajus flavius) do nordeste do Brasil: Comunicação científica

Parasitic infections are important concern to the Wildlife Conservation Biology, particularly in endangered species. Herein, we report a parasitism by Dipetalonema gracile Rudolphi, 1809 (Spirurida, Filarioidea, Onchocercidae), in the peritoneal cavity of a captive Marcgrave's capuchin monkey (Sapajus flavius) that died at the Wild Animal Screening Center (CETAS) of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) in the municipality of Cabedelo, state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. The necropsy revealed two filarial worms D. gracile in the abdominal cavity. Exudates, thin fibrin layers and fibrous adhesions were also present in the mesentery and spleen capsule. The mesenteric, mandibular, and tracheobronchial lymph nodes were enlarged. Multiple small nodules were seen in the spleen parenchyma. Microscopic examination of the lymph nodes and spleen revealed markedly and diffuse inflammatory reaction, with edema, plasma cells, eosinophils, histiocytes, lymphocytes and rare multinuclear giant cells, with obliteration of the normal histological architecture of the organ. This is the first report of D. gracile parasitism in Marcgrave's capuchin monkeys, a critically endangered species. Studies of this nature significantly contribute to the knowledge of the parasitic fauna of endangered species, in addition to helping to formulate conservation strategies (in situ and ex situ) and records of new hosts and new areas of occurrence of parasites.(AU)

Infecções parasitárias são uma questão importante para a Medicina e Biologia da Conservação. É descrito o parasitismo por Dipetalonema gracile Rudolphi, 1809 (Spirurida, Filarioidea, Onchocercidae) na cavidade peritoneal de um macaco-prego-galego (Sapajus flavius) que morreu no Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS) do Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA), município de Cabedelo, Paraíba, Brasil. A necropsia revelou dois espécimes de parasitas na cavidade abdominal. Exsudatos, finas camadas de fibrina e aderências fibrosas também estavam presentes no mesentério e na cápsula do baço. Os linfonodos mesentéricos, mandibulares e traqueobrônquicos estavam aumentados. Vários pequenos nódulos foram vistos no parênquima do baço. O exame microscópico dos linfonodos e baço revelou reação inflamatória grave e difusa, com edema, células plasmáticas, eosinófilos, histiócitos, linfócitos e raras células gigantes multinucleares, com obliteração da arquitetura histológica normal do órgão. Este é o primeiro relato de parasitismo por esse nematódeo em macaco-prego-galego, uma espécie criticamente ameaçada da Mata Atlântica do Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba e Pernambuco. Estudos dessa natureza contribuem significativamente para o conhecimento sobre a fauna parasitária de espécies ameaçadas de extinção, além de auxiliar na formulação de estratégias de conservação (in situ e ex situ) e registros de novos hospedeiros e novas áreas de ocorrência de parasitas.(AU)

Anthelmintic and antioxidant potential of banana bracts (Musa paradisiaca) extract in ruminants / Potencial anti-helmíntico e antioxidante do extrato de botão floral de bananeira (Musa paradisíaca) em ruminantes

Pharmacological resistance to synthetic anthelmintic drugs is an important barrier to the control of animal parasites. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of banana bracts (HEB) at 10%. Concentration. Hatch test and larval migration inhibition test (LMI) were performed. Additionally, the total content of polyphenols, condensed tannins, and flavonoids was determined, along with the antioxidant activity of HEB. In relation to bovine species, HEB at a concentration of 2.5 mg mL-1 inhibited hatchability of nematode larvae by 88%.  The LMI indicated 67.56% inhibition with 5 mg mL-1 HEB. However, in sheep, HEB did not show an influence in either tests. The HEB (10 mg mL-1) had 0.38 mg EAG g-1 of total polyphenols, 372.70 mg EAT g-1 tannins, 0.42 mg RE g-1 flavonoids, and presented antioxidant activity at 43.03% with IC 50 corresponding to 0.2765 mg mL-1. Thus, HEB presents anthelmintic potential in vitro, for the control of verminosis in cattle, in addition to demonstrating antioxidant activity. These results are particularly important for agroecological, organic, and biodynamic systems of animal production, considering that the use of synthetic parasiticides is not allowed in these systems.

Resistência farmacológica a drogas anti-helmínticas sintéticas representa importante barreira para o controle parasitário animal. Assim, este estudo objetivou avaliar a ação anti-helmíntica do extrato hidroalcoólico de brácteas da banana (HEB) a 10%. Foram realizados testes de eclodibilidade e inibição da migração larval (TIML). Adicionalmente, foram determinados os teores de polifenóis, taninos condensados e flavonoides totais, além da atividade antioxidante do HEB. Em relação à espécie bovina, o HEB na concentração de 2,5mg mL-1 inibiu a eclodibilidade das larvas dos nematódeos gastrointestinais em 88%. O TIML indicou 67,56% de inibição com 5 mg mL-1 de HEB. No entanto, em ovinos, a HEB não demonstrou influência em nenhum dos testes. O HEB (10 mg mL-1) apresentou 0,38 mg EAG g-1 de polifenóis totais, 372,70 mg EAT g-1 de taninos, 0,42 mg RE g-1 para flavonoides totais, e 43,03% de atividade antioxidante com IC 50 correspondente a 0,2765 mg mL-1. Assim, HEB apresenta potencial anti-helmíntico in vitro, para o controle parasitológico em bovinos, além de demonstrar atividade antioxidante. Estes resultados são particularmente importantes para sistemas agroecológicos, orgânicos e biodinâmicos de produção animal, considerando que o uso de parasiticidas sintéticos não é permitido nestes sistemas.

Anthelmintic and antioxidant potential of banana bracts (Musa paradisiaca) extract in ruminants / Potencial anti-helmíntico e antioxidante do extrato de botão floral de bananeira (Musa paradisíaca) em ruminantes

Pharmacological resistance to synthetic anthelmintic drugs is an important barrier to the control of animal parasites. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of banana bracts (HEB) at 10%. Concentration. Hatch test and larval migration inhibition test (LMI) were performed. Additionally, the total content of polyphenols, condensed tannins, and flavonoids was determined, along with the antioxidant activity of HEB. In relation to bovine species, HEB at a concentration of 2.5 mg mL-1 inhibited hatchability of nematode larvae by 88%.  The LMI indicated 67.56% inhibition with 5 mg mL-1 HEB. However, in sheep, HEB did not show an influence in either tests. The HEB (10 mg mL-1) had 0.38 mg EAG g-1 of total polyphenols, 372.70 mg EAT g-1 tannins, 0.42 mg RE g-1 flavonoids, and presented antioxidant activity at 43.03% with IC 50 corresponding to 0.2765 mg mL-1. Thus, HEB presents anthelmintic potential in vitro, for the control of verminosis in cattle, in addition to demonstrating antioxidant activity. These results are particularly important for agroecological, organic, and biodynamic systems of animal production, considering that the use of synthetic parasiticides is not allowed in these systems.(AU)

Resistência farmacológica a drogas anti-helmínticas sintéticas representa importante barreira para o controle parasitário animal. Assim, este estudo objetivou avaliar a ação anti-helmíntica do extrato hidroalcoólico de brácteas da banana (HEB) a 10%. Foram realizados testes de eclodibilidade e inibição da migração larval (TIML). Adicionalmente, foram determinados os teores de polifenóis, taninos condensados e flavonoides totais, além da atividade antioxidante do HEB. Em relação à espécie bovina, o HEB na concentração de 2,5mg mL-1 inibiu a eclodibilidade das larvas dos nematódeos gastrointestinais em 88%. O TIML indicou 67,56% de inibição com 5 mg mL-1 de HEB. No entanto, em ovinos, a HEB não demonstrou influência em nenhum dos testes. O HEB (10 mg mL-1) apresentou 0,38 mg EAG g-1 de polifenóis totais, 372,70 mg EAT g-1 de taninos, 0,42 mg RE g-1 para flavonoides totais, e 43,03% de atividade antioxidante com IC 50 correspondente a 0,2765 mg mL-1. Assim, HEB apresenta potencial anti-helmíntico in vitro, para o controle parasitológico em bovinos, além de demonstrar atividade antioxidante. Estes resultados são particularmente importantes para sistemas agroecológicos, orgânicos e biodinâmicos de produção animal, considerando que o uso de parasiticidas sintéticos não é permitido nestes sistemas.(AU)