PREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS (FILARIOIDEA: ONCHOCERCIDAE) IN DOGS FROM ENDEMIC AREAS OF RIO DE JANEIRO STATE, BRAZIL.

Canine dirofilariasis is common in Brazil, but molecular diagnosis is rare even though molecular studies increase our knowledge about molecular epidemiology and circulating genotypes from helminths worldwide. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of infection with a modified Knott's test and to perform molecular characterization of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) Railliet and Henry, 1911, in dogs from endemic areas of Maricá and Niterói municipalities, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Molecular characterization was performed in 33 blood samples from dogs positive for microfilariae and 4 adult worms obtained from 2 other dogs. DNA extraction followed by PCR for mitochondrial target 12S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) of D. immitis were performed, and the amplified products were sequenced. All sequences were identical for both gene targets and showed 100% identity with D. immitis sequences from different animal species from various countries. The study concluded that this genotype of D. immitis might be dispersed worldwide.

Sensitivity and specificity of serological tests, histopathology and immunohistochemistry for detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic chickens.

Since free-range chickens are important for the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis, this study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of different laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii in these animals. Serum samples from 135 adult domestic chickens were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), modified agglutination test (MAT), and indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). Tissue samples from all animals were analyzed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and mouse bioassay (gold standard). Fifty-four chickens were positive for T. gondii in the bioassay. The sensitivity and specificity of the different tests were, respectively, 85% and 56% for ELISA; 80% and 52% for IFAT; 76% and 68% for MAT; 61% and 80% for IHAT; 7% and 98% for immunohistochemistry, and 6% and 98% for histopathology. The MAT was the most effective method for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in chickens, followed by ELISA. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry are useful tools for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in chickens due to their specificity.

Frequência de enteroparasitas em amostras fecais de cães e gatos dos municípios do Rio de janeiro e Niterói / Frequency of enteric parasites in fecal samples of dogs and cats in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói

Foram analisadas 252 amostras de fezes de cães e gatos provenientes dos municípios do Rio de Janeiro e Niterói no período de 1999 a 2000. Foram 212 (84,12

Freqüência de enteroparasitas em amostras fecais de cães e gatos dos municípios do Rio de Janeiro e Niterói

Foram analisadas 252 amostras de fezes de cães e gatos provenientes dos municípios do Rio de Janeiro e Niterói no períodode 1999 a 2000. Foram 212 (84,12%) amostras de cães e 40 (15,87%) de gatos. Do total de amostras examinadas 81(32,14%), foram positivas para pelo menos uma espécie de parasita. Dos 212 exames de material fecal canino, 70 (33,01%)estavam positivos e de felinos 11 (27,5%). As infecções mistas foram observadas em 10 amostras caninas (14,28%) e quatrofelinas (36,36%). Nas amostras caninas, ovos de ancilostomídeos foram os mais encontrados em 43 (61,43%) amostras,enquanto os coccídeos foram mais freqüentemente observados nas fezes de felinos em três (27,27%) amostras. Quanto àidade dos animais, 37 (52,85%) amostras positivas eram provenientes de animais com mais de 1 ano de idade, indicandoprovável vermifugação dos filhotes, enquanto nos gatos a faixa etária mais parasitada foi de menos de seis meses, com 7(63,63%) positivos.