Cutaneous mycobacteriosis in a captive Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis.

An adult male Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis under human care presented with 3 circular cutaneous lesions on the dorsal aspect of the rostrum and between the nostrils (plenum). Initially these lesions were superficial, hypopigmented, without warmth and non-painful. Microbiological cultures of skin swabs isolated Candida sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and topical treatment with antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication was instituted. This treatment strategy did not lead to any clinical improvement, and after 6 mo, the lesions progressed to a confluent abscess (5.0 × 3.0 cm) with increased temperature and obvious discomfort on palpation. An impression smear of a cutaneous biopsy was submitted for Ziehl-Neelsen staining and after detection of acid-fast bacilli, the cutaneous biopsy and a swab from the lesion were sent for histopathology, culture and sensitivity testing. After 5 d of incubation and through PCR-restriction analysis of the isolates, Mycobacterium fortuitum and M. abscessus were identified. Sensitivity testing indicated that the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin, and after draining of the lesion and administration of systemic antibiotic treatment, there was rapid clinical improvement. This report describes non-healing lesions in an aquatic animal and illustrates the importance of evaluating the presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, opportunistic pathogens which are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, in protracted, non-responsive cases. We also highlight the importance of a correct diagnosis and treatment approach, and we review concerns that these bacteria are zoonotic agents and are frequently resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Changes in the blood parameters of the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) after long-distance transportation / Alterações nos padrões sanguíneos do peixe-boi da Amazônia (Trichechus inunguis) após transporte de longa distância

In this study we report the hematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters in a juvenile male Amazonian manatee measured before transport, immediately after transport, and during adaptation to a new facility. The animal was transported from Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, to São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil, (2,733 km) within 6 hours. Among all blood parameters analyzed, we observed obvious neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and increases in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and serum glucose and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, but these parameters subsequently returned to normal. These results suggest that transport and changes in the environment are temporary stressful events for Amazonian manatees. We, therefore, recommend monitoring the hematological and biochemical parameters before and after translocation to minimize the effects of handling stressors in this species.

Neste estudo, são relatados os parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e hormonais em um peixe-boi da Amazônia macho jovem, medidos antes do transporte, imediatamente depois, e durante a sua adaptação a um novo recinto. O animal foi transportado de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil, para São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, (2.733 km) durante 6h de viagem. Entre os parâmetros sanguíneos analisados, foi observada clara neutrofilia, linfopenia e aumento na relação neutrófilo/linfócito e nos níveis de glicose e aspartato aminotransferase (AST), mas estes parâmetros posteriormente voltaram aos valores normais. Estes resultados sugerem que o transporte e as mudanças no ambiente são eventos estressantes para o peixe-boi da Amazônia. Desta forma, é recomendável o monitoramento dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos antes e após a translocação para minimizar os efeitos de agentes estressores nesta espécie.

Noninvasive monitoring of androgens in male Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis): biologic validation.

The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) is endemic in the Amazonian basin and is the only exclusively fresh water sirenian. Historically hunted on a large scale, this species is now considered endangered, and studies on the reproductive physiology are critical for the improvement of reproductive management of captive and wild populations of manatees. The aim of this study was to verify the viability of androgen measurement in saliva, lacrimal, urine, and fecal samples of the Amazonian manatee by conducting a hormone challenge. Two adult male manatees (A-1 and A-2) were submitted to an experimentation protocol of 12 day (D1 to D10). On D0, the animals received an intramuscular injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-analogue. Salivary, lacrimal, urinary, and fecal samples were collected daily (between 0800 hours and 0900 hours) and frozen at -20 degrees C until assayed. Fecal samples were lyophilized, extracted with 80% methanol, and diluted in buffer before the radioimmunoassay (RIA). Urine samples underwent acid hydrolysis and were diluted in depleted bovine serum. Salivary and lacrimal samples were assayed without the extraction step. Hormonal assays were conducted with a commercial testosterone RIA kit. An androgen peak (> median + 2 interquartile range [IQR]) was observed in all matrices of both animals, although it was less prominent in the lacrimal samples of A-2. However, the fecal androgen peak (A-1 peak = 293.78 ng/g dry feces, median [IQR] = 143.58 [32.38] ng/g dry feces; A-2 peak = 686.72 ng/g dry feces, median [IQR] = 243.82 [193.16] ng/g dry feces) occurred later than urinary (A-1 peak = 648.16 ng/mg creatinine [Cr], median [IQR] = 23.88 [30.44] ng/mg Cr; A-2 peak = 370.44 ng/mg Cr, median [IQR] = 113.87 [117.73] ng/mg Cr) and salivary (A-1 peak = 678.89 pg/ml, median [IQR] = 103.69 [119.86] pg/ml; A-2 peak = 733.71 pg/ml, median [IQR] = 262.92 [211.44] pg/ml) androgen peaks. These intervals appear to be correlated with the long digesta passage time in this species. The salivary and urinary peaks were closely associated. These results demonstrate that androgen concentrations in saliva, urine, or feces samples reflect reliably physiologic events and are a powerful tool for noninvasive reproductive monitoring of Amazonian manatees.

Anesthesiology, hematology and serum chemistry of the giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora, Mustelidae) / Anestesiologia, hematologia e bioquímica sangüínea de ariranha, Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora, Mustelidae) / Anestesiología, hematología y bioquímica sanguínea de ariranha, Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora, Mustelidae)

There are very few hematological values of giant otters found in the literature and despite that new anesthetic drugs became available in recent years, no information has been published regarding their use in this endangered species. Therefore, to fulfill these gaps, about 15 ml of blood were collected from the jugular or femoral veins of six captive giant otters between March-July/1995 and September-November/2004. To collect the blood, the animals were anesthetized either using 5% ketamine hydrochloride (Ketalar®-Parke- Davis) combined with xylazine (Rompun®-Bayer) in a mean dosage of 8.78 ± 0.91 mg/kg and 1.92 ± 0.15 mg/kg, respectively (n=4), or using tiletamine hydrochloride and zolazepam hydrochloride (Zoletil 50® - Virbac) in a mean dosage of 1.93 ± 0.57 mg/kg, followed by an injection of atropine sulfate 1 % (Atropina®- Farmagrícola S.A.) in a mean dosage of 0.09 ± 0.02 mg/kg (n=7). The depth and time of immobilization provided by both associations allowed the accomplishment of all the veterinary procedures with satisfactory safety. The mean rectal temperature recorded during immobilization was 39.16 ± 0.59oC (n=8). The hemoglobin and packed cell volume (PCV) mean values were 16.36 ± 2.81 g/dl and 50.66 ± 7.77 %, respectively. The WBC, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils values were similar to those reported for other otter species. Similarly, the blood chemistry values were close to those found in other mustelids. Considering that all animals used in this study were clinically healthy, the hematologic and blood chemistry values here presented provide a baseline for recognition of abnormal blood values in giant otters.

Existem poucos dados hematológicos de ariranhas na literatura, e embora novas drogas anestésicas se tenham tornado disponíveis nos últimos anos, inexiste informação publicada acerca de seus usos nesta espécie. Com o intuito de preencher estas lacunas, cerca de 15ml de sangue foram colhidos da veia jugular ou femoral de seis ariranhas cativas entre março-julho/1995 e setembro-novembro/ 2004. Para colher o sangue, as ariranhas foram anestesiadas utilizando um dos seguintes protocolos: 5% cloridrato de cetamina (Ketalar®-Parke-Davis) em associação com xilazina (Rompun®-Bayer) em dosagens médias de 8,78 ± 0,91 mg/kg e 1,92 ± 0,15 mg/kg, respectivamente (n=4), ou usando cloridrato de tiletamina e cloridrato de zolazepam (Zoletil 50® - Virbac) em dosagem média de 1,93 ± 0,57 mg/kg, seguida por uma injeção de sulfato de atropina 1 % (Atropina® - Farmagrícola S.A.) em dosagem média de 0,09 ± 0,02 mg/kg (n=7). A profundidade e o tempo de anestesia proporcionados pelas duas associações de drogas permitiram que todos os procedimentos veterinários fossem realizados com segurança. A temperatura retal registrada durante a imobilização teve uma média de 39,16 ± 0,59oC (n=8). As médias de hemoglobina e hematócrito foram 16,36 ± 2,81 g/dl e 50,66 ± 7,77 %, respectivamente. Os valores de leucócitos, linfócitos, monócitos e eosinófilos foram similares aos observados para outras espécies de lontras. Da mesma forma,os valores da bioquímica sérica foram semelhantes aos encontrados para outros mustelídeos. Considerando que os animais utilizados neste estudo estavam clinicamente saudáveis, os valores hematológicos e bioquímicos apresentados podem servir de base para reconhecer valores anormais em ariranhas.

Existen pocos datos hematológicos de ariranhas (Pteronura brasiliensis) en la literatura, aunque nuevas drogas anestésicas se hicieron disponibles en los últimos años, inexiste información publicada acerca de sus usos en esta especie. Con la intención de rellenar estos vacíos, alrededor de 15ml de sangre fueron colectados de la vena yugular o femoral de seis ariranhas cautivas entre marzo-julio/1995 y septiembre-noviembre/2004. Para colectar la sangre, las ariranhas fueron anestesiadas utilizando uno de los siguientes protocolos: 5% clorhidrato de cetamina (Ketala® -Parke-Davis) en asociación con xilazina (Rompun®-Bayer) en dosis medianas de 8,78 ± 0,91 mg/kg y 1,92±0,15 mg/kg, respectivamente (n=4), ousando clorhidrato de tiletamina y clorhidrato de zolazepam (Zoletil® 50 – Virbac) en dosis mediana de 1,93 ± 0,57 mg/kg, seguida por una inyección de sulfato de atropina 1% (Atropina® -Farmagrícola S.A.) en dosis mediana de 0,09± 0,02 mg/ kg (n=7). La profundidad y el tiempo de anestesia proporcionados por las dos asociaciones de drogas permitieron que todos los procedimientos veterinarios fuesen realizados con seguridad. La temperatura rectal registrada durante la inmovilización tuvo una media de 39,16 ± 2,81 g/dl y 50,66 ± 7,77%, respectivamente. Los valores de leucocitos, linfocitos, monocitos yeosinófilos fueron similares a los observados para otras especies de nutrias. De la misma forma, los valores de bioquímica sérica fueron semejantes a los encontrados para otros mustelideos. Considerando que los animales utilizados en este estudio estaban clínicamente saludables, los valores hematológicos y bioquímicos presentados pueden servir de base para reconocer valores anormales en ariranhas.