Gastrointestinal, skin and blood parasites in Didelphis spp. from urban and sylvatic areas in São Paulo state, Brazil.

Didelphis (Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia) are synanthropic mammals, whose omnivorous diet predisposes them to infections caused by endoparasites. Their higher frequency in urban areas makes them potential carriers of zoonotic protozoans and helminths, enhancing potential transmission to humans. Our purpose was to study two common species, Didelphis albiventris (54 individuals) and D. aurita (2 individuals), which were screened for blood, skin and intestinal parasites in animals captured in urban areas and in riparian forest regions associated with the Capivari River Basin, in Monte Mor's municipality, São Paulo state (SP), Brazil. Blood and tissue samples were collected for DNA extraction and PCR. Fecal samples were collected and submitted to two sedimentation and two flotation methods. 77.6% of fecal samples were positive for nematode eggs, 34.5% for trematode eggs and 32.7% for protozoans. Two D. aurita specimens were naturally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecular analysis in a D. albiventris captured on a forested rural area was positive for Leishmania sp. DNA. Several parasites were found infecting Didelphis sp., demonstrating that this group of animals can harbor important zoonotic parasites, potentially playing a role as sylvatic reservoirs for human and domestic animal pathogens.

Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) associated with opossum nests at urban sites in southeastern Brazil: a risk factor for urban and periurban zoonotic Leishmania transmission?

Sandflies associated with opossum nests are reported for the first time in the yards of residences located in the urban area of the municipality of Monte Mor, situated in the metropolitan region of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Eleven specimens of Evandromyia cortelezzii and one of Evandromyia lenti were captured in two Didelphis albiventris nests. Ev. cortelezzii is considered a secondary vector species for the transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in the Neotropics. This association may contribute to the introduction, establishment and maintenance of urban and periurban zoonotic transmission outbreaks of Leishmania and should therefore be investigated further.