Gastrointestinal Helminths in Wild Felids in the Cerrado and Pantanal: Zoonotic Bioindicators in Important Brazilian Biomes.

Environmental changes in the Brazilian Pantanal and Cerrado facilitate the spread of parasitic diseases in wildlife, with significant implications for public health owing to their zoonotic potential. This study aimed to examine the occurrence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in wild felids within these regions to assess their ecological and health impacts. We collected and analyzed helminth-positive samples from 27 wild felids using specific taxonomic keys. Diverse parasitic taxa were detected, including zoonotic helminths, such as Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma pluridentatum, Toxocara cati, Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Echinococcus spp., and Spirometra spp. Other nematodes, such as Physaloptera praeputialis and Physaloptera anomala, were identified, along with acanthocephalans from the genus Oncicola and a trematode, Neodiplostomum spp. (potentially the first record of this parasite in wild felids in the Americas). Human encroachment into natural habitats has profound effects on wild populations, influencing parasitic infection rates and patterns. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and research on parasitic infections as a means of safeguarding both wildlife and human populations and highlights the role of wild felids as bioindicators of environmental health.

A new species of Urocleidoides Mizelle & Price, 1964 from the gills of Schizodon nasutus Kner, 1858 (Characiformes, Anostomidae) in southeastern Brazil.

Based on an integrative approach, this study describes a new species of Urocleidoides infesting Schizodon nasutus in the Paranapanema River basin, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by specific morphological features, including the shape of the male copulatory organ and accessory piece, the ventral bar shape, and the shape and size of the hooks. Molecular analyses, particularly of the 28S rDNA gene, suggest a close relationship between the new species and Urocleidoides paradoxus. The phylogenetic and taxonomic arrangement of Urocleidoides is discussed, as the analyses of the 28S rDNA and COI mtDNA resolved the genus as non-monophyletic, with Diaphorocleidus, Rhinoxenus, and Cacatuocotyle nested within it. Additional morphological and molecular data of other congeneric species are required to investigate the phylogenetic position and classification of Urocleidoides. This study underscores the significance of using integrative approaches in understanding host-parasite associations and phylogenetic relationships, contributing to the description of the freshwater fish parasite biodiversity in South America, particularly in the Paranapanema river basin.

Research on helminths from Mexican amphibians: gaps, trends, and biases.

We present a taxonomic, spatial, and thematic overview of the current state of knowledge on helminth parasites of Mexican amphibians. Sixty-six host species have been studied so far, representing 17.5% of the amphibian species distributed in Mexico. A total of 139 nominal species of helminths - 68 platyhelminths, 62 nematodes, three acanthocephalans, three annelids (hirudineans), and three arthropods (pentastomids) - have been recorded parasitizing these hosts. Most taxa found in larval stages have not been identified at the species level. The gastrointestinal nematode Aplectana itzocanensis exhibits the broadest host range, while the bladder fluke Gorgoderina attenuata and A. itzocanensis show the widest geographic distribution. Our analysis of helminthological studies evidenced gaps and biases on research efforts that have been devoted to relatively few host species, regions, and approaches. Most helminthological records come from two species, the cane toad Rhinella marina and the Montezuma's frog Lithobates montezumae, and most studies have focused on describing the helminth fauna of a host species in a particular location or on the description of new helminth species. The highest proportion of records corresponds to the Veracruzan biogeographic province, and helminth richness is significantly correlated with host richness and with total amphibian richness by biogeographic province. Only three provinces (Yucatan Peninsula, Pacific Lowlands, and Baja Californian) have positive, yet still low helminth species discovery effort. Based on our findings, we recommend pursuing research approaches unexplored in Mexico and we provide guidelines to improve research on helminths parasitizing amphibians.

Updated checklist of helminths found in terrestrial mammals of Argentine Patagonia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the state of knowledge about the helminthology of wild mammals in Argentine Patagonia and its link with the conservation of parasite species and biodiversity. To this end, the information included in the previously reported checklist of the helminths found in terrestrial wild mammals of Argentine Patagonia was completed and updated. The methodology used for the search was the same as that previously used, with slight modifications. Eighty-two species of mammals currently inhabit the region, and an additional six species are considered to have become extinct before the 20th century. The reports used to complete and update the information correspond to research done since 2015 to date. Considering the number of records analysed in the previously reported checklist and those of the current update, a total of 1918 helminthological reports for current Patagonian mammals and 2141 on mammal species that inhabited Patagonia before the 20th century were accounted for. It is important to point out that 41% of the 82 species of wild mammals currently inhabiting Patagonia have not been studied helminthologically; 38% of these without helminthological records are either threatened or do not have categorization, and 79% of mammals without helminthological studies have some degree of endemism. Therefore, in order to evaluate conservation priorities, the information about the parasitic richness in Patagonian wild mammals should be substantially increased, especially in those endangered or endemic.

Internalism, externalism and life-cyclism in the history of helminthology.

The history of helminthology in the Early Modern Period has been characterized as a debate between two camps, the internalists and the externalists. The internalists believed that helminths are spontaneously generated within the body of the host, whereas the externalists claimed that helminths enter the host from the external environment. According to the this account, the debate between these two camps ended in the nineteenth century with the victory of the externalist viewpoint. Here, we redefine these two terms, as well as the beliefs that the two groups upheld. We suggest that internalists were not necessarily committed to the theory of spontaneous generation, nor were externalists committed to its rejection. These terms only refer to the place where helminths supposedly originate, but not to the process by which they are generated. Thus, some internalists rejected the theory of spontaneous generation, while others held externalist viewpoints and at the same time accepted this theory. We claim that the debate did not end with the victory of the externalist camp; rather, a new position which we call "life-cyclism", emerged and incorporated some elements of the two earlier positions.

Strongyloidiasis in humans: diagnostic efficacy of four conventional methods and real-time polymerase chain reaction

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal parasitic nematode that causes hyperinfection and/or a dissemination syndrome in hosts, which is often difficult to diagnose. This study aims to compare the diagnostic efficacy of four conventional methods used to diagnose strongyloidiasis with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect S. stercoralis in fecal samples. METHODS: We analyzed 143 fecal samples collected from Colombian regions with varying degrees of risk for intestinal infections caused by S. stercoralis to assess the validity, performance, overall efficiency, and concordance of the qPCR using a direct stool test, modified Ritchie concentration technique, agar plate culture, and Harada-Mori technique as reference tests. RESULTS While four fecal samples were positive for S. stercoralis using conventional methods, 32 were positive via qPCR. The diagnostic sensitivity of the qPCR was 75% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.07-100%], whereas its specificity, negative predictive value, negative likelihood ratio, and Youden's J index were 78.42% (95% CI: 71.22-85.62%), 99.09% (95% CI: 96.86-100%), 0.32 (95% CI: 0.06-1.74), and 0.53, respectively. In addition, the estimated kappa index between the qPCR and the conventional methods was 0.12 (95% CI: -0.020-0.26). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic sensitivity of qPCR to detect strongyloidiasis is analogous to that of conventional parasitology methods, with an additional advantage of being capable of identifying the parasite DNA at low sample concentrations.

Gastrointestinal helminths of two populations of wild pigeons (Columba livia) in Brazil / Helmintos gastrointestinais de duas populações de pombos de vida livre (Columba livia) no Brasil

The present study analyzed gastrointestinal helminth communities in 265 wild pigeons (Columba livia) living in the municipalities of São Paulo and Tatuí, state of São Paulo, Brazil, over a one-year period. The birds were caught next to grain storage warehouses and were necropsied. A total of 790 parasites comprising one nematode species and one cestode genus were recovered from 110 pigeons, thus yielding an overall prevalence of 41.5%, mean intensity of infection of 7.2 ± 1.6 (range 1-144) and discrepancy index of 0.855. Only 15 pigeons (5.7%) presented mixed infection. The helminths isolated from the birds were Ascaridia columbae (Ascaridiidae) and Raillietina sp. (Davaineidae). The birds weights differed according to sex but this did not influence the intensity of infection. The overall prevalence and intensity of infection did not differ between the sexes, but the prevalence was higher among the birds from Tatuí (47.8%). The gastrointestinal helminth community of C. livia was characterized in the two areas studied and parasite homogeneity was observed over the 12 months analyzed at both locations. These results make contributions to the current literature on health aspects of wild C. livia populations.(AU)

O presente estudo analisou comunidades gastrointestinais de helmintos em 265 indivíduos de Columba livia de vida livre nos municípios de São Paulo e Tatuí, estado de São Paulo, Brasil, durante um ano. As aves foram capturadas em áreas de armazenamento de grãos e sementes e necropsiadas. Um total de 790 parasitos representando uma espécie de nematódeo e um gênero de cestoide foram recuperados de 110 pombos com uma prevalência geral de 41,5%, intensidade média de infecção de 7,2 ± 1,6 (amplitude 1-144) e índice de discrepância de 0,855. Somente 15 (5,7%) pombos tiveram uma infecção mista. Os helmintos isolados das aves foram Ascaridia columbae (Ascaridiidae) e Raillietina sp. (Davaineidae). O peso das aves foi diferente entre os sexos, mas não influenciou a intensidade de infecção. A prevalência geral e a intensidade de infecção não foram diferentes entre sexo, mas a prevalência foi maior nas aves de Tatuí (47,8%). A comunidade gastrointestinal de helmintos de C. livia foi caracterizada nas duas áreas estudadas e uma homogeneidade de parasitos foi observada nos 12 meses analisados, em ambas localidades. Os resultados contribuem para a literatura atual sobre aspectos sanitários de populações de C. livia em vida livre.(AU)

Gastrointestinal helminths of two populations of wild pigeons (Columba livia) in Brazil / Helmintos gastrointestinais de duas populações de pombos de vida livre (Columba livia) no Brasil

Abstract The present study analyzed gastrointestinal helminth communities in 265 wild pigeons (Columba livia) living in the municipalities of São Paulo and Tatuí, state of São Paulo, Brazil, over a one-year period. The birds were caught next to grain storage warehouses and were necropsied. A total of 790 parasites comprising one nematode species and one cestode genus were recovered from 110 pigeons, thus yielding an overall prevalence of 41.5%, mean intensity of infection of 7.2 ± 1.6 (range 1-144) and discrepancy index of 0.855. Only 15 pigeons (5.7%) presented mixed infection. The helminths isolated from the birds were Ascaridia columbae (Ascaridiidae) and Raillietina sp. (Davaineidae). The birds' weights differed according to sex but this did not influence the intensity of infection. The overall prevalence and intensity of infection did not differ between the sexes, but the prevalence was higher among the birds from Tatuí (47.8%). The gastrointestinal helminth community of C. livia was characterized in the two areas studied and parasite homogeneity was observed over the 12 months analyzed at both locations. These results make contributions to the current literature on health aspects of wild C. livia populations.

Resumo O presente estudo analisou comunidades gastrointestinais de helmintos em 265 indivíduos de Columba livia de vida livre nos municípios de São Paulo e Tatuí, estado de São Paulo, Brasil, durante um ano. As aves foram capturadas em áreas de armazenamento de grãos e sementes e necropsiadas. Um total de 790 parasitos representando uma espécie de nematódeo e um gênero de cestoide foram recuperados de 110 pombos com uma prevalência geral de 41,5%, intensidade média de infecção de 7,2 ± 1,6 (amplitude 1-144) e índice de discrepância de 0,855. Somente 15 (5,7%) pombos tiveram uma infecção mista. Os helmintos isolados das aves foram Ascaridia columbae (Ascaridiidae) e Raillietina sp. (Davaineidae). O peso das aves foi diferente entre os sexos, mas não influenciou a intensidade de infecção. A prevalência geral e a intensidade de infecção não foram diferentes entre sexo, mas a prevalência foi maior nas aves de Tatuí (47,8%). A comunidade gastrointestinal de helmintos de C. livia foi caracterizada nas duas áreas estudadas e uma homogeneidade de parasitos foi observada nos 12 meses analisados, em ambas localidades. Os resultados contribuem para a literatura atual sobre aspectos sanitários de populações de C. livia em vida livre.

La helmintología según la filosofía de la ciencia de Imre Lakatos / Helminthology according to the philosophy of science of Imre Lakatos

RESUMEN A pesar de que en distintas ramas de la biología se ha utilizado la filosofía de la ciencia de Lakatos, no se ha hecho esto con la helmintología. Aquí utilizamos su metodología de programas de investigación científica (PIC) para reconstruir la historia de la disciplina en cuestión. Sostenemos que el primer PIC de la biología lo inauguró Aristóteles, y en su cinturón protector hay un pequeño grupo de hipótesis auxiliares que se refieren a los helmintos. Ese programa se mantuvo vigente hasta el siglo XVII, época en la que surgen dos PIC rivales en helmintología: el internalista y el externalista. A partir de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, el PIC internalista fue abandonado, mientras que el externalista amplió considerablemente su cinturón protector durante el siglo XX. El abandono del PIC internalista se debió a los experimentos cruciales de Küchenmeister, que permitieron la consolidación del PIC externalista.

ABSTRACT Lakatos’s philosophy of science has been used for different branches of biology, however this has not been true for helminthology. Therefore, this article examines the possibility of using his methodology of scientific research programmes (SRP) for reconstructing the history of the discipline of helminthology. It is upheld that the first SRP in biology was inaugurated by Aristotle, and its protective belt included a small group of auxiliary hypotheses referring to helminths. This programme continued up until the 17th century, when two rival programmes in helminthology arose: the internalist and the externalist. After the second half of the 19th century the internalist SRP was abandoned, while the externalist considerably broadened its protective belt during the 20th century. The internalist programme was abandoned due to the crucial experiments of Küchenmeister, which permitted the consolidation of the externalist SRP.

Anthelmintic action of Morinda citrifolia (noni) on Heterakis gallinarum / Ação anti-helmíntica da Morinda citrifolia (noni) sobre Heterakis gallinarum

The anthelmintic effect of Morinda citrifolia (noni) on Heterakis gallinarum was evaluated in chicken naturally infected. The anthelmintic activity in vitro was determined in adults helminthes in disposable petri dishes, containing Tyrode solution, pre warmed in which aqueous or ethanolic extracts were added. The material was maintained in a BOD at 37ºC (±1). The aqueous and ethanolic extracts presented the following concentrations: 1.69; 3.37; 6.74; 13.48 e 26.96 mg.mL-1 and 4.17; 8.34; 16.68; 33.36 e 66.72 mg.mL-1, respectively. It was used as positive control, a solution of tetrahidrate citrate of piperazin in the concentration of 50 mg/mL. The anthelmintic activity in vivo was determined by the administration of aqueous or ethanolic extracts (10 mL/Kg/PV) during three consecutive days. The feces were collected during four days in each group, washed in water and sifted. In the fifth day post-treatment, the chickens were slaughtered and necropsy was performed in order to count and identify remaining helminthes. The data were analyzed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. In the in vivo test there was no significant difference between the aqueous extract and the control group (water) (p>0.05) in the elimination of H. gallinarum. The ethanolic extract presented an elimination of 20.35%, differing statistically from the control group (p 0.05). In the concentration of 26.96 mg.

A ação anti-helmíntica da Morinda citrifolia (noni) sobre Heterakis gallinarum foi avaliada em galinhas poedeiras naturalmente infectadas. A atividade anti-helmíntica in vitro foi determinada em helmintos adultos colocados em placas de petri descartáveis, contendo solução Tyrode pré-aquecida, nas quais foi adicionado o extrato aquoso ou etanólico e mantidas em BOD a uma temperatura de 37oC (±1). Os extratos aquoso e etanólico foram usados nas seguintes concentrações: 1,69; 3,37; 6,74; 13,48 e 26,96 mg.mL-1 e 4,17; 8,34; 16,68; 33,36 e 66,72 mg.mL-1, respectivamente. Como controle positivo usou-se uma solução de citrato de piperazina tetrahidratada na concentração de 50 mg.mL-1. A atividade anti-helmíntica in vivo foi determinada em aves, administrando-se os extratos aquoso ou etanólico (10 mL/Kg/PV) durante três dias consecutivos. As fezes dos animais foram coletadas durante quatro dias, em seguida foram lavadas em água corrente e peneiradas. No quinto dia após início do tratamento, as aves foram abatidas e necropsiadas, para contagem e identificação dos helmintos remanescentes. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente utilizando o teste de Student-Newman-Keuls. No teste in vivo, não houve diferença significativa entre o extrato aquoso (concentração de 10%) e o grupo controle (água) (p>0,05) na eliminação de H. gallinarum. O extrato etanólico apresentou um percentu

Anthelmintic action of Morinda citrifolia (noni) on Heterakis gallinarum / Ação anti-helmíntica da Morinda citrifolia (noni) sobre Heterakis gallinarum

The anthelmintic effect of Morinda citrifolia (noni) on Heterakis gallinarum was evaluated in chicken naturally infected. The anthelmintic activity in vitro was determined in adults helminthes in disposable petri dishes, containing Tyrode solution, pre warmed in which aqueous or ethanolic extracts were added. The material was maintained in a BOD at 37ºC (±1). The aqueous and ethanolic extracts presented the following concentrations: 1.69; 3.37; 6.74; 13.48 e 26.96 mg.mL-1 and 4.17; 8.34; 16.68; 33.36 e 66.72 mg.mL-1, respectively. It was used as positive control, a solution of tetrahidrate citrate of piperazin in the concentration of 50 mg/mL. The anthelmintic activity in vivo was determined by the administration of aqueous or ethanolic extracts (10 mL/Kg/PV) during three consecutive days. The feces were collected during four days in each group, washed in water and sifted. In the fifth day post-treatment, the chickens were slaughtered and necropsy was performed in order to count and identify remaining helminthes. The data were analyzed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. In the in vivo test there was no significant difference between the aqueous extract and the control group (water) (p>0.05) in the elimination of H. gallinarum. The ethanolic extract presented an elimination of 20.35%, differing statistically from the control group (p 0.05). In the concentration of 26.96 mg.

A ação anti-helmíntica da Morinda citrifolia (noni) sobre Heterakis gallinarum foi avaliada em galinhas poedeiras naturalmente infectadas. A atividade anti-helmíntica in vitro foi determinada em helmintos adultos colocados em placas de petri descartáveis, contendo solução Tyrode pré-aquecida, nas quais foi adicionado o extrato aquoso ou etanólico e mantidas em BOD a uma temperatura de 37oC (±1). Os extratos aquoso e etanólico foram usados nas seguintes concentrações: 1,69; 3,37; 6,74; 13,48 e 26,96 mg.mL-1 e 4,17; 8,34; 16,68; 33,36 e 66,72 mg.mL-1, respectivamente. Como controle positivo usou-se uma solução de citrato de piperazina tetrahidratada na concentração de 50 mg.mL-1. A atividade anti-helmíntica in vivo foi determinada em aves, administrando-se os extratos aquoso ou etanólico (10 mL/Kg/PV) durante três dias consecutivos. As fezes dos animais foram coletadas durante quatro dias, em seguida foram lavadas em água corrente e peneiradas. No quinto dia após início do tratamento, as aves foram abatidas e necropsiadas, para contagem e identificação dos helmintos remanescentes. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente utilizando o teste de Student-Newman-Keuls. No teste in vivo, não houve diferença significativa entre o extrato aquoso (concentração de 10%) e o grupo controle (água) (p>0,05) na eliminação de H. gallinarum. O extrato etanólico apresentou um percentu