Patterns of the parasite communities in a fish assemblage of a river in the Brazilian Amazon region.

This paper characterizes the pattern of ectoparasite and endoparasite communities in an assemblage of 35 sympatric fish from different trophic levels in a tributary from the Amazon River system, northern Brazil. In detritivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous and piscivorous hosts, the species richness consisted of 82 ectoparasites and endoparasites, but protozoan ectoparasites such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Piscinoodinium pillulare and Tripartiella sp. were dominant species predominated, such that they were present in 80% of the hosts. The taxon richness was in the following order: Monogenea > Nematoda > Digenea > Crustacea > Protozoa > Acanthocephala = Cestoda > Hirudinea. Among the hosts, the highest number of parasitic associations occurred in Satanoperca jurupari, Aequidens tetramerus, Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus, Hoplosternum littorale, Cichlasoma amazonarum, Chaetobranchus flavescens, Squaliforma emarginata, Chaetobranchopsis orbicularis and Hoplias malabaricus. A weak positive correlation between ectoparasite abundance and length of the hosts was observed. Ectoparasite communities of detritivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous hosts were similar, but these differed from the communities of piscivorous hosts. Larval endoparasite species with low host specificity were the main determinants of the parasite infracommunity structure of the fish assemblage. Fish assemblage had few species of helminth that were specialist endoparasites, while many were parasites at the larval stage, infecting intermediate and paratenic hosts. Finally, carnivorous and omnivorous hosts harbored endoparasite communities that were more heterogeneous than those of detritivorous and piscivorous hosts. This result lends supports to the notion that the feeding habits of the host species are a significant factor in determining the endoparasites fauna

In vitro efficacy of emamectin benzoate and glyphosate against monogenean parasites from Colossoma macropomum.

Este estudo investigou a eficácia in vitro do benzoato de emamectina e do glifosato contra monogenéticos de Colossoma macropomum e a tolerância dessa espécie a essas drogas terapêuticas. Ensaios in vitro demonstraram que as concentrações de benzoato de emamectina (12,5; 16,6; 20,8 e 25,0g/L) e de glifosato (2.000; 3.000; 4.000 e 5.000mg/L) foram 100% eficazes contra Anacanthorus spathulatus, Notozothecium janauachensis e Mymarothecium boegeri. As maiores concentrações de benzoato de emamectina (20,8 e 25,0g/L) foram 100% efetivas após 30 minutos de exposição. Para o glifosato, as maiores concentrações foram as mais efetivas, sendo que 4.000 e 5.000 mg/L imobilizaram 100% dos parasitos em 45 minutos e 30 minutos, respectivamente. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura revelou que os parasitos expostos a 20,8 e 25,0g/L de benzoato de emamectina e 5.000 mg/L de glifosato apresentaram tegumento coberto por rugas mais profundas. Alterações comportamentais ocorreram em C. macropomum exposto a todas as concentrações de ambas as drogas, como mortalidade após exposição a benzoato de emamectina e glifosato a 2,0;12,5 e 25,0g/L e 500; 1.000; 2.000; 3.000; 4.000 e 5.000mg/L, respectivamente. Baixas concentrações de benzoato de emamectina e de glifosato foram toleradas por C. macropomum, mas essas baixas concentrações podem não ter eficácia contra infecções por monogenéticos

Genetic diversity in Brazilian populations of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) based on mtDNA.

Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), the West Indian fruit fly, is the second most polyphagous species within the genus in Brazil and therefore one of the most economically important pest species. It infests an extensive range of hosts, at least 60 species. Anastrepha obliqua ranges from northern Mexico to southern Brazil also including the Caribbean Islands. Methods: We sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI to estimate population structure and genetic diversity of A. obliqua geographic collections in Brazil. Results: A total of 153 specimens from the Amazon Forest, Atlantic Rainforest, Cerrado, and Caatinga were analyzed. A total of 20 haplotypes were found. The highest diversity levels were observed in collections from the Amazon Forest. AMOVA and Fst tests showed evidence of genetic structure allowing us to delineate two groups of A. obliqua populations. The Mantel tests were not significant indicating a weak correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Mismatch distributions and Neutrality Tests suggest that the Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest populations have experienced a recent population expansion. Conclusion: Populations in the Amazon Forest showed high genetic diversity when compared to the other biomes and the demographic parameters indicated a recent expansion of A. obliqua in Brazil

Parasitos em assembleia de peixes de diferentes níveis tróficos na bacia igarapé Fortaleza, estado do Amapá, Brasil.

Enbrapoa

Diet overlap of three sympatric species of Leptodactylus Fitzinger (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in a Protected area in the Brazilian Amazon

Closely related species are often similar in morphological and ecological characters, which may lead them to compete when occurring in sympatry. In this sense, we analyzed trophic niche overlap among three Leptodactylus species, Leptodactylus macrosternum, L. fuscus and L. aff. podicipinus, in a floodplain environment from a Protected area in the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, we applied Network and Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis. We found 18 prey categories, most of them belonging to Arthropoda (94.4%). Coleoptera, Isoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera were the most abundant prey on the diet shared among the three species. The rarefaction curve of prey richness did not reach an asymptote, indicating that the diet composition may be higher by increase the sample. The species presented a broad niche breadth, however, no relationship between jaw width and prey size were found in the studied species. Despite the line-up in NMDS with Bray Curtis Index indicated that the species’ diets are similar with few different attributes, with some food items overlapping among species (Stress= 0.00201), the niche overlap between the pair of species was not high (Ojk < 0.7). Therefore, we believe interactions such as competition would be better demonstrated addressing data on prey availability and microhabitat use patterns.Las especies relacionadas filogenéticamente a menudo presentan similares en caracteres morfolociales y ecológicos, lo que puede llevarlos a competir cuando cuando ocurren en simpatría. En este sentido, analizamos la superposición de nicho trófico entre tres especies simpatríca del genero Leptodactylus (Leptodactylus macrosternum, L. fuscus y L. aff. podicipinus) en un entorno de planicie aluvial de una área protegida en la Amazonía brasileña. Además, aplicamos análisis de Network y Escalamiento multidimensional no métrico(NMDS). Encontramos 18 categorías de presas, la mayoría pertenecientes al orden de los artrópodos (94.4%). Coleoptera, Isoptera, Diptera e Hymenoptera fueron las presas más abundantes en la dieta compartida entre las tres especies. La curva de rarefacción de la riqueza de presas no alcanzó una asíntota, lo que indica que la composición de la dieta puede ser mayor al aumentar la muestra. Las especies presentaron una amplia amplitud de nicho, sin embargo, no se encontró relación entre el ancho de la mandíbula y el tamaño de la presa en las especies estudiadas. A pesar de que la alineación en NMDS con el Índice Bray Curtis indicó que las dietas de las especies son similares con pocos atributos diferentes y con algunos alimentos superpuestos entre especies (Estrés= 0.00201), la superposición de nicho entre el par de especies no fue alta (Ojk <0.7). Por lo tanto, creemos que las interacciones como la competencia se demostrarían mejor abordando los datos sobre la disponibilidad de presas y los patrones de uso de microhabitat.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Albendazole is effective in controlling monogeneans in Colossoma macropomum (Serrasalmidae): therapeutic baths and their physiological and histopathological effects.

Na aquicultura mundial, a maioria dos quimioterápicos utilizados no controle e tratamento de doenças, são produtos químicos não regulamentados e oriundos da agricultura. Neste estudo, foi investigada a eficácia de banhos terapêuticos com albendazol contra monogeneas Anacanthorus spathulatus, Notozothecium janauachensis e Mymarothecium boegeri das brânquias de Colossoma macropomum, e os efeitos hematológicos e histopatológicos causados por esse anti-helmíntico nos peixes. Foram usados 500 mg/L de albendazol e um grupo controle (água do tanque de cultivo) com três banhos de 24 horas, mantendo intervalos de 24 horas entre cada banho, usando três repetições cada. Ao final dos banhos terapêuticos, foram realizadas análises hematológicas, histopatológicas e parasitológicas. Verificou-se que banhos terapêuticos com 500 mg/L de albendazol apresentaram alta eficácia (94,9%) contra monogenéticos de C. macropomum, causando poucas alterações fisiológicas e histopatológicas. Portanto, banhos com 500 mg/L de albendazol, na estratégia usada, podem ser recomendados para controle e tratamento de infecções por monogenéticos em C. macropomum

Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Inflammation but Does Not Restore Renal Function and Klotho Expression in an Adenine-Induced CKD Model

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease and inflammation promote loss of Klotho expression. Given the well-established anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids, we aimed to investigate the effect of fish oil supplementation in a model of CKD. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice received supplementation with an adenine-enriched diet (AD, n = 5) or standard diet (CTL, n = 5) for 10 days. Two other experimental groups were kept under the adenine diet for 10 days. Following adenine withdrawal on the 11th day, the animals returned to a standard diet supplemented with fish oil (Post AD-Fish oil, n = 9) or not (Post AD-CTL, n = 9) for an additional period of 7 days. RESULTS: Adenine mice exhibited significantly higher mean serum urea, creatinine, and renal expression of the pro-inflammatory markers Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10), and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in addition to prominent renal fibrosis and reduced renal Klotho gene expression compared to the control. Post AD-Fish oil animals demonstrated a significant reduction of IL-6, C-X-C motif chemokine 9 (CXCL9), and IL-1β compared to Post AD-CTL animals. However, serum creatinine, renal fibrosis, and Klotho were not significantly different in the fish oil-treated group. Furthermore, renal histomorphological changes such as tubular dilatation and interstitial infiltration persisted despite treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Fish oil supplementation reduced renal pro-inflammatory markers but was not able to restore renal function nor Klotho expression in an adenine-induced CKD model

Parasite fauna of tambaqui reared in net-cages at two stocking densities.

This study investigated the parasite fauna in Colossoma macropomum reared at two stocking densities in net-cages of a fish farm in the Matapi River, State of Amapá. Before stocking fish in the net-cages for fattening, fish were examined for parasites and also at the end of 90 and 180 days at densities of 50 and 100 fish m-3, respectively. All fish were parasitized by one or more species such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Piscinoodinium pillulare, Anacanthorus spathulatus, Mymarothecium boegeri, Notozothecium janauachensis, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and Acarina gen. sp., but the dominance was of I. multifiliis. Parasites presented aggregated dispersion pattern, and there were no differences in the fish relative condition factor between the densities used. There was positive correlation of I. multifiliis abundance and monogenean abundance with length and weight of the hosts. Before fish stocking, the mean intensity and mean abundance of I. multifiliis, A. spathulatus and M. boegeri were lowest when comparing fish at densities of 50 and 100 fish m-3, which were similar to each other. The mean intensity and mean abundance of N. janauachensis was highest in the density of 50 fish m-3 when comparing the fish before stocking and at a density of 100 fish m-³. The mean abundance of P. (S.) inopinatus was highest in fish kept at 100 fish m-³ when compared to fish before stocking and 50 fish m-³. However, P. pillulare and mites occurred only in density of 50 fish m-3. There was a predominance of ectoparasites and few endoparasites, as expected. Therefore, it is necessary the constant monitoring of the parasites, to better implement control strategies aiming to avoid the occurrence of diseases.Scientific Note

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of Waldeyer's ring has distinct clinicopathologic features: a GELA study

Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) arising in specific extranodal sites have peculiar clinicopathologic features. Patients and methods We analyzed a cohort of 187 primary Waldeyer's ring (WR) DLBCLs retrieved from GELA protocols using anthracyclin-based polychemotherapy. Results Most patients (92%) had stage I-II disease. A germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) immunophenotype was observed in 61%, and BCL2 expression in 55%, of WR DLBCLs. BCL2, BCL6, IRF4 and MYC breakpoints were observed in, respectively, 3 of 42 (7%), 9 of 36 (25%), 2 of 26 (8%) and 4 of 40 (10%) contributive cases. A variable follicular pattern was evidenced in 30 of 68 (44%) large biopsy specimens. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) of 153 WR DLBCL patients with survival information were 69.5% and 77.8%, respectively. The GCB immunophenotype correlated with a better OS (P=0.0015), while BCL2 expression predicted a worse OS (P=0.037), an effect overcome by the GCB/non-GCB classification. Compared with matched nodal DLBCLs, WR DLBCLs with no age-adjusted international prognostic index factor disclosed a better 5-year PFS rate (77.5% versus 70.7%; P=0.03). Conclusions WR DLBCLs display distinct clinicopathologic features compared with conventional DLBCLs, with usual localized-stage disease, common follicular features and a high frequency of GCB immunophenotype contrasting with a low rate of BCL2 rearrangements. In addition, they seem to be associated with a better outcome than their nodal counterpar