Nematodes of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus (Xenarthra: Dasypodidae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Gomes, Sâmara Nunes, Pesenti, Tatiana Cheuiche, Aguiar, Cintia Lidiane Guidotti, Müller, Gertrud (2011): Nematodes of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus (Xenarthra: Dasypodidae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Zootaxa 3099 (1): 65-68, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3099.1.4, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3099.1.

<b><i>Amblyomma aureolatum</i> (Pallas, 1772) (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing margay cat (<i>Leopardus wiedii</i>) (Schinz, 1821), in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Ticks are parasites of wild animals, affecting diverse and several species. The present study reveals the presence of Amblyomma aureolatum parasitizing the margay cat (Leopardus wiedii) in the city of Uruguaiana. This is the first report of the presence of this tick specie in this city, situated in west (29° 45' 18" S 57° 05' 16" W) of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, indicating a wide host diversity.

The incidence and productive significance of ovine toxoplasmosis in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to determine incidence of Toxoplama gondii infection in Corriedale sheep in southern Brazil during pregnancy and the extent of associated losses. Blood samples were collected from 411 Corriedale sheep in two flocks at different locations in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Presence of T. gondii was diagnosed by the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IFAT). Seroprevalence of T. gondii during pre-mating was 20.2%, with no significant difference between the two flocks studied. Infection by T. gondii was influenced by ewes'age (P≤0.05). The pre-mating seroprevalence did not influence either returning to estrus or pregnancy rates. Weaning rate was significantly higher in pre-positive dams compared to negative ones (87.9 and 74.1%, respectively - P<0.05). The incidence of seroconversion was 16.5% (54/328). In seroconverted ewes, a high rate of return to estrus was observed (P≤0.05). The incidence of toxoplasmosis suggests production losses equivalent to 1.87% per year, in this system production. In addition, toxoplasmosis decreased the number of lambs per ewe. Therefore, to improve livestock performance, T. gondii infection should be monitored and controlled in the studied area

PCR-based identification of Neospora caninum in the umbilical cord of a newborn calf in Brazil

<div><p>ABSTRACT: This study was conducted at a beef cattle breeding farm in the far southern region of Brazil. The birth of a calf with unilateral corneal opacity was immediately reported to the Laboratory of Parasitology, in the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; blood was collected from the cow and calf before colostrum intake. The umbilical cords from this calf and from six other healthy animals were collected. Serological examination, utilizing an indirect fluorescent antibody test, was done using a cut-off point of 1:100. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also performed using the umbilical cord samples. Serological tests showed that the calf was positive for Neospora caninum at birth, with a titer of 1:1600; a titer of 1:3200 was reported in the dam. PCR, using umbilical cord tissue from the affected animal, was positive for the presence of this parasite, and the molecular identity of the amplified product was confirmed by sequencing. Therefore, the detection of N. caninum DNA in the umbilical cord represents a novel alternative test for the diagnosis of this parasitic infection in newborn calves that are clinically suspected to have neosporosis.</p></div