Primeiro registro de microfilárias em Antilophia galeata (Aves: Pipridae)

Filarid nematodes are transmitted by arthropod vectors. In the vertebrate host, they inhabit the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and lymphatic system. Although most bird infections are not considered pathogenic, there may be an impact on fitness. Blood smears were performed to verify the intensity of the infection and to morphometrically analyse and describe the microfilariae found in individuals of Antilophia galeata captured in a fragment of the Cerrado forest. The microfilariae were photographed, and morphometry analysis was performed using the ImageJ software. One individual was infected (14.2%; n = 7) but with a high intensity of infection (42 microfilariae). It is suggested that the microfilariae found belong to the genus Eufilaria spp., since all specimens presented the diagnostic characteristics of the taxon (absence of sheath, pointed tail, and length less than 200 μm). This is the first time that microfilariae parasitising A. galeata have been recorded. Considering that microfilariae records are rare in Brazilian wild birds, this record may be useful to support further studies and contribute to the understanding of the conservation of the host species.Nematódeos filarídeos são transmitidos por vetores artrópodes. No hospedeiro vertebrado, habitam o sistema cardiovascular, pulmonar e linfático. Embora a maioria das infecções em aves não seja considerada patogênica, pode haver impactos no fitness. Os objetivos do estudo foram verificar a intensidade de infecção e descrever as microfilárias encontradas em Antilophia galeata. Sete indivíduos foram capturados em um fragmento florestal de Cerrado, para coleta de sangue e confecção de extensões sanguíneas. As microfilárias foram fotografadas e foi feita a morfometria através do software ImageJ. Um indivíduo estava infectado (14,20%), mas com alta intensidade de infecção (42 microfilárias). As microfilárias encontradas pertencem ao gênero Eufilaria spp., pois todos os espécimes apresentaram as características diagnósticas do táxon (ausência de bainha, cauda pontiaguda, e comprimento menor que 200 μm). Pela primeira vez foram registradas microfilárias parasitando A. galeata. Considerando que são raros os registros de microfilárias em aves silvestres brasileiras, este registro pode ser útil para subsidiar estudos posteriores e contribuir para o entendimento da conservação da espécie hospedeira

Oral communication disturbances in children

Oral communication disturbances in children are very frequent, and can be caused by auditory, neurologic and psychiatric alterations, among others. It’s of a great importance to stablish an early diagnosis about the origin of this disturbance, in order to perform the apropriated therapeutic method and to minimize the consequent deficits. The authors present a revision about this theme.Os distúrbios da comunicação oral em crianças são muito comuns, podendo ser causados por diversos tipos de alterações, incluindo distúrbios auditivos, neurológicos e psiquiátricos. É de grande importância o diagnóstico precoce da origem do problema, para intervenção terapêutica apropriada, a fim de minimizar os déficits decorrentes desses distúrbios. Os autores apresentam uma revisão sobre o assunto

Helmintos em caixas de areia em creches da cidade de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais

The objective of the study was to test for helminthes in sandboxes in day care centers in the city of Uberlândia, Southeastern Brazil in 2005. Fourteen private and 14 public day care centers with playgrounds were selected. One collection was carried out during the dry season (June and August), and the second one was in the rainy season (September and November). Samples were tested using Willis and Baermann methods. In the first collection, 17 (61%) day care centers were positive for helminthes larvae and 14 (50%) for eggs. In the second collection, 18 (64%) day care centers were positive for larvae and 10 (36%) for eggs. No influence of either season of the year or day care finance condition was seen.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a presença de helmintos em caixas de areia de creches públicas e privadas da cidade de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais em 2005. Foram selecionadas 14 creches particulares e 14 públicas que possuíam área de lazer. As coletas foram realizadas em duas estações do ano, uma na seca e a segunda na chuvosa. As amostras foram analisadas pelos métodos de Willis e Baermann. Na primeira coleta 17 (61%) creches foram positivas para larvas e 14 (50%) para ovos de helmintos e na segunda, em 18 (64%) e 10 (36%), respectivamente. Não foi observada influência da estação climática e da situação socioeconômica das creches

Distribution and risk factors of Ascarididae and other geohelminths in the soil of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Among the geohelminths, parasites from the Ascarididae family have a significant role in the human and animal health. This research aims to determine the prevalence of Ascarididae species in the soil in different areas located in a city of Minas Gerais State, Brazil (South America). The study was developed in squares, parks, sports clubs, orchards and municipal children's schools. Samples of sand/soil/grass were collected from January to August 2014. The optical microscope screening was performed through formal-ether and spontaneous sedimentation techniques. Out of the 183 collected samples, eight (4.4%) belonged to parks, 16 (8.7%) to sports clubs, 76 (41.5%) to squares, 23 (12.6%) to orchards, and 60 (32.8%) to schools. Out of the total, 28 (15.3%) contained Ascarididae eggs. Higher levels of positivity were demonstrated in the raining season (25.0%), in samples collected in the southern region of the town (25.1%), on ground soils (27.3%). Twenty-three (12.6%) were detected by the formal-ether sedimentation technique and 10 (5.5%) by spontaneous sedimentation technique. Therefore, it was concluded that the soils in the city of Uberlandia are contaminated with eggs and larvae of geohelminths, enabling dissemination of illnesses among animals and human beings

Concomitant infection of Haemogregarina sp. and Staphylococcus aureus in free-living yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis): case report.

A male adult yellow-spotted river turtle Podocnemis unifilis (Chordata: Testudines: Podocnemididae) was captured during field collections. Blood sample was collected for haemoparasite screening by conventional light microscopy. Morphometric and morphological analyzes of the parasite developmental stages were performed in the blood extensions, as well as the parasitemia intensity. Gametocytes of hemogregarines and innumerable bacterial cells were observed. To identify the bacteria present, a culture was performed and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus was observed. It was concluded that a co-infection of Staphylococcus aureus (Firmicutes: Bacillales: Staphylococcaceae) and Haemogregarina sp. (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Haemogregarinidae) was observed in this free-living yellow-spotted river turtle Podocnemis unifilis.

Haemosporidian parasites in Antilophia galeata (Aves: Pipridae) in a Cerrado forest fragment

Haemosporidian parasites can cause pathogenic infections, leading to death or a reduction in the physical and reproductive abilities of the host. Several studies have identified haemosporidian infections in neotropical bird communities, but few have been conducted in populations, relating the infection to the biological attributes of the species. To determine haemosporidian prevalence in a population of Antilophia galeata and to assess factors that may be associated with parasitaemia, we analysed blood smears of 62 individuals from a Cerrado forest fragment. For each individual, the body mass, length of tarsus, sex, presence/absence of brood patch and feather moult were recorded. In total, 33 (53.2%) individuals were infected with haemosporidian parasites, 32 (51.6%) were infected with Plasmodium spp. and one (1.61%) was infected with Haemoproteus sp. Parasitaemia was not related to seasons, sex, reproduction, moulting or body condition but correlated positively with total leucocyte count, suggesting that individuals may be effective in infection control. This population may be tolerant to haemosporidian parasites because, despite the high prevalence, parasitaemia was low and constant; this is a potentially chronic infection that showed no adverse effects on the parameters analysed in this population

Freqüência e fatores de risco associados à toxocaríase em crianças de ambulatório pediátrico na região sudeste do Brasil

Para determinar a frequência de anticorpos anti-Toxocara sp. e os fatores de risco associados à infecção, soros de 242 crianças de ambos os sexos, com idade entre um a 15 anos, atendidas no ambulatório do Hospital da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil, foram analisados pelo ELISA. Questionários foram aplicados, para obter informações sobre os pacientes. As informações sobre as alterações clínicas, de 187 pacientes, foram obtidas no prontuário médico. Do total das 242 amostras, 21 (8,7%) foram positivas para anticorpos anti-Toxocara sp.. A presença de cães e gatos e a variável escola (local de contato) sugerem associação significativa (p ; 20%) mostram correlação positiva com a soropositividade para Toxocara sp.. A idade, sexo, sintomas como dor de cabeça, dor estomacal, crises convulsivas e anemia não apresentaram associação com toxocaríase.To estimate the frequency of anti-Toxocara sp. antibodies, and evaluate factors associated with this infection, sera from 242 male and female children, aged from one to fifteen years old, attended at the Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were analyzed by ELISA. Information on the patients was collected and registered using an investigative questionnaire, and details on possible clinical alterations were obtained from the medical charts of 187 patients. Of a total of 242 samples, 21 (8.7%) were positive for anti-Toxocara sp. antibodies. The presence of dogs and cats and the school variable (place of contact), appeared to be significantly associated (p < 0.05) with a positive serology. Respiratory symptoms and eosinophil counts greater than 20% also showed a positive statistical correlation with a positive serology for Toxocara sp.. Factors such as sex and age, and symptoms like headache, stomach ache, convulsive crises and anemia were not associated with toxocariasis

Leukocyte profile of the helmeted manakin, Antilophia galeata (Passeriformes: Pipridae) in a Cerrado forest fragment

Changes in the amounts and proportions of leukocytes, known as leucocyte profiles, have been documented for several bird species and have been used to measure stress levels in these animals. The present work ascertained the biological and ecological attributes that influence the leukocyte profile of Antilophia galeata (Lichtenstein, 1823), the helmeted manakin. This species has been deemed useful in ecological studies because it responds to environmental changes. Blood samples drawn from 89 individuals of A. galeata captured in a Cerrado forest fragment were subjected to analysis under optical microscopy to identify and quantify leukocytes and micronuclei. The number of lymphocytes was greater for males, non-reproductive individuals and individuals infected with ticks. None of the leukocyte components differed in relation to age, molting or body condition index. The amount of micronuclei was correlated with values for total leukocytes, H/L ratio, heterophils, basophils and monocytes. The results suggest that reproduction may be an immunosuppressive factor for the species, producing sexual differences in lymphocyte availability. In addition, biomarkers of genotoxic damage (micronuclei) were related to the amount of leukocytes, indicating that individuals may be sensitive to environmental disturbances. Leukocyte profiles can be considered a useful tool for addressing ecological questions that are relevant to the conservation of species in degraded environments

Biological development of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet) Ka-mensky (Nematoda, Metastrongylidae) in Subulina octona Bruguiere (Mollusca, Subulinidae) in laboratory conditions

With the purpose of investigating the biological aspects of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866) Kamensky, 1905 in Subulina octona Bruguiere, 1789 experimental infections were carried out with the exposure of 90 adult molluscs to 155 L1 of the parasite/mollusc during 24 hours. The intramollus-can larval development was checked out daily through the chemical digestion of four infected molluscs and one molluscs from the control group during 21 days after infection. Until the 6th day post-infection, only Li of the parasite has been observed. On the 7th day; the presence of L2 was detected and from the 13th day on, L3 of A. vasorum also appeared. By means of larval morphometry, it has been observed that, Li had na average size of 335 x 14,5 um whereas L2 had an average size of 440,7 x 33,9 um on the 7th day ofter infection, reaching a, aximal diameter of 41,8 um on the 12th day after infections. The L3 had an average size of 472,4 x 38,7 um on the 13th day day and on the 21st' day after infection the measure was 551,3 x 27,6 um. In order to verify the infectivity of L3, from 5. octona to the definitive host, infection of a dog was undertaken by means of ingestion of tritured molluscs. On the 49th day post-infection, Li was found in the feaces of the dog and at necropsy on the 84th day post-infection adults worms were found in the lungs.

Haemosporidian parasites prevalence associated with physical conditioning of avian species from the Brazilian Cerrado

Blood parasites can infect myriad avian species and thereby affect the fitness and survival of their hosts. There is wide interspecific variation in parasite prevalence related to biological, ecological, and evolutionary host factors. This study aimed to determine the blood parasite prevalence in avian species from the Brazilian Cerrado and to investigate the associations among biomass, body condition, and blood parasitism. A total of 1,098 blood smears from 549 individuals (56 species) collected in four forest fragments were analyzed. Of these, 109 (19.85%) individuals from 33 species were infected: 13 (2.36%) were positive for Haemoproteus and 103 (18.76%) for Plasmodium. There was co-infection between both genera of parasites in 7 individuals. Among bird species, prevalence ranged from zero to 100%. There were significant positive correlations between prevalence and biomass and the body condition index. Hemosporid vectors track their hosts by carbon dioxide detection. Since large organisms emit more carbon dioxide, our results suggest that larger birds may be more susceptible to hemosporid vectors. Additionally, species with higher body condition indices can be more tolerant to parasites, possibly because they have more energy reserves. This study showed that species with higher biomass and body condition indices were associated with higher blood parasite prevalence, a finding that suggests these factors are efficient predictors to explain the interspecific variations. This information could be important for the understanding parasite-host relationships and useful for bird conservation programs