Gastro-intestinal helminths in the red-bellied squirrel introduced in Argentina: accidental acquisitions and lack of specific parasites

Introduced species may lose their natural parasites when invading a new habitat, may acquire new, local parasites or may introduce parasites from their native range. We studied the gastro-intestinal helminth fauna associated with the red-bellied squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus (Pallas, 1778) introduced in Argentina to evaluate its role as a host of either specific or acquired parasites in two invasion foci. We analyzed entire digestive tracts of 72 red-bellied squirrels captured in the main invasion focus (Luján, province of Buenos Aires) between February and May 2011, and in a secondary focus (Cañada de Gómez, province of Santa Fe) in December 2008. We only found two nematode specimens: an adult male belonging to the genus Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) Quentin, 1969 and another adult male belonging to the genus Stilestrongylus (Freitas, Lent and Almeida, 1973). None of these genera were previously listed for the red-bellied squirrel in introduced areas, but a species of the genus Pterygodermatites was previously reported for this squirrel in its native habitat. These results indicate that, to date, the red-bellied squirrel in Argentina is accidentally parasitised by nematodes acquired in its new environment and has no specific gastro-intestinal helminths. This could be related with a “founder effect” and/or the lack of sciurid rodents that prevent the red-bellied squirrel to be colonized by pre-adapted helminth taxa. Other factors that may play a role are the small number of mammals with arboreal habits and some “encounter barriers” in the new environment that prevent the acquisition of helminths with a wide host spectrum.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Gastro-intestinal helminths in the red-bellied squirrel introduced in Argentina: accidental acquisitions and lack of specific parasites

Introduced species may lose their natural parasites when invading a new habitat, may acquire new, local parasites or may introduce parasites from their native range. We studied the gastro-intestinal helminth fauna associated with the red-bellied squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus (Pallas, 1778) introduced in Argentina to evaluate its role as a host of either specific or acquired parasites in two invasion foci. We analyzed entire digestive tracts of 72 red-bellied squirrels captured in the main invasion focus (Luján, province of Buenos Aires) between February and May 2011, and in a secondary focus (Cañada de Gómez, province of Santa Fe) in December 2008. We only found two nematode specimens: an adult male belonging to the genus Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) Quentin, 1969 and another adult male belonging to the genus Stilestrongylus (Freitas, Lent and Almeida, 1973). None of these genera were previously listed for the red-bellied squirrel in introduced areas, but a species of the genus Pterygodermatites was previously reported for this squirrel in its native habitat. These results indicate that, to date, the red-bellied squirrel in Argentina is accidentally parasitised by nematodes acquired in its new environment and has no specific gastro-intestinal helminths. This could be related with a “founder effect” and/or the lack of sciurid rodents that prevent the red-bellied squirrel to be colonized by pre-adapted helminth taxa. Other factors that may play a role are the small number of mammals with arboreal habits and some “encounter barriers” in the new environment that prevent the acquisition of helminths with a wide host spectrum.Fil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Grupo de Estudios en Ecología de Mamíferos; ArgentinaFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Grupo de Estudios en Ecología de Mamíferos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Benitez, Verónica Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Grupo de Estudios en Ecología de Mamíferos; ArgentinaFil: Troyelli, Adrián. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Grupo de Estudios en Ecología de Mamíferos; ArgentinaFil: Navone, Graciela Teresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentin

Gastro-intestinal helminths in the red-bellied squirrel introduced in Argentina: accidental acquisitions and lack of specific parasites

Introduced species may lose their natural parasites when invading a new habitat, may acquire new, local parasites or may introduce parasites from their native range. We studied the gastro-intestinal helminth fauna associated with the red-bellied squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus (Pallas, 1778) introduced in Argentina to evaluate its role as a host of either specific or acquired parasites in two invasion foci. We analyzed entire digestive tracts of 72 red-bellied squirrels captured in the main invasion focus (Luján, province of Buenos Aires) between February and May 2011, and in a secondary focus (Cañada de Gómez, province of Santa Fe) in December 2008. We only found two nematode specimens: an adult male belonging to the genus Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) Quentin, 1969 and another adult male belonging to the genus Stilestrongylus (Freitas, Lent and Almeida, 1973). None of these genera were previously listed for the red-bellied squirrel in introduced areas, but a species of the genus Pterygodermatites was previously reported for this squirrel in its native habitat. These results indicate that, to date, the red-bellied squirrel in Argentina is accidentally parasitised by nematodes acquired in its new environment and has no specific gastro-intestinal helminths. This could be related with a “founder effect” and/or the lack of sciurid rodents that prevent the red-bellied squirrel to be colonized by pre-adapted helminth taxa. Other factors that may play a role are the small number of mammals with arboreal habits and some “encounter barriers” in the new environment that prevent the acquisition of helminths with a wide host spectrum.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

First isolation of Leptospira interrogans from the arboreal squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in Argentina

We isolated Leptospira strains from renal tissue samples of Asiatic red-bellied squirrels Callosciurus erythraeus, captured in Argentina. In December 2008, we captured 34 squirrels in the province of Santa Fe during a short control campaign, which were screened for Leptospira spp. by direct immunofluorescence assays and isolation attempts in renal tissue samples. A prevalence of 38% of Leptospira spp. was obtained by direct immunofluorescence. The isolates, genotyped by the MLVA, were identified as L. interrogans Canicola (N = 2) and L. interrogans Icterohaemorraghiae (N = 1), showing an identical genetic profile to the reference strains Hond Utrech IV (serovar Canicola, serogroup Canicola) and M20 (serovar Copenhageni, serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae), respectively. Our study shows for the first time that the red-bellied squirrel is a renal carrier of Leptospira interrogans and might act as a reservoir of leptospirosis both in native range and areas of introduction within several European countries, Japan and Argentina. The close association of this introduced squirrel species with humans and domestic animals may increase the probability of disease transmission, particularly in favourable environments.Fil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Benitez, Verónica Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Graciela Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas; ArgentinaFil: Auteri, Carmelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas; ArgentinaFil: Brihuega, Bibiana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas; Argentin

First isolation of Leptospira interrogans from the arboreal squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in Argentina

We isolated Leptospira strains from renal tissue samples of Asiatic red-bellied squirrels Callosciurus erythraeus, captured in Argentina. In December 2008, we captured 34 squirrels in the province of Santa Fe during a short control campaign, which were screened for Leptospira spp. by direct immunofluorescence assays and isolation attempts in renal tissue samples. A prevalence of 38% of Leptospira spp. was obtained by direct immunofluorescence. The isolates, genotyped by the MLVA, were identified as L. interrogans Canicola (N = 2) and L. interrogans Icterohaemorraghiae (N = 1), showing an identical genetic profile to the reference strains Hond Utrech IV (serovar Canicola, serogroup Canicola) and M20 (serovar Copenhageni, serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae), respectively. Our study shows for the first time that the red-bellied squirrel is a renal carrier of Leptospira interrogans and might act as a reservoir of leptospirosis both in native range and areas of introduction within several European countries, Japan and Argentina. The close association of this introduced squirrel species with humans and domestic animals may increase the probability of disease transmission, particularly in favourable environments.Instituto de PatobiologíaFil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina.Fil: Benitez, Verónica Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Graciela Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Auteri, Carmelo Domingo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Brihuega, Bibiana Felicitas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; Argentin

Búsqueda de Leptospira spp. en visón americano Neogale vison (Schreber, 1777) en el sur de la provincia de Neuquén, Patagonia Argentina

Los mamíferos domésticos y silvestres cumplen un rol importante en la epidemiología de la leptospirosis. El visón americano Neogale vison es un mustélido introducido en Argentina que podría actuar como portador/reservorio de leptospiras en la región. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la presencia de Leptospira spp. en muestras de orina y riñón de visones capturados (n = 25) en el sur de la provincia de Neuquén. No detectamos la bacteria en ninguna de las muestras analizadas. Sin embargo, consideramos importante profundizar estos estudios dados los hábitos semiacuáticos del visón americano, su interacción con especies silvestres, domésticas y con humanos, y su continua expansión.Both wild and domestic mammal species play an important role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. The American mink Neogale vison has been introduced in Argentina, where it could act as a carrier or reservoir of leptospiras. Our objective was to study the presence of Leptospira spp. in urine and kidney samples of individuals (n= 25) captured in Southern Neuquén province. No Leptospira spp. were detected in the analyzed samples. However, we highlight the importance of broadening these studies given the semiaquatic habits of the American mink, its interaction with wild and domestic species and also with people, and its continuous expansion.Instituto de BiotecnologíaFil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Grupo de Ecología de Mamíferos Introducidos (EMI); ArgentinaFil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Caimi, Karina Cynthia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Caimi, Karina Cynthia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Piudo, Luciana. Centro de Ecología Aplicada de Neuquén (CEAN); ArgentinaFil: Rago, María Virginia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA); ArgentinaFil: Rago, María Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Monteverde, Martín. Centro de Ecología Aplicada de Neuquén (CEAN); ArgentinaFil: González, Alejandro. Centro de Ecología Aplicada de Neuquén (CEAN); ArgentinaFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA); ArgentinaFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Contributions in taxonomy, ecology and sanitary importance of ectoparasites of herpetozoans and wild mammals from Argentina and Chile in the last decade

Este trabajo presenta una actualización sobre el estado de las investigaciones en ectoparásitos de mamíferos silvestres y herpetozoos de Argentina y Chile. Principalmente, focalizamos en las líneas de estudio desarrolladas en la última década, las cuales en muchos casos permitieron el establecimiento de nuevos grupos de investigación. Esta revisión surge de los resultados del Primer Taller sobre Estudios de Ectoparásitos en Argentina y Chile, en el marco del VIII Congreso Argentino de Parasitología (Corrientes, Abril de 2019). El estado actual de las investigaciones en la región evidencia un amplio conocimiento taxonómico sobre los diferentes grupos de ectoparásitos y un incremento en el abordaje de estudios ecológicos y/o epidemiológicos. Consideramos que el Estado tuvo un papel clave en la creciente importancia que fue adquiriendo el conocimiento científico sobre los ectoparásitos de Argentina y Chile. Esto se ve reflejado en la federalización del estudio de los ectoparásitos y en la formación de nuevos especialistas, recursos humanos calificados graduados en Universidades Públicas Nacionales, apoyados por becas de posgrado, y cuyas investigaciones han sido subsidiadas por diversos fondos nacionales. Consideramos fundamental generar espacios de discusión y actualización proponiendo la conformación de una red de especialistas en ectoparasitología de la región, para compartir conocimiento e información y realizar trabajos interdisciplinarios en sinergia.This work provides an update on the status of researches in ectoparasites of herpetozoans and wild mammals from Argentina and Chile. We mainly focus on the new lines of research developed in the last decade, which in many cases allowed the establishment of new research groups. This review arises from the results from the First Workshop on Ectoparasite Studies in Argentina and Chile, during the VIII Argentine Congress of Parasitology (Corrientes, April 2019). The current state of research on ectoparasites in the region shows a broad taxonomic knowledge of the different ectoparasite groups, and a marked tendency to address ecological and/or epidemiological studies. We remarked the key role of a scientific politic in the growing of the knowledge of the ectoparasites from Argentina and Chile. This is particularly reflected in the federalization of the studies and the training of new specialists, qualified people graduated from National Public Universities, supported by postgraduate scholarships, and whose research had been subsidized by various national funds. We considered that is important to be able to generate spaces for discussion and updating; and we propose the creation of a network of ectoparasitology specialists in the region, sharing knowledge and information and performing interdisciplinary work in synergy.Asociación Parasitológica ArgentinaCentro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Contributions in taxonomy, ecology and sanitary importance of ectoparasites of herpetozoans and wild mammals from Argentina and Chile in the last decade

Este trabajo presenta una actualización sobre el estado de las investigaciones en ectoparásitosde mamíferos silvestres y herpetozoos de Argentina y Chile. Principalmente, focalizamos en las líneas de estudiodesarrolladas en la última década, las cuales en muchos casos permitieron el establecimiento de nuevosgrupos de investigación. Esta revisión surge de los resultados del Primer Taller sobre Estudios de Ectoparásitosen Argentina y Chile, en el marco del VIII Congreso Argentino de Parasitología (Corrientes, Abril de 2019).El estado actual de las investigaciones en la región evidencia un amplio conocimiento taxonómico sobre losdiferentes grupos de ectoparásitos y un incremento en el abordaje de estudios ecológicos y/o epidemiológicos.Consideramos que el Estado tuvo un papel clave en la creciente importancia que fue adquiriendo el conocimientocientífico sobre los ectoparásitos de Argentina y Chile. Esto se ve reflejado en la federalización del estudiode los ectoparásitos y en la formación de nuevos especialistas, recursos humanos calificados graduadosen Universidades Públicas Nacionales, apoyados por becas de posgrado, y cuyas investigaciones han sidosubsidiadas por diversos fondos nacionales. Consideramos fundamental generar espacios de discusión yactualización proponiendo la conformación de una red de especialistas en ectoparasitología de la región, paracompartir conocimiento e información y realizar trabajos interdisciplinarios en sinergia.This work provides an update on the status of researches in ectoparasites of herpetozoans and wild mammals from Argentina and Chile. We mainly focus on the new lines of research developed in the last decade, which in many cases allowed the establishment of new research groups. This review arises from the results from the First Workshop on Ectoparasite Studies in Argentina and Chile, during the VIII Argentine Congress of Parasitology (Corrientes, April 2019). The current state of research on ectoparasites in the region shows a broad taxonomic knowledge of the different ectoparasite groups, and a marked tendency to address ecological and/or epidemiological studies. We remarked the key role of a scientific politic in the growing of the knowledge of the ectoparasites from Argentina and Chile. This is particularly reflected in the federalization of the studies and the training of new specialists, qualified people graduated from National Public Universities, supported by postgraduate scholarships, and whose research had been subsidized by various national funds. We considered that is important to be able to generate spaces for discussion and updating; and we propose the creation of a network of ectoparasitology specialists in the region, sharing knowledge and information and performing interdisciplinary work in synergy.Fil: Sánchez, Juliana Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, María Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Debárbora, Valeria Natalia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Di Benedetto, Ingrid María Desireé. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Ezquiaga, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: López Berrizbeitia F.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical; ArgentinaFil: Moreno Salas, L. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Silva de la Fuente, M. C.. Universidad de Concepción; Chil

Invasion pathways and lag times in the spread of Callosciurus erythraeus introduced into Argentina

Invasion pathways and invasion-related lags are critical to understand the invasion process and to manage invasive species. The challenge of dealing with introduced populations increases when charismatic species are involved, such as the case of invasive squirrels. In this study, we integrate previous information into a comprehensive description of the invasion process of Callosciurus erythraeus in Argentina, and we synthesise a framework of invasion pathways and associated lag times for introduced squirrel species. One of the main invasion pathways for introduced squirrels involves the trade of pets and ornamental wildlife, i.e. deliberate transportation by humans as vectors using routes of pet/ornamental trade. This was the case of the importation of C. erythraeus into Argentina in 1970 that originated an invasion focus, which firstly spread through squirrels dispersing into nearby habitat (unaided spread). Apart from this local spread, we have recorded a total of 31 translocations within the country of squirrels taken 33−933 km from the source site (aided spread). Most of these translocations-releases occurred close to the invasion foci that functioned as a source of squirrels. Therefore, a key pathway for the invasion of C. erythraeus in Argentina is the illegal and intentional transport of individuals within country boundaries. Time lags can be found throughout the invasion process. We have previously described a lag in population growth and range expansion in the main invasion focus, and also a lag in vector activity (i.e. a lag in the onset of translocations). We now report a lag in the time between the detection by residents of C. erythraeus in a new area and when they report its observation. This time lag shows a decreasing trend, i.e. recent releases are reported sooner, that could respond to a changing lag in the perception of the problem due to communication activities. We propose a general conceptual framework for invasive squirrels that integrates two invasion pathways (A: aided spread that determines the number of invasion foci, and B: unaided spread that determines the size of each invasion focus) and three types of time lags (1: lag in population growth and spread, 2: lag in vector activity, and 3: lag in perception of the problem (human dimension)). Communication and education activities can be a powerful tool to change perceptions and gain support and active engagement of the local community to deal with invasive, charismatic species. Long-term communication programmes should be implemented along with strict and coordinated government policies.Fil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Borgnia, Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Gozzi, Ana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Benitez, Verónica Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; Argentin

The enemy release hypothesis and Callosciurus erythraeus in Argentina: combining community and biogeographical parasitological studies

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) postulates that during the invasion process an introduced species is released from the natural enemies that regulate its populations, promoting its invasion success in the new environment. Callosciurus erythraeus is a sciurid native to Southeast Asia that has been successfully introduced into Argentina and other Asian and European countries. The aim of this study was to provide new parasitological data on this species and to compare it with studies in native and other introduced ranges under the framework of the ERH. We proposed two working hypotheses: (1) an analysis at the community level to compare the prevalence, abundance and identity of parasites of C. erythraeus and sympatric native mammals in the main invasion focus of Argentina, and (2) an analysis at the biogeographical level to compare parasite richness in native and introduced ranges of C. erythraeus and parasite prevalence and richness among introduced regions with different invasion success (using population density and spread as proxy variables). The community analyses indicated that C. erythraeus has lost its specific parasites in Argentina and that it has a lower level of parasitism than other native mammals. The biogreographical analyses indicated a lower macroparasite richness of C. erythraeus in introduced ranges compared to its native range. However, parasite richness in introduced ranges was not associated with population density and spread. The negative correlation between parasite prevalence and population parameters was mainly due to the low parasite prevalence of C. erythraeus in Argentina where this species shows high density and spread. The release of parasites of C. erythraeus in comparison to its native and other introduced ranges, the low acquisition of generalist parasites and the high population density and spread reached in Argentina are mostly in agreement with the expected outcomes based on the ERH. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of the ERH in the invasion success of this species.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore