Neorickettsia sp. in coatis (Nasua nasua) in Brazil

Abstract The genus Neorickettsia comprises trematode-associated bacteria that can cause diseases in animals and humans. Despite detection of Neorickettsia antigens in the intestine of coatis kept in captivity in southern Brazil through immunohistochemistry, the molecular identity of the bacteria in South American procyonids remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Neorickettsia sp. in blood samples from coatis in central-western Brazil. Between March 2018 and January 2019, animals were captured and recaptured in two areas of the Cerrado (Parque Estadual do Prosa, PEP; and Vila da Base Aérea, VBA) located in the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, central-western Brazil. All captures were performed according to convenience. DNA from 97 blood samples was subjected to nested PCR (nPCR) targeting a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of Neorickettsia sp. Six samples (3.6%; five from VBA and one from PEP) from different coatis were positive in nPCR based on the 16S rRNA. The sequences obtained (~500 bp) showed ˃ 99% similarity to N. risticii. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the sequences detected in the present study in a clade with N. risticii. This is the first molecular detection of Neorickettsia sp. in coatis in Brazil

Modulating Variables ofTrypanosoma cruziandTrypanosoma evansiTransmission in Free-Ranging Coati (Nasua nasua) from the Brazilian Pantanal Region

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Co-Infection and Wild Animal Health: Effects of Trypanosomatids and Gastrointestinal Parasites on Coatis of the Brazilian Pantanal

Submitted by sandra infurna ([email protected]) on 2016-03-10T13:18:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 natalie_olifiers_etal_IOC_2015.pdf: 544380 bytes, checksum: 1b384a5c2017f8f05c7082c6269a2842 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by sandra infurna ([email protected]) on 2016-03-10T14:37:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 natalie_olifiers_etal_IOC_2015.pdf: 544380 bytes, checksum: 1b384a5c2017f8f05c7082c6269a2842 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-10T14:37:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 natalie_olifiers_etal_IOC_2015.pdf: 544380 bytes, checksum: 1b384a5c2017f8f05c7082c6269a2842 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Reservatórios. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Católica Dom Bosco. Laboratório de Parasitologia Animal. Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”. Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária. Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Reservatórios. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária. Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Pantanal. Laboratório de Vida Selvagem. Corumbá, MS, Brasil.University of Missouri. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. Columbia, MIssouri, USA.Wild animals are infected by diverse parasites, but how they influence host health is poorly understood. We examined the relationship of trypanosomatids and gastrointestinal parasites with health of wild brown-nosed coatis (Nasua nasua) from the Brazilian Pantanal. We used coati body condition and hematological parameters as response variables in linear models that were compared using an information theoretic approach. Predictors were high/low parasitemias by Trypanosoma cruzi and T. evansi, and indices representing the abundance of distinct groups of gastrointestinal parasites. We also analyzed how host health changed with host sex and reproductive seasonality. Hemoparasites was best related to coati body condition and hematological indices, whereas abundance of gastrointestinal parasites was relatively less associated with coati health. Additionally, some associations were best predicted by models that incorporated reproductive seasonality and host sex. Overall, we observed a lower health condition during the breeding season, when coatis are under reproductive stress and may be less able to handle infection. In addition, females seem to handle infection better than males. Body condition was lower in coatis with high parasitemias of T. evansi, especially during the reproductive season. Total red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, platelets and eosinophils were also lower in animals with high T. evansi parasitemias. Total white blood cell counts and mature neutrophils were lower in animals with high parasitemias for both Trypanosoma species, with neutrophils decreasing mainly during the reproductive season. Overall, decreases in hematological parameters of females with T. evansi high parasitemias were less evident. For T. cruzi, monocytes decreased in individuals with high parasitemias. High abundances of microfilariae in the bloodstream, and cestode eggs and coccidian oocysts in feces were also associated with coati blood parameters. This study shows the potential value of examining hematological parameters as an approach to better understand the ecological relevance of parasite-host interactions

Pathological effects of acetone cyanohydrin in swiss rats

ABSTRACT Cassava has been widely used for animal and human nutrition. It has also been demonstrated to have antineoplastic and anthelmintic properties. Toxicity due to cassava consumption has been reported in ruminants and laboratory animals; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of acetone cyanohydrin, a metabolite of linamarin that is present in cassava, in Wistar rats. Six groups of five animals each were used to evaluate the toxic effects of acetone cyanohydrin administered at 25 (G1), 50 (G2), 75 (G3), 100 (G4) and 125 (G5) µmol/kg as a single oral dose. The control group received acidified water (pH 3.5). The animals were monitored after administration of acetone cyanohydrin, and clinical symptoms were recorded. Serum enzyme levels were measured to assess the kidney and liver function. During necropsy, tissue samples were collected for histopathological examination. After administration, some animals in the G2, G4, and G5 groups presented neurological symptoms such as convulsions, involuntary muscle contraction, staggering gait, motor coordination disability, prostration, and mydriasis. All of the animals in the G5 and four animals in the G4 group died seven minutes after the administration of acetone cyanohydrin. Animals in the other groups, particularly in G2, recovered from the acute phase. Biochemical analysis revealed hepatic lesions and liver dysfunction. Histopathology revealed severe lesions in both the liver and brain. In conclusion, acetone cyanohydrin has toxic effects in the liver, lung, and central nervous system in rats; however, at concentrations up to 25 µmol/kg, the animals could survive the acute phase

An alternative method for determining the body condition index of the free-living South American coati

Assessing and monitoring the welfare of free-living mammals is not a usual process due to the logistical complications associated with their capture and sedation, collection and storage of biological samples and their release. In this context, non-invasive methods for monitoring wildlife constitute a good alternative approach for in situ conservation. Body condition index, as a measurement of health status, has been used in free-living mammals; its low value may be associated with negative effects on reproduction and survival. The present study aimed to generate an alternative and reliable non-invasive method and then determine the body condition index, based on previously-collected biometric measurements, without the need to capture and immobilise the animals. A total of 178 free-living Nasua nasua Linnaeus, 1766 were trapped, weighed and measured. Statistical methods were used, based on Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) using body mass, biometric measurements (body length, height and chest girth) and gender as explanatory variables. To assess the agreement between the real Body Condition Indices (BCIs) and the predicted values of BCIs, we explored the correlation between each model using the Bland-Altman method. This method showed a strong agreement between the predictive BRT models proposed (standardised residuals from a linear regression between body length and chest girth) and standardised residuals (linear regression between body mass and body length). The results obtained herein showed that BRT modelling, based on biometrical features, is an alternative way to verify the body conditions of coatis without the need to capture and immobilise the animals