CRUZIA TENTACULATA (RUDOLPHI, 1819) TRAVASSOS, 1917 EN DIDELPHIS PERNIGRA (ALLEN, 1900) DEL VALLE DE ACERO MARKA DE LOS YUNGAS DE LA PAZ, BOLIVIA

We report the finding of the nematode, Cruzia tentacula (Rudolphi, 1819) in the cecum of an Andean white-eared opossum Didelphis pernigra Allen, 1900 in the Yungas of La Paz, Bolivia. Sixty nematodes were cleared with lacto phenol Amman and identified as C. tentacula. This is the first record of this species in Bolivian didelphid hosts.Registramos el hallazgo del nematodo, Cruzia tentacula Rudolphi, 1819, encontrado en el ciego de una zarigüeya andina de orejas blancas Didelphis pernigra Allen, 1900 en los Yungas de La Paz, Bolivia. Los nematodos fueron aclarados con lacto fenol de Amman e identificados como C. tentacula. Este es el primer registro de esta especie nematodo en este didelfido en Bolivia

PARÁSITOS GASTROINTESTINALES EN TAYASSU PECARI Y PECARI TAJACU DE VIDA LIBRE DE LA RESERVA DE LA BIÓSFERA Y TERRITORIO COMUNITARIO DE ORIGEN PILÓN LAJAS, BENI – BOLIVIA

Adult and immature gastrointestinal parasites from 47 tayassuids (27 Tayassu pecari and 20 Pecari tajacu) hunted for human consumption at the Pilon Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Indigenous Territory, Bolivia, were identified. Parasite eggs and oocysts were identified by fecal flotation and sedimentation, while adult parasites were obtained from the digestive tract and collected through the Travassos method for morphometric identification. Four nematode species (Texicospirura turki, Monodontus aguiari, Eucyathostomum dentatum and Ascaris sp.), one cestode (Monienzia benedeni), one trematode (Stichorchis giganteus) and Eimeria spp. oocysts were detected. Parasites of the Ascaris genera were detected only in T. pecari while the rest of the parasites were found in both tayassuid species. This study provides the first report for these parasites in peccaries from Bolivia. Given the close contact between Amazon inhabitants and tayassuids, and considering the zoonotic nature of Ascaris infections, further investigations into potential peccary to human transmission are warranted.La colecta de muestras biológicas de 47 tayassuidos (27 Tayassu pecari y 20 Pecari tajacu) cazados para consumo familiar en la Reserva de la Biosfera y Tierra Comunitaria de Origen Pilón Lajas, Bolivia, permitió la identificación de formas parasitarias inmaduras y adultas del aparato digestivo de ambas especies de ungulados. La identificación de huevos y ooquistes parasitarios se realizó empleando los métodos cualitativos de flotación y sedimentación para el análisis de heces, mientras que los parásitos adultos fueron recuperados del tracto digestivo y colectados mediante el método de Travassos para su identificación por morfometría. Cuatro especies de nematodos (Texicospirura turki, Monodontus aguiari, Eucyathostomum dentatum y Ascaris sp.), un céstodo (Moniezia benedeni), un tremátodo (Stichorchis giganteus) y ooquistes del género Eimeria spp. fueron identificados. Parásitos del género Ascaris sp. fueron detectados únicamente en T. pecari y los demás parásitos se registraron en ambas especies de tayassuidos. Los parásitos en este estudio se constituyen en nuevos reportes para ambas especies de ungulados en Bolivia. Dado el estrecho contacto existente entre los habitantes de comunidades amazónicas y tayassuidos, y dadas las características zoonóticas de las infecciones por Ascaris, se sugiere investigar la potencial tranmisibilidad de este grupo parásito entre pecaríes y personas

Estudio coproparasitario y ectoparasitario en alpacas (Vicugna pacos Linnaeus, 1758) de Apolobamba, con nuevos registros de Phthiraptera (Insecta) e Ixodidae (Acari), La Paz – Bolivia

Although parasites in South American camelids (SAC) can cause severe economic losses in Bolivia, a country with largepopulations of SAC, knowledge of these parasites in this species is limited. To obtain data on the parasitic fauna in alpacasfrom the Integrated Management Natural Area Apolobamba (ANMI Apolobamba), in February 2006 we evaluated 82 alpacas to determine the presence of ecto and endoparasites and investigate some biological and ecological drivers for the presenceand distribution of parasites. In 54 (98.2%) fecal samples were positive to coccidia parasitic forms, nematodes, cestodes andtrematodes. Significant prevalence (P<0.05) of nematodes of the order Strongylida and Capillaria spp. was found in adults and young alpacas respectively. From 82 individuals reviewed, 51 (62.2%) had infestations caused by Bovicola breviceps, Microthoracius mazzai, M. praelongiceps, M. minor, Amblyomma parvitarsum and Sarcoptes scabiei var. aucheniae, andsignificant prevalence (P <0.05) of lice M. praelongiceps was observed in females alpacas. This is the first registry of Bovicola breviceps in Bolivia, and the ectoparasites of Microthoracius mazzai, M. praelongiceps, M. minor and Amblyommaparvitarsum are the first records found in alpacas from Bolivia.Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Calle Gabino Villanueva # 340 Calacoto. Casilla 3-35181, La Paz, [email protected], [email protected] Laboratorio de Investigación y Diagnóstico Veterinario Cochabamba, ServicioNacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria e Ino- cuidad Alimentaria. Calle Cincinato Prados/n, Quillacollo, Bolivia. [email protected] Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad deConcepción, Casilla 537, Chillán, [email protected] *Dirección de contacto: Laboratorio de Investigación y Diagnóstico Veterinario Cochabamba, Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria e Ino- cuidad Alimentaria. Calle Cincinato Prados/n, Quillacollo, Bolivia. L. Fabian Beltrán-Saavedra E-mail [email protected] las parasitosis en camélidos sudamericanos (CSA) pueden causar grandes pérdidas económicas en Bolivia, el conocimiento sobre los parásitos en estas especies es limitado. Con el objetivo de entregar antecedentes sobre la fauna parasitariaen alpacas del Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Apolobamba (ANMI Apolobamba), en febrero de 2006 fueron evaluadas82 alpacas para determinar la presencia de ecto y endoparásitos y establecer algunas determinantes biológicas y ecológicaspara la presencia y distribución de los parásitos. En 54 (98.2%) muestras fecales se observaron formas parasitarias correspondientes a coccidias, nematodos, cestodos y trematodos, observándose predominio (P<0.05) de nematodos del ordenStrongylida y Capillaria spp., en alpacas adultas y juveniles respectivamente. De los 82 individuos revisados, 51 (62.2%)presentaron infestaciones provocadas por Bovicola breviceps, Microthoracius mazzai, M. praelongiceps, M. minor, Amblyomma parvitarsum y Sarcoptes scabiei var. aucheniae, con predominio (P<0.05) de los piojos M. praelongiceps en alpacas hembras. El registro de Bovicola breviceps es nuevo para Bolivia, y los ectoparásitos Microthoracius mazzai, M.praelongiceps, M. minor y Amblyomma parvitarsum constituyen los primeros registros para alpacas en Bolivia

Foot and mouth disease and brucellosis serological survey in mixed herds of camelids and sheep in the highlands of Apolobamba eco-region, La Paz - Bolivia

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar niveles serológicos de anticuerpos contra fiebre aftosa y brucelosis en rebaños mixtos de alpacas y ovejas en cuatro comunidades de la ecorregión serranía en el Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Nacional Apolobamba, La Paz - Bolivia, colindante con Perú. Se colectaron 99 muestras de sangre de alpacas y 42 de ovinos de ambos sexos y edad diversa. Las muestras se procesaron mediante la prueba de inmunodifusión en gel agar para detectar anticuerpos VIA contra el virus de la fiebre aftosa y las pruebas de Aglutinación Rápida en Placa (prueba tamiz) y ELISA de competición (c-ELISA) (prueba confirmativa) para la detección de anticuerpos contra cepas lisas de Brucella sp. No se detectó anticuerpos contra fiebre aftosa o brucelosis.The objective of the present study was to determine serological levels of antibodies against foot and mouth disease (FMD) and brucellosis in mixed herds of alpacas and sheep in four communities of the highland ecorregion of the Apolobamba Protected Area (National Integrated Management Natural Area - ANMIN), La Paz - Bolivia, bordering with Peru. Blood samples of 99 alpacas and 42 sheep of different sex and ages were collected. Plasma samples were tested for the detection of VIA antibodies against FMD virus using the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID-VIA) and for the detection of antibodies against smooth strains of Brucella spp. using a plate agglutination test as screening and a competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) as a confirmatory test. The results of the study showed no seropositive reactors for FMD or brucellosis

CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION AND HEMATOLOGYC AND ENDOPARASITOLOGIC EVALUATION OF LEOPARDUS COLOCOLO IN KHASTOR, POTOSÍ, BOLIVIA

En mayo de 2005 y abril de 2006, en la región de Khastor, Potosí, Bolivia, se realizó la captura y recaptura de un ejemplar hembra de gato de las pampas (Leopardus colocolo) a quien se le colocó un radiocollar. Se probó la eficacia de un protocolo de inmovilización química para maniobras, evaluación clínica y colecta de muestras biológicas para estudios de laboratorio. Se utilizó una combinación de clorhidrato de ketamina (KH) + clorhidrato de medetomidina (MH), y este último se antagonizó con atipamezole (AH). En el 2005 se empleó 4.38 mg/kg de KH + 0.04 mg/kg de MH, requiriendo 2 dosis sucesivas de 1.75 mg/kg de KH. En el 2006 se empleó 5.0 mg/kg de KH + 0.05 mg/kg de MH. El MH se antagonizó con 0.22 y 0.25 mg/kg de AH en el 2005 y 2006, respectivamente. El tiempo de inducción e inmovilización química en ambas campañas fue similar pero el tiempo de recuperación anestésica en 2006 fue menor que en 2005. La evaluación clínica indicó aparente buen estado de salud y físico. Los hemogramas presentaron valores dentro de los rangos normales para felinos domésticos. Se halló huevos de Toxascaris leonina y Uncynaria sp.In May 2005 and April 2006, in the region of Khastor, Potosi, Bolivia, a female pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo) was captured. The efficacy of a protocol for chemical immobilization for animal handling, clinical evaluation and collection of biological samples was evaluated. It was used ketamine hydrochloride (KH) + medetomidine hydrochloride (MH), and antagonized the latter with atipamezole (AH). In 2005 were administered 4.38 mg/kg of KH + 0.04 mg/kg of MH, requiring 2 successive doses of 1.76 mg/kg of KH. In 2006 were administered 5.0 mg/kg of KH + 0.05 mg/kg of MH. MH was antagonized with 0.22 and 0.25 mg/kg of AH in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The induction time and chemical immobilization in both campaigns were very similar but the recovery time from anesthesia in 2006 was shorter than in 2005. The clinical evaluation indicated adequate health and physical status. The hemograms showed values within the normal range for domestic felines. Eggs of Toxascaris leonina and Uncynaria sp. were found

Demographic and Spatiotemporal Patterns of Avian Influenza Infection at the Continental Scale, and in Relation to Annual Life Cycle of a Migratory Host

Since the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in the eastern hemisphere, numerous surveillance programs and studies have been undertaken to detect the occurrence, distribution, or spread of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in wild bird populations worldwide. To identify demographic determinants and spatiotemporal patterns of AIV infection in long distance migratory waterfowl in North America, we fitted generalized linear models with binominal distribution to analyze results from 13,574 blue-winged teal (Anas discors, BWTE) sampled in 2007 to 2010 year round during AIV surveillance programs in Canada and the United States. Our analyses revealed that during late summer staging (July-August) and fall migration (September-October), hatch year (HY) birds were more likely to be infected than after hatch year (AHY) birds, however there was no difference between age categories for the remainder of the year (winter, spring migration, and breeding period), likely due to maturing immune systems and newly acquired immunity of HY birds. Probability of infection increased non-linearly with latitude, and was highest in late summer prior to fall migration when densities of birds and the proportion of susceptible HY birds in the population are highest. Birds in the Central and Mississippi flyways were more likely to be infected compared to those in the Atlantic flyway. Seasonal cycles and spatial variation of AIV infection were largely driven by the dynamics of AIV infection in HY birds, which had more prominent cycles and spatial variation in infection compared to AHY birds. Our results demonstrate demographic as well as seasonal, latitudinal and flyway trends across Canada and the US, while illustrating the importance of migratory host life cycle and age in driving cyclical patterns of prevalence

The ecology of infectious pathogens in a long distance migratory bird, the blue-winged teal (Anas discors): from individuals to populations

The aim of this study is to improve our understanding of the ecology, spatiotemporal patterns, and risk of infectious pathogens of migratory waterfowl, using the blue-winged teal (Anas discors, BWTE), as a model. From 2007-2010, 1,869 BWTE were sampled in the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada) to examine infection status and/or evidence of previous exposure to avian influenza virus (AIV), West Nile virus (WNV), and avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1), in relation to host demographic variables (age, sex, body condition, exposure to other pathogens), other ecological variables such as local waterfowl breeding population density and local pond density, and year. The probability of AIV infection depended on an interaction between age and AIV antibody status. Hatch year birds with antibodies to AIV were more likely to be infected, suggesting an antibody response to an active infection. After hatch year birds with antibodies to AIV were less likely to be infected, suggesting immunity resulting from previous exposure. AIV infection was positively associated with local BWTE density, supporting the hypothesis of density dependent transmission. Exposure to WNV and APMV-1 were also associated with age and year. Furthermore, the probability of WNV exposure was positively associated with local pond density rather than host population density, likely because ponds provide suitable breeding habitat for mosquitoes, the primary vectors for transmission. We also investigated large-scale spatiotemporal trends in apparent prevalence of AIV across Canada and the United States throughout the year, using data from national avian influenza surveillance programs in Canada and the US in 2007-2010. Our analyses revealed that age, sex, year of sampling, flyway, latitude, and season (categorized by stages of the BWTE annual life cycle) were all important variables in predicting probability of AIV infection. There was an interaction between age and season. During late summer staging (August) and fall migration (September-October), hatch year birds were more likely to be infected than after hatch year birds, however there was no difference between age categories for the remainder of the year (winter, spring migration, and breeding season). Probability of infection increased non-linearly with latitude, and was highest in summer, corresponding to the beginning of fall migration when densities of birds and the proportion of susceptible hatch year birds in the population are highest. Birds in the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways were significantly more likely to be infected compared to those in the Atlantic flyway. Observed trends in seasonal, annual, and geographic patterns of AIV infection in BWTE across Canada and the US were primarily driven by the dynamics of AIV infection in hatch year birds. Our results demonstrate demographic as well as seasonal, latitudinal and flyway trends across Canada and the US. This research provided further evidence for the role of wild dabbling ducks, particularly BWTE, in the maintenance and ecology of AIV. This improved understanding of the role of BWTE as natural hosts, and the geographic, demographic and temporal variables that affect infection and transmission parameters, moves us closer to deciphering the overall ecology of the virus and its transmission and transportation pathways at the individual, population and continental levels. This knowledge, in turn, will permit development of better tools to predict and perhaps to prevent possible outbreaks in domestic animals as well as in humans

Data from: Demographic and spatiotemporal patterns of avian influenza infection at the continental scale, and in relation to annual life cycle of a migratory host

Since the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in the eastern hemisphere, numerous surveillance programs and studies have been undertaken to detect the occurrence, distribution, or spread of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in wild bird populations worldwide. To identify demographic determinants and spatiotemporal patterns of AIV infection in long distance migratory waterfowl in North America, we fitted generalized linear models with binominal distribution to analyze results from 13,574 blue-winged teal (Anas discors, BWTE) sampled in 2007 to 2010 year round during AIV surveillance programs in Canada and the United States. Our analyses revealed that during late summer staging (July-August) and fall migration (September-October), hatch year (HY) birds were more likely to be infected than after hatch year (AHY) birds, however there was no difference between age categories for the remainder of the year (winter, spring migration, and breeding period), likely due to maturing immune systems and newly acquired immunity of HY birds. Probability of infection increased non-linearly with latitude, and was highest in late summer prior to fall migration when densities of birds and the proportion of susceptible HY birds in the population are highest. Birds in the Central and Mississippi flyways were more likely to be infected compared to those in the Atlantic flyway. Seasonal cycles and spatial variation of AIV infection were largely driven by the dynamics of AIV infection in HY birds, which had more prominent cycles and spatial variation in infection compared to AHY birds. Our results demonstrate demographic as well as seasonal, latitudinal and flyway trends across Canada and the US, while illustrating the importance of migratory host life cycle and age in driving cyclical patterns of prevalence

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