Serološki dokaz Chlamydia psittaci u papiga u tri zoološka parka u Portugalu

Chlamydia psittaci is an agent that causes ornithosis or psittacosis, which can infect homing and wild birds, mammalian animals and humans. Since this disease is an important zoonosis that is fatal and distributed worldwide, it is important to know its occurrence. This study aimed to survey the seropositivity of Chlamydia psittaci in three psittacine collections in three zoos in Portugal. In this study, 112 blood samples of the psittacine belonging to Order Psitaciformes (encompassing 31 species from 14 genera) were used. These samples were tested using a commercial ELISA kit (Immunocomb®, Biogal). The serological examination of psittacine samples using ELISA showed that 54 were positive (48.2%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 39.0-57.4%). The genus Ara exhibited significantly higher seropositivity than other genera (P<0.05). Based on the serological data from this study, we demonstrate that antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci are circulating in the blood of these tested animals. Since psittacosis is a public health concern, zoonotic issues of these results should be considered.Chlamydia psittaci uzročnik je ornitoze (psitakoze) koja može inficirati i domaće i divlje ptice, sisavce, ali i ljude. S obzirom da je ova bolest sveprisutna zoonoza koja može biti fatalna, a rasprostranjena je diljem svijeta, važno ju je znati prepoznati kada se pojavi. Cilj je ovog rada bio ispitati seropozitivnost na Chlamydia psittaci u tri populacije papiga koje pripadaju trima zoološkim parkovima u Portugalu. U ovoj studiji rabljeno je 112 uzoraka krvi papiga iz reda Psitaciformes (31 različita vrsta iz 14 različitih rodova); uzorci su podvrgnuti komercijalnom ELISA testu (Immunocomb®, Biogal). Serološko ispitivanje uzoraka papiga uporabom ELISA testa pokazalo je da ih je 54 (48,2 %; 95 % interval pouzdanosti, CI: 39,0 %-57,4 %) bilo pozitivno. Rod Ara pokazao je značajno veću seropozitivnost od ostalih rodova (P<0,05). Na temelju seroloških podataka iz ove studije, dokazali smo da protutijela za Chlamydia psittaci cirkuliraju u krvi testiranih životinja. S obzirom da psitakoza predstavlja javnozdravstveni problem, potrebno je razmotriti zoonotska pitanja naših rezultata

DNA-validated parthenogenesis: First case in a captive cuban boa (chilabothrus angulifer)

Parthenogenesis is a biological process of asexual reproduction. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of this fascinating phenomenon in the vertebrate evolution. Although parthenogenetic reproduction appears to be widespread among reptiles, a restricted number of cases were reported in captivity and wild. Here, we studied and reported an intriguing case of a 20-year old captive female Cuban boa (Chilabothrus angulifer), from the Zoo da Maia (Maia, Portugal) collection, isolated from conspecifics males, that gave birth twice in 4 years. The neonates from both deliveries, one fresh and the other fixed in formalin, were submitted to histopathological and molecular genetic analysis. Both neonates were homozygous for the loci analyzed, carrying only mother alleles. Furthermore, morphological abnormalities (anophthalmia) were observed in the second neonate. Our data support a pattern of parthenogenetic reproduction. This is the first documented case of facultative parthenogenesis in a Cuban boa, which can be of great interest for further research on ecology, evolution, captive breeding and conservation of the species.This work was funded by the project UID/CVT/00772/2013 and UIC/CVT/00772/2016 supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT)

Volvulus in a 20 years old captive hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius, Linnaeus, 1758)

A volvulus is a twisting of the intestine on its mesenteric axis that could result in bowel obstruction and ischemic injury. Here the authors report a case of intestinal volvulus in a 20 years old captive hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius, Linnaeus, 1758), the first well described case in this specie. The animal died suddenly after a previous history of diarrhea. At post mortem examination the animal presented a good body condition and abdominal distention. Upon opening of the peritoneal cavity, a large twisted segment of small intestine was observed. The segment rotated on its mesenteric axis and was dilated with gas and fluid and with dark red coloration, due to hemorrhage. The cause of death was intestinal volvulus. Its diagnosis is a challenging to veterinary surgeons due to the progressive onset of the symptoms that can delay the both diagnosis and the treatment thus resulting in progressing to the acute fulminating type with bowel infarction and death

First Report of <i>Kocuria kristinae</i> in the Skin of a Cuban Boa (<i>Epicrates angulifer</i>)

During a routine clinical examination of a four-year-old female Cuban boa (Epicrates angulifer) belonging to a zoological park located in northern Portugal, a skin lesion was observed. A skin swab was taken. Bacteriological analysis conducted using the Vitek® 2 Compact system identified the presence of the bacteria species Kocuria kristinae, a new bacterial pathogen that may be a potential pathogen in wild animals. This K. kristinae strain was resistant to kanamycin, pradofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole and was therefore classified as a multidrug-resistant bacterium. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that K. kristinae has been described in the skin of a Cuban boa. This report serves as a cautionary warning about the importance of recognising and investigating the potential pathogenicity of this agent, as well as contributing to the development of strategies to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms

Case Report : Fatal congenital and traumatic cervical spine injuries in a captive newborn plains zebra (Equus quagga)

Background: In this report, we describe the clinical, macro-, and microscopic findings of a newborn zebra victim of a fatal trauma and its possible causes are discussed in detail.Case Description: A plains zebra (Equus quagga) born in a Portuguese zoo was found in hypothermia and unable to get up. The animal was admitted to the hospital 36 hours later and, after the first hour of treatment and no attempts to get up, it began to convulse and died. At necropsy, subdural hematoma and atlantoaxial dislocation were the main findings.Conclusion: The inability to pinpoint the exact moment of the lesions’ onset determines the importance of a thorough surveillance of the periparturient period and parturition of captive animals. Furthermore, literature concerning zebras, their reproduction, and neonatal period is scarce, reinforcing the need to report these cases