Infecciones parasitarias del coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) en un Parque Nacional y una zona agrícola en Costa Rica Parasitic infections of coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) in a Costa Rican National Park and a surrounding agricultural area

Conforme las poblaciones humanas se expanden hacia los hábitats silvestres con sus mascotas y ganado, el potencial de transmisión de enfermedades hacia los animales silvestres -y viceversa- aumenta, y hace necesario identificar interacciones zoonóticas potenciales. Los cánidos domésticos y silvestres pueden funcionar como reservorios o diseminadores de enfermedades infecciosas (se incluyen parásitos), por lo que el coyote (Canis latrans) puede también servir como indicador de la salud ecológica. Asimismo, se estudiaron los parásitos de 209 muestras de heces de coyotes en una zona mixta de área silvestre protegida y campo agrícola del Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú (PNVI) en Costa Rica. La recolección fue realizada mensualmente durante un año en tres sub-áreas denominadas: Irazú (la más cercana al volcán), papales (por el cultivo de papas), y Prusia (un sector del PNVI). Entonces, se empleó examen directo y concentración mecánica, se obtuvo 36.84% de muestras positivas por al menos un helminto. La presencia de parásitos fue muy similar para ambos sectores boscosos del PNVI (33.3% en Prusia y 37.4% en Irazú), pero contrastó con el 63.63% observado en los papales. También, se identificaron uncinarias (probablemente Ancylostoma caninum), estrongilidios (posiblemente Strongyloides sp.), Toxocara canis, Trichuris sp. y Taenia pisiformis, así como Hymenolepis diminuta, probablemente un parásito espurio proveniente de roedores ingeridos por los coyotes. Se comenta la importancia de estos primeros hallazgos y se concluye que las estaciones seca y lluviosa influyen en la presencia de los parásitos.Parasitic infections of coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) in a Costa Rican National Park and a surrounding agricultural area. As human populations expand into wild habitats with their pets and livestock, the potential spread of disease to wildlife or vice versa increases. Because, wild and domestic canids may pose as reservoirs or disseminators of infectious diseases (including parasites), coyotes (Canis latrans) may also serve as indicators of ecological health. In Costa Rica, little information exists on coyote parasites, making research necessary to identify potential zoonotic interactions. For this reason, a survey of the coyote parasites was performed in a mixed area of protected woodland and agricultural land, surrounding Irazu Volcano National Park (IVNP) in Cartago, Costa Rica. Over a one-year period, 209 fecal samples were collected directly from the ground. Collection took place on a monthly basis in a trail sectioned into three sub-areas named Irazú (closest to the volcano), potato fields (where potatoes were cultivated), and Prusia (a protected sector of IVNP). Sectioning the trail allowed separate collection and analysis of the samples, where 99 were obtained from Irazú, 11 from potato fields and 99 from Prusia. Using direct examination and mechanical concentration 36.84% positive samples containing at least one helminth were found. The presence of parasites was similar for both woodland areas (33.3% in Prusia and 37.4% in Irazú), but differed from the 63.6% observed in the potato fields. Hookworm parasites (probably Ancylostoma caninum), threadworms (possibly Strongyloides sp.), Toxocara canis, Trichuris sp. and Taenia pisiformis were identified, as well as Hymenolepis diminuta, possible spurious parasite resulting from the ingestion of rodents by coyotes. Seasonal details are discussed, concluding that wet and dry seasons affect presence of parasites. Some remarks are made on the importance of these first findings for Costa Rica, especially considering the systematic way in which the collection of samples was carried out. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 799-808. Epub 2012 June 01

Parasitic infections of coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) in a Costa Rican National park and a surrounding agricultural area [Infecciones parasitarias del coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) en un Parque Nacional y una zona agrícola en Costa Rica]

As human populations expand into wild habitats with their pets and livestock, the potential spread of disease to wildlife or vice versa increases. Because, wild and domestic canids may pose as reservoirs or disseminators of infectious diseases (including parasites), coyotes (Canis latrans) may also serve as indicators of ecological health. In Costa Rica, little information exists on coyote parasites, making research necessary to identify potential zoonotic interactions. For this reason, a survey of the coyote parasites was performed in a mixed area of protected woodland and agricultural land, surrounding Irazú Volcano National Park (IVNP) in Cartago, Costa Rica. Over a one-year period, 209 fecal samples were collected directly from the ground. Collection took place on a monthly basis in a trail sectioned into three sub-areas named Irazú (closest to the volcano), potato fields (where potatoes were cultivated), and Prusia (a protected sector of IVNP). Sectioning the trail allowed separate collection and analysis of the samples, where 99 were obtained from Irazú, 11 from potato fields and 99 from Prusia. Using direct examination and mechanical concentration 36.84% positive samples containing at least one helminth were found. The presence of parasites was similar for both woodland areas (33.3% in Prusia and 37.4% in Irazú), but differed from the 63.6% observed in the potato fields. Hookworm parasites (probably Ancylostoma caninum), threadworms (possibly Strongyloides sp.), Toxocara canis, Trichuris sp. and Taenia pisiformis were identified, as well as Hymenolepis diminuta, possible spurious parasite resulting from the ingestion of rodents by coyotes. Seasonal details are discussed, concluding that wet and dry seasons affect presence of parasites. Some remarks are made on the importance of these first findings for Costa Rica, especially considering the systematic way in which the collection of samples was carried out.El rol ecológico del coyote en la cadena alimenticia y el hecho de que constituye un reservorio para varias enfermedades de importancia zoonótica o para animales domésticos los hace adecuados indicadores de salud ambiental, ya que pueden ayudar a identificar y monitorear enfermedades potencialmente patógenas y otros parásitos emergentes en su ambiente. Para buscar posibles fuentes de microorganismos oportunistas, se analizaron heces de coyotes (Canis latrans) del Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú (PNVI) en Costa Rica para microsporidios, Cyclospora sp., Cryptosporidium sp. y otros coccidios. La colecta mensual de heces de coyote se realizó durante un año en tres sub-áreas del Parque: Irazú, papales y Prusia, recogiéndose un total de 209 muestras. Empleando examen directo, concentración mecánica y tinciones especiales para los protozoarios y microorganismos oportunistas estudiados, se obtuvo 46,4% de muestras positivas para al menos un microorganismo. Cryptosporidium sp. se observó en 17,2% de las muestras y Sarcocystis sp. en 7,7%. Adicionalmente se identificó Eimeria sp. (6,7%), Isospora sp., Cyclospora sp., Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana y microsporidios en menos de 3% de las muestras. Se discute el significado de los hallazgos dada su importancia zoonótica, en especial de Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora y microsporidios.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Medicina Veterinari

Infecciones parasitarias del coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) en un Parque Nacional y una zona agrícola en Costa Rica

Parasitic infections of coyote, Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) in a Costa Rican National Park and a surrounding agricultural area. As human populations expand into wild habitats with their pets and livestock, the potential spread of disease to wildlife or vice versa increases. Because, wild and domestic canids may pose as reservoirs or disseminators of infectious diseases (including parasites), coyotes (Canis latrans) may also serve as indicators of ecological health. In Costa Rica, little information exists on coyote parasites, making research necessary to identify potential zoonotic interactions. For this reason, a survey of the coyote parasites was performed in a mixed area of protected woodland and agricultural land, surrounding Irazú Volcano National Park (IVNP) in Cartago, Costa Rica. Over a one-year period, 209 fecal samples were collected directly from the ground. Collection took place on a monthly basis in a trail sectioned into three sub-areas named Irazú (closest to the volcano), potato fields (where potatoes were cultivated), and Prusia (a protected sector of IVNP). Sectioning the trail allowed separate collection and analysis of the samples, where 99 were obtained from Irazú, 11 from potato fields and 99 from Prusia. Using direct examination and mechanical concentration 36.84% positive sam- ples containing at least one helminth were found. The presence of parasites was similar for both woodland areas (33.3% in Prusia and 37.4% in Irazú), but differed from the 63.6% observed in the potato fields. Hookworm parasites (probably Ancylostoma caninum), threadworms (possibly Strongyloides sp.), Toxocara canis, Trichuris sp. and Taenia pisiformis were identified, as well as Hymenolepis diminuta, possible spurious parasite resulting from the ingestion of rodents by coyotes. Seasonal details are discussed, concluding that wet and dry seasons affect presence of parasites. Some remarks are made on the importance of these first findings for Costa Rica, especially considering the systematic way in which the collection of samples was carried out.Conforme las poblaciones humanas se expanden hacia los hábitats silvestres con sus mascotas y ganado, el potencial de transmisión de enfermedades hacia los animales silvestres y viceversaaumenta, y hace necesario identificar interacciones zoonóticas potenciales. Los cánidos domésticos y silvestres pueden funcionar como reservorios o diseminadores de enfermedades infecciosas (se incluyen parásitos), por lo que el coyote (Canis latrans) puede también servir como indicador de la salud ecológica. Asimismo, se estudiaron los parásitos de 209 muestras de heces de coyotes en una zona mixta de área silvestre protegida y campo agrícola del Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú (PNVI) en Costa Rica. La recolección fue realizada mensualmente durante un año en tres sub-áreas denominadas: Irazú (la más cercana al volcán), papales (por el cultivo de papas), y Prusia (un sector del PNVI). Entonces, se empleó examen directo y concentración mecánica, se obtuvo 36.84% de muestras positivas por al menos un helminto. La presencia de parásitos fue muy similar para ambos sectores boscosos del PNVI (33.3% en Prusia y 37.4% en Irazú), pero contrastó con el 63.63% observado en los papales. También, se identificaron uncinarias (probablemente Ancylostoma caninum), estrongilidios (posiblemente Strongyloides sp.), Toxocara canis, Trichuris sp. y Taenia pisiformis, así como Hymenolepis diminuta, probablemente un parásito espurio proveniente de roedores ingeridos por los coyotes. Se comenta la importancia de estos primeros hallazgos y se concluye que las estaciones seca y lluviosa influyen en la presencia de los parásitos

Apparent lack of evidence on selected infectious agents in wild Yellow-naped Amazon parrots: implications for releasing attempt

Muestras de sangre, plumas, hisopados orofaríngeos y cloacales fueron obtenidos de nueve Amazona auropalliata de vida libre entre enero y mayo de 2009 en dos paisajes muy modificados en el norte de Costa Rica. Estas fueron analizadas para circovirus aviar, poliomavirus aviar, influenza aviar, Chlamydophila psittaci, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato y Rickettsia spp. Todas fueron negativas. Los resultados se discuten en términos de las implicaciones de los programas de reintroducción en las poblaciones silvestres.Blood and feather samples, as well as oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs, were collected from nine free-ranging Amazona auropalliata between January and May 2009 in two highly modified landscapes in northern Costa Rica. Samples were tested for avian circovirus, avian polyomavirus, avian influenza, Chlamydophila psittaci, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Rickettsia spp. All samples were negative. Results are discussed in terms of implications of using captive birds for reintroduction attempts into wild populations in Costa Rica

Aparente falta de evidencia sobre agentes infecciosos seleccionados de loras frente amarilla: implicaciones para los procesos de liberación

Blood and feather samples, as well as oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs, were collected from nine free-ranging Amazona auropalliata between January and May 2009 in two highly modified landscapes in northern Costa Rica. Samples were tested for avian circovirus, avian polyomavirus, avian influenza, Chlamydophila psittaci, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Rickettsia spp. All samples were negative. Results are discussed in terms of implications of using captive birds for reintroduction attempts into wild populations in Costa Rica.Muestras de sangre, plumas, hisopados orofaríngeos y cloacales fueron obtenidos de nueve Amazona auropalliata de vida libre entre enero y mayo de 2009 en dos paisajes muy modificados en el norte de Costa Rica. Estas fueron analizadas para circovirus aviar, poliomavirus aviar, influenza aviar, Chlamydophila psittaci, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato y Rickettsia spp. Todas fueron negativas. Los resultados se discuten en términos de las implicaciones de los programas de reintroducción en las poblaciones silvestres.Escuela de Medicina Veterinari

Environmental factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii exposure in Neotropical Primates of Costa Rica

Se seleccionó la licencia Creative Commons para este envío. El documento trae lo siguiente: Copyright © 2020 Niehaus, Spínola, Su, Rojas, Rico-Chávez, Ibarra-Cerdeña, Foley, Suzán, Gutiérrez-Espeleta and Chaves. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. (En caso de duda consultar a Meilyn Garro).The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been found in more than 350 species of homoeothermic vertebrates in diverse climates and geographic areas. In most animals, T. gondii produces mild or asymptomatic infection. However, acute and hyperacute toxoplasmosis is associated with high mortality rates observed in Neotropical primates (NP) in captivity. These primates are distributed in 20 countries across the Americas, and although infection has been reported in certain countries and species, toxoplasmosis in the wild and its impact on NP population survival is unknown. Differences among species in exposure rates and disease susceptibility may be due in part to differences in host behavior and ecology. Four species of NP are found in Costa Rica, i.e., howler (Alouatta palliata), spider (Ateles geoffroyi), capuchin (Cebus imitator), and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedii). This study reports NP exposure to T. gondii using the modified agglutination test in 245 serum samples of NP (198 wild and 47 from captivity) from Costa Rica. Associations of serostatus with environmental (forest cover, annual mean temperature), anthropogenic (human population density), and biological (sex) variables in howler and capuchin monkeys were evaluated. The seroprevalence among wild NP was 11.6% (95% CI = 7.7–17.34), compared with 60% in captive monkeys (95% CI = 44.27–73.63), with significant differences between species (X2 = 20.072; df = 3, p = 0.000164), suggesting an effect of behavior and ecology. In general, antibody titers were low for wild NP (1:8192), suggesting higher exposure due to management factors and increased life span in captivity. Seropositivity in howler monkeys was positively related to forest cover and inversely related to annual rainfall. For capuchins, annual rainfall was inversely related to seropositivity. Surveillance of T. gondii exposure in NP in captivity and in the wild is required to understand drivers of the infection and develop novel strategies to protect them.El parásito apicomplejo Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) se ha encontrado en más de 350 especies de vertebrados homeotermos de diversos climas y zonas geográficas. En la mayoría de los animales, T. gondii produce una infección leve o asintomática. Sin embargo, la toxoplasmosis aguda e hiperaguda se asocia con altas tasas de mortalidad observadas en primates neotropicales (PN) en cautividad. Estos primates están distribuidos en 20 países del continente americano y, aunque se ha notificado la infección en algunos países y especies, se desconoce la toxoplasmosis en la naturaleza y su impacto en la supervivencia de las poblaciones de PN. Las diferencias entre las especies en cuanto a las tasas de exposición y la susceptibilidad a la enfermedad pueden deberse en parte a las diferencias en el comportamiento y la ecología del huésped. En Costa Rica hay cuatro especies de PN, a saber, el aullador (Alouatta palliata), el araña (Ateles geoffroyi), el capuchino (Cebus imitator) y el mono ardilla (Saimiri oerstedii). Este estudio informa de la exposición de los PN a T. gondii mediante la prueba de aglutinación modificada en 245 muestras de suero de PN (198 silvestres y 47 de cautividad) de Costa Rica. Se evaluó la asociación del estado serológico con variables ambientales (cobertura forestal, temperatura media anual), antropogénicas (densidad de población humana) y biológicas (sexo) en monos aulladores y capuchinos. La seroprevalencia entre los PN silvestres fue del 11,6% (IC 95% = 7,7-17,34), frente al 60% en los monos en cautividad (IC 95% = 44,27-73,63), con diferencias significativas entre especies (X2 = 20,072; df = 3, p = 0,000164), lo que sugiere un efecto del comportamiento y la ecología. En general, los títulos de anticuerpos fueron bajos para los PN silvestres (1:8192), lo que sugiere una mayor exposición debido a factores de manejo y a una mayor duración de la vida en cautividad. La seropositividad en los monos aulladores se relacionó positivamente con la cobertura forestal e inversamente con las precipitaciones anuales. En el caso de los capuchinos, las precipitaciones anuales estaban inversamente relacionadas con la seropositividad. La vigilancia de la exposición a T. gondii en los PN en cautividad y en libertad es necesaria para comprender los factores que impulsan la infección y desarrollar nuevas estrategias para protegerlos.Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa RicaUniversidad Nacional, Costa RicaUniversidad de Tennessee, Estados UnidosUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México, MéxicoCentro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, MéxicoUniversidad de California, Estados UnidosEscuela de Medicina Veterinari

Environmental factors associated With Toxoplasma gondii Exposure in Neotropical Primates of Costa Rica.

The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been found in more than 350 species of homoeothermic vertebrates in diverse climates and geographic areas. In most animals, T. gondii produces mild or asymptomatic infection. However, acute and hyperacute toxoplasmosis is associated with high mortality rates observed in Neotropical primates (NP) in captivity. These primates are distributed in 20 countries across the Americas, and although infection has been reported in certain countries and species, toxoplasmosis in the wild and its impact on NP population survival is unknown. Differences among species in exposure rates and disease susceptibility may be due in part to differences in host behavior and ecology. Four species of NP are found in Costa Rica, i.e., howler (Alouatta palliata), spider (Ateles geoffroyi), capuchin (Cebus imitator), and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedii). This study reports NP exposure to T. gondii using the modified agglutination test in 245 serum samples of NP (198 wild and 47 from captivity) from Costa Rica. Associations of serostatus with environmental (forest cover, annual mean temperature), anthropogenic (human population density), and biological (sex) variables in howler and capuchin monkeys were evaluated. The seroprevalence among wild NP was 11.6% (95% CI = 7.7-17.34), compared with 60% in captive monkeys (95% CI = 44.27-73.63), with significant differences between species (X 2 = 20.072; df = 3, p = 0.000164), suggesting an effect of behavior and ecology. In general, antibody titers were low for wild NP (<1:128) and high for captive NP (>1:8192), suggesting higher exposure due to management factors and increased life span in captivity. Seropositivity in howler monkeys was positively related to forest cover and inversely related to annual rainfall. For capuchins, annual rainfall was inversely related to seropositivity. Surveillance of T. gondii exposure in NP in captivity and in the wild is required to understand drivers of the infection and develop novel strategies to protect them

Enhanced Symbiotic Performance by Rhizobium tropici Glycogen Synthase Mutants

We isolated a Tn5-induced Rhizobium tropici mutant that has enhanced capacity to oxidize N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylendiamine (DMPD) and therefore has enhanced respiration via cytochrome oxidase. The mutant had increased levels of the cytochromes c(1) and CycM and a small increase in the amount of cytochrome aa(3). In plant tests, the mutant increased the dry weight of Phaseolus vulgaris plants by 20 to 38% compared with the control strain, thus showing significantly enhanced symbiotic performance. The predicted product of the mutated gene is homologous to glycogen synthases from several bacteria, and the mutant lacked glycogen. The DNA sequence of the adjacent gene region revealed six genes predicted to encode products homologous to the following gene products from Escherichia coli: glycogen phosphorylase (glgP), glycogen branching enzyme (glgB), ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (glgC), glycogen synthase (glgA), phosphoglucomutase (pgm), and glycogen debranching enzyme (glgX). All six genes are transcribed in the same direction, and analysis with lacZ gene fusions suggests that the first five genes are organized in one operon, although pgm appears to have an additional promoter; glgX is transcribed independently. Surprisingly, the glgA mutant had decreased levels of high-molecular-weight exopolysaccharide after growth on glucose, but levels were normal after growth on galactose. A deletion mutant was constructed in order to generate a nonpolar mutation in glgA. This mutant had a phenotype similar to that of the Tn5 mutant, indicating that the enhanced respiration and symbiotic nitrogen fixation and decreased exopolysaccharide were due to mutation of glgA and not to a polar effect on a downstream gene