scholarly journals Intestinal Parasites in Free-Living Puma concolor

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Aurélio Cunha Del Vechio ◽  
Edson Gerônimo ◽  
Enzo Emmerich Paula De Castro ◽  
Luciana Vieira Pinto Ribeiro ◽  
Rita De Cássia Lima Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Science Museum ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Toxocara Cati ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
In Captivity

Background: Studies on intestinal parasites in cougars Puma concolor are scarce, and most of the available information on the species has been derived from individuals in captivity. One of the greatest threats to the survival of wild cats is habitat loss caused by urban sprawl, agricultural matrix, and linear developments such as highways and railways, which expose animals to direct contact with humans and to a high risk of death. Given the lack of scientific data the objective of this study was to report on the occurrence of intestinal parasites in a cougar (P. concolor) specimen from the northwestern region of Paraná State, Brazil.Case: The carcass of a free-living cougar (P. concolor) individual was sent to the Interdisciplinary Science Museum (Museu Interdisciplinar de Ciências – MIC) of Paranaense University (Universidade Paranaense - UNIPAR); an individual was killed during a collision with an unidentified vehicle on highway PR-486, in the municipality of Mariluz (PR, Brazil). The geographical coordinates of the location where the animal was found are: 23°59′29″S, 53°8′47″W. This region is characterized by semi-deciduous seasonal forest remnants. After being identified on site and collected by the inspectors of the Paraná Environmental Institute (Instituto Ambiental do Paraná - IAP), the cadaver was donated to the MIC (by the IAP) for a necropsy to elucidate the cause of death. In this context, the cadaver was sent to the Animal Pathology section of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at UNIPAR. The animal was necropsied by performing the standard necropsy technique for carnivores: opening the intestine through the mesentery and exposing the mucosa from the duodenum to the colon. The necropsy showed that the cause of death was hypovolemic shock due to trauma. During necropsy, parasites in the intestinal lumen were visible to the naked eye. Parasites and feces were collected and stored in sterile flasks containing 10% formaldehyde and saline. The parasites were subjected to Faust and Hoffman techniques, micrometry, and morphological analysis, resulting in the identification of the roundworm Toxocara cati and the tapeworm Spirometra decipiens.Discussion: Identifying the roadkill species along highways is of paramount importance, since they are living very close to man and, consequently, reservoirs and disseminators of different infectious and parasitic zoonoses may be possible. Infection by protozoa and helminths in animals usually occurs by ingesting the infective form present in food or water. Toxocara cati and the tapeworm Spirometra decipiens were only reported in captivity before. Research on parasites in free-living wild animals is not common in the scientific literature and this is due to the difficulty of capturing this animal category as they live in difficult to access places such as forests and forests, therefore, research projects in partnership with museums are extremely important for the recognition of wild animal species that circulate in the region, in addition to the parasitic identification of these animals for future sanitary measures and for the preservation of the animal species in the environment. The Parasitological studies of wild animals are highly relevant for expanding this knowledge, especially considering the possible transfer risk of specific parasitic diseases to other animals, as well as to humans.

scholarly journals Natural infection by endoparasites among free-living wild animals

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciane Holsback ◽  
Mauro José Lahm Cardoso ◽  
Rafael Fagnani ◽  
Thaís Helena Constantino Patelli
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Toxocara Cati ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Rehabilitation Centers

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of occurrence and variety of intestinal parasites among free-living wild animals. Fecal samples from wild mammals and birds at rehabilitation centers in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo were analyzed by sedimentation and flotation-centrifugation methods. Parasite eggs, oocysts, cysts and/or trophozoites were found in 71% of the samples. Cryptosporidiumsp. oocysts were detected in fecal samples from oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus) and scaly-headed parrots (Pionus maximiliani). Giardia cysts were identified in the feces of a gray brocket (Mazama gouazoubira). Among the most common parasites found, there were eggs from Toxocara cati,Toxascaris leonina and Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and from Cestoda. Several Enterobiussp. eggs were found in the feces of red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus). It can be concluded from this study that despite the small number of samples, the diversity of parasites found was noteworthy. Additional information about parasite endofauna in wild animals is needed, since their presence might suggest that there could be proximity to and interactions with domestic animals and/or humans. In addition, further studies on parasites from free-living wild animals are of prime importance for understanding the intensity of anthropic changes in wild environments.

scholarly journals Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild free-living birds and mammals from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. e176683
Author(s):  
Lilian Castiglioni ◽  
Luiz Paulo Nogueira Aires ◽  
Vinícius Matheus Ferrari ◽  
Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata ◽  
Herbert Sousa Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
São Paulo State ◽  
Northwest Region

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular parasite named Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect humans and a large number of homeothermic animal species with worldwide distribution. The present study aimed to detect anti T. gondii antibodies from serological samples of free living wild animals from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Thirty-two samples (eight from birds and 24 from mammals) were analyzed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) using 5 cut-off points for birds and 25 for mammals. Seropositivity was observed in 25% (2/8) of birds, including the species Rupornis magnirostris (roadside hawk) and Caracara plancus (southern caracara), and 29.2% (7/24) animals were seropositive among mammals, including one hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus), two maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), one black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya), two crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) and one gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). The results obtained with the present study indicate the exposure to T. gondii of free-living wild animals from the northwest region of São Paulo state and, therefore, that they probably play a role in the transmission and maintenance of T. gondii in the environment they inhabit. Thus, identification of the infection in several animal species in the region indicates the environmental contamination of the area. Studies of this nature may help to understand the importance of the prevention and control of this disease in Brazil.

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with cat parasites in a feline medical center

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205511692110331
Author(s):  
Tamara Libertad Iturbe Cossío ◽  
Azucena Danae Montes Luna ◽  
Magdalena Ruiz Mejia ◽  
Ariadna Flores Ortega ◽  
Rafel Heredia Cárdenas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Cryptosporidium Species ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Toxocara Cati ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Dipylidium Caninum ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Objectives The present study was carried out to evaluate the risk factors for and presence of intestinal parasites in cats at the feline hospital ‘CEME Gatos’, Mexico City. Methods In total, 528 fecal samples from domestic cats were collected and analyzed in order to diagnose enteroparasites. Results The parasite with the highest prevalence was Giardia species (21.97%), followed by Cryptosporidium species (7%), Toxocara cati (6.45%), Cystoisospora species (5.11%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.76%). One hundred and twenty-one cats (55.50%) were infected with a single parasite, 80 (36.69%) were infected with two and 17 (14.04%) were infected with three parasites. The results of the prevalence study showed that a liquid consistency of feces was associated with the presence of Giardia species, whereas age <7 months and mucus in the stool were factors associated with the prevalence of Cystoisospora species. Regarding T cati, the associated risk factors were age <7 months, being male, contact with other animal species and access to the outdoors. The last factor was strongly associated with the presence of T cati (eight times more likely) in outdoor cats’ feces. Brushing frequency was also an associated factor: T cati was present in cats that were never brushed. The results of the analysis of cats infected with D caninum showed that interaction with other species was a risk factor for infection. Conclusions and relevance Age <7 months, mucus in feces, living with other animal species, outdoor access and frequency of brushing are risk factors for the presence of parasites.

scholarly journals Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus by Free-Living Wild Animals in Spain

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (16) ◽  
pp. 4865-4870 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Concepción Porrero ◽  
Gregorio Mentaberre ◽  
Sergio Sánchez ◽  
Pedro Fernández-Llario ◽  
Encarna Casas-Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Griffon Vulture ◽  
Iberian Ibex

ABSTRACTThe presence of methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA) was analyzed in different free-living wild animals to assess the genetic diversity and predominant genotypes on each animal species. Samples were taken from the skin and/or nares, and isolates were characterized byspatyping, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The proportion of MSSA carriers were 5.00, 22.93, 19.78, and 17.67% in Eurasian griffon vulture, Iberian ibex, red deer, and wild boar, respectively (P= 0.057). A higher proportion of isolates (P= 0.000) were recovered from nasal samples (78.51%) than skin samples (21.49%), but the 9.26% of red deer and 18.25% of wild boar would have been undetected if only nasal samples had been tested. Sixty-three differentspatypes were identified, including 25 newspatypes. The most common were t528 (43.59%) in Iberian ibex, t548 and t11212 (15.79% and 14.04%) in red deer, and t3750 (36.11%) in wild boar. By MLST, 27 STs were detected, of which 12 had not been described previously. The most frequent were ST581 for Iberian ibex (48.72%), ST425 for red deer (29.82%), and ST2328 for wild boar (42.36%). Isolates from Eurasian griffon vulture belong to ST133. Host specificity has been observed for the most frequentspatypes and STs (P= 0.000). The highest resistance percentage was found against benzylpenicillin (average, 22.2%), although most of theS. aureusisolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial tested. Basically, MSSA isolates were different from those MRSA isolates previously detected in the same animal species.

scholarly journals Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasitic infection in Captive Wild Animals of a Central Zoological Garden in Iran

2019 ◽  
pp. 78-91
Author(s):  
Vahid Nasiri ◽  
Farnoosh Jameie ◽  
Habibollah Paykari ◽  
Nahideh Mazhari ◽  
Saba Soltani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Zoological Garden ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Smear Preparation ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
Zoonotic Parasites

Zoos are places where a great number of valuable animal species are put together taken out of their natural habitats .This survey was carried out to survey the gastrointestinal parasites in animals at a zoological garden in Tehran, Iran. A total of 143 fecal samples from various captive wild animals, consisting of 40 different species were collected randomly and analysed for the presence of the different stages of parasites by direct smear preparation and zinc sulfate flotation followed by Ziel-Neelsen staining method. Data showed that the examined animals were consist of 12 species of carnivores (36 samples), 17 species of herbivores (75), 3 species of non-human primates (11 samples), and 8 species of different species of birds (21 samples). 23(16.08%) of animals, that belonging to 14 animal species, were infected with different intestinal parasites. Among 143 samples from captive wild animals 23 samples (16.08%) were positive for gastrointestinal parasites that 5 samples (3.49%) belong to Carnivores, 13 samples (9.09%) to Herbivores, 4 samples (2.8%) to Non-human primates and 1 sample (0.7%) to Aves. The prevalence of parasites was higher in Non-human primates (36.36%) followed by Herbivores (17.33%), Carnivores (13.88%) and Aves (4.76%).Some animals infected with more than one parasite species and have mixed infection, thus, out of 23 animal samples that parasites were encountered, 12 (8.39%) were infected with helminths and 13 (9.09%) were infected with protozoa. The high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites found in zoo animals examined in this study emphasizes the importance of controlling these parasitic diseases in order to keep animals, especially in the case of endangered species, in healthy conditions and prevent probable infection of humans working with these animals to zoonotic parasites. Keywords: Wild animals; Zoological park; Parasite, Iran

scholarly journals Endoparasites in group of wild animals raised in captivity

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Mewius ◽  
Elis Regina Lusa ◽  
Julia G. Pertille ◽  
Tiago D. Dos Reis ◽  
Juliana A. Pletsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Sulfate ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Sulfate Solution ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Main Structure ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Flotation Method

ABSTRACT: Free-living wild animals can host a wide variety of endoparasites. When subjected to conditions of captivity, these animals can go through stressful situations and develop parasites. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify parasitic infection in wild mammals, birds, and reptiles kept at the “Universidade de Caxias do Sul” Zoo, in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The population studied was based on 76 animals, divided into 50% (38/76) birds, 35.53% (27/76) mammals, and 14.47% (11/76) reptiles distributed in 33 different enclosures. Fecal samples were collected from the enclosures and analyzed in triplicate, using the centrifugal-flotation method with a zinc sulfate solution. Samples from the enclosures 31, 32, 33, (where snakes are located), and 15 (animal death), were not analyzed in triplicate, so the total number of analyses was 91 samples. The results showed that 41.76% (38/91) of the samples were positive for at least one class of endoparasites, such as Nematoda, Cestoda, or Coccidia. The positive samples showed the presence of at least one or more parasites from orders Strongylida (34.21%), Enoplida and Strongylida (23.68%), Enoplida only (23.68%), Cyclophyllidea and Oxyurida (5.26%), Ascaridida only (5.26%), Enoplida, Strongylida, and Ascaridida (5.26%), and Enoplida and Eucoccidiorida (2.63%). Considering the positive samples, 55.26% were collected from birds, 39.47% from mammals, and 5.27% from reptiles. Capillaria sp. eggs were the main structure found in birds, and eggs from the order Strongylida were the most found in samples from mammals. This study showed the order Strongylida as the most frequent parasite found in 63.16% of the total samples, established either in isolated or mixed infestations. Also, mammals and birds were those with a greater quantity of positive samples for endoparasites. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of carrying out research assessing the gastrointestinal parasitic fauna in wild animals, so one can determine the conditions under which these parasites become pathogenic to wild animals raised in captivity.

Relationships between nestling condition and variability in coccidian prevalence among three species of wild-nesting birds in New Zealand

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip Cassey ◽  
John G. Ewen
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Sturnus Vulgaris ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Nestling Condition ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Estimate Prevalence

Coccidian protozoa are widespread intestinal parasites of vertebrate species. Currently, our understanding of the dynamics of host–coccidia relationships among birds remains poor beyond domestic poultry and species held in captivity. The various threats that parasites can impose have resulted in demands to monitor and quantify different parasites and incorporate their impacts on hosts into ecological models of risk assessment. Here, we estimate prevalence of coccidian infections from nestlings of three species of exotic, free-living European passerines in New Zealand (Turdus merula, T. philomelos, Sturnus vulgaris). We find that despite high prevalence of infection among clutches (~40%) these infections appear asymptomatic and are not related to indices of nestling condition or fledging success. We encourage additional studies to provide results on variation in parasite prevalence and pathogenicity in order to build our understanding of host dynamics.

scholarly journals Parasites of panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) grown in captivity and brought from the wild

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-17
Author(s):  
O. V. Stets
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Effect ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Direct Development ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Laboratory Methods ◽  
Development Cycle ◽  
The Family ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Better Than

Reptile parasites imported from the wild differ from those grown in captivity. Thus, captive-grown reptiles tolerate the process of disadaptation better than imported wild animals, even under proper conditions of keeping and feeding. It should be noted that determining the origin of reptiles is sometimes difficult or impossible. For this, special methods are needed. In this regard, the purpose of research was to confirm or refute the theory, in reptiles from different places of residence, various parasites are found. We studied panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) imported from the wild and raised in captivity. To determine the parasites in the laboratory, methods of native smear, sequential washing and flotation were used. 10 species of intestinal parasites were found in panther chameleons imported from the wild, in particular Trematoda gen. sp. 1, Tremaitoda gen. sp. 2, Cestoda gen. sp., Spinicauda freitasi (Olfers, 1919), Hexametra angusticaecoides (Chabaud et Brygoo, 1960), Pharyngodonidae gen. sp., spirurates of the genus Thubunaea sp., larvae of the family Rhabdiasidae gen. sp., flagellates from the series Kinetoplastida gen. sp. and Eimeria sp, with prevalence 87.56%. In panther chameleons grown in captivity only Pharyngodonidae gen. sp. was found, prevalence was 94.05%. It is noted that under appropriate conditions of keeping and feeding in captive panther chameleons, a small number of parasites with a direct development cycle and their insignificant toxic effect on the body can develop

scholarly journals Intestinal Parasites of Neotropical Wild Jaguars, Pumas, Ocelots, and Jaguarundis in Colombia: Old Friends Brought Back from Oblivion and New Insights

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 822
Author(s):  
Manuel Uribe ◽  
Esteban Payán ◽  
Jan Brabec ◽  
Juan Vélez ◽  
Anja Taubert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Toxocara Cati ◽  
Metazoan Parasites ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Wide Range

Neotropical wild felids (NWF) are obligate carnivore species present in Central and South America, and some are considered endangered due to constantly decreasing populations. NWF can become infected by a wide range of protozoan and metazoan parasites, some of them affecting their health conditions and others having anthropozoonotic relevance. Parasitological studies on NWF are still very scarce, and most data originated from dead or captive animals. On this account, the current study aimed to characterize gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), and jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), i.e., four out of six NWF species endemic to Colombia. Fecal samples from jaguars (n = 10) and ocelots (n = 4) were collected between 2012 and 2017 as part of the Jaguar Corridor Initiative from six geographic locations in Colombia. In addition, cestode specimens were obtained during puma and jaguarundi necropsies. Scat samples were processed by standardized sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF), sedimentation, and flotation techniques and by carbol fuchsin-stained fecal smears. Morphological evaluation of feces showed the presence of one cestode (Spirometra sp.), a nematode (Toxocara cati), an acanthocephalan (Oncicola sp.), and one cyst-forming coccidian (Cystoisospora-like oocysts). Feces oocysts were submitted to a Toxoplasma gondii-specific PCR for species identification, but no product was amplified. The cestodes isolated from a puma and jaguarundi were molecularly characterized by sequencing cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, identifying them as Taenia omissa and as a T. omissa sister lineage, respectively. These results collectively demonstrate the potential role of NWF as natural reservoir hosts for neglected zoonotic parasites (e.g., Spirometra sp., T. cati) and highlight their possible role in parasite transmission to human communities. Due to public health concerns, the occurrence of these parasites should be monitored in the future for appropriate zoonotic management practices in conservation strategies and wild felid health management programs.

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