Spatial analysis of the risk for canine visceral leishmaniasis in an urban area in the State of Sergipe

Visceral Leishmaniasis is included among the neglected tropical diseases, being directly related to conditions of social vulnerability, in urban environments, dogs act as important reservoirs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of dogs, related risk factors and identify of volatile organic compounds from infected dogs. Peripheral blood samples from 72 dogs were collected for detection using the ELISA test, in addition to hair samples for analysis by GC-MS. Of the evaluated dogs, 13 (18.05%/72) were reactive for canine VL, seven in Aracaju and six in Propriá. Factors related to vegetation, age, place where the dog stays and free access to the street, were associated with a greater chance of the dog becoming infected. Fifty-three compounds were identified from ten canine hair samples, among which 2-butoxyethanol, benzaldehyde, decane, 2-phenylacetaldehyde, nonan-1-ol, 2-phenoxyethanol, nonanoic acid, 8-heptadecene and eicosane were found in seropositive dogs for leishmaniasis. The guardian's posture has been increasingly important, requiring more attention to the dog's health and actions aimed at environmental management in an attempt to reduce cases of canine VL in the state. Even though the identified VOCs have not been associated with leishmanial infection, it is of great use for understanding canine hair substances.

Anisakidae Skrjabin & Karokhin, 1945 and Raphidascarididae Hartwich, 1954 nematodes in lutjanidae (pisces: perciformes) from the Brazilian Northeast Coast

Abstract The present study aimed at describing and evaluating the fauna of Anisakidae and Raphidacarididae nematodes of lutjanid fish (snappers) from the Brazilian northeastern coast unloaded at the city of Aracaju, capital of the State of Sergipe. A total of 186 lutjanids of 5 different species were analyzed including 69 Lutjanus analis, 51 L. vivanus , 29 Ocyurus chrysurus, 23 L. synagris, and 14 L. jocu. Nematode specimens found in the viscera of these fish were clarified with lactophenol. Illustrations of each of these specimens were prepared to help identify these samples and compose their taxonomic description and classification. At necropsy, 3,183 nematodes belonging to two families were collected from fish viscera which included the following: Anisakidae: Anisakis, Terranova , Contracaecum, and Goezia; Raphidascarididae: Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) and Hysterothylacium . A total of six genera of nematodes were found at postmortem examination of which adult worms of only three genera (Goezia, Raphidascaris and Hysterothylacium) were detected in the fish examined. Larvae of Terranova sp. were found only in the musculature of O. chrysurus . Most of the nematode larvae were present in the mesentery and organs of the fish necropsied. Therefore, the zoonotic potential of these nematodes cannot be ruled out. There was a significant negative correlation between the intensity of parasitism by anisakids and the total body length of O. chrysurus; the intensity of parasitism was greater in smaller and shortef fish. There was a significant positive correlation between the abundance of these parasites and the length of L. synagris; the presence of these parasites increased according to the fish’s body length. To the authors’ knowledge, these are the first records of Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris ) sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. in L. vivanus , of Terranova sp. in O. chrysurus and L. jocu, and of Goezia sp. in L. analis. These novel findings add the Brazilian northeast coast and the State of Sergipe in the geographic distribution of these parasites in the country.

Structure of the parasite infracommunity of Sciades proops from the Japaratuba River Estuary, Sergipe, Brazil

Abstract The catfish species Sciades proops inhabits muddy estuaries and shallow brackish lagoons, as well as freshwater. For these reasons, it is believed that this species may act as an intermediate, definitive and paratenic host in the life cycle of many parasites. From November 2010 to November 2011 and from August 2012 to July 2013, a total of 126 specimens of Sciades proops from the estuarine region of the Japaratuba River in the state of Sergipe, Brazil, were examined for parasites, of which 84.13% were infected by at least one species: Ergasilus sp. (Copepoda) (Prevalence P = 77.78%, Mean of Intensity MI = 10.08 ± 15.48, Mean Abundance MA = 14.27 ± 7.48) in the gills, Contracaecum sp. (P = 23.02%, MI = 20.59 ± 80.58, MA =39.12 ± 4.47) in the general cavity, Procamallanus sp. (P = 0.79%, MI = 1, MA = 0.01 ± 0.09), Raphidascaroides sp. (P = 2.31%, MI = 1.33 ± 0.58, MA = 0.33 ± 0.22) and Cuccullanus sp. (Nematoda) (P = 0.79%, MI = 1, MA = 0.01 ± 0.09) in the intestine, Ancyrocephalinae (Monogenea) (P = 0.79%, MI = 1, MA = 0.01 ± 0.09) in the gills, Pseudoacanthostomumpanamense (P = 1.59%, MI = 9.00 ± 8.49, MA = 0.14 ± 1.36) in the intestine, Clinostomum sp. (P = 1.59%, MI = 17.50 ± 23.33, MA = 0.29 ± 3.03) on the body surface and two unidentified metacercariae, referred to as Metacercaria 1 (P = 0.79%; IM = 1, MA = 0.01 ± 0.09) and Metacercaria 2 (Digenea) (P = 0.79%, MI = 7, MA = 0.06 ± 0.62) in the swim bladder. Ergasilus sp. was the dominant species and thus classified as core, with Contracaecum sp. as the satellite and other species as secondary species. The spatial distribution of infection with Ergasilus sp. and Contracaecum sp. showed a typical pattern of aggregate distribution. The sex of the host did not influence parasitic infections, but infection with Ergasilus sp. showed a positive and significant correlation with biometric and epidemiologic parameters, whereas infection with Contracaecum sp. was correlated only with prevalence and abundance.