Some Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) can pose numerous adverse effects on biota. Marine turtles face numerous threats, in particular those related to anthropogenic activities. Therefore, development and improvement methodologies for monitoring chemical compounds are a relevant task. In this work, we developed a methodology based on the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction for detection of twelve OCPs, by gas chromatography with electron capture detector, in fat and liver samples of green sea turtles. Quantification limits were lower than 5.3 ng g-1; acceptable recovery rates for most compounds; medium matrix effect; matrix-calibration with linearity at the range from 1.0 to 200 ng g-1. This methodology provides contributions for the study of pesticide residues with adverse effects on sea turtle health, important skills for new directions in conservation issues.

Blood samples from 99 domestic dogs were collected in the urban area (n = 33) and rural area (n = 66) of the municipality of Lábrea, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Among the rural samples, 40 were collected in riverine communities and 26 were collected in Indian communities, both along the Purus River. During the sampling, a questionnaire was applied to obtain information relating to sex, age, living in dryland or seasonally flooded areas, access to the streets (for urban dogs) and access to forests. The presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Leishmania infantum chagasi and Leishmania amazonensis was detected by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) with cutoffs of 16, 50, 40 and 40, respectively. The association of each qualitative variable, with each parasite and positivity for each of them, were evaluated using the χ2 test (p < 0.05). T. gondii, N. caninum and L. amazonensis antibodies were found, respectively, in 61.6%, 7.1% and 8.1% of the animals examined. None of the samples were positive for L. infantum chagasi. The variable of living in an urban area (p = 0.041) presented an association with occurrence of T. gondii and the positivity for T. gondii increased with age of the dogs (p = 0.0006). The variable of male sex presented an association with N. caninum (p = 0.018) and no variable presented any association with L. amazonensis. The antibody titers against T. gondii ranged from 64 to 32,768; against N. caninum from 100 to 800; and against L. amazonensis from 40 to 640. Both T. gondii and L. amazonensis are important zoonotic agents and are active in this region. The municipality studied, and especially its riverine communities, has geographic, social and ecological peculiarities. This region requires greater attention from the authorities for controlling these agents.

The growing use of ophthalmic examination as a screening tool in birds intended for reintroduction into natural environments over the last few years has given renewed significance to avian ophthalmology in the context of free-ranging and captive bird conservation. The eye plays a vital role in prey detection and capture by birds of prey. The remarkable eyesight of such birds makes them interesting subjects for avian visual system anatomical and histological investigation. This study set out to describe histological features of the eyeball of ubiquitous birds of prey in Brazil (Falconiformes, Accipitriformes and Strigiformes). Twenty enucleated cadaveric eyeballs obtained from birds with natural death, Caracara plancus, Falco sparverius, Rupornis magnirostris, Megascops choliba and Athene cunicularia were used. Routinely prepared histological slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin were analyzed under light microscopy. Similarities and variations in ocular structures between the different bird species studied were highlighted in this study, with major differences concerning the lens and retina. This study highlights the importance of determining the ocular histological pattern of the species so they can be better understood. These results may well assign baseline information of the species and assist in eye histopathological diagnostics.

This study investigates the exposure of free-living jaguars from two federal protected areas in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, to a variety viral agents. These viral agents, particularly causing zoonotic diseases, were analyzed using serological and molecular methods. None of the jaguars was positive by RT-PCR for the molecular detection of avian influenza and West Nile Fever (WNF). Only one animal was serologically positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by virus neutralization test in VERO cell cultures, representing the first reported case of jaguar exposure to EEE virus. However, all the animals were negative for Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) virus and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) virus. Eleven jaguars were tested by two tests for the detection of antibodies against rabies virus (Simplified Fluorescent Inhibition Microtest – SFIMT and Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test – RFFIT), resulting in five positive animals, two animals in each test and one in both serological tests. Furthermore, three out of 14 samples subjected to the neutralization test were positive for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV), and 15 out of 17 samples subjected to the hemagglutination-inhibition test (HI) were positive for antibodies against canine parvovirus (CPV). In view of the findings of this study, it is unlikely that the viruses examined here represent a threat to the jaguar populations in this region.

The capture and quarantine of non-human primates could be necessary in some circumstances including those required under environmental permit. Mortality is undesirable for wildlife management programs and could be related to opportunistic pathogens, for example, deaths due to intestinal protozoa infection outbreaks as described here. Parasitological, necroscopic, microbiological, and molecular tests were used in the diagnosis of severe necrotic enteritis leading to death of three female and two male black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) captured and held in quarantine prior to translocation. Parasitological tests showed the presence of cysts of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5/5), Entamoeba coli (5/5) and Giardia duodenalis (1/5). Necroscopic assessment revealed areas of severe multifocal necrosis in the intestinal mucosa and submucosa. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of structures morphologically compatible to Entamoeba spp. in all individuals examined. Furthermore, G. duodenalis (1/5) was demonstrated by the nested PCR technique. During temporary captivity of non-human primates in management programs, proper handling protocols, including fast or immediate destination, are suggested in order to mitigate the negative effects of stress and decrease the risk of infections.

Enumeration of nematode eggs in fecal samples using the McMaster technique and morphological identification of third stage larvae from fecal cultures have been extensively used with satisfactory results in the diagnosis of the gastrointestinal nematode infections in ruminants. In order to improve sensitivity and accuracy, other approaches for quantification of eggs have been employed, like the FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC techniques. Results obtained in different studies indicate that fecal egg counts are a reliable measure of the size of the worm burden. However, the immunological status of the animals should be taken into consideration to interpret the results of the fecal examination. Molecular techniques have also been useful in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. The ultimate in diagnosis has been the development of robotic platforms that enable separation of eggs from feces. Because manipulation is minimal, good quality DNA from eggs is obtained, which is used for amplification, and finally, produces a result indicating the degree of the infection by the different parasite species in mix infections. The ideal method should be reliable, friendly to non-experts and quick to perform. With the advance in robotics, bioinformatics and molecular biology, methods with such characteristics are expected to become available and affordable to be used in laboratories for the routine diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical response of dogs with cutaneous lymphoma treated with lomustine (CCNU) and to identify possible adverse effects and toxicity during treatment. Fifteen dogs, seven females and eight males aged between five and 17 years old, diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma by histopathological analysis were selected and treated with lomustine at 90 mg/m² every three weeks. Monitoring was carried out and consisted of the assessment of laboratory hematology and serum chemistry before and during treatment. Partial response was observed in 53.3% of the animals. None of the animals achieved a complete response and seven dogs (46.6%) had progressive disease. The median survival time was 22 days. The major hematological and biochemical changes found after therapy were leukopenia (73.3%), thrombocytopenia (60%) and anemia (46.1%). Renal and liver toxicity was observed in 40% and 73.3% of dogs, respectively. Hematocrit, total protein, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, serum creatinine, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase and urine specific gravity were affected during therapy. The use of lomustine as a monotherapy in the treatment of canine cutaneous lymphoma was effective; however, adverse effects occurred and compromised the quality of life of the majority of dogs in this study. Therefore, lower doses of lomustine should be considered in future studies.

Equine influenza virus (EIV) (H3N8 and H7N7) is the causative agent of equine influenza, or equine flu. The H7N7 subtype has been considered to be extinct worldwide since 1980. Affected animals have respiratory symptoms that can be worsened by secondary bacterial respiratory infection, thereby leading to great economic losses in the horse-breeding industry. In Brazil, equine influenza outbreaks were first reported in 1963 and studies on hemagglutination antibodies against viral subtypes in Brazilian horses have been conducted since then. The objective of the present review was to present the history of the emergence of EIV around the world and in Brazil and the studies that have thus far been developed on EIV in Brazilian equines.

The red-winged tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens), a bird from the Tinamidae family, can be easily adapted to captivity. It is considered suitable for producing good quality meat while presenting great feed conversion rate, characteristics that make it interesting for commercial production. Therefore, in order to determine the major diseases that affect these birds, 114 birds from two different aviary types that died over a 12-year period, 1994-2006, were analyzed macro- and microscopically. Anatomical and pathological examinations showed that the most frequently affected systems were the urinary and digestive tracts. In the urinary tract, the main finding was gout, followed by amyloidosis and parasitism by the trematode Paratanaisia confusa. In the digestive tract, the presence of foreign material and parasitism by Capillaria penidoi were observed in the esophagus and crop. This study aims to describe the main anatomical and pathological findings in captive-bred red-winged tinamou and correlate them with the aviary type.

The impact of responsible ownership programs with the goal of promoting public health remains to be fully established in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the responsible pet ownership perception of public elementary school students and teachers after a four-year outreach educational program in the city of Pinhais, Southern Brazil. Questionnaires were distributed for self-answer by fourth-grade students and teachers of all city public elementary schools. A total of 1,022/1,332 students (76.7%) referred participated in the program. No significant differences were observed between participating and non-participating groups regarding the concepts of responsible ownership (p = 0.88), zoonoses (p = 0.09) and animal welfare (p = 0.94). However, the frequency of correct answers on responsible ownership and zoonoses concepts was significantly higher (p < 0.01) among student groups who participated 1 or 2 times (779/830; 93.8% and 506/813; 62.2%, respectively) in relation to the groups that participated > 2 times (144/165; 87.3% and 64/151; 42.4%, respectively). It was also significantly higher (p < 0.01) between ≤ 10 years group (991/1058, 93.7%) compared to group >10 years (158/180; 87.8%) in the first concept. Although most teachers approved the continuing program (128/137; 93.4%), they reported low rates on training participation (41/137; 29.9%) and use of available teaching materials (78/137; 26.9%). The study has shown that perception of responsible pet ownership in outreach education programs may be more easily absorbed by children under ten years of age and up to two participations.