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Chelonia mydas is a sea turtle that feeds and nests on the Brazilian coast and a disease called fibropapillomatosis is a threat to this species. Because of this, it is extremely necessary to determine a methodology that would enable the analysis of blood leukocyte function in these sea turtles. In order to achieve this aim, blood samples were collected from C. mydas with or without fibropapillomas captured on the São Paulo north coast. Blood samples were placed in tubes containing sodium heparin and were transported under refrigeration to the laboratory in sterile RPMI 1640 cell culture medium. Leukocytes were separated by density gradient using Ficoll-Paque TM Plus, Amershan Biociences ® . The following stimuli were applied in the assessment of leukocyte function: Phorbol Miristate-Acetate (PMA) for oxidative burst activity evaluation and Zymosan A (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Bio Particles ® , Alexa Fluor ® 594 conjugate for phagocytosis evaluation. Three cell populations were identified: heterophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. Monocytes were the cells responsible for phagocytosis and oxidative burst.Keywords: Chelonia mydas, green turtle, leukocytes, flow cytometry.A citometria de fluxo como ferramenta para avaliar a função celular de leucócitos sangüíneos de Chelonia mydas (Testudines, Cheloniidae) ResumoChelonia mydas é uma tartaruga marinha que freqüenta o litoral brasileiro para alimentação e nidificação e uma doença denominada fibropapilomatose é uma das mais importantes ameaças à sobrevivência dessa espécie. Desta forma, a definição de uma metodologia que permita analisar a função dos leucócitos sangüíneos torna-se extremamente necessária. Foram utilizadas amostras sangüíneas de C. mydas com e sem fibropapilomas capturadas no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo. As amostras sangüíneas foram colocadas em tubos contendo heparina sódica e transportadas em meio de cultura celular RPMI 1640 estéril e sob refrigeração.

Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are major threats to the conservation status of New World primates, such as the howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) in Brazil, where vegetation destruction is often associated with projects such as Small Hydro Power Plant (SHP) construction. The resulting stress from the implementation of this type of enterprise may be a factor that influences individual susceptibility against pathogens and can determine the success or failure of mitigation measures proposed by responsible and/or requested companies by environmental agencies. To perform health monitoring and to understand physiological changes that ensued from the stress of capturing and keeping primates in captivity, we determined the blood profile of A. caraya rescued at the time of capture (N = 15) and in captivity (N = 11). Complete blood counts (CBCs) performed at the time of capture showed hematological changes compatible with acute stress, such as evident neutrophilic leukocytosis (WBCs; females = 20.48 ± 7.26; males = 18.78 ± 10.39 × 10(9) /L). In captivity, monocytosis was observed in both sexes (females = 1.34 ± 0.26; males = 0.39 ± 0.32 × 10(9) /L; U-test, P = 0.01), suggesting chronic stress. In females, there was also statistically significant eosinopenia (0.28 ± 0.10 × 10(9) /L; U-test, P = 0.01) and hematocrit increases (39.00 ± 1.41%; U-test, P = 0.01). Thus, data shows the impact of both capture related acute stress as well as captivity chronic stress, suggesting that primate management in the implementation of these projects causes significant changes in physiological parameters and, consequently, animal health. Whereas chronic stress is an inducer of immunosuppression and susceptibility to pathogen factors, monitoring hematological parameters in captive animals can act as an indicator of health status, contributing to the success of management and conservation wildlife programs. Am. J. Primatol. 77:246-253, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Óbitos por infecções causadas por protozoários intestinais são indesejáveis para programas de manejo de fauna, exigidos no âmbito do licenciamento ambiental e que demandam a captura e quarentena de primatas não humanos. Exames coproparasitológicos, necroscópicos, microbiológicos e moleculares foram utilizados para a confirmação do diagnóstico de uma severa enterite necrótica que levou a óbito três fêmeas e dois machos de Alouatta (A.) caraya capturados e mantidos em quarentena prévia à translocação. Exames coproparasitológicos revelaram a presença de cistos de Entamoeba (E.) histolytica/dispar (5/5), Entamoeba (E.) coli (5/5) e Giardia (G.) duodenalis (1/5). A avaliação necroscópica revelou áreas de necrose multifocal severa na mucosa e submucosa intestinal. A análise microscópica revelou a presença de estruturas morfologicamente compatíveis com trofozoítos do gênero Entamoeba spp. em todos os indivíduos examinados. Além disso, G. duodenalis (1/5) foi demonstrada pela técnica de Nested PCR. Sugere-se que quando for necessário o cativeiro temporário de primatas, deverão ser adotados protocolos de manejo adequados buscando a destinação imediata dos animais, de moto a mitigar os efeitos negativos do estresse e reduzir o risco da ocorrência de infecções.