The parasite Haemonchus contortus is one of the most pathogenic for small ruminants in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the structural changes induced in adult H. contortus after in vitro contact with Acacia mearnsii extract (AE), using scanning electron microscopy. Adult nematodes were collected from a naturally infected lamb. In the in vitro assay the parasites were placed in contact with AE (100 mg ml -1 ), for two hours at 37 o C. The nematodes used in the assays (exposed to AE and the negative controls) were analyzed using an electron scanning microscope (quadruplicate per treatment). In all replicates, similar morphological alterations were observed on the entire extension of the cuticle of the specimens that remained in contact with the EA in vitro assays, none significant lesion was observed in the negative control (not exposed to AE). These results indicate the direct action of EA on the cuticle of H. contortus in in vitro trials. Key words: Gastrointestinal nematodes, scanning electron microscopy, structural changes, tannins ResumoHaemonchus contortus é um dos parasitos mais patogênicos para pequenos ruminantes em regiões tropicais e subtropicais em todo o mundo, inclusive no Brasil. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar alterações ultraestruturais na cutícula de H. contortus após contato com extrato de Acacia mearnsii. Os parasitos expostos ao extrato de Acacia mearnsii (EA) e os controles negativos foram analisados ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura. No teste in vitro, adultos de H. contortus foram coletados de um ovino naturalmente infectado, e os parasitos foram colocados em contato com o EA (100 mg mL -1 ), durante duas horas à 37 o C. Os nematódeos expostos ao EA apresentaram alterações morfológicas em toda a extensão da cutícula. As alterações morfológicas não foram observadas no controle negativo. Estes resultados indicam a ação direta do EA na cutícula de H. contortus.

Infestations of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes in sheep result in significant costs to farmers. These infestations are controlled using synthetic anthelmintic treatments, which can result in the development of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes. The use of plants rich in condensed tannins (CTs) is a promising alternative for controlling infestations of harmful parasites in sheep, and could allow reduction of the chemical products used. This study investigated the in vitro effect of CTs from Acacia mearnsii extract (AE) on egg hatching and motility of third-stage larvae. Egg-hatching rate was measured after incubation with extracts for 48 h at 27 °C. The egg hatch test was performed with dilutions of 0. 09, 0.19, 0.39, 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg mL -1 . Distilled water was used as the negative control. The corresponding egg hatching inhibition percentages were 22.3, 32.3, 39.2, 49.1, 56.7, 59.0, 62.3, 77.3, 92.7, 98.3, and 100%. The concentration required to inhibit egg hatching in 50% of eggs (LC 50 ) was 2.85 mg mL -1 . The inhibition achieved with the negative control was 7.06%. A larval migration inhibition test was carried out after incubation with the extracts for 48 h at 27 o C, with AE and distilled water used in dilutions of 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg mL -1 . The corresponding percentages of migration inhibition were 16.5, 37.0, 56.3, 79.4, 91.8, and 97.1%. The concentration required to inhibit migration of 50% of larvae (LC 50 ) was 12.45 mg mL -1 . The inhibition achieved with the negative control was 8.53%. The in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of CTs from AE indicate the anthelmintic effect of AE, suggesting the potential of CT extracts to be used as alternatives for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infestations in small ruminants. Key words: In vitro test, helminthes, tannins, phytotherapy, small ruminants ResumoO parasitismo gastrintestinal em ovinos acarreta inúmeros prejuízos aos produtores rurais. O controle é realizado basicamente através da administração de anti-helmínticos sintéticos o que estimula a seleção de parasitas resistentes. O uso de plantas ricas em taninos condensados (TC) apresenta-se como uma alternativa promissora no controle de helmintos em ovinos, reduzindo o uso de produtos químicos. Esse estudo avaliou o efeito in vitro dos TC provenientes da acácia (Acacia mearnsii) sobre a eclosão de ovos e a motilidade de larvas de terceiro estágio de nematódeos gastrintestinais de ovinos. A taxa de eclosão foi avaliada após incubação com o extrato por um período de 48 h a 27 o C. A eclodibilidade foi avaliada nas concentrações de 0,09; 0,19; 0,39; 0,78; 1,56; 3,12; 6,25; 12,5; 25; 50 e 100 mg mL -1 . No controle negativo utilizou-se água destilada. As inibições das eclosões foram 22,3; 32,3; 39,3; 49,1; 56,7; 59; 62,3; 77,3; 92,7; 98,3 . A ação ovicida e larvicida in vitro do tanino condensado do extrato de Acacia mearnsii encontrada no presente trabalho indica uma ação anti-helmíntica, apresentando potencial para sua apli...

Bovine coccidiosis is a disease of major importance in cattle herds across the world. The disorder mainly affects young calves, and E. bovis and E. zuernii are considered the most pathogenic species of the genus, however, E. alabamensis have been described in grazing calves. In this study, the prevalence of Eimeria spp. was evaluated in calves on dairy farms in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Four hundred calves on 44 dairy farms were tested for the presence of coccidian oocysts. The positives were re-examined and the oocysts were morphometrically analyzed for species identification. All the farms were contaminated and 205 animals (51.25%) presented Eimeria spp. oocysts. Among these, 146 animals (71.22%) were co-infected by two or more species of coccidia. Ten species of Eimeria were identified: E. bovis (in 30.25% of the positive samples), E. alabamensis (26.75%), E. zuernii (22.00%), E. ellipsoidalis (18.50%), E. auburnensis (13.75%), E. canadensis (8.00%), E. cylindrica (7.25%), E. subspherica (5.00%), E. bukidnonensis (3.00%) and E. brasiliensis (0.75%). This study demonstrates the high prevalence of Eimeria spp. in the northern region of Paraná, Brazil, and detection for the first time in our region the pathogenic species E. alabamensis.

The purpose of this investigation was to verify the effectiveness of composting in the sanitization of sludge from urban sewage (SS). The treatments (T) used consisted of SS mixed with sugarcane bagasse (SB), tree pruning residues (TP), poultry litter (PL) or grass clipping (GC) at a carbon/nitrogen ratio of approximately 30/1 and ratios of T1 (SS+SB), T2 (SS+SB+TP), T3 (SS+SB+GC), T4 (SS+SB+PL) or T5 (SS+SB+TP+GC). Temperature was measured daily for over 280 days of composting. Every two weeks, the compounds were analyzed for thermotolerant coliforms and viable helminth eggs using the multiple-tube and Yanko techniques; and once each month to identify Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. (oo)cysts using the sucrose and zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation technique and nested PCR followed by sequencing. The maximum temperatures measured in the thermophilic phase of the compounds ranged from 55°C to 64.8°C, and at day 280, weight reductions of 27% (T1), 48% (T2), 63% (T3), 66% (T4) and 64% (T5) were observed. The absence of fecal coliforms was observed from day 98 (T4), day 126 (T1), day 196 (T3 and T5) and day 210 (T2). All treatments resulted in helminth egg inviability and the absence of protozoan (oo)cysts. Only T4 and T5 were positive for G. duodenalis according to the sequencing analysis. In conclusion, high temperatures during the composting thermophilic phase made the use of pathogens required by legislation unfeasible; therefore, it is important to investigate the viability of protozoa in compounds to ensure a safe final product for human and animal health.