Natural infection by endoparasites among free-living wild animals

Abstract

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. Cryptosporidium sp. 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 Enterobius sp. 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.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild animals living in the Cascavel city park, Paraná, Brazil

“…When we analyzed feces of parrots, we found a positivity of 50%, similar to Holsback et al (2013) results, who also found Cryptosporidium spp. in samples of maritaca's feces in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo.…”

“…Holsback et al (2013) also found the protozoa in the same animal species in Mato Grosso do Sul and Southern Sao Paulo region.…”

Endoparasites in domestic animals surrounding an Atlantic Forest remnant, in São Paulo State, Brazil

“…In addition, the contrary effect, related to the transfer of parasitic infections from wild animals to domestic dogs, may occur, and in this case, the prevalence of dog parasites represent a bio-indicator of environmental contamination. Wild canids and felids, such as crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), pumas (Puma concolor) and jaguars (Panthera onca), are present inside and surround the MDSP and are also hosts of these parasites founded in domestic dogs, such as Toxocara spp., Capillaria spp., Trichuris spp., Cystoisospora and Giardia spp., (FARRET et al, 2008;HOLSBACK et al, 2013;LIMA, 2009;SANTOS et al, 2015).…”

Infecção natural de pombos (Columba livia) por Cryptosporidium spp

“…No Brasil, a investigação do Cryptosporidium spp. na classe das aves tem sido conduzido por vários autores (Cardozo et al, 2005;Huber et al, 2007;Oliveira et al, 2008;Gomes et al, 2009;Nakamura et al, 2009;Silva et al, 2010;Sevá et al, 2011;Holsback et al, 2013;Nakamura et al, 2014;Cunha et al, 2016), porém nenhum estudo até o momento utilizou o hospedeiro pombo.…”