Trematodes of free range reared guinea fowls (Numida meleagris Linnaeus, 1758) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Morphology and pathology

Abstract

An investigation on the digenetic trematodes parasitizing free range reared guinea fowls was conducted in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, based on clinical examination, necropsies and histopathologica l findings in 36 guinea fowls. Parasites, prevalence and intensity of infection were, respectively: Paratanaisia bragai, 61.1% and 31 (in each kidney); Athesmia heterolecithodes, 8.3% and 38; Conspicuum conspicuum, 2.8% and 1. A. heterolecithodes was highly pathogenic to guinea fowls, causing severe hepatic lesions. However, C. conspicuum and P. bragai were less pathogenic in the considered intensities of infection. This is the first time that these parasite species have been reported in Brazilian guinea fowls.

Pathology and first occurrence of the kidney trematode Paratanaisia bragai (Santos, 1934) Freitas, 1959 (Digenea: Eucotylidae) in Phasianus colchicus L., 1758, from Brazil

“…Morphological measurements in specimens of P. bragai recovered from the ring-necked pheasants are in accordance to those referred for this parasite from other hosts (Santos 1934, Stunkard 1945, Freitas 1951, Menezes et al 2001, Pinto et al 2004.…”

“…These controversial data, referred in the few available studies of the pathology induced by this trematode and the fact that after decades of the first report of the species, two new hosts for P. bragai, the guinea fowl and the ruddy ground-dove have been assigned (Menezes et al 2001, Pinto et al 2004, indicate that the range of the hosts and the lesions associated to this species are not well established so far.…”

“…The parasite has been considered of low pathogenicity, causing mild gross and microscopic lesions in the infected kidneys (Santos 1934, Maldonado 1941, Barretto & Filho 1942, Menezes et al 2001, Pinto et al 2004); nev-ertheless, high parasitic burdens and the nature of the hosts, such as the domestic pigeon and the Puerto Rican plain pigeon (Columba inornata wetmorei), can determine the settling of clinical signs that include apathy, loss of weigh, diarrhoea and death (Portugal et al 1972, Arnizaut et al 1992.…”

“…In Brazil, the species is one of the most prevalent in domestic birds and has already been reported in the kidneys of the pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1798), the ruddy ground-dove (Columbina talpacoti Temminck, 1811), the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758), the guinea fowl (Numida meleagris Linnaeus, 1758), the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo Linnaeus, 1758), and also of a wild galliform, the spot-winged wood-quail (Odontophorus capueira Spix, 1825) (Travassos et al 1969, Costa et al 1975, Silva et al 1990, Menezes et al 2001, Pinto et al 2004). The intermediate hosts for P. bragai are the terrestrial snails Subulina octona Brugière, 1789 and Leptinaria unilamellata Orbigny, 1835(Keller & Araujo 1992, Brandolini et al 1997.The parasite has been considered of low pathogenicity, causing mild gross and microscopic lesions in the infected kidneys (Santos 1934, Maldonado 1941, Barretto & Filho 1942, Menezes et al 2001, Pinto et al 2004 ertheless, high parasitic burdens and the nature of the hosts, such as the domestic pigeon and the Puerto Rican plain pigeon (Columba inornata wetmorei), can determine the settling of clinical signs that include apathy, loss of weigh, diarrhoea and death (Portugal et al 1972, Arnizaut et al 1992.These controversial data, referred in the few available studies of the pathology induced by this trematode and the fact that after decades of the first report of the species, two new hosts for P. bragai, the guinea fowl and the ruddy ground-dove have been assigned (Menezes et al 2001, Pinto et al 2004, indicate that the range of the hosts and the lesions associated to this species are not well established so far.This investigation reports to data on the prevalence, mean intensity, mean abundance and range of infection of the digenetic trematode P. bragai and to the gross and microscopic lesions associated with this parasite in ringnecked pheasants from backyard flocks in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the establishment of a new host record. …”

“…In Brazil, the species is one of the most prevalent in domestic birds and has already been reported in the kidneys of the pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1798), the ruddy ground-dove (Columbina talpacoti Temminck, 1811), the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758), the guinea fowl (Numida meleagris Linnaeus, 1758), the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo Linnaeus, 1758), and also of a wild galliform, the spot-winged wood-quail (Odontophorus capueira Spix, 1825) (Travassos et al 1969, Costa et al 1975, Silva et al 1990, Menezes et al 2001, Pinto et al 2004). The intermediate hosts for P. bragai are the terrestrial snails Subulina octona Brugière, 1789 and Leptinaria unilamellata Orbigny, 1835 (Keller & Araujo 1992, Brandolini et al 1997.…”