Seroprevalence of Antibodies to Chlamydophila psittaci in Zoo Workers in Brazil

To evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to Chlamydophila psittaci 364 serum samples were collected from veterinarians, biologists, animal scientists, veterinary students, animal keepers and others employees in 20 zoos, and from veterinary practitioners in 10 Brazilian states. Subjects ranged from 15 to 64 years of age, with 268 (74%) males and 96 (26%) females. Chlamydial antibodies were determined by the complement fixation test (CFT) and specific anti‐C. psittaci IgG antibodies were determined by the microimmunoflurescence (MIF) test. Complement fixation test showed 23.9% (87/364) and MIF test showed 4.7% (17/364) positive serum samples. Titres ranged from 16 to 256 in both assays, demonstrating evidence of recent or current infection. Although chlamydial antibodies were detected in workers of seventeen zoos, MIF test only detected specific C. psittaci antibodies in seven of them. Previous psittacosis infection was suspected in eight workers of two zoos, five of whom reported having pneumonia, while employed at the zoos. However, diagnosis was not established in any of these cases in the past. Results indicated the occurrence of infection and previous contact of Brazilian zoo workers with C. psittaci, as well as the zoonotic potential of psittacosis in this risk population. Other studies are necessary to evaluate the risk factors of infection in this population. This seroepidemiological survey confirmed the need to adopt preventive measures to control avian chlamydiosis and protect the health of zoo workers in the country.     

Evidence of Chlamydophila psittaci infection in captive Amazon parrots in Brazil.

The prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) infection was assessed in 95 apparently healthy, captive Amazon parrots from three breeder collections in southeastern and west-central Brazil. Cloacal swabs from 95 birds were tested for chlamydial antigen, which was detected by direct immunofluorescence (DIF), and serum samples from 44 of these birds were tested for antibodies to C. psittaci using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The prevalences of active infection as detected by DIF were 16.7%, 22.2%, and 56.1%, and seroprevalences were 100%, 87.5%, and 60% in flocks A, B, and C, respectively. We can therefore infer that C. psittaci may be widespread in captive parrot populations in Brazil.     

Survey for natural Neospora caninum infection in wild and captive birds

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that presents worldwide distribution and is mainly implicated as responsible for bovine abortion. Although the presence of birds in cattle-raising properties is positively correlated to higher infection rates, very little has been described about the role of these animals in the parasite's life cycle. In that sense, this work aimed to investigate the serological and histological positivity of different avian species sampled in its natural habitat or in captivity. No serological positivity was observed in the 294 tested serum samples. On the other hand, Apicomplexa-like cysts found in muscular tissues of two Psittaciformes were immunostained with N. caninum antisera. These findings indicate that N. caninum may infect a wider range of hosts than described to date, and that further studies should be performed in order to determine the presence of the infection in different avian species.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement on growth and carcass proximate composition of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

An experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary fish oil replacement at an optimal level on the growth and carcass proximate composition of juvenile barramundi or sea bass (Lates calcarifer). Ten fish feeds were formulated to contain iso‐ingredients with theoretically identical dietary lipid levels but with different sources of lipids (fish oil, soybean oil, canola oil and linseed oil) replacing dietary fish oil. Three hundred fish were equally divided into 30 70‐L plastic tanks (three replicate tanks for each treatment). Fish were fed with experimental diets for 40 days within closed recirculating freshwater systems (70 L h^?1, 28°C and 12L:12D). Growth, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass proximate composition were determined. Dietary lipids significantly affected (P<0.05) the growth of the fish. Good growth and low FCR were observed in all treatments. Therefore, fish oils can be partially replaced by vegetable oils to reduce the feed cost. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in lipid, moisture and protein content in fish carcasses among the group. However, juvenile barramundi showed increasing lipid and moisture content in muscle, whereas decreasing protein content when compared to the initial fish.     

Presence and persistence of intestinal parasites in canine fecal material collected from the environment in the Province of Chubut, Argentine Patagonia

We investigated the presence of intestinal parasites in canine feces collected from public squares in Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina (45 degrees S, 68 degrees W) and determined the persistence of Echinococcus granulosus eggs in those droppings under natural environmental conditions in that region. In the first experiment, we analyzed 163 fecal samples collected from urban squares during 8 months time and found parasitic elements in 46.6%. The presence of parasites was independent of the condition of the feces (fresh or dried; P>0.05). Parasites potentially pathogenic in man were present, such as Toxocara species (spp.), Taenia spp./Echinococcus spp., Uncinarias spp., and Entamoeba spp. In the second experiment, we analyzed two canine fecal samples contaminated with E. granulosus eggs, deposited for 41 months within the natural environment. These parasitic elements persisted during the entire study as attested by light microscopy and the ELISA coproantigen test. We propose the study of the presence of intestinal parasites in canine feces within the environment as a general strategy for identifying and monitoring areas of risk for canine-related zoonoses since we were able to demonstrate the persistence of E. granulosus eggs in deposited canine feces for over 3 years within the area studied.     

Rapid total destruction of chlorophenols by activated hydrogen peroxide

A practical, inexpensive, green chemical process for degrading environmental pollutants is greatly needed, especially for persistent chlorinated pollutants. Here we describe the activation of hydrogen peroxide by tetraamidomacrocylic ligand (TAML) iron catalysts, to destroy the priority pollutants pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP). In water, in minutes, under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure, PCP and TCP are completely destroyed at catalyst:substrate ratios of 1:715 and 1:2000, respectively. The fate of about 90% of the carbon and about 99% of the chlorine has been determined in each case. Neither dioxins nor any other toxic compounds are detectable products, and the catalysts themselves show low toxicity.     

Protection levels of vaccinated pigeons (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Columba livia)</Emphasis> against a highly pathogenic newcastle disease virus strain

The purposes of this study were to model a vaccination regimen for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in pigeons, and to evaluate the susceptibility and behavior of vaccinated birds against a highly pathogenic NDV Brazilian strain. Antibody response was assessed by means of hemagglutination inhibition test (HI), and viral genome excretion by means of RT-PCR. Vaccinal strains (La Sota and Ulster) induced high antibody titers without any adverse effects, both in inoculated and in sentinel birds. A viral strain pathogenic for chickens did not produce clinical signs of the disease in experimentally infected pigeons. Only 4 out of 10 vaccinated pigeons shed NDV genome, and just for two days. Results confirmed the high infectivity of the vaccinal strains used, as all nonvaccinated pigeons showed antibody titers as high as those of vaccinated birds.     

An outbreak of chlamydiosis in captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) in Brazil.

Fifty-eight blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) nestlings, recovered from the illegal trade, became ill at a wildlife rehabilitation center in S?o Paulo State, Brazil. Clinical signs observed were nonspecific, and the mortality rate was 96.5% despite initial treatment with norfloxacin. Postmortem examinations were performed on 10 birds. Liver and spleen smears showed structures suggestive of Chlamydophila psittaci in four cases. Diagnosis was confirmed by seminested polymerase chain reaction on tissue samples. Other birds from the same location showed no clinical signs of the disease, although high complement fixation titers to C. psittaci were found in 10 adult psittacines. All birds in the facility were treated with doxycycline. The two surviving nestlings did not recover after two doxycycline treatments and were euthanatized. The high mortality rate observed in this outbreak was attributed to poor conditions of husbandry and delays in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. After diagnosis, improved control measures for chlamydiosis were instituted.     

Chlamydophila psittaci in free-living Blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) and Hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci) infection was evaluated in 77 free-living nestlings of Blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) and Hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Tracheal and cloacal swab samples from 32 wild parrot and 45 macaw nestlings were submitted to semi-nested PCR, while serum samples were submitted to complement fixation test (CFT). Although all 32 Amazon parrot serum samples were negative by CFT, cloacal swabs from two birds were positive for Chlamydophila DNA by semi-nested PCR (6.3%); these positive birds were 32 and 45 days old. In macaws, tracheal and cloacal swabs were positive in 8.9% and 26.7% of the samples, respectively. Complement-fixing antibodies were detected in 4.8% of the macaw nestlings; macaw nestlings with positive findings were between 33 and 88 days old. These results indicate widespread dissemination of this pathogen in the two evaluated psittacine populations. No birds had clinical signs suggestive of chlamydiosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on C. psittaci in free-living Blue-fronted Amazon parrots and Hyacinth macaws in Brazil.