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Tietze E, Bellusci A, Cañal V, Cringoli G, Beltrame MO. Gastrointestinal parasite assemblages from the wild rodent capybara ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) inhabiting a natural protected area from Argentina. J Helminthol 2023; 97:e97. [PMID: 38088355 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x23000767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge about parasitic diseases of wildlife will help us to understand the dynamics of parasites and their effects on host populations. The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest living rodent in the world, and its distribution is associated with the presence of tropical and subtropical wetlands in South America. The Los Padres Lake Integral Reserve (LPLIR) is an important conservation zone in the pampean region of Argentina. One of the emblematic species found within the reserve is the capybara. The objective of this study was to determine the gastrointestinal parasites present in wild capybaras of the LPLIR and to compare different coprological methodologies. Free-ranging capybara fresh feces from 57 individuals were randomly collected from the area of LPLIR in the summer of 2022. Three different techniques were applied: spontaneous sedimentation technique (SS), INTA modified McMaster technique (MM), and Mini-FLOTAC (MF) technique. Fifty-six samples from all samples analysed (56/57, 98%) were found to be positive for gastrointestinal parasites. Two species of Strongylida, Protozoophaga obesa, Echinocoleus hydrochaeris, one unidentified nematode, one unidentified spirurid, and at least two morphotypes of Eimeria spp. oocysts were recorded. There were found significant differences in the proportion of positive samples and in richness by technique, but no significant differences were found in parasite counting. In conclusion, the choice of methodology depends on the specific objectives of the study. This is the first parasitological study of capybaras from the LPLIR and represents an exploration of parasite communities present in these wild rodents at their southernmost distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tietze
- Paleoparasitología. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNMdP-CONICET, Juan B. Justo 2250, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - A Bellusci
- Paleoparasitología. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNMdP-CONICET, Juan B. Justo 2250, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - V Cañal
- Paleoparasitología. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNMdP-CONICET, Juan B. Justo 2250, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - G Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - M O Beltrame
- Paleoparasitología. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNMdP-CONICET, Juan B. Justo 2250, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
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de Souza AJS, Malheiros AP, Chagas AACD, Alves MM, Bernal MKM, Carneiro LA, Gomes-Gouvêa MS, Nunes HM. Cysticercosis in free-ranging agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2023; 32:e006723. [PMID: 37493786 PMCID: PMC10399550 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612023044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The study describes the occurrence of cysticercosis in liver of 22 wild agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) in the Brazilian Amazon. The phylogenetic analysis and microscopic characteristics of metacestodes in liver tissue sections, associated with the geographic distribution of the intermediate hosts indicated that a possibly novel Taenia sp. metacestode caused the parasitism. Additionally, two cases of hepatic co-infection by Taenia sp., Calodium sp. and Echinococcus oligarthra were also observed among the analyzed animals. The results point to the need for a better understanding of hepatotropic parasites among wild rodents in the Brazilian Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Junior Souza de Souza
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista - UNIP, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Andreza Pinheiro Malheiros
- Seção de Hepatologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas - IEC, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - André Antônio Corrêa das Chagas
- Seção de Hepatologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas - IEC, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - Max Moreira Alves
- Seção de Hepatologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas - IEC, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | | | - Liliane Almeida Carneiro
- Centro Nacional de Primatas - CENP, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua, PA, Brasil
| | - Michele Soares Gomes-Gouvêa
- Departamento de Gastroenterologia LIM-07, Instituto de Medicina Tropical - IMT, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Heloisa Marceliano Nunes
- Seção de Hepatologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas - IEC, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Belém, PA, Brasil
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Jones KR. Update of Cestodes Parasitizing Neotropical Hystricomorphic Rodent. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:885678. [PMID: 35573400 PMCID: PMC9106386 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.885678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aims at identifying cestodes that are present in hunted rodent species in the neo-tropical region. The rodent species that was investigated were the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Linnaeus, 1766), lappe (Cuniculus paca, Linnaeus, 1766), agouti (Dasyprocta leporina, Linnaeus, 1758), chinchilla (Chinchilla chinchilla, Lichtenstein, 1829), Trinidad spiny rat (Proehimys trinitatus, Allen and Chapman, 1893), nutria (Myocastor coypus, Molina, 1782), and vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus, Desmarest, 1817). These rodent species are utilized for their meats in many rural communities in the Caribbean and South America. These rodents belong to the hystricomorphic group. Raillietina demerariensis Daniels, 1895 was commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of D. leporina, C. paca and P. trinitatus. Similarly, in the liver, muscle and subcutaneous tissue the metacestodes on Echinococcus vogeli Daniels, 1895 and Echinococcus oligarthrus was found in the lappe and agouti. The capybara was found to have the most species of cestodes in its gastrointestinal tract when compared to the agouti and lappe. However, metacestodes were not recorded in the tissues of the capybara. This surprising feature shows the effect of the difference in feeding habits between the capybara and the agouti and lappe. The literature reviewed in this study includes scientific publications on cestodes and metacestodes of Hystricomorphic rodents. An exhaustive search was performed using the digital repositories in Google Scholar, Scielo, Redalyc, Scopus and Pubmed. Literature searched spanned the years 1970-2021. Cestodes of zoonotic significance were E. vogeli and E. oligarthrus, with humans becoming infected when consuming eggs of contaminated food and water. The agouti and lappe act as intermediate host in the life cycle of E. vogeli and E. oligarthrus, the definitive host (canids and felids) become infected by consuming of tissue infected with metacestodes. Humans become infected through the ingestion of eggs from the definitive host where cystic lesions develop in the liver, lungs and other abdominal organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kegan Romelle Jones
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
- Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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Jones KR, Garcia GW. Teaching of Veterinary Parasitology to University students in Trinidad, West Indies; are our local wildlife species neglected? BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e248493. [PMID: 34495164 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.248493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of veterinary importance have been heavily focused on domesticated livestock that was introduced into the neo-tropics. The text used in the teaching parasitology to veterinary students in Trinidad has only investigated the parasites of domesticated species. In the reviewed veterinary parasitology text no mention was made on the parasites that affect wild neo-tropical animals. Information on wild neo-tropical animals had to be sourced from texts on the management of wild life animals in the Neotropics. The texts that were reviewed in this document spanned from the mid-1950s to 2020. The information presented in this review reveals the exhaustive work done on the parasites of domesticated species but also revealed little information on neo-tropical animals with the potential for domestication. In conclusion, this review reveals the gap of information that is missing from parasitology texts used in the teaching of veterinary students. In the future these parasitology texts can be revised to include chapters on the parasites of neo-tropical animals with the potential for domestication. At present students that graduate from the veterinary parasitology course has little information on the parasites of animals which are present in their 'backyards'.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Jones
- University of the West Indies - UWI, Faculty of Food and Agriculture - FFA, Department of Food Production - DFP, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.,University of the West Indies - UWI, School of Veterinary Medicine - SVM, Faculty of Medical Sciences - FMS, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences - DBVS, Mt. Hope Campus, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - G W Garcia
- University of the West Indies - UWI, Faculty of Food and Agriculture - FFA, Department of Food Production - DFP, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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Jones KR, Garcia GW. Anthelmintic usage on the performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) reared intensively in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e246780. [PMID: 34378684 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.246780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthelmintic drugs have been used strategically in livestock reared in the tropics. These drugs have been used in the treatment of endoparasitism which have resulted in an increase in the animals' performance. The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a neo-tropical rodent with the potential for domestication and has been farmed intensively in Trinidad. However, the objective of this research was to investigate the effect of anthelmintic use of the growth performance of the agouti. In searching the literature, it was found that this type of study on the agouti has not been done. In this experiment fourteen weaned agoutis weighing 1kg were divided into two groups randomly. The first group (T1) was not given any anthelmintic treatment but the second group (T2) was treated with Endovet Ces® subcutaneously every three months. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups in the carcass weight, weight gain, dressing percentage (hot and cold), heart, lungs, skin, head and feet. However, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen between groups in the weight of liver and pluck. To the authors knowledge this is the first time that carcass parameters has been presented in literature. The live weight of the animals at the end of the experiment ranged from 2.4 kg to 2.6 kg and animals had a dressing percentage of 57% to 55%. The results are suggestive that the use of anthelmintic drugs in agoutis reared intensively had no significant effect on weight gain and dressing percentage.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Jones
- University of the West Indies - UWI, School of Veterinary Medicine - SVM, The Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences - DBVS, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago.,The University of the West Indies - UWI, Faculty of Food and Agriculture - FFA, Department of Food Production - DFP, The Open Tropical Forage-Animal Production Laboratory - OTF-APL, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - G W Garcia
- The University of the West Indies - UWI, Faculty of Food and Agriculture - FFA, Department of Food Production - DFP, The Open Tropical Forage-Animal Production Laboratory - OTF-APL, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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Jones KR, Garcia GW. Anthelmintic usage on the Reproductive Parameters in Captive reared Agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e246781. [PMID: 34378685 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.246781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent that is found in the Neo-tropical region. This animal is hunted for its meat but has recently been reared in captivity as a source of meat protein in rural communities. A 20-month experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of an anthelmintic on the reproductive performance of the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) reared in captivity. This experiment was conducted in the humid tropics of Trinidad and Tobago. Sixteen animals (15 females, 1 male) placed in each of the two treatment groups in a completely randomized study design. In treatment 1 (T1) animals were given subcutaneous injections of Endovet Ces® (Ivermectin/Praziquantel) at 0.2 mg/kg every three months. Treatment 2 (T2) was the negative control group where animals were not exposed to an anthelmintic. Reproductive data were collected at parturition which included birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender of offspring. The results showed that there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the treatment groups with respect to birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender. However, agoutis that were dewormed had a higher birth weight (220.24 g vs 209.1 g) and litter weight (369.8 g vs 343 g). The same values were obtained for the litter size (1.7 vs 1.7) and animals that were dewormed had a higher female offspring to male offspring (2.41:1 vs 1.11:1). This experiment demonstrated that the use of an anthelmintic strategically in the management of captive reared agoutis had no statistical effect (p > 0.05) on the reproductive parameters. Therefore, these animals can be kept in captive conditions without being dewormed and produce efficiently with proper feeding and housing management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kegan Romelle Jones
- University of the West Indies - UWI, Faculty of Medical Sciences - FMS, School of Veterinary Medicine - SVM, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences - DBVS, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago.,University of the West Indies - UWI, Faculty of Food and Agriculture - FFA, Department of Food Production - DFP, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Gary Wayne Garcia
- University of the West Indies - UWI, Faculty of Food and Agriculture - FFA, Department of Food Production - DFP, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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Cairo PLG, Nogueira SSC, Altino VS, Vandenheede M, Schroyen M, Taminiau B, Daube G, Gross E, Bindelle J, Nogueira-Filho SLG. Individual differences in behaviour and gut bacteria are associated in collared peccary (Mammalia, Tayassuidae). J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:2748-2762. [PMID: 33971065 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We tested the hypothesis that the behaviour of an individual is associated with the diversity of its gut bacteria, using the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) as a model. METHODS AND RESULTS In all, 24 adult male collared peccaries received either low- (n = 12) or high-fibre diet (n = 12) to induce contrasting gut fermentation profiles. They were submitted to three short-term challenges, allowing us to rate the animals in a coping-style dimension named 'calmness'. At the end of the experimental period, we collected samples of peccaries' forestomach contents to characterize bacterial diversity. We found a significant positive association between individual 'calmness' z-scores and the bacterial evenness index in gut bacteria (and a similar trend with the Simpson's diversity index), suggesting a more homogeneous bacterial community of calmer individuals. We also found a positive association between fibres digestibility and gut bacterial diversity in the peccaries' forestomach, but no effect of the dietary fibre level. CONCLUSIONS Gut bacteria evenness increases with 'calmness' z-scores, suggesting a more homogeneous bacterial community of calmer individuals, compared with the more heterogeneous of the most distressed ones. Our results also suggest associations between the digestibility of ADF with the gut bacterial diversity indices and with the relative abundance of the Actinobacteria phylum. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Our data showed that the hosts' individual behavioural differences are potentially aligned with gut bacterial diversity. The behaviour-microbiota link is correlated with host feed efficiency and, ultimately, may have implications for animal health and welfare of farm animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L G Cairo
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - S S C Nogueira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Estudos Interdisciplinares e Transdiciplinares em Ecologia e Evolução (INCT IN-TREE), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - V S Altino
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - M Vandenheede
- Department of Veterinary Management of Animal Resources, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - M Schroyen
- Department of AgroBioChem, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - B Taminiau
- Department of Food Sciences, Fundamental and Applied Research of Animals & Health (FARAH), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - G Daube
- Department of Food Sciences, Fundamental and Applied Research of Animals & Health (FARAH), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - E Gross
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - J Bindelle
- Department of AgroBioChem/TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Precision Livestock and Nutrition Unit/AgricultureIsLife, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - S L G Nogueira-Filho
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Estudos Interdisciplinares e Transdiciplinares em Ecologia e Evolução (INCT IN-TREE), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
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Jones KR, Tardieu L. Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Neo-Tropical Rodents and Marsupials: Is There Any Zoonotic Potential? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030256. [PMID: 33804628 PMCID: PMC8003710 DOI: 10.3390/life11030256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis have been identified as emerging diseases in both developed and developing countries. Wildlife has been highlighted to play a major role in the spread of these diseases to humans. This review aims to highlight the research findings that relate to Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp., with a focus on (1) parasitism of neo-tropical hystricomorphic rodents and marsupials from the genus Didelphis and (2) prevention and treatment strategies for humans and animals for the neo-tropical region. It was found that there are few studies conducted on neo-tropical rodent and marsupial species, but studies that were found illustrated the potential role these animals may play as zoonotic carriers of these two parasites for the neo-tropical region. Thus, it is recommended that further studies be done to assess the threat of protozoan parasites in neo-tropical wildlife to humans and domestic animals, and to further determine the most effective prophylaxis adapted for the unique conditions of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kegan Romelle Jones
- Department of Food Production (DFP), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), St. Augustine Campus, University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago;
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences (DBVS), Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS), School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), Mt. Hope Campus, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-868-787-0833
| | - Laura Tardieu
- Department of Food Production (DFP), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), St. Augustine Campus, University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago;
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Jones KR. Trichuris spp. in Animals, with Specific Reference to Neo-Tropical Rodents. Vet Sci 2021; 8:15. [PMID: 33494133 PMCID: PMC7909510 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichuriasis is the clinical disease of animals infected with the parasite of the genus Trichuris. This review attempts to present information on Trichuris spp. infestation in neo-tropical rodents that are utilized for meat consumption by humans. Neo-tropical rodents utilized for meat production can be divided into two categories: those that have been domesticated, which include the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), and those that are on the verge of domestication, such as the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), lappe (Cuniculus paca/Agouti paca), and agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). This document reviews the literature on the species of Trichuris that affects the rodents mentioned above, as well as the clinical signs observed. The literature obtained spans over sixty years, from 1951 to 2020. Trichuris spp. was found in these neo-tropical rodents mentioned. However, there is a dearth of information on the species of Trichuris that parasitize these animals. The capybara was the only rodent where some molecular techniques were used to identify a new species named T. cutillasae. In most cases, Trichuris spp. was found in combination with other endoparasites, and was found at a low prevalence in the lappe and guinea pig. The presence of Trichuris spp. ranged from 4.62-53.85% in the agouti, 4.21-10.00% in the lappe, 50% in the capybaras, and 1-31% in guinea pigs. Further work must be done towards molecular identification of various Trichuris spp. present in these rodents, as well as the clinical effect of infection on the performance of agouti, lappe, capybara, and guinea pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kegan Romelle Jones
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences (DBVS), School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS), University of the West Indies (UWI), Mt. Hope Campus, Trinidad and Tobago;
- Department of Food Production (DFP), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
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Jones KR, Lall KR, Suepaul R, Garcia GW. Mammary Diseases in a Captive Reared Agouti ( Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad. Vet Sci 2020; 7:E137. [PMID: 32961654 PMCID: PMC7559457 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a neotropical rodent that is utilized for its meat by hunters as well as wildlife farmers. There is a dearth of information on infectious diseases that affect these animals. At present, there has been no recording in the literature on diseases of mammary tissue in these animals. This case reported on the abnormal mammary enlargement of a four year old female agouti post-partum. Blood, milk and tissue samples were taken for diagnostics to determine the cause of disease. Histological samples confirmed the swelling of the mammary gland as a diffuse mammary hyperplasia. Hematological values obtained were within the reference range of agoutis reared in captivity. The milk samples that were taken cultured Staphylococcus spp. in one mammary gland (left inguinal). The cultured bacteria in the milk samples confirmed this animal had mastitis. The bacterial cultured (Staphylococcus aureus) was sensitive to tetracyclines, ampicillin, trivetrin and ceftiofur. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first record in the literature on mastitis in the agouti. Thus, this information will add to the knowledge of diseases in captive reared agoutis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kegan Romelle Jones
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences (DBVS), School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), University of the West Indies (UWI), Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago;
- Department of Food Production (DFP), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (K.R.L.); (G.W.G.)
| | - Kavita Ranjeeta Lall
- Department of Food Production (DFP), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (K.R.L.); (G.W.G.)
| | - Rod Suepaul
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences (DBVS), School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), University of the West Indies (UWI), Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago;
| | - Gary Wayne Garcia
- Department of Food Production (DFP), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (K.R.L.); (G.W.G.)
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