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Introduction: The nematode Gurltia paralysans is a neglected angio-neurotropic parasite causing chronic meningomyelitis in domestic cats (Felis catus) as well as wild felids of the genus Leopardus in South America. Adult G. paralysans nematodes parasitize the leptomeningeal veins of the subarachnoid space and/ or meningeal veins of the spinal cord parenchyma. The geographic range of G. paralysans encompasses rural and peri-urban regions of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia and Brazil. Methods: This case report presents clinical and pathological findings of a G. paralysans-infected cat suffering from severe thrombophlebitis and meningomyelitis resulting in ambulatory paraparesis. Neurological examination of affected cat localized the lesions at the thoracolumbar (T3--L3) and lumbosacral (L4--Cd4) segments. Molecular and morphological characteristics of extracted nematodes from parasitized spinal cord veins confirmed G. paralysans. Additionally, data obtained from a questionnaire answered by cat owners of 12 past feline gurltiosis cases (2014--2015) were here analyzed. Questionnaire collected data on age, gender, geographic location, type of food, hunting behavior, type of prey, and other epidemiological features of G. paralysans-infected cats. Results and Discussion: Data revealed that the majority of cats originated from rural settlements thereby showing outdoor life styles with hunting/predatory behaviors, being in close contact to wild life [i.e. gastropods, amphibians, reptiles, rodents, birds, and wild felids (Leopardus guinia)] and with minimal veterinary assistance. Overall, this neglected angio-neurotropic G. paralysans nematode still represents an important etiology of severe thrombophlebitis and meningomyelitis of domestic cats living in endemic rural areas with high biodiversity of definitive hosts (DH), intermediary (IH), and paratenic hosts (PH). The intention of this study is to generate awareness among veterinary surgeons as well as biologists on this neglected feline neuroparasitosis not only affecting domestic cats but also endangered wild felid species of the genus Leopardus within the South American continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified two RNA (paramyxovirus and coronavirus) and two DNA (adenovirus and herpesvirus) viruses in a common aquatic bird, the Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), and determined their phylogenetic relationships to other global circulating variants. We analyzed 104 cloacal swabs from individuals collected at locations in Central Chile. Sequences were obtained from amplicons using consensus primers targeting conserved genes of the virus families Paramyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, Adenoviridae, and Herpesviridae. A total of 20.2% of the samples was positive for coronavirus, 8.7% for adenovirus, and 3.8% for herpesvirus. No paramyxoviruses were detected. All coronaviruses were identified as viruses of the Gammacoronavirus genus, closely related to the infectious bronchitis virus clade (bootstrap clade support=75%). All adenovirus samples were identified as Aviadenovirus, related to a gull and falcon adenovirus (Bayesian posterior probability=0.86). The herpesviruses identified were related to the infectious laryngotracheitis virus (Gallid herpesvirus 1) of the genus Iltovirus (bootstrap clade support=99%). We provide information about the diversity of viruses circulating among apparently healthy Neotropic Cormorants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleopathologies document skeletal damage in extinct organisms and can be used to infer the causes of injury, as well as aspects of related biology, ecology and behavior. To date, few studies have been undertaken on Jurassic marine reptiles, while ichthyosaur pathologies in particular have never been systematically evaluated. Here we survey 41 specimens of the apex predator ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus from the Early Jurassic of southern Germany in order to document the range and absolute frequency of pathologies observed in this taxon as a function of the number of specimens examined. According to our analysis, most observed pathologies in Temnodontosaurus are force-induced traumas with signs of healing, possibly inflicted during aggressive interactions with conspecifics. When the material is preserved, broken ribs are correlated in most of the cases with traumas elsewhere in the skeleton such as cranial injuries. The range of cranial pathologies in Temnodontosaurus is similar to those reported for extinct cetaceans and mosasaurs, which were interpreted as traces of aggressive encounters. Nevertheless, Temnodontosaurus differs from these other marine amniotes in the absence of pathologies in the vertebral column, consistent with the pattern previously documented in ichthyosaurs. We did not detect any instances of avascular necrosis in Temnodontosaurus from southern Germany, which may reflect a shallow diving life style. This study is intended to provide baseline data for the various types of observed pathologies in large ichthyosaurs occupying the ‘apex predator’ niche, and potentially clarifies aspects of species-specific behavior relative to other ichthyosaurs and marine amniotes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mange, a prevalent disease of dogs in Chile, is also a serious threat to wildlife. We report a case of sarcoptic mange in a South American gray fox or chilla fox ( Lycalopex griseus). Further research is needed to understand the impact of mange in wildlife populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Leptospira isolation has been reported in Chilean cattle, only serological evidence of serovar Hardjo bovis infection has been routinely reported. The present report provides characterization of the pathological presentation and etiology of a clinical case of leptospirosis in a calf from the Los Rios Region in Chile. Case presentation: In a dairy herd in southern Chile, 11 of 130 calves died after presenting signs such as depression and red-tinged urine. One of these calves, a female of eight months, was necropsied, and all the pathological findings were consistent with Leptospira infection. A urine sample was submitted to conventional bacteriological analysis together with highly specific molecular biology typing tools, in order to unravel the specific Leptospira specie and serovar associated with this clinical case. A significant finding of this study was that the obtained isolate was confirmed by PCR as L. interrogans, its VNTR profile properly matching with L. interrogans Hardjoprajitno as well as its specific genomic identity revealed by secY gen. Conclusion: Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjoprajitno was associated with the investigated calf clinical case. This information adds to the value of serologic results commonly reported, which encourage vaccination improvements to match circulating strains. In addition, this finding represents the first case report of this serovar in Chilean cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gurltia paralysans, a metastrongyloid nematode, parasitizes in meningeal vessels in the thoracolumbar spinal cord of cats in South America and causes progressive paraparesis. Recently, the first report outside of South America described gurltiosis in a cat in Spain. As this parasitic disease has so far been largely neglected, especially outside of South America, the aim of the present case study was to add knowledge to the histologic and immunohistochemical characterization of central nervous lesions. To this purpose, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from the spinal cord and brain of five cats affected by clinical signs caused by Gurltia paralysans and of three control cats without CNS lesions were histopathologically examined using hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE), Elastica van Gieson stain, as well as periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) reaction. Moreover, immuno- histochemistry for alpha smooth muscle actin and Factor VIII-related antigen were performed to characterize vascular lesions. Lesions were consistent with previous descriptions and were mainly located in the spinal cord and consisted of chronic suppurative or lymphoplasmahistiocytic meningi tis as well as suppurative vasculitis, congestion and varicosis of meningeal veins. In view of the recent detection of this parasite in Europe and the increasing inner-European transport of rescued domestic cats, veterinarians in Europe should be aware of the clinical and pathomorphological presentation of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Milk is an important transmission route of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) for dairy calves. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of milk treatments to prevent MAP infection transmission to calves. A one-year field longitudinal study was carried out. Newborn calves were assigned to one of four experimental groups. MAP numbers were estimated for treated and untreated milk. Infection progression was monitored monthly. After one year, calves were euthanized, and tissue samples examined grossly and by histopathology. Milk treatments were highly effective though MAP shedding was also observed in all groups. It was not enough to try to block MAP infection transmission controlling only the quality of milk consumed by calves. One of the important routes of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) transmission in dairy calves is milk. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of milk treatments to prevent MAP infection transmission to calves. A one-year longitudinal study was carried out. Newborn calves were assigned to one of four experimental groups: 5 calves received naturally MAP-contaminated milk, 5 calves received copper treated milk, 4 calves were fed calf milk replacer, and 3 were fed UHT pasteurized milk. MAP load in milk was estimated. Infection progression was monitored monthly. After one year, calves were euthanized, and tissue samples were cultured and visually examined. MAP was undetectable in milk replacer and UHT milk. Copper ion treatment significantly reduced the number of viable MAP in naturally contaminated milk. Fecal shedding of MAP was observed in all study groups but began earlier in calves fed naturally contaminated milk. Paratuberculosis control programs must place multiple hurdles between the infection source, MAP-infected adult cows, and the most susceptible animals on the farm, young calves. As our study shows, strict dependence on a single intervention to block infection transmission, no matter how important, fails to control this insidious infection on dairy farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira, and synanthropic and wildlife species of rodents are an important source of infection; however, much of the information about the progression of the infection was obtained from lab murine models. The aim of this study was to assess infection status and risk factors by pathogenic Leptospira in synanthropic and wild rodent species and describe histopathological lesions in several organs from naturally infected animals. In this study, 121 rodents from three synanthropic species and two wild species were trapped within dairy farms in Southern Chile, where the bacteria were present. Liver, heart, kidney, and lungs from trapped animals were analyzed by different techniques to detect if the lesions present were produced by the bacteria. A large proportion of animals were identified as infected that were not detected by the microscopic agglutination test. There is a lower risk of infection in the fall compared to the rest of the seasons, and the synanthropic species has a lower risk of infection in comparison with wildlife species. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time lipL32 polymerase chain reaction contributed to identifying the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in related histological lesions and 50% more infections than serology. Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic Leptospira, and synanthropic and wildlife species of rodents are an important source of infection; however, much of the information about infection progression was obtained from murine models. The aim of this study was to assess infection status and risk factors associated with pathogenic Leptospira in synanthropic and wild rodent species and describe histopathological lesions in several organs from naturally infected animals. In a cross-sectional study, 121 rodents from three synanthropic species and two wild species were trapped in dairy farms in Southern Chile. Liver, heart, kidney, and lungs from trapped animals were fixed in formalin and stained with hematoxylin–eosin. Tissues with lesions consistent with Leptospira infection were tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using the LipL32 antigen. Risk factors were assessed by a conditional mixed-logistic regression model. More than half (56.7%) of the negative reactors to the microscopic agglutination test were identified as infected either by IHC/qPCR. A lower risk of infection compared to the rest of the seasons was found in the fall, and the synanthropic species have a lower risk of infection in comparison with the wildlife species. IHC and qPCR contributed to the identification of pathogenic Leptospira in related histological lesions and 50% more infections than serology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Feline gurltiosis is a parasitic myelopathy caused by Gurltia paralysans. This nematode infects domestic cats without distinction of sex, breed or age, invading the venous system of the spinal leptomeninges and causing vascular congestion that mainly produces paralysis of the pelvic limbs, among other clinical signs of chronic myelopathy. To date, the definitive diagnosis of feline gurltiosis is only possible through post-mortem analysis that shows the location of the parasite in the vasculature of the spinal cord. For this reason, this investigation aimed to detect G. paralysans DNA, via semi-nested PCR, in samples of cerebrospinal fluid and serum from 12 domestic cats from potentially endemic areas in southern Chile, with compatible signs of feline gurltiosis. The presence of G. paralysans-specific DNA was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of four out of nine cats and the sera of seven out of seven cats. These results allow us to suggest the implementation of a semi-nested PCR technique as a routine diagnostic test for early and timely detection of feline gurltiosis. Gurltia paralysans is an angio-neurotropic metastrongyloid nematode that infects domestic and wild cats, invading the veins of the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord and mainly causing progressive paralysis of the pelvic limbs. The definitive diagnosis of feline gurltiosis can only be achieved by post-mortem examination that reveals the presence of the nematode in the spinal cord vein vasculature. An early diagnosis with conclusive results is required since laboratory and imaging findings are not sufficient. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to detect the presence of G. paralysans, via semi-nested PCR, in samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the sera of domestic cats naturally infected with the parasite. A total of 12 cats with a diagnosis suggestive of feline gurltiosis were selected, and they underwent a complete neurological and imaging examination. DNA samples were analysed by semi-nested PCR, with universal (AaGp28Sa1/AaGp28Ss1) and specific (Gp28Sa3/Aa28Ss2) primers, for G. paralysans (G. paralysans 18S rRNA gene, partial sequence; ITS 1, 5.8S rRNA gene, and ITS 2, complete sequence; and 28S rRNA gene, partial sequence) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, obtaining amplifications of 356 and 300 bp, which indicated the presence or absence of nematode DNA, respectively. The presence of G. paralysans was detected in the CSF of four out of nine cats, and the sera of seven out of seven cats. In the sera analysis of five out of seven cats, a mixed infection with A. abstrusus was found, despite no alterations of the respiratory tract being observed during the necropsies. It is proposed that serum samples could be more effective than CSF in detecting the parasite by PCR analysis. Sequencing analysis showed high percentages of identity with G. paralysans, which indicated the feasibility of detection and the sensitivity/specificity of the method used, suggesting the implementation of semi-nested PCR as a routine diagnostic test for early and timely detection of feline gurltiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the association between the severity of histopathological lesions caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection and the molecular diversity of this pathogen. Blood, ileum, and mesenteric lymph node samples were collected at slaughter, from 1,352 adult cattle [source population 1 (SP1)]. In addition, 42 dairy herds ( n = 4,963 cows) were followed for 2 years, and samples from compatible paratuberculosis clinical cases [source population 2 (SP2)] were collected. MAP infection was confirmed using an ELISA test, liquid media culture, and PCR. Isolates were genotyped using five MIRU-VNTR markers. Tissues from confirmed samples were subjected to a histopathological examination. A histopathological severity score (HSS) system was developed and used to grade (0 to 5) the magnitude of lesions caused by MAP. In general, the HSS system assesses the number of foci and degree of macrophage infiltration, together with the presence of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) and acid-fast bacilli (AFB), in addition to the fusion of the intestinal villi and hyperplasia of the crypts. Despite the large sampling effort, only 79 MAP isolates were successfully genotyped, where 19 different haplotypes were described. A mixed-effect Poisson regression model was used to assess the relationship between haplotypes and HSS values. The model was controlled by animal age, and the farm was used as a random effect. Haplotypes were grouped based on their relative frequency: the most frequent haplotype (group i , 49.4%), the second most frequent haplotype (group ii , 12.7%), and all other haplotypes (group iii , 37.9%). Model outputs indicated that group i had significantly higher HSS values than group iii . In addition, group i was also associated with higher optical density (OD) values of the ELISA test. These results support the existence of differences in pathogenicity between MAP haplotypes. However, results were based on a relatively small sample size; thus, these should be taken with caution. Despite this, study findings suggest that haplotypes would be associated with differences in disease progression, where the dominant haplotype tends to generate more severe lesions, which could be linked to a greater shed of MAP cells than non-dominant haplotypes, increasing their chances of transmission., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Verdugo, Marquez, Paredes, Moroni, Navarrete-Talloni, Tomckowiack and Salgado.)

Gurltia paralysans is a neglected and re-emerging metastrongyloid angio-neurotropic nematode causing severe chronic meningomyelitis in domestic cats ( Felis catus ) as well as in free-ranging small wild felids such as kodkods ( Leopardus guigna ), margays ( Leopardus wiedii ) and the northern tiger cat ( Leopardus triginus ) in South America. Within these definitive hosts (DH), adult males and females of G. paralysans parasitize the leptomeningeal veins of the subarachnoid space and/or the meningeal veins of spinal cord parenchyma, inducing vascular alterations. Feline gurltiosis has been associated with progressive thrombophlebitis of the meningeal veins, resulting in ambulatory paraparesis, paraplegia, ataxia, hindlimb proprioceptive deficit, uni- or bilateral hyperactive patellar reflexes, faecal and urinary incontinence, and tail paralysis. The complete life cycle of G. paralysans has not been elucidated yet, but most probably involves gastropods as obligate intermediate hosts (IH). In terms of epidemiology, G. paralysans infections in domestic and wild felids are scattered around various South American countries, with hyperendemic areas in southern parts of Chile. Etiological diagnosis of G. paralysans still represents a challenge for clinicians due to a lack of evidence of the excretion of either eggs or larvae in faeces or in other body fluids. Diagnosis is based on clinical neurological signs, imaging findings through computed tomography (CT), myelography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and post mortem examination. Nonetheless, novel diagnostic tools have been developed, including semi-nested PCR for detecting circulating G. paralysans DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid, serum and blood samples as well as in serological diagnostic kits detecting parasite-derived antigens, but these need validation for routine usage. The hypothetical life cycle of G. paralysans is addressed in this article, including the exogenous stages (i.e., eggs, and first- (L1), second- (L2) and third-stage (L3) larvae) and obligate gastropod IH and/or paratenic hosts (PH), and we propose possible anatomical migration routes of infective L3 that reach the leptomeningeal veins in vivo. Finally, the pro-inflammatory endothelium- and leukocyte-derived innate immune reactions of the host against G. paralysans , which most likely result in thrombophlebitis and meningomyelitis, are briefly touched on.

Gurltia paralysans is the causal agent of gurltiosis in domestic cats in South America. Although the life cycle of G. paralysans is unknown, it is thought that gastropods could act as intermediate hosts (IHs), as is the case for several nematodes in the Angiostrongylidae family. The aim of this study was to search for G. paralysans larvae in terrestrial gastropods and determine their role in the life cycle of this nematode species. Terrestrial gastropod samples (n=835) were collected in Punucapa, Valdivia, southern Chile, where cases of gurltiosis had been reported before. The samples included species from the families Arionidae, Limacidae, Helicidae and Milacidae. All gastropods were subjected to enzymatic digestion to isolate G. paralysans larvae. Ten percent of the gastropod samples were analyzed using seminested PCR targeting the 28S rRNA gene, while 2.6% were analyzed by histopathological examination. The results indicated the absence of G. paralysans when using any of the three methods. In conclusion, further studies are needed to evaluate specific species of aquatic or native gastropods acting as possible IHs (in this geographic location).

Gurltia paralysans is a metastrongyloid nematode which belongs to the Angiostrongylidae family and presents tropism for veins of the subarachnoid space in vivo of domestic and wild felids causing a progressive and chronic clinical manifestation of paraparesis/paraplegia. The geographic distribution of G. paralysans includes rural and periurban areas of South America and was recently reported in Europe. To date, a definitive diagnosis of feline gurltiosis is still conducted by post-mortem examination of the spinal cord in affected animals. A presumptive diagnosis of feline gurltiosis can also be achieved based on data of compatible clinical signs and associated epidemiological risk factors. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the commercial serological test Angio Detect TM ® (IDEXX Laboratories) as a possible diagnostic method of feline gurltiosis in vivo. For the study, 10 domestic felines ( Felis catus ) which originated from a high endemic area of Southern Chile, were analyzed. All felines presented chronic paraparesis or severe paraplegia. Subsequently, commercial Angio Detect TM ® serological tests for the detection of closely related Angiostrongylus vasorum in canids were performed according to manufacturer's instructions. Conducted serological tests were positive in seven of ten felines showing paraplegia/paraparesis and presumably infected with G. paralysans , and four of them were additionally necropsied, and presented macroscopic findings compatible with feline gurltiosis. Furthermore, the presence of adult female and male G. paralysans specimens at the level of the subarachnoid vasculature in affected spinal cord segments were observed during necropsy. Histopathology demonstrated severe eosinophilic meningomyelitis, coagulopathies with thrombosis in G. paralysans -parasitized leptomeningeal veins. Results of this preliminary study suggest a cross-reaction between A. vasorum -specific antigens, which also parasitize blood vessels in vivo, and G. paralysans when using an Angio Detect TM ® test, which suggests its helpful use as a new diagnostic method for feline gurltiosis in live domestic felines. Additional specific antigen research will be required in order to better understand the sensitivity and specificity of A. vasorum antigens used in this test and for existing cross-reactivity with G. paralysans- derived antigens for future a suitable intra vitam immunodiagnosis of neglected feline gurltiosis.

Fasciola hepatica is a parasite introduced in America from Europe, being considered of concern for public health and animal production, especially in countries with endemic areas as occur in Chile. In this country, the research has been focused mainly in domestic ruminants, with native and introduced wildlife being largely ignored. Thus, the aim of this study was to report the infection by Fasciola hepatica in an introduced mammal, the European hare, which is distributed along a vast area of the country. One in 42 hares hunted showed histological lesions compatible with F. hepatica, and harbored a parasitic load of 6 liver flukes. This is the first report of this lagomorph acting as host of this helminth in the country and the third in South America. Yet, we found no previous reports regard the pathology of this fluke in the species. Thus, we emphasize the importance of more studies regarding introduced mammals which could be acting as reservoirs for this important fluke.