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Trichinella spp. are zoonotic parasites that are widely distributed in warm-blooded carnivores and omnivores, including humans. Until the present moment, Brazil has been considered by World Animal Health Organization free from the domestic cycle of trichinellosis, whereas the parasite’s sylvatic cycle has the status of infection in limited zones. However, neighboring countries such as Argentina have reports of parasite larvae in the wild fauna. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in road-killed wild animals in Paraná, Brazil. Biological samples from 71 wild animals—29 Didelphis albiventris, 11 Nasua nasua, ten Cerdocyon thous, seven Dasypus novemcinctus, six Leopardus guttulus, six Sphiggurus spinosus and two Puma concolor—collected from November 2016 to November 2021 were subjected to artificial digestion, following the methodology described in the REGULATION (EC) No. 2075/2005. No Trichinella spp. larvae were detected in the carcasses of the road-killed wild animals. However, considering the wide spectrum of possible reservoirs that could act as a link between the sylvatic and domestic cycles and considering the current Brazilian status of sylvatic trichinellosis in limited zones, frequent monitoring of wild fauna remains necessary.

Neosporosis, caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, has been widely reported and discussed as a major disease associated with reproductive problems in herds of various animal species. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and risk factors associated with ovine neosporosis worldwide. This is the first systematic review, which was performed according to the established preferred reporting items in systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to address ovine neosporosis. Four databases were used in this study: PubMed, SciELO, Web of Science, and Scopus. The selected keywords were “neospora AND sheep,” “neosporosis AND sheep,” “neospora AND lamb,” “neosporosis AND lamb,” “neospora AND ewe,” and “neosporosis AND ewe.” The meta-analysis calculations were performed with random-effects models for proportions, and heterogeneity was tested using the I2 test. This study identified 24 studies on ovine neosporosis, nine of which evaluated the factors associated with the risk of seropositivity. After meta-analysis, the pooled estimated prevalence was 12% (95% CI, 8-16%; I² p-value < 0.01). The evaluation of the included studies allowed the identification of ovine neosporosis distribution in continents according to demonstrated prevalence rates. We confirmed via metaanalysis that the use of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of ovine neosporosis was not a source of data heterogeneity. The presence of dogs on the properties was reported as the main risk factor associated with the occurrence of ovine neosporosis; however, this was not confirmed by the meta-analysis.

This study determined the prevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis and neosporosis and the risk factors associated with the development of these diseases in breeding rams from the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Southern Brazil. Serum samples (n = 1,800) from breeding rams maintained on 705 sheep farms from seven mesoregions were evaluated serologically to detect anti-IgG Toxoplasma gondii by indirect ELISA and anti-IgG Neospora caninum by the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The prevalence of T. gondii was 33.05% (595/1,800); seropositivity to N. caninum was 18.44% (332/1,800). Additionally, there was simultaneous seropositivity (8.94%;161/1,800) to N. caninum and T. gondii. The variables size of the property (

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and factors associated with the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from Paraná state. The detection of antibodies for T. gondii and N. caninum was performed by homemade and commercial indirect ELISA, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to verify the factors associated with the seroprevalence. Antibodies anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum were observed in 42.7% and in 17.6% of the animals, respectively. The protective factors associated to seropositive were “some level of confinement” (full or semi-extensive confinement) (OR=0.53) for T. gondii and “use of skilled labor” (OR=0.64) for N. caninum. The risk factors were “presence of cats” (OR=1.75) for T. gondii and “feeding of dogs with sheep placental remains” (OR=1.79) for N. caninum. In addition, to presenting a significant and simultaneous seroprevalence for both agents (9.9% of the animals), the results also indicate that deficiencies in management and environmental sanitation, the presence of reservoirs, and types of exploitation enhance the seropositivity. Thus, studies like this might support sanitary programs and public policies for the prevention of T. gondii and N. caninum in the sheep herds of Paraná state. Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a soroprevalência e os fatores de risco associados à presença de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em ovinos do Paraná. A detecção dos anticorpos para T. gondii e N. caninum foi realizada, usando-se testes de ELISA indireto caseiro e comercial, respectivamente. A análise de regressão logística múltipla foi usada para verificar os fatores de risco associados à soroprevalência. Anticorpos anti-T. gondii e anti-N. caninum foram observados em 42,7% e em 17,6% dos animais, respectivamente. Os fatores de proteção associados à soropositividade foram “algum nível de confinamento (confinamento ou semiextensivo)” (OR=0,53) para T. gondii e “presença de mão de obra especializada” para N. caminum (OR=0,64). Os fatores de risco foram “presença de gatos” para T. gondii (OR=1,75) e “alimentação de cães com resíduos placentários” (OR=1,79) para N. caninum. Além de apresentar uma significante e simultânea soroprevalência para ambos os agentes (9,9% dos animais), os resultados também indicam que as deficiências em gestão e saneamento ambiental, a presença de reservatórios e os tipos de exploração favorecem a soropositividade. Dessa forma, estudos como estes podem auxiliar em programas sanitários e políticas públicas para a prevenção de T. gondii e N. caninum nos rebanhos ovinos do Paraná.

The present study aimed to evaluate a methodology for active surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis by detecting Leishmania DNA in organs of wild road-killed animals from November 2016 to October 2018 in the North of Paraná, Brazil. The collection points of road-killed wild animals were georeferenced. The animals were autopsied and samples of bone marrow, lymph node, liver, spleen, and ear skin were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to PCR for amplification of Leishmania spp. 18S, kinetoplastic DNA (kDNA), HSP70, and ITS1 genes, and DNA sequencing was performed. The primers used for the amplification of kDNA, ITS1, and HSP70 genes presented non-specific results. Of the 66 mammals collected from 24 different municipalities, one Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) presented DNA of Leishmania spp. in lymph nodes by 18S PCR. DNA sequencing confirmed the results of the subgenus, Viannia, identification. We suggest using the methodology showed in the present study in the active and early surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis in a non-endemic area.

Feline Morbillivirus (FeMV) was first detected in 2012 in domestic cats from Hong Kong and was found to be associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis and chronic kidney disease. In subsequent studies in other countries, FeMV was detected in asymptomatic cats. However, it is not clear whether FeMV plays a role as a pathogen in the kidney diseases of cats, and other epidemiological data are still unknown. To date, studies have reported the presence of FeMV exclusively in domestic cats. This study is the first molecular detection of the FeMV RNA associated with pathological and immunohistochemical findings in a synanthropic marsupial, the white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris), inhabiting peri-urban areas of north-central Parana, Southern Brazil. Molecular techniques identified the viral RNA in the lungs and kidneys. Histopathologic evaluation of these tissues revealed interstitial pneumonia in the lungs with lymphocytic nephritis and tubular necrosis in the kidneys. Immunohistochemistry assays detected positive intralesional immunoreactivity to N protein of FeMV within the lungs and kidneys. A FeMV opossum strain was isolated in Crandell Rees feline kidney lineage cells, resulting in syncytia formation and cell death. Therefore, these results support the ability of FeMV to infect other mammal species and reinforce the possibility of the opossum to be a disseminator of this virus among domestic and wild animals.

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was identified as the etiologic agent of several epizootic episodes worldwide. Most of these studies are based on unusual mortality events or identification of new viral strains. We investigated the occurrence of CeMV under non-epizootic circumstances at a world heritage in Southern Brazil by a combination of pathologic, immunohistochemical and molecular assays. From 325 stranded cetaceans, 40 were included. Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) was the species most frequent. Interstitial pneumonia and non-suppurative encephalitis were the main pathologic findings associated to CeMV infection. Intracytoplasmic immunolabeling anti-CeMV was observed mainly in lungs and lymph nodes. All samples were negative in RT-PCR assay. Diagnosis of CeMV is challenging in areas where epizootic episodes have not been recorded and due to postmortem changes. We observed a CeMV prevalence of 27.5%. The results described here increase the knowledge about CeMV under non-epizootic conditions in Brazil.Article Summary LineWe observed a prevalence of 27.5% of CeMV in a World Heritage site of Paraná’s coast. The results indicate an increase in the prevalence of CeMV at this region and, possibly, a degradation of marine ecosystem. Marine mammals are sentinels of marine environment and the ocean health is inextricably linked to human health on a global scale.

This study aimed to identify the intestinal parasites of road-killed wild felines in the North Central and North, Paraná state, southern Brazil. The animals were monitored by sampling previously established transects. The places where the felines were run over were mapped, the animals were identified, and the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated. The feces were submitted to coproparasitological techniques of spontaneous sedimentation, floating in hypersaturated NaCl solution and centrifugal floating in zinc sulfate. All the parasitic structures detected were photomicrographed. In the coproparasitological analyses were identified oocysts of Cystoisospora spp., eggs of Ancylostomatidae, and Capillaria spp.; eggs of Aelurostrongylus spp., Toxocara spp., Physaloptera spp., Taenia spp., and Spirometra spp.; Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae; and eggs and adults of Ancylostoma cati and Taenia spp. One of the cats was parasitized by a flea of Ctenocephalides felis felis. Based on these results, the animals analyzed in this study supplied important samples for the evaluation of parasitic diversity of North of Paraná and suggested that this region may have conditions that allow the maintenance of these parasites life cycles in the environment and among wildlife. Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os parasitas intestinais de felinos silvestres mortos em estradas nas regiões Norte Central e Norte, Paraná, sul do Brasil. Os animais foram monitorados por amostragem de transectos previamente estabelecidos. Os locais de atropelamento foram mapeados, os animais foram identificados e enviados para autópsias, durante as quais amostras de fezes foram coletadas e submetidas a técnicas coproparasitológicas de sedimentação espontânea, flutuação em solução hipersaturada de NaCl e flutuação por centrífugação em sulfato de zinco e fotografadas, quando estruturas parasitárias estavam presentes. Nas análises coproparasitológicas, foram identificados oocistos de Cystoisospora spp., ovos de Ancylostomatidae e Capillaria spp, Aelurostrongylus spp., Toxocara spp., Physaloptera spp., Taenia spp. e Spirometra spp.; larvas de Aelurostrongylus abstrusus; e ovos e adultos de Ancylostoma cati e Taenia spp. Um dos felídeos estava parasitado por Ctenocephalides felis felis. Com base nesses resultados, os animais analisados neste estudo forneceram amostras importantes para a avaliação da diversidade parasitária do Norte do Paraná e sugeriram que esta região pode apresentar condições que possibilitem a manutenção dos ciclos de vida desses parasitas no ambiente e entre a vida silvestre.

Renicolid digeneans are frequently observed in the renal tubules and ureters of seabirds, such Puffinus puffinus, a migratory species distributed along the Brazilian coast. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between renicolid infection and health status in P. puffinus. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe (i) renal and systemic alterations, (ii) the renicolids and (iii) the biological aspects associated with the presence of renicolids in P. puffinus. Gross and histological assays were performed in 93 P. puffinus stranded on the Parana coast, southern Brazil, and renicolids were submitted to morphological and molecular assays. A high prevalence of renicolids in P. puffinus (71/93) was observed. In the kidney, the main microscopic findings were lymphocytic interstitial infiltrate, ductal ectasia and tubular necrosis. The renal lesions were significantly associated with the parasite infection. The morphological (n = 84) and molecular analyses (n = 2) confirmed the species as Renicola sloanei (100% and 95.9% of nucleotide identity with R. sloanei strains from P. puffinus and from Spheniscus demersus, respectively). In both parasitized and non-parasitized animals, cardiac and skeletal muscle degeneration and necrosis were the most frequent systemic changes. Therefore, the results suggest renicolids being a possible cause for the demonstrated renal alterations. A contribution of this parasite to a decreased health status of Puffinus puffinus along their migratory route is possible.

Toxoplasmosis is a reportable disease in Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate a toxoplasmosis outbreak at a research institution in Londrina-PR, Brazil. The outbreak was reported in October 2015; however, the first cases occurred in August 2015. Blood samples were collected from 674 persons at the institution. Samples were collected from soil, water (water tank) and food (vegetables) served in the restaurant. Each participant responded to an epidemiological questionnaire. For the blood samples, a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was performed to detect IgM, IgG and specific IgG avidity antibodies; 10.8% (73/674) had evidence of acute toxoplasmosis. Statistical analysis showed a significant association (p < .001) between acute infection and eating lunch in the restaurant of the institution. Regarding the types of food offered in the restaurant during the period, there was a significant association between consuming raw salad (p < .001) and becoming ill. We conclude that the vegetables or raw vegetables served in the restaurant were probably the source of infection; however, the long period between exposure and case reporting made it difficult to identify the source of transmission.

Dogs are considered the main reservoirs of visceral leishmaniasis for humans, which also present a chronic and severe clinical picture when affected. The objective of the present report was to describe a canine visceral leishmaniasis case diagnosed in Londrina, an indene city, and its investigation. A street animal with extensive dermatological lesions, onychogryphosis, mild anemia and leukopenia was attended at a veterinary hospital in Londrina, where positivity was reported for Leishmania spp. in serological tests. Cytology was positive in bone marrow, PCR and parasite culture were positive in skin, spleen, liver, lymph node and bone marrow, and DNA sequencing confirmed the species of the parasite as L. (L.) infantum. The official diagnosis was made by the Central Laboratory of Paraná (LACEN), and through an official report, an investigation of the case was started for the confirmation of autochthony. An active search for the vector and other canine cases in the neighborhood was carried out along with a search for information on the origin of the animal in question. However, the species, Lutzomyia longipalpis, new canine cases, or origin of the sick animal were not identified. Although, the present case cannot be confirmed as autochthonous, we suggest that it is necessary to disseminate the present report to serve as a warning to veterinarians and other public health professionals in the northern region of Paraná to be attentive to suspicious cases and to not fail to investigate these cases to the end.

Renicolids are parasites that inhabit the renal tubules and ureters of molluscivorous and piscivorous birds. Puffinus puffinus is a migratory seabird that was identified as the definitive host of Renicola spp. Studies focusing on the renicolid species and the resulting renal lesions are valuable for their association with causes of stranding in seabirds. The aim of this study was to identify the renicolid trematodes and evaluate the histological findings in two P. puffinus stranded on the coast of Paraná state, Brazil. The parasites were evaluated by histologic, ultrastructural and molecular assays, while tissue changes were analyzed by histologic methods. The morphological and morphometrical characteristics of the parasites, along with polymerase chain reaction and sequencing assays (ribosomal and mitochondrial regions), identified the species as Renicola sloanei. The results also suggest that this helminth can be the adult form of Cercaria pythionike. The dilation of collecting ducts was the main histological finding in the kidneys. In conclusion, R. sloanei was identified, and for the first time, P. puffinus was described as a host of this digenean inducing mild renal changes. Resumo Renicolídeos são parasitos que habitam túbulos renais e ureteres de aves que se alimentam de moluscos e peixes. Puffinus puffinus, ave marinha migratória, foi registrada como hospedeiro definitivo de Renicola spp. Estudos relacionados com as espécies de renicolídeos e as lesões renais resultantes são importantes para o entendimento das causas de óbito de aves marinhas. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os trematódeos renicolídeos e avaliar os achados histológicos em dois P. puffinus encalhados no litoral do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Os parasitos foram avaliados por ensaios histológicos, ultraestruturais e moleculares, enquanto as alterações teciduais foram analisadas por métodos histológicos. As características morfológicas e morfométricas dos parasitos, juntamente com a reação em cadeia da polimerase e sequenciamento (regiões ribossomal e mitocondrial), identificaram a espécie como Renicola sloanei. Os resultados também sugerem que este helminto pode ser a forma adulta de Cercaria pythionike. A dilatação dos ductos coletores foi o principal achado histológico renal. Em conclusão, R. sloanei foi identificado, e pela primeira vez P. puffinus foi descrito como hospedeiro deste digenético induzindo alterações renais discretas.

RESUMO A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma zoonose de grande impacto em saúde pública. A infecção nos gatos tem sido relatada nos países onde a doença é endêmica. Seu papel como reservatório não está satisfatoriamente elucidado, embora a transmissão do parasito de um felino infectado para vetor tenha sido reportada por xenodiagnóstico. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a presença de anticorpos anti-Leishmania spp. em animais da espécie felina em área endêmica para LV (Bauru-SP), por meio dos testes sorológicos de reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA), e associá-los às variáveis: gênero, idade, raça e forma de criação. Foram testados soros de 276 felinos, dos quais 82 foram reagentes pelo método ELISA (29,71%), 17 pelo RIFI (6,15%) e 10 em ambos os testes (3,6%). Houve associação estatística significativa para a variável forma de criação, em que 100% dos animais errantes foram soropositivos a pelo menos um dos testes (P0,05). Não houve concordância entre o resultado dos testes, pois o método ELISA é mais sensível que o método RIFI. ABSTRACT Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis with a great impact on public health. Infection in cats has been reported in countries where the disease is endemic. Its role as reservoir is not satisfactorily elucidated, although transmission of the parasite from an infected feline to vector has been reported by xenodiagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of anti-Leishmania spp antibodies in feline animals in an area endemic to LV (Bauru-SP), using the serological tests of Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IFR) and ELISA and variables: gender, age, race and form of creation. Samples of 276 felines were tested, of which 82 were ELISA reagents (29,71%), 17 by IFR (6,15%) and 10 in both tests (3,6%). There was a significant statistical association for the variable form of breeding, where 100% of the wandering animals were seropositive to at least one of the tests (P 0,05). There was no concordance between the results of the tests, since the ELISA method is more sensitive than the RIFI method.

Puffinus puffinus, conhecido como pardela-sombria, pertence a ordem Procellariiformes. Estas aves marinhas mantêm sítios de reprodução na Europa e migram para o Atlântico Sul entre os meses de setembro e fevereiro. Estudos sobre a fauna parasitária destes animais também podem fornecer informações sobre a distribuição e o estoque populacional dos hospedeiros e os impactos sobre a saúde dos oceanos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho identificar por métodos morfológicos e moleculares os trematódeos renais de Puffinus puffinus encalhados no litoral do Estado do Paraná e avaliar a associação entre a presença destes parasitos com as alterações renais e sistêmicas e a ocorrência de interação antrópica. A coleta dos animais, dos digenéticos e as autópsias foram realizadas no período de setembro de 2015 a dezembro de 2017 pela equipe do Projeto de Monitoramento de Praias, do Centro de Estudo do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, como condicionante pela exploração de petróleo e gás do pré-sal na Bacia de Santos. Durante a autópsia foram coletadas informações como sexo, idade, condição corporal e interação antrópica. Fragmentos de órgãos foram colhidos e fixados em solução formalina tamponada a 10% para posterior processamento histológico. Determinou-se um escore de lesão no rim que utilizou os seguintes parâmetros: hiperplasia do epitélio tubular, degeneração e necrose do epitélio tubular e infiltrado inflamatório. Para avaliar o índice de saúde, utilizou-se também quatro parâmetros: condição corporal e lesões tegumentares, sistêmicas e organizadas. Os parasitos foram caraterizados por técnicas histológicas e moleculares (reação em cadeia da polimerase e sequenciamento) e por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Foram encontrados 341 P. puffinus, com maior ocorrência durante o mês de novembro. Destes, 85 foram submetidos às avaliações macro e microscópicas. Deste total, 71 (84%) apresentaram digenéticos renais. Em 78 animais foi possível determinar o sexo (44 fêmeas e 34 machos), sendo a maioria juvenis. Interação antrópica foi observada somente em aves parasitadas (17/71), sendo a presença de óleo a principal interação (6/17). As alterações renais mais frequentes nos animais parasitados foram nefrite (53/71) e necrose tubular (17/71). Condição corporal ruim foi observada na maioria das aves parasitadas (46/71) e não parasitadas (12/14). As principais lesões sistêmicas observadas em aves parasitadas e não parasitadas foram necrose cardíaca e muscular, congestão e hemorragia pulmonar. A presença dos digenéticos não teve correlação com o sexo, a maturidade sexual, o escore de lesão renal e o índice de saúde. No entanto, verificou-se correlação significativa entre interação antrópica e o parasitismo renal. A partir dos resultados morfológicos e moleculares foi possível identificar o renicolídeo Renicola sloanei pela primeira vez em P. puffinus. Além disso, os resultados moleculares também sugerem que este digenético pode ser a forma adulta de Cercaria pythionike. Os achados histopatológicos e a análise estatística corroboram o fato do parasitismo por R. sloanei acarretar lesões renais não letais, ou seja, que não estão associadas ao encalhe e óbito de P. puffinus. Portanto, a mortalidade destes animais pode estar associada ao excessivo esforço energético e muscular durante o período migratório, observados pela baixa condição corporal e lesões cardíaca e muscular. Puffinus puffinus, known as Manx shearwaters, belongs to the order Procellariiformes. These seabirds maintain breeding sites in Europe and migrate to the South Atlantic between September to February. Studies on the parasitic fauna of migratory seabirds can also provide information on the host population distribution and stock and the health impacts of the oceans. The aim of this work was to characterize the renal digeneans of Puffinus puffinus stranded on the coast of Paraná state by morphological and molecular methods and to evaluate the association between the presence of these parasites, the renal and systemic alterations and the occurrence of anthropic interaction. The sampling of animals, digeneans and autopsy were carried out from September 2015 to December 2017 through the Beach Monitoring Project, of the Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, as a condition for the pre-salt exploration in the Santos Basin. During the autopsy, data concerning sex, age, body condition and anthropic interaction were collected. Tissues samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for histological analysis. A lesion score in the kidney was determined using the following parameters: tubular epithelium hyperplasia, tubular epithelium degeneration and necrosis, and inflammatory infiltrate. To evaluate the health status, four parameters were also used: body condition and, integumentary, systemic and organized lesions. The parasites were characterized by histological and molecular (polymerase chain reaction and sequencing), and scanning electron microscopy assays. In this study, 341 P. puffinus were stranded, with highest occurrence on November. From these, 85 were submitted to macro and microscopic evaluations. Digeneans in renal tissue were observed in 71 (84%) of these animals. In 78 animals it was possible to determine the sex (44 females and 34 males), most of them juveniles. Anthropic interaction was observed only in parasitized birds (17/71), with the presence of oil being the main interaction (6/17). The most frequent renal changes in the parasitized animals were nephritis (53/71) and tubular necrosis (17/71). Poor body condition was observed in most parasitized (46/71) and non-parasitized (12/14) birds. The main systemic lesions observed in parasitized and non-parasitized birds were cardiac and muscular necrosis, congestion and pulmonary hemorrhage. The presence of digeneans had no correlation with sex, sexual maturity, renal injury score, and health index. However, there was a significant correlation between anthropic interaction and renal parasitism. From the morphological and molecular results it was possible to identify Renicola sloanei for the first time in P. puffinus. In addition, molecular results also suggest that this parasite is the mature form of Cercaria pythionike. The histopathological findings and the statistical analysis corroborate the fact that parasitism by R. sloanei causes non-lethal renal lesions, and is not associated with the stranding and death of P. puffinus. Therefore, the mortality of these animals may be associated with excessive energetic and muscular efforts during the migratory period, observed by poor? body condition and cardiac and muscle injury.

The aim of this review was to present the main anthropogenic threats to seabirds, a taxonomic group described as environmental sentinels, and the dynamics between parasites and hosts and their relationship with the health of the marine ecosystem. Coastal marine environments support various anthropogenic activities, exposing seabirds to multiple and synergistic environmental changes. These activities are considered negative to the maintenance of several seabird species, such as exposure to constant aquatic contaminants and fishing. In addition, parasitic and infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, and fungal) may also play an important role in maintaining some seabird populations. Some pathogenic organisms have public health importance and/or may indicate environmental quality. Host-parasite interaction may be positive, negative, or absent depending on some environmental factors potentially associated with degradation, as well as intrinsic factors of host or parasite. In addition, investigating aspects of seabird mortality also contributes to the constant population monitoring and understanding of the interaction between animals, humans, and the environment. Thus, seabirds and their parasitofauna can provide important ecological and health information, including those related to environmental health, supporting strategies for reducing degradation and maintaining marine ecosystems.

The aim of this study were to detect antibodies anti-Leishmania spp. and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi in two different populations of domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from North Paraná referred for surgical castration and to determine which characteristics of the animals studied may be associated with seropositivity. Serum samples from 679 cats were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in series. Associations between age, sex, race, year of care and animal group were verified using the simple logistic regression. Percentage of 8.5% (58/679) of cats were positive for Leishmania spp. and 7.6% (51/673) for T. cruzi by the tests ELISA and IFAT. Animals collected by non-governmental animal protection organizations presented more seropositivity for Leishmania spp. (p

Leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis are diseases that may affect man and domestic and wild animals. They also have wide geographical distributions and thus cause large public health issues. The objective of the current study was to conduct leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis seroepidemiology in horses used for animal traction in small rural propertiesof the municipality of Umuarama, in northwest region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 312 horses from 87 small farms. Microscopic agglutination tests (MAT) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) analysis were performed on sera to detect leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis, respectively. These were performed in conjunction with an epidemiological questionnaire. The MAT results included 180 (57.69%) samples that were considered reactive with titers between 100 and 12800 for one or more serovars. Thirty-three (10.57%) samples subjected to IIF were considered reactive, with titers ranging between 64 and 1024. From the analyzed variables, contact with wild animals (p= 0.012) and animal exchange between properties (p = 0.004) were associated with toxoplasma infection. The study revealed that horses in the northwestern region of Paraná were exposed to Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, with an insignificant implication of the animals’ clinical condition; however, since it is possible for animals to transmit infection to other animals as well as humans via the intermittent shedding of leptospires through urine into the environment, it may be considered a problem of one health. As for the presence of T. gondii antibodies, these horses played the role of sentinel of the infection. Environmental sanitation measures, serological studies of herds, control of rodents and felids on properties, and the dissemination of information about these diseases are relevant for disease control at the study site. A leptospirose e a toxoplasmose são enfermidades de ampla distribuição geográfica e podem acometer o homem, animais domésticos e selvagens que causam elevados problemas para a saúde pública. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a soroepidemiologia da leptospirose e toxoplasmose em equinos utilizados como tração animal de pequenas propriedades rurais do município de Umuarama, região noroeste do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 312 equinos de 87 pequenas propriedades rurais. Para detectar a leptospirose e toxoplasmose os soros foram submetidos às técnicas de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM) e imunofluorescencia indireta (IFI) respectivamente associada ao preenchimento de um questionário epidemiológico. Na SAM, 180 (57,69%) amostras foram consideradas reagentes apresentando títulos entre 100 e 12800, para um ou mais sorovares. Na IFI, 33 (10,57%) amostras foram consideradas reagentes com títulos de 64 a 1024. Em relação às variáveis analisadas, o contato com animais selvagens (p= 0,012) e troca de animais entre propriedades (p= 0,004) foram associados à infecção toxoplásmica. O estudo revela que os equinos da região noroeste do Paraná estão expostos a Leptospira spp. e ao Toxoplasma gondii, tendo uma implicação insignificante relacionado ao aspecto clínico destes animais, porém podendo ser considerados um problema para a saúde única, pois, os animais possivelmente estão eliminando leptospiras pela urina de forma intermitente no meio ambiente podendo infectar outros animais e também o homem. Quanto à presença de anticorpos anti T. gondii estes equinos fizeram papel de sentinelas da infecção. Medidas de saneamento aplicadas ao meio ambiente, estudos sorológicos dos rebanhos, controle de roedores e felídeos das propriedades e a divulgação de informações sobre estas enfermidades são relevantes para o controle no local de estudo.