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The Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch (Sporophila angolensis) is a bird constantly sought after as a cage bird, which is the main threat and the cause of its disappearance from the most inhabited regions of the country. Paramyxovirus, present in most breeding sites and Ecological Parks, is the disease that most affects birds with a high mortality rate, causing significant losses, both economic and to nature. Avian paramyxoviruses belong to the family Paramyxoviridae, which includes 21 serotypes (APMVs-1-21). Serotypes 2 and 3 are the ones that most infect passerines. Type 2 causes respiratory disorders, while the disease caused by serotype 3 is characterized by pancreatitis, conjunctivitis, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea, dysphagia, pancreatitis, CNS symptoms, and death. Free-ranging birds can act as viral reservoirs and spread the disease when subjected to stress factors. During the period of 2009, during the illegal commercialization of Brazilian birds, 218 Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch were apprehended and sent to the CRAS (Wild Animals Recovery Center) of the Tietê Ecological Park. Of these, 112 arrived dead and the rest died during the year. About 35 birds were sent to the Electron Microscopy Laboratory of the Biological institute, for research on viral agents. During the necropsy, it was observed that the intestines were dilated, containing yellowish and watery stools. Small intestine fragments were processed by negative staining (rapid preparation), antigen immunolabeling with colloidal gold particles and resin embedding. Under the transmission electron microscope, using the negative staining technique, pleomorphic, rounded or elongated, enveloped paramyxovirus particles containing helical herring-bone like nucleocapsid, measuring between 100 and 500 nm in diameter, were visualized in the samples of all birds. The antigen-antibody reaction was enhanced by colloidal gold particles. Ultrathin sections of the small intestine revealed the presence of nuclei with marginalized chromatin, containing intranuclear inclusions; amorphous intracytoplasmic inclusions, formed by helical nucleocapsids, complete particles measuring from 100 to 250 nm and incomplete ones, budding from the plasma membrane.

Avianpox is a highly contagious disease that affects worldwide both commercial and wild birds. The etiologic agent is a poxvirus, belonging to the Poxviridae family and Avipoxvirus genus. The disease manifests itself in three ways, cutaneous, diphtheric and septicemic. In June 2007, during the illegal commercialization of birds, a Swallow tanager (Tersina viridis) was apprehended by the Forestry Police, among other birds, which was sent to the Tietê Ecological Park, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. After one month, the bird presented skin lesions on its legs, anorexia, emaciation, mobility difficulties, diarrhea, dehydration and death, and was sent to the Electron Microscopy Laboratory of the Biological Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, to search for viral agents. Fragments of skin lesions and crusts were collected and processed for transmission electron microscopy using the techniques of negative staining (rapid preparation) and immunocytochemistry (immunollabelling with colloidal gold particles). Under the transmission electron microscope using the negative staining technique, a large number of typical poxvirus particles ovoid in shape, showing irregular arrangement of the tubules on the outer membrane, some enveloped, measuring an average of 240 nm in length x 200 nm in diameter, were seen in suspension of skin lesions or crusts. . In the immunocytochemistry technique the antigen-antibody reaction was strongly enhanced by the dense particles of colloidal gold on poxviruses.

Relatos da técnica de implante de penas na reabilitação de aves silvestres no Centro de Recuperação de Animais Silvestres do Parque Ecológico do Tietê, São Paulo, SP. A técnica de implante de penas é utilizada para reparar rêmiges e retrizes danificadas, restaurando a capacidade de voo destas aves e, consequentemente, diminuindo o tempo necessário para a reabilitação. É uma técnica muito antiga utilizada principalmente em rapinas, mas pode ser aplicada em outras aves. Os incidentes com linhas de pipa, o manuseio inadequado na contenção ou transporte, o corte de penas e as condições precárias em cativeiros irregulares são as principais causas da incapacidade de voo das aves recebidas no Centro de Recuperação de Animais Silvestres do Parque Ecológico do Tietê (CRAS-PET), localizado entre os municípios de Guarulhos e São Paulo, no estado de São Paulo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar os procedimentos de coleta, a técnica de implante de penas em rêmiges, além dos resultados obtidos pelo CRAS-PET com a utilização desta técnica na reabilitação de aves silvestres. A técnica foi aplicada em 85 indivíduos, de 17 espécies, sendo Asio clamator a espécie mais representativa com 27,1% dos procedimentos. A metodologia de substituição total da pena foi adotada para todos os indivíduos, a quantidade de penas foi variável entre três e 37 rêmiges implantadas por indivíduo. Para o banco de penas, o método por corte completo com tesoura de precisão no cálamo mostrou-se rápido e eficiente, as hastes de bambu e o cálamo de outra pena foram mais adequados por serem leves e flexíveis. A cola a base de etilcianoacrilato de média viscosidade apresentou melhor resultado tanto para a manipulação quanto no tempo de secagem. A anestesia geral com isoflurano foi a mais positiva para o procedimento, pois é mais célere e diminui a agitação da ave na recuperação anestésica. A técnica de implante mostrou-se uma excelente ferramenta na reabilitação de animais silvestres e os resultados mostraram uma opção rápida e confiável de reparar penas de voo danificadas e, consequentemente, reestabelecer o voo de aves silvestres em reabilitação.

This research reports ticks on wild raptors in Brazil. Between the years 1936 and 2019, 127 larvae, 230 nymphs and 34 adult ticks were collected on 92 raptors (among 27 different species) from 35 localities in distinct Brazilian biomes. Additionally, an extensive literature review on ticks on wild raptors has been carried out, demonstrating that from 1993 to 2016, 29 larvae, 81 nymphs, 29 adults and 186 indeterminate immature ticks (larvae or nymphs) were collected on 41 raptors (16 different species) in 17 distinct localities in the Brazilian territory. The following tick species were identified on wild raptors in the country: Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772), Amblyomma auricularium (Conil, 1878), Amblyomma brasiliense Aragao, 1908, Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) sensu stricto, Amblyomma calcaratum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma coelebs Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844), Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844, Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca & Aragao, 1952, Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Cooley, 1946, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) sensu lato. This study is therefore a significant contribution to our knowledge of the ticks associated with Brazilian raptors.

After the sudden death of eleven captives marmosets in a rehabilitation center of wildlife in São Paulo, Brazil, histological and microbiological study was conducted. Liver, spleen, intestine, central nervous system, lung, thymus, stomach, testicle tissues were analyzed by light microscopy and microbial cultures were conducted. Environmental cultures were also performed. Prophylactic antimicrobial therapy, restricted access to marmosets’ cages with dedicated staff, and additional sanitization of animals’ fruits were implemented. Histological findings were compatible with hyperacute septicemia, and microbiological cultures and molecular tests identified the etiologic agent as hypermucoviscous sequence type 86 capsular type K2 K. pneumoniae for the first time in South America. Implementation of prompt containment measures led to successful control of this outbreak. Detection of a hypervirulent and zoonotic pathogen, such as hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae ST86 K2, in an unexpected and human interface reservoir underscores its potential threat in public health settings.

Dioctophymosis is a worldwide renal parasitosis caused by the Dioctophyma renale nematode, which results in progressive destruction of renal tissue. Aquatics annelids are considered the main intermediate hosts and the literature refers as permanent hosts of dogs, wild mammals and even humans. During procedures for population control of coatis (Nasua nasua) in the Ecological Park of Tietê (PET), was noticed the presence of parasitosis by D. renale. From 68 animals, males and females, young and adults, submitted to exploratory laparotomy, 51 were positive for the presence of worms, 9 were found only in the right kidney. In 10 cases, in addition to right kidney parasitism, worms were also observed in the abdominal cavity. In 24 cases D. renale was found only in the abdominal cavity and in 8 animals the right kidney was reduced to a small rigid structure. The study showed that the preferred site for parasitism of the worm, considered erratic, was the abdominal cavity in 66.66% of the cases.

Esforço de tração foi aplicado perpendicularmente ao eixo do bico e para realização do ensaio foi utilizado um dinamômetro. O bico íntegro fraturou quando submetido a uma tração de 270,40 N, com deslocamento de 22,59mm. Para a fixação dos bicos fraturados foi utilizada resina acrílica e a área compreendeu uma faixa com 2,0 cm de largura. O segundo bico ensaiado apresentou resistência até 69.75 N. O bico submetido a condicionamento ácido resistiu a uma força de 63,29 N. Outros dois novos ensaios foram realizados, preenchendo-se toda a superfície da rinoteca. Aquele não submetido ao condicionamento ácido resistiu até 134,40 N e, aquele submetido ao condicionamento ácido, resistiu até 101,50 N. No presente trabalho não se observou correlação estatística e, conseqüentemente, diferença entre os procedimentos com utilização prévia de condicionamento ácido e aqueles sem a utilização do mesmo. Traction effort was applied perpendicularly to the axis of toucan beaks and for accomplishment of the essay a dynamometer was used. The beak was completely fractured when submitted to traction of 270.40 N. For fixation of the fractured beaks acrylic resin was applied using a strip of 2.0cm of width. The second beak presented resistance up to 69.75 N. The third beak was submitted to acid conditioning and resisted to force of 63.29 N. Other two new tests were accomplished the whole surface of the rhinotheca filled out. The fourth beak was not submitted to the acid attack and it resisted up to 134.40 N, and the fifth was submitted to the acid etch and it resisted up to 101.50 N. The present work did not observe statistical correlation and, consequently, differences among the procedures with previous use of acid attack and those without the use of the same.