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Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by members of the genusLeptospira,which affects domestic and wild animals. Cases of abortion in cattle have been associated with this infection, but these are often not adequately confirmed. To determine the best diagnostic strategy for leptospirosis-associated cases of abortion, we evaluated some of the techniques used in the veterinary laboratory and found that the key issues are sample type and timing. In a retrospective anatomical and histopathological analysis, we studied 42 aborted foetuses with lesions consistent with leptospirosis to check for the presence of pathogenic leptospira by qPCR, as well as ascertaining the serologic status of the cows. In addition, in a prospective analysis, cows that had aborted foetuses were analysed within 2 days of the event by MAT and qPCR using blood and urine samples. Analysis of the foetuses indicated that only 14.3% of the selected cases (6 of 42) gave a positive qPCR result. Regarding cows that had recently aborted foetuses, 4 out of 11 sampled showed a positive qPCR, while MAT tests showed only negative results. The evidence provided in this study indicates that the time that has elapsed since a clinical event has occurred and the type of clinical sample taken are key elements in the successful confirmation of pathogenic leptospira as the cause of abortion.

A debilitated turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), showing prominent nodular masses in its head, was found in Antofagasta, Chile. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of epidermal hyperplasia and hypertrophy with typical eosinophilic intracytoplasmatic inclusion bodies in epithelial cells. Accordingly, a diagnosis of avian pox was established, corresponding to the first known occurrence of the disease in the southern hemisphere.

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. Resumo Fasciola hepatica é um parasita de origem europeia introduzido na América, de importância em saúde pública e animais de produção, especialmente em países com áreas endêmicas, como ocorre no Chile. Neste país, a pesquisa foi focada principalmente em ruminantes domésticos, com a fauna nativa e introduzida sendo amplamente ignorada. O objetivo desse trabalho é relatar a infecção por Fasciola hepatica em lebre europeia, espécie distribuída em vasta extensão do país. Uma em 42 lebres caçadas, mostrou lesões histológicas compatíveis com infestação por F. hepatica, alojando 6 vermes hepáticos. Este é o primeiro relato deste lagomorfo apresentando este tipo de parasitismo no Chile, o terceiro na América do Sul. No entanto, não encontramos relatos anteriores sobre a patologia deste acaso na espécie. Este relato salienta a importância de mais estudos considerando espécies introduzidas, as quais podem ser reservatórios desse importante parasita.

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. Resumo Fasciola hepatica é um parasita de origem europeia introduzido na América, de importância em saúde pública e animais de produção, especialmente em países com áreas endêmicas, como ocorre no Chile. Neste país, a pesquisa foi focada principalmente em ruminantes domésticos, com a fauna nativa e introduzida sendo amplamente ignorada. O objetivo desse trabalho é relatar a infecção por Fasciola hepatica em lebre europeia, espécie distribuída em vasta extensão do país. Uma em 42 lebres caçadas, mostrou lesões histológicas compatíveis com infestação por F. hepatica, alojando 6 vermes hepáticos. Este é o primeiro relato deste lagomorfo apresentando este tipo de parasitismo no Chile, o terceiro na América do Sul. No entanto, não encontramos relatos anteriores sobre a patologia deste acaso na espécie. Este relato salienta a importância de mais estudos considerando espécies introduzidas, as quais podem ser reservatórios desse importante parasita.

The present study reports a case of tuberculosis in a juvenile Chilean hawk ( Accipiter chilensis ). Granulomas were identified in the liver, intestine and mesentery. Several of these granulomas contained acid-fast bacilli suggesting a mycobacterial infection through ingestion. Molecular diagnosis detected Mycobacterium bovis as etiological agent. Whether M. bovis infection in this Chilean hawk represents a risk for other wildlife, livestock or humans remains to be determined.

We report a case of a Lady Amherst’s pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) with diffuse granulomatous lesions inliver, spleen and intestine. Using histopathological and molecular diagnosis we detected Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium, etiologicalagent of avian tuberculosis. Further studies are needed to understand the role of wild birds in the persistence and transmission of thispathogen., Reportamos un caso de un faisán Lady Amherst (Chrysolophus amherstiae) con lesiones granulomatosas difusasen hígado, bazo e intestino. Usando diagnóstico histopatológico y molecular detectamos Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium, agenteetiológico de tuberculosis aviar. Se requieren más estudios para entender el rol de aves silvestres en la persistencia y transmisión delpatógeno.