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Sand flies are hematophagous dipterans and are considered vectors of the parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania, which can infect mammals, including humans, and subsequently cause leishmaniasis. Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), southern Brazil, was considered free of this disease for the last few decades. However, several autochthonous cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been recorded in different municipalities in recent years. Since 2017, cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) have been reported in the municipality of Santa Maria, located in the central region of RS. In 2021, two cases of human VL were confirmed in the city, resulting in one death. To capture the possible vectors involved in the disease transmission cycle, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) modified light traps were installed in the peridomestic residential areas. These points were situated in two city districts where cases of CVL had been reported from January 2021 to January 2022. In the 41 sample collections of sand flies, 9 specimens of Lutzomyia longipalpis were identified, confirming the municipality as an area of VL transmission, according to Brazilian sanitary standards. The spread of Leishmania spp. has been occurring efficiently, resulting in a negative impact on the One Health. This study reports the first detection of L. longipalpis in the central region of RS.

Cattle are the main hosts of Rhipicephalus microplus; however, this ixodid can also parasitize other animal species. We collected a specimen of R. microplus larvae from one bat Molossus rufus (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from the Cachoeirinha municipality (29° 56' 52'' S and 51° 5' 43'' W), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The specimen was taxonomically identified using identification keys (Vargas 2006). This study reports the first occurrence of this species parasitizing insectivorous bats in Brazil.

Giardiasis is an important and prevalent zoonosis in dogs and humans caused by Giardia spp. The close relationship between pets and humans has physical, emotional and social benefits. The dogs have an important role in Giardia duodenalis cycle and transmission. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of the parasite in dogs from Central Region, in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from April to October 2018. Dog feces (230) were submitted to Faust coproparasitological and molecular analyses. The positive samples in the nested-PCR (β-giardin gene) were sent for DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses (Neighbor-Joining). The occurrence of G. duodenalis, was 5.6% (13/230) and 4.3% (10/230) detected by coproparasitological technique and nested-PCR, respectively. There was no difference in the sensitivity of the tests used. From the faecal samples analyzed, there were no differences among the variables: diagnostic techniques, local, sex, and age of the animals (p>0.05). Only in the stool examination methodology a difference was observed between the ages (p0,05). Somente na metodologia de exame de fezes observou-se diferença entre as idades (p

Reports of a lack of efficacy of most of the anthelmintic compounds for ruminants associated with the long-time necessity for creating new molecules have stressed the urgency to adopt alternative methods to control gastrointestinal parasites infection, such as strategies of sharing grazing areas. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate nematode populations affecting cattle and sheep that share grazing areas before and after treatment with different anthelmintic compounds, and investigate the efficacy of anthelmintic treatment in these naturally infected ruminants at farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The presence of co-infections by Haemonchus species was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for groups treated with a benzimidazole. Farms were selected by: farmers’ consent, presence of 42–60 (or more) calves and sheep per farm with counts of ≥ 200 eggs per gram of feces (EPG), availability of calves and lambs aging from 6 to 9 months, absence of anthelmintic treatment for both species for 60 days before the experimental period, and shared grazing areas between this species on each farm. Animals were distributed into six treatment groups for each ruminant species per farm and treated with: ivermectin, doramectin, moxidectin, levamisole, albendazole, and closantel. Levamisol was the most effective anthelmintic compound for both ruminant species. In general, Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. were the genus present after tested treatments that were ineffective. PCR showed the presence of Haemonchus species co-infections between cattle and sheep. Therefore, this study demonstrated the similarity between nematode population, the presence of multi-resistant nematodes, and the presence of Haemonchus species co-infections affecting different ruminant species that share pastures.

Semi-intensive equine breeding system favors gastrointestinal nematode infections. The treatment of these infections is based on the use of anthelmintics. However, the inappropriate use of these drugs has led to parasitic resistance to the available active principles. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the main classes of antiparasitic (ATP) used in control in adult and young animals, including: benzimidazoles (fenbendazole), pyrimidines (pyrantel pamoate), macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin and moxidectin), as well as the combination of active ingredients (ivermectin + pyrantel pamoate). The study was carried out in two military establishments, located in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), from January to December, 2018. The intervals between the treatments of the animals were performed from 30 to 90 days. Coproparasitological evaluations were determined by the egg count reduction in the faeces. Cyatostomine larvae were identified in pre and post-treatment cultures. The results demonstrated the multiple parasitic resistance of cyathostomins to fenbendazole, moxidectin in young animals, and to fenbendazole, pyrantel pamoate in adult animals. Thus, it is necessary to define or diagnose parasitic resistance to assist in the creation of prophylactic parasitic control, using suppressive treatment with ATP associated with integrated alternatives. The progress of parasitic resistance can be slowed. Resumo O sistema semi-intensivo de criação de equinos favorece infecções por nematoides gastrointestinais. O tratamento dessas infecções é baseado no uso de anti-helmínticos. No entanto, o uso inadequado desses medicamentos levou à resistência parasitária aos princípios ativos disponíveis. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia das principais classes de antiparasitários (ATP), utilizados no controle em animais adultos e jovens, incluindo: benzimidazois (fenbendazol), pirimidinas (pamoato de pirantel), lactonas macrocíclicas (ivermectina e moxidectina), bem como a combinação de ingredientes ativos (ivermectina + pamoato de pirantel). O estudo foi realizado em dois estabelecimentos militares, localizados no Rio Grande do Sul (RS), de janeiro a dezembro de 2018. Os intervalos entre os tratamentos foram realizados de 30 a 90 dias. As avaliações coproparasitológicas foram determinadas pela redução da contagem de ovos nas fezes. Foram identificadas larvas de ciatostomíneos nas coproculturas pré e pós tratamentos. Os resultados demonstraram a resistência parasitária múltipla dos ciatostomíneos ao fenbendazol, moxidectina em animais jovens, febendazole e pamoato de pirantel em animais adultos. Estabelecer o diagnóstico da resistência parasitária auxiliará na elaboração de um controle parasitário profilático, reduzindo o tratamento supressivo com ATP juntamente com alternativas de controle integrado. Dessa forma, o avanço da resistência parasitária poderá ser retardado.