ABSTRACT: Spirorchidiasis is one of the most common diseases in green turtles. Eggs and the adult form of trematodes are mainly found in the heart, liver, lung, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract. The present study aimed to describe the pathological aspects of Spirorchiidae trematode infection in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro. The current study was based on the necropsy of 99 green turtles (Chelonia mydas, Chelonidae) from April to December 2021. Epidemiological data were obtained from the Aquatic Biota Monitoring Information System (SIMBA). A histopathological examination was performed at the “Setor de Anatomia Patológica” (SAP) from “Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro” (UFRuralRJ). Tissue fragments (buccal papilla, esophagus, trachea, lung, heart, kidney, bladder, stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, gonads, adrenal, thyroid, pancreas, salt glands, muscle, and skin) were sampled for histological examination. The green turtles had lesions compatible with parasitic infection in 89% (88/99) cases. Out of 88 turtles, 87 were juveniles (99%), 75% (66/88) were females, and 25% (22/88) were males. Adult parasites and their eggs were found to cause granulomatous tissue reactions in 14% (12/88) of turtles. Egg-associated granulomatous inflammation was found in 86% (76/88) of the turtles. The organs with the highest number of egg-associated granulomas in order of occurrence were: the spleen, small intestine, adrenal gland, pancreas, and lungs. The adult trematodes were observed in histological lesions in order of occurrence, mainly in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Out of the total number of turtles parasitized, 33% (29/88) of deaths occurred due to multiple causes such as fractures, interaction with fishing, predation, and fibropapillomas. The other 67% (59/88) presented multisystemic granulomatous disease caused by Spirorchiidae infection as a cause of death. Evidence is presented that spirorchidiasis is highly prevalent in young green turtles, is responsible for extensive chronic lesions, and responsible for significant debilitation and mortality.

RESUMO: A espirorquidíase é uma das doenças mais comuns em tartarugas verdes. Os ovos e a forma adulta dos trematódeos são encontrados principalmente no coração, fígado, pulmão, baço e trato gastrointestinal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever os aspectos patológicos da infecção por trematódeos Spirorchiidae em tartarugas verdes (Chelonia mydas) na Bacia de Campos, Rio de Janeiro. O presente trabalho foi baseado na necropsia de 99 tartarugas verdes (Chelonia mydas, Chelonidae) no período de abril a dezembro de 2021. Os dados epidemiológicos foram obtidos do Sistema de Informação de Monitoramento da Biota Aquática (SIMBA). Realizou-se exame histopatológico no Setor de anatomia Patológica (SAP) da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRuralRJ). Os fragmentos de tecidos (papila bucal, esôfago, traqueia, pulmão, coração, rim, bexiga, estômago, fígado, baço, intestinos, gônadas, adrenal, tireoides, pâncreas, glândulas de sal, músculo e pele) foram coletados e fixados em formalina a 10% tamponada, processados rotineiramente para exame histológico. Em 89% (88/99) dos casos, as tartarugas-verdes apresentaram lesões compatíveis com infecção parasitária. Das 88 tartarugas, 87 eram jovens (99%), 75% (66/88) correspondiam a fêmeas, 25% (22/88) a machos. Em 14% (12/88) das tartarugas foram encontrados parasitas adultos e seus ovos causando inflamação granulomatosa. Em 86,4% (76/88) das tartarugas foram encontradas lesões granulomatosas associadas aos ovos dos trematódeos. Os órgãos com maior quantidade de granulomas associados a ovos foram: baço, intestino delgado, adrenal, pâncreas e pulmões. Trematódeos adultos foram principalmente observados nas lesões histológicas, em ordem de ocorrência, no esôfago, estômago e intestino delgado. Do total de tartarugas parasitadas, 33% (29/88) das mortes ocorreram em consequência de múltiplas causas como fraturas, interação com pesca, predação e fibropapilomas. As outras 67% (59/88) apresentaram como causa de morte a doença granulomatosa multissistêmica causada pela infecção por trematódeo da família Spirorchiidae. São apresentadas evidências de que a espiroquidiase é altamente prevalente em tartarugas verdes jovens no Rio de Janeiro, responsável por extensas lesões crônicas, quadro clínico de debilidade e mortalidade significativas.

ABSTRACT Angiostrongylus cantonensis is considered the main etiological agent of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. At present, this zoonosis is considered an emerging disease mainly in the Americas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Achatina fulica infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in restinga areas along beaches in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. The study areas included the following beaches: Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Reserva, Prainha and Grumari. Ninety specimens of Achatina fulica were collected. Positive molluscs were found only in Barra da Tijuca. Infection prevalence was 5.5%. The presence of this parasite in the beachfront areas, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro city demonstrates the potential risk of infection for visitors and the expansion of this helminth in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

O nematóide Calodium hepaticum (sin. Capillaria hepatica) é um helminto zoonótico encontrado infectando principalmente ratos. A prevalência da infecção de C. hepaticum em Rattus norvegicus foi investigada em área urbana do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) com baixo planejamento e saneamento. A presença de C. hepaticum foi identificada através da presença de lesões macroscópicas caracterizadas por manchas extensas de coloração branco-amarelada difusa por toda superfície do tecido do fígado e através de análise histológica. A prevalência total da infecção foi de 45% sem diferença significativa entre o sexo e idade. A presença de roedores infectados próximos do peridomicílio representa um risco substancial para a saúde humana.

The nematode Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a zoonotic helminth found mainly infecting rats. It was studied the prevalence of C. hepaticum infection in Rattus norvegicus in an urban area of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), with low urban planning and sanitation. The presence of C. hepaticum was identified through visible yellowish-white lesions in liver tissue and histological analyses. The total prevalence of infection was 45%, with no significant differences between sex and age. The presence of infected rodents near the peridomestic area poses substantial risk to human health.

The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a worldwide-distributed zoonotic nematode that can cause human eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Here, for the first time, we report the isolation of A. cantonensis from Achatina fulica from two Brazilian states: Rio de Janeiro (specifically the municipalities of Barra do Piraí, situated at the Paraiba River Valley region and São Gonçalo, situated at the edge of Guanabara Bay) and Santa Catarina (in municipality of Joinville). The lungworms were identified by comparing morphological and morphometrical data obtained from adult worms to values obtained from experimental infections of A. cantonensis from Pernambuco, Brazil, and Akita, Japan. Only a few minor morphological differences that were determined to represent intra-specific variation were observed. This report of A. cantonensis in South and Southeast Brazil, together with the recent report of the zoonosis and parasite-infected molluscs in Northeast Brazil, provide evidence of the wide distribution of A. cantonensis in the country. The need for efforts to better understand the role of A. fulica in the transmission of meningoencephalitis in Brazil and the surveillance of molluscs and rodents, particularly in ports, is emphasized.