Resumo O cisne de pescoço negro é distribuído por toda a América do Sul, e enfrenta problemas de conservação no Chile, sendo protegido pela Lei Estadual de Caça. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar helmintos em cisnes e avaliar o dano tecidual por meio de histopatologia. Um total de 19.291 parasitas foi isolado de 21 aves examinadas, sendo 17 espécies identificadas, entre nematóides, trematódeos e tênias. Destes, 12 são novos registros de hospedeiros, 13 são reportados pela primeira vez no Chile, e 5 são novos registros para a região Neotropical. Além disso, os trematódeos Schistosomatidae gen. sp. e Echinostoma echinatum detectados têm importância zoonótica. Em relação à histopatologia, uma resposta inflamatória foi encontrada em todo o trato digestivo. Entretanto, é difícil estabelecer uma associação estrita de tais lesões com parasitas isolados, porque outros fatores também poderiam ser responsáveis. Em alguns casos, houve uma associação óbvia entre parasitas e lesões, embora a resposta inflamatória e a necrose fossem mínimas, como foi o caso dos gêneros Capillaria, Retinometra, Catatropis, Echinostoma e Schistosomatidae gen. sp. Entretanto, Epomidiostomum vogelsangi causou lesões granulomatosas com importante resposta inflamatória e necrose, mas sempre circunscrita às camadas superficiais da moela. Por outro lado, Paramonostomum não foi associado com uma resposta inflamatória óbvia apesar da alta carga parasitária.

Abstract Black-necked swans are distributed across South America and face conservation problems in Chile according to data of the State institution SAG. The aim of this study was to identify helminths and to assess associated tissue damage via histopathology. A total of 19,291 parasites were isolated from 21 examined birds; 17 species were identified, including nematodes, flukes, and tapeworms. Of these, 12 were new host records, 13 were reported for the first time in Chile, and 5 were new records for the Neotropical region. Further, the flukes Schistosomatidae gen. sp. and Echinostoma echinatum are of zoonotic concern. Regarding histopathology, an inflammatory response was found along the birds’ entire digestive tract. Nevertheless, it is difficult to declare that there is a clear association between such lesions and isolated parasites, as other noxa could be responsible as well. Although in some cases there was an evident association, such inflammatory responses and necrosis were minimal, as occurred with Capillaria, Retinometra, Catatropis, Echinostoma, and Schistosomatidae gen. sp. Nevertheless, Epomidiostomum vogelsangi caused granulomatous injuries, an important inflammatory response, and necrosis, but it always circumscribed to superficial layers of the gizzard. Conversely, Paramonostomum was not associated with an inflammatory response despite a high parasitic load.

The aim of this study was to establish the diagnosis and isolation of virulent variants of Rhodococcus equi strains and their association with respiratory and digestive disorders or both in Thoroughbred foals. Blood samples were collected from 86 foals ranging 1 to 6 months of age with presence of respiratory and digestive clinical signs between 2006 and 2008 in nine farms of the Metropolitan Region, Chile. All samples were processed and analysed by PCR to detect the presence of R. equi and its virulence-associated proteins (Vap) (A, C, D, E, F, G, H). Results showed that 41.9% of the foals were positive to R. equi. The virulence factors detected in foals with respiratory disorders were vapA, vapC and vapG in 5.8% of the sampled population, with Spearman’s association values of r = 0.885; r = 0.976; r = 0.885 respectively. No virulent variants of R.equi were identified in foals with digestive disorders

El objetivo del presente estudio fue establecer el diagnóstico y aislado de variantes virulentas de la cepa Rhodococcus equi y su asociación con trastornos respiratorios, digestivos o de ambos en potrillos Fina Sangre de Carrera. Se obtuvo muestras de sangre de 86 ejemplares entre 1 y 6 meses de edad con presencia de signos clínicos respiratorios y digestivos entre 2006 y 2008 en nueve haras de la Región Metropolitana, Chile. Todas las muestras se procesaron y analizaron mediante PCR para detección de presencia de R. equi y sus proteínas asociadas a la virulencia (Vap) (A, C, D, E, F, G, H). El 41.9% de los potrillos fueron positivos a R. equi. Los factores de virulencia detectados en potrillos con trastornos respiratorios fueron vapA, vapC y vapG en el 5.8% de la población muestreada, con valores de asociación de Spearman de r=0.885; r=0.976; r=0.885, respectivamente. No se identificaron variantes virulentas de R. equi en los potrillos con signos clínicos digestivos

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A group of horses died in Easter Island following anorexia, weight loss and neurological signs. Similar cases have occurred since the introduction of a plant containing pirrolizidine alkaloid to the island. This study describes the grazing behaviour of the horses and the potential correlation with the development of these horses clinical signs.

RESUMO: No mundo, os cervos são considerados uma fonte de infecção e propagação de uma grande variedade de patógenos para animais de criação e para os seres humanos. Entre estas doenças está a sarcosporidiosis, que é uma doença parasitária causada por Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Os sinais clínicos mais comuns são anemia hemolítica, fraqueza, perda de peso e diminuição do crescimento e em algumas espécies de Sarcocystis podem causar abortos. A doença clínica em ruminantes é bastante rara, mas a infecção é muito comum. As infecções são cumulativos e o parasita não gera imunidade em nenhum dos seus hospedeiros. A Sarcosporidiosis ovina é um problema grave em algumas regiões do Chile devido a microcistos localizados no músculo provocando a reprovação total da carcaça. Sarcocystis spp. tem sido amplamente relatado em cervos vermelhos e outras espécies de cervídeos, mas no Chile a sua situação permanece desconhecida. Atualmente há pouca ou nenhuma evidência de Sarcocystis em cervos introduzidos no Chile e há apenas um relatório do parasita em pudú. O principal objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio no veado vermelho e cervo gamo no Chile e confirmar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. em pudus. Revisaram-se todos os casos de cervos desde 1994-2013 do Instituto de Patologia Animal da Universidad Austral de Chile. Os animais selecionados para o estudo foram aqueles em que se tomou amostra de miocárdio. Das amostras histopatológicas observadas, verificou-se que em cinco dos nove cervos vermelhos, em um dos quatro veados gamo e 11 dos 23 pudus tinham cistos de Sarcocystis no miocárdio. Este estudo representa o primeiro relatório para o Chile de Sarcocystis spp. no miocárdio de veados vermelhos e cervo gamo. Definir o veado vermelho, o cervo gamo e os pudú como anfitriões de Sarcocystis ajuda a uma melhor compreensão da epidemiologia deste parasita no Chile e o papel de cervos selvagens e em cativeiro para a manutenção e divulgação deste parasita.

ABSTRACT: Worldwinde, cervids are considered an important source of infection and dissemination of a wide variety of pathogens, both for farm animals and humans. Among this diseases is sarcosporidiosis, which is a parasitic disease caused by Sarcocystis spp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). Most frequent clinical signs are hemolytic anemia, weakness, weight loss and decrease of growth and some species of Sarcocystis might cause abortions. The clinical disease in ruminants is fairly rare but the infection is very frequent. Infections are accumulative and the parasite does not generate immunity in any of the hosts. Ovine sarcosporidiosis is a serious issue in the some regions of Chile due to the macrocysts located in the muscle which means condemnation of the whole carcass. Sarcocystis spp. has been widely reported in red deer and other cervid species but in Chile the situation remains unknown. Nowadays there is little to no evidence of Sarcocystis in foreign deer in Chile and there is only one report of the parasite on pudu. The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer in Chile, and confirm the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in pudu. All cervid cases from 1994 to 2013 of the Institute of Animal Pathology of the Universidad Austral de Chile were reviewed. The animals selected were those in which a myocardium sample was taken. From the histopathological samples observed, it was found that 5 of the 9 red deer, 1 of the 4 fallow deer and in 11 of the 23 pudu there were Sarcocystis cysts in the myocardium. This study represents the first record for Chile of Sarcocystis spp. in myocardium of red deer and fallow deer. Stablishing the red deer, fallow deer and pudu as hosts of Sarcocystis aids to have a better understanding of the parasite epidemiology in Chile and the role of wild and captive cervids in the maintenance and spread of these parasites.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la prevalencia de Cysticercus bovis en los bovinos faenados en el sur de Chile. Para determinar la prevalencia de cisticercosis se utilizaron los antecedentes de 198260 bovinos faenados en tres grandes plantas faenadoras de carnes (PFCs) en el sur de Chile, de enero a diciembre del 2010, que fueron inspeccionados post mortem de acuerdo a los procedimientos oficiales de Chile en los distintos puntos obligatorios: corazón, lengua, maseteros, esófago, diafragma y observación superficial de la canal. Un total de 1158 (0,58%) bovinos fueron diagnosticados positivos a C. bovis. De los casos positivos, el 98.45% estaba infectado en forma leve (hasta 4 cisticercos) y estas canales fueron destinadas a saneamiento; sólo un 1.55% de los casos positivos correspondieron a infección masiva (más de 4 cisticercos), destinadas a decomiso total de acuerdo a los procedimientos oficiales de Chile. La prevalencia de C. bovis según clase fue más frecuente en los bueyes, vacas y toros, es decir en bovinos de mayor edad. En hembras la infección fue más prevalente que en machos. Se observó la ocurrencia de la cisticercosis en todos los meses del año. En conclusión la prevalencia de la cisticercosis varía entre PFCs según sexo, clase y nivel de infección.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus bovis in cattles laughtered in southern Chile. Data from 198260 bovines slaughtered in three large slaughter plants(PFCs) in southern Chile, from January to December 2010 were used. The animals were inspected post mortem according to official procedures in Chile, where mandatory inspection sites are: heart, tongue, masseter, oesophagus, diaphragm and superficial observation of the carcass. A total of 1158 (0.58%) animals were diagnosed positiveto C.bovis. Of the positive cases 98.45% were infected with the slight form (up to 4 cysts); the carcasses of these bovines were sent to sanitation before being used for human consumption. Only 1.55% of the positive cases corresponded to amassive infection (more than 4 cysts); these carcasses were condemned and not suitable for human consumption according to the official inspection procedure in Chile. The prevalence of C.bovis was higher in oxen and cows, hence higher in older cattle. In females the infection was more prevalent than in males. The occurrence of cysticercosis was observed in all months of the year. In conclusion, the prevalence of cysticercosis PFCs varied according to gender, class and level of infection.

Con el objeto de determinar la frecuencia de presentación de Helicobacter spp. se realizó un estudio en caninos de Valdivia, Chile, a través de biopsia gástrica de las zonas fúndica y pilórica obtenida por endoscopía y analizadas mediante las pruebas de ureasa e histología. Los resultados indican que la bacteria Helicobacter spp. fue detectada en todos los perros. La prueba de ureasa dio resultados positivos a Helicobacter en el 86,2% de las muestras de la zona fúndica y en el 75,9% del antro pilórico. El examen histológico reveló la bacteria en todas las muestras fúndicas y en el 92% de las muestras del antro pilórico. En la zona fúndica las frecuencias obtenidas entre la prueba de ureasa e histología resultaron estadísticamente significativas, a diferencia de lo que se obtuvo en la zona del antro pilórico. La bacteria fue encontrada en perros de todas las edades de ambos sexos. Las muestras que resultaron positivas a la prueba de ureasa, reaccionaron principalmente entre las 3 y 24 horas de incubación. En el examen histológico se determinó el grado de infección por el Helicobacter spp., siendo las muestras clasificadas mayormente en los grados moderado a marcado, ubicándose sobre la superficie de la mucosa, en las fosas gástricas, glándulas gástricas y en las células parietales.

A study was carried out in order to determinate Helicobacter spp. in dogs of Valdivia city, Chile. Gastric mucosal biopsy from fundus and pyloric antrum were obtained by endoscopy and analized by urease test and histology.Stomach endoscopic appearance, frecuency presentation of Helicobacter spp. according to sex and age, time reaction to urease test, degree of infection and distribution Helicobacter spp. were analized. Results indicated that Helicobacter spp. was detected in all dogs. The urease test was positive in 86.2% of the fundus samples and in 75.9% of the pyloric antrum samples. Histological examination revealed the bacterium in all of the fundus samples and in 92% of the antrum samples. In fundus samples the frecuency obtained by urease test and histology resulted statistically significant, different to the results obtained in the antrum region. Helicobacter spp. was found in young and old animals of both sexes. Samples that gave positive results in the urease test reacted mainly between 3 to 24 hours post incubated. Histological examination to determinate degree of infection to Helicobacter spp., were classified moderate to marked degree and detected on the mucosal surface, gastric pits, gastric glands and parietal cells.