Occurrence of endo and hemoparasites in Sporophila caerulescens captured in the eastern region of the state of Acre, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Wild animals are hosts and reservoirs to many infectious agents, often unknown to the Scientific Community, which leads to serious health implications for natural and domestic environments. We conducted this research with the objective of diagnosing the occurrence of parasites of medical and veterinary interest in “coleirinhos” captured in the eastern region of the state of Acre, Brazil. We captured the specimens in August and September of 2017 using ornithological nets at the margins of Caeté river. We visually inspected the birds to evaluate the ectoparasites. Subsequently, we collected blood through a brachial vein puncture and rested the individuals in a cloth bag for 30 minutes to collect feces, after which we released them. Results of the visual inspection to detect and identify the ectoparasites were negative. Blood samples revealed the protozoan Haemoproteus sp., and the feces revealed cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and E. coli, oocysts of coccidia and eggs of Davaineidae. Coccidia was the most prevalent (69.2%) and abundant (34.15%) parasite reported. Parasites diagnosed in this study can promote the emergence of secondary infections in S. caerulescens individuals or other animals that are contaminated with these etiological agents, since, when migrating through different biomes of South America, other animal species can come into contact with these agents.