Environmental changes in the Brazilian Pantanal and Cerrado facilitate the spread of parasitic diseases in wildlife, with significant implications for public health owing to their zoonotic potential. This study aimed to examine the occurrence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in wild felids within these regions to assess their ecological and health impacts. We collected and analyzed helminth-positive samples from 27 wild felids using specific taxonomic keys. Diverse parasitic taxa were detected, including zoonotic helminths, such as Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma pluridentatum, Toxocara cati, Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Echinococcus spp., and Spirometra spp. Other nematodes, such as Physaloptera praeputialis and Physaloptera anomala, were identified, along with acanthocephalans from the genus Oncicola and a trematode, Neodiplostomum spp. (potentially the first record of this parasite in wild felids in the Americas). Human encroachment into natural habitats has profound effects on wild populations, influencing parasitic infection rates and patterns. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and research on parasitic infections as a means of safeguarding both wildlife and human populations and highlights the role of wild felids as bioindicators of environmental health.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is an infectious disease caused by Ehrlichia canis, a globally recognized obligate intracellular bacterium. In addition to dogs, other animals, including humans, may be affected. Despite its epidemiological importance and impact on public health, there is currently no commercial vaccine against E. canis. This study aimed to present relevant aspects of the challenges and advances encountered in the development of vaccines for CME and highlight perspectives for future investigations. High genetic variability, along with the various evasion mechanisms employed by E. canis, has hindered the identification of an antigen that targets Th1 cells and is immunogenic to most E. canis isolates, considering their distinct antigenic characteristics. To achieve robust immunity, the vaccine must predominantly confer cellular and humoral immunity. Early production efforts have been challenging owing to low immunogenicity, difficulties in establishing long-term protection, and limitations of the techniques used. However, with the refinement of bioinformatic tools, research in this area will be facilitated, thereby accelerating the development of effective vaccines for CME. According to these authors, a vaccine should consist of multiple epitopes.

Despite several records of Dioctophyme renale in domestic hosts (mainly dogs) and wild animals in Brazil, there are few studies related to the biology of the parasite and epidemiology of the parasitosis in the country. This also applies to the interactions and scratches in different locales. The aim of this study was to describe D. renale occurrence in 12 animals at an interface of the domestic-wild cycle and to detail two specific cases of these, one domestic and one wild canine (Chrysocyon brachyurus) from the same microregion of the Brazilian Cerrado. The difficulty in diagnosing dioctophimosis is related to nonspecific clinical signs. Over the last five years, 12 cases of D. renale have been reported in domestic and wild canids, two of which are described in full in this study. The expansion of livestock farming and urbanization of biomes, fragmentation of floral areas, and destruction of natural areas have increased the proximity between domestic and wild animals, and consequently, the occurrence of infectious and parasitic diseases. Its probability of occurrence in humans represents a public health risk.

Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is a tick-borne disease caused by Ehrlichia canis that manifests as acute, chronic, or subclinical forms without specific clinical symptoms. This disease is diagnosed using clinical and laboratory findings (blood smears, molecular techniques, and serology). This study aimed to demonstrate the occurrence of false-positive results for Ehrlichia spp. in veterinary clinical practice. Seventy dogs with positive blood smears before treatment for Ehrlichia spp. subjected to doxycycline and imidazole treatment were analyzed using hematological examination, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and indirect immunofluorescence assay. PCR analysis identified no samples positive for E. canis according to PCR analysis, while serological techniques showed a frequency of 51.4% in dogs with antibodies (IgG) against Ehrlichia spp. There was a correlation between hyperproteinemia and titers > 10,240. Nonspecific changes occurred in 24.3% (17/70) of the patients with CME, such as anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. The results indicated that the blood count and blood smear analysis were insufficient for diagnosis and that positive serological results associated with hematological changes suggestive of ehrlichiosis in dogs can be incorrectly assigned by a veterinarian, putting animals at risk.

A proximidade entre homem e animais domésticos aumentou consideravelmente nos últimos anos, especialmente cães e gatos. Enfermidades gastrintestinais causadas por parasitas, são frequentemente diagnosticadas na rotina clínica de animais domésticos, desencadeando fatores que podem impactar à saúde única, devido à ocorrência de zoonoses. Diante disso, o presente estudo objetivou identificar, através de um levantamento bibliográfico, os principais parasitas gastrintestinais que acometem animais domésticos domiciliados, destacando-se cães e gatos, associando com os fatores de risco observados. Foram identificadas as seguintes espécies principais de parasitas: Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp., Trichuris vulpis; Dipylidium caninum; Giardia spp., Cystoisospora spp. e Platynosomum fastosum. Dentre os principais fatores de risco associados ao parasitismo, incluem a idade, renda média dos tutores, acesso à lixo, esgoto e dejetos; desverminação desatualizada e presença de animais contactantes. Diante dos resultados obtidos, evidencia-se a necessidade da implantação de medidas preventivas e de controle, com o intuito de reduzir a ocorrência de parasitas em animais e a exposição de agentes patogênicos à humanos.

A Terapia Assistida por Animais (TAA) é uma intervenção complementar ao tratamento de depressão, ansiedade e estresse. A terapia é realizada através de uma equipe multidisciplinar, orientada pelos profissionais que promovem a TAA e a equipe médica responsável pelo paciente. Diferentes animais podem ser utilizados na TAA. Entretanto, a escolha do animal depende do paciente que receberá a terapia. Os cães, geralmente, são os mais selecionados para realização da terapia assistida, cujo intuito é a promoção de conforto e apoio emocional para pacientes doentes, autistas, deficientes ou que sofreram acidentes e, até mesmo, idosos. Deste modo, o presente estudo tem por objetivo a realização de uma revisão da literatura, sobre os efeitos e aplicações da TAA, tendo como finalidade demonstrar as evidências existentes dentro dessa modalidade na área da saúde. A utilização da TAA concomitantemente ao tratamento é utilizada para a diminuição da depressão, reduzindo os efeitos da ansiedade e estresse. Em contrapartida, a introdução de animais de companhia para promoção da saúde humana acompanha alguns desafios, como por exemplo, o risco de transmissão de patógenos zoonóticos, fazendo necessário o acompanhamento médico veterinário. Ainda são escassos os estudos acerca deste tema, tornando-se importante a realização de novas pesquisas, reduzindo fragilidades metodológicas, bem como a sua divulgação, para que seu alcance terapêutico seja maior.