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 genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. The vaccine must predominantly confer cellular and humoral immunity to achieve robust immune responses. Early production efforts have been challenging due 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, this vaccine should consist of multiple epitopes.

The risk of zoonotic parasitic infections is closely linked to direct and indirect interactions between animals and humans. The mutual coexistence of species in public spaces predisposes individuals to gastrointestinal parasitosis owing to various social and hygienic-sanitary factors. This study aimed to assess the risk of environmental contamination by gastrointestinal parasites in fecal samples collected from parks and public squares in 18 municipalities located in a microregion of the central plateau of Brazil, correlating the collection with the population size of each municipality. We collected 536 soil fecal samples from 117 randomly selected public areas across a 56,111.874 km² region. Eggs, cysts, and oocysts were detected using the Willis flotation technique and the Hoffman’s spontaneous sedimentation method. The Hoffman’s analysis revealed that 70.3% of the fecal samples were infected across 91.5% of the sampled areas. Identified parasites included the members of the family Ancylostomatidae (56.5%), Toxocara spp. (6.2%), Trichuris spp. (1.7%), Strongyloides spp. (0.2%), Dipylidium caninum (25.8%), Spirometra spp. (0.4%), Taeniidae (0.2%), Platynosomum fastosum (0.6%), Trematoda (0.2%), Giardia spp. (3.2%), Cystoisospora spp. (5.6%), Sarcocystis spp. (0.2%), and Entamoeba spp. (2.4%). The presence of positive fecal samples in public areas and municipalities correlated with populations of up to 10,000 inhabitants (p = 0.023). Areas contaminated with feces were 63.4% more likely to contain parasites than other areas (odds ratio 1.6336). Favorable environmental factors combined with inadequate sanitary management contribute to a high risk of environmental contamination, representing a significant zoonotic potential and highlighting the need for improved public health policies and preventive measures.

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.

A Giardíase é uma infecção causada pelo protozoário Giárdia spp., que é adquirido por transmissão direta ou indireta, sendo de maior importância a via hídrica. É considerada uma das zoonoses mais importantes na rotina clínica veterinária, com ampla distribuição mundial e considerável prevalência no Brasil, sendo bastante relevante para a saúde única. A principal espécie que acomete os animais domésticos é a Giárdia duodenalis. Ela causa alterações no intestino delgado, provocando atrofia das vilosidades e aprofundamento das cristas e afetando a absorção de nutrientes. Em virtude de sua ação intestinal, promove diarreia intensa, a qual leva à severa desidratação, podendo causar a morte em animais jovens, se não tratada adequadamente. O diagnóstico é feito através dos exames de fezes dos animais suspeitos da infecção. A profilaxia consiste em executar uma higienização adequada do ambiente em que cães e gatos residem, e ter bons hábitos de higiene, como lavar bem as mãos. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre a giardíase, descrevendo sua etiologia, aspectos epidemiológicos, patogenia, sinais clínicos, formas de diagnóstico, tratamento, prognóstico, medidas de prevenção e controle, e aspectos importantes em saúde pública. Para tanto, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados do PubMed, Scielo e Google Scholar, entre os anos de 2010 a 2022. Foram utilizados os seguintes descritores: giardíase, cães, gatos, epidemiologia, diagnóstico, saúde pública e zoonose. Alguns trabalhos em diversas regiões do Brasil foram estudados e foi verificado que a prevalência para Giárdia spp. variou de 0,58 a 50% para cães, e em gatos os percentuais foram entre 0,6 à 60%, cabendo ressaltar, que o interstício das diferenças pode ser decorrente das diferentes amostragens consideradas nos estudos. A realidade encontrada no Brasil, neste estudo, provavelmente está subestimada, já que não há notificação compulsória. Assim, os números de casos deixam de aparecer nos boletins epidemiológicos de toda rede de saúde única do Brasil, e dificultam a análise da real situação em saúde da nação.

This report aims to describe a case of equine colic that resulted in the death of a male Thoroughbred colt, caused by intestinal rupture due to high parasitism of Parascaris equorum in Jataí, Goiás. The animal showed intense abdominal pain, but veterinary care was not requested in time, and the animal died before the veterinary team arrived at the property where the animal was located. The necropsy was performed with the aim of discovering the sudden death of the animal, in which free fluid was observed in the abdominal cavity, as well as characteristic of serofibrinous peritonitis and the presence of helminths that were later identified, through their morphological characteristics, as P. equorum. This nematode can cause diarrhea, intestinal obstruction or asymptomatic. In cases of intense parasitism, it can evolve into cases of intestinal rupture followed by peritonitis, a fatal condition in horses. We relate the rupture followed by peritonitis with the high presence of this ascarid. This report demonstrates that the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen with poisonous colic must be considered, highlights the importance of early diagnosis through coproparasitological exams, often neglected, which allow identification of the parasite, correct treatment, and points out the lethality of this parasitism.

Tortoises, such as Chelonoidis denticulatu s, are described as hosts of many parasites, such as helminths and ticks of the genus Amblyomma , which are important vectors of rickettsial infection in Brazil. Additionally, the high consumption of meat from these animals in Acre results in a high risk of zoonotic outbreaks due to contact with the hosts and, consequently, associated pathogens. This study aimed to describe the parasitic fauna of C. denticulatus. Two sampling efforts were conducted: the capture of a sample population of tortoises at the Rio Acre Ecological Station (active search) and the collection of viscera from animals consumed in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul. Following active search and incidental findings, ectoparasite searches were performed, and fecal samples were collected for coproparasitological examination. After these procedures, the animals were released back into their habitat. In total, seven animals were collected, with ticks on various parts of their bodies. A total of 51 samples, identified as Amblyomma humerale , were sent for molecular analysis to search for Rickettsia (all negative). Eggs of helminths and protozoan cysts, such as Entamoeba spp., were found, indicating environmental contamination and a potential zoonotic risk. Viscera of 10 tortoises from Cruzeiro do Sul were analyzed to search for helminths, and the species Labiduris zschokkei , Chapiniella variabilis , and Haltrema spp. were observed. Considering that the sampled animals were free‐living, the analysis highlights the importance of maintaining environmental quality. With respect to cultural aspects, the consumption of wild animals in the western Amazon of Brazil is evident, and C. denticulatus is one of the most consumed species. The contact of these species with humans, in a consumption relationship, is considered a risk factor for the emergence of spillover events, and monitoring the pathogens associated with these species is crucial.