The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans in faeces of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in public places in the city of Lima, Peru, in 2015-2016. Samples of dried faeces were collected from pigeon lofts from captive-bred racing pigeons and from public places for free-living pigeons. The samples were processed and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and incubated at 37 °C up to 10 days. Colonies were identified through macroscopic evaluation, capsule visualization with Indian ink, urease test, sugar assimilation, rapid nitrate reduction, phenol oxidase test and growth on CGB agar. A frequency of 5.16% (16/310) of positive samples for C. neoformans in faeces of both types of pigeons was determined. In the faeces of homing pigeons was 8.89% (16/180), while there were no positive samples in the captive-bred racing pigeons. The stochastic Beta Pert simu...

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans in faeces of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in public places in the city of Lima, Peru, in 2015-2016. Samples of dried faeces were collected from pigeon lofts from captive-bred racing pigeons and from public places for free-living pigeons. The samples were processed and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and incubated at 37 °C up to 10 days. Colonies were identified through macroscopic evaluation, capsule visualization with Indian ink, urease test, sugar assimilation, rapid nitrate reduction, phenol oxidase test and growth on CGB agar. A frequency of 5.16% (16/310) of positive samples for C. neoformans in faeces of both types of pigeons was determined. In the faeces of homing pigeons was 8.89% (16/180), while there were no positive samples in the captive-bred racing pigeons. The stochastic Beta Pert simu...

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and its association with risk factors in Peruvian goats. A total of 1119 goat sera collected between 2017-2018 from 23 of the 24 departments of the country by the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) to monitor Brucella melitensis were evaluated. The number of samples was proportional to the goat population of each department. The variables age (<1, 1-3, >3 years), sex, origin (North Coast Zone, Central-South Coast Zone, Sierra-East Zone, altitude (0-500, >500-2500, >2500 m) and type of rearing (intensive, extensive) were considered. The sera were analysed with a commercial multi-species indirect ELISA kit and the risk factors were determined by logistic regression. The overall prevalence of T. gondii was 28.15% (95% CI: 25.5-30.9). The highest prevalences were found in the Sierra-East and Centr...

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma. gondii in wild animals of the orders Carnivora, Primates, Perissodactyla, Cetartiodactyla and Rodentia in the zoo of the Patronato del Parque de las Leyendas, Lima, Peru, as well as to identify the risk factors associated to toxoplasmosis, establishing the role in the transmission of the parasite of domestic felines (Felis silvestris f. catus) and rodents of the genus Rattus running free in the zoo. Blood samples were taken from 332 animals (Carnivora: 75, Primates: 71, Perissodactyla: 32, Cetartiodactyla: 134, Rodentia: 20); as well as in 41 domestic felines and 124 rodents of the genus Rattus. In addition, samples of brain, heart, liver and diaphragm from the rodents for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Serum samples were analysed by indirect hemagglutination (1:64 - 1: 2048), consi...

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma. gondii in wild animals of the orders Carnivora, Primates, Perissodactyla, Cetartiodactyla and Rodentia in the zoo of the Patronato del Parque de las Leyendas, Lima, Peru, as well as to identify the risk factors associated to toxoplasmosis, establishing the role in the transmission of the parasite of domestic felines (Felis silvestris f. catus) and rodents of the genus Rattus running free in the zoo. Blood samples were taken from 332 animals (Carnivora: 75, Primates: 71, Perissodactyla: 32, Cetartiodactyla: 134, Rodentia: 20); as well as in 41 domestic felines and 124 rodents of the genus Rattus. In addition, samples of brain, heart, liver and diaphragm from the rodents for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Serum samples were analysed by indirect hemagglutination (1:64 - 1: 2048), consi...