Ocorrência e sazonalidade de parasitos gastrintestinais em avestruzes (Struthio camelus) de três faixas etárias em uma criação no Município de Areal/RJ

Abstract

Ostriche breeding has recently achieved commercial importance around the world. It is important to know the parasites those affect animals in commercial farms, as infections can reduce the weight gain, compromise reproductive potential and lead animals to death. Brazil has great environmental differences among its regions, depending on weather conditions and production management, and arrangements must be provided as ostriches are not used to deal with these conditions. The aim of this study was to identify gastrointestinal parasites and checks its seasonal occurrence among animals in a commercial farm in Areal / RJ. Fresh fecal samples were monthly collected (from April/2004 to May/2006) and placed in indentified plastic bags under refrigeration until processing. Centrifugal flotation in sugar saturated solution (counting eggs per grams of feces EPG), faecal culture (identify third-stage - L3 larvae) and centrifugal-sedimentation (protozoa identification) techniques were performed. Two hundred and sixty-four fecal samples were collected and divided in three groups according to ostriches ages: <90, 91 365 and >365 days (adults). Dry and rainy seasons were defined according to meteorological data obtained. Typical eggs of the Order Strongylida were identified in 169 samples (158 from adult ostriches). Once obtained, L3 larvae were identified as Codiostomum struthionis. Species of protozoa were detected in 252 of 264 samples (single and mixed infection). At least one of the three Genus (Cryptosporidium, Blastocystis and Entamoeba) was identified in 95.45% of the samples evaluated. Ostriches >365 days had greater eggs removal during the rainy season compared to dry season, being this difference significant (p=0.0002). When evaluating seasonality, Blastocystis cysts were mostly found among dry season samples (p=0.0043) in the age group of < 90. In the age group > 365 days there was difference significant of removal oocysts/cysts between the dry and rainy seasons for Cryptosporidium (p=0.0161) and Entamoeba (p=0.0387), being higher in the rainy season. Among age group, significant difference of removal of cysts between < 90 and > 365 days to Entamoeba (p=0.0430), greater removal in adults. Significant differences were also found between ages related to EPG disposal (p<0.05 for ostriches < 90 and > 365 days; p<0.05 for ostriches from 91 to 365 and > 365 days), as result of high EPG of adults.