Infecção natural por Cryptosporidium sp. em aves domésticas comercializadas em mercados municipais no Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to identify the occurrence of natural Cryptosporidium infection in domestic birds, commercialized in two public markets, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. 180 birds were acquired, being 60 ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), 60 chicks (Gallus gallus) and 60 quails (Coturnix japonica). The birds were housed in individual cages at the Protozoology laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. As diagnostic method for the occurrence and infection dynamics was used de centrifuge - fluctuation technique. Measurements of the major and minor oocyst diameters were realized and compared between the origins of the birds. From the market of Madureira, a total of 29 (96,7%) ducks, 20 (66,66%) quails and 30 (100%) chicks were infected with Cryptosporidum sp. At the market of Campo Grande 17 (56, 7%) ducks, 13 (43, 33%) quails and 22 (73, 33%) chicks were infected. Statistically significant differences between the origin of the birds and infection rate were encountered for the ducks and the chicks, but not for the quails. The pre-patent period of the infection varied between 2 and 8 days, and the patent period varied between 3-46 days. Ducks present major resistance to the infection, but once established they present a longer patent period, with higher oocyst shedding than do quails and chicks. Observing the presented results can be concluded that the natural infection with Cryptosporidium is frequent in the studied domestic birds commercialized in public markets. Ducks, chicks and quails may play an important part in the dissemination of cryptosporidiosis in public markets, possibly representing a risk for human infection in persons that work or does frequent the markets. More studies should be undertaken to clarify about the risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis and molecular studies for the characterization of the Cryptosporidium species involved.