Identification of agents potentially causing dermatological problems in sloths Bradypus variegatus (Schinz, 1825) from brazilian northeastern states

Stefhanie  Carmélia Matos Nunes; Priscilla   Virgínio de Albuquerque; Gilcifran  Prestes de Andrade; Helen  Lylyan da Silva; Sandra Maria de Torres; Mariany  Gonçalves de Menezes Ferreira; Denise   Guabiraba da Silva; Nazareth Zimiani de Paula; Joaquim  Evêncio-Neto; Apolônio Gomes Ribeiro; Marcos Antônio Barbosa de Lima; Júlio  Cézar dos Santos Nascimento; Marleyne  José Afonso Accioly Lins Amorim; Luciana de Oliveira Franco

doi:10.21708/avb.2025.19.2.12780

Autori

Stefhanie Carmélia Matos Nunes Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0047-3301 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Priscilla Virgínio de Albuquerque Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0531-7122 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Gilcifran Prestes de Andrade Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6347-7242 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Helen Lylyan da Silva Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5568-9515 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Sandra Maria de Torres Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5468-8478 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Mariany Gonçalves de Menezes Ferreira Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1016-2576 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Denise Guabiraba da Silva Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4272-7480 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Nazareth Zimiani de Paula Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2503-4851 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Joaquim Evêncio-Neto Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6026-1390 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Apolônio Gomes Ribeiro Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia/PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6730-0209 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Marcos Antônio Barbosa de Lima Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5987-224X ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Júlio Cézar dos Santos Nascimento Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3107-5876 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Marleyne José Afonso Accioly Lins Amorim Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3787-2042 ##orcid.unauthenticated##
Luciana de Oliveira Franco Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7555-7159 ##orcid.unauthenticated##

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21708/avb.2025.19.2.12780

Abstract

This study identified ectoparasites and dermatophyte fungi in the fur of sloths of the Bradypus variegatus species from different states in the Brazilian Northeast. For this purpose, the animals were divided into two groups: group 1 without lesions and group 2 with lesions. In the presence of macroscopic ectoparasites, specimens were removed and classified. A Wood’s lamp was directed toward the furs of the sloths. Trichograms were performed, in which hairs were chosen randomly from the animals in group 1; while, in group 2, the hairs were extracted from the periphery of the lesion. In sloths with lesions, impressions were also made using adhesive tape, and the injured areas were scraped to prepare slides to identify dermatophyte fungi and microscopic ectoparasites. Part of the hair obtained in both groups was inoculated into VetCheck culture medium, and in case of fungal growth, a subculture was performed followed by a microculture. Based on the data obtained, the macroscopic ectoparasite Amblyomma sp. was observed in an uninjured pup. In an adult female, in one of her lesions, the microscopic ectoparasite Lobalges trouessarti was found. The Wood’s lamp demonstrated fluorescence in all animals in group 2 and a large part of group 1, with the presence of the dermatophyte Nannizzia gypsea, confirmed through microscopic analysis of the macroconidia.