IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE OVOS DE Strongylus spp. ATRAVES DA ANÁLISE DE OPG EM Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.6872413055

• Palavras-chave: Capivara. Ovos de parasitos. Parasitologia.

• Keywords: Capybara. Parasite eggs. Parasitology.

• Abstract: Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) are animals that are widely distributed in South and Central America and stand out for their ability to inhabit both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Due to their sociable nature and their habit of moving around different areas, these animals are susceptible to hosting and spreading various parasites, including nematodes, cestodes and trematodes. The OPG (eggs per gram) technique plays a crucial role in detecting the eggs of these parasites. This technique involves analyzing fresh stool samples, which are crushed and mixed with distilled water. Subsequently, an aliquot is pipetted into a McMaster chamber, where the eggs can be observed under a microscope with a 10x objective. This study identified the presence of parasites of the Strongylus spp. genus in free-living capybaras in the city of Maringá, Paraná, using OPG analysis. In particular, the eggs of these parasites have characteristics such as being elliptical, having a thin shell and being morulated. However, it is important to emphasize the need for further research to understand the incidence of these parasites in these animal populations and to determine the appropriate treatments, should they be necessary. This research plays a fundamental role in preserving the health of capybaras and contributing to the conservation of these animals in the region.