<b>Hematological values and morpho-cytochemical blood cells identification of tick parasited capybaras (<em>Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris</em>) and capybaras free of parasitism</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v25i1.2116

Abstract

Blood samples were collected from thirty seven adult parasited capybaras and twenty one free of parasitism aiming the characterization of different circulating cell types and complete hemogram. After a morphological analysis, the blood cells were identified as heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelets. The PAS reaction revealed glycogen in heterophils and platelets cytoplasm. A positive reaction was found only in heterophils round granules and in all cytoplasmic granules of eosinophils for the demonstration of myeloperoxidase activity and lipids. The bromofenol blue method revealed strong positivity in heterophils, eosinophils, basophils granules and red blood cells. A positive reaction for alkaline phosphatase was observed in eosinophils and heterophils. The blood parameters studied showed statistic differences (p< 0,05) between non- parasited capybaras and parasited capybaras in the red blood cell count (3,13±0.31 x 10⁶/µL and 2,81±0,62 x 10⁶/µL) , haematocrit (48.14±4.75% and 41,22±6.21%) and heterophils (39,38±11,02% and 16,14±7,13%) /eosinophils (8,57±3,78% and 21,92±10,24%) in differential count. In this case the ticks involved in the parasitism of these capybaras were identified as Amblyomma cajenense and Amblyomma cooperi. These data showed that the highly infested capybaras presented some anemia and a remarkable eosinophilia.