Resumo A produção de meloeiro no semiárido brasileiro está sujeita a utilização de águas marginais com salinidade elevada. Entretanto, a utilização de reguladores e bioativadores no tratamento de sementes podem mitigar os efeitos nocivos dos sais na água de irrigação. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de tratamentos pré-germinativos com fitorreguladores e bioativador em sementes de melão para a produção de mudas irrigadas com água biossalina de efluente de piscicultura. Para isso, dois ensaios com os híbridos Goldex e Grand Prix foram realizados separadamente. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 × 3 (tratamentos pré-germinativos × diluições de água). Além do controle, as sementes foram tratadas com os ácidos salicílico e giberélico, e tiametoxam. As águas utilizadas para irrigação foram a de abastecimento local, efluente de piscicultura (água biossalina) e estas diluídas a 50%. Durante quatorze dias foram realizadas as análises fisiológicas e bioquímicas. A água biossalina (5,0 dS m-1) não afetou a emergência de plântulas de meloeiro Goldex, mas prejudicou o estabelecimento da cultivar Grand Prix. Os pré-tratamentos de sementes com os ácidos salicílico e giberélico atenuam os efeitos da salinidade da água e promovem modulações no crescimento, proporcionando mudas de meloeiro mais vigorosas.

Abstract Melon production in the Brazilian semi-arid region is subject to the use of marginal waters with high salinity. However, the use of regulators and bioactivators in seed treatment can mitigate the harmful effects of salts in irrigation water. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the effect of pre-germination treatments with plant regulators and bioactivator in melon seeds for the production of seedlings irrigated with biosaline water from fish farming effluent. For this, two trials with the Goldex and Grand Prix hybrids were carried out separately. A completely randomized design was used in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme (pre-germination treatments × water dilutions). In addition to the control, the seeds were treated with salicylic and gibberellic acids and thiamethoxam. The waters used for irrigation were local-supply water, fish farming effluent (biosaline water) and these diluted to 50%. Physiological and biochemical analyses were performed for fourteen days. Biosaline water (5.0 dS m-1) did not affect the emergence of Goldex melon seedlings, but compromised the establishment of the Grand Prix cultivar. Seed pre-treatments with salicylic and gibberellic acids attenuate the effects of water salinity and promote growth modulations, resulting in more vigorous melon seedlings.

Polymer gel systems find applications in diverse areas, ranging from contact lenses to agriculture and oil production. In general, polyacrylamide (PAM) gels are produced by reaction with metallic (low temperatures) and organic (high temperatures) crosslinking agents. In this paper, given crescent environmental concerns, polyethyleneimine (PEI), an organic reactant, was chosen as the crosslinker of PAM, at 65 ºC. The effects of using a solution of water/glycerol as the solvent for preparing the gels and the addition of diethylenetriamine (DETA), a n-alkylamine, on the gelation kinetics and gel stability were evaluated. The data presented in this paper indicate that the solvent mixture provided a more controlled gelling behavior by delaying the gelation time. Also, diethylenetriamine acted both as an efficient anti-syneresis agent, improving gel stability, and by delaying the progress of gel strength.

RESUMO O uso da irrigação desempenha papel fundamental no avanço das fronteiras agrícolas e no aumento da produtividade nas áreas de cultivo, principalmente em ambientes semiáridos que apresentam alta variação espaço-temporal de chuvas. Essa prática é sugerida até mesmo para cultivos adaptados como palma forrageira (Opuntia sp.) e sorgo (Sorghum bicolor). Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a rentabilidade do uso da irrigação no sistema solteiro e sistema consorciado palma-sorgo no semiárido. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 5 × 3: cinco lâminas de irrigação por gotejamento (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% da evapotranspiração de referência - ET0) e três sistemas de cultivo (palma forrageira solteira, sorgo solteiro e consórcio palma-sorgo), com quatro repetições. O tratamento 0% ET0 correspondeu à condição de sequeiro com uma lâmina de 355 mm. Foi conduzido um ciclo de palma e dois de sorgo (planta e rebrota) compreendidos de novembro 2014 a novembro de 2015. Verificou-se que os maiores custos para implantação dos sistemas de cultivo em condições irrigadas se devem à aquisição do sistema de irrigação e insumos, representando 85,3% do custo operacional efetivo. O sistema sorgo solteiro e o sistema palma forrageira-sorgo proporcionaram as maiores produtividades de matéria fresca (62.013,05 e 60.075,36 kg ha-1), respectivamente. Com base em indicadores econômicos, a adoção de lâminas de irrigação (25, 50, 75 e 100% ET0) promoveu lucros para os sistemas (solteiro e consorciado) a partir do segundo ano de implantação.

ABSTRACT Irrigation plays a fundamental role in advancing agricultural frontiers and increasing crop productivity, especially in semi-arid environments, because they exhibit high spatiotemporal rainfall variation. This practice is suggested even for adapted crops, such as forage cactus (Opuntia sp.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and single or intercropping systems. In this study, aimed to evaluate the profitability of using irrigation in a single and intercropping forage cactus-sorghum system in a semi-arid region. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement: five drip irrigation depths (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the reference evapotranspiration - ET0) and three cropping systems (single forage cactus, single sorghum, and intercropping forage cactus-sorghum), with four replicates. The 0% ET0 treatment corresponded to rainfed conditions at a depth of 355 mm. A cycle of forage cactus and two sorghum cultivars (plant and regrowth) was conducted between November 2014 and November 2015. It was verified that the highest costs for implantation of the crop systems in irrigated conditions are due to the acquisition of irrigation and input systems, representing 85.3% of the effective operational cost. The single sorghum and forage cactus-sorghum systems provided the highest fresh matter productivity (62,013.05 and 60,075.36 kg ha-1, respectively). Based on economic indicators, the adoption of irrigation depths (25, 50, 75, and 100% ET0) promoted profits for the systems (single and intercropping) from the second year of implementation.

Abstract Heat treatment is used in the orange juice industry to neutralize the action of pathogenic microorganisms. However, it can reduce the nutritional value of the juice. Thus, our study assessed the cold plasma treatment as an alternative method against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in 'Lima' orange juice. Both, plasma and heat treatments, reduced the amount of E. coli in the juice, inactivating 16.72 and 100%, respectively. Plasma did not inactivate C. albicans, but heat treatment inactivated 100%. Plasma and heat treatment increased Hue angle and luminosity (more yellowish juice). Plasma reduced vitamin C, carotenoids, and polyphenols content, while increased flavonoids. Heat treatment reduced the carotenoid content. However, neither heat nor plasma treatment altered the antioxidant activity. The plasma treatment reduced the intensity of color (chroma), the soluble solids content and the acidity ratio, total sugars, and the vitamin C content of juice compared to the heat-treated and control juices. Plasma-treated juice showed increased levels of yellow flavonoids, total phenolics and antioxidant activity until the 12th day of storage.

Resumo O tratamento térmico é utilizado na indústria de suco de laranja para neutralizar a ação de microrganismos patogênicos. No entanto, pode reduzir o valor nutricional do suco. Assim, o estudo avaliou o tratamento com plasma frio como método alternativo contra Escherichia coli e Candida albicans em suco de laranja 'Lima'. Ambos os tratamentos, plasma e calor, reduziram a quantidade de E. coli no suco, inativando 16.72 e 100%, respectivamente. O plasma não inativou C. albicans, mas o tratamento térmico inativou 100%. Plasma e tratamento térmico aumentaram o ângulo Hue e a luminosidade do suco (tom mais amarelo). O plasma reduziu o conteúdo de vitamina C, carotenóides e polifenóis, enquanto aumentou os flavonóides. O tratamento térmico reduziu o teor de carotenóides. No entanto, nem o calor nem o tratamento com plasma alteraram a atividade antioxidante. O tratamento com plasma reduziu a intensidade da cor (croma), o teor de sólidos solúveis e a razão de acidez, açúcares totais e o teor de vitamina C do suco em comparação com os sucos tratados termicamente e controle. O suco tratado com plasma apresentou maiores teores de flavonóides amarelos, fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante até o 12º dia de armazenamento.

Abstract Background In the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, strategies adopted to reduce the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 relied on non-pharmacological interventions, including physical distancing. Mobility restrictions affected the availability and quality of care for many health conditions, including sexually transmitted infections. Objective To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic mobility restriction on syphilis and HIV testing in outpatient settings. Methods In this study, we collected the weekly number of syphilis and HIV tests performed in a referent laboratory in São Paulo, Brazil, as well as the percentage of positive tests between January 2019 and December 2021. We also retrieved data on retail and recreation mobility in São Paulo city using Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports. We explored the association between populational mobility and the number of weekly tests and the association between the number of weekly tests and the percentage of positive results during the pandemic period. The analyses were conducted separately for syphilis and HIV tests. Results We found that mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have been associated with a significant decrease in both syphilis and HIV tests performed in outpatient settings. We also observed that the number of tests performed was inversely associated with the percentage of positive results for syphilis; this association was also apparent for HIV tests in the first wave of the pandemic in the graphic analysis. Conclusion Taken together, our findings suggest an indirect impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related mobility restrictions on the uptake of diagnostic tests for HIV and syphilis and the potential adoption of targeted-testing strategies. Understanding the extent and complexity of COVID-19 aftermaths on specific conditions and communities is essential to build strategies to mitigate the long-term consequences of COVID-19.

Abstract The isolation of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in hospitals is a major public health threat, increasing patient hospitalization costs, morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this work investigated the resistance mechanisms that produced different carbapenems susceptibility profiles in two isogenic strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from the same patient in a public hospital in Recife, Pernambuco. The genes that encode the main porins in K. pneumoniae, ompK35 and ompK36, and several beta-lactamase genes were analyzed. The expression of these genes was evaluated by quantitative real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) with reverse transcriptase (RT-qPCR). SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) was performed to analyze the outer membrane proteins. The analysis of the ompK36 genetic environment disclosed an IS903 insertion sequence disrupting this gene in the ertapenem resistant isolate (KPN133). The blaKPC-2 gene showed down-regulated expression in both isolates. Our findings show that changes in porins, especially OmpK36, are more determinant to carbapenems susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates than variations in blaKPC gene expression.

Resumo O isolamento de Klebsiella pneumoniae multirresistente em hospitais é uma grande ameaça à saúde pública, aumentando os custos de internação, morbidade e mortalidade dos pacientes. Portanto, este trabalho investigou os mecanismos de resistência que produziram diferentes perfis de suscetibilidade aos carbapenêmicos em duas cepas isogênicas de K. pneumoniae isoladas do mesmo paciente em um hospital público em Recife, Pernambuco. Foram analisados os genes que codificam as principais porinas em K. pneumoniae, ompK35 e ompK36, e diversos genes de beta-lactamases. A expressão desses genes foi avaliada por PCR (reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa em tempo real) com transcriptase reversa (RT-qPCR). SDS-PAGE (dodecil sulfato de sódio-poliacrilamida gel eletroforese) foi realizada para analisar as proteínas da membrana externa. A análise do ambiente genético ompK36 revelou uma sequência de inserção IS903 interrompendo este gene no isolado resistente ao ertapenem (KPN133). O gene blaKPC-2 apresentou expressão negativamente regulada em ambos os isolados. Nossos achados mostram que alterações nas porinas, especialmente OmpK36, são mais determinantes no perfil de suscetibilidade aos carbapenêmicos de isolados bacterianos do que variações na expressão do gene blaKPC.

Abstract Staphylococcus spp. represents the main mastitis agents in ruminants and contaminants of milk due to their expressive capacity to make biofilms. The aims in this study was evaluate evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Mauritia flexuosa L. extracts against Staphylococcus spp. adhered to a stainless steel surface. Two isolates from cows with clinical mastitis were evaluated; one was identified as Staphylococcus aureus, and the other Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Additionally the ATCC 25923 strain, S. aureus from human was evaluated. The chemical profile obtained from gas chromatography revealed the presence of carbohydrates, organic acids, and flavonoids. The minimum bactericidal concentrations of the ethanolic extract (EE) and aqueous extract (AE) were 4.4 and 5.82 mg/mL, respectively. After EE treatment at 4.4 mg/mL for 2.5 min, total removal of mature biofilms grown on stainless steel coupons was observed (reduction by 3.85-4.81 log units). This extract from M. flexuosa shows potential as an effective sanitizer and may represent a natural alternative against Staphylococcus spp.

Resumo Bactérias do gênero Staphylococcus spp. são os principais agentes da mastite em ruminantes e contaminantes do leite devido à expressiva capacidade de formação de biofilmes. Neste estudo o objetivo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de Mauritia flexuosa L. (Buritizeiro) contra Staphylococcus spp. aderidos à superfície de aço inoxidável. Foram avaliados dois isolados de vacas com mastite clínica; o um isolado foi identificado como Staphylococcus aureus e o outro como Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Adicionalmente foi também avaliada a e a cepa S. aureus ATCC 25923 de origem humana. O perfil químico obtido por cromatografia gasosa revelou a presença de carboidratos, ácidos orgânicos e flavonóides. As concentrações bactericidas mínimas do extrato etanólico (EE) e do extrato aquoso (AE) foram 4,4 e 5,82 mg / mL, respectivamente. Após o tratamento com EE a 4,4 mg / mL por 2,5 min, foi observada remoção total de biofilmes maduros cultivados em cupons de aço inoxidável (redução de 3,85-4,81 unidades log). O EE de folhas de M. flexuosa apresenta potencial como um desinfetante eficaz e pode representar uma alternativa natural contra Staphylococcus spp.

Abstract Background: Crotalus durissus is considered one of the most important species of venomous snakes in Brazil, due to the high mortality of its snakebites. The venom of Crotalus durissus contains four main toxins: crotoxin, convulxin, gyroxin and crotamine. Venoms can vary in their crotamine content, being crotamine-negative or -positive. This heterogeneity is of great importance for producing antivenom, due to their different mechanisms of action. The possibility that antivenom produced by Butantan Institute might have a different immunorecognition capacity between crotamine-negative and crotamine-positive C. durissus venoms instigated us to investigate the differences between these two venom groups. Methods: The presence of crotamine was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, western blotting and ELISA, whereas comparison between the two types of venoms was carried out through HPLC, mass spectrometry analysis as well as assessment of antivenom lethality and efficacy. Results: The results showed a variation in the presence of crotamine among the subspecies and the geographic origin of snakes from nature, but not in captive snakes. Regarding differences between crotamine-positive and -negative venoms, some exclusive proteins are found in each pool and the crotamine-negative pool presented more phospholipase A2 than crotamine-positive pool. This variation could affect the time to death, but the lethal and effective dose were not affected. Conclusion: These differences between venom pools indicate the importance of using both, crotamine-positive and crotamine-negative venoms, to produce the antivenom.

Abstract We report a case of abdominal actinomycosis, a chronic suppurative infection caused by bacteria of the genus Actinomyces, simulating colon cancer, and presenting with abdominal pain and leukocytosis. Computed tomography revealed a mass lesion with irregular contours, infiltrative aspect, with extension to omental fat and abdominal wall, in the transverse colon. A surgical intervention was performed due to the suspicious of a colonic tumor. In the post-operative period, anatomopathological examination showed suppurative nodules associated with actinomycetes colonies, confirming the diagnosis of abdominal actinomycosis. After surgery, the patient was submitted to antibiotic treatment and no relapse was observed.

Resumen Reportamos un caso de actinomicosis abdominal, una infección supurativa crónica causada por bacterias del genero Actinomyces, que simula el cáncer de colon y se manifiesta con dolor abdominal y leucocitosis. La tomografía computada reveló una lesión sólida con contornos irregulares y aspecto infiltrativo en el colon transverso, con extensión al epiplón y la pared abdominal. La intervención quirúrgica fue realizada debido a la sospecha de un tumor de colon. En el posoperatorio, el examen anatomopatológico mostró la presencia de nódulos supurativos asociados con colonias de actinomicetos, lo que confirma el diagnóstico de actinomicosis abdominal. Posteriormente a la cirugía el paciente recibió antibioticoterapia y no presentó Recidivas.

Chemotherapy treatment of leishmaniasis is based on the use of pentavalent antimonials, but these drugs present low efficacy and high toxicity. In the search for new antileishmanial agents, essential oils (EOs) from four Croton species (C. argyrophylloides, C. jacobinensis, C. nepetifolius and C. sincorensis) were evaluated against Leishmania infantum chagasi, L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis. EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Spathulenol, β-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide, 1,8-cineole and methyl eugenol were the major constituents. The evaluation of antioxidant activity by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method showed that all EOs have moderate antioxidant activity. All oils were similarly active against L. i. chagasi, and C. nepetifolius EO showed the best result against L. amazonensis, with median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 9.87 μg mL-1, similar to amphotericin B (IC50 = 7.38 μg mL-1). The oils presented low cytotoxicity in macrophages. The in silico analysis revealed that spathulenol and 1,8-cineole were active against the enzyme Leishmania infantum trypanothione reductase (LiTR), showing excellent interaction energies, making them promising agents for leishmaniasis control.

Resumo Macroinvertebrados fragmentadores consomem folhas preferencialmente condicionadas por fungos e bactérias que lhes oferece uma maior palatabilidade. Nas espécies do cerrado esse condicionamento está também associado às altas concentrações de elementos químicos limitantes à palatabilidade como alto teor de lignina e celulose, que tornam as folhas menos atrativas para os fragmentadores. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a preferência alimentar de macroinvertebrados fragmentador ( Phylloicus sp.) por material vegetal de dois diferentes biomas (Cerrado e Mata Atlântica), após condicionamento em riacho de Mata Atlântica, observando suas características físicas e químicas. Foram coletadas folhas senescentes do aporte vegetal (AV) de espécies nativas da vegetação ripária nesses dois biomas, com periodicidade mensal em um trecho de 500 m de um córrego em cada bioma. O experimento foi delineado com dois tratamentos. O primeiro (T1) compreendeu discos de folhas do Cerrado (Chrysophyllum oliviforme) mais discos de folhas da Mata Atlântica (Miconia chartacea) que foram condicionadas em córrego de Mata Atlântica. O segundo tratamento (T2) envolveu discos de folhas da Mata Atlântica condicionadas em córrego da Mata Atlântica mais discos de folhas da Mata Atlântica condicionadas em córrego do Cerrado. Os dois testes apontaram diferenças significativas entre os dois tratamentos (T1 e T2). Para T1 houve consumo de discos de folha de M. chartacea por Phylloicus sp, mas não houve consumo dos discos de C. oliviforme , de Cerrado. Para T2, houve o consumo, porém a preferência pelas folhas de M. chartaceae condicionadas no córrego da Mata Atlantica foi consideravelmete maior. Os resultados apontam que Phylloicus sp, apresentou preferência alimentar pelo detrito de bioma de Mata Atlântica e rejeição pelo detrito do bioma Cerrado.

Abstract Macroinvertebrate shredders consume preferably leaves conditioned by fungi and bacteria which offer greater palatability to them. Plant species in Cerrado present high concentration of chemical elements such as lignin and cellulose, phenols and tanins thus making them less attractive for shredders consumption and limiting the palatability. This study aimed to evaluate the feeding preference of a macroinvertebrate shredder of the genus Phylloicus for plant material from two different biomes (Cerrado and Mata Atlântica), after conditioning in a stream of Mata Atlântica and observing their physical and chemical characteristics. Senescent leaves were collected, monthly from the litterfall of riparian vegetation in a 500 m stretch of a stream in each biome from August 2014 to January 201. The most abundant species in each stream was selected for the experiment. The experimental design consisted in with two treatments. The first (T1) comprised leaf discs from Chrysophyllum oliviforme (Cerrado species) together with leaf discs of Miconia chartacea (Atlantic Forest species) which were conditioned in the Atlantic Forest stream. The second treatment (T2) involved leaf discs of Miconia chartacea conditioned in Mata Altlântica and Cerrado streams. Both tests had showed significant differences between the two treatments (T1 and T2). For T1, there was consumption of M. chartacea leaf discs by Phylloicus sp., but there was no consumption of C. oliviforme discs. For T2, there was preference for M. chartaceae leaves conditioned in a stream of Mata Atlântica than in Cerrado stream. The results showed that Phylloicus sp., had presented preference for food detritus of the Mata Antlântica biome and rejection to the one from Cerrado biome.

Resumo Quarenta e cinco espécimes que representa nove espécies de répteis (Salvator merianae, Enyalius bilineatus, Amphisbaena alba, Xenopholis undulatus, Chironius fuscus, Helicops angulatus, Chironius flavolineatus, Erythrolamprus viridis e Crotalus durissus) coletados em cinco estados brasileiros foram examinados para helmintos. Foram encontrados doze espécies de helmintos sendo: nove Nematoda (Physaloptera tupinambae, Strongyluris oscari, Paracapillaria sp., Dracunculus brasiliensis, Physaloptera liophis, Serpentirhabias sp. 1, Serpentirhabias sp. 2, Serpentirhabias sp. 3 e Aplectana sp.), um Cestoda (Semenoviella amphisbaenia), um Trematoda (Paracotyletrema sp.) e um Acantocephala (Centrorhynchus sp.). Dez novos registros de hospedeiros e sete novos registros de localidade foram relatados.

Abstract Forty five specimens representing nine species of reptile (Salvator merianae, Enyalius bilineatus, Amphisbaena alba, Xenopholis undulatus, Chironius fuscus, Helicops angulatus, Chironius flavolineatus, Erythrolamprus viridis and Crotalus durissus) collected in five Brazilian states were examined for helminths. Twelve helminth species were found as follow: nine Nematoda (Physaloptera tupinambae, Strongyluris oscari, Paracapillaria sp., Dracunculus brasiliensis, Physaloptera liophis, Serpentirhabias sp. 1, Serpentirhabias sp. 2, Serpentirhabias sp. 3 and Aplectana sp.), one Cestoda (Semenoviella amphisbaenia), one Trematoda (Paracotyletrema sp.), and one Acantocephala (Centrorhynchus sp.). Ten new host records and seven new locality records were reported.

ABSTRACT In this study, we have optimized production of bacterial cellulose (BC) by Komagataeibacter hansenii ATCC 23769 in a static cultivation using sisal juice, an agroindustrial residue, as substrate. Optimization of fermentation parameters has been carried out using the one-variable-at-a-time method. Effect of initial sugar concentration, pH, nitrogen supplement, and cultivation time was evaluated. The influence of nitrogen source and quantity for bacterial cellulose production was studied using a central composite rotational design (CCRD).The highest production of BC (3.38 g/L) was obtained after 10 days of cultivation, using sisal juice (pH 5) at 15 g/L of sugars and supplemented with 7.5 g/L of extract yeast. The cellulose production yield in selected sisal culture conditions was three times higher than the yield in synthetic medium, indicating that sisal juice is a suitable substrate for BC production.

Resumo O presente estudo avalia a influência da anestesia sobre a fauna parasitária de monogeneas em peixes, sua intensidade e sua viabilidade. Dois experimentos foram realizados: Avaliação de um método anestésico por aspersão eugenol diretamente nas brânquias e avaliação da motilidade das monogeneas e sua viabilidade; e Comparação entre imersão e aspersão diretamente nas brânquias com benzocaína e eugenol, seguido de avaliação sobre a intensidade parasitária. Os resultados sugerem que a aspersão do anestésico não interferiu na motilidade, morfologia, superfície corporal e integridade do parasita, analisadas pelo método de fluorescência. A intensidade de monogenéticos nas brânquias foi menor nos peixes anestesiados pelo método de imersão em comparação com o método de aspersão e o grupo controle. O método de anestesia por aspersão nas brânquias pode ser utilizado em estudos parasitológicos.

Abstract The present study evaluates the influence of anesthesia on the parasitic fauna of monogenea fish parasites, as its intensity and viability. Two experiments were conducted: Evaluation of an anesthetic method by sprinkling eugenol directly on gills and evaluation of monogenea motility and viability; Comparison of immersion and directly sprinkling on the gills with benzocaine and eugenol followed by evaluation on parasite intensity. The results suggest that the anesthetic sprinkling didn’t interfere in the parasite motility, morphology and body surface integrity analyzed by fluorescence method. The monogenean intensity in the gills was lower in fish anesthetized by immersion method compared to the sprinkling method and the control group. This method of anesthesia can be used in parasitological studies.