On the significance of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase in wild reptile health studies.

In reptile medicine, the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) have been used in clinical diagnostics, where CK is considered an enzyme specific to muscle cell damage, while AST is a nonspecific enzyme that is mainly produced in the liver and muscle. When many native reptiles are sampled, it is evident that there are important differences between species and individuals belonging to the same species, making the AST and CK ranges very wide. The minimum and maximum values, variations and standard deviations were extracted for each enzyme from 17 wild reptile studies, revealing high variation and a wide range of variation for each species.

Hematology and biochemistry parameters of the Central American bushmaster () under human care in Costa Rica.

Background: The Central American bushmaster ( is one of the largest pitvipers in the Americas, with relatively low abundance, suspected population declines, and continuing loss, fragmentation, and habitat degradation.

Aim: Conservation actions, both in the wild and in captivity, bear the need for health parameters that allow managers and veterinarians to have a better understanding of health, especially when there are relatively few individuals in captivity to obtain robust information since there is no published information on the genus. To have hematological and biochemical reference ranges on the genus .

Blood analytes of electrocuted mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica.

Background: Several species of Costa Rican wildlife are suffering terrible injuries along the power lines in rural areas of the country due to the increasing human development in rural areas, but this has also brought the problem of poorly designed electric infrastructure, where arboreal mammals find their normal tree routes cut down so that the only way for them to cross is on the power lines where they can get electrocuted.

Methods: Blood samples for complete blood count (CBC) and biochemistry panels (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, total bilirubin, plasma urea, Ca, P, creatinine, glucose, Na, K, total protein, globulins, and albumin) were collected from 34 electrocuted mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) individuals that arrived at the Nosara Refuge for Wildlife between May 2018 and May 2019.

Results: From the total sample, 18 were males (11 juveniles and eight adults), and 16 were females (six juveniles and 10 adults).

First Report of a Multidrug-Resistant ST58 Harboring Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase of the CTX-M-1 Class in a Fecal Sample of a Captive Baird's Tapir () in Costa Rica, Central America.

This study's main objective was to analyze the antibiotic susceptibility profile of isolates obtained from a fecal sample of a captive Baird's tapir () in Costa Rica. The fecal sample was collected inside the enclosure on March 3, 2017, right after the animal defecated. Samples were cultured on MacConkey agar plates nonsupplemented and supplemented with 2 μg/mL of cefotaxime.

Demographic and Pathogens of Domestic, Free-Roaming Pets and the Implications for Wild Carnivores and Human Health in the San Luis Region of Costa Rica.

Habitat loss and degradation, restricted ranges, prey exploitation, and poaching are important factors for the decline of several wild carnivore populations and additional stress from infectious agents is an increasing concern. Given the rapid growth of human populations in some regions like Costa Rica, pathogens introduced, sustained, and transmitted by domestic carnivores may be particularly important. To better understand the significance of domestic carnivore pathogens for wildlife, we determine the prevalence of infection and possible mechanisms for contact between the two groups.

Health status of based on physical examination, hematology and biochemistry parameters in Costa Rica.

Studies evaluating the health status and characteristics of free-ranging wildlife populations are scarce or absent for most species. Saurian health assessments are usually performed in species that have conservation issues or that are kept in captivity. The Berthold's bush anole () is one of eight species belonging to the genus , the only representative of the family Polychrotidae.

Differences in plasmatic butyrylcholinesterases (BChE) values between Pacific and Caribbean populations of terciopelo () in Costa Rica.

The terciopelo () inhabits human-modified environments such as agricultural areas, becoming more prone to be exposed to organophosphate insecticides. These chemicals can inhibit plasmatic butyrylcholinesterases (BChE) activity in . Caribbean and Pacific populations of belong to two divergent lineages that exhibit robust genetic partitioning; however, differences across versants in biochemistry and hematology have not yet been examined, especially in BChE variations.

Haematology and biochemistry of the San Cristóbal Lava Lizard ().

The San Cristóbal lava lizard, , is one of nine species of lava lizards endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. No information presently exists about baseline health parameters for any of these species. We analysed blood samples drawn from 47 lizards (25 males and 22 females) captured at two locations on San Cristóbal Island.

Effect of exposition to chlorpyrifos upon plasmatic cholinesterases, hematology and blood biochemistry values in Bothrops asper (Serpentes: Viperidae).

The terciopelo (Bothrops asper), is one of the most important venomous snakes in Costa Rica and common on agriculture where insecticides are frequently used for pest control. To assess the exposure to organophosphates on captive B. asper, an experiment using chlorpyrifos and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), as a biomarker was conducted.

SEROPREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF FERLAVIRUS IN CAPTIVE VIPERS OF COSTA RICA.

Ferlaviruses (FV, previously referred to as ophidian paramyxoviruses, OPMV), are enveloped viruses with a negative-strand RNA genome, affecting snakes in captivity worldwide. Infection is characterized by respiratory and nervous clinical signs and carries high mortality rates, but no specific treatment or vaccine is currently available. Costa Rica has 16 species of vipers, found in captivity in collections essential for antivenom production, reintroduction, and public education.