Ehrlichia spp. infection in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro State, southeast Brazil

Guimarães, Andresa; Raimundo, Juliana Macedo; Rodrigues, Raisa Braul; Peixoto, Maristela Peckle; Santos, Huarrisson Azevedo; André, Marcos Rogério; Machado, Rosangela Zacarias; Baldani, Cristiane Divan

doi:10.1590/s1984-296120180088

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…was 7.4% (12.3% (MG) and 6.6% (SP)). Previous studies conducted in Brazil reported molecular positivity ranging from 3.7% to 8% [7,16,17]. The present study showed, for the first time, the occurrence of 'Candidatus Anaplasma amazonensis' in cats and the first molecular detection of Anaplasma sp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Agents in Cats from Southeastern and Northern Brazil

et al. 2022

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Even though the epidemiology of tick-borne agents (TBA) in dogs has been extensively investigated around the world, the occurrence, vectors involved, and molecular identity of these agents in cats remains elusive in many regions. Among TBA, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Hepatozoon are responsible for diseases with non-specific clinical signs in cats, making essential the use of molecular techniques for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of tick-borne agents (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia/Theileria, Cytauxzoon, and Hepatozoon) in cats from southeastern (states of São Paulo (SP) and Minas Gerais (MG)) and northern (state of Rondônia (RO)) Brazil. For this purpose, 390 blood samples were collected from domiciled cats in MG (n = 155), SP (n = 151), and RO(n = 84) states, submitted to DNA extraction and PCR assays for Ehrlichia spp. (dsb gene), Anaplasma spp. (rrs gene), piroplasmids (18S rRNA gene), and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA gene), sequencing, and phylogenetic inferences. The overall positivity for Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. were 7.4% (12.3% (MG) and 6.6% (SP)), 2% (4.5% (MG) and 0.6% (SP)), 0.7% (0.6% (MG), 0.6% (SP) and 1.2% (RO)), 27.2% (41.9% (MG), 24.5% (SP) and 4.8% (RO), and 0%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis grouped the obtained sequences with ‘Candidatus Anaplasma amazonensis’, A. platys, B. vogeli, and Cytauxzoon sp. previously detected in wild felids from Brazil. qPCR specific for E. canis based on the dsb gene confirmed the molecular identity of the detected ehrlichial agent. The present study expanded the list and geographical distribution of hemoparasites in cats. ‘Candidatus Anaplasma amazonensis’, recently detected in sloths from northern Brazil, was described for the first time in cats. This is the first report of piroplasmids infecting cats in northern Brazil. Coinfection by Cytauxzoon and other TBA (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and B. vogeli) reported in the present study raises the need for veterinary practitioners’ awareness of cats parasitized by multiple TBA.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Agents in Cats from Southeastern and Northern Brazil

et al. 2022

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“…Of the 11 cats positive for Ehrlichia, two (one positive in PCR and another positive in IFAT) had hyperproteinemia, which has also been found in E. canis seropositive cats in Rio de Janeiro (GUIMARÃES et al, 2019). In fact, this finding may be attributed to the increase of gamma globulins concentration during the febrile stage and persistence during subclinical and chronic stages of monocytic canine ehrlichiosis (RISTIC & HOLLAND, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…However, the occurrence of cross-reactivity with other Anaplasmataceae family agents cannot be ruled out (WEN et al, 1997;ORTUÑO et al, 2005). Ehrlichia canis-like DNA was also detected in domestic cats in Mato Grosso (BRAGA et al, 2014b), Mato Grosso do Sul (ANDRÉ et al, 2015), Rio Grande do Norte (ANDRÉ et al, 2017), and Rio de Janeiro (GUIMARÃES et al, 2019), and in wild felids maintained in captivity in the state of São Paulo and in the Federal District (ANDRÉ et al, 2010;.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in cats in Southern Brazil

Pedrassani

Biolchi

Gonçalves

et al. 2019

Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.

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This study used serological and molecular methods to investigate the occurrence of vector-borne pathogens (VBP) with zoonotic potential in cats neutered at the University Veterinary Hospital in Canoinhas, Santa Catarina. The combined PCR and serological results revealed that 17 (56.6%) cats were positive for one or more pathogens. The sampled cats had antibodies to Ehrlichia spp. (7/30), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (3/30) and Leishmania infantum (2/30). The PCR assay detected DNA closely related to Ehrlichia canis in 6/30 cats, Mycoplasma haemofelis in 2/30 cats, A. phagocytophilum and Cytauxzoon sp. in one cat each. While Bartonella clarridgeiae and B. henselae were detected in two cats each, and B. koehlerae was detected in one cat.

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“…This may increase the chances to encounter a sand fly in nature and acquire and/or transmit the parasite. More importantly, co-infections with other feline endemic pathogens including viruses (FIV, FeLV) ( 102 ), bacteria ( Mycoplasma haemofelis, Ehrlichia spp) ( 103 , 104 ) other protozoans ( Cytauxzoon spp.) ( 105 ), and, helminths (enteric or lung worms) ( 106 ) may lead to immunosuppression of the cats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feline Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum: Parasite Sequencing, Seropositivity, and Clinical Characterization in an Endemic Area From Brazil

et al. 2021

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Zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is a disease of One Health concern since human and animal cases and environmental damage are interconnected. L. infantum has a complex epidemiological cycle with multiple hosts, including mammals—humans, domestic, and wild animals—and arthropod vectors. Knowledge on mammal infections in endemic areas is crucial for developing control strategies. This work aimed to detect and characterize L. infantum infection in domestic cats from areas where human and canine leishmaniasis cases occur. No cases of feline leishmaniasis (FeL) had been previously reported in those areas. Five municipalities from Bahia state were chosen, comprising 2,480.8 km2 with 1,103,866 inhabitants. Ninety domiciliated and/or sheltered cats underwent clinical examination and serology by a rapid reference test recommended by the Brazilian government. Cytology, PCR, and parasite DNA sequencing were performed in bone marrow samples. Rapid tests detected antibodies in 5.6% (5/90) of the cats. Leishmania infantum infection was confirmed in 7.8% (7/90) of the cats by PCR, sequencing, and parasite isolation. Three out of the five municipalities (60%) had infected cats, and PCR positivity varied from 6.9 to 29%. One cat was categorized as harboring active L. infantum infection with amastigote forms in bone marrow smears. No clinical signs were detected at the first clinical exam, but 1 month later the cat developed severe FeL. The cat isolate was grown in culture, typed and its DNA sequence was homologous to the L. infantum reference strain (PP75). In conclusion, cats are potential hosts and may acquire L. infantum in endemic areas where canine and human cases occur. For cats, the need for surveillance, differential diagnosis and clinical care is highly recommended since a fast clinical progression of FeL developed in a subclinical animal. An accurate standardized immunodiagnostic assay for FeL is warranted.

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Ehrlichia spp. infection in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro State, southeast Brazil

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Agents in Cats from Southeastern and Northern Brazil

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Agents in Cats from Southeastern and Northern Brazil

Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in cats in Southern Brazil

Feline Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum: Parasite Sequencing, Seropositivity, and Clinical Characterization in an Endemic Area From Brazil

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