Diversity of piroplasmids among wild and domestic mammals and ectoparasites in Pantanal wetland, Brazil

Abstract

Piroplasmoses are one of the most prevalent arthropod-borne diseases of animals. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of piroplasmid in wild mammals, domestic dogs and ectoparasites in southern Pantanal region, central-western Brazil. For that purpose, blood or tissue samples from 31 Nasua nasua, 78 Cerdocyon thous, 7 Leopardus pardalis, 42 dogs, 110 wild rodents, and 30 marsupials, and 1582 ticks were submitted to PCR assays for piroplasmid targeting 18SrRNA and hps70 genes. Seven dogs, one C. thous, five L. pardalis, three N. nasua, six wild rodents, eight Amblyomma parvum, two Amblyomma sculptum and one Amblyomma ovale were positive for piroplasmid-PCR assays. Genotypes closely related to Babesia vogeli were detected in six dogs and five wild rodents. While genotypes closely related to Babesia caballi were detected in one C. thous, one dog, one A. ovale and one A. sculptum, genotypes closely related to Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis were detected in four A. parvum ticks. Four sequences obtained from A. parvum, three coatis and one wild rodent were closely related to Theileria equi. Cytauxzoon spp. was detected in four ocelots. The present study revealed that wild and domestic animals in Brazilian southern Pantanal are exposed to different piroplasmid species.

Genetic Diversity of Bartonella spp. in Wild Mammals and Ectoparasites in Brazilian Pantanal

“…The Pantanal is the largest Neotropical floodplain, and it is well known for a rich biodiversity. Two well-defined seasons are recognized: a rainy summer (October to March) and a dry winter (April to September) [12][13][14].…”

“…A total of 256 animals were captured, including 158 carnivores, including 78 C. thous, 31 N. nasua, 7 L. pardalis, 110 wild rodents (77 Thrichomys fosteri, 25 Oecomys mamorae, and 8 Clyomys laticeps), and 30 wild marsupials (14 Thylamys macrurus, 11 Gracilinanus agilis, 4 Monodelphis domestica, and 1 Didelphis albiventris). Additionally, 42 blood samples from domestic dogs cohabiting the same studied area were collected [12][13][14].…”

“…The fleas DNA extraction was also performed in pools consisting of up to five individuals. Ticks and fleas were macerated and submitted to DNA extraction, using the same kit before mentioned [12][13][14].…”

“…Out of 523 sampled ticks, 31 (5.9% [23 A. parvum adults, 4 A. sculptum adults, 1 A. ovale adult, 1 A. parvum nymph, and 2 pooled Amblyomma larvae]) showed negative results for the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and were excluded from subsequent analyses. Only one flea DNA sample did not amplify the predicted product for cox-1 and was also excluded from subsequent analyses [12][13][14].…”

Rodents as Hosts of Pathogens and Related Zoonotic Disease Risk

“…While investigating the diversity of piroplasmids in wild rodents, a study conducted in Brazil on Thrichomys fosteri (N=77), Oecomys mamorae (N=25) and Clyomys laticeps (N=8) revealed T. fosteri were infected. The sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene showed 99%of identity with B. vogeli KT323934 for five of them, while the last one showed 99% of identity with T. equi KU672386 using BLAST analysis[64]. Another study investigating B.…”