A survey of hemoparasites and ectoparasites in Nasua nasua Linnaeus, 1766 with a redescription of Hepatozoon procyonis Richards, 1961 based on morphological and molecular data

Abstract

Hemoparasites are vector-borne parasites that infect wild carnivores worldwide. Since data on hemoparasite infections in Nasua nasua from Brazil are lacking, the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of hemoparasites and ectoparasites in N. nasua from different areas of Brazil. Blood samples and ectoparasites from 83 N. nasua were collected in Botucatu, Palmital, and São Paulo municipalities. Samples were screened via microscopy and molecular methods to detect hemoparasites. Tissues from two N. nasua were obtained for histopathological and molecular analyses. All 83 samples were negative for piroplasms on morphological and molecular examination. Thin blood smears of nine animals were positive for Hepatozoon gamonts. The gamonts shared morphological characteristics of Hepatozoon procyonis. Meronts were detected in the liver and spleen tissue of one animal. Twenty-one blood samples and four tissue samples were PCR positive for Hepatozoon sp. The sequences obtained were 97% identical to those of Hepatozoon felis, Hepatozoon ursi, and Hepatozoon sp. Based on searches for similarity and morphology, we identified the sequences as belonging to H. procyonis. This study provides epidemiological data on hemoparasite infections and redescribe H. procyonis based on morphological, morphometrical, and molecular analyses.

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

“…For detection of Hepatozoon spp. DNA, an nPCR assay based on the 18S rRNA gene was performed [67][68][69] (Table 3). The nPCR assay was performed using 5 µL of the DNA samples in a mixture containing 0.75 U Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), PCR buffer (PCR buffer 10×-100 nM Tris-HCl, pH 9.0, 500 mM KCl), 0.2 mM deoxynucleotides (dATP, dTTP, dCTP, and dGTP) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), 1.5 mM of magnesium chloride (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), 1.25 µM of each primer (Invitrogen), and sterile ultrapure water (Invitrogen) q.s.25 µL.…”

Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Ticks on Ring-Tailed Coatis Nasua nasua (Carnivora: Procyonidae) in Two Urban Areas from Midwestern Brazil

“…The present study includes the second report of A. dubitatum nymphs feeding on ringtailed coatis. This tick species has already been found parasitizing coatis from São Paulo state [33]. All stages of A. dubitatum are primarily associated with capybaras (H. hydrochaeris), although there are reports of immature and adult stages in other mammals, such as tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) [51], crab-eating foxes (C. thous) [29], humans [23,52] as well as larvae and nymphs in black-eared opossums (Didelphis aurita) [53], white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) [36,53], and Cricetidae rodents [54].…”

“…Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, both species related to domestic animals, were previously collected from free-living coatis in Pantanal, Mato Grosso do sul state [7], and captive coatis from a zoobothanical park from Paraíba state [33], respectively. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus has a worldwide distribution and is considered the most important tick of livestock in the world, due to the vector competence for Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis and Anaplasma marginale [61,62].…”

“…Rhipicephalus sanguineus is also found worldwide and is primarily associated with dogs, although there are reports of infestations of humans and other animals [64,65]. Both reports [7,33] found only one specimen of each Rhipicephalus species on coatis, which may be interpreted with caution, since it may be an occasional finding and therefore without epidemiological implications. Although both areas sampled in the present study have circulation of domestic animals (stray cats and dogs), no R. sanguineus or R. (Boophilus) microplus was collected from coatis.…”

“…[7][8][9]. In the state of São Paulo, in the cities of Botucatu and Palmital, infestations by Amblyomma dubitatum, A. ovale, A. sculptum and R. sanguineus s. l. were reported [33]. Gaining knowledge on the diversity and seasonal dynamics of tick species that parasitize free-ranging animals living in urban forest fragments is important to the surveillance of tick-borne diseases in order to establish control measures and also to support the conservation of species of wild animals.…”