Molecular detection of vector‐borne agents in wild boars ( Sus scrofa ) and associated ticks from Brazil, with evidence of putative new genotypes of Ehrlichia , Anaplasma , and haemoplasmas

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate, by molecular techniques, the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae, Bartonellaceae, Rickettsiaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Coxiellaceae, and Babesiidae/Theileriidae agents in blood samples of free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa) and associated ticks in south-eastern Brazil. For this purpose, 67 blood samples and 265 ticks (264 Amblyomma sculptum and one Amblyomma ovale) were analysed.In the screening for Anaplasmataceae agents by a PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene, 5.97% blood samples and 50.54% ticks were positive. In the PCR assay for Ehrlichia spp. based on the dsb gene, 9.24% of ticks were positive. Despite the low occurrence, a possible new 16S rRNA genotype of Anaplasma sp. was detected in a wild boar's blood sample. According to phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA, gltA, and sodB genes and ITS (23S-5S rRNA) intergenic region, it was found that A. sculptum and A. ovale ticks collected from wild boars carry Ehrlichia genotypes phylogenetically associated with Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia ruminantium, and new Ehrlichia genotypes previously detected in horses, peccaries, and ticks collected from jaguars.In the screening for haemoplasmas by a qPCR based on the 16S rRNA gene, 88.06% of blood samples and 8.69% of ticks were positive. Mycoplasma suis, Mycoplasma parvum, and a possible new haemoplasma genotype were detected in wild boars in southeastern Brazil. In the screening for Bartonella spp. using a nuoG-based qPCR assay, 3.8% of tick samples were positive. Phylogenetic inferences positioned four nuoG and one r gltA Bartonella sequences into the same clade as Bartonella machadoae. No blood or tick samples from wild boars showed to be positive in the qPCR for Coxiella burnetii based on the IS1111 gene. On the other hand, only 1.6% of ticks were positive in the e2808

Co-infection by multiple vector-borne agents in wild ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) from Iguaçu National Park, southern Brazil

“…According to the authors, A. sculptum nymphs may have acquired the Bartonella infection when fed as larvae in a mammal (most probably rodents), and transestadially perpetuate the infection through the nymph stage. It this is true, A. sculptum may play a role in the transmission of B. machadoae 67 . The present study expands the host specificity range of B. machadoae , which has been isolated only from rodents until the present moment 37 .…”

One Health at gunpoint: Impact of wild boars as exotic species in Brazil - A review

“…Sequencing revealed Mycoplasma parvum and M. suis infection in wild boars, and M. haemocanis in dogs. 2016–2018/Brazil [ 56 ] Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) PCR/blood and ticks 88.06% of blood samples and 8.69% of ticks were positive Mycoplasma suis and Mycoplasma parvum southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Cytauxzoon felis PCR/blood and ticks All blood and tick samples were negative – southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Anaplasma spp. PCR/blood and ticks 5.97% blood samples and 50.54% ticks were positive – southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Ehrlichia spp.…”

“… 2016–2018/Brazil [ 56 ] Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) PCR/blood and ticks 88.06% of blood samples and 8.69% of ticks were positive Mycoplasma suis and Mycoplasma parvum southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Cytauxzoon felis PCR/blood and ticks All blood and tick samples were negative – southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Anaplasma spp. PCR/blood and ticks 5.97% blood samples and 50.54% ticks were positive – southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Ehrlichia spp. PCR/blood and ticks 9.24% of ticks were positive – southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Porcine circovirus 2 (PV2) and 3 (PV3) PCR/heart, kidneys, liver, lung, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils 15/26 (57.7%) positive for PV2 and PV3 – southern Brazil [ 53 ] Porcine circovirus ELISA/serum 2/3 (67%) – 2009/Colombia [ 49 ] Pneumocystis spp.…”

“… PCR/blood and ticks 5.97% blood samples and 50.54% ticks were positive – southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Ehrlichia spp. PCR/blood and ticks 9.24% of ticks were positive – southeastern Brazil [ 57 ] Porcine circovirus 2 (PV2) and 3 (PV3) PCR/heart, kidneys, liver, lung, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils 15/26 (57.7%) positive for PV2 and PV3 – southern Brazil [ 53 ] Porcine circovirus ELISA/serum 2/3 (67%) – 2009/Colombia [ 49 ] Pneumocystis spp. Immunohistochemistry (IHQ)/skin, tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes, intestines, liver, stomach, kidneys, heart and the central nervous system 39/78 (50%) positive wild boars 16/78 (20.5%) wild boars coinfected by Pneumocystis and porcine circovirus type 2 2005–2008/Brazil [ 23 ] Torque teno Sus virus 1a (TTSuV1a) and and 1b (TTSuV1b) PCR/lymph nodes 43/80 (53.8%) positive for TTSuV1a, 5.0% (4/80) positive for TTSuV1b Histological analysis: Bronchopneumonia, vascular congestion, hemorrhage, edema, emphysema, fibrosis, follicular hyperplasia and presence of Metastrongylus sp.…”

“…Although exposure to Hemoplasma species was present, the study herein found no evidence of cross-species transmission [ 56 ]. In addition, a molecular vector-borne survey has found that wild boars may act as a potential spreader of tick-borne pathogens such as Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella spp., hemotropic mycoplasmas, and Cytauxzoon , posting high health concerns, particularly to humans, horses, rodents, pigs, and cats [ 57 ].…”