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This review was performed to gather knowledge about brucellosis in livestock and wildlife in the Brazilian Pantanal, a biome with a huge biodiversity and extensive livestock production. Following the preferred reporting items for narrative review guidelines and using the terms "Brucella" and "Pantanal," we explored the PubMed, SciELO, Jstor, Science Direct, and Scholar Google databases. Information on host species, diagnostic test, number of positive animals, and positivity rates were acquired. Articles dating from 1998 to 2022 registered 14 studies including cattle, dogs, and the following wildlife species: Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Sus scrofa, Tayassu peccari, Nasua nasua, Cerdocyon thous, Panthera onca, Dasypus novemcintus, Cabassous unicinctus, Euphractus sexcinctus, Priodontes maximus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. Brucella occurrence in cattle was demonstrated through the serological confirmatory test 2-mercaptoetanol. Molecular diagnosis detected Brucella abortus in dogs, smooth Brucella in O. beoarticus, and Brucella spp. in T. peccari. Cattle may have a pivotal importance in maintenance and spreading of Brucella spp. due to their high population density, environmental contamination from abortion of infected cows, and eventual excretion of B. abortus S19 strain from vaccinated heifers. The occurrence of Brucella spp. in O. bezoarticus and T. peccari represent a risk for wildlife conservation. These data indicate that Brucella spp. are enzootic in the Pantanal wetland, sustained by a reservoir system including domestic and wild mammals. Due to marked seasonality and large populations of wildlife species sharing same environments with livestock, brucellosis acquires great complexity in Pantanal and, therefore, must be analyzed considering both animal production and conservation.

As populações silvestres são constantemente ameaçadas devido ao aumento global da população humana e à consequente perda dos habitats originais, bem como à poluição, ao aumento do trânsito de pessoas e animais e à introdução de espécies exóticas. Estudos hematológicos, bioquímicos, toxicológicos e parasitológicos vêm sendo utilizados para o entendimento do estado de saúde de muitas espécies silvestres. Especialmente em relação à avaliação de parâmetros fisiológicos, existe dificuldade na interpretação dos valores observados, visto que fatores condizentes ao indivíduo e ao ambiente, bem como ao aprisionamento dos animais e à utilização de drogas para sedação, influenciam na hematimetria e nas dosagens bioquímicas. Neste contexto, dados sobre parasitismo e saúde dos mamíferos silvestres do Pantanal foram compilados por meio de bibliometria e discutidos em termos de resiliência e sustentabilidade de suas populações. A conclusão deste artigo é de que a comunidade científica deveria trabalhar em conjunto com a sociedade organizada, a fim de incentivar a criação e a aplicação de políticas públicas de conservação, no sentido de manter a biodiversidade e a continuidade dos seus processos ecológicos.

Assessing and monitoring the welfare of free-living mammals is not a usual process due to the logistical complications associated with their capture and sedation, collection and storage of biological samples and their release. In this context, non-invasive methods for monitoring wildlife constitute a good alternative approach for in situ conservation. Body condition index, as a measurement of health status, has been used in free-living mammals; its low value may be associated with negative effects on reproduction and survival. The present study aimed to generate an alternative and reliable non-invasive method and then determine the body condition index, based on previously-collected biometric measurements, without the need to capture and immobilise the animals. A total of 178 free-living Nasua nasua Linnaeus, 1766 were trapped, weighed and measured. Statistical methods were used, based on Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) using body mass, biometric measurements (body length, height and chest girth) and gender as explanatory variables. To assess the agreement between the real Body Condition Indices (BCIs) and the predicted values of BCIs, we explored the correlation between each model using the Bland-Altman method. This method showed a strong agreement between the predictive BRT models proposed (standardised residuals from a linear regression between body length and chest girth) and standardised residuals (linear regression between body mass and body length). The results obtained herein showed that BRT modelling, based on biometrical features, is an alternative way to verify the body conditions of coatis without the need to capture and immobilise the animals.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:23:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-10-20 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado deMato Grosso do Sul Urbanization results in loss of natural habitats and, consequently, reduction of richness and abundance of specialist to the detriment of generalist species. We hypothesized that a greater richness of trypanosomatid inDidelphis albiventriswould be found in fragments of urban forests in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, that presented a larger richness of small mammals. We used parasitological, molecular, and serological methods to detectTrypanosomaspp. infection inD. albiventris(n = 43) from forest fragments. PCR was performed with primers specific for 18S rDNA, 24S alpha rDNA, mini-chromosome satellites, and mini-exon genes. IFAT was used to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruziIgG. All hemoculture was negative. We detected trypanosomatid DNA in blood of 35% of opossum. Two opossums were seropositive forT. cruzi. The trypanosomatid species number infectingD. albiventriswas higher in the areas with greater abundance, rather than richness of small mammals. We foundD. albiventrisparasitized byT. cruziin single and co-infections withLeishmaniaspp., recently described molecular operational taxonomic unit (MOTU) named DID, andTrypanosoma lainsoni. We concluded that (i) trypanosome richness may be determined by small mammal abundance, (ii)D. albiventrisconfirmed to be bio-accumulators of trypanosomatids, and (iii)T. lainsonidemonstrated a higher host range than described up to the present. Univ Catolica Dom Bosco, Posgrad Ciencias Ambientais & Sustentabilidade Ag, Av Tamandare 6000, BR-79117900 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Posgrad Ecol & Conservacao, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Sao Paulo, Brazil Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Biol Tripanosomatideos, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Catolica Dom Bosco, Posgrad Biotecnol, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Fed deMato Grosso Sul, Posgrad Recursos Nat, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Sao Paulo, Brazil CAPES: 88887.149231/2017-00 CNPq: 308768/2017-5 CAPES: 001 CAPES: 88887.369261/2019-00 Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado deMato Grosso do Sul: FUNDECT 03/2016 PPSUS-MS 59/300.069/2017

Understanding the diversity and ecology of ectoparasites in wild animals is essential for surveillance of vector-borne diseases. Coatis (

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T17:04:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-04-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Brazilian Pantanal is the world´s largest wetland ecosystem, where cattle's ranching is the most important economic activity. The objective of this study was to compile some epidemiological features on equine piroplasmids from the Nhecolândia sub-region of Pantanal wetland through the evaluation of the patterns of T. equi and B. caballi infections in different groups of horses; identification of the tick species that infest horses; and to study phylogenetic relationships among Theileria equi 18S rRNA gene sequences. During October 2015, blood and serum samples were collected from 170 horses in four different categories. Ticks, after identification, had their hemolymph and eggs examined for the presence of piroplasmid sporokinets. Also we searched parasites in the peripheral blood smears of the investigated horses. The number of red blood cells (RBCs) and the packed cell volume (PCV) ​​were determined to test for anemia in the infected animals, and exposure to B. caballi and T. equi was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. “Catch all primers” based on 18S rRNA gene were used in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to detect equine piroplasmids, followed by three nested PCRs for the phylogenetic analysis. The serological results showed that 61.8% and 52.9% of the horses sampled were exposed to T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. Piroplasmid DNA was detected in 43.5% of the horses analyzed. Our sequencing revealed 98–100% identity with some sequences previously published in GenBank for T. equi, and microheterogeneity among others. We found that 51.2% of the animals sampled were infested with Dermacentor nitens, Amblyomma sculptum, and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, singly or co-infested. Since positive and negative animals presented similar RBC and PCV values, and no sporokinets were found on blood smears, hemolymph and eggs of the ticks collected, we suggest that infected equines can act as asymptomatic carriers for piroplasmosis in the studied region. Our results together showed the enzootic characteristic of equine piroplasmids in Pantanal region highlighting the importance of using different methods for detection these parasites. Moreover, breeding mares and foals should be monitored since they displayed the greatest occurrences for molecular test (59.0% and 86.1% respectively) and tick infestations (87.2% and 63.9% respectively). Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB), Avenida Tamandaré Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Câmpus de Jaboticabal Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Câmpus de Jaboticabal CAPES: 00022557156

Considered ecologically generalist, Didelphis albiventris is reported as reservoir for different species of parasites, especially Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the knowledge about the influence of T. cruzi on hematological parameters of free-living opossum remains scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of T. cruzi on hematological parameters of white-ear opossums (D. albiventris) from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The blood samples and biometric data were collected from 40 opossums captured by Tomahawk and Sherman traps in six urban forest fragments located in the city. The health of these animals was inferred, mainly, by means of blood parameters (PCV, RBC, WBC, MCV and WBC differential). Molecular detection of T. cruzi infection was performed by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR), using 18S and 24Sα rDNA region as target. Paired-t-test and simple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. No significant difference was observed between the averages of hematological variables in relation to gender and body condition. The molecular diagnosis showed that 32.5% (13/40) of the opossums were infected by T. cruzi, which presented lymphocytosis (3.4 ± 1.5) and eosinophilia (0.09 ± 0.13). Path analysis showed that T. cruzi infection resulted in increased numbers of lymphocytes and indirectly decreased the body condition of opossums. Moreover T. cruzi infection resulted in a direct effect on decrease of MCV. Overall, our results suggest that T. cruzi infection may represent a risk to health of opossums since the lymphocytosis may cause a secondary damage on body condition of infected animals., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Trypanosoma cruzi infection may pose a risk to health of opossums. • Lymphocytosis may cause a secondary damage on body condition of infected animals. • D. albiventris is an important host of T. cruzi in the Campo Grande city.

Urbanization results in loss of natural habitats and, consequently, reduction of richness and abundance of specialist to the detriment of generalist species. We hypothesized that a greater richness of trypanosomatid in Didelphis albiventris would be found in fragments of urban forests in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, that presented a larger richness of small mammals. We used parasitological, molecular, and serological methods to detect Trypanosoma spp. infection in D. albiventris (n = 43) from forest fragments. PCR was performed with primers specific for 18S rDNA, 24Sα rDNA, mini-chromosome satellites, and mini-exon genes. IFAT was used to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruzi IgG. All hemoculture was negative. We detected trypanosomatid DNA in blood of 35% of opossum. Two opossums were seropositive for T. cruzi. The trypanosomatid species number infecting D. albiventris was higher in the areas with greater abundance, rather than richness of small mammals. We found D. albiventris parasitized by T. cruzi in single and co-infections with Leishmania spp., recently described molecular operational taxonomic unit (MOTU) named DID, and Trypanosoma lainsoni. We concluded that (i) trypanosome richness may be determined by small mammal abundance, (ii) D. albiventris confirmed to be bio-accumulators of trypanosomatids, and (iii) T. lainsoni demonstrated a higher host range than described up to the present.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:01:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-15T15:25:48Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1984-29612020000100310.pdf: 522293 bytes, checksum: 31ff251650135504469c407d576450c9 (MD5) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul This study investigated the seropositivity for five different tick-borne agents, namely Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Coxiella burnetii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Trypanosoma vivax in beef cattle in the Brazilian Pantanal. The serum samples collected from animals (200 cows; 200 calves) were used in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (iELISA) to detect IgG antibodies against A. marginale, B. bovis, B. bigemina, and T. vivax, and Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for detecting IgG antibodies against C. burnetii and A. phagocytophilum. No correlation was observed between seropositivity for C. burnetii and A. phagocytophilum with other agents whereas moderate correlation was observed for A. marginale x B. bigemina x B. bovis. Cows were more seropositive for T. vivax whereas calves were more seropositive for B. bovis and B. bigemina. The highest number of seropositive animals by a single agent was observed for T. vivax (15.2%). Co-seropositivity for T. vivax + A. marginale was higher in cows (25.5%) and for T. vivax + B. bovis + B. bigemina + A. marginale was higher in calves (57.5%). The high seropositivity correlation for A. marginale x B. bovis x B. bigemina is probably due to the presence of the tick biological vector, Rhipicephalus microplus, in the studied farms. Common transmission pathways, mediated by hematophagous dipterans and fomites, may explain the high co-seropositivity of cows for A. marginale and T. vivax. Low seropositivity to C. burnetii is probably due to the type of breeding system employed (extensive). Seropositivity for A. phagocytophilum in only one animal suggests the occurrence of a cross-serological reaction with another agent of the genus Anaplasma. Departamento de Patologia Veterinária Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP Departamento de Parasitologia Veterinária Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal Universidade de São Paulo Departamento de Ciências Exatas Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP Departamento de Patologia Veterinária Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP Departamento de Ciências Exatas Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP CNPq: 302420 / 2017-7 Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul: 59/300.187/2016

Domestic dogs are considered reservoirs hosts for several vector-borne parasites. This study aimed to evaluate the role of domestic dogs as hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma evansi and Leishmania spp. in single and co-infections in the Urucum settlement, near the Brazil-Bolivian border. Additionally, we evaluated the involvement of wild mammals’ in the maintenance of these parasites in the study area. Blood samples of dogs (n = 62) and six species of wild mammals (n = 36) were collected in July and August of 2015. The infections were assessed using parasitological, serological and molecular tests. Clinical examination of dogs was performed and their feeding habits were noted. Overall, 87% (54/62) of sampled dogs were positive for at least one trypanosomatid species, in single (n = 9) and co-infections (n = 45). We found that 76% of dogs were positive for T. cruzi, four of them displayed high parasitemias demonstrated by hemoculture, including one strain types TcI, two TcIII and one TcIII/TcV. Around 73% (45/62) of dogs were positive to T. evansi, three with high parasitemias as seen by positive microhematocrit centrifuge technique. Of dogs sampled, 50% (31/62) were positive for Leishmania spp. by PCR or serology. We found a positive influence of (i) T. evansi on mucous pallor, (ii) co-infection by T. cruzi and Leishmania with onychogryphosis, and (iii) all parasites to skin lesions of sampled dogs. Finally, feeding on wild mammals had a positive influence in the Leishmania spp. infection in dogs. We found that 28% (5/18) coati Nasua nasua was co-infected for all three trypanosamatids, demonstrating that it might play a key role in maintenance of these parasites. Our results showed the importance of Urucum region as a hotspot for T. cruzi, T. evansi and Leishmania spp. and demonstrated that dogs can be considered as incidental hosts., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Observation of high occurrence of dogs co-infected by trypanosomatids. • Dogs infected by TcI, TcIII and TcIII/TcV. • Nasua nasua is a key species in the sylvatic cycles of trypanosomatids. • Direct effect of trypanosomatids' infection in clinical signs of dogs. • Dogs as sentinels to human infection in the Brazil-Bolivian border.

Zika virus (ZIKV) was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda but was not considered a public health threat until 2007 when it found to be the source of epidemic activity in Asia. Epidemic activity spread to Brazil in 2014 and continued to spread throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Despite ZIKV being zoonotic in origin, information about transmission, or even exposure of non-human vertebrates and mosquitoes to ZIKV in the Americas, is lacking. Accordingly, from February 2017 to March 2018, we sought evidence of sylvatic ZIKV transmission by sampling whole blood from approximately 2000 domestic and wild vertebrates of over 100 species in West-Central Brazil within the active human ZIKV transmission area. In addition, we collected over 24,300 mosquitoes of at least 17 genera and 62 species. We screened whole blood samples and mosquito pools for ZIKV RNA using pan-flavivirus primers in a real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in a SYBR Green platform. Positives were confirmed using ZIKV-specific envelope gene real-time RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing. Of the 2068 vertebrates tested, none were ZIKV positive. Of the 23,315 non-engorged mosquitoes consolidated into 1503 pools tested, 22 (1.5%) with full data available showed some degree of homology to insect-specific flaviviruses. To identify previous exposure to ZIKV, 1498 plasma samples representing 62 species of domestic and sylvatic vertebrates were tested for ZIKV-neutralizing antibodies by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90). From these, 23 (1.5%) of seven species were seropositive for ZIKV and negative for dengue virus serotype 2, yellow fever virus, and West Nile virus, suggesting potential monotypic reaction for ZIKV. Results presented here suggest no active transmission of ZIKV in non-human vertebrate populations or in alternative vector candidates, but suggest that vertebrates around human populations have indeed been exposed to ZIKV in West-Central Brazil.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:52:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-03-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul Globally, hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) comprise an emerging or remerging bacteria group that attaches to red blood cells of several mammal's species and in some cases, causing hemolytic anemia. Herein, we assessed the occurrence, genetic diversity, the factors coupled to mammals infection, and the phylogeographic distribution of hemoplasmas in sylvatic and synanthropic mammals and their associated ectoparasites from Brazil. We collected spleen and/or blood samples from synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus [N = 39] and Mus musculus [N = 9]), sylvatic rodents (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris [N = 14]) and opossums (Didelphis albiventris [N = 43]). In addition, ticks (Amblyomma spp. [N = 270] and lice (Polyplax spinulosa [N = 6]) specimens were also sampled. Using a PCR targeting the 16S rRNA region, out of 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossums DNA samples, hemoplasma DNA was found in 25%, 50%, and 32.5% animals, respectively. Besides, we reported hemoplasma DNA in Amblyomma sp. (22.2% [2/9]) and lice (100% [2/2]) pools samples from rats, and one female A. sculptum DNA sample (3% [1/33]) obtained from a capybara. Additionally, and in agreement with ML analysis, the network analyses showed a clear phylogenetic separation among the hemoplasmas genotypes found in the different host species sampled, thus, suggesting the absence of cross-species hemoplasmas transmission between the mammals trapped. Finally, using the NTC network analysis, we reported the same 16S rRNA Mycoplasma genotype circulating in Rattus sampled in Brazil, Hungary, and Japan. Agricultural Microbiology Program School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal Department of Veterinary Pathology School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB) Graduate Program of Natural Resources Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul Agricultural Microbiology Program School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal Department of Veterinary Pathology School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal FAPESP: 2018/02753-0 Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul: 59/300.187/2016

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:41:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-10-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are Gram-negative bacteria that parasitize the erythrocyte surface of a wide variety of mammals. The present study aimed at investigating the occurrence of hemoplasmas in beef cattle in the Brazilian Pantanal, an area endemic for bovine trypanosomiasis in South America. Additionally, the objective of this study was to characterize molecularly the genotypes of the found hemoplasmas. For this purpose, blood and serum samples of 400 beef cattle were collected from five properties in Corumbá, Nhecolândia sub-region, Mato Grosso do Sul, in Midwest Brazil. Blood samples underwent DNA extraction and standard 16S rRNA gene-based PCR assays for hemoplasmas. The sequences obtained were submitted to phylogenetic inferences, distance analysis, and genotype diversity. The Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (iELISA) indicated the presence of anti-Trypanosoma vivax IgG antibodies in 89.75% of the animals sampled, confirming the endemicity of said agent in the studied region. Among the 400 bovine blood samples tested, 2.25% (9/400) were positive for hemoplasmas in cPCR. The phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences confirmed the presence of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' and Mycoplasma wenyonii DNA in 0.5% (2/400) and 1.75% (7/400) animals, respectively. Five genotypes of M. wenyonii and one of 'Candidatus M. haemobos' were detected among the sequenced amplicons. The present study showed low molecular occurrence of haemoplasmas in beef cattle sampled in the Brazilian Pantanal, an area endemic for bovine trypanosomiasis. Despite of the conservation of the 16S rRNA gene, there was considerable diversity of hemoplasma genotypes infecting the sampled beef cattle. Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP) Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Department of Veterinary Pathology Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP) Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB) Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP) Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Department of Veterinary Pathology Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/ Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP)

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:30:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-07-01 Babesia bovis is the etiological agent of bovine babesiosis, a disease transmitted by Rhipicephalus microplus, which affects cattle herds in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, causing significant economic losses due to decreasing meat and milk yield. This study used molecular techniques to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of B. bovis, based on the genes encoding the spherical body protein (sbp-2) and the merozoite surface antigens (MSAs) genes, in a herd of 400 Nellore (Bos indicus) sampled from beef cattle farms in the Pantanal region, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwestern Brazil. The results of the nested PCR assays based on the sbp-2 gene indicated that 18 (4.5%) calves were positive for B. bovis; out of them, while 77.7% (14/18) were positive for the B. bovis msa-2b fragment, 66.6% (12/18) were positive for the msa-2c fragment. The phylogenetic analysis based on the maximum likelihood method using 14 sequences from msa-2b clones and 13 sequences from msa-2c clones indicated that the sequences detected in this study are clearly distributed in different cladograms. These findings corroborated the diversity analysis of the same sequences, which revealed the presence of 14 and 11 haplotypes of the msa-2b and msa-2c genes, respectively. Furthermore, the entropy analyses of amino acid sequences revealed 78 and 44 high entropy peaks with values ranging from 0.25 to 1.53 and from 0.27 to 1.09 for MSA-2B and MSA-2C, respectively. Therefore, the results indicate a low molecular occurrence of B. bovis in beef cattle sampled in the Brazilian Pantanal. Despite this, a high degree of genetic diversity was found in the analyzed B. bovis population, with possibly different haplotypes coexisting in the same animal and/or in the same studied herd. Agricultural and Livestock Microbiology Graduation Program School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Department of Veterinary Pathology Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Zona Rural Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB) Agricultural and Livestock Microbiology Graduation Program School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Department of Veterinary Pathology Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Zona Rural

Resumo O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência do sexo, da sazonalidade e de infecções por Trypanosoma cruzi e Trypanosoma evansi nos valores hematológicos de lobinhos (Cerdocyon thous) que habitam o Pantanal Sul-Mato-Grossense. Entre novembro de 2015 e outubro de 2016, foram amostrados 48 lobinhos. Os valores hematológicos mensurados foram as contagens de eritrócitos e leucócitos, volume globular e volume corpuscular médio. Consideramos como parasitados os animais positivos para T.cruzi e T. evansi em qualquer um dos testes diagnósticos utilizados. Observamos que sete (14.5%) lobinhos encontraram-se parasitados somente por T.cruzi, sete por T. evansi, e nove (19%) estavam coinfectados. Os animais parasitados por T.cruzi mostraram um aumento significativo das contagens de leucócitos (14.7 x 103) em relação aos animais não parasitados (10.4 x 103), parasitados por T. evansi (12.4 x 103) e coinfectados (12.9 x 103). Observamos diferença significativa em relação aos valores médios de eritrócitos e volume corpuscular médio entre os períodos de cheia e seca: 2.6 x 106 e 165, e 3.4 x 106 e 132, respectivamente. Todos apresentaram macrocitose não confirmada morfologicamente. Abstract The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of sex, seasonality and infections by Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi on the hematological values of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) that inhabit the Pantanal from Mato Grosso do Sul. Between November of 2015 and October of 2016, 48 animals were sampled. The hematological values measured were erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, globular volume and mean corpuscular volume. We considered as parasitized the positive animals for T.cruzi and T. evansi in any of diagnostic tests used. We observed that seven (14.5%) of the crab-eating foxes were parasitized only by T.cruzi, seven by T. evansi, and nine (19%) were coinfected. The parasitized animals by T.cruzi showed a significant increase in leukocyte counts (14.7 x 103) compared to non-parasitized animals (10.4 x 103), parasitized by T. evansi (12.4 x 103) and coinfected (12.9 x 103). We observed a significant difference in relation to mean erythrocyte and mean corpuscular volume values between wet and dry periods: 2.6 x 106 and 165, and 3.4 x 106 and 132, respectively. All presented morphologically unconfirmed macrocytosis.

The msp4 gene of A. marginale is unicodon, stable and mostly homogeneous, being considered as a useful marker for phylogeographic characterization of this bacterium. The objective of this work was to analyze the phylogeography of A. marginale based on the msp4 gene in beef cattle from the Brazilian Pantanal, compared to those found in other regions worldwide. The blood samples investigated were collected from 400 animals (200 cows and 200 calves) reared in five extensive breeding farms in this region. The results indicated that of the evaluated samples, 56.75% (227/400) were positive for A. marginale based on the msp1β gene by quantitatitve PCR (qPCR), while 8.37% (19/227) were positive for the msp4 gene in the conventional PCR. In the Network distance analysis, 14 sequences from the Brazilian Pantanal were grouped into a single group with those from Thailand, India, Spain, Colombia, Parana (Brazil), Mexico, Portugal, Argentina, China, Venezuela, Australia, Italy and Minas Gerais (Brazil). Among 68 sequences from Brazil and the world, 15 genotypes were present while genotype number one (#1) was the most distributed worldwide. Both Splitstree and network analyses showed that the A. marginale msp4 sequences detected in beef cattle from the Brazilian Pantanal showed low polymorphism, with the formation of one genogroup phylogenetically related to those found in ruminants from South and Central America, Europe, and Asia. Resumo O gene msp4 de A. marginale é unicodon, estável e pouco heterogêneo, sendo considerado como um marcador útil para caracterização filogeográfica desta bactéria. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a filogeografia de A. marginale com base no gene msp4 em bovinos de corte do Pantanal Brasileiro, comparativamente a outra regiões do mundo. Alíquotas de sangue foram colhidas de 400 bovinos (200 vacas e 200 bezerros) em cinco propriedades de cria e recria extensiva. Como resultado, 56,75% (227/400) mostraram-se positivas para A. marginale pela qPCR para o gene msp1β e destas, 8,37% (19/227) amostras foram positivas na PCR convencional para o gene msp4. Na análise de distância Network, 14 sequências do Pantanal brasileiro foram agrupadas em um único grupo com as da Thailândia, Índia, Espanha, Colômbia, Paraná (Brasil), México, Portugal, Argentina, China, Venezuela, Austrália, Italia e Minas Gerais (Brasil). Dentre 68 sequências do Brasil e do mundo, constatou-se a presença de 15 genótipos, sendo o genótipo número um (#1) o mais distribuído. As sequências msp4 de A. marginale detectadas em bovinos de corte no Pantanal brasileiro apresentaram baixo polimorfismo com formação de dois genogrupos filogeneticamente relacionados àqueles encontrados em ruminantes de países das América do Sul e Central, Europa e Ásia.

The origin of the hepatitis B virus is a subject of wide deliberation among researchers. As a result, increasing academic interest has focused on the spread of the virus in different animal species. However, the sources of viral infection for many of these animals are unknown since transmission may occur from animal to animal, human to human, animal to human, and human to animal. The aim of this study was to evaluate hepadnavirus circulation in wild and farm animals (including animals raised under wild or free conditions) from different sites in Brazil and Uruguay using serological and molecular tools. A total of 487 domestic wild and farm animals were screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers and tested via quantitative and qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral DNA. We report evidence of HBsAg (surface antigen of HBV) and total anti-HBc (HBV core antigen) markers as well as low-copy hepadnavirus DNA among domestic and wild animals. According to our results, which were confirmed by partial genome sequencing, as the proximity between humans and animals increases, the potential for pathogen dispersal also increases. A wider knowledge and understanding of reverse zoonoses should be sought for an effective One Health response. Made available in DSpace on 2020-02-13T18:16:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EvaluationofHBVLike2019.pdf: 1254406 bytes, checksum: 6d7eb67e61fa36a7e3f57a679fdcc21f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

Objectives The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative 5' nuclease real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to diagnose infections caused by Bartonella species. Methods Between January and April 2013 whole blood samples were collected by convenience from 151 cats (86 domiciled and 65 stray cats). The feline blood samples were subjected to a novel quantitative 5' nuclease real-time PCR (qPCR) for Bartonella species targeting the nictonamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase gamma subunit ( nuoG) and conventional PCR assays targeting intergenic transcribed spacer, ribC, gltA, pap31 and rpoB, followed by sequencing and basic local alignment search tool analysis. Results The qPCR assay detected as few as 10 copies of plasmid per reaction. Forty-six (54.4% domiciled and 45.6% stray cats) of 151 sampled cats showed positive results in nuoG qPCR for Bartonella species. The absolute quantification of nuoG Bartonella DNA in sampled cats ranged from 1.1 × 104 to 1.3 × 104. Eighteen (39.1%) of 46 positive samples in the qPCR were also positive in conventional PCR assays. The sequencing confirmed that Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae circulate in cats in midwestern Brazil. Conclusions and relevance The present work provides details of a novel qPCR assay to diagnose infections caused by Bartonella species.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:11:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-07-01 Universidade Estadual Paulista Worldwide, Bartonella species are known to infect a wide range of mammalian and arthropod hosts, including humans. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in synanthropic mammals captured in peri-urban areas from Central-Western and Southern Brazil and their ectoparasites. For this aim, 160 mammals belonging to four species, and 218 associated arthropods were sampled. DNA was extracted and subjected to different Bartonella screening assays. Additionally, blood samples from 48 small rodents were submitted to liquid BAPGM culture followed by qPCR assay and solid culture. Two out of 55 Rattus captured in Santa Catarina state were PCR-positive for Bartonella when targeting the nuoG, 16S, and ITS loci. Sequences showed high homology with Bartonella coopersplainsensis. Conversely, all 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossum DNA samples from animals trapped in Mato Grosso do Sul were Bartonella negative in the HRM real time PCR assays targeting the ITS locus and gltA gene. Additionally, all mammal-associated ectoparasites showed negativity results based on HRM real time PCR assays. The present study showed, for the first time, the occurrence of B. coopersplainsensis in Brazil, shedding some light on the distribution of rats-related Bartonella in South America. In addition, the majority of rodents and marsupials were negative for Bartonella spp. Since B. coopersplainsensis reservoirs - Rattus spp. - are widely dispersed around the globe, their zoonotic potential should be further investigated. Graduate Program of Agricultural and Livestock Microbiology Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP) Department of Veterinary Pathology Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP) Koret School of Veterinary Medicine The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Dom Bosco Catholic University Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Contestado Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul Graduate Program of Agricultural and Livestock Microbiology Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP) Department of Veterinary Pathology Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP)

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:22:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-06-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) There are few studies on the genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale in Brazilian cattle herds, especially about beef cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of A. marginale, based on the msp1α gene in Bos taurus indicus sampled from the Brazilian Pantanal. Aliquots of blood with and without EDTA were taken from 400 cattle (200 cows and 200 calves) across five extensive farms. The samples were submitted to the indirect immunoenzymatic assay (iELISA), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for the msp1β gene and to the semi-nested (sn) PCR for the msp1α gene. Positive samples were sequenced by the Sanger method and subjected to diversity analysis using the RepeatAnalyser software. The percentage of positive animals by iELISA, qPCR and (sn) PCR was 72.2% (289/400), 56.7% (227/400) and 23% (52/227), respectively. Cows (154/200) showed to be significantly more seropositive than calves (135/200). In qPCR, the number of calves and average quantification value (138/200; 1.3 × 106) A. marginale msp1α copies per μL proved to be higher when compared to that found for the cows (89/200; 3.9 × 104). The microsatellite analysis of the 26 sequences obtained from the msp1α gene revealed the presence of E (77%), C (15.4%) and B (7.7%) genotypes. Fourteen A. marginale strains were identified in the studied region, with eight that have never before been described in the literature (τ-10-13−13-18; τ-27-18; EV8-EV8-17; α-β-β-β-100; EV7-11−10-15; τ-11-11−27-18; τ-11-10-15; τ-27-13-18). Beef cattle are highly exposed to A. marginale in the Brazilian Pantanal. Moreover, a high genetic diversity of A. marginale, with eight new strains, was found in the studied region. While cows may act as chronic carriers, perpetuating the pathogen within the herd, male beef calves sold to other regions may disperse these strains. Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences Don Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), Campo Grande Graduate Program in Veterinary Medicine Animal Pathology Host-Parasite Relationship State University of São Paulo (UNESP) Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences UNESP Jaboticabal Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences Graduate Program in Veterinary Medicine Animal Pathology Host-Parasite Relationship State University of São Paulo (UNESP) Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences UNESP Jaboticabal

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T16:04:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-08-15 Fundacao de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) The occurrence of Trypanosoma spp. in wild carnivore populations has been intensively investigated during the last decades. However, the impact of these parasites on the health of free-living infected animals has been largely neglected. The Pantanal biome is the world's largest seasonal wetland, harboring a great diversity of species and habitats. This includes 174 species of mammals, of which 20 belong to the order Carnivora. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma cruzi infections and coinfections on the health of the most abundant carnivores in the Pantanal: coati (Nasua nasua), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). We captured 39 coatis, 48 crab-eating foxes, and 19 ocelots. Diagnostic tests showed T. cruzi infection in 7 crab-eating foxes and 5 coatis. Additionally, 7 crab-eating foxes, 10 coatis, and 12 ocelots were positive for T. evansi. We observed coinfections in 9 crab-eating foxes, 8 coatis, and 2 ocelots. This is the first report of T. evansi and T. cruzi infection on the health of free-living ocelots and crab-eating foxes. We showed that single T. evansi or T. cruzi infection, as well as coinfection, caused some degree of anemia in all animals, as well as an indirect negative effect on body condition in coatis and crab-eating foxes via anemia indicators and immune investment, respectively. Furthermore, the vigorous immune investment observed in sampled coatis, crab-eating foxes and ocelots infected by T. evansi, T. cruzi and coinfected can be highly harmful to their health. Overall, our results indicate that single and combined infection with T. evansi and T. cruzi represent a severe risk to the health of wild carnivores in the Pantanal region. Univ Catolica Dom Bosco, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Ambientais & Sustentabi, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Conservacao, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Empresa Brasileira Pesquisa Agr, Ctr Pesquisa Agr Pantanal, Lab Vida Selvagem, Corumba, MS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Biol Tripanosomatideos, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Fundacao de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT): PRONEX 006/2015

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:20:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-08-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The present work aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Bartonella in mammals and ectoparasites in Pantanal wetland, Brazil. For this purpose, 31 Nasua nasua, 78 Cerdocyon thous, 7 Leopardus pardalis, 110 wild rodents, 30 marsupials, and 42 dogs were sampled. DNA samples were submitted to a quantitative real-time PCR assay (qPCR). Positive samples in qPCR were submitted to conventional PCR assays targeting other five protein-coding genes. Thirty-five wild rodents and three Polygenis (P.) bohlsi bohlsi flea pools showed positive results in qPCR for Bartonella spp. Thirty-seven out of 38 positive samples in qPCR were also positive in cPCR assays based on ftsZ gene, nine in nuoG-cPCR, and six in gltA-cPCR. Concatenated phylogenetic analyses showed that two main genotypes circulate in rodents and ectoparasites in the studied region. While one of them was closely related to Bartonella spp. previously detected in Cricetidae rodents from North America and Brazil, the other one was related to Bartonella alsatica, Bartonella pachyuromydis, Bartonella birtlesii, Bartonella acomydis, Bartonella silvatica, and Bartonella callosciuri. These results showed that at least two Bartonella genotypes circulate among wild rodents. Additionally, the present study suggests that Polygenis (P.) bohlsi bohlsi fleas could act as possible Bartonella vectors among rodents in Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Laboratório de Ecologia Animal Universidade Federal da Paraíba Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia Departamento de Patologia Veterinária Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP) Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP: 14884-900, Jaboticabal Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia Departamento de Patologia Veterinária Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP) Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP: 14884-900, Jaboticabal FAPESP: 2015/14896-1 CNPq: 473575/2014-0

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:31:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-04-15 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Hepatozoon parasites comprise intracellular apicomplexan parasites transmitted to vertebrate animals by ingestion of arthropods definitive hosts. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. in wild animals, domestic dogs and their respective ectoparasites, in southern Pantanal region, central-western Brazil, by molecular techniques. Between August 2013 and March 2015, 31 coatis (Nasua nasua), 78 crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), seven ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), 42 dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), 110 wild rodents (77 Thichomys fosteri, 25 Oecomys mamorae, and 8 Clyomys laticeps), 30 marsupials (14 Thylamys macrurus, 11 Gracilinanus agilis, 4 Monodelphis domestica and 1 Didelphis albiventris), and 1582 ticks and 80 fleas collected from the sampled animals were investigated. DNA samples were submitted to PCR assays for Hepatozoon spp. targeting 18S rRNA gene. Purified amplicons were directly sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. A high prevalence of Hepatozoon among carnivores (C. thous [91.02%], dogs [45.23%], N. nasua [41.9%] and L. pardalis [71.4%]) was found. However, ticks and fleas were negative to Hepatozoon PCR assays. By phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA sequences, Hepatozoon sequences amplified from crab-eating foxes, dogs, coatis and ocelots clustered with sequences of H. canis, H. americanum and H. felis. The closely related positioning of Hepatozoon sequences amplified from wild rodents and T. macrurus marsupial to Hepatozoon from reptiles and amphibians suggest a possible transmission of those Hepatozoon species between hosts by ectoparasites or by predation. Hepatozoon haplotypes found circulating in wild rodents seem to present a higher degree of polymorphism when compared to those found in other groups of animals. Although rodents seem not to participate as source of Hepatozoon infection to wild carnivores and domestic dogs, they may play an important role in the transmission of Hepatozoon to reptiles and amphibians in Pantanal biome. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Universidade Federal da Paraíba Laboratório de Ecologia Animal Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Laboratório de Parasitologia Instituto Butantan São Paulo Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Embrapa gado de corte Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:32:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-07-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Hemotropic mycoplasmas are known to cause anemia in several mammalian species. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of Mycoplasma spp. in wild mammals, domestic dogs and their respective ectoparasites, in southern Pantanal region, central-western Brazil. Between August 2013 and March 2015, 31 Nasua nasua, 78 Cerdocyon thous, seven Leopardus pardalis, 42 dogs, 110 wild rodents, and 30 marsupials were trapped and ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) found parasitizing the animals were collected. Mammals and ectoparasites DNA samples were submitted to conventional PCR assays for Mycoplasma spp. targeting 16S rRNA and RnaseP genes. Twenty-four N. nasua, three C. thous, two domestic dogs, one L. pardalis and one wild rodent were positive for 16S rRNA PCR protocols. Fourteen N. nasua samples were also positive in RnaseP PCR. No marsupial or arthropod showed positivity for Mycoplasma spp. The phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene showed that all sequences obtained from dogs, two sequences obtained from C. thous and ten sequences obtained from N. nasua showed to be closely related to Mycoplasma haemocanis/Mycoplasma haemofelis species. Genotypes closely related to ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and Mycoplasma haemomuris were detected in the L. pardalis and in the wild rodent, respectively. Probably a novel Mycoplasma genotype, closely related to a sequence obtained from a Brazilian capybara was detected in 14 N. nasua, based on a concatenated phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and RnaseP genes. The present study revealed that wild animals in southern Pantanal region, Brazil, are exposed to different species of hemoplasmas. Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Universidade Federal da Paraíba Laboratório de Ecologia Animal Rio Tinto Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:51:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-11-01 Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Distinct species of Trypanosoma have been documented sharing the same hosts in different environments in intricate transmission networks. Knowing this, this study investigated the role of different hosts in the transmission cycles of Trypanosoma species in the Pantanal biome. The mammals were sampled from November 2015 to October 2016. We sampled a total of 272 wild mammals from 27 species belonging to six orders and 15 families, and three species of triatomines (n = 7). We found high parasitemias by Hemoculture test for Trypanosoma cruzi (TcI), Trypanosoma rangeli, Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei and Trypanosoma dionisii, and high parasitemias by Microhematocrit Centrifuge Technique for Trypanosoma evansi. The carnivore Nasua nasua is a key host in the transmission cycles since it displayed high parasitemias for T. cruzi, T. evansi and T. rangeli. This is the first report of high parasitemias in Tamandua tetradactyla and cryptic infection in Dasypus novemcinctus by T. cruzi; cryptic infection by T. evansi in Eira barbara, Euphractus sexcinctus and Dasyprocta azarae. The collection of Panstrongylus geniculatus increased the geographic distribution of this vector species in the South America. Our results indicate that Trypanosoma species circulate in a complex reservoir system including different host species with different infective competences. Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Embrapa Pantanal Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul: 006/2015 CAPES: 88887.162877/2018-00

Although primarily arboreal, the capuchin monkey (Sapajus cay) descends to the ground for several reasons. We used terrestrial records obtained by camera-trapping surveys to investigate seasonality in the terrestriality of capuchin monkeys, reasons to descend to the ground, and periods of the day when terrestriality was more pronounced. We carried out the study in the Urucum Massif, Brazilian Pantanal. We obtained data from 2 camera-trapping surveys carried out in the dry and rainy seasons. Terrestrial behaviours were categorized, and terrestrial activity patterns were described using a kernel density approach. We observed a seasonal effect on the frequency of terrestrial behaviours of capuchin monkeys, who used the ground more during the dry season. We identified 6 different types of terrestrial behaviour, but travelling (33.3%), foraging (23.3%), and drinking water (23.3%) were the most frequently observed. All records occurred during the day, with 2 peaks in terrestrial activity. Seasonal terrestriality was mainly linked to ecological needs during periods of scarce food and water.

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) and Trypanossoma evansi are endemic in Brazilian Pantanal Biome, an important area for livestock production. In this sense, we evaluated the epidemiological single and co-infection effects of T. evansi and EIAV in naturally infected horses in the southern Pantanal wetland by serological tests and hematological assays. Both higher seroprevalence and heath poor condition of the sampled animals were associated with differences in horse management between farms. We found that the negative animals for both infectious agents (NN) represented the major group in F1 (37%), and the smallest group in F2 (19%). Furthermore, we recorded higher EIAV seroprevalence (56%) in F2, compared to F1 (38%). We observed that T. evansi infection was mostly related to young horses, as seen by their higher seroprevalence, ranging from 70.7% in the beginning of the rainy season to 81% in the end of flood period, in comparison with the values of 42% and 68%, respectively, in working animals. on the other hand, working animals showed a higher seroprevalence for EIAV (48%) in both seasons than young horses. We observed that the management of working horses could be a risk factor of EIAV infection. On the other hand, as T. evansi is maintained in the study region by many species of wild mammals, the mechanical transmission through blood-sucking vectors ensures the infection to horses since early. Our results showed that single or co-infection by EIAV and T. evansi caused different degree of anemia in the infected animals. Moreover, the health of horses in Brazilian Pantanal is also influenced by differences in horse management and environmental circumstances.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-03T18:06:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-10-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-11-04T10:13:26Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1984-29612014000400509.pdf: 3284057 bytes, checksum: 58e32b606841f36636fd7b4f902855e1 (MD5) A infecção simultânea por parasitas de diferentes espécies pode resultar em alterações imprevisíveis. O presente estudo avaliou a patologia de cães naturalmente coinfectados por Leishmania infantum e Ehrlichia canis. A saúde dos cães foi investigada pelas análises histopatológicas, hematológicas e bioquímicas de 21 cães infectados somente por L. infantum e 22 cães coinfectados por L. infantum e E. canis. Observou-se uma reação inflamatória crônica, predominantemente linfohistioplasmocítica, na pele dos dois grupos. A plasmocitose, encontrada nos tecidos linfóides, provavelmente estava relacionada com a hipergamaglobulinemia observada em todos os cães amostrados. A desorganização da matriz extracelular da derme da região inguinal e da orelha, demonstrada pela substituição das fibras de colágeno espessas por fibras finas, foi relacionada com o grau de reação inflamatória, independente da presença de parasitas. Ainda, observamos duas vezes mais animais do grupo coinfectado apresentando formas amastigotas na pele de orelha pela histopatologia comparado ao número de cães infectados apenas por Leishmania, tornando-os desta forma mais infectivos aos vetores. Nossos resultados ressaltam que a saúde de cães coinfectados estava severamente comprometida devido aos altos níveis de proteína plasmática total, globulinas, fosfatase alcalina, creatina quinase e anemia acentuada. Different parasites that commonly occur concomitantly can influence one another, sometimes with unpredictable effects. We evaluated pathological aspects of dogs naturally co-infected with Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis. The health status of the dogs was investigated based on histopathological, hematological and biochemical analyses of 21 animals infected solely with L. infantum and 22 dogs co-infected with L. infantum and E. canis. The skin of both groups showed chronic, predominantly lymphohistioplasmacytic inflammatory reaction. The plasmacytosis in the lymphoid tissues was likely related with the hypergammaglobulinemia detected in all the dogs. The disorganization of extracellular matrix found in the reticular dermis of the inguinal region and ear, characterized by the substitution of thick collagen fibers for thin fibers, was attributed to the degree of inflammatory reaction, irrespective of the presence of parasites. In addition, the histopathological analysis revealed that twice as many dogs in the co-infected group presented Leishmania amastigotes in the ear skin than those infected solely with Leishmania, increasing the possibility of becoming infected through sand fly vectors. Our findings highlight the fact that the health of dogs infected concomitantly with L. infantum and E. canis is severely compromised due to their high levels of total plasma protein, globulins, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase, and severe anemia. Univ Catolica Dom Bosco, BR-79117900 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Fac Ciencias Agr &Vet, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Fac Ciencias Agr &Vet, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil