RESUMO
Trypanosoma evansi is a widespread and neglected zoonotic parasite that affects domestic and wild animals, causing a disease commonly known as "surra." The Brazilian Pantanal wetland is recognized as an enzootic area for this protozoan, yet recognizing the importance of reservoir hosts also in order to prevent zoonotic outbreaks. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of T. evansi in jaguars (Panthera onca) from the Brazilian Pantanal wetland and explore associated clinical and hematological manifestations. A total of 42 animals were screened by PCR and sequenced for species identification when positive. Trypanosoma evansi was detected in six free-ranging jaguars (six positive animals of 42 captures and 16 recaptures), representing the first molecular evidence of such infection in this animal species. Our findings suggest that jaguars may act as reservoir hosts of T. evansi in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland. The better understanding of the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of T. evansi is also of importance to future reintroduction and translocation programs toward wildlife conservation efforts.
Assuntos
Panthera , Trypanosoma , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Áreas Alagadas , Trypanosoma/genética , Animais SelvagensRESUMO
Among the species described within the Onchocercidae family, Dirofilaria immitis is regarded as the most common worldwide, causing severe and often fatal conditions in dogs, cats, and occasionally humans. Dirofilaria spp. are vectored by mosquitoes, simulids, and culicoids, with their epidemiology dependent on the geographical distribution of competent vectors. Eight species of Dirofilaria have been reported so far in Brazil, of which six parasitize non-human primates, deer, procyonids, and marsupials. Here, we investigated the occurrence of Onchocercidae in wild felids (i.e., Panthera onca, Puma concolor, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Leopardus geoffroyi, Leopardus guttulus, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Leopardus munoai) from different locations in Brazil. Overall, 82 samples (n = 63 blood; n = 19 tissues) were molecularly screened for cytochrome c oxidase subunit-1 (cox1) gene. Four (i.e., 4.8%) wild felid samples were positive, and at BLAST analysis, the obtained sequences showed varying percentage of nucleotide identity with the genera Brugia (i.e., 87-88%), Setaria (i.e., 89%), and D. immitis (i.e., 94.4%). Phylogenetic analyses clustered sequences obtained into three distinct clades, one with D. immitis and the remaining two with other Onchocercidae spp. Data herein obtained highlight the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity and biology of Onchocercidae in South America in order to assess the potential impact that these species may have for domestic and wild animals, as well as humans.
Assuntos
Dirofilaria immitis , Dirofilariose , Felidae , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Felidae/parasitologia , Dirofilariose/parasitologia , Dirofilariose/epidemiologia , Dirofilaria immitis/genética , Dirofilaria immitis/isolamento & purificação , Dirofilaria immitis/classificação , Filogenia , Complexo IV da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/genética , Animais Selvagens/parasitologia , Análise de Sequência de DNA , DNA de Helmintos/genética , Dados de Sequência MolecularRESUMO
Nematode species of the genus Dracunculus (Spirurida: Dracunculoidea) infect tissues and body cavities of reptiles, domestic and wild carnivores, and humans. The definitive hosts acquire the infection by ingesting intermediate (i.e., cyclopoid copepod) or paratenic (i.e., amphibians and fishes) hosts. Here we report the jaguar (Panthera onca) as a potential new host for Dracunculus sp. The nematode was collected from an ulcerated cutaneous nodule on the left anterior limb of a female jaguar in the municipality of Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Based on the morphology of first stage larvae collected from a small fragment of the uterus of the adult nematode, the species was identified as Dracunculus sp. Reichard, 1759. Additionally, the morphological identification was molecularly confirmed by sequencing the cox1 gene. This report advocates for further investigations into the transmission cycle of this parasite in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland, considering the role of wildlife hosts and the zoonotic potential of Dracunculus species in that area.
Assuntos
Dracunculoidea , Panthera , Animais , Humanos , Feminino , Animais Selvagens , Dracunculus , Peixes , BrasilRESUMO
The Pantanal is the largest inland wetland in the world and is under increasing anthropogenic threats, including long-term regionally intensive gold mining practices. Gold mining activities are known to cause the release of harmful pollutants such as mercury (Hg) to the surrounding environment. Jaguars (Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758)) are apex predators, and therefore show great potential to accumulate Hg by biomagnification. We hypothesize that total Hg content in the fur of jaguars from two sites within the Brazilian Pantanal would be significantly different as a function of distance from active gold mining operations. The Hg content was determined by fluorescence spectrometry. The mean ± SD Hg content in jaguars from the study site influenced by gold mining (SB) was compared to jaguars sampled in the area free of gold mining activities (CA) using a one-way ANOVA. The mean Hg content in jaguars from SB (673.0 ± 916.8 µg g-1) is significantly different from jaguars sampled in CA (29.7 ± 23.3 µg g-1), p = 0.03. The maximum recorded content of Hg was 2,010.4 ± 150.5 µg g-1, highest level ever recorded in a wild animal. The data indicate that Hg is an important threat to jaguars within at-risk regions of the Pantanal.
RESUMO
The Cerrado Biome is the second largest in Brazil covering roughly 2 million km2, with varying features throughout its area. The Biome is endangered but it is also source of animal species for rural, green urban and degraded rainforest areas. Ticks are among Cerrado species that establish at anthropogenic sites and although information about them is steadily increasing, several features are unknown. We herein report tick species, abundance and some ecological relationships within natural areas of the Cerrado at higher altitudes (800-1500 m) within and around Serra da Canastra National Park, in Minas Gerais State Brazil. In total of 1196 ticks were collected in the environment along 10 campaigns held in 3 years (2007-2009). Amblyomma sculptum was the most numerous species followed by Amblyomma dubitatum and Amblyomma brasiliense. Distribution of these species was very uneven and an established population of A. brasiliense in the Cerrado is reported for the first time. Other tick species (Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma parvum, Ixodes schulzei and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris) were found in lesser numbers. Domestic animals displayed tick infestations of both rural and urban origin as well as from natural areas (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, A. sculptum, A. ovale, Amblyomma tigrinum, Argas miniatus). Amblyomma sculptum had the widest domestic host spectrum among all tick species. DNA of only one Rickettsia species, R. bellii, was found in an A. dubitatum tick. Several biological and ecological features of ticks of the studied areas are discussed.
Assuntos
Biodiversidade , Ixodidae/fisiologia , Rickettsia/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Brasil , DNA Bacteriano/análise , Feminino , Ixodidae/classificação , Ixodidae/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Ixodidae/microbiologia , Larva/classificação , Larva/fisiologia , Masculino , Ninfa/classificação , Ninfa/fisiologia , Parques Recreativos , Dinâmica Populacional , RNA Ribossômico 16S/análise , Rickettsia/classificação , Estações do Ano , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Over nearly 12 years, we collected ticks from free-ranging jaguars (Panthera onca) and performed statistical analyses to comprehend the vector-host relationship throughout the seasons. We evaluated the presence and number of ticks, as well as their association with weight, age, and gender of captured jaguars in the Pantanal and Amazon biomes. Out of 100 captured jaguars (comprising 72 initial captures and 28 recaptures, with 41 females and 31 males), 77 were found to be infested by different tick species. We gathered a total of 1,002 ticks, categorized by the following species in descending order of abundance: Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma ovale, Rhipicephalus microplus, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma incisum, and Amblyomma spp. larvae. Apart from weight, statistical analysis indicated that age, gender and seasonality does not significantly affect the presence of different tick species in free ranging jaguars. Notably, A. sculptum adults were more abundant in the first semester, while A. sculptum nymphs and Amblyomma spp. larvae were mainly found during dry months, aligning with their expected life cycle stages. This is the first long-term study in jaguars to correlate seasonality and host factors and also the first time an adult of A. incisum is reported infesting a jaguar.
Assuntos
Amblyomma , Panthera , Estações do Ano , Infestações por Carrapato , Animais , Feminino , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Infestações por Carrapato/parasitologia , Masculino , Amblyomma/fisiologia , Panthera/fisiologia , Panthera/parasitologia , Brasil , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Ninfa/fisiologia , Ninfa/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Ixodidae/fisiologiaRESUMO
We conducted the first long-term and large-scale study of demographic characteristics and reproductive behavior in a wild jaguar (Panthera onca) population. Data were collected through a combination of direct observations and camera trapping on a study area that operates both as a cattle ranch and ecotourism destination. Jaguars exhibited two birth peaks: April/May and October/November, that are the end and the beginning of the wet season in the Pantanal, respectively. The average litter size was 1.43 ± 0.65. Single cubs made up a total of 65.7% of the births, and we found a slight predominance of females (1.15:1 ratio) in litters. The mean age at independence was 17.6 ± 0.98 months, with sex-biased dispersal, with all males (n = 27) leaving the natal home range and 63.6% of females exhibiting philopatry. The interbirth intervals were 21.8 ± 3.2 months and the mean age at first parturition was 31.8 ± 4.2 months. Our results estimated a lifetime reproductive success for female jaguars of 8.13 cubs. Our observations also indicate that female jaguars can display mating behavior during cub rearing or pregnancy, representing 41.4% of the consorts and copulations recorded. We speculate that this behavior has evolved as a defense against infanticide and physical harm to the female. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such behavior is described for this species. All aggressive interactions between females involved the presence of cubs, following the offspring-defense hypothesis, that lead to territoriality among females in mammals, regardless of food availability. In the face of growing threats to this apex predator, this work unveils several aspects of its natural history, representing a baseline for comparison with future research and providing critical information for population viability analysis and conservation planning in the long term.
Este é o primeiro estudo de longo prazo e em grande escala de características demográficas e de comportamento reprodutivo em uma população selvagem de onças-pintadas (Panthera onca). Os dados foram coletados por meio de uma combinação de observações diretas e armadilhamentos fotográficos em uma área de estudo que atua tanto como fazenda de pecuária quanto como destino ecoturístico. As onças-pintadas apresentaram dois picos de nascimento: abril/maio e outubro/novembro, que são o final e o início da estação chuvosa no Pantanal, respectivamente. O tamanho médio da ninhada foi 1.43 ± 0.65. Filhotes únicos representaram um total de 65.7% dos nascimentos, e encontramos uma ligeira predominância de fêmeas (proporção 1.15:1) nas ninhadas. A idade média de independência foi de 17.6 ± 0.98 meses, com uma dispersão sexo-assimétrica, com todos os machos (n = 27) deixando a área natal e 63.6% das fêmeas apresentando filopatria. O intervalo entre ninhadas foi de 21.8 ± 3.2 meses e a idade média da primeira cria foi de 31.8 ± 4.2 meses. Nossos resultados estimaram um sucesso reprodutivo médio ao longo da vida para onças-pintadas fêmeas de 8.13 filhotes. Nossas observações também indicam que as onças-pintadas fêmeas podem apresentar comportamento de acasalamento durante a criação dos filhotes ou da gestação, representando 41.4% das cortes e cópulas registradas. Especulamos que esse comportamento tenha evoluído como uma defesa contra infanticídio e danos físicos à fêmea. Segundo nosso conhecimento, está é a primeira vez que tal comportamento é descrito para esta espécie. Todas as interações agressivas entre fêmeas envolveram a presença de filhotes, seguindo a hipótese de defesa da prole, que levam à territorialidade entre fêmeas em mamíferos, independentemente da disponibilidade de alimento. Diante das crescentes ameaças a este predador de topo, este trabalho revela vários aspectos de sua história natural, representando uma base de comparação com pesquisas futuras e fornecendo informações críticas para a análise de viabilidade populacional e planejamento de conservação em longo prazo.
RESUMO
Hemoplasmas are non-cultivable bacterial parasites of erythrocytes that infect domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. Their means of transmission and pathogenesis remain contentious issues and difficult to evaluate in wild animals. Procyon cancrivorus is a South American carnivore and occurs in all Brazilian biomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate occurrences of hemoplasmas infecting P. cancrivorus and to identify their 16S rRNA gene, in southern Brazil. DNA was extracted from spleen and blood samples of P. cancrivorus (n = 9) from different locations. Hemoplasma DNA was detected in six samples, based on 16S rRNA gene amplification and phylogenetic analysis. Four of the six sequences belonged to the "Mycoplasma haemofelis group", which is closely related to genotypes detected in Procyon lotor from the USA; one was within the "Mycoplasma suis group", closely related to "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum"; and one was within the intermediate group between these clusters. Thus, these sequences showed that the molecular identity of hemoplasmas in the population studied was very variable. In five positive animals, Amblyomma aureolatum ticks and a flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) were collected. The present study describes the first molecular detection of mycoplasmas in P. cancrivorus.
Assuntos
Braquiúros , Infecções por Mycoplasma , Mycoplasma , Humanos , Animais , Guaxinins/genética , Infecções por Mycoplasma/epidemiologia , Infecções por Mycoplasma/veterinária , Brasil/epidemiologia , Braquiúros/genética , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Filogenia , Mycoplasma/genética , Animais Selvagens/microbiologia , DNA Bacteriano/genéticaRESUMO
In this study we measured excreted fecal corticoid metabolites (FCM) in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) living within a protected reserve, on farmlands or in a boundary zone between the two habitats, and determined the impacts of season and reproductive status on adrenal activity. Feces were collected within a national park (n=191 samples), a park boundary zone (n=39) and on nearby farmlands (n=27), processed and analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. FCM amounts from samples collected on farmlands were higher (P<0.05) than in those collected inside the reserve and from the boundary zone. In relation to seasonality, FCM were elevated (P<0.05) in spring (September-November) when wolf pairs were raising young. We then divided the samples collected during breeding season (March-August) into cycling females and male/non-cycling females based on fecal progesterone: fecal testosterone ratio. FCM concentrations of the former collected inside the park were higher than (P<0.05) than the latter group. However, there were no differences in FCM levels between the two groups for samples collected in the boundary zone and on farmlands. Furthermore, FCM concentrations of male/non-cycling females samples collected on farmlands were 2- to 5-fold higher (P<0.05) than in counterparts collected inside the park. The consistently high FCM concentrations in samples collected on farmlands indicate that, in addition to seasonality, gender and reproductive status, anthropogenic pressures also contribute to elevating adrenal steroid for individuals living in altered habitat.
Assuntos
Corticosteroides/análise , Glândulas Suprarrenais/fisiologia , Canidae/fisiologia , Ecossistema , Fezes/química , Agricultura , Animais , Brasil , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Feminino , Masculino , Progesterona/metabolismo , Reprodução/fisiologia , Estações do Ano , Testosterona/metabolismoRESUMO
Cytauxzoonosis is an acute and highly lethal tick-borne disease of wild and domestic cats, and is widely distributed in Africa, Asia, Europe, the USA and Brazil. So far, only two tick species present on the USA are experimentally confirmed in Cytauxzoon transmission however, in Brazil and other continents, the epidemiology of the disease remains unknown. Evidences points to Panthera onca as a possible reservoir, but there is no evidence to point the vector. Therefore, this study evaluates the presence of Cytauxzoon spp. in wild felids from areas with and without records of Amblyomma sculptum this ixodid for comparison. Overall, 53 blood samples of P. onca, Puma concolor, and Leopardus pardalis from the Midwest region (MR; region with A. sculptum) and 143 blood and/or spleen samples from Leopardus geoffroyi, Leopardus wiedii, Leopardus munoai, Leopardus guttulus, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, L. pardalis, and P. concolor from Rio Grande do Sul State (RS; without A. sculptum). Only one feline sample was negative for Cytauxzoon sp. from MR; no samples from RS were positive. In total, 507 ticks were identified from MR felids, with predominance of A. sculptum (69.23%). In RS, there were 93 ixodids, of which 90.32% were Amblyomma aureolatum. The difference in the tick fauna of the two regions studied (presence/absence of A. sculptum) reflects the results found. This study highlighted A. sculptum as a possible vector since this hemoparasite was abundantly observed in areas where it occurs, also, there was no evidence of Cytauxzoon spp. where it was absent. Additionally, the study supported the suggestion that P. onca is the reservoir for the agent in MR.
RESUMO
Dermatobia hominis is a parasite widely distributed in neotropical regions. The parasitic phase of the cycle is characterized by the formation of a subcutaneous nodule in the host, which can promote infestation by other dipterans and skin infections. The aim of this report is to register parasitism by D. hominis in free-ranging Panthera onca captured in the Brazilian wetland and to determine significant biological and meteorological factors that are likely to influence the presence of larval parasitism in captured wild jaguars. Between 2011 to 2020, 34 jaguars were captured and examined manually by searching for lesions characteristic of myiasis. By manual compression in the subcutaneous nodules, larvae morphologically identified as D. hominis (first and third instars) were collected from 13 jaguars. A multinomial logistic regression showed that adult jaguars had 16.49-fold higher odds of being parasitized than subadults. Thus, jaguars captured in the season of July-September have 34.01- and 11.42-fold higher odds of being parasitized compared to the seasons of October-December and April-June, respectively, which is associated with high total monthly precipitation in the previous season. The present study is the first to describe parasitism by D. hominis larvae in jaguars.
Assuntos
Panthera , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Brasil/epidemiologia , Modelos LogísticosRESUMO
Large terrestrial carnivores have undergone some of the largest population declines and range reductions of any species, which is of concern as they can have large effects on ecosystem dynamics and function.1-4 The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the apex predator throughout the majority of the Neotropics; however, its distribution has been reduced by >50% and it survives in increasingly isolated populations.5 Consequently, the range-wide management of the jaguar depends upon maintaining core populations connected through multi-national, transboundary cooperation, which requires understanding the movement ecology and space use of jaguars throughout their range.6-8 Using GPS telemetry data for 111 jaguars from 13 ecoregions within the four biomes that constitute the majority of jaguar habitat, we examined the landscape-level environmental and anthropogenic factors related to jaguar home range size and movement parameters. Home range size decreased with increasing net productivity and forest cover and increased with increasing road density. Speed decreased with increasing forest cover with no sexual differences, while males had more directional movements, but tortuosity in movements was not related to any landscape factors. We demonstrated a synergistic relationship between landscape-scale environmental and anthropogenic factors and jaguars' spatial needs, which has applications to the conservation strategy for the species throughout the Neotropics. Using large-scale collaboration, we overcame limitations from small sample sizes typical in large carnivore research to provide a mechanism to evaluate habitat quality for jaguars and an inferential modeling framework adaptable to the conservation of other large terrestrial carnivores.
Assuntos
Efeitos Antropogênicos , Atividade Motora , Panthera , Comportamento Espacial , Animais , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Ecologia , Ecossistema , MasculinoRESUMO
Abstract We report the first record of a melanistic individual of the critically endangered Pampa cat (Leopardus munoai), from July 8th, 2021, at 10:45 am (coordinates 30.096288° S; 54.941139° W) in the area of the Brazilian army, known as Campo de Instrução Barão de São Borja (CIBSB), popularly known as Saicã.
Resumo: Este trabalho reporta o primeiro registro de melanismo do criticamente ameaçado de extinção gato-pampeano (Leopardus munoai), realizado em 8 de julho de 2021, às 10:45 da manhã. O registro foi obtido nas coordenadas 30.096288° S; 54.941139° W na área do exército brasileiro Campo de Instrução Barão de São Borja (CIBSB), popularmente conhecida como Saicã.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The agents of spotted fevers in Latin America are Rickettsia rickettsii, R. parkeri, Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest, and R. massiliae. In Continental Central America, R. rickettsii remains the only known pathogenic tick-borne rickettsia. In the present study, ticks were collected from wild mammals in natural areas of Belize. Besides providing new data of ticks from Belize, we investigated rickettsial infection in some of these ticks. Our results provide ticks harboring rickettsial agents for the first time in Central America. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2015, wild mammals were lived-trapped in the tropical broadleaf moist forests of central and southern Belize. Ticks were collected from the animals and identified to species by morphological and molecular analysis (DNA sequence of the tick mitochondrial 16S RNA gene). Some of the ticks were tested for rickettsial infection by molecular methods (DNA sequences of the rickettsial gltA and ompA genes). RESULTS: A total of 84 ticks were collected from 8 individual hosts, as follows: Amblyomma pacae from 3 Cuniculus paca; Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma coelebs from a Nasua narica; A. ovale from an Eira Barbara; A. ovale, Amblyomma cf. oblongoguttatum, and Ixodes affinis from a Puma concolor; and A. ovale, A. coelebs, A. cf. oblongoguttatum, and I. affinis from two Panthera onca. Three rickettsial agents were detected: Rickettsia amblyommii in A. pacae, Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest in A. ovale, and Rickettsia sp. endosymbiont in Ixodes affinis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides unprecedented records of ticks harboring rickettsial agents in the New World. An emerging rickettsial pathogen of South America, Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest, is reported for the first time in Central America. Besides expanding the distribution of 3 rickettsial agents in Central America, our results highlight the possible occurrence of Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest-caused spotted fever human cases in Belize, since its possible vector, A. ovale, is recognized as one of the most important human-biting ticks in the Neotropical region.
Assuntos
Rickettsia/classificação , Rickettsia/isolamento & purificação , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/parasitologia , Carrapatos/classificação , Carrapatos/microbiologia , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Belize/epidemiologia , Análise por Conglomerados , DNA Mitocondrial/química , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , DNA Ribossômico/química , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Rickettsia/genética , Rickettsia rickettsii , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Carrapatos/anatomia & histologia , Carrapatos/genéticaRESUMO
Abstract Dermatobia hominis is a parasite widely distributed in neotropical regions. The parasitic phase of the cycle is characterized by the formation of a subcutaneous nodule in the host, which can promote infestation by other dipterans and skin infections. The aim of this report is to register parasitism by D. hominis in free-ranging Panthera onca captured in the Brazilian wetland and to determine significant biological and meteorological factors that are likely to influence the presence of larval parasitism in captured wild jaguars. Between 2011 to 2020, 34 jaguars were captured and examined manually by searching for lesions characteristic of myiasis. By manual compression in the subcutaneous nodules, larvae morphologically identified as D. hominis (first and third instars) were collected from 13 jaguars. A multinomial logistic regression showed that adult jaguars had 16.49-fold higher odds of being parasitized than subadults. Thus, jaguars captured in the season of July-September have 34.01- and 11.42-fold higher odds of being parasitized compared to the seasons of October-December and April-June, respectively, which is associated with high total monthly precipitation in the previous season. The present study is the first to describe parasitism by D. hominis larvae in jaguars.
Resumo Dermatobia hominis é um parasito amplamente distribuído nas regiões neotropicais. A fase parasitária do ciclo é caracterizada pela formação de um nódulo subcutâneo no hospedeiro, que pode promover infestação por outros dípteros e infecções cutâneas. O objetivo deste relato é registrar o parasitismo por D. hominis em Panthera onca de vida livre, capturado no pantanal brasileiro e determinar fatores biológicos e meteorológicos significativos que podem influenciar a presença de parasitismo larval em onças-pintadas selvagens capturadas. Entre 2011 e 2020, 34 onças-pintadas foram capturadas e examinadas manualmente em busca de lesões características de miíase. Por compressão manual nos nódulos subcutâneos, larvas classificadas morfologicamente como D. hominis (primeiro e terceiro instares) foram coletadas de 13 onças-pintadas. Uma regressão logística multinomial mostrou que onças-pintadas adultas tinham chances 16,49 vezes maiores de serem parasitadas do que subadultos. Assim, onças-pintadas capturadas na temporada de julho a setembro têm probabilidade 34,01 e 11,42 vezes maior de serem parasitadas em comparação com as temporadas de outubro a dezembro e de abril a junho, respectivamente, o que está associado à alta precipitação total mensal na temporada anterior. O presente estudo é o primeiro a descrever parasitismo por larvas de D. hominis em onças-pintadas.
Assuntos
Animais , Panthera , Brasil/epidemiologia , Modelos Logísticos , Animais SelvagensRESUMO
Ticks collected in the last two decades from free-living and captive wild animals from 28 municipalities of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso were identified and tested using molecular methods for the presence of rickettsial agents. A total of 4467 ticks (229 larvae, 1676 nymphs, 1565 males, 997 females) representing 27 ixodid species were collected from 235 species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals from three different ecoregions (Pantanal, Cerrado, and Amazonia). The species Amblyomma parkeri, Amblyomma romitii, Amblyomma varium and Ixodes luciae are reported for the first time in the state of Mato Grosso. Amongst 538 ticks tested by molecular methods for rickettsial infection, we detected 'Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii' infecting Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto and Amblyomma coelebs, Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest infecting Amblyomma ovale, Rickettsia sp. strain NOD infecting Amblyomma nodosum, and 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae' infecting Amblyomma sculptum. Our results represent an impressive expansion of knowledge on tick fauna and rickettsiae and are essential for understanding the ecology of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Neotropical region, particularly in midwestern Brazil.
Assuntos
DNA/genética , Ixodidae/microbiologia , Infecções por Rickettsia/veterinária , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/veterinária , Anfíbios/microbiologia , Anfíbios/parasitologia , Animais , Aves/microbiologia , Aves/parasitologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Monitoramento Epidemiológico , Feminino , Ixodidae/classificação , Ixodidae/genética , Larva/genética , Larva/microbiologia , Masculino , Mamíferos/microbiologia , Mamíferos/parasitologia , Ninfa/genética , Ninfa/microbiologia , Filogeografia , Répteis/microbiologia , Répteis/parasitologia , Rickettsia/classificação , Rickettsia/genética , Rickettsia/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Rickettsia/epidemiologia , Infecções por Rickettsia/microbiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/microbiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/parasitologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/epidemiologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/microbiologiaRESUMO
This study aimed to assess the exposure of free-living jaguars (Panthera onca) to Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus in two conservation units in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The presence of antibodies in blood samples of eleven jaguars was investigated using autochthonous antigens isolated in Brazil added to reference antigen collection applied to diagnosis of leptospirosis by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). The Rose Bengal test was applied for B. abortus antibodies. Two (18.2%) jaguars were seroreactive for the Leptospira spp. antigen and the serovar considered as most infective in both animals was a Brazilian isolate of serovar Canicola (L01). All jaguars were seronegative for B. abortus. These data indicate that the inclusion of autochthonous antigens in serological studies can significantly increase the number of reactive animals, as well as modify the epidemiological profile of Leptospira spp. infection.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Brucella abortus/imunologia , Brucelose/veterinária , Leptospira/imunologia , Leptospirose/veterinária , Panthera/microbiologia , Testes de Aglutinação/veterinária , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Brucelose/diagnóstico , Brucelose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/diagnóstico , Leptospirose/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona are related apicomplexan parasites that cause reproductive and neurological disorders in a wide range of domestic and wild animals. In the present study, the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used to investigate the presence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum and S. neurona in the sera of 11 free-living jaguars (Panthera onca) in two protected areas in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Ten jaguars (90.9%) showed seropositivity for T. gondii, eight (72.7%) for S. neurona, and seven (63.6%) for N. caninum antigens. Our findings reveal exposure of jaguars to these related coccidian parasites and circulation of these pathogens in this wild ecosystem. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first serological detection of N. caninum and S. neurona in free-living jaguars.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/sangue , Neospora/imunologia , Panthera/imunologia , Panthera/parasitologia , Sarcocystis/imunologia , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Animais , Brasil , Feminino , MasculinoRESUMO
This study investigates the exposure of free-living jaguars from two federal protected areas in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, to a variety viral agents. These viral agents, particularly causing zoonotic diseases, were analyzed using serological and molecular methods. None of the jaguars was positive by RT-PCR for the molecular detection of avian influenza and West Nile Fever (WNF). Only one animal was serologically positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by virus neutralization test in VERO cell cultures, representing the first reported case of jaguar exposure to EEE virus. However, all the animals were negative for Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) virus and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) virus. Eleven jaguars were tested by two tests for the detection of antibodies against rabies virus (Simplified Fluorescent Inhibition Microtest SFIMT and Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test RFFIT), resulting in five positive animals, two animals in each test and one in both serological tests. Furthermore, three out of 14 samples subjected to the neutralization test were positive for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV), and 15 out of 17 samples subjected to the hemagglutination-inhibition test (HI) were positive for antibodies against canine parvovirus (CPV). In view of the findings of this study, it is unlikely that the viruses examined here represent a threat to the jaguar populations in this region.(AU)
Este estudo investigou a exposição de onças-pintadas de vida livre a agentes virais selecionados em duas unidades de conservação federais no Pantanal de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Para a análise desses agentes virais, a maioria de caráter zoonótico, foram utilizados métodos sorológicos e moleculares. Nenhuma das onze onças-pintadas examinadas foi positiva na técnica de real-time RT-PCR para a detecção molecular dos agentes da Influenza aviária e Febre do Nilo Ocidental (WNF). Somente um animal foi positivo sorologicamente para a o vírus da Encefalite Equina do Leste (EEE) pela Microtécnica de vírus neutralização em culturas de células VERO, sendo este o primeiro relato da exposição de onças-pintadas. Todos os animais examinados s foram negativos para o vírus da Encefalite Equina do Oeste (WEE) e Venezuelana (VEE). Amostras de soro colhidas de 11 onças-pintadas foram submetidas a adois testes distintos para a detecção de anticorpos contra o vírus da raiva (Teste Rápido de Inibição de Foco de Fluorescência RFFIT e Microteste Simplificado de Inibição da Fluorescência - SFIMT), resultando em cinco animais positivos, dos quase dois positivos para cada teste e um positivo quando submetido aos dois testes sorológicos. Além disso, três das 14 amostras submetidas a técnica de soroneutralização foram positivas para a pesquisa de anticorpos contra o vírus da cinomose (CDV) e 15 amostras positivas das 17 analisadas para a pesquisa de anticorpos contra o parvovírus canino (CPV) foram identificadas pela técnica de Inibição da Hemaglutinação (HI). De acordo com os resultados deste estudo, é pouco provável que os agentes virais aqui analisados representem ameaça à população de onçaspintadas nesta região.(AU)