RESUMEN
Species of Haemogregarina are blood parasites known to parasitise vertebrate hosts, including fishes (Haemogregarina sensu lato) and freshwater turtles (Haemogregarina sensu stricto). Their vectors, include gnathiid isopods and leeches, respectively. In turtles, Haemogregarina balli has the best-characterized life cycle in the genus. However, no studies in Brazil have suggested a possible vector for any species of Haemogregarina from freshwater turtles. Therefore, in the present study, we provide insights into a leech vector based on specimens found feeding on two species of freshwater turtles, Podocnemis unifilis and Podocnemis expansa, using morphological and molecular data. In 2017 and 2019, freshwater turtles were collected in Goiás State, Brazil. Hosts were inspected for ectoparasites and leeches were collected from two specimens of P. expansa and nine specimens of P. unifilis. Leeches were subsequently identified as members of the genus Unoculubranchiobdella. Leech histological slides revealed haemogregarine-like structures, similar to post-sporogonic merogony, found near the gills and within the posterior sucker. Molecular analysis of the haemeogregarines resulted in the identification of three species of Haemogregarina: Haemogregarina embaubali, Haemogregarina goianensis, and Haemogregarina brasiliana. Therefore, our findings, based on morphology and DNA data suggest leeches of the genus Unoculubranchiondella as vectors for at least three species of Haemogregarina from Brazilian turtles.
Asunto(s)
Agua Dulce , Sanguijuelas , Tortugas , Animales , Tortugas/parasitología , Brasil , Agua Dulce/parasitología , Sanguijuelas/clasificación , Sanguijuelas/anatomía & histología , Sanguijuelas/parasitología , Filogenia , Vectores de Enfermedades , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Eucoccidiida/genética , Eucoccidiida/clasificaciónRESUMEN
Haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) parasites are considered to be the most common and widespread haemoparasites in reptiles. The genus Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) can be found parasitizing a broad range of species and, in reptiles, they infect mainly peripheral blood erythrocytes. The present study detected and characterized a haemogregarine isolated from the lizard species, Ameiva ameiva, collected from the municipality of Capanema, Pará state, north Brazil. Blood smears and imprints from lungs, brain, heart, kidney, liver, bone marrow and spleen were observed using light microscopy and the parasite was genetically identified by molecular analysis. Morphological, morphometric and molecular data were obtained. Parasite gamonts were found in 49.5% (55/111) of the blood smears from A. ameiva, and were characterized as oval, averaging 12.0 ± 0.8 × 5.9 ± 0.6 µm2 in size, which displaced the nuclei of parasitized monocytes laterally. Parasite forms resembling immature gamonts were observed in the spleen and bone marrow of the lizards. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA sequences did not reveal gene similarity with other Hepatozoon spp. sequences from reptiles. Thus, morphological and molecular analyses have identified a new species of Hepatozoon parasite, Hepatozoon lainsoni sp. nov., which infects monocytes of the A. ameiva lizard.
Asunto(s)
Coccidiosis , Lagartos , Filogenia , Animales , Lagartos/parasitología , Brasil , Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Eucoccidiida/genética , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Eucoccidiida/clasificación , ARN Ribosómico 18S/análisis , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Apicomplexa/genética , Apicomplexa/aislamiento & purificación , Apicomplexa/clasificación , Eritrocitos/parasitología , ADN ProtozoarioRESUMEN
About 20 valid species of the genus Rhabdias are known in the Neotropical region. The present study aimed to describe two new species of Rhabdias parasitizing the lungs of Leptodactylus macrosternum and Leptodactylus podicipinus from Brazil. Distinctive characteristics between these species are numerous and based on body size, size of the buccal capsule, shape and size of the oesophagus, and position of the vulva. Molecular data based on ribosomal genes 28S and ITS region and mitochondrial COI of the two species are presented. Molecular analysis and comparison of the partial mitochondrial COI sequence of Rhabdias matogrossensis n. sp. and Rhabdias guaianensis n. sp. revealed a genetic divergence between these new species and the sequences of Rhabdias spp. previously deposited in GenBank. In the phylogenetic analysis, R. matogrossensis n. sp. was grouped with R. breviensis species complex, and R. guaianensis n. sp. was grouped as a sister group of R. cf. stenochepala. This study contributes to improving the diversity of known species of Rhabdias described in Brazilian anurans.
Asunto(s)
Anuros , Rhabdiasoidea , Animales , Femenino , Filogenia , Brasil/epidemiología , PulmónRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Brazilian anurans are considered the most diverse and species rich around the world. Although in recent years there has been a strong focus on research related to this group of animals, their parasites have not received the same attention. Thus, this study aimed to provide morphological and molecular data on haemogregarines biodiversity infecting Brazilian anurans. METHODS: During 2020, 116 anurans were collected from four Brazilian States and their blood and fragment of organs were screened for haemogregarine parasites. RESULTS: From the total, seven (6.03%) animals were found infected with species of Hepatozoon and Dactylosoma. Based on the morphological and molecular analysis, four anurans were found infected with Hepatozoon latrensis. The phylogenetic analysis has shown the isolates from this study grouping with the Brazilian anuran Hepatozoon clade, also with gene similarity ranging from 99.70 to 100% to H. latrensis isolates available on GenBank. Furthermore, three specimens (Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus latrans, and Rhinella diptycha) were infected with the same species of Dactylosoma (100% genetic similarity), with a genetic similarity of 98.56% to Dactylosoma piperis the only other species described in Brazil. In support of the molecular data, different morphological characters were observed in the blood smears as compared to D. piperis, suggesting that the species of Dactylosoma from the present study infecting three different species of Brazilian anurans is an undescribed species. CONCLUSION: Thus, this study increases the knowledge of Brazilian anuran blood parasites and demonstrates the importance of using integrative approaches for the diagnosis of haemoparasites.
Asunto(s)
Apicomplexa , Eucoccidiida , Parásitos , Animales , Brasil , Filogenia , Apicomplexa/genética , Anuros/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Although Brazil is a hotspot for snake species, there is a lack of information on the biodiversity of haemoparasites infecting these hosts. Thus, the present study aimed to bring new insights on the diversity of species of Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) infecting Brazilian snakes from the Midwest and Southeast regions. The snakes were captured from 2018 to 2020 from the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, and São Paulo. Three to five blood smears were made and the remaining blood sample was stored for further molecular analysis. Moreover, histopathological slides of the organs were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. Regarding molecular diagnosis, PCR was performed targeting different regions of the 18S rRNA gene of apicomplexan parasites. From the 13 free-living snakes screened, ten (76.92%) were found infected with Hepatozoon spp. Based on morphological and morphometric tools, five different morphotypes of species of Hepatozoon gamonts were detected. Molecular data and phylogenetic analysis support the morphological data, identifying five species of Hepatozoon from snakes, of which three species belong to previously described species, Hepatozoon cevapii, Hepatozoon cuestensis, and Hepatozoon quagliattus, with a genetic similarity of 100% (based on the 18S rRNA genetic marker). The present study identifies and describes two new species of Hepatozoon, Hepatozoon annulatum sp. nov. infecting the snake Leptodeira annulata and Hepatozoon trigeminum sp. nov. infecting the snake Oxyrhopus trigeminus. Thus, based on morphological and molecular data the present study provides new insights on haemogregarine diversity infecting Brazilian snakes from the Midwest and Southeast regions.
Asunto(s)
Apicomplexa , Coccidiosis , Eucoccidiida , Parásitos , Animales , Apicomplexa/genética , Brasil/epidemiología , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Eucoccidiida/genética , Parásitos/genética , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Serpientes/parasitologíaRESUMEN
The Amphibia are considered the most threatened vertebrate class globally, yet in Brazil they are also one of the more diverse and species rich groups. Although, in recent years there has been strong focus on amphibian related research, their parasites have not received the same attention. In Brazil, only a single species of Hepatozoon, namely H. leptodactyli (Lesage, 1908) Pessoa, 1970, has been described from anuran hosts. The present study aimed to describe three new species of Hepatozoon parasitising Leptodactylus labyrinthicus and Leptodactylus latrans from Mato Grosso State, Brazil. From 66 anurans screened for haemogregarines, four belonging to the Leptodactylidae were found positive for species of Hepatozoon. Based on the morphological analysis of peripheral blood gamonts and spleen and liver tissue meronts, three different morphotypes of Hepatozoon spp. were identified. Morphotype 1 (M1) and morphotype 2 (M2) in L. labyrinthicus and morphotype 3 (M3) in L. latrans. Molecular data based on partial 18S rDNA sequences revealed an interspecific divergence, between the species ranging from 0.43% to 1.16%. Phylogenetic analysis recovered isolates from the present study monophyletic with other isolates from Brazilian reptile and anuran hosts, sister to a clade comprising species isolated from African, North American and European reptile and anuran host species. Thus, using morphological and molecular analysis three new species infecting Brazilian Leptodactylidae anurans were identified and described. This study increases the knowledge of Brazilian anurans blood parasites and demonstrates the importance of using integrative approaches for diagnosis of hemoparasites.
RESUMEN
Myxozoans are microscopic cnidarians that mainly parasitize fishes. The present study aimed to describe a new myxozoan parasite from the gills of Boulengerella cuvieri (Spix and Agassiz, 1829) by morphological and molecular analysis. The fish was collected in 2019 at the Pindaíba River, municipality of Cocalinho, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Whitish and circular plasmodia were found in the primary gill filaments, occupying an intralamellar position, with an average of 0.5 mm in diameter. Henneguya Thélohan, 1892 myxospores found inside the plasmodia were elongated and ellipsoidal, consisting of two long and elliptical shell valves with two long, tapering caudal appendages. Morphometric measurements revealed a total spore length of 36.1 ± 2.0 µm; spore body length of 12.8 ± 0.5 µm; spore width of 4.9 ± 0.3 µm; tail length of 23.3 ± 1.6 µm; capsule length of 7.2 ± 0.4 µm; capsule width of 1.5 ± 0.2 µm; and 10 coils in the polar filament. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates from this study were grouped into the main-clade of freshwater fishes, within a group of species parasitizing fishes from Brazil. Intergenotypic difference ranged from 23%-25.9% compared with other Brazilian myxozoan isolates. Using molecular and morphological characterization, this parasite was identified as a new species of the genus Henneguya.
Asunto(s)
Characiformes , Enfermedades de los Peces/parasitología , Myxozoa/clasificación , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/parasitología , Animales , Brasil , Agua Dulce/parasitología , Branquias/parasitología , Myxozoa/anatomía & histología , Myxozoa/genética , Filogenia , Esporas/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Hepatozoidae) are blood protozoans with a cosmopolitan distribution and are reported to parasitize a range of vertebrate hosts including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The present study aimed to describe a new species of Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) found infecting the sleep snake Dipsas mikanii (Schlegel, 1837) (Squamata: Colubridae: Dipsadinae). METHODS: The snake was collected in 2017 at the municipality of Britânia, Goiás State, Brazil. Blood smears were made in order to find blood gametocytes and PCR was performed targeting the 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Microscopy screening of blood smears revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic gamont stages of Hepatozoon sp. in the peripheral blood with a parasitemia of 0.25%. Furthermore, meronts and monozoic cysts were observed in histological sections of the liver from the infected individual. The interspecific divergence of 18S rRNA sequences fragments isolated from D. mikanii had differences (2.39-11.3%) as compared to other sequences of species of Hepatozoon from snakes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on morphological and molecular data, a new species of Hepatozoon infecting D. mikanii from Brazil is described.
Asunto(s)
Apicomplexa , Coccidiosis , Colubridae , Eucoccidiida , Lagartos , Animales , Brasil , Coccidiosis/epidemiología , Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Eucoccidiida/genética , Filogenia , SueñoRESUMEN
Two digenean species, Infidum infidum Faria, 1910 (Dicrocoeliidae) and Travtrema stenocotyle Cohn, 1902 (Plagiorchiidae), were collected in the large pit viper Bothrops moojeni Hoge, 1966 from Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Cisalpina, municipality of Brasilândia, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. In this study, we provide the first molecular characterisation using the 28S rDNA and phylogenetic position data of these two common digeneans from B. moojeni. The molecular framework revealed topologies with strongly supported clades using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, positioned I. infidum among Plagiorchiidae and not among Dicrocoeliidae as expected and T. stenocotyle (Plagiorchiidae) surprisingly grouped as a sister group to Allassogonoporidae, Microphallidae, Pleurogenidae, and Prosthogonimidae, not related to plagiorchids. Our molecular phylogenetic data showed that these species may not correspond to their assigned families and encourage future studies on the systematic of these understudied groups.
Asunto(s)
Bothrops/parasitología , Filogenia , Trematodos/clasificación , Infecciones por Trematodos/veterinaria , Animales , Brasil , ADN de Helmintos/genética , ADN Ribosómico/genética , ARN Ribosómico 28S/genética , Trematodos/genética , Trematodos/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Trematodos/parasitologíaRESUMEN
The Dactylosomatidae Jakowska and Negrelli, 1955 are one of four families belonging to adeleorinid coccidia and comprise the genera Babesiosoma Jakowska and Nigrelli, 1956 and Dactylosoma Labbé, 1894. These blood protozoa occur in peripheral blood of lower vertebrates, and are commonly reported parasitising amphibians. The present study describes Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. from the pepper frog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae), collected in 2018 at the municipality of Araguaiana, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, based on morphology of intra-erythrocytic trophozoite, primary and secondary merogonic stages and a molecular analysis (partial 18S rDNA). Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. forms a well-supported clade with other Dactylosomatidae. This is the first molecular characterization of a species of Dactylosoma from a Brazilian anuran.
TITLE: Une nouvelle espèce, Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Dactylosomatidae), parasite de la grenouille Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) de l'état du Mato Grosso, Brésil. ABSTRACT: Les Dactylosomatidae Jakowska et Negrelli, 1955 sont l'une des quatre familles appartenant aux coccidies Adeleorina et comprennent les genres Babesiosoma Jakowska et Nigrelli, 1956 et Dactylosoma Labbé, 1894. Ces protozoaires sanguins se trouvent dans le sang périphérique des vertébrés inférieurs et sont fréquemment signalés comme parasitant des amphibiens. Ce travail décrit Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. de la grenouille Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura : Leptodactylidae), collectée en 2018 dans la municipalité d'Araguaiana, État du Mato Grosso, Brésil, d'après la morphologie du trophozoïte intra-érythrocytaire, des stades mérogoniques primaires et secondaires et une analyse moléculaire (ADNr 18S partiel). Dactylosoma piperis n. sp. forme un clade bien soutenu avec d'autres Dactylosomatidae. Il s'agit de la première caractérisation moléculaire d'une espèce de Dactylosoma à partir d'un anoure brésilien.
Asunto(s)
Anuros , Coccidios , Animales , Anuros/parasitología , Brasil , Coccidios/clasificación , Coccidios/citología , Coccidios/genética , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
On the basis of morphological and molecular analyses, a new myxozoan parasite is described from the gills of the fish Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus, collected in the municipality of Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Plasmodia of Henneguya unitaeniata sp. nov. were oval and whitish and were found surrounded by collagen fibers forming plasmodia wall between gill filaments on the gill arch. The spores were ellipsoidal with two similar polar capsules. Morphometric analysis showed a total spore mean length of 23.8 ± 1.5 µm, spore body mean length of 14.5 ± 0.7 µm, caudal appendage mean length of 10.3 ± 1.4 µm, thickness mean length of 4.3 ± 0.3 µm, polar capsule mean length of 4.2 ± 0.5 µm, polar capsule mean width of 1.8 ± 0.3 µm, spore mean width of 4.8 ± 0.4 µm, and 4-5 polar filament coils. Phylogenetic analysis showed Henneguya unitaeniata sp. nov. as a basal species in a subclade formed by myxozoans that parasitize bryconid fishes.
Asunto(s)
Characiformes/parasitología , Branquias/parasitología , Myxozoa/clasificación , Myxozoa/crecimiento & desarrollo , Filogenia , Animales , Brasil , Estadios del Ciclo de Vida , Myxozoa/citología , Myxozoa/genética , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
Based on morphology and morphometry of gametocytes in blood and molecular phylogenetic analysis, we described a new species of hemoparasite from the genus Haemogregarina isolated from Lepidosiren paradoxa in the eastern Amazon region. Haemogregarina daviesensis sp. nov. is characterized by monomorphic gametocytes of varying maturity stage and their dimensions were 16 ± 0.12 µm (range 13-18) in length and 6 ± 0.97 µm (range 5-8) in width. The morphological and morphometric data were not identical with other haemogregarine species from fish. All specimens of L. paradoxa analyzed were infected by H. daviesensis sp. nov. and the parasitemia level was moderate (1-28/2000 blood erythrocytes). Two sequences were obtained from L. paradoxa, and these constituted a monophyletic sister clade to the Haemogregarina species. In addition, H. daviesensis sp. nov. detected here grouped with Haemogregarina sp. sequences isolated from chelonian Macrochelys temminckii, with 99% bootstrap support. This study provides the first data on the molecular phylogeny of an intraerythrocytic haemogregarine of freshwater fish and highlights the importance of obtaining additional information on aspects of the general biology of these hemoparasites in fish populations, in order to achieve correct taxonomic classification.
Asunto(s)
Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades de los Peces/parasitología , Animales , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Eucoccidiida/clasificación , Eucoccidiida/genética , Eucoccidiida/fisiología , Femenino , Peces/parasitología , Agua Dulce/parasitología , Masculino , Parasitemia/parasitología , Parasitemia/veterinaria , FilogeniaRESUMEN
Members of the genus Hepatozoon (Miller, 1908) are blood parasites found in a wide range of host species, including wild rodents; however, information about the life cycle, distribution and Hepatozoon species diversity infecting these mammals are lacking. We studied the parasite stages and DNA sequences of Hepatozoon sp. of 11 naturally infected Akodon montensis. Thin blood smears, tissue samples and whole blood were obtained for morphology, morphometry and molecular analyses. Seven of the 11 rodents had gamonts on the blood smears. Biological and morphological features of the parasite such as tissue tropism, gamonts and meronts size and morphology, as well as the DNA sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis, indicated that the Hepatozoon sp. detected in this study is distinct from those species previously reported in small rodents. Herein, we propose a new species, named Hepatozoon milleri sp. nov. This is the first description of a new Hepatozoon species from wild small rodents in Brazil, based on morphological and molecular characteristics.
Asunto(s)
Eucoccidiida/clasificación , Sigmodontinae/parasitología , Animales , Brasil , Eucoccidiida/citología , Eucoccidiida/genética , Filogenia , ARN Protozoario/análisis , ARN Ribosómico 18S/análisisRESUMEN
Species of Hepatozoon are parasites frequently recorded in snakes. The species identification of this genus was based mostly on the gametocyte morphology and morphometric calculations. For more reliable results, molecular characterization, an initial step for the correct identification of Hepatozoon species, has been used. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identification of Hepatozoon species in captive snakes from Brazil. To that end, morphological, morphometric, and molecular data were obtained. A total of 157 snakes; 128 venomous (Crotalus durissus) and 29 non-venomous (Epicrates crassus and Boa constrictor) were screened for Hepatozoon blood parasites. Using light microscopy, 20 (12.78%) snakes were found positive for Hepatozoon spp., of which 6/29 (20.7%) were non-venomous and 14/128 (10.9%) were venomous; all with low parasitemia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), performed with the primers HepF300/Hep900, confirmed all 20 (100%) samples positive for hemogregarines. Species of Hepatozoon were identified from eight sequenced samples. Two previously described species, Hepatozoon cuestensis and Hepatozoon musa, were identified. The present study is the first to report H. musa within the snake hosts E. crassus and C. durrisus. In addition, a potentially new Hepatozoon species from B. constrictor was identified.
Asunto(s)
Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Crotalus/parasitología , Eucoccidiida/clasificación , Eucoccidiida/genética , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Brasil , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Femenino , Masculino , Parasitemia/parasitología , Parasitemia/veterinaria , Filogenia , Reacción en Cadena de la PolimerasaRESUMEN
Abstract Rangelia vitalii is a haemoparasite that infects erythrocytes, white blood cells and the cytoplasm of endothelial cells of blood capillaries of canids in South America, and has been detected in both domestic dogs and sylvatic canids. Hepatozoon canis is a parasite that infects neutrophils and monocytes of many mammalian hosts. This study reports the infection of Lycalopex gymnocercus from Santa Catarina, Brazil, with R. vitalii and H. canis. The piroplasm was observed on both blood smears and molecular tests. Many large piroplasms were detected inside the erythrocytes, with round, oval, or teardrop-shaped organism, that occurred singly or in pairs. They had an abundant, pale blue cytoplasm and decentral dark red small nucleus. The animal was also infected with H. canis that was detected only by molecular tests. The majority of haematological and biochemistry parameters were within the reference values for domestic dog and wild canids.
Resumo Rangelia vitalii é um hemoparasita que infecta eritrócitos, macrófagos e células endoteliais de canídeos na América do Sul, e vem sendo detectado tanto em cães domésticos quanto em canídeos silvestres. Hepatozoon canis é um parasita que infecta monócitos e neutrófilos de mamíferos. No presente estudo, é descrita a infecção de Lycalopex gymnocercus, proveniente de Santa Catarina, Brasil, por R. vitalii e H. canis. O piroplasma foi diagnosticado nos esfregaços sanguíneos e por técnicas moleculares. Nos eritrócitos foram observados vários merozoítos grandes, ovais, arredondados ou em forma de gota, ocorrendo isoladamente ou em pares. Estes piroplasmas apresentavam citoplasma abundante, corado em azul claro, com núcleo pequeno, avermelhado e descentralizado. O animal apresentou coinfecção com H. canis, que foi diagnosticado somente pelos testes moleculares. A maior parte dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos do animal estava dentro dos valores de referência para cães domésticos e canídeos silvestres.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Infecciones Protozoarias en Animales/parasitología , Piroplasmida/aislamiento & purificación , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Zorros/parasitología , Filogenia , Infecciones Protozoarias en Animales/diagnóstico , Brasil , Piroplasmida/clasificación , Piroplasmida/genética , Eucoccidiida/clasificación , Eucoccidiida/genética , Coccidiosis/diagnóstico , Coccidiosis/parasitología , CoinfecciónRESUMEN
Rangelia vitalii is a haemoparasite that infects erythrocytes, white blood cells and the cytoplasm of endothelial cells of blood capillaries of canids in South America, and has been detected in both domestic dogs and sylvatic canids. Hepatozoon canis is a parasite that infects neutrophils and monocytes of many mammalian hosts. This study reports the infection of Lycalopex gymnocercus from Santa Catarina, Brazil, with R. vitalii and H. canis. The piroplasm was observed on both blood smears and molecular tests. Many large piroplasms were detected inside the erythrocytes, with round, oval, or teardrop-shaped organism, that occurred singly or in pairs. They had an abundant, pale blue cytoplasm and decentral dark red small nucleus. The animal was also infected with H. canis that was detected only by molecular tests. The majority of haematological and biochemistry parameters were within the reference values for domestic dog and wild canids.
Asunto(s)
Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Zorros/parasitología , Piroplasmida/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones Protozoarias en Animales/parasitología , Animales , Brasil , Coccidiosis/diagnóstico , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Coinfección , Eucoccidiida/clasificación , Eucoccidiida/genética , Filogenia , Piroplasmida/clasificación , Piroplasmida/genética , Infecciones Protozoarias en Animales/diagnósticoRESUMEN
Hemoparasites are vector-borne parasites that infect wild carnivores worldwide. Since data on hemoparasite infections in Nasua nasua from Brazil are lacking, the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of hemoparasites and ectoparasites in N. nasua from different areas of Brazil. Blood samples and ectoparasites from 83 N. nasua were collected in Botucatu, Palmital, and São Paulo municipalities. Samples were screened via microscopy and molecular methods to detect hemoparasites. Tissues from two N. nasua were obtained for histopathological and molecular analyses. All 83 samples were negative for piroplasms on morphological and molecular examination. Thin blood smears of nine animals were positive for Hepatozoon gamonts. The gamonts shared morphological characteristics of Hepatozoon procyonis. Meronts were detected in the liver and spleen tissue of one animal. Twenty-one blood samples and four tissue samples were PCR positive for Hepatozoon sp. The sequences obtained were 97% identical to those of Hepatozoon felis, Hepatozoon ursi, and Hepatozoon sp. Based on searches for similarity and morphology, we identified the sequences as belonging to H. procyonis. This study provides epidemiological data on hemoparasite infections and redescribe H. procyonis based on morphological, morphometrical, and molecular analyses.
Asunto(s)
Coccidiosis/epidemiología , Eucoccidiida/clasificación , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Procyonidae/parasitología , Enfermedades por Picaduras de Garrapatas/veterinaria , Animales , Brasil/epidemiología , Gatos , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Eucoccidiida/genética , Femenino , Hígado/parasitología , Masculino , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Bazo/parasitología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Enfermedades por Picaduras de Garrapatas/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Based on morphological, morphometric, and molecular data, we describe a new hemoparasite of the genus Haemogregarina Danilewsky 1885, isolated from the Brazilian aquatic turtle Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines: Podocnemididae). The new species, Haemogregarina podocnemis sp. nov. (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae), is characterized by small trophozoites with a single cytoplasmic vacuole on one side; pre-meronts with nuclear chromatin dispersed in the cytoplasm, with or without cytoplasmic vacuoles; meronts that are usually broad and slightly curved (kidney-shaped), with an average of eight small rectangular nuclei; immature gamonts (bean-shaped) with two morphological types: one with nuclear chromatin dispersed in the cytoplasm and the other with nuclei in the middle of the cell; mature gamonts of two morphological types: one with a length equal to or greater than that of the erythrocyte and the width of the nuclei similar to that of the hemoparasite and the other smaller than the erythrocyte with the width of the nuclei less than that of the hemoparasite. This is the first hemogregarine species described that infects the Brazilian turtle Po. unifilis. These findings highlight the need for further studies of Haemogregarina spp. to better determine the biodiversity of this understudied parasite group.
Asunto(s)
Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Eucoccidiida/clasificación , Eucoccidiida/aislamiento & purificación , Trofozoítos/ultraestructura , Animales , Brasil , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Eritrocitos/parasitología , Eucoccidiida/genética , Femenino , Masculino , Microscopía , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Ríos , Trofozoítos/citología , Tortugas/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Species of hemoplasmas have been described worldwide, but little information is available for wild felids. Between February 2000 and January 2010, blood samples were collected from 30 jaguars (Panthera onca) and 22 domestic cats (Felis catus) from the Cerrado, Pantanal and Amazon biomes of Brazil. In all samples molecular tests were performed for Mycoplasma haemofelis/Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhf/Mhc), 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (CMhm) and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (CMt). Twenty-two (73.4%) jaguars and four domestic cats (18.2%) tested positive for infection with at least one feline hemoplasma: 73.4% jaguars from the three areas were positive for CMhm, 13.6% jaguars from the Pantanal and 50.0% from the Amazon were positive for Mhf/Mhc, and 9.1% of individuals from the Pantanal tested positive for CMt. Domestic cats from the Cerrado (28.6%) and the Pantanal (30.0%) were positive for feline hemoplasma. All but one jaguar from the three sites are healthy. One female adult jaguar showed low body weight and dehydration. This is the first record of feline hemoplasmas in free-ranging jaguars. The high prevalence of CMhm suggest the participation of jaguars in the maintenance of this hemoplasma in nature. Although susceptible to Mhf/Mhc and CMt, jaguars did not appear to participate in the maintenance of these agents in the environment. The involvement of domestic cats in the transmission of any of these hemoplasmas cannot be excluded.
Asunto(s)
Animales Salvajes/microbiología , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/epidemiología , Mycoplasma/aislamiento & purificación , Panthera/microbiología , Animales , Brasil/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/transmisión , Gatos , Femenino , Mycoplasma/genética , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/sangre , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/microbiología , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/transmisiónRESUMEN
Hepatozoon species are vector-borne pathogens that infect domestic and wild animals. Marsupials of the species Didelphis albiventris are adapted to urban and peri-urban areas and act as reservoir hosts for several parasites. The present study evaluated the occurrence of infection by Hepatozoon species in synantropic D. albiventris from Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Blood samples and ectoparasites from 19 D. albiventris were collected from urban and peri-urban areas. Hepatozoon spp. detection was performed by microscopy and molecular analysis. One opossum was positive for Hepatozoon spp. in microscopy analysis and PCR, while another animal was positive only in PCR. The obtained sequences were 100% identical to Hepatozoon canis. Six species of ticks and two species of fleas were detected on D. albiventris. This is the first report of H. canis in synantropic D. albiventris. In Brazil, H. canis transmission among dog populations is not well established, which highlights the importance of investigating the role that opossums might play in the epidemiology of this protozoan.