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de Oliveira Battisti L, Mongruel ACB, Fagundes-Moreira R, Baggio-Souza V, de Souza VK, de Amorim DB, Wagner PGC, Souza UA, Gonçalves AP, Girotto-Soares A, de Faria Valle S, André MR, Soares JF. Post-mortem detection of hemoplasmas (hemotropic Mycoplasma spp.) in South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) sampled in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:102187. [PMID: 38703540 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Hemotropic mycoplasmas are bacteria that attaches to erythrocytes surface, which some species presents zoonotic concerns. In the suborder Pinnipedia, genera Otaria and Arctocephalus are prominent in Brazil. This study investigated the occurrence of hemoplasmas in Arctocephalus sp. and Otaria flavescens found dead along the coast of a Southern Brazilian State. DNA from 135 spleen samples were extracted and subjected to conventional PCR protocols, targeting the 16 S rRNA and 23 S rRNA gene. Three (2.22 %) Arctocephalus australis were positive in the 16 S rRNA gene, and no samples amplified in the 23 S rRNA gene. Samples from this study clustered with Zalophus californianus and Arctocephalus tropicalis mycoplasmas on a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis. Genetic diversity analysis suggested distinct genotypes, indicating A. australis as a new host for hemoplasma, and also a potential putative novel hemoplasma genotype. These findings raises future awareness for pinnipeds conservation, and adds Mycoplasma spp. to be taken into consideration when clinically evaluating rescued animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano de Oliveira Battisti
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Fagundes-Moreira
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Baggio-Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Viviane Kelin de Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Derek Blaese de Amorim
- Center for Coastal Studies, Limnology and Marine, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Tramandaí, 976, CEP 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil
| | - Paulo Guilherme C Wagner
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ugo A Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Aline Girotto-Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Stella de Faria Valle
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas Veterinárias, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - João Fabio Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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de Mello VVC, de Oliveira LB, Coelho TFSB, Lee DAB, das Neves LF, Franco EO, Mongruel ACB, Machado RZ, André MR. Diversity of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Neorickettsia spp. in vampire bats. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 5:100182. [PMID: 38952690 PMCID: PMC11215215 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Although bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) act as natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens around the world, few studies have investigated the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae agents in bats, especially vampire bats. The family Anaplasmataceae (order Rickettsiales) encompasses obligate intracellular bacteria of the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia, Neoehrlichia, Wolbachia, and Allocryptoplasma. The present study aimed to investigate, using molecular techniques, the presence of species of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Neorickettsia in vampire bats sampled in northern Brazil. Between 2017 and 2019, spleen samples were collected from vampire bats belonging to two species, Desmodus rotundus (n = 228) from the states of Pará (n = 207), Amazonas (n = 1), Roraima (n = 18) and Amapá (n = 3), and Diaemus youngii (n = 1) from Pará. Positivity rates of 5.2% (12/229), 3% (7/229), and 10.9% (25/229) were found in PCR assays for Anaplasma spp. (16S rRNA gene), Ehrlichia spp. (dsb gene) and Neorickettsia spp. (16S rRNA gene), respectively. The present study revealed, for the first time, the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. and different genotypes of Ehrlichia spp. in vampire bats from Brazil. While phylogenetic analyses based on the dsb and ftsZ genes of Ehrlichia and 16S rRNA of Anaplasma spp. revealed phylogenetic proximity of the genotypes detected in vampire bats with Anaplasmataceae agents associated with domestic ruminants, phylogenetic inferences based on the gltA and groEL genes evidenced the occurrence of genotypes apparently exclusive to bats. Neorickettsia sp. phylogenetically associated with N. risticii was also detected in vampire bats sampled in northern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Postgraduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Laryssa Borges de Oliveira
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Antonio Braga Lee
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Lorena Freitas das Neves
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliz Oliveira Franco
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Anna Claudia Baumel Mongruel
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, SP, Brazil
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de Mello VVC, de Oliveira LB, Coelho TFSB, Lee DAB, Franco EO, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular survey of hemoplasmas and Coxiella burnetii in vampire bats from northern Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 106:102127. [PMID: 38277904 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
In addition to zoonotic viral pathogens, bats can also harbor bacterial pathogens, including hemoplasmas (hemotropic mycoplasmas) and Coxiella burnetii. The present study aimed to investigate, using molecular techniques, the presence of hemoplasmas and C. burnetii in spleen samples from vampire bats in northern Brazil. For this purpose, between 2017 and 2019, spleen samples were collected from Desmodus rotundus (n = 228) and Diaemus youngii (n = 1) captured in the states of Pará (n = 207), Amazonas (n = 1), Roraima (n = 18) and Amapá (n = 3). DNA samples extracted from the bat spleen and positive in PCR for the endogenous gapdh gene were subjected to conventional PCR assays for the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA and RNAse P genes from hemoplasmas and to qPCR based on the IS1111 gene element for C. burnetii. All spleen samples from vampire bats were negative in the qPCR for C. burnetii. Hemoplasmas were detected in 10 % (23/229) of spleen samples using a PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Of these, 21.73 % (5/23) were positive for the 23S rRNA gene and none for the RNAseP gene. The seven hemoplasma 16S rRNA sequences obtained were closely related to sequences previously identified in vampire bats from Belize, Peru and Brazil. The 23S rRNA sequence obtained revealed genetic proximity to hemoplasmas from non-hematophagous bats from Brazil and Belize. The analysis revealed different circulating genotypes among Brazilian vampire bats, in addition to a trend towards genera-specific hemoplasma genotypes. The present study contributes to the knowledge of the wide diversity of hemoplasmas in vampire bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Postgraduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil; Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Laryssa Borges de Oliveira
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Antonio Braga Lee
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliz Oliveira Franco
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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Sano NY, Herrera HM, Porfirio GEDO, de Macedo GC, Santos FM. Exploring interactions between parasites and their hosts in the Pantanal floodplain using an ecological network approach. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:128. [PMID: 38332167 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08140-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The study of host-parasite interactions is essential to understand the role of each host species in the parasitic transmission cycles in a given community. The use of ecological network highlights the patterns of interactions between hosts and parasites, allowing us to evaluate the underlying structural features and epidemiological roles of different species within this context. Through network analysis, we aimed to understand the epidemiological roles of mammalian hosts species (n = 67) and their parasites (n = 257) in the Pantanal biome. Our analysis revealed a modular pattern within the network, characterized by 14 distinct modules, as well as nestedness patterns within these modules. Some key nodes, such as the multi-host parasites Trypanosoma cruzi and T. evansi, connect different modules and species. These central nodes showed us that various hosts species, including those with high local abundances, contribute to parasite maintenance. Ectoparasites, such as ticks and fleas, exhibit connections that reflect their roles as vectors of certain parasites. Overall, our findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the structure of host-parasite interactions in the Pantanal ecosystem, highlighting the importance of network analysis as a tool to identifying the main transmission routes and maintenance of parasites pathways. Such insights are valuable for parasitic disease control and prevention strategies and shed light on the broader complexities of ecological communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Yoshie Sano
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Ambientais E Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Interface Between Animal, Environmental, and Human Health Research Group, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Av. Tamandaré, 6000, Jardim Seminário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79117-900, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia E Conservação, Universidade Federal Do Mato Grosso Do Sul, INBIO - Cidade Universitária, Av. Costa E Silva - Pioneiros, MS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79070-900, Brazil.
- LAMP LAB - LAMP Diagnostico LTDA, Av. Tamandaré, 6000, Jardim Seminário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79117-900, Brazil.
| | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Ambientais E Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Interface Between Animal, Environmental, and Human Health Research Group, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Av. Tamandaré, 6000, Jardim Seminário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79117-900, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia E Conservação, Universidade Federal Do Mato Grosso Do Sul, INBIO - Cidade Universitária, Av. Costa E Silva - Pioneiros, MS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79070-900, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Carvalho de Macedo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Ambientais E Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Interface Between Animal, Environmental, and Human Health Research Group, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Av. Tamandaré, 6000, Jardim Seminário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79117-900, Brazil
| | - Filipe Martins Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Ambientais E Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Interface Between Animal, Environmental, and Human Health Research Group, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Av. Tamandaré, 6000, Jardim Seminário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79117-900, Brazil
- LAMP LAB - LAMP Diagnostico LTDA, Av. Tamandaré, 6000, Jardim Seminário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79117-900, Brazil
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André MR, Ikeda P, Lee DAB, do Amaral RB, Carvalho LAL, Pinheiro DG, Torres JM, de Mello VVC, Rice GK, Cer RZ, Lourenço EC, Oliveira CE, Herrera HM, Barros-Battesti DM, Machado RZ, Bishop-Lilly KA, Dalgard CL, Dumler JS. Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated ectoparasites from Brazil. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1261156. [PMID: 37928691 PMCID: PMC10620512 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1261156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bats, along with their ectoparasites, harbor a wide diversity of symbiotic and potential pathogenic bacteria. Despite the enormous diversity of bats (181 species), few studies aimed to investigate the bacterial microbiome of Brazilian chiropterans and associated ectoparasites. This study aimed to characterize the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated Streblidae flies and Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil. Methods Oral and rectal swabs were collected from 30 bats (Artibeus lituratus [n = 13], Artibeus planirostris [n = 9], Eptesicus furinalis [n = 5], Carollia perspicillata [n = 2], and Platyrrhinus lineatus [n = 1]). In addition, a total of 58 mites (15 Macronyssidae and 43 Spinturnicidae) and 48 Streblidae bat flies were collected from the captured bats. After DNA extraction and purification, each sample's bacterial composition was analyzed with metagenomic sequencing. Results The microbiome composition of both oral and rectal bat swab samples showed that Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial class. Spiroplasma, Wolbachia and Bartonella represented the most abundant genera in Streblidae flies. While Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) was the most abundant genus found in Spinturnicidae, Arsenophonus (Gammaproteobacteria) was found in high abundance in Macronyssidae mites. In addition to characterizing the microbiome of each sample at the class and genus taxonomic levels, we identified medically significant bacteria able to infect both animals and humans in oral (Streptococcus and Anaplasma) and rectal swabs (Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Streptococcus), Macronyssidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia) and Spinturnicidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella) mites as well as Streblidae flies (Spiroplasma, Bartonella). Discussion and conclusion Besides expanding the knowledge on the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and Streblidae flies from Brazil, the present work showed, for the first time, the bacterial community of bat-associated Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila Ikeda
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Antônio Braga Lee
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renan Bressianini do Amaral
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Amoroso Lopes Carvalho
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Ambiental e Agropecuária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Guariz Pinheiro
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Ambiental e Agropecuária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaire Marinho Torres
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gregory K. Rice
- Leidos, Inc., Reston, VA, United States
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Regina Z. Cer
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | | | - Carisa Elisei Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kimberly A. Bishop-Lilly
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Clifton L. Dalgard
- The American Genome Center, Center for Military Precision Health and Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - J. Stephen Dumler
- Department of Pathology, University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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de Mello VVC, Placa AJV, Lee DAB, Franco EO, Lima L, Teixeira MMG, Hemsley C, Titball RW, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular detection of blood-borne agents in vampire bats from Brazil, with the first molecular evidence of Neorickettsia sp. in Desmodus rotundus and Diphylla ecaudata. Acta Trop 2023; 244:106945. [PMID: 37207993 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) represent the second largest group of mammals. Due to their ability to fly and adapt and colonize different niches, bats act as reservoirs of several potentially zoonotic pathogens. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate, using molecular techniques, the occurrence of blood-borne agents (Anaplasmataceae, Coxiella burnetii, hemoplasmas, hemosporidians and piroplasmids) in 198 vampire bats sampled in different regions of Brazil and belonging to the species Desmodus rotundus (n=159), Diphylla ecaudata (n=31) and Diaemus youngii (n=8). All vampire bats liver samples were negative in PCR assays for Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., piroplasmids, hemosporidians and Coxiella burnetii. However, Neorickettsia sp. was detected in liver samples of 1.51% (3/198) through nested PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene in D. rotundus and D. ecaudata. This is the first study to report Neorickettsia sp. in vampire bats. Hemoplasmas were detected in 6.06% (12/198) of the liver samples using a PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. The two 16S rRNA sequences obtained from hemoplasmas were closely related to sequences previously identified in vampire and non-hematophagous bats from Belize, Peru and Brazil. The genotypic analysis identified a high diversity of bat-associated hemoplasma genotypes from different regions of the world, emphasizing the need for studies on this subject, in order to better understand the mechanisms of co-evolution between this group of bacteria and their vertebrate hosts. The role of neotropical bat-associated Neorickettsia sp. and bats from Brazilian in the biological cycle of such agent warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Postgraduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil; Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Julia Vidal Placa
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Antonio Braga Lee
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliz Oliveira Franco
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Lima
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatids Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences II, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatids Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences II, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Claudia Hemsley
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences - Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Richard W Titball
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences - Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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Co-infection by multiple vector-borne agents in wild ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) from Iguaçu National Park, southern Brazil. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1828. [PMID: 36725981 PMCID: PMC9892030 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29090-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to detect molecularly the presence of co-infections by vector-borne agents (VBA) in ring-tailed coatis' (Nasua nasua) blood samples from Iguaçu National Park (INP), southern Brazil, and assess the phylogenetic positioning of the detected agents. DNA blood samples were submitted to molecular screening and characterization for Anaplasmataceae agents, Piroplasmids, Hepatozoon sp., hemotropic mycoplasmas, and Bartonella spp. In total, 42 (85.7%) coatis were positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma sp., 12 (24.5%) for Bartonella machadoae, 7 (14.3%) for Anaplasma sp. closely related to 'Candidatus Anaplasma brasiliensis', and 3 (6%) for Hepatozoon procyonis. The most prevalent co-infections observed was from bacterial VBA: while 18.3% were co-infected by hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. and Bartonella sp., 12.2% were co-infected by Anaplasma sp. and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. Only two animals (4%) presented co-infections by three VBA (Bartonella sp., Anaplasma sp. and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp.). The coati is a wild carnivore found in INP, mainly in areas visited by tourists. These animals are frequently seen searching for food in garbage dumps or in tourists' belongings. The present study expands the host specificity range of B. machadoae, which has been isolated only from rodents until the present moment. Since the zoonotic potential and transmission routes of the detected VBA are not yet known, surveillance in this area is much needed.
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