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Cavalcante MC, Chagas-de-Souza D, Coêlho TA, Viana LA, Adriano E, Corrêa LL. Hemoparasite Analysis and Hematological Parameters of Four Freshwater Turtle Species (Testudines: Podocnemididae) from the Brazilian Amazon. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1058-1066. [PMID: 38430293 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00816-z] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
METHODS Sampling was performed at three sites in the Tapajós River mouth, Pará State, Brazil, and an aliquot of blood was collected from each turtle by post-occipital dorsal vein puncture. The aliquots were used for the determination of hematological parameters and for the study of hemoparasites in the blood samples. RESULTS A total of 37 turtles were sampled: 21 Podocnemis expansa, three P. sextuberculata, nine P. unifilis, and four P. erythrocephala. Parasitological analyses showed inclusions in erythrocytes compatible with Haemogregarina sp., representing an overall prevalence of parasitized animals of 64.8% with an average of 94,789 parasites/ml of blood. In this study, the evolutionary forms of Haemogregarina spp. from trophozoites, pre-meronts, meronts, and mature and immature gamonts were observed in three species of freshwater turtle species, and one morphotype of the parasite with high similarity to Haemogregarina podocnemis has been observed. CONCLUSION Despite recent research on freshwater turtles, this study provides new information on the intensity of blood parasite infection and hematological parameters of free-living animals, highlighting the need for studies on infected and uninfected animals from the same population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Costa Cavalcante
- Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas-ICTA, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará-UFOPA, Santarém, PA, 68040‑255, Brazil
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Darlison Chagas-de-Souza
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Tássio Alves Coêlho
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil.
| | - Lúcio André Viana
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Edson Adriano
- Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, SP, 09972-270, Brazil
| | - Lincoln Lima Corrêa
- Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas-ICTA, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará-UFOPA, Santarém, PA, 68040‑255, Brazil
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Mendonça MA, Fonseca MS, Piedade GC, Rodamilans GM, Marques FS, Ayres MCC, Viana LA, Meira-Santos PO, Meyer R, Portela RD. Detection of Hemopathogens in Chelonoidis carbonaria: Microscopic, Molecular, Hematological, and Clinical Biochemistry Aspects. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:520-527. [PMID: 37582213 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0019] [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] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The growing contact between men and wild animals, caused by the increase in the population in urban centers and the destruction of the habitat of these animals, has been leading to a greater circulation of pathogens between humans and wildlife. Chelonoidis carbonaria, a tortoise found throughout South America, is one of the animals most rescued from animal trafficking and illegal breeding. Considering this situation, this study aimed to verify the occurrence of hemoparasites in C. carbonaria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 73 C. carbonaria were collected from animals located in (1) a rural commercial breeding unit, (2) an urban zoo, and (3) a center of rescued animal screening. Genomic DNA was extracted from these animals and used in PCRs to detect specific genomic fragments of haemogregarines (i.e., Hepatozoon and Hemolivia), and members of the Anaplasmataceae Family (i.e., Ehrlichia sp. and Anaplasma sp.). Blood samples were screened for hemopathogens by direct microscopy and were used for hematological assays, and serum samples were analyzed to determine the concentration of serum components. Results: It was found that 34.2% of the tortoises presented Sauroplasma sp. in their blood samples; these animals showed clinical biochemistry changes that indicate altered liver function. Two zoo animals were positive for Ehrlichia sp. in PCR, and also presented clinical biochemistry and hematological changes. Conclusion: The present project is pioneer in the detection of Ehrlichia sp. in C. carbonaria, and was able to identify changes in clinical biochemistry that can be a result of the infection by hemopathogens in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Antonio Mendonça
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Maísa Santos Fonseca
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Cruz Piedade
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Macedo Rodamilans
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Franciane Santos Marques
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Maria Consuelo Caribé Ayres
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Laboratório de Hematologia Veterinária, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Lucio André Viana
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, Amapá State, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Meyer
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Dias Portela
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
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Hemogregarine Diversity Infecting Brazilian Turtles with a Description of Six New Species of Haemogregarina (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae). DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Hemoparasites of the genus Haemogregarina (Haemogregarinidae) are commonly reported in freshwater turtles. However, in Brazil, only three species have currently been characterised using molecular methods. This study aimed to bring new insights on the diversity of species of Haemogregarina infecting Brazilian freshwater turtles from Mato Grosso and Goiás states using molecular and morphological tools. (2) Methods: In total, 2 mL of blood was collected, with between two to five blood smears prepared, fixed with absolute methanol, and stained with a 10% Giemsa solution. Blood was stored at −20 °C for molecular analysis targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Fragments of the organs (liver, spleen, heart, and kidney) were separated and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. (3) Results: A total of 40 turtles were screened and hemogregarines were observed in 34 (85%) individuals (3 Podocnemis expansa and 31 Podocnemis unifilis). Haemogregarina embaubali and six new species of Haemogregarina were observed and formally described as follows: H. unifila n. sp., H. rubra n. sp., H. goianensis n. sp., H. araguaiensis n. sp., H. tigrina n. sp., and H. brasiliana n. sp. (4) Conclusions: This study contributes to the diversity and knowledge of Brazilian fresh-water turtle blood parasites, using integrative approaches for diagnosing and characterizing hemoparasites, with the identification of six undescribed species.
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Phylogenetic analysis of chelonian hemogregarines reveals shared species among the Amazonian freshwater turtle Podocnemis spp. and provides a description of two new species of Haemogregarina. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:691-701. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07405-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Haemogregarines and Criteria for Identification. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010170. [PMID: 33445814 PMCID: PMC7828249 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Taxonomic classification of haemogregarines belonging to Apicomplexa can become difficult when the information about the life cycle stages is not available. Using a self-reporting, we record different haemogregarine species infecting various animal categories and exploring the most systematic features for each life cycle stage. The keystone in the classification of any species of haemogregarines is related to the sporogonic cycle more than other stages of schizogony and gamogony. Molecular approaches are excellent tools that enabled the identification of apicomplexan parasites by clarifying their evolutionary relationships. Abstract Apicomplexa is a phylum that includes all parasitic protozoa sharing unique ultrastructural features. Haemogregarines are sophisticated apicomplexan blood parasites with an obligatory heteroxenous life cycle and haplohomophasic alternation of generations. Haemogregarines are common blood parasites of fish, amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, crocodilians, birds, and mammals. Haemogregarine ultrastructure has been so far examined only for stages from the vertebrate host. PCR-based assays and the sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene are helpful methods to further characterize this parasite group. The proper classification for the haemogregarine complex is available with the criteria of generic and unique diagnosis of these parasites.
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Nordmeyer SC, Henry G, Guerra T, Rodriguez D, Forstner MR, Hahn D. Identification of Blood Parasites in Individuals from Six Families of Freshwater Turtles. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1411.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C. Nordmeyer
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Gina Henry
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Trina Guerra
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - David Rodriguez
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Michael R.J. Forstner
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
| | - Dittmar Hahn
- Texas State University, Department of Biology, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 USA [; ; ; ; ; ]
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