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Torres-Santos PT, Evaristo AMDCF, Santos JR, Collere FCM, Vieira TSWJ, Pereira LCM, Nicola PA, Vieira RFDC, Horta MC. Hemoplasmas in wild rodents and marsupials from the Caatinga Biome, Brazil. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107334. [PMID: 39127138 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107334] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
A total of 231 blood samples from wild mammals belonging to the orders Rodentia (n = 142) and Didelphimorphia (n = 89) were screened by real-time PCR assay (qPCR), being six Rhipidomys sp., 118 Thrichomys laurentius, nine Rattus rattus, four Kerodon rupestris, five Necromys lasiurus, 42 Didelphis albiventris and 47 Monodelphis domestica. Results using qPCR showed that 32 of the total 231 (13.85 %) samples were positive for hemoplasma sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequences from two D. albiventris showed 99.77-99.89 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris' and 99.09 % with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemodidelphidis', respectively. Furthermore, one M. domestica and five T. laurentius showed 99.72-99.77 % identity with Mycoplasma sp., and one K. rupestris showed 98.13 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohydrochaerus'; and from two Rattus rattus showed 99.65-99.89 % identity with Mycoplasma sp. and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris'. The 23S rRNA gene sequences obtained from the two D. albiventris showed 100 % identity with 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' whereas the sequences from the R. rattus showed only 85.31 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohydrochaerus'. Two T. laurentius and one K. rupestris showed 84.66-92.97 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemosphiggurus'. Based on phylogenetic and Neighbor-Net network analyses of the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, potential novel species are described. In addition, 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' was detected in Didelphis albiventris, and Mycoplasma sp. was detected in Rattus sp. rodents from the Caatinga biome, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Talita Torres-Santos
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil; Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences in the Semiarid Region, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Anna Maria da Cruz Ferreira Evaristo
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil; Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences in the Semiarid Region, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thállitha Samih Wischral Jayme Vieira
- Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, USA
| | - Luiz Cezar Machado Pereira
- Center Fauna Management, Cema-Fauna, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Patricia Avello Nicola
- Center Fauna Management, Cema-Fauna, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, USA
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil; Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences in the Semiarid Region, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Braga MDSCO, Costa FB, Calchi AC, de Mello VVC, Mongruel ACB, Dias CM, Bassini-Silva R, Silva EMC, Pereira JG, Ribeiro LSDS, da Costa AP, de Andrade FHE, Silva ALA, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular detection and characterization of vector-borne agents in common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) from northeastern Brazil. Acta Trop 2023:106955. [PMID: 37236334 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Opossums are synanthropic marsupials able to interchange among wild, peri-urban and urban environments, playing an epidemiologically important role as hosts for emerging pathogens and ectoparasites of relevance in public health. The present study aimed to detect and molecularly characterize vector-borne agents in a population of common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) from the Island of São Luís do Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. Of the 45 animals analyzed, one (2.22%) was positive in the nested PCR assay based on the 18S rRNA gene of piroplasmids. The obtained sequence was phylogenetically positioned in a clade containing sequences of Babesia sp. previously detected in Didelphis aurita, Didelphis albiventris and associated ticks from Brazil. Eight (17.77%) samples were positive in PCR for Ehrlichia spp. based on the dsb gene; four samples were sequenced and positioned into a new clade, sister to E. minasensis and Ehrlichia sp. clade detected in Superorder Xenarthra mammals. No samples tested positive in the screening PCR assays based on the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. Two samples were positive in the qPCR for Bartonella spp. based on the nuoG gene. Seven animals (15.56%) were positive in the nPCR based on the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas. Of these, three were positive in a PCR based on the 23S rRNA gene. The phylogenies based on both 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes corroborated to each other and positioned the sequences in the same clade of hemoplasmas previously detected in D. aurita and D. albiventris sampled in Brazil. Finally, three (6.66%) animals were positive in the PCR for Hepatozoon spp.; the obtained 18S rRNA sequence was positioned into the H. felis clade.The present study showed, for the first time, the circulation of piroplasmids, Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia spp., hemoplasmas and Bartonella spp. in D. marsupialis sampled in northeastern Brazil, with description of putative novel genotypes of Ehrlichia and Hepatozoon and copositivity by different vector-borne agents. The present work consolidates the "South American Marsupialia" piroplasmid clade, adding one more genotype of Babesia sp. to this clade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Anna Claudia Baumel Mongruel
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Clara Morato Dias
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Bassini-Silva
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), 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 (FCAV), 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 (FCAV), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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Wang R, Li ZM, Peng QM, Gu XL, Zhou CM, Xiao X, Han HJ, Yu XJ. High prevalence and genetic diversity of hemoplasmas in bats and bat ectoparasites from China. One Health 2023; 16:100498. [PMID: 36844977 PMCID: PMC9947411 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemoplasmas can cause severe hemolytic anemia in humans. To explore the genetic diversity and the potential transmission routes of hemoplasmas among bat population, bats and bat-ectoparasites including bat-flies, bat-mites, and bat-ticks were collected in Eastern and Central China from 2015 to 2021, and tested with PCR for hemoplasmas 16S rRNA gene. Based on 16S rRNA PCR, 18.0% (103/572) adult bats were positive for hemoplasmas, but none of 11 fetuses from hemoplasmas-positive pregnant bats was positive for hemoplasmas. These results indicated that adult bats had a high prevalence of hemoplasma, but vertical transmission of hemoplasmas did not occurr in the bats. Based on the 16S rRNA gene PCR, the minimum infection rate of bat-ectoparasite for hemoplasmas was 4.0% (27/676), suggesting that bat-ectoparasite also had a high prevalence for hemoplasmas. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that bat hemoplasmas from this study clustered into 4 genotypes (I-IV). Genotype I clustered together with hemoplasmas identified in bats from America. Genotype II shared high similarity with a human-pathogenic hemoplasma Candidatus Mycoplasma haemohominis. Genotype III and IV were unique, representing 2 new hemoplasma genotypes. Only genotype I was identified in both bats and all bat-ectoparasites including bat-flies, bat-mites, and bat-ticks. In conclusion, bats and bat-ectoparasites from China harbored abundant genetically diverse hemoplasmas including potential human-pathogenic hemoplasmas, indicating bats and bat-ectoparasites may play important roles in the maintenance and transmission of hemoplasmas in the natural foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ze-Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiu-Ming Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chuan-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Institute of Epidemiology Research, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hui-Ju Han
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong, Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Xue-Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Corresponding authors.
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Orozco AMO, Bento LD, Souto PC, Girardi FM, Nogueira BCF, Yamatogi RS, Campos AK, Cray C, Montiani-Ferreira F, Collere FCM, Vieira TSWJ, Vieira RFDC, da Fonseca LA. ' Candidatus Mycoplasma Haemoalbiventris' and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Black-Eared Opossum ( Didelphis aurita) from Southeastern Brazil. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10101955. [PMID: 36296231 PMCID: PMC9611284 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The black-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) is a South American synanthropic marsupial. The presence of opossums in domestic spaces is relevant in the One-Health context since they are hosts of pathogens and ectoparasites that may affect the health of domestic animals and humans. In this study, we aim to determine the occurrence of hemoplasmas and selected tick-borne pathogens in free-ranging black-eared opossums, along with their molecular characterization, hematological and biochemical evaluation and factors associated with infection, in the municipality of Viçosa, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Thirty black-eared opossums were trapped between March 2021 and June 2022. Ectoparasites were collected. Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed. DNA from EDTA-blood samples were analyzed by PCR and qPCR assays. By molecular analyses, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris' was the most prevalent hemoparasite (73.3%), followed by Hepatozoon sp. (22.2%). Significant differences were observed in the number of platelets, and in the concentration of protein and globulins in the animals infected by 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' when compared with the negative group. This is the first report of 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' infection in D. aurita.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Drumond Bento
- Veterinary Departament, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Carolyn Cray
- Division of Comparative Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | | | - Flávia Carolina Meira Collere
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 80035-050, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 80035-050, Brazil
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Correspondence: (R.F.d.C.V.); (L.A.d.F.)
| | - Leandro Abreu da Fonseca
- Veterinary Departament, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.F.d.C.V.); (L.A.d.F.)
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Molecular detection and genotype diversity of hemoplasmas in non-hematophagous bats and associated ectoparasites sampled in peri-urban areas from Brazil. Acta Trop 2022; 225:106203. [PMID: 34688630 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hemoplasmas have already been detected in bats in the United States of America, Spain, Australia, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Belize, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Germany, Switzerland and New Caledonia. The recent detection of hemoplasmas closely related to Mycoplasma haematohominis, an agent causing disease in humans, emphasizes the need for additional studies on the diversity of hemoplasmas in bats. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence and assess the phylogenetic positioning and genetic diversity of hemoplasmas in bats and associated ectoparasites sampled in central-western Brazil. Overall, 43% (58/135) sampled bats and 1.56% (1/64) bat flies (Megistopoda aranea) were positive for hemoplasmas, however, twenty-four and two hemoplasma sequences were obtained from PCR assays targeting 16S and 23S rRNA genes, respectively, since the majority of the obtained amplicons showed faint bands in agarose gel electrophoresis. The obtained 16S rRNA sequences showed to be broadly distributed along the phylogenetic tree, albeit positioned within the 'Haemofelis group' and clustering with other bat-associated hemoplasmas. Twelve 16S rRNA hemoplasma genotypes were found among the 24 obtained sequences. When compared to other bat-related hemoplasmas sequences retrieved from the Genbank, 52 genotypes were found. The two 23S rRNA sequences obtained were positioned as a sister clade to "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohydrochaerus", M. haemofelis and M. haemocanis. High genetic diversity was found among 16S rRNA hemoplasma sequences detected in non-hematophagous bats from central-western Brazil and previously detected in other regions of the world. Even though the genotype analysis showed that hemoplasmas from the same genus tend to group together, the results from the unipartite and bipartite analyses did not robustly support the hypothesis. Further studies addressing the specificity of hemoplasma genotypes according to bat species and genera should be performed.
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Bitencourt MM, Bezerra AMR. Infection agents of Didelphidae (Didelphimorphia) of Brazil: an underestimated matter in zoonoses research. MAMMALIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2021-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Zoonoses are diseases or infections naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans, and can be bacterial, viral or parasitic. The growth of urbanization, industrialization and the advance of agriculture and livestock facilitate the spread of infectious and parasitic agents from wild animals to the human population and to their domestic animals. Among the various reservoirs of zoonotic agents, we find that didelphid species, due to their high capacity for adaptation in urban environments, as an important study case. We reviewed the literature data on the pathogens, including with zoonotic potential of marsupial species occurring in Brazil, accounted for infections by agents that we categorized into Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, and Helminths. Aiming identifies possible knowledge gaps, we also surveyed the origin of studied samples and the institutions leading the researches on host didelphids. Among the hosts, the genus Didelphis in the cycles of these agents stands out. Moreover, we found that the majority of reported cases are in the Southeastern Brazil, mean the data from other Brazilian localities and didelphid species could be underestimated. Most studies took place in graduate programs of public research institutions, emphasizing the importance of the funding public research for the Brazilian scientific development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus M. Bitencourt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará , Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, CEP 66075-110 , Belém , PA , Brazil
| | - Alexandra M. R. Bezerra
- Mastozoologia/COZOO, Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, Campus de Pesquisa , Av. Perimetral 1901, CEP 66077-830 , Belém , PA , Brazil
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Oliveira RPAD, Collere FCM, Ferrari LDR, Coradi VDS, Soares NDA, Leandro ADS, Oliveira WFD, Galvão SR, Kafka R, Delai RM, Martini R, Saldanha A, Santos LPD, Cubas ZS, Lange RR, Vieira TSWJ, Vieira RFDC. 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris' and tick-borne pathogens screening in white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Curitiba and Foz do Iguaçu Cities, Paraná State, southern Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2021; 30:e009721. [PMID: 34495043 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hemoplasmas are epierythrocytic bacteria that infect mammals. 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris' was detected in white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from southern and central-western Brazil. The present study aimed at: i) screening opossums for tick-borne (TBP) pathogens (Piroplasmida and Anaplasmataceae) and ii) detecting and characterizing hemoplasma species infecting opossums from Curitiba and Foz do Iguaçu cities in the Paraná State, southern Brazil. Thirty blood samples from white-eared opossums were evaluated by PCR assays. Animals were not infested by ectoparasites. The mammalian endogenous gapdh gene was consistently amplified in all samples. All opossums tested negative for Theileria/Babesia spp. and Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. by PCR based on 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes, respectively. A genus-specific PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas showed that three/13 (23.08%; CI 95%: 8.18-50.26%) opossums from Foz do Iguaçu were positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. All opossums from Curitiba tested negative for hemoplasmas. Sequencing of both the 16S and 23S rRNA genes revealed that the animals were infected by 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris'. Although 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' is prevalent in opossums in Brazil, clinical signs associated with its infection and its putative vectors remain unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flávia Carolina Meira Collere
- Laboratório de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Larissa Dantas Roeder Ferrari
- Laboratório de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Vanessa Dos Santos Coradi
- Laboratório de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Nathália de Albuquerque Soares
- Laboratório de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - André de Souza Leandro
- Unidade de Vigilância em Zoonoses, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Sandro Roberto Galvão
- Unidade de Vigilância em Zoonoses, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brasil
| | - Rosinei Kafka
- Unidade de Vigilância em Zoonoses, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brasil
| | - Robson Michael Delai
- Laboratório de Saúde Única, Centro de Medicina Tropical das Três Fronteiras, Fundação Itaiguapy, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brasil
| | - Rafaella Martini
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - André Saldanha
- Laboratório de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Leonardo Pereira Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Rogério Ribas Lange
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Laboratório de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil.,Global One Health initiative - GOHi, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Molecular detection of piroplasmids in synanthropic rodents, marsupials, and associated ticks from Brazil, with phylogenetic inference of a putative novel Babesia sp. from white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris). Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3537-3546. [PMID: 34448058 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07284-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The order Piroplasmida encompasses tick-borne pathogens of veterinary and medical importance positioned in two main families: Babesiidae and Theileriidae. Even though previous studies carried out in Brazil recorded the occurrence of piroplasmid species circulating in small mammals, 18S RNA gene sequences were only partially sequenced, preventing the assessment of their phylogenetic positioning. The current study aimed to detect and characterize, using morphological, molecular, and bioinformatic approaches, piroplasmids from wild mammals and associated ticks sampled in Central-Western Brazil. Out of 67 Didelphis albiventris sampled, 22 (16.4%) were positive for piroplasmids by PCR. In contrast, none of the 48 small rodents and 14 capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) was PCR-positive. Four Amblyomma dubitatum ticks-one from Rattus rattus, one from H. hydrochaeris, and two from D. albiventris-out of 114 Amblyomma spp. DNA samples were positive for piroplasmids by PCR. The phylogenetic inference performed using the near-complete 18S rRNA gene positioned the putative novel piroplasmid species detected in D. albiventris and associated A. dubitatum ticks near to Babesia sensu lato clade (Western group-cluster III) and distant from the Australian marsupial-associated piroplasms. Phylogenetic inferences based on two additional molecular markers, namely hsp-70 and cox-1, supported the near-complete 18S rRNA gene phylogenetic inference. Finally, the partial 18S rRNA gene sequences detected in ticks from rodents (R. rattus and H. hydrochaeris) showed 97.2-99.4% identity with the Piroplasmida previously detected in a capybara from Brazil, raising evidence that a still uncharacterized piroplasmid species has been identified in the capybara, the largest rodent species from South America.
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Didelphis spp. opossums and their parasites in the Americas: A One Health perspective. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4091-4111. [PMID: 33788021 PMCID: PMC8599228 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07072-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medium sized opossums (Didelphis spp.) are among the most fascinating mammals of the Americas, playing important ecological roles (e.g., dispersal of seeds and control of insect populations) in the environment they inhabit. Nevertheless, as synanthropic animals, they are well adapted to human dwellings, occupying shelters within the cities, peripheral areas, and rural settings. These marsupials can harbor numerous pathogens, which may affect people, pets, and livestock. Among those, some protozoa (e.g., Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii), helminths (e.g., Ancylostoma caninum, Trichinella spiralis, Alaria marcianae, Paragonimus spp.) and arthropods (e.g., ticks, fleas) present substantial public health and veterinary importance, due to their capacity to cause disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Here, we reviewed the role played by opossums on the spreading of zoonotic parasites, vectors, and vector-borne pathogens, highlighting the risks of pathogens transmission due to the direct and indirect interaction of humans and domestic animals with Didelphis spp. in the Americas.
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Fernandes AJ, Elshafie NO, Kmetiuk LB, Ullmann LS, Brandão APD, Haisi A, van Wilpe Bach R, de Barros-Filho IR, Araújo Junior JP, Barbosa DS, Biondo AW, Dos Santos AP. Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) in wild boars, hunting dogs, and hunters from two Brazilian regions. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:908-912. [PMID: 33605554 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) are small pleomorphic bacteria infecting erythrocytes of several mammalian species, including human beings. No study to date has focused on the risk of bacteria exposure in hunting activities, particularly in natural environments of highly tick-infested areas. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess haemoplasma occurrence in the complex encompassing wild boars, hunting dogs and hunters of Brazil. A total of 38/65 (58.5%) wild boars and 94/159 (59.1%) dogs were positive by qPCR for at least one haemoplasma. All 25 hunters were negative. Dogs with high hunting frequency were 2.4 more likely to be infected. Sequencing revealed a probable novel haemoplasma species in wild boars. Although exposure to haemoplasma species was present, the study herein found no evidence of cross-species transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Leila Sabrina Ullmann
- Biotechnology Institute, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Haisi
- Biotechnology Institute, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato van Wilpe Bach
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | - David Soeiro Barbosa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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11
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Millán J, Di Cataldo S, Volokhov DV, Becker DJ. Worldwide occurrence of haemoplasmas in wildlife: Insights into the patterns of infection, transmission, pathology and zoonotic potential. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:3236-3256. [PMID: 33210822 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) have increasingly attracted the attention of wildlife disease researchers due to a combination of wide host range, high prevalence and genetic diversity. A systematic review identified 75 articles that investigated haemoplasma infection in wildlife by molecular methods (chiefly targeting partial 16S rRNA gene sequences), which included 131 host genera across six orders. Studies were less common in the Eastern Hemisphere (especially Africa and Asia) and more frequent in the Artiodactyla and Carnivora. Meta-analysis showed that infection prevalence did not vary by geographic region nor host order, but wild hosts showed significantly higher prevalence than captive hosts. Using a taxonomically flexible machine learning algorithm, we also found vampire bats and cervids to have greater prevalence, whereas mink, a subclade of vesper bats, and true foxes all had lower prevalence compared to the remaining sampled mammal phylogeny. Haemoplasma genotype and nucleotide diversity varied little among wild mammals but were marginally lower in primates and bats. Coinfection with more than one haemoplasma species or genotype was always confirmed when assessed. Risk factors of infection identified were sociality, age, males and high trophic levels, and both prevalence and diversity were often higher in undisturbed environments. Haemoplasmas likely use different and concurrent transmission routes and typically display enzootic dynamics when wild populations are studied longitudinally. Haemoplasma pathology is poorly known in wildlife but appears subclinical. Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohominis, which causes disease in humans, probably has it natural host in bats. Haemoplasmas can serve as a model system in ecological and evolutionary studies, and future research on these pathogens in wildlife must focus on increasing the geographic range and taxa of studies and elucidating pathology, transmission and zoonotic potential. To facilitate such work, we recommend using universal PCR primers or NGS protocols to detect novel haemoplasmas and other genetic markers to differentiate among species and infer cross-species transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Fundación ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Dmitriy V Volokhov
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel J Becker
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
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12
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Records of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on humans and distribution of spotted-fever cases and its tick vectors in Paraná State, southern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101510. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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13
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Pontarolo GH, Kühl LF, Pedrassani D, Campos M, Figueiredo FB, Valente JDM, Gonçalves LR, André MR, Vieira TSWJ, Vieira RFDC, Roque de Barros Filho I. 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris', a novel hemoplasma species in white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:565-572. [PMID: 32644252 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Opossums of the genus Didelphis are considered synanthropic animals due to their close contact with human beings. Previously, two species of hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) have been detected in opossums: 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemodidelphidis' in the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and a potentially novel hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. in the white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Brazil. Accordingly, the aims of this study were as follows: (a) to determine the prevalence of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in free-ranging opossums, (b) to characterize molecularly the hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. infecting opossums and (c) to determine factors associated with hemoplasma infection in opossums from Canoinhas municipality, Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. For this purpose, 50 white-eared opossums (33 captured and 17 road-killed animals) were evaluated by a pan-hemoplasma PCR assay based on 16S rRNA. Six out of 50 (12%; 95% CI: 5.6%-23.8%) opossums were infested by Ctenocephalides felis fleas. Twenty out of 50 (40%; 95% CI: 26.41%-54.82%) opossums tested positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. by PCR. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S and 23S rRNA gene fragments confirmed that animals were infected by a potentially novel hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. previously reported in white-eared opossums from Brazil. No significant association was found between gender (p = .7759), trap area (p = .0887) or presence of fleas (p = .3811) and positivity for hemoplasmas. The potentially novel hemoplasma species seems to be highly prevalent in white-eared opossums from the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Mato Grosso do Sul. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes along with epidemiological data, the name 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris' is proposed for this novel organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giane Helenita Pontarolo
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade do Contestado, Canoinhas, Brazil.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Luís Felipe Kühl
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade do Contestado, Canoinhas, Brazil
| | - Daniela Pedrassani
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade do Contestado, Canoinhas, Brazil
| | - Monique Campos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Teriogenologia e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Teriogenologia e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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14
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Gonçalves LR, Herrera HM, Nantes WAG, Santos FM, Porfírio GEDO, Barreto WTG, de Macedo GC, Assis WDO, Campos JBV, da Silva TMV, Mariano LC, Barros-Battesti DM, Machado RZ, André MR. Genetic diversity and lack of molecular evidence for hemoplasma cross-species transmission between wild and synanthropic mammals from Central-Western Brazil. Acta Trop 2020; 203:105303. [PMID: 31857081 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Globally, hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) comprise an emerging or remerging bacteria group that attaches to red blood cells of several mammal's species and in some cases, causing hemolytic anemia. Herein, we assessed the occurrence, genetic diversity, the factors coupled to mammals infection, and the phylogeographic distribution of hemoplasmas in sylvatic and synanthropic mammals and their associated ectoparasites from Brazil. We collected spleen and/or blood samples from synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus [N = 39] and Mus musculus [N = 9]), sylvatic rodents (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris [N = 14]) and opossums (Didelphis albiventris [N = 43]). In addition, ticks (Amblyomma spp. [N = 270] and lice (Polyplax spinulosa [N = 6]) specimens were also sampled. Using a PCR targeting the 16S rRNA region, out of 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossums DNA samples, hemoplasma DNA was found in 25%, 50%, and 32.5% animals, respectively. Besides, we reported hemoplasma DNA in Amblyomma sp. (22.2% [2/9]) and lice (100% [2/2]) pools samples from rats, and one female A. sculptum DNA sample (3% [1/33]) obtained from a capybara. Additionally, and in agreement with ML analysis, the network analyses showed a clear phylogenetic separation among the hemoplasmas genotypes found in the different host species sampled, thus, suggesting the absence of cross-species hemoplasmas transmission between the mammals trapped. Finally, using the NTC network analysis, we reported the same 16S rRNA Mycoplasma genotype circulating in Rattus sampled in Brazil, Hungary, and Japan.
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