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Drivers of the Ectoparasite Community and Co-Infection Patterns in Rural and Urban Burrowing Owls. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081141. [PMID: 36009768 PMCID: PMC9405203 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary We analyzed the ectoparasite community of a monomorphic and non-social bird, the burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia, breeding in rural and urban habitats. Such community was composed by two lice, one mite and one flea species. Rural individuals had more fleas and less mites than urban ones. Adult birds harbored less ectoparasites than young ones and females harbored more lice than males. The presence of lice was positively related to the presence of fleas. On the contrary, the presence of mites was negatively related to the presence of fleas and lice. The study of parasite communities in urban and rural populations of the same species can shed light on how urban stressor factors impact the physiology of wildlife inhabiting cities and, therefore, the host-parasite relationships. Abstract Urbanization creates new ecological conditions that can affect biodiversity at all levels, including the diversity and prevalence of parasites of species that may occupy these environments. However, few studies have compared bird–ectoparasite interactions between urban and rural individuals. Here, we analyze the ectoparasite community and co-infection patterns of urban and rural burrowing owls, Athene cunicularia, to assess the influence of host traits (i.e., sex, age, and weight), and environmental factors (i.e., number of conspecifics per nest, habitat type and aridity) on its composition. Ectoparasites of burrowing owls included two lice, one flea, and one mite. The overall prevalence for mites, lice and fleas was 1.75%, 8.76% and 3.50%, respectively. A clear pattern of co-infection was detected between mites and fleas and, to less extent, between mites and lice. Adult owls harbored fewer ectoparasites than nestlings, and adult females harbored more lice than males. Our results also show that mite and flea numbers were higher when more conspecifics cohabited the same burrow, while lice showed the opposite pattern. Rural individuals showed higher flea parasitism and lower mite parasitism than urban birds. Moreover, mite numbers were negatively correlated with aridity and host weight. Although the ectoparasitic load of burrowing owls appears to be influenced by individual age, sex, number of conspecifics per nest, and habitat characteristics, the pattern of co-infection found among ectoparasites could also be mediated by unexplored factors such as host immune response, which deserves further research.
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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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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. Epidemiologic significance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in turkeys, ducks, ratites and other wild birds: 2009-2020. Parasitology 2021; 148:1-30. [PMID: 33070787 PMCID: PMC11010194 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Wild and domestic avian species are important in the epidemiology of T. gondii infections because felids prey on them and excrete millions of oocysts in the environment, disseminating the infection. Herbivorous birds are also excellent sentinels of environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts because they feed on the ground. Toxoplasma gondii infections in birds of prey reflect infections in intermediate hosts. Humans can become infected by consuming undercooked avian tissues. Here, the authors reviewed prevalence, persistence of infection, clinical disease, epidemiology and genetic diversity of T. gondii strains isolated from turkeys, geese, ducks, ratites and avian species (excluding chickens) worldwide 2009-2020. Genetic diversity of 102 T. gondii DNA samples isolated worldwide is discussed. The role of migratory birds in dissemination of T. gondii infection is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. P. Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - F. H. A. Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - C. K. Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - O. C. H. Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - C. Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN37996-0845, USA
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Brito Junior PDA, Rocha JM, Silva CAD, Oliveira PMV, Correia JE, Cruz LAD, Sevá ADP, Oliveira TVD, Silva AVD, Alvarez MRDV, Albuquerque GR. Survey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild mammals captured from Atlantic Forest fragments in Bahia, northeastern Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2020; 29:e004720. [PMID: 33111842 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii present in wild mammals that were trap captured in forest fragments in the State of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. A total of 368 individuals (246 rodents, 104 marsupials and 18 bats) were captured using live catch traps. Serum samples were tested using the modified agglutination test, with a cut-off point at 1:25 dilution. The total occurrence of antibodies to T. gondii was 10.6% (39/368), being 16.3% (17/104) in marsupials, 8.5% (21/246) in rodents, and 5.5% (1/18) in bats. Antibody titers varied between 25 and 50 for rodents, between 25 and 400 for marsupials, and were 25 for bats. This is the first report on antibodies to T. gondii in certain rodent species (Thaptomys nigrita, Hylaeamys laticeps, and Cerradomys subflavus), marsupial species (Monodelphis americana, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Gracilinanus agilis and Marmosops incanus), and bats of the genus Rhynchonycteris. The presence of antibodies to T. gondii in wild mammals demonstrates the possibility of these animals as sentinels of toxoplasmosis, especially on regions under high anthropogenic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josiane Moreira Rocha
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal - PPGCA, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
| | - Caroline Araújo da Silva
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil
| | | | - Joelande Esquivel Correia
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil
| | - Luciara Alves da Cruz
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil
| | - Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal - PPGCA, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Bioestatística, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Téo Veiga de Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil
| | - Aristeu Vieira da Silva
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil
| | | | - George Rêgo Albuquerque
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
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Iemmi T, Vismarra A, Mangia C, Zanin R, Genchi M, Lanfranchi P, Kramer LH, Formenti N, Ferrari N. Toxoplasma gondii in the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in northern Italy. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:262. [PMID: 32429990 PMCID: PMC7236205 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying factors that sustain parasite transmission is important for understanding their spread and emergence, including how changes in biodiversity may affect parasite prevalence and spread. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite infecting humans and animals. Birds can acquire T. gondii infection through ingestion either of oocysts from the ground or of tissue cysts present in infected prey and are therefore suitable indicators of the presence of T. gondii in the natural environment. Methods The aim of the study included the evaluation of T. gondii seroprevalence in clinically healthy Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) using a modified agglutination test. Birds were captured in a small area of Parma (northern Italy) for two consecutive years (2016–2017), sex and age determined and serological study carried out. Food sources for the birds were also evaluated, in particular rodent and grasshopper population estimates in the study area. The biomass of rodents and grasshoppers per hectare was estimated in order to directly compare food availability. Statistical analyses were performed in order to evaluate factors influencing the probability of kestrels being T. gondii-seropositive using R 3.4.4 fitting linear mixed-effect models with the ‘glmer’ function of the package lme4, ‘lsmean’ in package lsmean for pair-wise post-hoc comparisons using differences of least square means (DLSM) and the ‘betareg’ function of the package betareg for beta regression. Results Seroprevalence for T. gondii was 33.3% (49/147) in 2016, while in 2017 seroprevalence decreased to 14.3% (13/91). An increase in the probability of kestrels being T. gondii-seropositive was associated with a higher rodent biomass in the environment, suggesting a positive feedback of the biotic factors driving infection risk. Conclusions These results underline the need for multidisciplinary studies aimed at better understanding pathogen-host relationships and for predictions in disease ecology.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Iemmi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,URCA (Unione Regionale Cacciatori dell'Appennino), Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Rolando Zanin
- URCA (Unione Regionale Cacciatori dell'Appennino), Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Paolo Lanfranchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Centro di Ricerca Coordinata Epidemiologia e Sorveglianza Molecolare delle Infezioni, EpiSoMI, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Pena HFJ, Ferrari VM, Aires LPN, Soares HS, Oliveira S, Alves BF, Gennari SM, Dubey JP, de Mattos LC, de Mattos CCB, Castiglioni L. First isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in a free-living giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) revealed a unique non-archetypal genotype. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105335. [PMID: 31926913 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect virtually all warm-blooded animals worldwide but little is known of its infection in the endangered giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). The present study found antibodies to T. gondii in 13 of 23 free-living M. tridactyla from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil, by the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT, cut-off titer 1:25). Unfrozen tissues of seven M. tridactyla were bioassayed in mice and viable T. gondii (strain designated TgMytrBrSP1) isolated from one seropositive giant anteater. To our knowledge, this is a new host record for T. gondii. Genotyping using PCR-RFLP revealed the Brazilian clonal Type BrIII genotype, and a unique non-archetypal genotype was revealed by microsatellite analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias - Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal (VPS) - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP: 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Vinícius Matheus Ferrari
- Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita" Filho (UNESP) - Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE) - Campus de São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brasil; FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group - Departamento de Biologia Molecular - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Luiz Paulo Nogueira Aires
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group - Departamento de Biologia Molecular - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brasil; Centro Universitário de Rio Preto - UNIRP, São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Herbert Sousa Soares
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias - Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal (VPS) - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP: 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Solange Oliveira
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias - Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal (VPS) - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP: 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Bruna Farias Alves
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias - Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal (VPS) - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP: 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias - Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal (VPS) - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP: 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group - Departamento de Biologia Molecular - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group - Departamento de Biologia Molecular - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Lilian Castiglioni
- Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita" Filho (UNESP) - Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE) - Campus de São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brasil; Centro Universitário de Rio Preto - UNIRP, São Paulo, Brasil; Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Coletiva - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brasil.
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Zhang XX, Qin SY, Li X, Ren WX, Hou G, Zhao Q, Ni HB. Seroprevalence and Related Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Pigeons Intended for Human Consumption in Northern China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 19:302-305. [PMID: 30526424 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is carried by a range of intermediate hosts, including pigeons. Eating raw or undercooked pigeon meat, as is common in regions of China, can easily pass on a potentially fatal T. gondii infection. However, there are little data about the seroprevalence and genotypes of T. gondii infection in pigeons. In this study, a total of 963 pigeon blood samples were collected from Jilin Province, Liaoning Province, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China between August 2015 and December 2016. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 10.80% (104/963), with 8.80% (41/466) in males and 12.68% (63/497) in females. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in different regions varied from 9.04% (17/188) in Jilin City to 13.16% (20/152) in Shenyang City, a relatively high prevalence. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in juvenile pigeons (6.38%, 18/282) was significantly lower than in adults (86/681, p < 0.05). These findings could provide useful data for the execution of effective control measures against T. gondii infection in pigeons and/or other hosts. More importantly, the findings also suggest that pigeons should not be eaten raw.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- 1 College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Si-Yuan Qin
- 2 General Monitoring Station for Wildlife-borne Infectious Diseases, State Forestry and Grass Administration, Shenyang, China
| | - Xi Li
- 1 College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Wei-Xin Ren
- 1 College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Guangyu Hou
- 3 College of Basic Medicine, Mudanjiang Medical College, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Quan Zhao
- 4 College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- 1 College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
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PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO SELECTED VIRUSES AND PARASITES IN INTRODUCED AND ENDEMIC CARNIVORES IN WESTERN MADAGASCAR. J Wildl Dis 2016; 52:544-52. [PMID: 27195685 DOI: 10.7589/2015-03-063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduced animals impact endemic populations through predation, competition, and disease transmission. Populations of endemic carnivores in Madagascar are declining, and pathogens transmitted from introduced species may further endanger these unique species. We assessed the exposure of introduced and endemic carnivores to common viral and parasitic pathogens in two national parks of Madagascar (Kirindy Mitea National Park and Ankarafantsika National Park) and their neighboring villages. We also identified variables associated with the presence of antibodies to these pathogens in fosa ( Cryptoprocta ferox ). Introduced and endemic species were exposed to canine parvovirus, canine herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and Toxoplasma gondii . Domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ) and cats ( Felis catus ) may be sources of infection for these pathogens. Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma in captured fosa was >93%, and adults were more likely to be exposed than immature individuals. Our data provide a basis upon which to evaluate and manage risks of pathogen transmission between species.
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Bezerra RA, Giné GAF, Maciel BM, Gaiotto FA, Albuquerque GR. Identification and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging bristle-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus), a threatened arboreal mammal from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:277. [PMID: 25980958 PMCID: PMC4488976 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0882-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Strains of Toxoplasma gondii in Brazil have high genetic diversity compared to North America and Europe. The bristle-spined porcupine, Chaetomys subspinosus, is often subject to hunting for human food, but it is not known whether it can be a reservoir of this parasite. The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of T. gondii in C. subspinosus from southern Bahia, Brazil, and genetically characterize and compare the strains found with those isolated in previous studies of the same region to quantify their genetic diversity by multilocus PCR-RFLP and PCR sequencing. Findings Twelve free-ranging C. subspinosus captured in forest fragments of the Una Biological Reserve and adjacent areas were evaluated. Three isolates of T. gondii (TgCsBr01-03) were detected. Two different genotypes were identified by applying multilocus PCR-RFLP with six molecular markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, c22-8, PK1, and Apico). The isolates TgCsBr02 and TgCsBr03 were indistinguishable by this technique. However, the three isolates differed from all the reference strains and from the samples from the same region. Nevertheless, when the six genetic markers were used in multilocus PCR sequencing, all three isolates of T. gondii were different. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a greater genetic distance for TgCsBr01, which was closer to isolates from pigs from the same region, while TgCsBr02-03 was classified in the same lineage and was closer to isolates from sheep from this region. Conclusions All the isolates differed from the clonal genotypes of types I, II, and III using both genotyping techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Alves Bezerra
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, Ilhéus, BA, 45662-900, Brazil.
| | - Gastón Andrés Fernandez Giné
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, Ilhéus, BA, 45662-900, Brazil.
| | - Bianca Mendes Maciel
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, Ilhéus, BA, 45662-900, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Amato Gaiotto
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, Ilhéus, BA, 45662-900, Brazil.
| | - George Rêgo Albuquerque
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, Ilhéus, BA, 45662-900, Brazil.
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