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Fagundes-Moreira R, Baggio-Souza V, May-Junior JA, Berger L, Bilhalva LC, Reis AO, Sartorello L, Rampim LE, Bezerra-Santos MA, Otranto D, Soares JF. Detection of Trypanosoma evansi in jaguars (Panthera onca): insights from the Brazilian Pantanal wetland. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:88. [PMID: 38190005 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08101-0] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma evansi is a widespread and neglected zoonotic parasite that affects domestic and wild animals, causing a disease commonly known as "surra." The Brazilian Pantanal wetland is recognized as an enzootic area for this protozoan, yet recognizing the importance of reservoir hosts also in order to prevent zoonotic outbreaks. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of T. evansi in jaguars (Panthera onca) from the Brazilian Pantanal wetland and explore associated clinical and hematological manifestations. A total of 42 animals were screened by PCR and sequenced for species identification when positive. Trypanosoma evansi was detected in six free-ranging jaguars (six positive animals of 42 captures and 16 recaptures), representing the first molecular evidence of such infection in this animal species. Our findings suggest that jaguars may act as reservoir hosts of T. evansi in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland. The better understanding of the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of T. evansi is also of importance to future reintroduction and translocation programs toward wildlife conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Fagundes-Moreira
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Baggio-Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Joares Adenilson May-Junior
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Onçafari Association, São Paulo, Brazil
- Panthera Corporation, New York, USA
| | - Laura Berger
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lina Crespo Bilhalva
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Adeyldes Oliveira Reis
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - João Fabio Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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