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Melo TBD, Silva TRM, Almeida TLACD, Tutija JF, Silva AOD, Lira MDS, Amorim D, Giannelli A, Ramos CADN, Alves LC, Carvalho GAD, Ramos RAN. Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in cats tested for FIV and FeLV. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY: REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2023; 40:100857. [PMID: 37068860 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect molecularly vector borne pathogens (VBPs) in domiciled cats tested for Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Blood samples (n = 119) were analyzed microscopically and molecularly through PCR and sequenced for the detection of the following pathogens: piroplasmids., Bartonella henselae, Cytauxzoon felis, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania spp., hemotropic Mycoplasma spp., Trypanosoma spp., and Ricketssia spp. Animals were also serological assessed for detection of antibodies against FIV and FeLV. Out of all animals, 20.16% (24/119) tested positive for at least one VBPs at molecular examination. Conversely, no animal resulted positive at microscopic analysis. The most prevalent pathogen was hemotropic Mycoplasma haemofelis (8.40%; 10/119), followed by Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (5.88%; 7/119), E. canis (5.04%; 6/119), C. felis (0.84%; 1/119) and B. henselae (0.84%; 1/119). One animal (0.84%; 1/119) was co-infected with. E. canis and B. henselae. A total of 5.88% (7/119) and 1.68% (2/119) tested positive for FIV and FeLV, respectively. Data of this study demonstrate that owned cats can be at risk of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp., E. canis, C. felis and B. henselae. Therefore, preventive measures against vectors of these pathogens should be implemented in order to reduce the risk of exposition and consequently infection. Additionally, aggressive behaviors among cats should be avoided, especially because hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. may be transmitted through the bite of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thyara Bezerra de Melo
- Graduate Program of Animal Bioscience, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Tatiene Rossana Mota Silva
- Graduate Program of Animal Bioscience, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil
| | | | - Juliane Franciele Tutija
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Angélica Oliveira da Silva
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Leucio Câmara Alves
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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Weerarathne P, Maker R, Huang C, Taylor B, Cowan SR, Hyatt J, Tamil Selvan M, Shatnawi S, Thomas JE, Meinkoth JH, Scimeca R, Birkenheuer A, Liu L, Reichard MV, Miller CA. A Novel Vaccine Strategy to Prevent Cytauxzoonosis in Domestic Cats. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:573. [PMID: 36992157 PMCID: PMC10058880 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytauxzoonosis is caused by Cytauxzoon felis (C. felis), a tick-borne parasite that causes severe disease in domestic cats in the United States. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent this fatal disease, as traditional vaccine development strategies have been limited by the inability to culture this parasite in vitro. Here, we used a replication-defective human adenoviral vector (AdHu5) to deliver C. felis-specific immunogenic antigens and induce a cell-mediated and humoral immune response in cats. Cats (n = 6 per group) received either the vaccine or placebo in two doses, 4 weeks apart, followed by experimental challenge with C. felis at 5 weeks post-second dose. While the vaccine induced significant cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in immunized cats, it did not ultimately prevent infection with C. felis. However, immunization significantly delayed the onset of clinical signs and reduced febrility during C. felis infection. This AdHu5 vaccine platform shows promising results as a vaccination strategy against cytauxzoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pabasara Weerarathne
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Rebekah Maker
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Chaoqun Huang
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Brianne Taylor
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Shannon R. Cowan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Julia Hyatt
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Miruthula Tamil Selvan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Shoroq Shatnawi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Thomas
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - James H. Meinkoth
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Ruth Scimeca
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Adam Birkenheuer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Mason V. Reichard
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Craig A. Miller
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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de Oliveira CM, Yang S, Duarte MA, Figueiredo DM, do Rosario Batista LM, Marr H, McManus CM, André MR, Birkenheuer AJ, Paludo GR. Piroplasmid infection is not associated with clinicopathological and laboratory abnormalities in cats from Midwestern Brazil. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2561-2570. [PMID: 35876912 PMCID: PMC10680102 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Feline piroplasmids include the genera Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Theileria spp. In Brazil, there are few reports regarding these hemoprotozoans; however, clinicopathological and molecular data are scarce. This study aimed to characterize the clinical relevance of these parasites through hematological, biochemical, and molecular approaches. For this purpose, 166 cats from Brasilia, Federal District, Midwestern Brazil, were screened using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for piroplasmids based on the LSU4 mitochondrial gene, which resulted in an overall prevalence of 36/166 (21.7%). Twelve of 166 samples (7.2%) were positive for C. felis, while 19/166 (11.4%) were positive for Babesia vogeli. No samples tested positive for Theileria spp. Babesia vogeli and Cytauxzoon spp. LSU4 sequences showed identities of 97-100% and 99.3%, respectively, to US isolates. The hematological and biochemical findings did not differ significantly between the cats that tested positive and negative for piroplasmids. Although the lack of abnormalities in clinical and laboratory parameters does not eliminate the possibility that these cats were sick and recovered, it may suggest that the Brazilian strain of Cytauxzoon spp. is not as pathogenic as that from the USA, despite the high molecular identity with North American isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Manoel de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia E Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, CEP, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Sharon Yang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Matheus Almeida Duarte
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia E Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, CEP, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Daniela Maciel Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia E Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, CEP, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Liliane Maria do Rosario Batista
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia E Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, CEP, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Henry Marr
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Concepta Margaret McManus
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adam Joseph Birkenheuer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia E Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, CEP, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil.
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André MR, Calchi AC, Furquim MEC, de Andrade I, Arantes PVC, de Melo Lopes LC, Demarchi IKLDN, Figueiredo MAP, de Paula Lima CA, Machado RZ. Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Agents in Cats from Southeastern and Northern Brazil. Pathogens 2022; 11:106. [PMID: 35056054 PMCID: PMC8781600 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though the epidemiology of tick-borne agents (TBA) in dogs has been extensively investigated around the world, the occurrence, vectors involved, and molecular identity of these agents in cats remains elusive in many regions. Among TBA, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Hepatozoon are responsible for diseases with non-specific clinical signs in cats, making essential the use of molecular techniques for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of tick-borne agents (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia/Theileria, Cytauxzoon, and Hepatozoon) in cats from southeastern (states of São Paulo (SP) and Minas Gerais (MG)) and northern (state of Rondônia (RO)) Brazil. For this purpose, 390 blood samples were collected from domiciled cats in MG (n = 155), SP (n = 151), and RO(n = 84) states, submitted to DNA extraction and PCR assays for Ehrlichia spp. (dsb gene), Anaplasma spp. (rrs gene), piroplasmids (18S rRNA gene), and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA gene), sequencing, and phylogenetic inferences. The overall positivity for Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. were 7.4% (12.3% (MG) and 6.6% (SP)), 2% (4.5% (MG) and 0.6% (SP)), 0.7% (0.6% (MG), 0.6% (SP) and 1.2% (RO)), 27.2% (41.9% (MG), 24.5% (SP) and 4.8% (RO), and 0%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis grouped the obtained sequences with 'Candidatus Anaplasma amazonensis', A. platys, B. vogeli, and Cytauxzoon sp. previously detected in wild felids from Brazil. qPCR specific for E. canis based on the dsb gene confirmed the molecular identity of the detected ehrlichial agent. The present study expanded the list and geographical distribution of hemoparasites in cats. 'Candidatus Anaplasma amazonensis', recently detected in sloths from northern Brazil, was described for the first time in cats. This is the first report of piroplasmids infecting cats in northern Brazil. Coinfection by Cytauxzoon and other TBA (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and B. vogeli) reported in the present study raises the need for veterinary practitioners' awareness of cats parasitized by multiple TBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única—Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (A.C.C.); (M.E.C.F.); (I.d.A.); (P.V.C.A.); (L.C.d.M.L.); (R.Z.M.)
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única—Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (A.C.C.); (M.E.C.F.); (I.d.A.); (P.V.C.A.); (L.C.d.M.L.); (R.Z.M.)
| | - Maria Eduarda Chiaradia Furquim
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única—Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (A.C.C.); (M.E.C.F.); (I.d.A.); (P.V.C.A.); (L.C.d.M.L.); (R.Z.M.)
| | - Isabela de Andrade
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única—Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (A.C.C.); (M.E.C.F.); (I.d.A.); (P.V.C.A.); (L.C.d.M.L.); (R.Z.M.)
| | - Paulo Vitor Cadina Arantes
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única—Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (A.C.C.); (M.E.C.F.); (I.d.A.); (P.V.C.A.); (L.C.d.M.L.); (R.Z.M.)
| | - Lara Cristina de Melo Lopes
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única—Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (A.C.C.); (M.E.C.F.); (I.d.A.); (P.V.C.A.); (L.C.d.M.L.); (R.Z.M.)
| | - Iuri Kauan Lins do Nascimento Demarchi
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Entomologia e Biologia Molecular Aplicada à Saúde Única, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Rolim de Moura 76940-000, RO, Brazil; (I.K.L.d.N.D.); (M.A.P.F.)
| | - Mayra Araguaia Pereira Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Entomologia e Biologia Molecular Aplicada à Saúde Única, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Rolim de Moura 76940-000, RO, Brazil; (I.K.L.d.N.D.); (M.A.P.F.)
| | | | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única—Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (A.C.C.); (M.E.C.F.); (I.d.A.); (P.V.C.A.); (L.C.d.M.L.); (R.Z.M.)
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Guizelini CC, Nascimento CA, Echeverria JT, Soares RL, Pimenta MM, de Deco-Souza T, Esteves FC, Gomes DC. Fatal infection caused by Cytauxzoon felis in a captive-reared jaguar ( Panthera onca). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 16:187-190. [PMID: 34667716 PMCID: PMC8505357 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Fatal infections with Cytauxzoon felis are common in domestic cats, and jaguars (Panthera onca) are believed carriers of this protozoan. Fatal C. felis infections have never been described in jaguars before. Thus, this study describes such an infection in a 5-month-old captive-reared jaguar that presented hyporexia and died at 26 days after the first clinical signs. During necropsy, samples were taken from several tissues, some were fixed in 10% formalin and process for histopathological diagnosis, and some samples were used for DNA extraction, amplification via PCR and sequencing of the potential pathogens. Grossly, marked splenomegaly and icterus were observed. Histologically, numerous structures that are morphologically compatible with Cytauxzoon spp. schizonts obliterated multiple blood vessels in the brain, leptomeninges, spinal cord, lungs, heart, skeletal muscle, adrenal gland, kidneys, spleen, small intestine and pancreas. C. felis was identified by PCR in many organs. Thus, C. felis infection in jaguars can be fatal, and the clinicopathological findings are similar to those of cytauxzoonosis in other wild and domestic felid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina C. Guizelini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Carlos A.R. Nascimento
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Jéssica T. Echeverria
- Autonomous Veterinarian at Laboratório de Diagnóstico Molecular Veterinário (LABMOL VET), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo L. Soares
- Autonomous Veterinarian at Laboratório de Diagnóstico Molecular Veterinário (LABMOL VET), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Marcela M. Pimenta
- Autonomous Veterinarian volunteer at Instituto Onça Pintada, Mineiros, GO, Brazil
| | - Thyara de Deco-Souza
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Felipe C.B. Esteves
- Autonomous Veterinarian volunteer at Instituto Onça Pintada, Mineiros, GO, Brazil
| | - Danilo C. Gomes
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
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