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Gondim LFP, Soares RM, Moré G, Jesus RFD, Llano HAB. Sarcocystis neurona and related Sarcocystis spp. shed by opossums (Didelphis spp.) in South America. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e006521. [PMID: 34259741 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites of the genus Sarcocystis are obligatory heteroxenous cyst-forming coccidia that infect a wide variety of animals and encompass approximately 200 described species. At least four Sarcocystis spp. (S. falcatula, S. neurona, S. lindsayi and S. speeri) use opossums (Didelphis spp.) as definitive hosts, and two of them, S. neurona and S. falcatula, are known to cause disease in horses and birds, respectively. Opossums are restricted to the Americas, but their distribution in the Americas is heterogeneous. Five Didelphis spp. are distributed in South America (D. aurita, D. albiventris, D. marsupialis, D. imperfecta and D. pernigra) whereas just one opossum species (D. virginiana) is found in North America. Studies conducted in the last decades show that Sarcocystis spp., derived from South American Didelphis spp., have biological and genetic differences in relation to Sarcocystis spp. shed by the North American opossum D. virginiana. The aim of this review was to address the peculiar scenario of Sarcocystis species shed by South American opossums, with a special focus on diagnosis, epidemiology, and animal infections, as well as the genetic characteristics of these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Fernando Pita Gondim
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Gastón Moré
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rogério Fernando de Jesus
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | - Horwald Alexander Bedoya Llano
- Grupo de Investigación - GINVER, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín, Colombia
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Pellizzoni SG, Costa SCL, Mery RBG, Barbieri JM, Munhoz AD, Silva AND, Sevá ADP, Alvarez MRDV, Albuquerque GR. Sarcocystis neurona, seroprevalence of antibodies in equines and research of oocystis in opossum in Ilhéus - Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e027720. [PMID: 34161493 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in equines in the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion (BA), and identify possible factors associated with infection. The presence of sporocysts/oocysts of Sarcocystis spp. was also verified in Didelphis spp. A total of 669 serum samples were collected from equines in 56 properties located in 12 municipalities in the region. Indirect fluorescent antibody test was performed with slides containing merozoites of the S. neurona, using a cut-off titer of 1:80. Occurrence of 7.92% of anti-S. neurona antibodies was observed in the sampled equines. The purposes trade and work were significantly associated with the presence of antibodies (p<0.05), and being used for the purpose of work (21.6%) was considered a risk factor, while being used for the purpose of trade (3.6%) was a protective factor. A total of 25 Didelphis spp. was captured for research on sporocysts/oocysts in stool samples and intestinal scrapings, being all negative. Didelphis spp. were all negative for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. and this circumstance does not change the fact that seroprevalence of S. neurona has been observed in horses raised in the southern Bahia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Gusmão Pellizzoni
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
| | | | | | - Jonata Melo Barbieri
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Alexandre Dias Munhoz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
| | - Aísla Nascimento da Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
| | - Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
| | | | - George Rêgo Albuquerque
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil
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Lesions caused by Sarcocystis spp., parasites of opossums (Didelphis aurita), in acute and chronic infections in birds (Melopsittacus undulatus). Parasitol Res 2021; 120:751-754. [PMID: 33409637 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06979-8] [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: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Protozoa of the genus Sarcocystis are obligatory heterogenous parasites with both definitive and intermediate hosts. Opossums (Didelphis aurita) can shed multiple species of Sarcocystis with birds as the intermediate host. The pathologies of Sarcocystis species in birds have not been thoroughly elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study to determine the main lesions that can occur in acute and chronic infections in intermediate hosts, when they ingest infective sporocysts that are shed in the opossum's feces, using budgerigars as a model. To this end, 12 budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus, were divided into two groups that received an inoculum with 60 and 120 sporocysts. Birds that died or were euthanized were necropsied, and the lung, tongue, liver, brain, heart, and skeletal striated muscles were collected and fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological analysis. The infectivity varied according to the sample and infective dose. Acute histopathological lesions were characterized by evidence of slightly degenerated hepatocyte cords that permeated the region of the blood vessel and hepatic sinusoids. Pulmonary tissue lesions were also observed in the parabronchial region with the presence of inflammatory infiltrates associated with areas of edema and atelectasis. In chronic infections, few mature cysts were observed in the chest, and many mature cysts in the thigh and tongue muscles. Thus, it was possible to conclude that lesions are highly characteristic in acute infection and, in chronic infections, cysts were present but without major lesions. In this case, the preferred organs of parasitism were the thigh and the tongue.
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Gallo SSM, Lindsay DS, Ederli NB, Matteoli FP, Venancio TM, de Oliveira FCR. Identification of opossums Didelphis aurita (Wied-Neuweid, 1826) as a definitive host of Sarcocystis falcatula-like sporocysts. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:213-223. [PMID: 29192336 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5695-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to identify the Sarcocystis species that infect the opossum Didelphis aurita in order to determine which sporocysts they are excreating in to the environment and help determine the role of D. aurita in the epidemiology of Sarcocystis. Sporocysts were obtained from intestinal tracts of 8 of 13 D. aurita trapped in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, and were orally inoculated into Melopsittacus undulatus and Balb/c nude Mus musculus. Portions of organs and muscles were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and PCR using primers JNB 33/54, and ITS. Amplification products were subjected to RFLP using DraI and HinfI. Some birds were euthanized 6, 7, 13, 16, and 24 days after inoculation (DAI). All other birds and all mice were euthanized 60 DAI. Schizonts were observed in the lungs using histology and immunostaining in birds examined prior to 60 DAI. Sarcocysts with a ~ 1.5-μm-thick wall were found in the breast, thigh, and tongue of some birds. Sarcocystis asexual stages were isolated in cell cultures inoculated with sporozoites. Parasite DNA isolated from bird tissues and cell cultures demonstrated that S. falcatula-like parasites were present in all samples derived from positive opossums. Asexual stages molecularly characterized as S. lindsayi-like were isolated in cell culture from one opossum with an apparent multiple infection. This study demonstrated that D. aurita is a definitive host for S. falcatula-like parasites and indicates that S. lindsayi-like parasites can be found in coinfections of this opossum species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Salim Mello Gallo
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-600, Brazil.
| | - David Scott Lindsay
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, 1410 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0342, USA
| | - Nicole Brand Ederli
- Instituto do Noroeste Fluminense de Educação Superior, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Avenida João Jasbick, Santo Antônio de Pádua, Rio de Janeiro, 28470 000, Brazil
| | - Filipe Pereira Matteoli
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-600, Brazil
| | - Thiago Motta Venancio
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-600, Brazil
| | - Francisco Carlos Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-600, Brazil
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Gondim LSQ, Jesus RF, Ribeiro-Andrade M, Silva JCR, Siqueira DB, Marvulo MFV, Aléssio FM, Mauffrey JF, Julião FS, Savani ESMM, Soares RM, Gondim LFP. Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora caninum in Brazilian opossums (Didelphis spp.): Molecular investigation and in vitro isolation of Sarcocystis spp. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:192-198. [PMID: 28807293 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora spp. are protozoan parasites that induce neurological diseases in horses and other animal species. Opossums (Didelphis albiventris and Didelphis virginiana) are definitive hosts of S. neurona, which is the major cause of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Neospora caninum causes abortion in cattle and infects a wide range of animal species, while N. hughesi is known to induce neurologic disease in equids. The aims of this study were to investigate S. neurona and N. caninum in tissues from opossums in the northeastern Brazil, and to isolate Brazilian strains of Sarcocystis spp. from wild opossums for comparison with previously isolated strains. Carcasses of 39 opossums from Bahia state were available for molecular identification of Sarcocystis spp. and N. caninum in their tissues, and for sporocyst detection by intestinal scraping. In addition, Sarcocystis-like sporocysts from nine additional opossums, obtained in São Paulo state, were tested. Sarcocystis DNA was found in 16 (41%) of the 39 opossums' carcasses; N. caninum DNA was detected in tissues from three opossums. The sporocysts from the nine additional opossums from São Paulo state were tested by bioassay and induced infection in nine budgerigars, but in none of the gamma-interferon knockout mice. In vitro isolation was successful using tissues from all nine budgerigars. The isolated strains were maintained in CV-1 and Vero cells. Three of nine isolates presented contamination in cell culture and were discarded. Analysis of six isolates based on five loci showed that these parasites were genetically different from each other and also distinct from S. neurona, S. falcatula, S. lindsayi, and S. speeri. In conclusion, opossums in the studied regions were infected with N. caninum and Sarcocystis spp. and represent a potential source of infection to other animals. This is the first report of N. caninum infection in tissues from black-eared opossum (D. aurita or D. marsupialis) and white-eared opossum (D. albiventris). Brazilian opossums are probably infected by different Sarcocystis spp. distinct from S. neurona and S. falcatula, or present a high level of genetic recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leane S Q Gondim
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Avenida Adhemar de Barros, 500, Ondina, Salvador 40170-110, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Rogério F Jesus
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Avenida Adhemar de Barros, 500, Ondina, Salvador 40170-110, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Müller Ribeiro-Andrade
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Avenida Adhemar de Barros, 500, Ondina, Salvador 40170-110, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jean C R Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, Pernambuco, Brazil; Instituto Brasileiro para Medicina da Conservação - Tríade, Rua Silveira Lobo 32, Caixa Postal 38, Casa Forte, Recife 532061-030, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Daniel B Siqueira
- Instituto Brasileiro para Medicina da Conservação - Tríade, Rua Silveira Lobo 32, Caixa Postal 38, Casa Forte, Recife 532061-030, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Maria F V Marvulo
- Faculdade Max Planck, Rodovia João Ceccon 60, Altos da Bela Vista, Indaiatuba 13331-400, São Paulo, Brazil; Instituto Brasileiro para Medicina da Conservação - Tríade, Rua Silveira Lobo 32, Caixa Postal 38, Casa Forte, Recife 532061-030, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Felipe M Aléssio
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade de Pernambuco, Rua Arnóbio Marques, 310, Santo Amaro, Recife 50100-130, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratoire Population Environnement Développement, IRD Aix-Marseille Université, Centre St Charles, Case 10 3, place Victor Hugo 13331 Marseille, Cedex 03 France
| | - Jean-François Mauffrey
- Laboratoire Population Environnement Développement, IRD Aix-Marseille Université, Centre St Charles, Case 10 3, place Victor Hugo 13331 Marseille, Cedex 03 France
| | - Fred S Julião
- Instituto Federal Baiano, Campus Santa Inês, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo M Soares
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal (VPS), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87-Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508 270, Brazil
| | - Luís F P Gondim
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Avenida Adhemar de Barros, 500, Ondina, Salvador 40170-110, Bahia, Brazil.
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Valadas SY, da Silva JI, Lopes EG, Keid LB, Zwarg T, de Oliveira AS, Sanches TC, Joppert AM, Pena HF, Oliveira TM, Ferreira HL, Soares RM. Diversity of Sarcocystis spp shed by opossums in Brazil inferred with phylogenetic analysis of DNA coding ITS1, cytochrome B, and surface antigens. Exp Parasitol 2016; 164:71-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Molecular characterization and development ofSarcocystis speerisarcocysts in gamma interferon gene knockout mice. Parasitology 2015; 142:1555-62. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182015001109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYThe North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the definitive host for at least three named species ofSarcocystis: Sarcocystis falcatula, Sarcocystis neuronaandSarcocystis speeri.The South American opossums (Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis marsupialisandDidelphis aurita) are definitive hosts forS. falcatulaandS. lindsayi. The sporocysts of theseSarcocystisspecies are similar morphologically. They are also not easily distinguished genetically because of the difficulties of DNA extraction from sporocysts and availability of distinguishing genetic markers. Some of these species can be distinguished by bioassay;S. neuronaandS. speeriare infective to gamma interferon gene knockout (KO) mice, but not to budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus); whereasS. falcatulaandS. lindsayiare infective to budgerigars but not to KO mice. The natural intermediate host ofS. speeriis unknown. In the present study, development of sarcocysts ofS. speeriin the KO mice is described. Sarcocysts were first seen at 12 days post-inoculation (p.i.), and they became macroscopic (up to 4 mm long) by 25 days p.i. The structure of the sarcocyst wall did not change from the time bradyzoites had formed at 50–220 days p.i. Sarcocysts contained unique villar protrusions, ‘type 38’. The polymerase chain reaction amplifications and sequences analysis of three nuclear loci (18S rRNA, 28S rRNAandITS1) and two mitochondrial loci (cox1andcytb) ofS. speeriisolate from an Argentinean opossum (D. albiventris) confirmed its membership among species ofSarcocystisand indicated an especially close relationship to another parasite in this genus that employs opossums as its definitive host,S. neurona.These results should be useful in finding natural intermediate host ofS. speeri.
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