Epidemiological, immunological and molecular investgation of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in dogs from São Paulo state

• Grant number: 12/18578-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani
• Grantee: Saulo Hudson Nery Loiola
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMVA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed primarily to conduct an epidemiological survey by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that allows the detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks from dogs positive and negative for canine visceral leishmaniasis by serologic methods, parasitological and molecular. The second objective is to determine the role of the tick as an intermediate host of the parasite above. A total of 66 dogs will be used, and 33 seropositive for this agent endemic county (from Araçatuba, São Paulo) and 33 seronegative (from Jaboticabal, SP, non-endemic area). These animals are of both sexes, with different patterns of racial and age over a year. Blood samples will be processed by the technique of enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Aspiration biopsies are performed for parasite examination Direct "imprint" of lymph nodes and later this material will be examined by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A total of 10 ticks of the species R. sanguineus are collected from each dog. Genomic DNA will be purified bowel, ovaries, salivary glands, and eggs of individual ticks and PCR assay will be used to verify the presence or absence of L. (L.) chagasi. Also will be performed immunohistochemical reactions of these same organs. Due to the lack of epidemiological surveys regarding the occurrence of this protozoan this tick species and the uncertainty of his role as an intermediate host, justified this research. (AU)