Survey of tick-borne agents (Anaplasma spp, Babesia spp, Borrelia spp, Ehrlichia spp and Hepatozoon spp) in small mammals and their ticks in endemic and non-endemic areas for Brazilian spotted fever in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

• Grant number: 17/04249-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Acordo de Cooperação: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Bahia Labruna
• Grantee: Bárbara Conte Weck
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/18046-7 - Capybaras, ticks, and spotted fever, AP.TEM

Abstract

Ticks are ectoparasites of domestic, wild mammals and humans and are among the most medically important vectors in disease transmission, becoming a growing public health problem. Recently, the supervisor of this proposal started a project in FAPESP thematic aid-search mode (2013 / 18046-7), to study epidemiological aspects of spotted fever in six areas of the state of São Paulo, 3 areas with a history of human cases ( endemic areas) and 3 areas with no history of disease (non-endemic areas). In this thematic project, wild small mammals will be captured in the six areas, with semi-annual intervals in order to evaluate the role of these animals and their ticks in the epidemiology of Brazilian spotted fever, caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. Thus, part of the biological samples of these small mammals will be directed to the present research project, to be tested for the presence other agents transmitted by ticks, not initially contemplated in the aforementioned thematic project. Thus, this project will be to process samples of blood, tissues and ticks of small mammals for DNA extraction, followed by different PCR protocols for molecular detection of bacteria of the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Borrelia, and protozoa of the genera Babesia and Hepatozoon . Positive samples will be submitted for DNA sequencing, and the generated sequences will be subjected to phylogenetic analyzes to determine the taxonomic detected agents. It is hoped that with this work different and possible new agents associated with ticks will be reported for the first time in Brazil. The information obtained will have relevance for both public and animal health, as may point to potential pathogens transmitted by ticks to humans and animals. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

WECK, BARBARA C.; SERPA, MARIA CAROLINA A.; LABRUNA, MARCELO B.; MUNOZ-LEAL, SEBASTIAN. Novel Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Associated with Cricetid Rodents in Brazi. ICROORGANISM, v. 10, n. 2, FEB 2022. (17/04249-4)

WECK, BARBARA; KRAWCZAK, FELIPE S.; COSTA, FRANCISCO B.; DALL'AGNOL, BRUNO; MARCILI, ARLEI; RECK, JOSE; LABRUNA, MARCELO B.. Rickettsia parkeri in the Pampa biome of southern Brazil: Isolation, molecular characterization, and serological evidence of canine infection. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS, v. 22, DEC 2020. (17/04249-4)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

WECK, Bárbara Conte. Research of tick-borne hemoparasites in small mammals in the states of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. 2022. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) São Paulo.