Identification and characterization of trypanosomatids that infect domestic cats (felis catus) from an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis

• Grant number: 17/14855-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: November 01, 2017
• End date: October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Principal Investigator: Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
• Grantee: Maria Luana Alves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Trypanosomatids are protozoans flagellated with an organelle known as kinetoplast, which corresponds to a condensation of DNA located inside a single branched mitochondria throughout the body of the protozoan. The protozoa of this group are the subject of study in humans, domestic and wild animals, due to their epidemiological character in relation to leishmaniasis and Chagas' disease. The domestic cat also acts as a reservoir for these protozoans, even though it does not present any clinical changes. Due to the lack of specificity of the clinical findings and absence of signs in cats, who can be confused with other diseases, the objective of this study is to identify and characterize the main protozoa of the Trypanosomatidae family that naturally parasite domestic cats from endemic areas for visceral leishmaniasis. We will evaluate 100 cats from shelters of domestic animals of Ilha Solteira, SP, in which biological samples will be collected for the study of trypanosomatids. Serological, molecular, intradermal and parasitological examinations will be carried out to verify if the animals are infected, after which the genetic material obtained in the positive samples will be sequenced. In addition, the phlebotomine vectors will be collected to investigate their feeding habits and if they are infected by protozoa. The results obtained in infected and uninfected animals will be compared and the differences evaluated by statistical tests. (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)

ALVES, MARIA LUANA; DA SILVA, DIOGO TIAGO; PEREIRA SPADA, JULIO CESAR; FRANCO LEONEL, JOAO AUGUSTO; BENASSI, JULIA CRISTINA; BALBINI PEREIRA, NUNO WOLFGANG; VIOTI, GEOVANNA; ALVES-MARTIN, MARIA FERNANDA; DE ALMEIDA PAULA, NATHALIA FRIGO; STARKE-BUZETTI, WILMA APARECIDA; et al. Use of the intradermal leishmanin test (Montenegro skin test) for feline visceral leishmaniosis: Detection of cellular immunity. Experimental Parasitology, v. 239, p. 7-pg., 2022-06-10. (17/14855-9, 16/08018-4)

Academic Publications

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

ALVES, Maria Luana. Identification and characterization of the trypanosomatids infecting domestic cats (Felis catus) in endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis. 2021. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) São Paulo.