Detection and molecular characterization of Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. in white-ear opossums (didelphis albiventris) and Ectoparasites associated in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazilian central west

• Grant number: 19/26774-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Rogério André
• Grantee: Lucas Uccella
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Anaplasmataceae family includes Gram-negative alfa-proteobacteria and intracellular bacteria, which parasitizes blood cells in countless mammals, and they have been transmitted especially by ixodid ticks. In this context, wild animals can be host for bacteria from Anaplasmataceae family. Marsupials, mainly skunk, are adapted in anthropized areas, and also, they are important host and/or reservoir of protozoan, bacteria, helminth and arthropods, and then can impact human and animal life. Although the skunks have been investigated on epidemiological cycles from other pathogenic agents, few studies evidence the presence of Anaplasmataceae family agents in that mammals. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate, by means of molecular assays, if there are Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. DNA in white-eared skunks (Didelphis albibentris). For such, will be collect blood samples of 43 skunks and 70 ticks of Amblyomma spp. genus from five forest urban fragments in Campo Grande city, Mato Grosso do Sul state. Ehrlichia spp's samples will be submitted to cPCR assay and the Anaplasma spp. to 16SrRNA gene, dsb, omp-1, sodB, gltA and groESL. Posteriorly, the alignment of amplified sequences will be used to dendrograms development, calc of nucleotide diversity and polymorphism level, by DnaSP v5 software. And then, the genealogy of nucleotide sequence will be performed by Splitstree software. This study will contribute for a better knowledge about Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. diversity of Brazilian wild animals.