Serological Analysis of Wild Felines in Captivity

• Grant number: 24/03280-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Fernandes Marcusso
• Grantee: Giovana Galvão Morandini
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Wild felids are pontencial hosts of various infectious diseases, including zoonotic ones. Understanding this family's role in the epidemiology of certain diseases is essential for the conservation of Brazilian fauna and for public, animal and environmental health. Anthropogenic interference in ecossistema results in the approximation of wildlife with urban environments, leading to consequences that have not been clarified yet. Concomitant, there is a lack of information regarding Leishmania spp., Leptospira spp. e Toxoplasma Gondii in wild animals. It is known that these pathogens affect feline health, in addition to serve as a source of infection for other animals and humans. Given this, their zoonotic potential along with theis implications must be studied. The present project aims to analyze the presence of Leishmaniasis, Leptospirosis and Toxoplasmosis through serum samples collected from different species of felids in various Brazilian locations to expand knowledge of their health. Futhermore, it aims to contribute in the identification of potential serological chances and to correlate the captivity region with the distribution of the disease under study.