Detection and identification of pathogens from the Rickettsiaceae family in spinturnicid mites (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) from the Central-South Region of Brazil.

• Grant number: 25/01765-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Grantee: Maria Luísa Gerulaitis de Souza Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bats belonging to the order Chiroptera play a crucial role as hosts for various hematophagous ectoparasites, such as mites from the Spinturnicidae family. Although these mites are often overlooked as potential biological vectors of pathogens, their constant exposure to bat blood suggests that they may be involved in the transmission of bacterial agents between these populations. This interaction is of significant epidemiological importance, considering that the presence of pathogens in mites can affect not only bat health but also contribute to the spread of diseases from animals to humans. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of DNA from bacteria of the Rickettsiaceae family in mites from the Spinturnicidae family, addressing a frequently underestimated issue regarding the vectorial capacity of these ectoparasites. Mite samples from this family will be obtained from the Acarological Collection of the Butantan Institute (IBSP) and from partner researchers. The extracted DNA will be individually assessed for endogenous control using conventional PCR with primers for the 18S and COI genes. Positive samples will undergo both real-time and conventional PCR for pathogen detection, with specific primers for each agent. The sequencing of the amplified products will be performed using the Sanger method, and the sequences will be analyzed using BLAST and aligned with the Clustal/W software for phylogenetic analysis. This study aims to broaden the understanding of the role of Spinturnicidae mites in the transmission dynamics of pathogenic agents between bats, and possibly to humans. (AU)