Evaluation of wild rodents as a source of infection of Hepatozoon canis to dogs

Author(s)

Larissa de Castro Demoner

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Botucatu. 2016-07-25.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Botucatu
• Defense date: 2016-06-22
• Advisor: Lucia Helena O'Dwyer de Oliveira

Abstract

Hepatozoon spp. belong to a diverse group of parasites with more than 340 species described in amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Canine hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne disease reported throughout the world and can be related to Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanum. In our country, previously studies have shown that H. canis is the species involved in the infection of dogs and reports are common, especially in rural areas. Hepatozoon canis vectors in rural areas of Brazil remain unknown, which might suggest the existence of other transmission mechanisms, such as predation of paratenic hosts. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the presence of Hepatozoon spp. in wild rodents trapped in forest fragments surrounding rural areas of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, where the prevalence of the parasite was also studied in domestic dogs. In dogs, the study was conducted in 158 blood samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and peripheral blood extension technique. Blood samples and tissues from 67 rodents were collected for parasite blood extension technique, histopathology and for molecular diagnosis. The results showed a high prevalence of H. canis in dogs from rural areas of Botucatu (66.45%). In addition, species of Brazilian wild rodents are infected with Hepatozoon spp., other than H. canis. Additionally, the finding of monozoics cysts in the examined rodents may indicate that, in addition to intermediate hosts, small wild rodents may also act as paratenic hosts of Hepatozoon spp., because they harbor infective stages for intermediate predators hosts. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/09715-0 - Study of Hepatozoon spp. cycle in rural areas in the municipality of Botucatu - São Paulo: evaluation of free ranging rodents as source of infection to canine domestic
• Grantee: Larissa de Castro Demoner
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate