Identification and characterization of the trypanosomatids infecting domestic cats (Felis catus) in endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis

Author(s)

Maria Luana Alves

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2021-03-30

Examining board members

Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira; Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani; Deise Carla Almeida Leite Dellova; Andrea Cristina Higa Nakaghi; Rodrigo Martins Soares

• Advisor: Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira

Abstract

A total of 100 cats from two domestic animal shelters in Ilha Solteira, SP, participated in the study. By serological techniques 74% and 34% of cats presented antibodies against Leishmania spp. by Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) and Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), respectively. In the parasitological test, two animals (2%) had amastigote forms inside lymph node and bone marrow macrophages, while in blood culture, eight cats (8%) had flagellates. By the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the blood samples of the cats in the study, eight (8%) were positive by this technique and the presence of DNA sequences with 100% identity with L. infantum was verified in five cats, and DNA sequences with at least 80% identity with L. major in two animals. Two of the four animals positive for the lymph node and bone marrow aspirate culture presented DNA fragments of trypanosomatids, and when sequenced, they revealed the presence of L. infantum and Crithidia fasciculata DNA. The same cat presented three species of trypanosomatids (L. infantum, C. fasciculata and L. major), detected by sequencing blood DNA samples and culture DNA from lymph node aspirate, and species characterization by Multilocus Enzymatic Electrophoresis (MLEE) strain obtained from the lymph node aspirate isolate, respectively. Most of the animals in the study (74%) had at least one clinical alteration. Regarding hematological parameters, the group of cats positive for L. infantum showed a reduction in platelets (p = 0.01076 p <0.05), when compared to the group of negative animals, showing an association between infection by L. infantum and thrombocytopenia. Sixty (60%) animals were Montenegro Skin Test (MST) positive, but the majority (80%) of cats positive for L. infantum by molecular and parasitological tests, did not respond to MST. Of the seven species of sandflies captured in the study, Lu. longipalpis was the most frequent, and DNA of L. infantum was found in one of the females. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/14855-9 - Identification and characterization of trypanosomatids that infect domestic cats (felis catus) from an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis
• Grantee: Maria Luana Alves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate