Clinical-pathological evaluation and aspects of cellular immunity of neotropical primates facing prolonged exposure to agrochemicals: a study case in the southern Amazon

Author(s)

Victor Yunes Guimarães

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Botucatu. 2022-01-24.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Botucatu
• Defense date: 2021-12-20
• Advisor: José Luiz Catão Dias; Regina Kiomi Takahira

Abstract

Brazil is one of the world’s largest food producers, at the same time, holds the position of the greater consumer of agricultural pesticides. The intensive use of pesticides by aerial or manual spraying, even in full compliance with established laws, leads to contamination of non-target species, including wild populations of Neotropical primates (NTP). The aim of this study was to investigate aspects of cellular immunity and clinicopathological interactions through hematological, biochemical, histopathological, toxicological, and immunophenotypical evaluations of peripheral blood cells, in a population of NTP exposed to pesticides on the banks of the Teles Pires River, in the area of direct influence of the Sinop Hydroelectric Power Plant, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Ninety six NPTs among nine species and seven genera (Alouatta, Ateles, Chiropotes, Plecturocebus, Mico, Aotus, and Sapajus) showed negative results for the multi-residue plasma scan (447 pesticides and metabolites) and four individuals among 12 carcasses revealed the presence of mesotrione, fipronil, and bromuconazole in the liver and skeletal muscles (LC-MS/MS, LC-QTOF/MS). The hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters did not reveal any pathognomonic changes of intoxication or findings that could be directly associated with the toxicpathological picture. The definition of an immunophenotyping protocol for nine primate species by flow cytometry (FACSAria II, Accuri C6) opens avenues for understanding the dynamics of immune modulation in the face of environmental antigenic challenges. The clinicopathological characterization of the primate populations exposed to pesticides in the northern region of Mato Grosso showed an insidious and largely unknown threat. Even if some findings do not configure a strong cause-effect association, the exposure, bioaccumulation, and persistence of some pesticides in biological tissues seem unquestionable. These xv results may also subsidize restrictive or regulatory public policies regarding the spraying of pesticides, both locally and nationally. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/26694-0 - Clinical-pathological evaluation and aspects of cellular immunity of neotropical primates in the face of prolonged exposure of pesticides: a case study in Southern Amazonia
• Grantee: Victor Yunes Guimarães
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate