Survey of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Hepatozoon and Leishmania in free-living crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in the State of Espírito Santo

Author(s)

Aliny Pontes Almeida

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2011-02-22

Examining board members

Marcelo Bahia Labruna; Paulo Eduardo Brandão; Rosangela Zacarias Machado

• Advisor: Marcelo Bahia Labruna

Abstract

We collected samples from fifty-eight (58) free-living crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) from the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. All animals were hit by vehicles passing through the highway ES-060, which crosses an Atlantic rainforest reserve, located between the cities of Guarapari and Vila Velha. The animals were collected by the Rodosol Company, and taken to the University of Vila Velha - UVV, where they underwent post-mortem examination, and collection of tissue samples and ectoparasites for research through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. All samples were tested for the presence of agents belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae and members of the genera Rickettsia, Borrelia, Babesia, Coxiella, Leishmania, Hepatozoon, and Ehrlichia. We collected 25 specimens of nymphal ticks, which were all identified as Amblyomma cajennense. Search of pathogens by PCR did not find any positive animal or tick sample for Leishmania spp, Rickettsia spp, Borrelia spp, Babesia spp and Coxiella spp. From the 58 tissue samples, 29 (50%) were positive for Hepatozoon sp by the PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Amplicons generated two different genotypes, one named Hepatozoon sp. ex Cerdocyon thous, present in 96.55% of the animals, with a maximum of 98.67% similarity with the sequence of Hepatozoon sp. curupira 2 (AY461377); the second genotype was found in only one animal (3.44%), named Hepatozoon sp. P20 Cerdocyon thous, which showed maximum similarity (97.5%) with Hepatozoon sp. 744C (EU430234). The survey for Ehrlichia spp resulted in six positive samples (10.34%). The six samples were characterized as a possible new species of Ehrlichia, named Ehrlichia sp. ex Cerdocyon thous, with maximum similarity (97.57%) with the species Ehrlichia ruminantium (DQ482915) for the 16S and 82.51% similar to E. ruminantium str. Gardel (CR925677) for the dsb gene. All species of ticks were negative for all pathogens searched. Hepatozoon spp and Ehrlichia spp are tick-borne infectious agents with zoonotic potential; the present findings are of potential impact for both animal and human health. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/03082-2 - Survey for Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Hepatozoon and Leishmania in free-living crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in the state of Espírito Santo
• Grantee: Aliny Pontes Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master