olecular detection of piroplasmids in synanthropic rodents, marsupials, and associated ticks from Brazil, with phylogenetic inference of a putative novel Babesia sp. from white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris

Author(s):Show less -

Goncalves, Luiz Ricardo ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Paludo, Giane ^[4] ; Bisol, Talita Barcelos ^[4] ; Perles, Livia ^{[2, 3]} ; de Oliveira, Laryssa Borges ^{[2, 3]} ; de Oliveira, Camila Manoel ^[4] ; da Silva, Thiago Merighi Vieira ^{[2, 3]} ; Nantes, Wesley Arruda Gimenes ^[5] ; Duarte, Matheus Almeida ^[4] ; Santos, Filipe Martins ^[5] ; de Oliveira Porfirio, Grasiela Edith ^[6] ; Hirano, Liria Queiroz Luz ^[7] ; Herrera, Heitor Miraglia ^[5] ; Barros-Battesti, Darci Moraes ^{[2, 3]} ; Machado, Rosangela Zacarias ^{[2, 3]} ; Andre, Marcos Rogerio ^{[2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, FCAV, Fac Agrarian & Vet Sci, Grad Program Agr & Livestock Microbiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista FCAV UNESP, Reprod & Hlth Fac Ciencias Agrarias E Veterinaria, Campus Jaboticabal, BR-14884900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista FCAV UNESP, Dept Pathol, Campus Jaboticabal, BR-14884900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Brasilia, Coll Agron & Vet Med FAV, Vet Clin Pathol Lab, Brasilia, DF - Brazil

^[5] Univ Catolica Dom Bosco, Lab Parasit Biol, Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

^[6] Univ Fed Mato Grosso, Grad Program Nat Resources, Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

^[7] Univ Brasilia, Vet Hosp, Coll Agron & Vet Med FAV, Wild Animals Sect, Brasilia, DF - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Parasitology Research; v. 120, n. 10 AUG 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

The order Piroplasmida encompasses tick-borne pathogens of veterinary and medical importance positioned in two main families: Babesiidae and Theileriidae. Even though previous studies carried out in Brazil recorded the occurrence of piroplasmid species circulating in small mammals, 18S RNA gene sequences were only partially sequenced, preventing the assessment of their phylogenetic positioning. The current study aimed to detect and characterize, using morphological, molecular, and bioinformatic approaches, piroplasmids from wild mammals and associated ticks sampled in Central-Western Brazil. Out of 67 Didelphis albiventris sampled, 22 (16.4%) were positive for piroplasmids by PCR. In contrast, none of the 48 small rodents and 14 capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) was PCR-positive. Four Amblyomma dubitatum ticks-one from Rattus rattus, one from H. hydrochaeris, and two from D. albiventris-out of 114 Amblyomma spp. DNA samples were positive for piroplasmids by PCR. The phylogenetic inference performed using the near-complete 18S rRNA gene positioned the putative novel piroplasmid species detected in D. albiventris and associated A. dubitatum ticks near to Babesia sensu lato clade (Western group-cluster III) and distant from the Australian marsupial-associated piroplasms. Phylogenetic inferences based on two additional molecular markers, namely hsp-70 and cox-1, supported the near-complete 18S rRNA gene phylogenetic inference. Finally, the partial 18S rRNA gene sequences detected in ticks from rodents (R. rattus and H. hydrochaeris) showed 97.2-99.4% identity with the Piroplasmida previously detected in a capybara from Brazil, raising evidence that a still uncharacterized piroplasmid species has been identified in the capybara, the largest rodent species from South America. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/12037-0 - Diversity of piroplasmids in wild birds and mammals from Brazil
• Grantee: Marcos Rogério André
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/02753-0 - ISOLATION AND GENOTYPING OF Bartonella spp. IN DOMESTIC AND WILD RESERVOIR MAMMALS IN BRAZIL
• Grantee: Marcos Rogério André
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants