Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Agents in Cats from Southeastern and Northern Brazil

Author(s)

Andre, Marcos Rogerio ^[1] ; Calchi, Ana Claudia ^[1] ; Furquim, Maria Eduarda Chiaradia ^[1] ; de Andrade, Isabela ^[1] ; Arantes, Paulo Vitor Cadina ^[1] ; de Melo Lopes, Lara Cristina ^[1] ; Demarchi, Iuri Kauan Lins do Nascimento ^[2] ; Figueiredo, Mayra Araguaia Pereira ^[2] ; de Paula Lima, Cirilo Antonio ^[3] ; Machado, Rosangela Zacarias ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Imunoparasitol, Dept Patol Reprod & Saude Unica, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, UNESP, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rondonia, Lab Parasitol Entomol & Biol Mol Aplicada Saude U, BR-76940000 Rolim De Moura, RO - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Dept Cirurgia Vet, BR-38400902 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PATHOGENS; v. 11, n. 1 JAN 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Even though the epidemiology of tick-borne agents (TBA) in dogs has been extensively investigated around the world, the occurrence, vectors involved, and molecular identity of these agents in cats remains elusive in many regions. Among TBA, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Hepatozoon are responsible for diseases with non-specific clinical signs in cats, making essential the use of molecular techniques for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of tick-borne agents (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia/Theileria, Cytauxzoon, and Hepatozoon) in cats from southeastern (states of Sao Paulo (SP) and Minas Gerais (MG)) and northern (state of Rondonia (RO)) Brazil. For this purpose, 390 blood samples were collected from domiciled cats in MG (n = 155), SP (n = 151), and RO(n = 84) states, submitted to DNA extraction and PCR assays for Ehrlichia spp. (dsb gene), Anaplasma spp. (rrs gene), piroplasmids (18S rRNA gene), and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA gene), sequencing, and phylogenetic inferences. The overall positivity for Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. were 7.4% (12.3% (MG) and 6.6% (SP)), 2% (4.5% (MG) and 0.6% (SP)), 0.7% (0.6% (MG), 0.6% (SP) and 1.2% (RO)), 27.2% (41.9% (MG), 24.5% (SP) and 4.8% (RO), and 0%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis grouped the obtained sequences with `Candidatus Anaplasma amazonensis', A. platys, B. vogeli, and Cytauxzoon sp. previously detected in wild felids from Brazil. qPCR specific for E. canis based on the dsb gene confirmed the molecular identity of the detected ehrlichial agent. The present study expanded the list and geographical distribution of hemoparasites in cats. `Candidatus Anaplasma amazonensis', recently detected in sloths from northern Brazil, was described for the first time in cats. This is the first report of piroplasmids infecting cats in northern Brazil. Coinfection by Cytauxzoon and other TBA (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and B. vogeli) reported in the present study raises the need for veterinary practitioners' awareness of cats parasitized by multiple TBA. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/12773-8 - Molecular detection of Hepatozoon sp. in domestics cats in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Rondônia
• Grantee: Isabela de Andrade
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 19/10101-5 - Molecular detection and characterization of piroplasmids in domestic cats in the state of Minas Gerais
• Grantee: Isabela de Andrade
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 19/19027-2 - Molecular detection and characterization of Cytauxzoon spp. in domestics felids in the States of Minas Gerais and São Paulo
• Grantee: Paulo Vitor Cadina Arantes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• 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
• FAPESP's process: 19/26109-5 - Detection and molecular characterization of Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. in domiciled and stray cats in Minas Gerais
• Grantee: Lara Cristina de Melo Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 20/07826-5 - Diversity of piroplasmids in wild mammals and birds from Brazil
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Calchi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• 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