Co-infection by multiple vector-borne agents in wild ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) from Iguacu National Park, southern Brazil

Author(s)

Perles, L. ; Moraes, M. F. ; da Silva, M. Xavier ; Vieira, R. F. C. ; Machado, R. Z. ; Hoppe, E. G. Lux ; Andre, M. R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 13, n. 1, p. 11-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

The present study aimed to detect molecularly the presence of co-infections by vector-borne agents (VBA) in ring-tailed coatis' (Nasua nasua) blood samples from Iguacu National Park (INP), southern Brazil, and assess the phylogenetic positioning of the detected agents. DNA blood samples were submitted to molecular screening and characterization for Anaplasmataceae agents, Piroplasmids, Hepatozoon sp., hemotropic mycoplasmas, and Bartonella spp. In total, 42 (85.7%) coatis were positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma sp., 12 (24.5%) for Bartonella machadoae, 7 (14.3%) for Anaplasma sp. closely related to 'Candidatus Anaplasma brasiliensis', and 3 (6%) for Hepatozoon procyonis. The most prevalent co-infections observed was from bacterial VBA: while 18.3% were co-infected by hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. and Bartonella sp., 12.2% were co-infected by Anaplasma sp. and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. Only two animals (4%) presented co-infections by three VBA (Bartonella sp., Anaplasma sp. and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp.). The coati is a wild carnivore found in INP, mainly in areas visited by tourists. These animals are frequently seen searching for food in garbage dumps or in tourists' belongings. The present study expands the host specificity range of B. machadoae, which has been isolated only from rodents until the present moment. Since the zoonotic potential and transmission routes of the detected VBA are not yet known, surveillance in this area is much needed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/14886-9 - Wild generalists carnivores as sentinels for Filariasis and Visceral Leishmaniase in Iguaçu National Park
• Grantee: Marcela Figuerêdo Duarte Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/15589-8 - Emerging zoonoses in Brazil-Argentina border: importance of wild carnivores as sentinels for filariases and visceral leishmaniasis
• Grantee: Estevam Guilherme Lux Hoppe
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/15150-4 - Genetic diversity of vector-borne agents in coatis (Nasua nasua) in a periurban region of Central-Western Brazil
• Grantee: Lívia Perles
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• 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