Genetic diversity of Theileria spp. in deer (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) from Brazil

Author(s)

Calchi, Ana Claudia ; Duarte, Jose Mauricio Barbanti ; Castro-Santiago, Ana Carolina ; Bassini-Silva, Ricardo ; Barros-Battesti, Darci Moraes ; Machado, Rosangela Zacarias ; Andre, Marcos Rogerio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Parasitology Research; v. 123, n. 11, p. 17-pg., 2024-11-01.

Abstract

Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. are tick-borne apicomplexan protozoa that can cause disease in animals and humans. Deer are considered reservoirs for a wide variety of Piroplasmida species, including some potentially zoonotic. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of piroplasmids in wild deer sampled in four Brazilian states (S & atilde;o Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paran & aacute; and Goi & aacute;s). For this purpose, extracted DNA samples from 181 deer buffy coat samples (138 Blastocerus dichotomus, 26 Subulo gouazoubira, 4 Mazama jucunda, 3 Mazama rufa and 10 Ozotocerus bezoarticus) were subjected to a nested PCR (nPCR) assay based on the 18S rRNA gene in order to perform a screening for piroplasmids and characterized based on the near-complete 18S rRNA, hsp70 and cox-3 genes. As a result, 75.14% (136/181) samples were positive for piroplasmids. Of these, 108 (79.41%), 101 (74.26%) and 67 (49.26%) were positive to near complete 18S rRNA, hsp70 and cox-3 genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on three molecular markers showed similar topology to each other. All sequences obtained in the present study were positioned into the Theileria sensu stricto clade, forming a distinct clade, albeit close to T. cervi. Most sequences grouped together into a large clade divided into subclades, which were often related to deer genus/species, showing that Theileria lineages seemed to show specificity according to deer genus/species. Two 18S rRNA sequences (one obtained from S. gouazoubira and another from M. jucunda) were positioned into a different clade, apart from other sequences detected in this study, indicating that different species of Theileria occur in deer from Brazil. Two subclusters were observed in the phylogenetic analysis based on the hsp70 gene: the first containing only sequences detected in marsh deer and the second grouping sequences detected in brocket deer (Mazama spp. and S. gouazoubira). The latter was also divided into smaller clades that grouped Theileria genotypes according to deer species (M. jucunda, M. rufa and S. gouazoubira). This study provides the first molecular evidence of Theileria infection in M. jucunda, as well as co-infection by distinct Theileria (sub)species/genotypes in the same deer was evidenced. Finally, this study expanded the knowledge on the diversity of Theileria spp. infecting deer from South America. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/11755-6 - Taxonomy and microbiome of mites that parasitize bats in Brazil: study of the presence of pathogens and symbiotic commensal communities in these ectoparasites
• Grantee: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• 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: 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: 21/06758-9 - Characterization of tick cell lines and their use as a substrate for the growth, maintenance and protein expression profile of Anaplasma marginale
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Castro Santiago
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 22/08543-2 - Looking for the diversity of Bartonella spp. in mammals, birds and hematophagous dipterans in Brazil
• Grantee: Marcos Rogério André
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants