First molecular detection of Borrelia sp. in tapirs (Tapirus terrestris)

Autor(es)

Mongruel, Anna Claudia Baumel ; Medici, Emilia Patricia ; Canena, Ariel da Costa ; Machado, Rosangela Zacarias ; Clay, Keith ; Labruna, Marcelo Bahia ; Andre, Marcos Rogerio

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS; v. 48, n. 4, p. 8-pg., 2024-05-07.

Resumo

Borrelia theileri is a tick-borne spirochete causative agent of fever, apathy and reduced food consumption in cattle. Molecular diagnosis has expanded the understanding of Borrelia theileri with new hosts and geographical locations being described. The present study aimed to describe the first molecular detection of B. theileri in wild tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) from South America. Blood DNA samples obtained from 99 tapirs sampled in Pantanal (n = 61) and Cerrado (n = 38) biomes were screened using a qPCR assay based on the 16 S rRNA gene of Borrelia sp. Positive samples in the qPCR assay were subjected to PCR assays to allow characterization of fragments from 16 S rRNA and flaB genes. Two (2/99; 2.0%) animals from Pantanal biome were positive in the qPCR and one sample presented bands of expected size for the flaB protocol. Amplicons from this sample were successfully cloned and sequenced. In the phylogenetic analysis, Borrelia sp. from T. terrestris grouped together with B. theileri sequences previously detected in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks and cattle from Minas Gerais State in Brazil, Rhipicephalus geigyi from Mali, and R. microplus and Haemaphysalis sulcata from Pakistan. This finding contributes to our knowledge regarding susceptible hosts species for B. theileri. More studies are necessary to understand the potential effects of B. theileri on tapir's health. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 22/08543-2 - Em busca da diversidade de Bartonella spp. em mamíferos, aves e dípteros hematófagos no Brasil
• Beneficiário: Marcos Rogério André
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 20/12037-0 - Diversidade de piroplasmídeos em aves e mamíferos selvagens no Brasil
• Beneficiário: Marcos Rogério André
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 19/26403-0 - Detecção e caracterização molecular de agentes Anaplasmataceae, Bartonellaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Coxiellaceae, Babesiidae e Theileriidae em antas (Tapirus terrestris) de vida livre no Brasil
• Beneficiário: Anna Claudia Baumel Mongruel
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado