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Carvalho SF, Pádua GT, Paula WVDF, Tavares MA, Neves LC, Pereira BG, Santos RA, dos Santos GC, Cardoso ERN, Qualhato AF, Bittencourt RBM, de Lima NJ, Martins DB, Dantas-Torres F, Krawczak FDS. Feline Vector-Borne Diseases and Their Possible Association with Hematological Abnormalities in Cats from Midwestern Brazil. Microorganisms 2024; 12:2171. [PMID: 39597560 PMCID: PMC11596481 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12112171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2024] [Revised: 10/21/2024] [Accepted: 10/25/2024] [Indexed: 11/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the parasitic and infectious diseases affecting cats, those caused by vector-borne pathogens deserve attention due to their ability to cause nonspecific clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities. We studied the presence of Cytauxzoon spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Mycoplasma spp. in blood samples from 135 cats referred to the veterinary teaching hospital of the Federal University of Goiás in midwestern Brazil. We also investigated co-infections with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) as well as the correlation between Mycoplasma spp. infection and cat variables, including age, sex, breed, and complete blood count abnormalities. Upon PCR testing, 20.7% (28/135) of samples were positive for Mycoplasma spp., 1.5% (2/135) for Cytauxzoon spp., and none for Ehrlichia spp. Co-infections with Mycoplasma spp. and Cytauxzoon spp. were detected in the two cats with the latter infection. Mycoplasma spp. infection was statistically associated with the simultaneous presence of thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis. This study confirms a high frequence of Mycoplasma spp. infection, with both M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' circulating in this cat population. The clinical significance of Mycoplasma spp. infection in cats should be further explored and this infection should eventually be included in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis in otherwise apparently healthy cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephani Félix Carvalho
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Gracielle Teles Pádua
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Mariana Avelar Tavares
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Brenda Gomes Pereira
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Rayane Almeida Santos
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Gabriel Cândido dos Santos
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Ennya Rafaella Neves Cardoso
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Andriele Ferreira Qualhato
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (A.F.Q.); (D.B.M.)
| | - Raphaela Bueno Mendes Bittencourt
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Nicolas Jalowitzki de Lima
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
| | - Danieli Brolo Martins
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (A.F.Q.); (D.B.M.)
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Ageu Magalhães—IAM, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil;
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil; (S.F.C.); (G.T.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (M.A.T.); (L.C.N.); (B.G.P.); (R.A.S.); (G.C.d.S.); (E.R.N.C.); (R.B.M.B.); (N.J.d.L.)
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Shock BC, Jones HH, Garrett KB, Hernandez SM, Burchfield HJ, Haman K, Schwantje H, Telford SR, Cunningham MW, Yabsley MJ. Description of B abesia coryicola sp. nov. from Florida pumas ( Puma concolor coryi) from southern Florida, USA. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100963. [PMID: 39169986 PMCID: PMC11337720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Previously, a high prevalence of piroplasms has been reported from Florida pumas (Puma concolor coryi) from southern Florida. In the current study, we describe the biological characteristics of a novel Babesia species in Florida pumas. Ring-stage trophozoites were morphologically similar to trophozoites of numerous small babesids of felids including B. leo, B. felis, and Cytauxzoon felis. Parasitemias in Florida pumas were very low (<1%) and hematologic values of 25 Babesia-infected Florida pumas were within normal ranges for P. concolor. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length 18S rRNA gene, β-tubulin, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, cytochrome c oxidase subunit III, and cytochrome b gene sequences indicated that this Babesia species is a member of the Babesia sensu stricto clade and is related to groups of Babesia spp. from carnivores or ungulates, although the closest group varied by gene target. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 region sequences from this Babesia sp. from 19 Florida pumas were 85.7-99.5% similar to each other and ∼88% similar to B. odocoilei. Similarly, an ITS-2 sequence from one puma was 96% similar to B. bigemina and 92% similar to a Babesia sp. from a red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Infected pumas were positive for antibodies that reacted with B. odocoilei, B. canis, and B. bovis antigens with titers of 1:256, 1:128, and 1:128, respectively. No serologic reactivity was noted for Theileria equi. No molecular evidence of congenital infection was detected in 24 kittens born to 11 Babesia-infected female pumas. Pumas from other populations in the United States [Louisiana (n = 1), North Dakota (n = 5) and Texas (n = 28)], British Columbia, Canada (n = 9), and Costa Rica (n = 2) were negative for this Babesia sp. Collectively, these data provide morphologic, serologic, genetic, and natural history data for this novel Babesia sp. which we propose the name Babesia coryicola sp. nov. sp. This is the first description of a felid-associated Babesia species in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara C. Shock
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Håkon H. Jones
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Kayla B. Garrett
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Sonia M. Hernandez
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Holly J. Burchfield
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Katie Haman
- Wildlife Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1111 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA, 98504, USA
| | - Helen Schwantje
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sam R. Telford
- Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA
| | - Mark W. Cunningham
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Duarte MA, de Oliveira CM, Honorato SM, do Rosario Batista LM, Mendonça JT, de Sousa DER, Hirano LQL, André MR, de Castro MB, Paludo GR. Cytauxzoon brasiliensis sp. nov. (Apicomplexa: Theileriidae), a new species infecting a little-spotted-cat (Leopardus tigrinus) (Carnivora: Felidae) from Brazil. Syst Parasitol 2024; 101:53. [PMID: 39080109 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-024-10178-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Cytauxzoon spp. have been detected in Brazil infecting mainly asymptomatic domestic cats and wild felids. However, the supposed genetic similarity with the pathogenic Cytauxzoon felis is questionable because it is based on analysis of short sequences of the 18S rRNA gene. Herein, we describe a novel Cytauxzoon species infecting an asymptomatic little-spotted-cat (Leopardus tigrinus) based on morphological, histopathological, and molecular analyses. The animal was attended presenting a history of a run-over with multiple traumas. Although the little-spotted-cat was stabilized, he died a few days later. Ring-shaped merozoites within erythrocytes were found on blood smears and in the abdominal effusion. In addition, schizonts were observed in histiocytes in the liver. Phylogenetic analyses based on both near-complete 18S rRNA and cytb genes positioned the obtained sequences in a unique clade, albeit closely related to Cytauxzoon felis from the USA. Genetic divergences ranging from 0.004 and 0.067-0.068 were found between the near-complete 18S rRNA and cytb sequences of Cytauxzoon sp. detected in the little-spotted-cat and C. felis, respectively. This study evidenced the circulation of a novel Cytauxzoon species, herein named Cytauxzoon brasiliensis sp. nov., in an asymptomatic wild felid species from Brazil. Further studies are necessary to identify Cytauxzoon species from domestic and wild felids in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Almeida Duarte
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, CEP: 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Camila Manoel de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, CEP: 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Sandy Menezes Honorato
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, CEP: 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Liliane Maria do Rosario Batista
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, CEP: 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Janaína Tavares Mendonça
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, CEP: 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Davi Emanuel Ribeiro de Sousa
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Liria Queiroz Luz Hirano
- Hospital Veterinário, Setor de Animais Silvestres, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinarian Júlio de Mesquita Filho (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Márcio Botelho de Castro
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, CEP: 70910-900, Brazil.
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Piroplasm Infection in Domestic Cats in the Mountainous Region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080900. [PMID: 36015024 PMCID: PMC9416778 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Piroplasm infections in domestic cats have been reported with increasing frequency in numerous countries. However, in some states of Brazil, little information is available about the occurrence of these parasites. Blood samples were collected from 250 cats treated at a private clinic in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. The samples were each subjected to a blood count, microscopic examination, and molecular research on piroplasms. The animals’ clinical histories and epidemiological information were analyzed to identify the risk factors associated with infection. Ticks were recovered during the clinical care and were identified and subjected to molecular analyses to determine the presence of piroplasm DNA. Piroplasms were detected in 2.7% (7/250) of the cats. Nucleotide sequences of Babesia vogeli were identified in six cats, while the Cytauxzoon sp. was identified in one cat. Cats displaying apathy/weakness/prostration and hemorrhage/bleeding were more likely to be infected. In addition, Amblyomma aureolatum was recovered from a cat PCR-negative for piroplasms. This is the first study in Rio de Janeiro that has detected Babesia vogeli in cats. The results obtained here underscore the need for further studies in Rio de Janeiro to investigate the dynamics of such infections and the vectors involved.
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