Apicomplexa parasites in the brains of road-killed wild animals in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2022v43n3p1365

Keywords:

Neospora caninum, Road-killed, Sarcocystis spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Wild animals.

Abstract

The use of run-over wild animals is an efficient strategy for scientific research of pathogens. The aim of this study was to detect DNA from phylum Apicomplexa in the brain of road-killed wild animals from the North-Central and North Pioneer mesoregions of Paraná, Brazil. Pre-established transects were run weekly; when found, animals were packed into individual packages and sent for autopsy. The brain fragments were collected and kept at -20 ° C until processing. The DNA extracted from the samples was amplified by nested-PCR for the 18S rDNA gene from the phylum Apicomplexa. All positive samples were submitted to DNA sequencing to define the species. A total of 90 animals were collected, however, only 68 animals (75.6%) that had integrity of the brain were included in the study. It was possible to identify the species by DNA sequencing in four samples: Sarcocystis spp. was identified in one Colaptes melanochloros (Green-barred woodpecker) and one Mazama gouazoubira (Gray brocket). Neospora caninum was observed in a Leopardus pardalis (Ocelot) and T. gondii was present in Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossum). The results indicated that parasites with economic and public health relevance were present in wild animals, which may favor infection of humans and animals.

Author Biographies

Letícia Santos Balbino, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Master's Course Student, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Juliana Correa Bernardes, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Student of the Doctoral Course, UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Aline Ticiani Pereira Paschoal, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Student of the Doctoral Course, UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Rafael Alves Santomauro, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Undergraduate Student in Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Eloiza Teles Caldart, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Profa. Dra., UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Aline Kuhn Sbruzzi Pasquali, Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina

Profa Dra, Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, UNOESC, Campos Novos, SC, Brazil.

Andressa Maria Rorato Nascimento de Matos, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Student of the Doctoral Course, UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Ana Angelita Sampaio Baptista, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Profa. Dra., UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Regina Mitsuka-Breganó, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Profa. Dra., UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Italmar Teodorico Navarro, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Prof. Dr., UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Profa. Dra., UEL, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

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Published

2022-03-25

How to Cite

Balbino, L. S., Bernardes, J. C., Paschoal, A. T. P., Santomauro, R. A., Caldart, E. T., Pasquali, A. K. S., … Pinto-Ferreira, F. (2022). Apicomplexa parasites in the brains of road-killed wild animals in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 43(3), 1365–1372. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2022v43n3p1365

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Section

Communication

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