Molecular survey for the presence of tick-borne haemoparasites in dogs and ticks from the Atlantic Forest environment, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2020v41n2p689

Keywords:

Babesia vogeli, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rainforest biome, Polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract

Tick-borne diseases have a significant worldwide impact in the veterinary and medical fields. The Serra da Tiririca State Park (PESET) is an Atlantic forest reserve that is home to a wide variety of wild animal species, but is suffering from unauthorised human activities, such as unregulated construction, such as private dwellings and the introduction of domestic pets. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of piroplasms and Hepatozoon spp. in dogs and ticks in the Atlantic Forest reserve. Blood samples were taken from 124 asymptomatic canines and 88 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from animals inhabiting the PESET. Molecular techniques targeting fragments of the 18s rRNA gene from piroplasms and Hepatozoon spp. were applied to all samples obtained, and one blood sample (0.81%) positive for Babesia vogeli was discovered. All dogs tested negative to Hepatozoon spp. and no tick sample showed positive results for either PCR assay. Despite the low frequency of B. vogeli infection found in dogs that inhabit the PESET, parasitized dogs could be a source of transmission for new vectors, other dogs and even wild canines that are part of the native fauna of the park.

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Author Biographies

Maria Regina Ferreira, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Discente de Mestrado, Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Clínica e Reprodução Animal, Universidade Federal Fluminense, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Aline Moreira de Souza, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Profa. Dra., Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Sabrina Destri Emmerick Campos, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Pós-Doutoranda, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Clínica e Reprodução Animal, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Nathalie Costa da Cunha, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Profa. Dra., Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Beatriz Teixeira Gomes da Silva, Universidade Federal Fluminense

M.e, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Clínica e Reprodução Animal, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Nathalia Xavier da Silva, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Discente de Medicina Veterinária, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Nádia Regina Pereira Almosny, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Profa. Dra., Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

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Published

2020-03-06

How to Cite

Ferreira, M. R., Souza, A. M. de, Campos, S. D. E., Cunha, N. C. da, Silva, B. T. G. da, Silva, N. X. da, & Almosny, N. R. P. (2020). Molecular survey for the presence of tick-borne haemoparasites in dogs and ticks from the Atlantic Forest environment, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 41(2), 689–696. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2020v41n2p689

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Section

Communication

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