Serological detection of Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania infantum and Neospora caninum in cats from an area endemic for leishmaniasis in Brazil

An investigation was made into the occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania infantum and Neospora caninum in 151 domestic cats, based on the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Serum samples were collected from 151 domestic cats (65 free-roaming and 86 domiciled cats; 55 males and 96 females) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil between January and April 2013. IgG antibodies to T. gondii, L. infantum and N. caninum were found, respectively, in 49 (32.5%), 34 (22.5%) and 10 (6.6%) sampled cats. A positive correlation was found between T. gondii and N. caninum, T. gondii and L. infantum, and N. caninum and L. infantum (p &lt; 0.05) infections. Also, a significant interaction was identified between gender and area of activity on the probability of T. gondii (p = 0.0324) infection. However, no significant interaction was observed between gender and area of activity on infections by either N. caninum or L. infantum. This study showed that cats from an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil are exposed to three different protozoans, two of which are causal agents of important zoonosis.O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania infantum e Neospora caninum, em 151 gatos, por meio da Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Entre os meses de janeiro e abril de 2013, amostras de soro foram coletadas de 151 gatos domésticos (65 gatos errantes e 86 gatos domiciliados; 55 machos e 96 fêmeas), de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Anticorpos IgG anti-T. gondii, anti-L. infantum e anti-N. caninum foram encontrados em 49 (32,5%), 34 (22,5%) e 10 (6,6%) gatos amostrados, respectivamente. Verificou-se uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre as infecções por T. gondii e N. caninum, T. gondii e L. infantum e N. caninum e Leishmania infantum (p <0,05). Além disso, foi observada uma interação significativa entre sexo, área de atividade na probabilidade de infecção por T. gondii (p = 0,0324). No entanto, não foi observada interação significativa entre sexo e área de atividade nas infecções por N. caninum e L. infantum. Este estudo mostrou que os gatos de uma área endêmica brasileira para leishmaniose visceral são expostos a três diferentes protozoários, sendo dois deles importantes agentes zoonóticos

Molecular detection of hemotrophic mycoplasmas among domiciled and free-roaming cats in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Hemoplasmas are bacteria living in feline red blood cells. Feline hemoplasmosis is frequently associated with old male cats that have access to the streets. This study aimed to detect the presence of hemoplasma speciess in domiciled and free-roaming cats in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, using molecular techniques. Between January 2013 and April 2013, EDTA-whole blood samples were collected from 151 domestic cats (65 free-roaming and 86 domiciled cats). Samples were subjected to PCR assays targeting hemoplasmas 16S rRNA, followed by sequencing, BLAST analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Results show an occurrence of 36.4% for hemoplasmas. Twenty-three cats (15.2%) were positive for &apos;Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum&apos;, 17 (11.2%) for M. haemofelis and 15 (9.9%) for &apos;Candidatus M. turicensis&apos;, from PCR. Coinfection by two or three hemoplasmas was found in 25 cats (16.6%). No statistically significant difference between genders or between lifestyles was observed for the presence of hemoplasmas among the cats. Results show different hemoplasma species are present in cat population (Campo Grande, MS, Brazil). It is suggested that a differential diagnosis for feline hemoplasmosis should be made when cats show nonspecific clinical signs of disease with systemic manifestation.Hemoplasmas são bactérias encontradas aderidas aos eritrócitos de felinos. A hemoplasmose felina está frequentemente associada a gatos velhos machos, sem raça definida e com acesso à rua. O presente estudo objetivou realizar a detecção molecular de espécies de hemoplasmas em gatos domiciliados e errantes em Campo Grande, estado do Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brasil. Entre janeiro/2013 e abril/2013, amostras de sangue foram colhidas de 151 gatos domésticos (65 errantes e 86 domiciliados) e avaliadas por PCR frente à presença de sequências do gene do 16S rRNA de hemoplasmas, seguidas de sequenciamento, análise pelo BLAST e análise filogenética. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram uma ocorrência de 36,4%. Vinte e três (15,2%) gatos mostraram-se positivos na PCR para ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, 17 (11,2%) para Mycoplasma haemofelis, e 15 (9,9%) para ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’. A co-infecção por dois ou três hemoplasmas ocorreu em 25 gatos (16,6%). Não foi observada diferença estatística significativa entre sexo e estilo de vida dos gatos amostrados e a presença de hemoplasmas. O estudo mostrou que diferentes espécies de hemoplasmas circulam na população de gatos (domiciliados e errantes) na cidade de Campo Grande, MS, Brasil. Sugere-se o diagnóstico diferencial para hemoplasmose felina em gatos que apresentam sinais clínicos inespecíficos de doença com manifestação sistêmica.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Molecular detection of hemotrophic mycoplasmas among domiciled and free-roaming cats in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Hemoplasmas are bacteria living in feline red blood cells. Feline hemoplasmosis is frequently associated with old male cats that have access to the streets. This study aimed to detect the presence of hemoplasma speciess in domiciled and free-roaming cats in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, using molecular techniques. Between January 2013 and April 2013, EDTA-whole blood samples were collected from 151 domestic cats (65 free-roaming and 86 domiciled cats). Samples were subjected to PCR assays targeting hemoplasmas 16S rRNA, followed by sequencing, BLAST analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Results show an occurrence of 36.4% for hemoplasmas. Twenty-three cats (15.2%) were positive for ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, 17 (11.2%) for M. haemofelis and 15 (9.9%) for ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’, from PCR. Coinfection by two or three hemoplasmas was found in 25 cats (16.6%). No statistically significant difference between genders or between lifestyles was observed for the presence of hemoplasmas among the cats. Results show different hemoplasma species are present in cat population (Campo Grande, MS, Brazil). It is suggested that a differential diagnosis for feline hemoplasmosis should be made when cats show nonspecific clinical signs of disease with systemic manifestation

Assessment of a quantitative 5' nuclease real-time polymerase chain reaction using the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) for Bartonella species in domiciled and stray cats in Brazil

The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative 5' nuclease real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to diagnose infections caused by Bartonella species. Between January and April 2013 whole blood samples were collected by convenience from 151 cats (86 domiciled and 65 stray cats). The feline blood samples were subjected to a novel quantitative 5' nuclease real-time PCR (qPCR) for Bartonella species targeting the nictonamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) and conventional PCR assays targeting intergenic transcribed spacer, ribC, gltA, pap31 and rpoB, followed by sequencing and basic local alignment search tool analysis. The qPCR assay detected as few as 10 copies of plasmid per reaction. Forty-six (54.4% domiciled and 45.6% stray cats) of 151 sampled cats showed positive results in nuoG qPCR for Bartonella species. The absolute quantification of nuoG Bartonella DNA in sampled cats ranged from 1.1 × 10(4) to 1.3 × 10(4). Eighteen (39.1%) of 46 positive samples in the qPCR were also positive in conventional PCR assays. The sequencing confirmed that Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae circulate in cats in midwestern Brazil. The present work provides details of a novel qPCR assay to diagnose infections caused by Bartonella species.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Núcleos de Ensino da Unesp: artigos 2008

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq