Open AccessApicomplexa parasites in the brains of road-killed wild animals in the State of Paraná, Brazil
Author(s) -
Letícia Santos Balbino,
Fernanda Pinto Ferreira,
Aline Ticiani Pereira Paschoal,
Eloiza Teles Caldart,
Aline Kuhn Sbruzzi Pasquali,
Andressa Maria Rorato Nascimento de Matos,
Ana Angelita Sampaio Baptista,
Regina MitsukaBreganó,
Italmar Teodorico Navarro
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
semina. ciências agrárias
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.268
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1679-0359
pISSN - 1676-546X
DOI - 10.5433/1679-0359.2022v43n3p1365
Subject(s) - biology , leopardus , sarcocystis , zoology , apicomplexa , opossum , sarcocystosis , coccidia , parasite hosting , ecology , protozoal disease , world wide web , computer science , malaria , immunology
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 NorthCentral 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 (Greenbarred 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.