Genetic diversity of vector-borne agents in coatis (Nasua nasua) in a periurban region of Central-Western Brazil

Abstract

The coatis (Nasua nasua), that belong to the order Carnivora and family Procyonidae, are widely distributed in South America. They are animals that adapt easily to anthropized environments, making possible close contact with domestic animals and human. The families Bartonellaceae and Anaplasmataceae comprise facultative and obligatory Gram-negative, intracellular alpha-proteobacteria, respectively, that have been identified in a wide variety of mammals, including humans. Hemotrophic mycoplasmas are Gram-negative bacteria, which can range from asymptomatic infections to severe hemolytic anemia, both in animals and humans. The piroplasmids are intracellular protozoa belonging to the Apicomplexa Phylum, Order Piroplasmida and genera Theileria, Babesia, Rangelia and Cytauxzoon. Little is known about the occurrence of the abovementioned agents in quatis and their ectoparasites in Brazil. The present study aims to investigate the genetic diversity of agents transmitted by arthropods (Anaplasmataceae, Mycoplasmaceae, Bartonellaceae, Babesiidae and Theileriidae) in quatis and their ectoparasites sampled in the periurban region of Campo Grande (MS, Brazil), by means of a longitudinal study. Molecular methods will be used to evaluate the occurrence and genetic diversity of the aforementioned agents in quatis blood samples and their respective ectoparasites; additionally, isolation of Bartonella spp. from quatis blood samples using liquid and solid culture medium. Subsequently, phylogenetic inferences and evaluation of the genotype diversity of the agents under study in quatis and ectoparasite blood samples will be traced throughout a year of sampling. In this way, the results obtained will contribute to the diagnosis and genetic characterization of the aforementioned agents, besides contributing to the understanding of the possible role of quatis in the epidemiological cycles of borne vectors agents. (AU)