Histopathological profile of bacterial diseases in opossums (Didelphis sp) in São Paulo state.

Abstract

Wild animals act as reservoirs and spreaders of pathogens with zoonotic potential and are linked to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Monitoring diseases and pathogens in wild animal populations is an important tool for detecting and preventing zoonotic pathogens, such as bacteria, which are a recurring cause of serious human diseases. Bacterial zoonoses have epidemic potential and pose an increasing risk with the advancement of the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Opossums (Didelphis sp.) are medium-sized marsupial mammals with a synanthropic nature, and in anthropogenic environments, they have a high rate of interaction with humans and domestic animals. They are also considered important reservoirs of notifiable diseases in Brazil and other neglected zoonoses. Surveillance of infectious diseases in wildlife, particularly from a One Health perspective, which considers the circulation of epidemic potential pathogens at the human/animal/environment interface, is the first step to detect potential new pathogens or better characterize impactful diseases. Considering the gaps in knowledge about the health status of opossums, this study aims to report and characterize lesions caused by bacterial agents through histopathological methods in samples received by the Pathology Center of the Adolfo Lutz Institute (IAL) from an animal surveillance network in the State of São Paulo.