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Ocorrência de hemoparasitas em cães: diagnóstico molecular e avaliação de coinfecções

2026-08-17T19:54:44Z

Título: Ocorrência de hemoparasitas em cães: diagnóstico molecular e avaliação de coinfecções Abstact: Tick-borne diseases in dogs represent a significant challenge for veterinary practice in urban areas of tropical regions. In São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, the circulation of pathogens from the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, and Hepatozoon has been presumed based on previous serological studies, but remains poorly documented using molecular methods that allow sensitive detection, species-level identification, and assessment of coinfections. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of these agents and describe coinfection patterns in dogs treated at the Veterinary Hospital “Francisco Edilberto Uchoa Lopes” of the State University of Maranhão. A molecular survey was conducted using 200 whole blood samples collected between November 2024 and September 2025. DNA was extracted using a commercial kit, followed by screening with multiplex qPCR for Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Babesia spp., and nested PCR for Hepatozoon spp. Positive samples were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and BLASTn analysis. Overall, 39% (78/200) of samples were positive for at least one agent: 23% (46/200) for E. canis, 16.5% (33/200) for A. platys, 13% (26/200) for Babesia spp., and 3% (6/200) for Hepatozoon spp. Among positive samples, 32 presented coinfections. The most frequent association was A. platys + E. canis (10%; 20/200), followed by E. canis + Babesia spp. (4.5%; 9/200). Other combinations occurred at a frequency of 0.5% each (1/200): A. platys + Babesia spp., E. canis + Hepatozoon spp., and triple coinfection. Sequencing confirmed Babesia vogeli, A. platys, E. canis, and Hepatozoon canis (98.53–100% identity with national and international isolates). No significant differences were observed regarding sex or age group (p > 0.05), although a higher frequency trend was noted in dogs older than 5 years. These findings demonstrate the circulation of hemoparasites in dogs from São Luís, with predominance of E. canis and a notable occurrence of coinfections, contributing to the epidemiological understanding of these infections.

Infecção natural por Leishmania spp. em felinos domésticos (Felis catus domesticus) em área endêmica para Leishmaniose visceral canina e humana

2026-08-06T19:28:44Z

Título: Infecção natural por Leishmania spp. em felinos domésticos (Felis catus domesticus) em área endêmica para Leishmaniose visceral canina e humana Abstact: In endemic areas, case reports of Leishmania spp. in domestic felines (Felis catus domesticus). The state of Maranhão, more specifically the municipality of São Luís, is an area with many cases of canine and human visceral leishmaniasis, but with few studies on the occurrence of the infection in cats and how it presents itself clinically in this species. Given the above, the objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and parasitological aspects of cats naturally infected by Leishmania spp. For this, thirty-six cats were screened from veterinary clinics and Veterinary Hospital “Francisco Edilberto Uchôa Lopes”, in the city of São Luís, Maranhão, from which twenty animals were selected to compose the study groups. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was made through direct parasitological examination of aspirates from popliteal lymph nodes, cytology of skin lesions and aspiration puncture of the bone marrow, and blood samples were collected for evaluation of hematological and biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total proteins and albumin). After obtaining the results of the diagnostic tests, the animals were divided into two groups: (GP) formed by ten positive animals for leishmaniasis, with or without clinical signs of the disease and (GC) composed by ten animals free of the infection and clinically healthy. The data obtained were analyzed and stored in spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel, for subsequent performance of statistical tests. Positivity was found in 12.5% (3/24) in direct parasitological examination and 27.7% (10/36) in bone marrow qPCR. All positive cats for leishmaniasis showed three or more clinical signs, the most frequently observed were: dermatological lesions, lymphadenopathy, pale mucous membranes, ocular discharge and gingivostomatitis. In the analysis of the hematological parameters, monocytosis was observed, showing a statistically significant difference between the evaluated groups (p<0.05). In the biochemical evaluations of infected animals, there was a significant increase in urea levels (p<0.05). Regarding the quantification of the parasite load in the bone marrow of the animals in the GP group, there was a variation from 11,050 to 72,680,000 parasites/mL. There was no positive correlation between the number of clinical signs and the bone marrow parasite load (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups of oligosymptomatic and polysymptomatic cats and the amount of parasites in the bone marrow (p>0.05). Therefore, the presence of the protozoan infecting domestic cats in the city of São Luís was verified, and the importance of the association of clinical and parasitological findings for a better diagnosis and prognosis of leishmaniasis in cats was observed

Detecção molecular e análise filogenética de filarídeos em primatas Sapajus apella da região geográfica imediatada de Bacabal, Maranhão

2026-07-30T21:08:38Z

Título: Detecção molecular e análise filogenética de filarídeos em primatas Sapajus apella da região geográfica imediatada de Bacabal, Maranhão Abstact: Filarids are nematodes belonging to the superfamily Filarioidea, recognized for infecting various groups of vertebrates, including Neotropical primates. In Brazil, despite the wide distribution and diversity of species of the genus Sapajus, studies aimed at detecting these parasites in wild populations are still scarce. In Maranhão, particularly in the Immediate Region of Bacabal, an ecological transition area between biomes, with high biodiversity and interaction between wildlife and anthropogenic environments, no studies have yet been carried out on filarids in free-ranging Neotropical primates. In this context, the present study aimed to perform the molecular detection and phylogenetic characterization of filarids detected in Sapajus apella from the region. Between September 2024 and January 2025, individuals of the species S. apella were captured using Tomahawk traps. After restraint, blood samples were collected by puncture of the jugular or femoral vein. Part of the samples was used for the preparation of blood smears, stained by the panoptic method, while another fraction was used for genomic DNA extraction using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®, Germany). The extracted DNA was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting the cox1, 18S, and 12S genes, followed by Sanger sequencing. The sequences obtained for the cox1 gene were analyzed by BLAST and used for phylogenetic inference by the Maximum Likelihood method. Drops of blood were added to LIT medium for Trypanosoma culture for a parallel project. Of the 14 individuals of S. apella analyzed, three (21.43%) individuals were positive with the presence of parasitic forms in blood smears. Regarding PCR, six (42.85%) samples were positive for the cox1, 18S, and 12S genes. All amplified samples were submitted to sequencing; however, for the cox1 gene, four of them (66.7%) presented adequate quality for analysis and were used in the construction of the phylogenetic tree. The sequences obtained showed identity between 96% and 99% with Dipetalonema gracile according to BLAST, clustering exclusively within the clade of the genus Dipetalonema. The results confirm the occurrence of filarids of the genus Dipetalonema in S. apella in Maranhão. This study represents the first record of the presence of this parasite in primates of this species in the state, expanding knowledge about the distribution of filarids in Neotropical primates in Brazil.

Epidemiologia molecular e caracterização de Leucocytozoon spp. em frangos caipiras na ilha de São Luís - MA

2026-07-20T20:04:33Z

Título: Epidemiologia molecular e caracterização de Leucocytozoon spp. em frangos caipiras na ilha de São Luís - MA Abstact: Subsistence poultry farming is an activity present in the life of rural communities in the state of Maranhão, having an important cultural and economic role. In domestic poultry breeding sites, it is common to witness the interaction and breeding of these animals with wild and migratory bird species. These aspects can favor the dispersion and occurrence of several infectious and parasitic agents, since these animals can act as potential biological carriers or mechanical transporters, allowing them to colonize new areas and parasitize susceptible hosts. Avian leukocytozoonosis is caused by protozoa of the genus Leucocytozoon spp. Its transmission occurs through the bite of dipteran insects, belonging to the Simuliidae and Ceratopogonidae families. Given the above, the objective of this work was to verify the occurrence of Leucocytozoon spp. in free-range chickens that live with migratory birds on the island of São Luís, Maranhão. 100 blood samples were collected from free-range chickens from the four municipalities that are part of the island of São Luís - MA. To identify the parasite, the Nested PCR technique was performed. However, of all the samples analyzed, none showed a positive result for Leucocytozoon spp. Although the presence of Leucocytozoon spp. has not been identified, future studies are needed to help determine the geographic distribution of the parasite, since the island of São Luís is part of the migratory route of coastal birds that can carry several pathogens, in order to avoid the occurrence of hemosporidian in subsistence poultry farms