ABSTRACT
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of great importance for One Health. In this context, the Amazonian biome may harbor numerous hosts for Leptospira spp. that contribute to the maintenance of the pathogen in the environment. Some reptiles, such as chelonians, have been little studied in terms of their involvement with leptospires. The objective of this study was to detect Leptospira spp. DNA in Kinosternon scorpioides turtles kept in captivity in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 147 samples of blood (n = 40), cloacal fluid (n = 27), cloacal lavage (n = 40), and stomach (n = 40) were collected from 40 chelonians. After DNA extraction, the samples were subjected to amplification of a 331 base pair product of the 16S rRNA gene using the Lep1 and Lep2 primers. PCR products were Sanger sequenced, assembled, and subjected to online blast search and phylogenetic analysis. Of the animals tested, 40% (16/40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25-55) had at least one or two samples positive for Leptospira spp. Considering the total number of samples collected, 12.93% (19/147) were positive, being blood clots (27.5%; 11/40), followed by cloacal washings (10%; 4/40), cloacal fluid (11.11%; 3/27) and gastric washings (2.5%; 1/40). Of these, 11 samples were sequenced and showed 99% to 100% identity with Leptospira interrogans sequences, which was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. This is the first study to detect pathogenic Leptospira DNA in chelonians in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. It has been concluded that K. scorpioides turtles in captivity have been exposed to pathogenic Leptospira.
ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to identify tick and flea species infesting captive tapirs (Tapirus terrestris and Tapirus kabomani) in the Brazilian Amazon. Ectoparasites were collected from tapirs chemically restrained in Zoo-botanical Parks, breeding facilities, conservationists and, environmental compensation areas in the states of Amapá, Amazonas, and Pará. After collection, the tick and flea specimens were placed in plastic pots containing isopropanol and identified according to dichotomous keys. Ectoparasite infestations were observed in 55% (18/33) tapirs, of which 61% (11/18) were single infestations with ticks or fleas, and 39% (7/18) were mixed infestations with different species of ticks and/or fleas. In total, 227 ticks (15 larvae, 107 nymphs, 38 females and 67 males) and 14 fleas (eight females and six males) were collected, identifying four tick species (Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto , Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, and Amblyomma pacae) and three flea species and/or subspecies (Ctenocephalides felis felis, Rhopalopsyllus australis australis, and Tunga penetrans). In conclusion, infestations with Ixodidae ticks and Rhopalopsyllidae, Pulicidae and Tungidae fleas were found in captive tapirs in the Brazilian Amazon, and A. cajennense s.s. was the most frequent species. Additionally, the present study reports new associations between A. pacae and R. a. australis with T. terrestris and between A. cajennense s.s. with T. kabomani.
