Diversity of Cytauxzoon spp. (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) in Wild Felids from Brazil and Argentina
Domestic and wild felids are frequently parasitized by apicomplexan protozoa in the genus <i>Cytauxzoon</i>. Expanding species diversity has recently been described within this genus, with potential implications for epidemiology and pathogenesis. In light of these findings, this study assessed the genetic diversity of <i>Cytauxzoon</i> spp. in wild felids (n = 66) from different eco-regions of Brazil and Argentina. Of the 66 blood samples analyzed, 53 (80.3%) were 18S rRNA gene PCR-positive for <i>Cytauxzoon</i> spp., including 43 jaguars (<i>Panthera onca</i>) and 10 ocelots (<i>Leopardus pardalis</i>). <i>Panthera onca</i> specimens (100%, 43/43) were most frequently infected, followed by <i>Leopardus pardalis</i> (76.9%; 10/13). <i>Cytauxzoon</i> spp. were not detected in <i>Leopardus braccatus</i> (n = 1) or <i>Puma concolor</i> (n = 9). Phylogenetic analyses of fragments of the 18S rRNA, <i>cytB</i>, and <i>cox-1</i> gene sequences from jaguars were closely related to <i>Cytauxzoon felis</i>. In contrast, sequences from ocelots were more closely associated with <i>Cytauxzoon brasiliensis</i>. Distance and haplotype analysis further confirmed the circulation of at least two distinct genovariants of <i>C. felis</i> among jaguars, as evidenced by their close positioning and low genetic divergence (0-0.14% for 18S rRNA, 0.37-0.56% for <i>cytB</i>, and 0.08-0.74% for <i>cox-1</i>). Additionally, sequence data from ocelots suggested that multiple genovariants of <i>C. brasiliensis</i> are circulating among these cats in different Brazilian eco-regions. Our study provides evidence of two distinct <i>Cytauxzoon</i> organisms parasitizing free-ranging and captive jaguars and ocelots, respectively, in Brazil and Argentina.
Authors
- Matheus Folgearini Silveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0091-0410)
- Rafaela Mallmann-Bohn
- Ricardo G. Maggi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7428-0138)
- Ana Cláudia Calchi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4096-5937)
- Vinícius Baggio-Souza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8077-5070)
- Fabiana Lopes Rocha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0819-6290)
- Ricardo Bassini‐Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9568-4120)
- Roberto Ampuero
- Marcos Rogério André (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1713-5222)
- João Fábio Soares (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7967-6569)
- Charlotte O. Moore (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1173-6019)
- Renata Fagundes Moreira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2244-9848)
- Murillo Daparé Kirnew (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5217-3056)
- Eduardo Eizirik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9658-0999)
- Heitor Miraglia Herrera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2404-8765)
- Joares Adenílson May-Júnior (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0007-9690)
- Edward B. Breitschwerdt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3506-0279)
- Rosangela Zacarias Machado (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5176-2940)
- Laura Berger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3155-8969)
- Laíza de Queiroz Viana Braga
Institutions
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
- North Carolina State University (US)
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba (BR)
- University of Pavia (IT)
- Instituto Butantan (BR)
- Interface (United States) (US)
- Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (BR)
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
- University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pathogens
- Published
- 2025-02-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14020148
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 10.24
Funders
- Panthera
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade