SummaryAnaplasma species are obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogens transmitted by ticks with an impact on human and animal health. Anaplasma ovis infects sheep and goats in many regions of the world, and it can be diagnosed by different methods like Giemsa staining, PCR or competitive ELISA. In this study, a PCR based on the gene coding for major surface protein 4 (MSP-4) was used to examine field samples collected from sheep in different countries. Altogether, 1161 blood samples from Turkey (n = 830), Iraq (n = 195), Sudan (n = 96) and Portugal (n = 40) were examined, of which 31.4%, 66.6% 41.6% and 82.5%, respectively, were positive. This indicates high prevalence of A. ovis in the countries under investigation, and it can be assumed that the situation in other areas of the world might be similar. Thus, A. ovis should be considered as an important constraint of livestock production, and further efforts are needed to better understand the epidemiology and to implement suitable control measures.

Hepatozoon parasites comprise intracellular apicomplexan parasites transmitted to vertebrate animals by ingestion of arthropods definitive hosts. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. in wild animals, domestic dogs and their respective ectoparasites, in southern Pantanal region, central-western Brazil, by molecular techniques. Between August 2013 and March 2015, 31 coatis (Nasua nasua), 78 crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), seven ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), 42 dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), 110 wild rodents (77 Thichomys fosteri, 25 Oecomys mamorae, and 8 Clyomys laticeps), 30 marsupials (14 Thylamys macrurus, 11 Gracilinanus agilis, 4 Monodelphis domestica and 1 Didelphis albiventris), and 1582 ticks and 80 fleas collected from the sampled animals were investigated. DNA samples were submitted to PCR assays for Hepatozoon spp. targeting 18S rRNA gene. Purified amplicons were directly sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. A high prevalence of Hepatozoon among carnivores (C. thous [91.02%], dogs [45.23%], N. nasua [41.9%] and L. pardalis [71.4%]) was found. However, ticks and fleas were negative to Hepatozoon PCR assays. By phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA sequences, Hepatozoon sequences amplified from crab-eating foxes, dogs, coatis and ocelots clustered with sequences of H. canis, H. americanum and H. felis. The closely related positioning of Hepatozoon sequences amplified from wild rodents and T. macrurus marsupial to Hepatozoon from reptiles and amphibians suggest a possible transmission of those Hepatozoon species between hosts by ectoparasites or by predation. Hepatozoon haplotypes found circulating in wild rodents seem to present a higher degree of polymorphism when compared to those found in other groups of animals. Although rodents seem not to participate as source of Hepatozoon infection to wild carnivores and domestic dogs, they may play an important role in the transmission of Hepatozoon to reptiles and amphibians in Pantanal biome.

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Hemoplasmas are bacteria living in feline red blood cells. Feline hemoplasmosis is frequently associated with old male cats that have access to the streets. This study aimed to detect the presence of hemoplasma speciess in domiciled and free-roaming cats in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, using molecular techniques. Between January 2013 and April 2013, EDTA-whole blood samples were collected from 151 domestic cats (65 free-roaming and 86 domiciled cats). Samples were subjected to PCR assays targeting hemoplasmas 16S rRNA, followed by sequencing, BLAST analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Results show an occurrence of 36.4% for hemoplasmas. Twenty-three cats (15.2%) were positive for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 17 (11.2%) for M. haemofelis and 15 (9.9%) for 'Candidatus M. turicensis', from PCR. Coinfection by two or three hemoplasmas was found in 25 cats (16.6%). No statistically significant difference between genders or between lifestyles was observed for the presence of hemoplasmas among the cats. Results show different hemoplasma species are present in cat population (Campo Grande, MS, Brazil). It is suggested that a differential diagnosis for feline hemoplasmosis should be made when cats show nonspecific clinical signs of disease with systemic manifestation.

An investigation was made into the occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania infantum and Neospora caninum in 151 domestic cats, based on the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Serum samples were collected from 151 domestic cats (65 free-roaming and 86 domiciled cats; 55 males and 96 females) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil between January and April 2013. IgG antibodies to T. gondii, L. infantum and N. caninum were found, respectively, in 49 (32.5%), 34 (22.5%) and 10 (6.6%) sampled cats. A positive correlation was found between T. gondii and N. caninum, T. gondii and L. infantum, and N. caninum and L. infantum (p < 0.05) infections. Also, a significant interaction was identified between gender and area of activity on the probability of T. gondii (p = 0.0324) infection. However, no significant interaction was observed between gender and area of activity on infections by either N. caninum or L. infantum. This study showed that cats from an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil are exposed to three different protozoans, two of which are causal agents of important zoonosis.Keywords: Cats, Leishmania infantum, Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, serology, Brazil. ResumoO presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania infantum e Neospora caninum, em 151 gatos, por meio da Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Entre os meses de janeiro e abril de 2013, amostras de soro foram coletadas de 151 gatos domésticos (65 gatos errantes e 86 gatos domiciliados; 55 machos e 96 fêmeas), de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Anticorpos IgG anti-T. gondii, anti-L. infantum e anti-N. caninum foram encontrados em 49 (32,5%) , 34 (22,5%) e 10 (6,6%) gatos amostrados, respectivamente. Verificou-se uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre as infecções por T. gondii e N. caninum, T. gondii e L. infantum e N. caninum e Leishmania infantum (p < 0,05). Além disso, foi observada uma interação significativa entre sexo, área de atividade na probabilidade de infecção por T. gondii (p = 0,0324). No entanto, não foi observada interação significativa entre sexo e área de atividade nas infecções por N. caninum e L. infantum. Este estudo mostrou que os gatos de uma área endêmica brasileira para leishmaniose visceral são expostos a três diferentes protozoários, sendo dois deles importantes agentes zoonóticos.