Diversity of <i>Cytauxzoon</i> 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 as...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/2/148 |
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| Summary: | 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. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-0817 |