Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South America
<i>Cyclopes</i>, the smallest of all known anteaters, has an insectivorous diet and is arboreal, rarely descending to the ground. There are scarce reports on diseases and pathogenic agents affecting this taxon. Hemopathogens are pathogenic agents that inhabit the blood of various vertebr...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Pedro Henrique Cotrin Rodrigues João Paulo Soares Alves Flávia Regina Miranda Cesar Rojano Júlia Angélica Gonçalves Silveira |
| author_facet | Pedro Henrique Cotrin Rodrigues João Paulo Soares Alves Flávia Regina Miranda Cesar Rojano Júlia Angélica Gonçalves Silveira |
| author_sort | Pedro Henrique Cotrin Rodrigues |
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| description | <i>Cyclopes</i>, the smallest of all known anteaters, has an insectivorous diet and is arboreal, rarely descending to the ground. There are scarce reports on diseases and pathogenic agents affecting this taxon. Hemopathogens are pathogenic agents that inhabit the blood of various vertebrate species. Protozoa such as <i>Trypanosoma</i> spp., <i>Leishmania</i> spp., <i>Hepatozoon</i> spp., and members of the order Piroplasmida, as well as hemoplasmas and Rickettsial bacteria of the genera <i>Anaplasma</i> and <i>Ehrlichia</i>, are among the most important in this group. The transmission of these pathogens generally occurs through arthropod vectors, which act as intermediate hosts. In addition, infections caused by hemopathogens can have adverse effects on host health, contributing to population declines in susceptible species. This study investigated infection by protozoa and hemotropic bacteria in blood samples from free-ranging silky anteaters from Brazil, Peru, and Colombia using molecular detection methods. Sixteen samples were obtained during expeditions conducted in these countries. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and PCR assays were performed to detect parasites from the order Piroplasmida, <i>Hepatozoon</i> spp., trypanosomatid agents including <i>Leishmania</i> spp., <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i>, <i>T. cruzi</i>, and <i>T. vivax</i>, as well as hemotropic bacteria of the genera <i>Ehrlichia</i>, <i>Anaplasma</i>, and <i>Mycoplasma</i> sp. Nucleotide sequencing was performed on positive samples. Of the total samples analyzed, 62.5% (10/16) tested positive for hemotropic <i>Mycoplasma</i>, 50% (8/16) for <i>T. evansi</i>, and 6.2% (1/16) for <i>T. cruzi</i>. There is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the diversity of hemopathogens affecting the genus <i>Cyclopes</i>, and future studies are needed to understand how these infections may impact the health of individuals. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
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| spelling | doaj-art-dea0c9e7de4e4e789cc797c4b61bbe322025-08-20T02:47:09ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-07-0114771810.3390/pathogens14070718Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South AmericaPedro Henrique Cotrin Rodrigues0João Paulo Soares Alves1Flávia Regina Miranda2Cesar Rojano3Júlia Angélica Gonçalves Silveira4Laboratório de Protozoologia Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, BrazilLaboratório de Protozoologia Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, BrazilDepartamento de Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilFundacion Cunaguaro, Yopal 850001, Casanare, ColombiaLaboratório de Protozoologia Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil<i>Cyclopes</i>, the smallest of all known anteaters, has an insectivorous diet and is arboreal, rarely descending to the ground. There are scarce reports on diseases and pathogenic agents affecting this taxon. Hemopathogens are pathogenic agents that inhabit the blood of various vertebrate species. Protozoa such as <i>Trypanosoma</i> spp., <i>Leishmania</i> spp., <i>Hepatozoon</i> spp., and members of the order Piroplasmida, as well as hemoplasmas and Rickettsial bacteria of the genera <i>Anaplasma</i> and <i>Ehrlichia</i>, are among the most important in this group. The transmission of these pathogens generally occurs through arthropod vectors, which act as intermediate hosts. In addition, infections caused by hemopathogens can have adverse effects on host health, contributing to population declines in susceptible species. This study investigated infection by protozoa and hemotropic bacteria in blood samples from free-ranging silky anteaters from Brazil, Peru, and Colombia using molecular detection methods. Sixteen samples were obtained during expeditions conducted in these countries. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and PCR assays were performed to detect parasites from the order Piroplasmida, <i>Hepatozoon</i> spp., trypanosomatid agents including <i>Leishmania</i> spp., <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i>, <i>T. cruzi</i>, and <i>T. vivax</i>, as well as hemotropic bacteria of the genera <i>Ehrlichia</i>, <i>Anaplasma</i>, and <i>Mycoplasma</i> sp. Nucleotide sequencing was performed on positive samples. Of the total samples analyzed, 62.5% (10/16) tested positive for hemotropic <i>Mycoplasma</i>, 50% (8/16) for <i>T. evansi</i>, and 6.2% (1/16) for <i>T. cruzi</i>. There is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the diversity of hemopathogens affecting the genus <i>Cyclopes</i>, and future studies are needed to understand how these infections may impact the health of individuals.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/718hemopathogensxenarthraBrazilPeru and Colombiafree-living wildlife |
| spellingShingle | Pedro Henrique Cotrin Rodrigues João Paulo Soares Alves Flávia Regina Miranda Cesar Rojano Júlia Angélica Gonçalves Silveira Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South America Pathogens hemopathogens xenarthra Brazil Peru and Colombia free-living wildlife |
| title | Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South America |
| title_full | Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South America |
| title_fullStr | Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South America |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South America |
| title_short | Vector-Borne Agents in Species of Silky Anteater (<i>Cyclopes</i> Gray, 1821) from South America |
| title_sort | vector borne agents in species of silky anteater i cyclopes i gray 1821 from south america |
| topic | hemopathogens xenarthra Brazil Peru and Colombia free-living wildlife |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/718 |
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