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Microscopic Detection, Hematological Evaluation and Molecular Characterization of Piroplasms from Naturally Infected Dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the frequency of piroplasmids in the blood of dogs in Rio de Janeiro, compare the performance of microscopic techniques, assess the risk factors associated with infections and also molecularly and morphologically characterize the piroplasmids identified.

Methods

In all, 407 blood samples were collected from dogs between 2018 and 2019. These were subjected to microscopic parasitological techniques for thin and thick smears, stained with Giemsa and using a rapid staining kit. The slides were read under an optical microscope and the protozoa were characterized morphometrically. In addition, the blood samples were subjected to molecular characterization for diagnosing piroplasmid species using primers that amplified the gene 18S rRNA.

Results

Piroplasmids were detected in 38 (9.3%) samples. Of these, 33 samples presented nucleotide sequences compatible with Babesia vogeli. Most of the positive samples were young, male, defined breeds dogs that had been attended in clinics in São Gonçalo city. Thrombocytopenia and leukopenia were the hematological alterations more observed in positive samples, but positive samples without alterations were also detected. The sex was the only variable that showed statistical differences. Males dogs being more often infected than females (p < 0.05). The microscope slides mostly showed piriform and oval merozoites measuring greater than 2.5 µm in length, which were compatible with B. vogeli. However, smaller forms were also identified, thus demonstrating the polymorphic nature of this parasite.

Conclusion

Babesia vogeli was detected in blood samples from dogs in the metropolitan cities of Rio de Janeiro by molecular techniques in different parasite morphotypes.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the National Reference Laboratory of Riquetsioses Vectors of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute for the support in the sequencing of the samples and to the Veterinary Diagnosis Center for the donation of the samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Professor Hernani Mello, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24210-130, Brasil

    Fernanda Barbosa dos Santos, Laís Lisboa Corrêa , Lucas Fernandes Lobão, João Pedro Siqueira Palmer, Laís Verdan Dib, Otilio Machado Pereira Bastos, Claudia Maria Antunes Uchôa & Alynne da Silva Barbosa

  2. Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro), Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, Brazil

    Gilberto Salles Gazêta  & Nicole Oliveira Moura-Martiniano

  3. Centro de Diagnóstico Veterinário, Rua General Silvestre Rocha, 131, Icaraí, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24220-170, Brazil

    José André Lessa Damasceno

  4. Laboratório de Toxoplasmoses e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz, RJ), Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, Brasil

    Alynne da Silva Barbosa

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dos Santos, F.B., Gazêta , G.S., Corrêa , L.L. et al. Microscopic Detection, Hematological Evaluation and Molecular Characterization of Piroplasms from Naturally Infected Dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Acta Parasit. 66, 1548–1560 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-021-00426-z

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