| Congresso Brasileiro de Microbiologia 2023 | Resumo: 517-1 | ||||
Resumo:Boa constrictor snakes, commonly known as “boas”, are widely distributed in Brazil. Due to the growth of cities, the habitat of these animals is being destroyed, and it is possible to have greater contact with these animals, which unfortunately are neglected and can carry pathogens with zoonotic potential, such as fungi, viruses and bacteria. Leptospira sp. and Ehrlichia sp. are bacterial pathogens that, if not correctly and early diagnosed, can cause serious illnesses. The objective of this project was to perform the diagnosis of infection by Leptospira sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in boa constrictors from fragments of the Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil. For this, blood samples were collected from 47 rescued animals. Genomic DNA was purified from blood samples from these animals, and then specific PCRs were performed to identify the presence of the aforementioned pathogens. The obtained amplicons were then sequenced, and phylogenetic studies were performed with the sequences. Seven samples were PCR positive for Leptospira sp., and fifteen samples were PCR positive for Ehrlichia sp. Sequencing confirmed that the amplicons really were derived from the pathogens, through alignment and identity studies with sequences already deposited; the samples of Leptospira sp. had greater identity with Leptospira interrogans sequences, and those of Ehrlichia with a sample identified only at the genus level, isolated from the blood of an equid from southern Brazil. To construct the phylogenetic tree of Leptospira, a fragment of the secY gene was used, and the study of one of the samples showed clustering with other sequences from L. interrogans. Regarding the phylogenetic tree of Ehrlichia sp., a fragment of the dsb gene was used, and the study with 14 samples showed grouping with other Ehrlichia classified only at the genus level, and identified in Brazil and Central America. This study shows for the first time the molecular detection of Boa constrictor snakes by Leptospira and Ehrlichia, it shows the need to include these animals in studies on the epidemiology of diseases caused by these pathogens, and raises the question about the need to research wild animals such as reservoirs of these pathogens. Palavras-chave: Ehrlichiosis, Leptospirosis, Molecular Diagnosis, Reptiles, Zoonosis Agência de fomento:Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Extensão (FAPEX) | |||||