Hepatozoon SPP. Infect Free-Ranging Jaguars (Panthera onca) in Brazil

J Parasitol. 2017 Jun;103(3):243-250. doi: 10.1645/16-99. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Abstract

This study investigated the presence of Hepatozoon spp. in jaguars ( Panthera onca ) and domestic animals in the Cerrado, Amazon, and Pantanal biomes of Brazil. Between February 2000 and January 2010, blood samples were collected from 30 jaguars, 129 domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris), and 22 domestic cats ( Felis catus ) for molecular tests. All of the jaguars from the Pantanal (n = 22) and Cerrado (n = 4) and 3 of 4 jaguars from the Amazon were positive for Hepatozoon spp. Domestic dogs (62.8%) and cats (31.8%) were also positive for the agent. Hepatozoon nucleotide sequences from jaguars and domestic cats grouped with other Hepatozoon felis, whereas Hepatozoon from domestic dogs showed high similarity to Hepatozoon canis. Different species of Amblyomma were identified as parasitizing the jaguars and may act as vectors for Hepatozoon spp. Jaguars from the 3 sites were healthy and did not seem to be threatened by the hemoparasite within its population or environments. Most likely, jaguars play an important role in the maintenance of Hepatozoon spp. in nature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / parasitology
  • Arachnid Vectors / classification
  • Arachnid Vectors / parasitology
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology
  • Cats
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / parasitology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology
  • Dogs
  • Ecosystem
  • Eucoccidiida / classification
  • Eucoccidiida / genetics
  • Eucoccidiida / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Ixodidae / classification
  • Ixodidae / parasitology
  • Male
  • Panthera / parasitology*
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S