title: Molecular detection of Hepatozoon spp. in Brazilian and exotic wild carnivores.
abstract: Hepatozoon spp. are apicomplexan parasites that infect a wide variety of animals. The infection occurs through the ingestion of a hematophagous arthropod definitive host. Herein, we assessed the presence of Hepatozoon spp. in 165 captive wild felids and 100 captive wild canids using molecular techniques. We found that 6 felids (4 little spotted cats, 1 jaguarondi, and 1 puma) and 5 canids (2 bush dogs, 1 fox, 1 crab-eating fox, and 1 maned wolf) were positive for Hepatozoon spp. Hepatozoon spp. may be a potential pathogen and an opportunistic parasite in immunocompromised animals or if occurring in concomitant infections. Because most Brazilian wild felids and canids are endangered, knowing whether Hepatozoon infection represents a threat for these animals is crucial.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Adania
authors.forename: R H F
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falcade
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Salles
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Allegretti
authors.forename: P A N
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Felippe
authors.forename: R Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Machado
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D046028:Canidae; D045989:Felidae; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*