Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: NAIARA VIDAL STOCCO

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : NAIARA VIDAL STOCCO
DATE: 26/03/2024
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Instituto de Veterinária
TITLE:

Hematological and Molecular Study of Infection by Hemoparasites of the Genus Hepatozoon sp. in Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus - Bechstein, 1793) Kept at the Wild Animal Screening Center (CETAS-RJ)

KEY WORDS:

Hematozoa, molecular diagnosis, bone marrow, Cathartidae

PAGES: 75
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Patologia Animal
SPECIALTY: Patologia Clínica Animal
SUMMARY:

Coragyps atratus is a species of New World vulture belonging to the Order Cathartiformes, responsible for playing an important ecological role as environmental sanitizers, eliminating decomposing organic matter. However, such habits can also favor the role of these individuals as important reservoirs. Therefore, tracking agents of medical and veterinary importance, such as hemoparasites, can help to understand parasite-host interactions and prevent the spread of these pathogens between susceptible species. The objective of the present study was to carry out hematological evaluation and research on hemoparasites of the genus Hepatozoon in Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus), through direct observation in light microscopy and molecular biology based on the 18S rRNA gene in individuals sampled from the Animal Screening Center. Wild Animals (CETAS), Seropédica-RJ. Twenty black vultures originating from trafficking or seizure were part of the study. All birds were treated at the Small Animal Veterinary Hospital (HVPA) of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). At the end of the clinical examination, the 20 birds underwent blood collection via the ulnar vein. Five of these animals showed non-specific clinical signs (prostration and anorexia), and were also subjected to bone marrow collection for a more detailed evaluation. From the whole blood, hematological evaluation was carried out, hematozoa research via blood smear and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The five blood-matched bone marrow samples were subjected to molecular diagnosis and smear evaluation. In direct microscopy, four birds (20%) showed inclusions within leukocytes in whole blood. The intraleukocyte gametocytes fit the characteristics of the genus Hepatozoon sp. In the molecular diagnosis, 11 vultures (55%) were positive for Hepatozoon sp. based on the 18S rRNA gene, based on samples obtained from whole blood. Furthermore, 3 (3/5; 60%) vultures were positive only in samples obtained from bone marrow, with an overall occurrence of 14 positive birds (14/20; 70%) using both sampling methods (whole blood and bone marrow). in PCR. Regarding the blood count results, the presence of eosinophilia and thrombocytosis was observed for both groups (positive and negative). However, when evaluating the hematological profile of the positive animals individually, 2 vultures presented anemia, four isolated heteropenia (without associated leukopenia), 9/14 showed eosinophilia, 7/14 hyperproteinemia and 13 showed thrombocytosis. The other parameters did not differ from the literature. The results obtained revealed the circulation of Hepatozoon in birds in the studied region, in addition to warning about the risk of transmission of etiological agents in Wild Animal Screening Centers, as it favors intra and interspecies interactions. Furthermore, the results offer opportunities for future research, aimed at the consequences, prevalence and diversity of Avian Hepatozoonosis in New World Vultures

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2572430 - CRISTIANE DIVAN BALDANI
Interna - 3324429 - ANDRESA GUIMARAES
Interno - 2318733 - DANIEL DE ALMEIDA BALTHAZAR
Interno - 3701492 - HUARRISSON AZEVEDO SANTOS
Externa ao Programa - 1159140 - JULIANA MACEDO RAIMUNDO - UFRRJ