Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: THAIS ALVES FERNANDES
Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.STUDENT : THAIS ALVES FERNANDES
DATE: 21/12/2023
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Plataforma Google Meet
TITLE:
Epidemiologic factors associated with the presence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi DNA in draft horses in the Federal District, Brazil.
KEY WORDS:
Piroplasmosis, Epidemiology, Horse, Theileria equi, Babesia caballi
PAGES: 58
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Medicina Veterinária Preventiva
SPECIALTY: Doenças Parasitárias de Animais
SUMMARY:
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an endemic pathology in various regions of the world, caused by hemoprotozoa belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa, namely Theileria equi and/or Babesia caballi, which entails considerable losses in the global equine industry. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and spatial distribution of EP in the Distrito Federal /Brazil, as well as to correlate possible environmental and host characteristics with the presence of parasite’s DNA through a cross-sectional epidemiological study. Molecular evaluation using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted on total blood samples from 409 working horses. Pathogen DNA presence/absence data were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. Spatial analysis was performed using GIS software (QGIS v2.5.17 - Las Palmas), and the cartographic base of the study area was obtained in shapefile format from the electronic database of the Sistema Distrital de Informações Ambientais (SISDIA, 2022), maintaining coordinates in degrees in the Geocentric Reference System for the Americas (SIRGAS 2000).This study highlights the high prevalence of EP in working horses in the Federal District, as well as its widespread distribution across the evaluated territory. The Kernel map indicated hotspots with a high concentration of 9 or more positive animals per area for T. equi, with cooler regions ranging from 4 to 7 positive animals. For B. caballi, the Kernel map indicated hotspots with a concentration of 2 or more positive animals per area. Moran's autocorrelation analysis did not show significance for any of the evaluated variables, including the use of ectoparasiticides, the primary method of vector control. In the multivariate analysis for animals positive for B. caballi, the final model included the variables: age, sanitary condition, co-infection with T. equi, and contact with capybara. The factors "age" greater than or equal to 5 years (p-value = 0.0002; OR = 5.3314; CI = 2.21 – 12.84) and "co-infection with T. equi" (p-value = 1.46; OR = 4.3355; CI = 1.61 – 11.66) showed significant correlation. For animals positive for T. equi, the final model included the variables: age, sanitary condition, co-infection with B. caballi, veterinary assistance, and contact with capybara. The variables in the model that showed significant association values with T. equi infection were "age" greater than or equal to 5 years (p-value = 0.0012; RP = 2.5; CI = 1.43 – 4.35) and "co-infection with B. caballi" (p-value = 0.0050; RP = 4.10; CI = 1.53 – 11.02). The results regarding the use of ectoparasiticides and the presence of both causative agents, T. equi and B. caballi, suggest possible resistance of vectors to currently employed medications for vector control, necessitating alternative disease control methods. Finally, the presented data confirm a high prevalence of EP (56.23%) in the Distrito Federal herds. The prevalence of T. equi (49.88%) is significantly higher than that of B. caballi (1.47%), and the factors of age equal to or greater than 5 years and co-infection showed a significant association with positive cases.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 3701492 - HUARRISSON AZEVEDO SANTOS
Interno - 386163 - CARLOS LUIZ MASSARD
Externo ao Programa - 3688704 - TIAGO MARQUES DOS SANTOS - UFRRJExterno à Instituição - DANIEL DA SILVA GUEDES JUNIOR - FIOCRUZ
Externo à Instituição - WENDELL MARCELO DE SOUZA PERINOTTO - UFRB