Banca de DEFESA: LARISSA COSTA DOS SANTOS

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LARISSA COSTA DOS SANTOS
DATE: 25/02/2026
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Plataforma Zoom - ONLINE
TITLE:

Molecular and Cytological Investigation of Bacteria from the Families Anaplasmataceae and Mycoplasmataceae in Domestic Dogs and Cats in the State of Rio de Janeiro

KEY WORDS:

hemotropic hemoplasmas; subclinical infection; epidemiological surveillance.

PAGES: 63
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Medicina Veterinária Preventiva
SPECIALTY: Doenças Parasitárias de Animais
SUMMARY:

Bacteria of the families Anaplasmataceae and Mycoplasmataceae are important infectious agents in veterinary medicine, capable of infecting domestic dogs and cats and causing hematological alterations ranging from subclinical infections to severe clinical manifestations. Diagnosis based exclusively on cytological evaluation has limited sensitivity, making molecular techniques essential for the detection of these microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Mycoplasma spp. in dogs and cats treated at a veterinary teaching hospital in the municipality of Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using molecular methods, as well as to evaluate possible associations with hematological alterations. A total of 310 blood samples, including 177 from dogs and 133 from cats, were subjected to DNA extraction and molecular detection using conventional PCR, nested PCR, and real-time PCR, targeting regions of the 16S rRNA gene of agents belonging to the genera Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma. Molecular analysis revealed positivity for hemoplasmas in 6.45% (20/310) of the samples, with higher frequency observed in male animals, while no samples were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Cytological evaluation did not allow the identification of hemoparasites, highlighting the low sensitivity of this method. Hematological analysis did not demonstrate a significant association between infection and alterations in hematological parameters, indicating potential underdiagnosis in the absence of molecular methods. The results demonstrate the circulation of hemoplasmas and bacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae in the studied region and reinforce the importance of molecular diagnosis. This study contributes to the understanding of the epidemiology and hematological impact of these agents in domestic animals, emphasizing the need for continuous molecular surveillance and more sensitive diagnostic approaches in veterinary clinical practice.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Interna - 3103478 - MARISTELA PECKLE PEIXOTO
Externa ao Programa - 3324429 - ANDRESA GUIMARAES - UFRRJExterna ao Programa - 1299153 - PATRICIA GONZAGA PAULINO - UFRRJExterna à Instituição - ANA PAULA MARTINEZ DE ABREU - UV
Externa à Instituição - CARINA FRANCISCATO - UFJF