Banca de DEFESA: JULIANA DE MORAES INTRIERI

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : JULIANA DE MORAES INTRIERI
DATE: 27/02/2025
TIME: 08:30
LOCAL: Banca híbrida - LQEPV/DPA/IV/UFRRJ + google meet
TITLE:

Epidemiological profile of cats naturally infected by Tritrichomonas fetus and Pentatrichomonas hominis in cats in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro.

KEY WORDS:

Keywords: felines, trichomoniasis, parabasalids, diarrhea, prevalence

PAGES: 82
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Medicina Veterinária Preventiva
SPECIALTY: Doenças Parasitárias de Animais
SUMMARY:

Parabasalids are anaerobic, unicellular, flagellated protozoa that are mostly non-pathogenic intestinal symbionts. However, in some cases, they can act as parasites, causing harm. Within this group, the species Pentatrichomonas foetus and Tritrichomonas foetus have been reported as causes of chronic diarrhea in domestic cats. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile of naturally infected cats with T. foetus and P. hominis in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. A total of 241 fecal samples were collected from domestic cats from various locations in this region. For the diagnosis of these protozoa, fecal samples were collected, and approximately 0.5 g of feces were inoculated in Lactopep culture medium at the time of collection and then incubated at XX°C to verify the growth of T. foetus and P. hominis. In addition to culture, 1 gram of each fecal sample was prepared for genetic material extraction and stored at -20°C until extraction. DNA extraction was performed using a commercial kit following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Molecular biology analysis was carried out through the Nested PCR technique, in which the first reaction used external primers named "Penta ITS Ex and Foetus ITS Ex" and, subsequently, the product was subjected to primers TRF1 and TRF2. Then, it was digested with the restriction enzyme Hha I, generating fragments of 221 and 149bp for T. foetus and 205 and 133bp for P. hominis. Afterward, these samples were sequenced to confirm the diagnosis, detecting 14 cats positive for T. foetus, 5 for P. hominis, and two with a co-infection of both parasites. Data regarding the animals and the management practices performed by their owners were recorded at the time of fecal sample collection to calculate statistical associations. Additionally, coproparasitological techniques such as simple centrifugal flotation, centrifugal flotation in zinc sulfate, and the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method were performed. Based on the PCR results and coproparasitological techniques, the overall prevalence and prevalence by identified parasite were determined. The statistical association between the analyzed variables and parasitism by T. foetus and P. hominis was assessed using the G-test. No growth of parabasalids was observed in the culture medium used in this study. After sample processing, the prevalence of infection by at least one gastrointestinal parasite was 24.9% (n = 60). The prevalence of parabasalids was 5.8% (n = 14) for T. foetus and 2.1% (n = 5) for P. hominis. Additionally, one cat was found to be positive for a parabasalid with 95% genetic similarity to Simplicimonas. Among the evaluated variables, a statistically significant association was found for shelter-living cats regarding T. foetus (p = 0.0462) and P. hominis (p = 0.0395). There was also a statistical association for co-infection with other gastrointestinal parasites in the case of P. hominis (p = 0.0487). Moreover, all cats positive for T. foetus and P. hominis exhibited diarrhea. All animals infected with T. foetus had pasty feces (p < 0.0001), while those infected with P. hominis had feces ranging from pasty to liquid (p = 0.0109). Chronic diarrhea was identified in all 14 cats positive for T. foetus. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to conclude that T. foetus and P. hominis are protozoa present in the cat population of the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, and diarrhea appears to be a clinical sign associated with parasitism.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1173660 - FABIO BARBOUR SCOTT
Interno - ***.088.737-** - DIEFREY RIBEIRO CAMPOS - UFRRJ
Interna - 2221840 - MELISSA CARVALHO MACHADO DO COUTO CHAMBARELLI
Interna - 2929889 - THAIS RIBEIRO CORREIA AZEVEDO
Externa à Instituição - ALINE SANTANA DA HORA - UFU
Externo à Instituição - ISABELLA VILHENA FREIRE MARTINS - UFES