Banca de DEFESA: THAIS ALVES FERNANDES
Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.STUDENT : THAIS ALVES FERNANDES
DATE: 19/04/2024
TIME: 08:30
LOCAL: Plataforma Google Meet
TITLE:
Diversity and Epidemiology of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in draft horses in the Distrito Federal, Brazil
KEY WORDS:
qPCR analysis, phylogenetic analysis, spatial analysis
PAGES: 68
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Medicina Veterinária
SUBÁREA: Medicina Veterinária Preventiva
SPECIALTY: Doenças Parasitárias de Animais
SUMMARY:
Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is a mandatory notifiable disease according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Caused by three species of protozoa: Babesia caballi, Theileria equi, and Theileria haneyi, EP is highly endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, with varying prevalences reported across all regions of Brazil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and spatial distribution, epidemiological characteristics, and circulating genotypes of EP in the Federal District, Brazil. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to assess possible environmental and host characteristics associated with the presence of parasite DNA. Epidemiological data and whole blood samples were collected from 409 draft horses in the Federal District. The DNA extracted from these blood samples underwent qPCR analysis of 18S rDNA for the detection of T. equi and B. caballi, followed by tabulation and statistical analysis employing Chi-square tests 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 District Environmental Information System (SISDIA, 2022), maintaining its coordinates in degrees in the Geocentric Reference System for the Americas (SIRGAS 2000). For molecular characterization, T. equi positive samples were subjected to conventional PCR for amplification of the 18S rRNA gene (~1600 bp), sequenced by the Sanger method, and subjected to Bayesian phylogenetic analysis. The results revealed a high prevalence of T. equi and/or B. caballi (56.23%) among the sampled horses, as well as widespread distribution throughout the evaluated territory, with genotypes A and C of T. equi identified. The Kernel map indicated heat areas 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 heat areas with a concentration of 2 or more positive animals per area. The study examined factors associated with infection, identifying animals over five years of age (p-value = 0.004; OR = 1.71, CI = 1.01 - 2.87) and health status (p-value = 0.049; OR = 1.91, CI = 1.003 - 3.64) as significantly associated with positivity for T. equi and/or B. caballi. This study reveals a high prevalence of T. equi and/or B. caballi in draft horses in the Federal District, central-west Brazil, highlighting the importance of health condition and age as factors associated with infection. Phylogenetic analysis also demonstrated the presence of genotypes A and C of T. equi in the region, contributing to our understanding of EP epidemiology. These findings deepen our understanding of the need for continuous surveillance and control measures to effectively management of EP.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 3701492 - HUARRISSON AZEVEDO SANTOS
Interno - ***.781.297-** - CARLOS LUIZ MASSARD - UFRRJ
Externa ao Programa - 2572430 - CRISTIANE DIVAN BALDANI - UFRRJExterna ao Programa - 1159140 - JULIANA MACEDO RAIMUNDO - UFRRJExterno à Instituição - DANIEL DA SILVA GUEDES JUNIOR - FIOCRUZ
Externa à Instituição - ERICA CRISTINA ROCHA ROIER - UV
Externa à Instituição - NATHALIE COSTA DA CUNHA - UFF
Externo à Instituição - WENDELL MARCELO DE SOUZA PERINOTTO - UFRB