Diagnóstico Sorológico e Molecular de Patógenos Bacterianos e Parasitários em Felinos ( Felis Silvestris Catus) do Município de Araguaína, Tocantins.

Abstract

Domestic cats can be infected and parasitized by different pathogens that cause damage to the animal's homeostasis and consequently on its well-being, with a relevant impact on health and potential risks to public health. The objective with the development of the present study was to detect bacterial (Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus) and parasitic (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp. and Cytauxzoon felis) pathogens by serological and molecular methods in cats from the municipality of Araguaína, state of Tocantins. 180 samples of blood and serum from cats were collected, after authorization from the tutors by clarifying the objectives of the research and the procedures to be performed on the animals. The samples were collected by phlebocentesis from the jugular and cephalic veins using a vacuum suction system in tubes containing or not anticoagulant and stored at -20ºC. Then the samples were tested for the presence or absence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. by the microscopic serum agglutination test, against Brucella abortus by the acidified buffered antigen test followed by confirmation by the 2-mercaptoethanol method, and against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. by the indirect immunofluorescence test. In addition to serological analyzes, 75 blood samples were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction to detect Cytauxzoon felis DNA using the conventional polymerase chain reaction method. Associations between epidemiological variables (age, sex, race, origin and presence of clinical signs) and seropositivity in serological tests for different pathogens were analyzed using the chi-square test (χ2). A seroprevalence of 48.3% (87/180; 95% CI: 40.8-55.90%) of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, 3.9% (7/180; 95% CI: 1.6-7.8%) of anti-Neospora spp . and 5.6% (10/180; 95% CI: 2.7-10%) anti-Leptospira spp. No sample was positive for B. abortus in the serological diagnosis and no sample was positive for Cytauxzoon felis in the molecular diagnosis. The variable clinical signs and race are associated with the detection of anti-T.gondii antibodies, and the variable race is significantly associated with the detection of anti-Neospora antibodies. There were no variables associated with seropositivity to detect anti-Leptospira and anti-B.abortus antibodies. It is concluded that there is the exposure of the feline population in the municipality of Araguaína to the pathogens T.gondii, Leptospira spp. and Neospora spp. This investigation allowed to expand the knowledge about the epidemiological aspects related to the contact of the studied pathogens with the animals participating in the research, as well as to indicate the potential of propagation of these pathogens and to base preventive measures that allow to reduce the prevalence of such infections in the feline population of the municipality of Araguaína.