Molecular Detection of Trypanosomatids in Rodents and Marsupials in the State of Amapá, Brazil

TL;DR

This study detects trypanosomatid parasites in rodents and marsupials in Brazil, revealing new host-parasite associations.

Contribution

The study reports the detection of an undescribed Trypanosoma species and expands known host ranges in the Amazon region.

Findings

An undescribed Trypanosoma sp. was detected in four rodent and marsupial species.

Trypanosoma cruzi was found in a Philander opossum, and Leishmania (Viannia) sp. in three rodent species.

Sequences close to Trypanosoma wauwau and Trypanosoma freitasi were identified in Didelphis imperfecta and Neacomys paracou.

Abstract

Trypanosomatids of the genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are parasites of medical and veterinary importance that infect mammals, including humans and domestic and wild animals. Among mammals, rodents and marsupials play a crucial role in maintaining and spreading the zoonotic transmission cycle of these parasites. The present study aimed to detect the natural occurrence of Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. in rodents and marsupials in the state of Amapá, northern Brazil. In total, 137 samples were analyzed, of which 19 (6 marsupials and 13 rodents) were positive for trypanosomatid DNA. Partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of trypanosomatids were obtained from 10 out of 19 positive samples. Specifically, an undescribed Trypanosoma sp. was detected in Marmosa demerarae, Marmosa murina, Zygodontomys brevicauda, and Neacomys paracou. Trypanosoma cruzi was detected in a Philander opossum, whereas sequences close to Trypanosoma wauwau and Trypanosoma freitasi were obtained from Didelphis imperfecta and N. paracou, respectively. Finally, Leishmania (Viannia) sp. was detected in Mesomys hispidus, Hylaeamys megacephalus, and Z. brevicauda. The present study expands the knowledge about marsupials and rodents as hosts of trypanosomatids and emphasizes the need for further studies on the role of these animals as potential reservoirs of these parasites in the Amazon region.

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