Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.1
3.7
Journals
Pathogens
Special Issues
Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna
share announcement

Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2020) | Viewed by 19040

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ana Maria Jansen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: transmission cycles of trypanosomatids among free ranging mammals; zoonoses; molecular parasitology; emerging infectious diseases; parasitic diseases
Dr. André Luiz Rodrigues Roque

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Researcher, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: Trypanosoma; Leishmania; Wild mammals; Parasitology
Dr. Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Researcher, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: Trypanosomatids; Transmission cycle; Spatial analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Trypanosoma cruzi is primarily an ancient enzootia, transmitted among the South American ancient mammalian fauna that consisted basically of marsupials, sloths, and anteaters. As far as other mammals entered the southern continent, they were included in the T. cruzi transmission cycle. This was also the case for humans, that arrived in the Americas around 25,000 BP. In fact, in Latin America, human mummies have been proven to harbor the T. cruzi infection and even megacolon long before the arrival of European colonizers. T. cruzi is a successful parasite in that it is capable of colonizing hundreds of mammal species and, in them, almost all tissues, making it a truly generalist parasite. Although much studied for being the etiological agent of Chagas's disease, many points of the biology of this taxon remain unclear. Even more numerous are the unanswered questions about phylogenetically close to T. cruzi parasites, which share several of its wild hosts and are often found in mixed infections. The knowledge of the universe of species of the genus Trypanosoma spp and of trypanosomatids has been increasing in direct proportion to the increasing number of molecular tools with high analytical power. Examples include T. rangeli, the numerous species of the T. cruzi clade, as well as Leishmania spp, and even some representatives of monogenetic trypanosomatids.

Among the remaining unanswered questions, we highlight the following: what is the impact of global warming on mammal fauna, vector insects, and consequently the transmission of trypanosomatids? What to expect from the Anthropocene impact on animal and human habitats and life strategies and the consequent change and new significance of these parasites? And how to predict the trends of the new contours that these complex parasites will acquire in a future with less biodiversity and rising sea levels?

This Special Issue aims to address these questions on the basis of the conviction that all life forms are interconnected and thus deeply interdependent.

Dr. Ana Maria Jansen
Dr. André Luiz Rodrigues Roque
Dr. Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Trypanosoma cruzi
  • Wild reservoirs
  • Mixed infections
  • Trypanosomatids
  • Monogenetic trypanosomatids
  • Climate changes and parasitism
  • Ecological niche modeling in hypothetical environmental scenarios

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 2370 KiB  
Article
Wild and Domestic Canids and Their Interactions in the Transmission Cycles of Trypanosoma Cruzi and Leishmania spp. in an Area of the Brazilian Cerrado
by Elida M. V. Brandão, Samanta C. C. Xavier, Fabiana L. Rocha, Caio F. M. Lima, Ísis Z. Candeias, Frederico G. Lemos, Fernanda C. Azevedo, Ana M. Jansen and André L. R. Roque
Pathogens 2020, 9(10), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9100818 - 06 Oct 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2833
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. are parasites that infect multiple hosts including canids, considered bioaccumulators of parasites. Deforestation in the Cerrado biome has resulted in the exposure of wild canids to anthropized areas, where they may establish ecological and epidemiological relationships with domestic [...] Read more.
Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. are parasites that infect multiple hosts including canids, considered bioaccumulators of parasites. Deforestation in the Cerrado biome has resulted in the exposure of wild canids to anthropized areas, where they may establish ecological and epidemiological relationships with domestic dogs. We evaluated the infection by trypanosomatids in canids from a Cerrado agroecosystem between 2013 and 2017. Samples of wild canids (blood, bone marrow and skin) and dogs (blood) were collected for parasitological, serological and molecular diagnosis. A total of 414 samples from wild (n = 131) and domestic (n = 283) canids were collected, including recaptures. We obtained five positive hemocultures from Lycalopex vetulus (n = 2), Cerdocyon thous (n = 1) and dogs (n = 2), all characterized as T. cruzi TcIII/V (18S rDNA) and TcIII/V/VI (gGAPDH); one positive skin fragment for Leishmania sp. (C. thous), one positive skin culture (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and one positive fresh blood examination from a dog. Infection by T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. was serologically confirmed in 18% and 4% of the canids, respectively. Active transmission was attested by seroconversion events and occurred despite the low rate of positive parasitological assays. Wild and domestic canids infected by both parasites were detected sharing the same areas, pointing to a possible spillover of parasites among them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1013 KiB  
Article
Biological and Genetic Heterogeneity in Trypanosoma dionisii Isolates from Hematophagous and Insectivorous Bats
by Juliana Helena da Silva Barros, André Luiz Rodrigues Roque, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier, Kátia Cristina Silva Nascimento, Helena Keiko Toma and Maria de Fatima Madeira
Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090736 - 07 Sep 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3046
Abstract
This study describes the morphological, biochemical, and molecular differences among Trypanosoma dionisii isolates from hemocultures of hematophagous (Desmodus rotundus; n = 2) and insectivorous (Lonchorhina aurita; n = 1) bats from the Atlantic Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [...] Read more.
This study describes the morphological, biochemical, and molecular differences among Trypanosoma dionisii isolates from hemocultures of hematophagous (Desmodus rotundus; n = 2) and insectivorous (Lonchorhina aurita; n = 1) bats from the Atlantic Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fusiform epimastigotes from the hematophagous isolates were elongated, whereas those of the insectivorous isolate were stumpy, reflected in statistically evident differences in the cell body and flagellum lengths. In the hemocultures, a higher percentage of trypomastigote forms (60%) was observed in the hematophagous bat isolates than that in the isolate from the insectivorous bat (4%), which demonstrated globular morphology. Three molecular DNA regions were analyzed: V7V8 (18S rDNA), glycosomal glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene, and mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The samples were also subjected to multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. All isolates were identified as T. dionisii by phylogenetic analysis. These sequences were clustered into two separate subgroups with high bootstrap values according to the feeding habits of the bats from which the parasites were isolated. However, other T. dionisii samples from bats with different feeding habits were found in the same branch. These results support the separation of the three isolates into two subgroups, demonstrating that different subpopulations of T. dionisii circulate among bats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2220 KiB  
Article
A Novel Genotype and First Record of Trypanosoma lainsoni in Argentina
by Anahí G. Díaz, Paula G. Ragone, Fanny Rusman, Noelia Floridia-Yapur, Rubén M. Barquez, M. Mónica Díaz, Nicolás Tomasini and Patricio Diosque
Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090731 - 04 Sep 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2670
Abstract
Trypanosomes are a group of parasitic flagellates with medical and veterinary importance. Despite many species having been described in this genus, little is known about many of them. Here, we report a genetic and morphological characterization of trypanosomatids isolated from wild mammals from [...] Read more.
Trypanosomes are a group of parasitic flagellates with medical and veterinary importance. Despite many species having been described in this genus, little is known about many of them. Here, we report a genetic and morphological characterization of trypanosomatids isolated from wild mammals from the Argentine Chaco region. Parasites were morphologically and ultrastructurally characterized by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, 18s rRNA and gGAPDH genes were sequenced and analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Morphological characterization showed clear characteristics associated with the Trypanosoma genus. The genetic characterization demonstrates that the studied isolates have identical sequences and a pairwise identity of 99% with Trypanosoma lainsoni, which belongs to the clade of lizards and snakes/rodents and marsupials. To date, this species had only been found in the Amazon region. Our finding represents the second report of T. lainsoni and the first record for the Chaco region. Furthermore, we ultrastructurally described for the first time the species. Finally, the host range of T. lainsoni was expanded (Leopardus geoffroyi, Carenivora, Felidae; and Calomys sp., Rodentia, Cricetidae), showing a wide host range for this species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

11 pages, 1138 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Epitope Recognition of Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Antibodies in Two Procyonid Species: Implications for Host Resistance
by Guiehdani Villalobos, Claudia I. Muñoz-García, Roberto Rodríguez-Cabo-Mercado, Nancy Mendoza-Bazán, Adrián Hernández-Ortiz, Claudia Villanueva-García, Fernando Martínez-Hernández and Emilio Rendón-Franco
Pathogens 2020, 9(6), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060464 - 12 Jun 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2318
Abstract
More than 180 mammalian species have been found naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Many of them play an important role in the maintenance of this parasite. In particular, new studies have appeared which indicate that some species of Procyonidae family may play [...] Read more.
More than 180 mammalian species have been found naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Many of them play an important role in the maintenance of this parasite. In particular, new studies have appeared which indicate that some species of Procyonidae family may play a role as T. cruzi hosts, however, more data are needed to evaluate their long-term physiological response to parasite infection, especially for specific antibodies. In this study, antibodies to T. cruzi were detected and prevalence and epitope recognition were assessed by ELISA (using discrete typing unit (DTU) I as antigen) and WB (using DTU I and DTU II as antigens) and sera from two procyonid species obtained through five-year follow-up of two semicaptive populations living in the same habitat. Marked heterogeneity in antigens recognition between species and differences in seroprevalence (p = 0.0002) between white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica), 51.8% (115/222), and common raccoons (Procyon lotor), 28.3% (23/81), were found. Antigens with high molecular weight when DTU-I was used were the most recognized, while a greater antigen diversity recognition was observed with DTU-II; for white-nosed coatis, low-molecular-weight antigens were mainly recognized, while for common raccoons proteins with molecular weights greater than 80 kDa were recognized most. These divergent humoral immune responses could be related to an alleged pattern of recognition receptors and major histocompatibility complex molecules difference in the procyonids species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 878 KiB  
Article
Trypanosomatids in Small Mammals of an Agroecosystem in Central Brazil: Another Piece in the Puzzle of Parasite Transmission in an Anthropogenic Landscape
by Elida M. V. Brandão, Samanta C. C. Xavier, Jeiel G. Carvalhaes, Paulo S. D'Andrea, Frederico G. Lemos, Fernanda C. Azevedo, Renata Cássia-Pires, Ana M. Jansen and André L. R. Roque
Pathogens 2019, 8(4), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens8040190 - 14 Oct 2019
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3331
Abstract
We surveyed infection by Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. in small wild mammals from Cumari, Goiás State aiming to investigate the diversity of trypanosomatid in a modified landscape of the Brazilian Cerrado (and possible infection overlapping with canids from the same area). Blood, [...] Read more.
We surveyed infection by Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. in small wild mammals from Cumari, Goiás State aiming to investigate the diversity of trypanosomatid in a modified landscape of the Brazilian Cerrado (and possible infection overlapping with canids from the same area). Blood, skin, spleen, and liver samples were collected for parasitological, serological, and molecular assays. Gracilinanus agilis was the most abundant species (N = 70; 48.6%) and it was the only one with patent parasitemia. Characterization by mini-exon and 18SrDNA targets were achieved in 7/10 hemocultures with positive fresh blood examination, which confirmed the T. cruzi infection by Discrete Typing Units (DTU) TcI in single (N = 2) and mixed infections with other DTUs (N = 5). T. rangeli and T. dionisii were detected in skin fragments from Didelphis albiventris and Oecomys cleberi, respectively. G. agilis were found to be infected by L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis, while Leishmania sp. DNA was detected in the liver of Oligoryzomys nigripes and Calomys expulsus. Subpatent infection by T. cruzi and Leishmania sp. was serologically detected in 15% and 9% of the small mammal fauna, respectively. Small mammals from Cumari are included in T. cruzi and Leshmania spp. transmission cycles, showing a higher diversity of trypanosomatid species and/or genotypes than that observed in canids of the same agroecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 1606 KiB  
Review
Trypanosomatid Infections among Vertebrates of Chile: A Systematic Review
by Juana P. Correa, Antonella Bacigalupo, Esteban Yefi-Quinteros, Gemma Rojo, Aldo Solari, Pedro E. Cattan and Carezza Botto-Mahan
Pathogens 2020, 9(8), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9080661 - 16 Aug 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4246
Abstract
We present a review on the natural infection by trypanosomatids of nonhuman vertebrates in Chile, aiming to synthesize and update the knowledge on the diversity of trypanosomatids infecting native and alien vertebrate species. To this end, we conducted a systematic review of literature [...] Read more.
We present a review on the natural infection by trypanosomatids of nonhuman vertebrates in Chile, aiming to synthesize and update the knowledge on the diversity of trypanosomatids infecting native and alien vertebrate species. To this end, we conducted a systematic review of literature records published from 1900 to April 2020 on four databases, focusing on the 21 genera of trypanosomatids and Chile. The methods and findings of our review have been based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (prisma) checklist. We found 29,756 records but only 71 presented relevant information for this review. Overall, there are only two reported trypanosomatid genera infecting vertebrate species in Chile, the genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania. The former is mostly represented by Trypanosoma cruzi (90% of the total records) and to a much lesser extent by Trypanosoma avium, Trypanosoma humboldti, Trypanosoma lewisi, and a couple of unidentified trypanosomatids. A total of 25 mammals have been reported as being infected by T. cruzi, including 14 native and 11 alien species from Orders Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Chiroptera, Didelphimorphia, Lagomorpha, Perissodactyla, and Rodentia. Extensive screening studies using new analytical tools are necessary to grasp the whole potential diversity of trypanosomatid species infecting vertebrates in Chile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trypanosomatid Infections Among Wild Fauna)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop