Ectoparasitos de caninos, felinos e equinos e sua relação com patógenos de importância em Saúde Única na Microrregião de Garanhuns, Pernambuco - Brasil

Abstract

Ectoparasites are important invertebrates that affect different animal species, including humans. Ticks and fleas, the main representants of ectoparasites, have a wide geographical distribution, and cause relevant economic and sanitary losses. In addition, may act as vectors of pathogens of medical and veterinay concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity of ectoparasites of domestic animals (dogs, cats and horses) and their relationship with pathogens of importance in public health in the Microregion of Garanhuns, South Agreste, State of Pernambuco - Brazil. From January 2017 to April 2019, ectoparasites were collected from animals (cats, dogs and horses), stored in plastic vials containing 70% ethanol and then morphologically identified by using dichotomous keys. In addition, the search for pathogens was performed molecularly by PCR and sequencing. In this study were included 86 domestic animals (cats = 8; dogs = 22; horses = 56) infested with ectoparasites from urban (n = 37) and rural (n = 49) areas. Two species of fleas (Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis) and five tick species (Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma sculptum, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.) were identified. A total of 401 specimens (344 ticks and 57 fleas; χ2 = 206.038; p = 0.0000) were collected, being 10 (2.49%), 96 (23.95%) and 295 (73.57%) obtained from cats, dogs and horses, respectively. The sequences derived from the amplicons obtained in PCR to Rickettsia spp. showed identity > 99% with Rickettsia felis sequences available in GenBank. DNA of R. felis was detected in C. felis, D. nitens and R. sanguineus s.l.. Fleas and ticks species herein reported present vectorial ability to transmit zoonotic pathogens, wich reinforce the importance of the studies of ectofauna. Therefore, preventive measures should be implemented to reduce the infestation by ectoparasites in animals and humans, and decrease the risk of infection by the pathogens for them transmitted.