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Background: Bartonellosis, caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella, is a zoonotic disease with several mammalian reservoir hosts. In Somalia, a country heavily reliant on livestock, zoonotic diseases pose significant public health and economic challenges. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been performed aiming to verify the occurrence of Bartonella spp. in Somalia. This study investigated the occurrence and molecular characterization of Bartonella in dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus, 1758), cattle, sheep, and goats from Somalia. Materials and Methods: 530 blood samples were collected from various animals (155 dromedary, 199 goat, 131 cattle, and 45 sheep) in Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions. DNA was extracted for molecular analysis, and a qPCR assay targeting the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) gene was used for Bartonella screening. Positive samples were also subjected to PCR assays targeting seven molecular markers including: nuoG, citrate synthase gene (gltA), RNA polymerase beta‐subunit gene (rpoB), riboflavin synthase gene (ribC), 60 kDa heat‐shock protein gene (groEL), cell division protein gene (ftsZ), and pap31 and qPCR targeting the 16‐23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) followed by Sanger sequencing, BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Out of 530 tested animals, 5.1% were positive for Bartonella spp. by the nuoG qPCR assay. Goats showed the highest Bartonella occurrence (17/199, 8.5%), followed by sheep (6/44, 6.8%), cattle (4/131, 3.1%), and dromedary (1/155, 1.9%). Goats, sheep, and cattle had higher odds of infection compared to dromedary. Among nuoG qPCR‐positive samples, 11.1%, 14.8%, 11.1%, and 25.9% were positive in PCR assays based on nuoG, gltA, and pap31 genes, and in the qPCR based on the ITS region, respectively. On the other hand, nuoG qPCR‐positive samples were negative in the PCR assays targeting the ribC, rpoB, ftsZ, and groEL genes. While Bartonella bovis sequences were detected in cattle (nuoG and ITS) and goats (gltA), Bartonella henselae ITS sequences were detected in dromedary, goat, and sheep. Phylogenetic analysis placed gltA Bartonella sequence from a goat in the same clade of B. bovis. Conclusion: The present study showed, for the first time, molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in dromedary and ruminants from Somalia and B. henselae in sheep and goats globally. These findings contribute valuable insights into Bartonella spp. occurrence in Somali livestock, highlighting the need for comprehensive surveillance and control measures under the One Health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks are distributed worldwide, and in South America, Brazil possesses the largest diversity of them. They are responsible for transmitting a wide range of pathogens to animals and accidentally to humans. The available data on tick species parasitizing wild animals in Paraná State are limited to few reports. Accordingly, the aims of this study were to describe and map the distribution of ticks parasitizing wild animals in Paraná State, southern Brazil, based on unpublished data from records of ticks deposited in two scientific collections, and tick records from previously published studies. Overall, we obtained 976 records of parasitism by ticks from 173 different species of free-ranging wild animals: 2/173 (1.2%) amphibians, 2/173 (1.2%) reptiles, 119/173 (68.8%) birds, 3/173 (1.7%) canids, 2/173 (1.2%) deer, 6/173 (3.5%) felids, 7/173 (4.0%) marsupials, 3/173 (1.7%) mustelid, 2/173 (1.2%) non-human primates, 2/173 (1.2%) procionid, 19/173 (11.0%) rodents, 2/173 (1.2%) Suine, 1/173 (0.6%) tapir, and 3/173 (1.7%) Xenarthra. A total of 6,794 ticks (1,163 males, 749 females, 428 adults of non-defined sex, 1,824 nymphs, 2,370 larvae, and 260 not identified stages) were recorded. The following tick species were recorded: Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma fuscum, Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma incisum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parkeri (some published as A. geayi), Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma pseudoconcolor, Amblyomma rotundatum, Amblyomma sculptum (some published as Amblyomma cajennense senso lato), Amblyomma tigrinum, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma sp., Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis sp., Ixodes auritulus, Ixodes fuscipes (some published as Ixodes aragaoi), Ixodes loricatus, Ixodes paranaensis, Ixodes schulzei, Ixodes sp., and Rhipicephalus microplus. Amblyomma aureolatum and A. longirostre were highly prevalent on wild hosts. Ring-tailed coati (Nasua nasua) was the host species with the highest tick richness in Paraná State, Brazil. Also, we provide the first record of the tick-host association A. fuscum on felid (Leopardus guttulus), and R. microplus on rodent (Sphiggurus villosus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, the orange‐spined hairy dwarf porcupine (Sphiggurus villosus) is widely distributed in the Atlantic Rainforest biome being amongst the most frequently road‐killed animal. Porcupines may also be commonly found on forest borders and occasionally, near urban areas where human and domestic dogs injuries caused by its spines may occur. Therefore, the aims of this study were (a) to screen porcupines for TBD pathogens and haemoplasmas and (b) to identify the tick species parasitizing these rodents in Paraná State, southern Brazil. Blood and/or spleen samples were collected from nine orange‐spined hairy dwarf porcupines. A total of 275 ticks (34 males, 11 females, 7 nymphs and 223 larvae) were collected from eight porcupines: Amblyomma longirostre, A. parkeri and Amblyomma spp. larvae. Two out of nine (22%; 95% CI: 3%–60%) porcupines were PCR‐positive for haemoplasmas. All animals tested negative for Theileria/Babesia spp. and Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. by PCR. Phylogenetic and network analysis of the 16S and 23S rRNA gene fragments confirmed that animals were infected by a potentially novel haemotropic Mycoplasma sp. The name 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemosphiggurus' is proposed for this novel organism that should be further fully characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We amplified Ehrlichia and Anaplasma DNA from Amblyomma dubitatum tick-infested capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in southern Brazil. Sequencing of 16S rRNA, sodB, and groEL indicated a novel Ehrlichia species, and sequencing of 16S rRNA from 2 capybaras indicated a novel Anaplasma species. The tick vectors remain unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Science is the property of Archives of Veterinary Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been increasingly recognized in cats living in areas endemic for the disease. Co-infection with Leishmania infantum and other infectious agents is well established in dogs. However, for cats, data on co-infections with L. infantum and other infectious agents are still sparse. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens, Mycoplasma spp., feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) in cats from an area endemic for VL in southeastern Brazil. Results: Of the 90 cats, eight (8.9%) were infected with Mycoplasma spp., five (5.5%) were FIV- positive and one (1.1%) was FeLV-positive. Co-infection with L. infantum and at least one other infectious agent was found in 9/50 (18.0%; CI: 8.6–31.4%) cats. In Group 1 (cats infected naturally by L. infantum), 4/50 (8.0%) cats were positive for FIV, 4/50 (8%) for Mycoplasma spp. and 1/50 (2.0%) was co-infected with FeLV and Mycoplasma spp. In Group 2 (cats non-infected with L. infantum), 2/40 (5.0%) cats were infected with Mycoplasma spp. and 1/40 (2.5%) was co-infected with FIV and Mycoplasma spp. All cats were negative for Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Anaplasma platys. Conclusion: A low prevalence of co-infection in Leishmania-infected and non-infected cats was found. Co-infections with Leishmania and vector-borne diseases in cats are not common in this area endemic for VL in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study is part of an active surveillance program for monitoring animal health status in endangered species and was conducted to screen captive Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) for hemoplasma infection. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 blood samples were collected, DNA extracted and further tested by a pan-hemoplasma polymerase chain reaction protocol. Results: Animals were clinically healthy and not infested by ectoparasites. Although housekeeping gene DNA was successfully amplified, all the Barbary sheep samples tested negative for Mycoplasma sp. Conclusion: Notwithstanding the negative results, molecular pathogen surveys on Barbary sheep and other exotic wild mammals may provide insights regarding infection of endangered species caused by captivity stress in association with exposure to new pathogens worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are small pleomorphic bacteria that parasitize the surface of red blood cells of mammals. Hemoplasmas have been described in different species from the Camelidae Family, such as llamas and alpacas (South American camelids), but data on dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are limited to a few reports. Somalia has one of the world's largest dromedary camel populations, and studies on hemoplasmas and tick-borne pathogens are lacking. Accordingly, this study aimed to screen dromedaries from Somalia for hemoplasmas by PCR-based assays. A total of 155 dromedary camel blood samples from 2 different areas of Mogadishu (n = 104) and the Lower Shabelle Region (n = 51) of the country were collected. All blood DNA samples were screened for hemoplasmas using a SYBR Green Universal Real-Time PCR (qPCR), nested PCR (nPCR), and conventional PCR (cPCR) assays targeting the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas. Five out of 155 animals (3.23%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-7.33%) were positive for hemoplasmas. A total of 346 (228 M, 117 F, and 1 nymph) ticks were collected from 79/155 (50.9%; 95% CI: 42.8-59.1%) dromedary camels with a mean of 4.4 ticks per animal. Ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus pulchellus (174/346; 50.3%), Hyalomma dromedarii (103/346; 29.8%), Hyalomma rufipes (35/346; 10.1%), Hyalomma marginatum (16/346; 4.6%), Rhipicephalus humeralis (14/346; 4.0%), Amblyomma lepidum (2/346; 0.6%), Amblyomma gemma (1/346; 0.3%), and Ornithodoros sp. (1/185; 0.5). This is the first study on the molecular screening for hemoplasmas in dromedary camels from Somalia and the first report of A. lepidum and R. humeralis in Somali dromedary camels., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of hemoplasmas and tick-borne pathogens (TBP) (Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Ehrlichia sp.) in horses and ticks' salivary glands, and determine the factors associated with exposure/infection in a rural settlement in southern Brazil. Blood samples from 22 horses were screened for anti-T. equi and anti-Ehrlichia sp. antibodies by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) assays. Samples were also tested by PCR assays for T. equi and B. caballi (18S rRNA and rap-1 genes, respectively), hemoplasmas (16S rRNA gene), and Ehrlichia sp. (dsb gene). Ticks were removed from the animals (inspection) and the environment (flannel trawling and dry ice traps), and morphologically identified. Additionally, salivary glands DNA was extracted from 28 adult ticks infesting the animals and four nymphs from the environment, and further screened for Ehrlichia sp. and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. Anti-T. equi and anti-Ehrlichia sp. antibodies were detected in 40.91% (nine/22; 95% CI: 23.26-61.27) and 31.81% (seven/22; 95% CI: 16.36-52.68) horses, respectively. Theileria equi, B. caballi, and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. DNA was detected in 59.09% (13/22), 4.55% (one/22), and 50% (11/22) horses, respectively. All horses tested negative in the PCR for Ehrlichia sp. All sequences showed ≥99% identity with multiple T. equi, B. caballi, and Mycoplasma ovis sequences deposited in GenBank database. Adult ticks were identified as Dermacentor nitens (44/47; 93.62%) and Rhipicephalus microplus (three/47; 6.38%). Ticks' salivary glands were negative for Ehrlichia sp., while 39.29% from adults (11/28) and 50% from nymphs (two/four) from the environment were positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. This is the first report of M. ovis infection in horses from Brazil and the first detection of hemoplasma DNA in salivary glands of D. nitens and R. microplus ticks. Further studies are needed to elucidate the vector competence of ticks to transmit hemoplasmas., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are small Gram-negative bacteria that parasitize red blood cells and can cause mild to severe anemia in a wide range of vertebrates, including ruminants. Cattle population in Somalia is around 3.9 million heads, with animals more concentrated around the river areas, mainly in the Juba River and Shabelle River Valleys. Information on hemoplasmas in Sub-Saharan Africa are scarce, mainly in Somalia, where no studies have been performed to date. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the molecular occurrence of hemoplasmas in 131 cattle blood samples from Somalia. Thirty out of 131 (22.90%; 95% CI: 16.54-30.81%) cattle were infested by ticks: Rhipicephalus pulchellus (68.18%), Amblyomma gemma (18.18%), Amblyomma lepidum (9.09%), Hyalomma marginatum (1.51%), Hyalmomma rufipes (1.51%), and Rhipicephalus pravus (1.51%). A total of 74/131 (56.48%; 95% CI: 47.93-64.67%) cattle were positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. by real-time PCR (qPCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene. Hemoplasma-positive samples were later subjected to species-specific PCR assays for Mycoplasma wenyonii and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematobovis' based on the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 34/74 (45.94%; 95% CI: 35.07-57.22%) animals were coinfected by both species; 31/74 (41.89%; 95% CI: 31.32-53.26%) and 3/74 (4.05%; 95% CI: 01.39-11.25%) cattle were solely positive to M. wenyonii and 'Ca. M. haematobovis', respectively. Six out of 74 (8.1%; 95% CI: 03.77-16.58%) cattle were negative on species-specific conventional PCR assays but tested positive by a semi-nested PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas. Sequencing of the detected hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. 16S rRNA gene confirmed that animals were infected by M. wenyonii and 'Ca. M. haematobovis'. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the detection of hemoplasmas in cattle from Somalia., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing financial interests to declare., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Three different species of hemoplasmas have been described in rodents, Mycoplasma coccoides, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemosphiggurus'. Additionally, potentially novel hemoplasma species have been detected in wild rodents from Brazil, including capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world and are well adapted to live within close proximity to humans, which increases the risk to spread of zoonotic pathogens. Herein, we investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of hemoplasmas infecting free-ranging capybaras from southern Brazil. Blood samples and ticks from 17 capybaras were collected. Packed cell volume and total plasma protein were measured, DNA was extracted, and further screened by species-specific and pan-hemoplasma PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas. Sixteen out of 17 (94.12%; 95% CI: 73.02-98.95%) were anemic. Only one young female was hypoproteinemic. All capybaras were infested by adults and nymphs of Amblyomma dubitatum ticks. Using the PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene of M. coccoides, 13/17 (76.47%; 95% CI: 52.74-90.44%) capybaras were positive for hemoplasmas. When DNA samples were tested by the pan-hemoplasma PCR, 16/17 (94.12%; 95% CI: 73.02-98.95%) animals were positive. One out of 11 (9.09%) adult ticks salivary glands tested positive for hemoplasma by the pan-hemoplasma PCR assay. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S and 23S rRNA gene fragments confirmed that animals were infected by a novel hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. previously reported in capybaras from Brazil. Additionally, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 23S rRNA gene from three hemoplasma-positive capybaras samples from a previous study performed in midwestern Brazil also confirm our findings. Based on phylogenetic and Neighbor-Net network analysis of the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes, the name 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohydrochoerus' is proposed for this novel organism., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Anaplasma marginale, a tick-borne α-proteobacterium that causes significant economic losses for the cattle industry worldwide, has been increasingly detected in other animal species. This agent has been previously detected in buffaloes and goats co-grazed with cattle in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of A. marginale in a multispecies (goats, sheep and cattle) grazing farm in the State of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. A total of 119 goats, 71 sheep, and five cattle were evaluated. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to the farm owner addressing age, gender, and presence of ticks. Serum samples from goat, sheep and cattle were tested for anti-Anaplasma marginale antibodies by a commercial MSP5-based on indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). EDTA-blood samples were screened for A. marginale- and A. ovis-infection by PCR using primers targeting Anaplasma spp. msp4 gene. Sequencing of the repeat region of the msp1α gene was used for genotyping A. marginale strains found in the present study. A total of 47/119 (39.5 %, 95 % CI: 31.1-48.4 %) goats and 2/71 (3%, 95 % CI: 0.7-9.7 %) sheep were seroreactive for A. marginale rMSP5 by the commercial iELISA. All cattle were seronegative for A. marginale. Anaplasma spp. msp4 PCR results revealed that two out of 119 (1.7 %; 95 % CI: 0.4-5.9 %) goats tested positive and all sheep and cattle samples were negative. It was not possible to sequence one sample. Therefore, the other sequencing sample found tandem repeats of A. marginale msp1α gene demonstrating that goat was infected with the genotype F/91. Rhipicephalus microplus ticks were found parasitizing goats but not on sheep or cattle. Considering that in Brazil A. marginale genotype F/91 and the MSP1a tandem repeat F has only been detected in goats so far, we hypothesized that this genotype may be related to goats., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is the deadliest rickettsiosis in the world. Although the epidemiology of the disease has been established in Brazil, there are still limited data available on distribution of tick vectors and tick species parasitizing humans in the country, particularly in Paraná State. The State of Paraná is located in the southern region of the country and is covered by two biomes: Atlantic rainforest and Cerrado. Thus, the aims of this study were i) to map the distribution of SF tick vectors, ii) to describe and map the distribution of human parasitism by ticks, and iii) to map the distribution of fatal and non-fatal spotted fever (SF) cases in Paraná State, southern Brazil. Data were reviewed and compiled from previous published reports, and also from two scientific collections of Paraná State. SF cases were retrieved from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System. A total of 50 cases of human parasitism by ticks were recorded, with a total of 64 (22 males, 12 females, 30 nymphs) ticks collected. The following 12 tick species were identified: Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma incisum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parkeri, Amblyomma scalpturatum, Amblyomma sculptum, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.). The most prevalent tick species associated to cases of human parasitism were A. sculptum (13/50; 26 %), A. aureolatum (10/50; 20 %), A. brasiliense (5/50; 10 %), A. ovale (5/50; 10 %) and A. parkeri (4/50; 8%). A total of 51 non-fatal and five fatal SF cases were recorded. Data from this study highlights the need for monitoring ticks parasitizing humans aiming early detection of tick-borne diseases cases, particularly BSF in Paraná State, southern Brazil., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Tick-borne diseases (TBD) constitute an important group of illness affecting animals and humans worldwide. In Brazil, carthorses are frequently exposed to ticks and tick-borne pathogens, leading to impairment of horse performance and imposing restrictions by the international veterinary authorities for the importation of horses. Accordingly, this study has aimed to i) determine the prevalence of the TBD agents Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, Ehrlichia spp., and hemotropic mycoplasmas in carthorses, ii) identify the tick species parasitizing the animals, and iii) determine factors associated with exposure/infection in Foz do Iguaçu City, Parana state, southern Brazil. A total of 103 carthorses were screened for anti-T. equi and anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody assays (IFA). Samples were also tested by PCR assays targeting the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi and B. caballi, and 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas. Additionally, PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA, disulfide bond formation protein (dsb) and tandem repeat proteins 36 (trp36) genes of Ehrlichia spp. were also performed. Antibodies to T. equi and Ehrlichia spp. were detected in 43/103 (41.75%; 95% CI: 32.10-51.88%) and 5/103 (4.85%; 95% CI: 1.59-10.97%) horses by IFA, respectively. DNA of T. equi and B. caballi were found in 25/103 (24.27%; 95% CI: 16.36-33.71%) and 10/103 (9.71%; 95% CI: 4.75-17.13%) carthorses, respectively, and all tested negative for Ehrlichia spp. and hemoplasmas. All sequences showed ≥99% identity with multiple T. equi and B. caballi 18S rRNA gene sequences deposited in GenBank. Overall, 191 Dermacentor nitens ticks were collected from 25/103 (24.27%) animals. Carthorses older than 5 years were more likely to be positive for T. equi (p < 0.05). In conclusion, equine piroplasmosis agents are highly prevalent in carthorses from Foz do Iguaçu City. The low prevalence of Ehrlichia spp. found may be due to the absence of Amblyomma ticks infesting animals, which should be further investigated., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Two species of hemotropic mycoplasmas (HM) are known to infect large domestic ruminants, Mycoplasma wenyonii and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos'. Although HM has been described in cattle worldwide, data in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) remain scarce. Accordingly, the aim was to determine the occurrence of HM in water buffaloes from northeastern Brazil. A total of 101/290 (34.83%) buffaloes were positive for HM (16 M. wenyonii alone, 6 'Ca. M. haemobos' alone and 79 both). This was the first report of M. wenyonii infection in ruminants from Brazil. Clinical signs of hemoplasmosis in buffaloes remain unknown., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Although Mycoplasma ovis (formerly Eperythrozoon ovis) has been described in small ruminants worldwide, data on M. ovis in goats remain scarce. Accordingly, the aims of the present study were to i) determine the prevalence of hemoplasmas in goats, ii) identify the tick species parasitizing the animals, and iii) determine factors associated with infection in five dairy and three beef goat farms from the Paraíba State, northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 402 goats. Samples were screened for hemoplasmas using a pan-hemoplasma PCR. The positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. An epidemiological questionnaire was given to each farm owner addressing age, gender, and presence of ticks. A total of 158/402 (39.3%) goats were positive for M. ovis by PCR. Sequencing of PCR positive samples has shown ≥99% identity with multiple M. ovis 16S rDNA sequences deposited in GenBank, including M. ovis isolates from humans. Dairy (OR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.40-3.32%; P=0.0004) and anemic goats (OR=2.33; 95% CI: 1.51-3.71%; P=0.0001) were more likely to be infected than beef and non-anemic animals, respectively. Amblyomma parvum (49/52, 94.23%) and Rhipicephalus microplus (3/52, 5.77%) were the tick species found parasitizing the animals, with no significant association between the presence of ticks and infection by M. ovis (P=0.1164). This is the first reportedly molecular detection of M. ovis infection in goats from South America. In conclusion, M. ovis is highly prevalent in goats from northeastern Brazil, mainly in dairy animals., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Three species of hemoplasmas are known to infect monkeys, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma kahanei', 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma aoti'. Marcgrave's capuchin monkey (Sapajus flavius) is a critically endangered neotropical primate species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, and thus, sustained efforts are needed to protect the health and well-being of these animals. This study has aimed to screen 12 captive S. flavius from the State of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil, for hemoplasma infection. Packed cell volume (PCV) was measured and a pan-hemoplasma PCR protocol performed. A total of 8/12 (66.6%) monkeys were positive for the 16S rDNA gene of Mycoplasma sp., showing an identity of 99% to Mycoplasma sp. previously detected in Sapajus apella and Sapajus sp. monkeys from the Brazilian Amazon. Further studies should be conducted in order to elucidate whether this potentially novel Mycoplasma sp. is able to cause anemia in Sapajus sp. monkeys from Brazil., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Theileriosis is a worldwide protozoal tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi, which may produce a variety of clinical signs and turn infected horses into lifetime carriers. This study has aimed to perform a serological and molecular detection of T. equi and associated factors in sports horses from six areas of northeastern Brazil. In overall, 59.6% horses were positive by indirect immunofluorescence assay and 50.4% by polymerase chain reaction. No significant association was found when presence of ticks, age, gender, anemia or total plasma proteins was analyzed with seropositivity and molecular techniques. Although a significant association of infection was found in two cities. Thus, local risk factors other than presence of ticks, horse age, gender, anemia and total plasmatic proteins may dictate prevalence of T. equi infection in sports horses, even in highly endemic areas with no control of infection prior to horse competitions., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroepidemiological data of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses from a rural settlement and carthorses from urban areas of Paraná State, southern Brazil. A total of 198 horses, including 32 from the rural settlement and 166 carthorses from Colombo (n=48), Pinhais (n=76), Londrina (n=24), and Curitiba city (n=18) was sampled and tested using a commercial competitive inhibition ELISA (cELISA) test. Out of the 198 horses, 193 (97.5%) were seropositive for at least one piroplasm species. Antibodies to T. equi were detected in 155/198 horses (78.3%), antibodies to B. caballi were detected in 137/198 horses (69.2%), and antibodies to both were detected in 99/198 (50.0%) horses. Horses living in the rural settlement and Colombo were more likely to be seropositive to T. equi than those in Curitiba (p<0.05). Horses older than 5 years were more likely to be seropositive for T. equi than those younger than 5 years (p<0.05). No significant association was found between gender or the presence of ticks and seropositivity to T. equi (p>0.05). In conclusion, the high seroprevalences to B. caballi and T. equi observed in this study emphasize that active surveillance programs are critical for monitoring animal health status, particularly because carthorses may act as urban disseminators of these piroplasms., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)