Estudo hematológico e molecular da infecção por hemosporídeos e agentes da família anaplasmataceae em arara-canindé (Ara ararauna) e papagaio-verdadeiro (Amazona aestiva) Mantidos no Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS-RJ)

Abstract

Agents of the order Haemosporida and Rickettsiales are important pathogens transmitted by arthropods capable of affecting different groups of animals, including birds. The IBAMA Screening Centers house a considerable number of birds of different species, which arrive are constantly debilitated in these institutions, prone to diseases and spread of pathogens. The objective of this work was to carry out hematological evaluation, research of hemosporidia (Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp.) and agents of the Anaplasmataceae family (Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp.) in canindé macaws (Ara ararauna) and blue-fronted parrot (Amazona aestiva), sampled at the Wild Animal Screening Center in Rio de Janeiro. Blood samples were collected from 44 birds kept in this institution, being 19 birds of the Ara ararauna species (canindé macaw) and 25 individuals of the Amazona aestiva species (blue-fronted parrot). Diagnostic methods were performed to assess the hematological profile of these individuals and detect the presence of such etiological agents, through molecular techniques, direct detection in blood smears and genetic sequencing. Only macaws (Ara ararauna) were positive for the agents surveyed. In the evaluation of blood smears stained by Giemsa, structures compatible with hemoparasites were found in 2 (4.54%; 2/44) birds, suggestive of Plasmodium spp./Haemoproteus spp. In molecular diagnosis, 6.81% (3/44) of the individuals tested were positive. One (2.27%; 1/44) macaw was positive for the 16SrRNA gene (family Anaplasmataceae), and two (4.54%; 2/44) were positive for the cytochrome b gene (order Haemosporida). Only one sample related to the cytochrome b gene (macaw 17) was sequenced and analyzes of alignments and phylogenetic inference were performed, demonstrating positivity for Plasmodium closely related to the nucleophilum lineage, not recorded so far in the Ara ararauna species. As for the results of the blood counts of the positive individuals, two birds showed changes in the blood count. One (33.33%; 1/3) had leukocytosis, while another developed anemia associated with leukopenia (33.33%; 1/3). The other parameters did not differ from the literature. The results emphasize that the birds of CETAS/RJ are exposed to the agents and evidence the importance of diagnosis before the relocation of these individuals, in order to avoid the transmission of these pathogens and impacts to the fauna.