Differential Expression of Immune Genes in the Gut in Response to Infection.

is the only tick species known to serve as a biological vector of for horses and other equids in Brazil. The protozoan is one of the causal agents of equine piroplasmosis, a major threat in horse breeding systems. Vector competence is closely linked to the pathogens' ability to evade tick defense mechanisms.

Dynamics of Infection in during the Parasitic Phase in a Chronically Infected Horse.

Experimental studies have demonstrated that () transmits to horses. However, the degree and dynamics of this protozoan infection in the vector's organism have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the infection rate and parasitic load of in , the infection dynamics in this arthropod during experimental infestation in a horse chronically infected with , and to evaluate the trans-stadial and intrastadial transmission competence of by .

Molecular investigation of Babesia caballi in horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Epidemiological aspects associated with the infection.

The epidemiological aspects of Babesia caballi infection were evaluated in 516 horse samples from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The presence and infestation level of ticks on horses, breed conditions, and animal management were evaluated on each farm through an epidemiological questionnaire. The gene that codes for rhoptry-associated protein-1 (RAP-1) of B.

Author Correction: Detection of Neorickettsia risticii, the agent of Potomac horse fever, in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Immature ticks on wild birds and the molecular detection of a novel Rickettsia strain in the Ibitipoca State Park, southeastern Brazil.

Birds are recognized hosts of ticks, especially for the immature stages which may harbor various species and strains of Rickettsia. To explore landscapes inhabited by birds and their ticks would expand the knowledge on host-parasite relationships and the rickettsiae. The aim of this paper was to record the diversity of ticks collected on wild birds and assess the phylogenetic position of a novel Rickettsia strain detected in immature ticks.

Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis groups the New World bacterium Rickettsia sp. strain ApPR with the Old World species R. africae; proposal of "Candidatus Rickettsia paranaensis".

Rickettsia parkeri sensu stricto (s.s.) is an emerging human pathogen in the Americas.

Molecular epidemiology of Babesia vogeli in dogs from the southeastern region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Hemoparasitic diseases are prominent in domestic animals, particularly in Brazil, a tropical country with a wide range of vectors. This study investigated the epidemiology of Babesia vogeli in the whole blood of dogs from the southeastern region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Whole blood samples from 390 dogs were screened for the presence of B.

Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi coinfection in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The present study aims to determine the frequencies of and antibodies among horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to detect the presence of DNA of these pathogens through molecular methods. A total of 98 serum samples of horses from the municipality of Seropedica were tested by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) to detect anti- and anti- IgG antibodies. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect these pathogens in the DNA extracted from the whole blood and buffy coat of horses.

Genetic Diversity of Theileria equi From Horses In Different Regions of Brazil Based On the 18S rRNA Gene.

Equine piroplasmosis stands out among the diseases that affect Equidae in Brazil and the world. It is caused by the protozoa Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The objective of the present study was to carry out the molecular characterization of T.

Epidemiology of Ehrlichia canis in healthy dogs from the Southeastern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study aims to investigate the epidemiology of Ehrlichia canis in healthy owned dogs from the Southeastern region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 390 households dogs. During the visits, an epidemiological questionnaire was filled out concerning the dogs' characteristics as well as the environments in which they lived.

Occurrences of Ornithocoris toledoi (Cimicidae) on a free-range chicken farm in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ornithocoris toledoi is a hematophagous insect that parasites birds, particularly, galliformes. Although the occurrence of this arthropod is relatively low in Brazil, this is an important ectoparasite associated with backyarding poultry. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of O.

Development and validation of a duplex real-time PCR assay for the diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis.

Background: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an economically significant infection of horses and other equine species caused by the tick-borne protozoa Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The long-term carrier state in infected animals makes importation of such subclinical cases a major risk factor for the introduction of EP into non-enzootic areas. Regulatory testing for EP relies on screening of equines by serological methods.

Comparison of heat shock protein 70 kDa and 18S rDNA genes for molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia vogeli from whole blood of naturally infected dogs.

A total of 300 blood samples of domiciliated dogs in rural and urban areas of southeast Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were used to compare the 18S ribosomal DNA region (18S rDNA) and the heat shock protein 70 kDa (hsp70) gene for molecular detection of Babesia vogeli and to perform a phylogenetic study comparing the two genes for B. vogeli classification. Using conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) of 18S rDNA and hsp70 sequences, we were able to detect B.

Molecular characterization of Theileria equi in horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Theileria equi is one of the etiologic agents of the equine piroplasmosis. This infectious disease is transmitted by ticks and is a worldwide problem in the international horse movement. The 18S rRNA gene of T.

A new quantitative PCR method for the detection of Anaplasma platys in dogs based on the citrate synthase gene.

Anaplasma platys is an obligate intracellular bacterium that primarily affects dogs, but it can also infect humans. Our study aimed to standardize a quantitative real-time (q)PCR method using the citrate synthase gene (gltA) as a specific target for A. platys detection in naturally infected dogs.

Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma platys in dogs and ticks in Cuba.

Canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, an infectious disease caused by Anaplasma platys is a worldwide dog health problem. This study aimed to detect and characterize A. platys deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in dogs and ticks from Cuba using molecular methods.

Molecular epidemiology of Theileria equi in horses and their association with possible tick vectors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to detect Theileria equi (Laveran 1901) DNA in horses and ticks using real-time PCR and to list the factors associated with infection in animals located in the Seropedica and Petropolis municipalities of the state of Rio de Janeiro. We tested blood samples from 314 horses and samples from 300 ticks, including 191 Amblyomma cajennense, 104 Dermacentor nitens, and 5 Ixodida larvae. Factors inherent to the horse, the ownership, and animal management were obtained from an epidemiological questionnaire and were evaluated in association with the presence of T.