Novel Tick-Borne Anaplasmataceae Genotypes in Tropical Birds from the Brazilian Pantanal Wetland.

Despite numerous reports of Anaplasmataceae agents in mammals worldwide, few studies have investigated their occurrence in birds. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of Anaplasmataceae agents in birds from the Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 93 different species. After DNA extraction, samples positive for the avian β-actin gene were subjected to both a multiplex quantitative real-time (q)PCR for and targeting the gene and to a conventional PCR for Anaplasmataceae agents targeting the 16S rRNA gene. As a result, 37 (7.4%) birds were positive for spp. and 4 (0.8%) for spp. in the qPCR assay; additionally, 13 (2.6%) were positive for Anaplasmataceae agents in the PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The 16S rRNA sequences detected in , , and were positioned closely to sp. Magellanica. sequences detected in and grouped with . The 16S rRNA genotypes detected in and grouped with Allocryptoplasma. The 23S-5S genotypes detected in , , and were related to . In conclusion, novel genotypes of , , and Allocryptoplasma were detected in birds from the Pantanal wetland.