Infecção por hemopatógenos em Chelonoidis carbonaria: aspectos hematológicos, bioquímicos e moleculares

Abstract

The coexistence of humans with wild animals has become increasingly closer due to the destruction of the natural habitat of these animals, and this situation favors the circulation of pathogens, especially in peri-urban areas. The tortoises Chelonoidis carbonaria (tortoiseshell tortoise) are widely found in captivity and as pets, but little is known about the pathogens that affect these animals, and about their hematological and clinical biochemistry parameters. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to compare values of blood cell count and concentration of serum components of red-footed tortoise kept in different types of captivities, and to determine the infection of these animals by blood hemopathogens. Samples were obtained from 72 animals from three types of breeding: commercial breeding (CR, n=26), Zoo (ZO, n=25), and from a triage center (CT, n=21). Whole blood samples were used for blood count analysis, while serum samples were used for serum components measurement. The genomic DNA of the animals' blood was tested for the presence of genomic material from Hepatozoon sp., Hemogregarines, Ehrlichia sp., and Anaplasmataceae family. In the erythrogram, several parameters were significantly lower in the animals from the commercial farm, while in the leukogram, a lower count of basophils in the same group is highlighted. Different clinical biochemistry parameters were significantly lower in animals from trafficking and illegal breeding rescued by the screening center. In the microscopic investigation, Hemogregarine-like gamonts were observed in 36% of the animals, suggestive of Sauroplasma sp. In the ZO group, two positive results were found in PCR for Ehrlichia sp. Animals infected with the Hemogregarine-like structures presented several changes in clinical biochemistry suggestive of altered liver function. Therefore, we were able to determine reference values for clinical biochemistry and blood count parameters for C. carbonaria, and to detect differences regarding the type of captivity, and that these animals are at risk of infection by Ehrlichia sp.