INVESTIGADORES
DI CATALDO MarÍa Sophia
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
A prevalent cryptic bacterium in the endangered Darwin?s fox: genetic diversity, risk factor assessment and effects of infection
Autor/es:
DI CATALDO, SOPHIA; HIDALGO-HERMOSO, EZEQUIEL; SACRISTÁN, IRENE; CEVIDANES, AITOR; NAPOLITANO, CONSTANZA; CLAUDIA HERNÁNDEZ; ESPERÓN, FERNANDO; MOREIRA-ARCE, DARÍO; CABELLO, JAVIER; JAVIER MILLÁN
Reunión:
Congreso; 69th WDA/14th EWDA Joint Conference; 2021
Institución organizadora:
Wildlife Disease Association
Resumen:
Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) is prevalent in the endangered Darwin?s fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) in its main stronghold, Chiloé Island (Chile). The origin of the infection, its dynamics, its presence in other fox populations and the potential consequences for fox health remain unexplored.During eight years, 82 foxes in Chiloé and other two fox populations and 250 free-ranging dogs from Chiloé were sampled, and the presence of hemoplasmal DNA screened and characterized. The prevalence of Mhc in foxes was similar to that previously described, and coinfection with Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum was confirmed in 30% of the foxes. Both hemoplasma species were detected in the two mainland fox populations and in Chiloé dogs. Mhc was significantly more prevalent and more genetically diverse in foxes than in dogs. Two of the seven Mhc haplotypes identified were shared between these species. Network analyses did not show genetic structure either by species (foxes vs. dogs), geographic (island vs. mainland populations), or temporal (years of study) factors. Models showed that the probability of infection with Mhc increased with fox age but was not associated with sex, season, or degree of anthropization of individual fox habitats. Intra-specific Mhc fox transmission appears to be predominant. Some foxes recaptured with years of difference were infected with the same haplotype in both events and no hematological alterations were associated with hemoplasma infection, suggesting tolerance to the infection. Nevertheless, such a prevalent pathogen in a threatened species represents a concern that must be considered in conservation actions.
