ROSELI FRANCA SIMOES
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
LIM/49 - Laboratório de Protozoologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
5 resultados
Resultados de Busca
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- Diversity and distribution of avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites in captive birds from a Brazilian megalopolis(2017) CHAGAS, Carolina Romeiro Fernandes; VALKIUNAS, Gediminas; GUIMARAES, Lilian de Oliveira; MONTEIRO, Eliana Ferreira; GUIDA, Fernanda Junqueira Vaz; SIMOES, Roseli Franca; RODRIGUES, Priscila Thihara; LUNA, Expedito Jose de Albuquerque; KIRCHGATTER, KarinBackground: The role of zoos in conservation programmes has increased significantly in last decades, and the health of captive animals is essential to guarantee success of such programmes. However, zoo birds suffer from parasitic infections, which often are caused by malaria parasites and related haemosporidians. Studies determining the occurrence and diversity of these parasites, aiming better understanding infection influence on fitness of captive birds, are limited. Methods: In 2011-2015, the prevalence and diversity of Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp. was examined in blood samples of 677 captive birds from the Sao Paulo Zoo, the largest zoo in Latin America. Molecular and microscopic diagnostic methods were used in parallel to detect and identify these infections. Results: The overall prevalence of haemosporidians was 12.6%. Parasites were mostly detected by the molecular diagnosis, indicating that many birds harbour subclinical or abortive infections. In this project, birds of 17 orders (almost half of all the orders currently accepted in taxonomy of birds), 29 families, and 122 species, were tested, detecting positive individuals in 27% of bird species. Birds from the Anatidae were the most prevalently infected (64.7% of all infected animals). In all, infections with parasites of the genus Plasmodium (overall prevalence 97.6%) predominated when compared to those of the genus Haemoproteus (2.4%). In total, 14 cytochrome b (cytb) lineages of Plasmodium spp. and 2 cytb lineages of Haemoproteus spp. were recorded. Eight lineages were new. One of the reported lineages was broad generalist while others were reported in single or a few species of birds. Molecular characterization of Haemoproteus ortalidum was developed. Conclusion: This study shows that many species of birds are at risk in captivity. It is difficult to stop haemosporidian parasite transmission in zoos, but is possible to reduce the infection rate by treating the infected animals or/and while keeping them in facilities free from mosquitoes. Protocols of quarantine should be implemented whenever an animal is transferred between bird maintaining institutions. This is the first survey of haemosporidians in captive birds from different orders maintained in zoos. It is worth emphasizing the necessity of applying practices to control these parasites in management and husbandry of animals in captivity.
- Higher infection probability of haemosporidian parasites in Blue-black Grassquits (Volatinia jacarina) inhabiting native vegetation across Brazil(2021) FECCHIO, Alan; RIBEIRO, Rayanne M.; FERREIRA, Francisco C.; DUTRA, Daniela de Angeli; TOLESANO-PASCOLI, Graziela; ALQUEZAR, Renata D.; KHAN, Asmat U.; PICHORIM, Mauro; MOREIRA, Patricia A.; COSTA-NASCIMENTO, Maria J.; MONTEIRO, Eliana F.; MATHIAS, Bruno S.; GUIMARAES, Lilian O.; SIMOES, Roseli F.; BRAGA, Erika M.; KIRCHGATTER, Karin; DIAS, Raphael I.Human induced changes on landscape can alter the biotic and abiotic factors that influence the transmission of vector-borne parasites. To examine how infection rates of vector-transmitted parasites respond to changes on natural landscapes, we captured 330 Blue-black Grassquits (Volatinia jacarina) in Brazilian biomes and assessed the prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) across avian host populations inhabiting environment under different disturbance and climatic conditions. Overall prevalence in Blue-black Grassquits was low (11%) and infection rates exhibited considerable spatial variation, ranging from zero to 39%. Based on genetic divergence of cytochrome b gene, we found two lineages of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) and 10 of Plasmodium. We showed that Blue-black Grassquit populations inhabiting sites with higher proportion of native vegetation cover were more infected across Brazil. Other landscape metrics (number of water bodies and distance to urban areas) and climatic condition (temperature and precipitation) known to influence vector activity and promote avian malaria transmission did not explain infection probability in Blue-black Grassquit populations. Moreover, breeding season did not explain prevalence across avian host populations. Our findings suggest that avian haemosporidian prevalence and diversity in Blue-black Grassquit populations are determined by recent anthropogenic changes in vegetation cover that may alter microclimate, thus influencing vector activity and parasite transmission.
- Assessing Diversity, Plasmodium Infection and Blood Meal Sources in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from a Brazilian Zoological Park with Avian Malaria Transmission(2021) GUIMARAES, Lilian de Oliveira; SIMOES, Roseli Franca; CHAGAS, Carolina Romeiro Fernandes; MENEZES, Regiane Maria Tironi de; SILVA, Fabiana Santos; MONTEIRO, Eliana Ferreira; HOLCMAN, Marcia Moreira; BAJAY, Miklos Maximiliano; PINTER, Adriano; CAMARGO-NEVES, Vera Lucia Fonseca de; KIRCHGATTER, KarinSimple Summary Zoological gardens in forest areas host a large diversity of vertebrate species (exotic and indigenous, free-living and captive, migrant and resident), resulting in an artificial proximity of animal species that would never share the same environment in natural conditions. The presence of mosquitoes enables the transmission of vector-borne pathogens, as is the case with avian malaria parasites. The mild infections in some bird species may become a serious threat to others that do not possess a natural resistance. Thus, the identification of the potential vectors of these parasites is important for future control of these agents, aiming at the bird species conservation. In this study, we collected over 2000 mosquitoes in Sao Paulo Zoo and analyzed them through molecular methods. Six different mosquito species yielded positive for the targeted parasite DNA. We demonstrated that these culicids had fed mainly on bird species and we reported three mosquito species that have never been previously incriminated as potential vectors of these parasites, enabling the use of more specific measures for vigilance and mosquito control. Avian malaria parasites are widespread parasites transmitted by Culicidae insects belonging to different genera. Even though several studies have been conducted recently, there is still a lack of information about potential vectors of Plasmodium parasites, especially in Neotropical regions. Former studies with free-living and captive animals in Sao Paulo Zoo showed the presence of several Plasmodium and Haemoproteus species. In 2015, a pilot study was conducted at the zoo to collect mosquitoes in order to find out (i) which species of Culicidae are present in the study area, (ii) what are their blood meal sources, and (iii) to which Plasmodium species might they be potential vectors. Mosquitoes were morphologically and molecularly identified. Blood meal source and haemosporidian DNA were identified using molecular protocols. A total of 25 Culicidae species were identified, and 6 of them were positive for Plasmodium/Haemoproteus DNA. Ten mosquito species had their source of blood meal identified, which were mainly birds, including some species that were positive for haemosporidian parasites in the former study mentioned. This study allowed us to expand the list of potential vectors of avian malaria parasites and to improve our knowledge of the evolutionary and ecological relationships between the highly diverse communities of birds, parasites, and vectors present at Sao Paulo Zoo.
- Hemosporidian parasites of free-living birds in the So Paulo Zoo, Brazil(2016) CHAGAS, Carolina Romeiro Fernandes; GUIMARES, Lilian de Oliveira; MONTEIRO, Eliana Ferreira; VALKIUNAS, Gediminas; KATAYAMA, Michele Viana; SANTOS, Stefanie Vanessa; GUIDA, Fernanda Junqueira Vaz; SIMOES, Roseli Franca; KIRCHGATTER, KarinNumerous studies addressed the diversity of bird Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites. However, a few have been carried out in continental avian hotspot regions such as Brazil, a country with markedly different biomes, including Amazon, Brazilian Savanna, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Pantanal, and Pampas. We present the first study on hemosporidian (Haemosporida) parasites in free-living birds from an Atlantic Forest fragment where more than 80 avian species have been reported. Within this area, the So Paulo Zoo locates, and it is the fourth largest zoo in the world and the largest in Latin America. A total of 133 free-living bird samples representing 12 species were collected in the zoo, with the overall hemosporidian prevalence of 18 % by PCR-based diagnostics. Twenty-four positive PCR signals were reported from four different bird species, including migratory ones. Columba livia, an urban species, considered nowadays a pest in big cities, showed 100 % prevalence of Haemoproteus spp., mainly Haemoproteus columbae. We discuss the epidemiological importance of new parasites introduced by migratory birds in the So Paulo Zoo area and the risk it poses to the captive species, which are natives or exotics. We also warn about the influence these parasites can have on the biodiversity and the structure of host populations by altering the competitive interaction between the free-living and the captive birds.
- Wing Geometric Morphometrics as a Tool for the Identification ofCulexSubgenus Mosquitoes ofCulex(Diptera: Culicidae)(2020) SIMOES, Roseli Franca; WILKE, Andre Barretto Bruno; CHAGAS, Carolina Romeiro Fernandes; MENEZES, Regiane Maria Tironi de; SUESDEK, Lincoln; MULTINI, Laura Cristina; SILVA, Fabiana Santos; GRECH, Marta Gladys; MARRELLI, Mauro Toledo; KIRCHGATTER, KarinSimple Summary Different mosquito species have different ecology and behaviors. Therefore, the correct identification of vector mosquito species is essential for the development of targeted mosquito control operations. Traditionally, the identification of mosquitoes to species relies on differences in their external morphological characters. Identifying mosquitoes can be challenging if the specimen is either damaged or if only a few morphological characters can be used to sort them apart. For this reason, this study focused on the use of wing geometric morphometrics to identifyCulexspecies from the subgenusCulexthat are not easily identified by their external morphology. We analyzed the wing shape variation of 11 different species. Our results indicated that the species in this study were identified with high degrees of confidence based on their wing shape variation. From all possible comparisons in the cross-validated reclassification test, 87 yielded values higher than 70%, with 13 comparisons yielding 100% reclassification scores. Overall, our results are suggesting that wing geometric morphometrics is a reliable tool to identifyCulexspecies of the subgenusCulex. Culexis the largest subgenus within the genusCulexthat includes important vectors of diseases. The correct identification of mosquitoes is critical for effective control strategies. Wing geometric morphometrics (WGM) has been used to identify mosquito species alongside traditional identification methods. Here, WGM was used for elevenCulexspecies from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and one from Esquel, Argentina. Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC (Centers for Disease Control) traps, morphologically identified and analyzed by WGM. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) was performed and a Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree was constructed to illustrate the patterns of species segregation. A cross-validated reclassification test was also carried out. From 110 comparisons in the cross-validated reclassification test, 87 yielded values higher than 70%, with 13 comparisons yielding 100% reclassification scores.Culexquinquefasciatusyielded the highest reclassification scores among the analyzed species, corroborating with the results obtained by the CVA, in whichCx.quinquefasciatuswas the most distinct species. The high values obtained at the cross-validated reclassification test and in the NJ analysis as well as the segregation observed at the CVA made it possible to distinguish amongCulexspecies with high degrees of confidence, suggesting that WGM is a reliable tool to identifyCulexspecies of the subgenusCulex.