Análise laboratorial e detecção molecular de Babesia sp. em dois gambás-de-orelha-branca (Didelphis albiventris) : relato de caso

Abstract

Babesiosis is a hemoparasitosis transmitted by ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), which employ highly specific survival strategies. It is the most relevant tick-borne disease in wild mammals, although it still presents significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment. The literature on the clinical and laboratory signs of babesiosis in wild animals remains scarce, especially due to the multifactorial nature of the lesions observed in these animals. The white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is distinguished by its remarkable adaptability to different environments and its notably synanthropic nature, positioning it as a significant disseminator of pathogens, acting as a reservoir or definitive host in the transmission cycle of numerous diseases. In Brazil, cases of infection by Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in D. albiventris have been reported in the states of Rio de Janeiro, the Federal District, Mato Grosso do Sul, and São Paulo. Considering the potential of opossums in disease transmission, this study aims to report the occurrence of Babesia sp. through molecular detection and genetic sequencing in two white eared opossums in the state of Mato Grosso. Additionally, it seeks to emphasize the importance of laboratory diagnostics as a screening tool for the detection of hemoparasites in wild animals. The sequences obtained identified Babesia sp. compatible with those previously reported in Amblyomma dubitatum ticks from D. albiventris and Nasua nasua in Brazil. The main hematological findings common to both cases included regenerative anemia, the presence of spherocytes, hyperproteinemia, and increased serum levels of ALP and CK. Thrombocytopenia was not observed in either case. Specific alterations may be related to the severity of the disease and the involvement of other organs. These findings highlight the complexity of babesiosis in wild species and the importance of detailed diagnosis, considering the specific characteristics of the species and the environmental impacts on their health.