Resumo:
PIEDADE, G. C. Hemopathogens in Boa constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) from Atlantic Forest
fragments: hematological, biochemical, molecular and phylogenetic aspects. pp. 70, 2022.
(Master in Animal Science at the Tropics) - School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics,
Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, 2022.
The genera Rickettsia and Ehrlichia are hemopathogens distributed worldwide that infect
mammals and ticks, causing zoonotic diseases. Due to reports of these pathogens found in
ticks parasitizing Boa constrictor (boas), the present study aimed to diagnose the presence of
these bacteria in boas through molecular techniques and microscopic direct research, to
corelate these results with hematology and clinical biochemistry findings. in addition to
performing phylogenetic studies. Blood samples were collected from 71 free-living Boa
constrictor from Atlantic Forest fragments in the state of Bahia, through which hematological
and clinical biochemistry tests were performed. After extracting genomic DNA from these
samples, PCRs were performed to detect Rickettsia sp., Ehrlichia sp., and members of the
Anaplasmataceae family. We were able to diagnose 20/71 (28.1%) of Boa constrictors
infected by Ehrlichia sp. and members of the Anaplasmataceae family. In the phylogenetic
study of 18 PCR positive results, the sequences formed a separate clade, containing an
Ehrlichia sp. previously identified in horses, which is suggested to be a possible new species.
Cell culture was performed on blood samples from three Boa constrictors, and one of these
samples led to the presence of Ehrlichia-like structures in the cultured cells, and the PCR
result was confirmed as Ehrlichia through sequencing. Total cholesterol levels were reduced
in snakes infected by Ehrlichia sp. This is the first study to identify Ehrlichia sp. in reptiles,
and it is suggested that it may be a new species, which reinforces the importance of studying
pathogens with zoonotic potential in wild animals.
