Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MARIA DE LARA OLIVEIRA LIMA

DETECTION OF ANTI-BODIES ANTI-Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi IN DOGS FROM RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO

Epidemiology, Canis lupus familiaris, protozoa, Sarcocystidae, Trypanosomatidae

Domestic animals are directly and indirectly involved in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi. These protozoa have significant importance in the production chain, like apicomplexans, causing economic losses in livestock farming. They are also relevant to public health due to the risk of transmission to humans, given the zoonotic potential of three of these agents. Given the scarcity of studies on the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum, L. infantum, and T. cruzi in the Brazilian Northeast, particularly in the city of Recife - PE, it is of utmost importance to identify the presence of antibodies against these protozoa in dogs from this region. Samples were collected from 210 dogs of both sexes, different breeds, and ages, and assessed using the Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFI) technique. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. A prevalence of 41.0% (86/210) for T. gondii antibodies, 38.6% (81/210) for N. caninum antibodies, and a co-infection rate of 18.6% (31/210) were observed in the city of Recife. Specific regions stood out with a higher number of seroreactive animals for T. gondii (Macaxeira, Ibura, Várzea, and Engenho do Meio) and N. caninum (Água Fria, Jardim São Paulo, and San Martin), highlighting geographical discrepancies in the prevalence of these parasites. Statistical analysis pointed out the predominance of T. gondii in the North zone and N. caninum in the South and West zones, although without statistically significant differences. Regarding co-infections, despite a predominance in the West zone, no statistically relevant differences were observed. This study is the first to report the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies and co-infections between both agents in dogs from Recife, Pernambuco. The results indicate the exposure of these animals to infections by these agents in different areas of the city. Further studies are suggested to cover other unexplored locations, aiming to complement this data. This is essential to support the development of prevention and control strategies to avoid potential future problems, such as economic losses and risks to public health.