Vigilância de sars-cov-2 e outros patógenos em mamíferos domésticos e silvestres de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil na perspectiva de uma só saúde

Abstract

Between January 2021 and March 2023, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and hemopathogens in three distinct mammal populations in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Different diagnostic methods were used, including RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2, PCR for hemopathogens, RFLP-PCR for Leishmania spp., and serological assays for Toxoplasma gondii. In the PetCOVID-19 Project, which included 86 domestic dogs and cats whose owners had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the infection rate for SARS-CoV-2 was 9.3%. Coinfections with hemopathogens were common, with prevalences of 47.7% for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., 17.4% for Mycoplasma spp., 15.8% for Bartonella spp., and 37.5% for Piroplasmida. No animal tested positive for Leishmania spp., and the seroprevalence of T. gondii was 15.8% among the cats. The Omicron variant (BA.1.) was identified in these animals. Among the 78 stray cats from Américo Renné Giannetti Municipal Park, 7.7% were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The prevalence of hemopathogens included 38.5% for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., 7.7% for Mycoplasma spp., 38.5% for Bartonella spp., and 2.6% for Piroplasmida. Leishmania spp. was detected in 15.4% of the cats, with 14.1% testing positive for L. infantum. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 23.1%. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was identified in the cats from the park. Among the 52 captive mammals at the Belo Horizonte Zoo, 18% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Coinfections with hemopathogens were observed, with prevalences of 14.6% for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., 17.5% for Mycoplasma spp., 42.5% for Bartonella spp., and 22.5% for Piroplasmida. Leishmania spp. was detected in 33.3% of the Canidae family. The Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Omicron (BA.1.) variants were identified in the zoo animals. Significant associations were found between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the presence of hemopathogens in the park cats (p = 0.032) and between SARS-CoV-2 and Bartonella spp. in the zoo mammals (p = 0.000). These findings highlight the importance of epidemiological surveillance in animals, aiming not only at animal health but also at public health, particularly in pandemic contexts like COVID-19.