Two Cytauxzoon species in Brazil? Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and pumas (Puma concolor) as reservoir for Cytauxzoon spp.: Molecular characterization in three Brazilian biomes.

Cytauxzoonosis is a tick-borne disease that can cause subclinical to fatal manifestations in felids worldwide. Our study aimed to molecularly characterize Cytauxzoon spp. in two felid species in three different Brazilian biomes. Blood samples were collected from 27 ocelots and 10 pumas during health monitoring in the Pantanal, Cerrado, and Amazon biomes. Conventional PCR and sequencing of the 18S rRNA and CytB genes were performed, followed by a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis. Of the 37 samples, 73.52 % of ocelots and 60 % of pumas tested positive for Cytauxzoon spp. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of Cytauxzoon brasiliensis and a strain geentically close to Cytauxzoon felis in pumas and ocelots. Different tick species, such as Amblyomma sculptum were found on infected animals, suggesting a potential vector role for the species. Results support that ocelots and pumas are possible natural reservoirs for Cytauxzoon spp. in different Brazilian biomes. Even so, we highlight that the ecological implications of habitat loss and anthropogenic pressures, may exacerbate the Cytauxzoon pathogenicity for wild felids. Further studies are needed to elucidate the epidemiology and impact of Cytauxzoon spp. on wildlife health.