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Seroprevalência de Encephalitozoon cuniculi num grupo de 32 coelhos de estimação sintomáticos
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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
O agente etiológico da encefalitozoonose, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, é um parasita intracelular obrigatório, produtor de esporos, pertencente ao filo Microspora, com potencial zoonótico. O seu hospedeiro definitivo é o coelho (Oryctolagus cuniculus), mas além de infetar uma variedade de mamíferos, pode infetar seres humanos, principalmente quando imunossuprimidos.
O presente estudo avaliou um grupo de 32 coelhos de estimação, com suspeita clínica de infeção por E. cuniculi. A seroprevalência foi determinada por titulação de anticorpos e calculada em 87,5%, das quais 82,1% eram infeções crónicas e 17,9% infeções ativas. A frequência de apresentações clínicas de encefalitozoonose foi a seguinte: neurológica (56,3%); ocular (18,8%); renal (6,3%); com sinais clínicos múltiplos, renais e neurológicos (6,3), oculares e neurológicos (3,1%) ou inespecíficos (9,4%).
Não foram encontradas associações estatísticas entre a raça, o sexo e a idade dos coelhos investigados, quer com a frequência de infeção quer com o tipo de infeção por E. cuniculi.
O diagnóstico de encefalitozoonose é desafiante porque o desenvolvimento de doença depende sobretudo da capacidade de resposta do sistema imunitário do animal. É importante conhecer as várias apresentações clínicas da doença para fazer o seu diagnóstico precoce, tratamento e prevenção, de forma a reduzir cadeias de transmissão entre animais, e a eventuais titulares imunossuprimidos, e promover a saúde e o bem-estar dos coelhos. Os testes de titulação de anticorpos anti-E. cuniculi revelaram-se muito úteis para validar o diagnóstico clínico de encefalitozoonose e devem ser realizados periodicamente nos coelhos de estimação.
ABSTRACT - Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a group of 32 symptomatic pet rabbits - The etiologic agent of encephalitozoonosis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, is a spore-forming obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the phylum Microspora, with zoonotic potential. Its definitive host is the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), besides affecting a wide variety of mammals, it can infect humans, especially when immunocompromised. The present study evaluated a group of 32 pet rabbits, with clinical suspicion of infection by E. cuniculi. Seroprevalence was determined by antibody titration and estimated at 87.5%, of which 82.1% were chronic infections and 17.9% active infections. The frequency of clinical presentations of encephalitozoonosis was as follows: neurological (56.3%); ocular (18.8%); renal (6.3%); with multiple clinical signs, renal and neurological (6.3%), ocular and neurological (3.1%) or nonspecific (9.4%). No statistical associations were found between host determinants of disease, breed, gender and age, either with the frequency of infection or with the type of infection by E. cuniculi. The diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis is challenging as its development depends mainly on the rabbit immune response. It is important to recognize the various clinical presentations of the disease to reach an early diagnosis, treatment and prevention, in order to reduce chains of transmission between animals, and eventual immunosuppressed holders, and to promote the health and well-being of rabbits. Antibody titration proved to be very useful to validate the clinical diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis and should be performed periodically on pet rabbits.
ABSTRACT - Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a group of 32 symptomatic pet rabbits - The etiologic agent of encephalitozoonosis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, is a spore-forming obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the phylum Microspora, with zoonotic potential. Its definitive host is the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), besides affecting a wide variety of mammals, it can infect humans, especially when immunocompromised. The present study evaluated a group of 32 pet rabbits, with clinical suspicion of infection by E. cuniculi. Seroprevalence was determined by antibody titration and estimated at 87.5%, of which 82.1% were chronic infections and 17.9% active infections. The frequency of clinical presentations of encephalitozoonosis was as follows: neurological (56.3%); ocular (18.8%); renal (6.3%); with multiple clinical signs, renal and neurological (6.3%), ocular and neurological (3.1%) or nonspecific (9.4%). No statistical associations were found between host determinants of disease, breed, gender and age, either with the frequency of infection or with the type of infection by E. cuniculi. The diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis is challenging as its development depends mainly on the rabbit immune response. It is important to recognize the various clinical presentations of the disease to reach an early diagnosis, treatment and prevention, in order to reduce chains of transmission between animals, and eventual immunosuppressed holders, and to promote the health and well-being of rabbits. Antibody titration proved to be very useful to validate the clinical diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis and should be performed periodically on pet rabbits.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária
Keywords
Encephalitozoon cuniculi coelho seroprevalência apresentações clínicas potencial zoonótico Encephalitozoon cuniculi rabbit seroprevalence clinical signs zoonotic potential
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Pardal RR 2021. Seroprevalência de Encephalitozoon cuniculi num grupo de 32 coelhos de estimação sintomáticos [dissertação de mestrado]. Lisboa: FMV-Universidade de Lisboa.
Publisher
Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária