Molecular survey of Anaplasmataceae agents, piroplasmids and haemosporidians in seabirds (Procellariiformes and Sphenisciformes) rescued on the Brazilian coast

The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of piroplasmids, haemosporidians and Anaplasmataceae agents in Procelariiformes birds and Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) rescued in different coastal regions of Brazil. Between 2015 and 2022, blood samples (n = 52) from twelve species of Procelariiformes and spleen (n = 170) and blood samples (n = 30) from Magellanic penguins were collected in the coasts of Santa Catarina and São Paulo states, southern and southeastern Brazil, respectively. After DNA extraction, samples positive in a PCR for the avian endogenous β-actin gene were subjected to further PCR assays aiming to detect and molecularly characterize piroplasmids (18S rRNA), haemosporidians (cytochrome B) and Anaplasmataceae agents (16S rRNA, dsb, groEL, gltA, sodB, omp-1, msp-4, msp-5 genes and 23S–5S rRNA intergenic region). As a result, 13/252 (5.1%) samples of S. magellanicus (blood = 10/170 (5.8%) and spleen = 3/30 (10%)) were positive for Anaplasma spp. in a nested-PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Two sequences obtained from spleen samples were phylogenetically related to A. phagocytophilum and clustered with Anaplasma sp. sequences previously detected in birds and A. phagocytophilum previously detected in ticks. All samples were negative for haemospordians and piroplasmids. In conclusion, Anaplasma genotypes, closely related to A. phagocytophilum, circulate in penguins that arrive in the Brazilian coast, while haemosporidian and piroplasmids infections do not seem to be prevalent vector-borne protozoa in seabirds.