Diversidade e distribuição de carrapatos (AcariI: Ixodidae) em fase de vida livre e detecção molecular de Rickettsia spp. e Borrelia spp. no Bioparque da Amazônia, município de Macapá, estado do Amapá

Abstract

Ticks are widely distributed in Brazil and are of great medical and veterinary importance due to their ability to transmit various pathogens. Despite the importance of these vectors, the state of Amapá still has little research on its fauna and the presence of associated pathogens, especially bacteria of the genera Borrelia, which causes Lyme-like disease in Brazil, and Rickettsia, responsible for Brazilian Spotted Fever, with zoological parks having important characteristics for the maintenance of ectoparasites. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the free-living tick fauna in the Amazon Biopark, located in the southern zone of Macapá-AP, and to perform molecular investigation of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in the captured specimens. Collections were carried out at nineteen georeferenced points, considering different trails and areas of the park, encompassing varied ecosystems, using a flannel flag sweep. The identification process utilized specific taxonomic keys for ticks at the genus level for larvae and at the species level for nymphs and adults and molecular analyses with DNA extraction, PCR and electrophoresis, at the genus level for bacteria. In total, 570 ticks were collected, predominantly larvae of the genus Amblyomma (499), and also containing 2 nymphs, 26 females and 27 males of A. cajennense s.s. and 6 nymphs of A. pacae. PCR identified Rickettsia spp. in two nymphs of A. cajennense s. s. and Borrelia spp. in three larvae of Amblyomma spp., all collected in areas of visitor and wildlife circulation. The results indicate that the Biopark is a favorable environment for the maintenance of Amblyomma spp. populations and for the circulation of pathogenic agents, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and biosecurity measures to minimize risks to animal and human health.