Felinos neotropicais como hospedeiros de agentes zoonóticos no Brasil

Abstract

. Neotropical Felidae as hosts of zoonotic agents in Brazil. Mammals play a central role in the cycle of several zoonosis, the study of their prevalence and distribution is extremely important to prevent outbreaks and create prophylaxis mechanisms. Wild feline species have increasingly in contact with humans, exposing them to possible overflow or sharing of various pathogens and participating in the cycle of numerous zoonosis. Our objective was to investigate the participation of Brazilian feline species in zoonotic cycles, through secondary data analysis. We found records of 19 zoonosis for 10 feline species, including two caused by viruses, five by nematodes, four by protozoa, and eight by bacteria. The zoonosis with highest prevalence caused by viruses was rabies, protozoa was toxoplasmosis, bacteria were brucellosis and leptospirosis, while by nematodes were hookworm and toxocariasis. The species Leopardus pardalis , Leopardus tigrinus , Panthera onca , and Puma concolor presented highest number of records of pathogens and wider distribution of records through Brazilian regions. Records of these pathogens occurred mainly in the Central West and Southeast regions of Brazil. The role of the members of family Felidae as reservoirs of agents of several lethal zoonosis is observed, although leptospirosis presents a register of different serovars, including some non-pathogenic to the humans. These results bring to light the importance of preserving and maintaining the natural habitats of these species as a public health measure, in order to prevent the proliferation of these zoonosis, both for humans and animals. The preservation of feline natural environments could minimize possible pathogen exchanges between these species and domestic animals and, consequently, with humans, as well as reducing the likelihood of their direct contact with felines.