Diversity of spp. (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) in Wild Felids from Brazil and Argentina.

Domestic and wild felids are frequently parasitized by apicomplexan protozoa in the genus . Expanding species diversity has recently been described within this genus, with potential implications for epidemiology and pathogenesis. In light of these findings, this study assessed the genetic diversity of spp. in wild felids (n = 66) from different eco-regions of Brazil and Argentina. Of the 66 blood samples analyzed, 53 (80.3%) were 18S rRNA gene PCR-positive for spp., including 43 jaguars () and 10 ocelots (). specimens (100%, 43/43) were most frequently infected, followed by (76.9%; 10/13). spp. were not detected in (n = 1) or (n = 9). Phylogenetic analyses of fragments of the 18S rRNA, , and gene sequences from jaguars were closely related to . In contrast, sequences from ocelots were more closely associated with . Distance and haplotype analysis further confirmed the circulation of at least two distinct genovariants of among jaguars, as evidenced by their close positioning and low genetic divergence (0-0.14% for 18S rRNA, 0.37-0.56% for , and 0.08-0.74% for ). Additionally, sequence data from ocelots suggested that multiple genovariants of are circulating among these cats in different Brazilian eco-regions. Our study provides evidence of two distinct organisms parasitizing free-ranging and captive jaguars and ocelots, respectively, in Brazil and Argentina.