Martins Nathana Beatriz, Szabó Matias Pablo Juan, de Souza Junior Julio Cesar, Alves Mario Henrique, Barros Bandarra Marcio de, Brandão Paulo Eduardo, Hora Aline Santana da
Veterinary Etiological Investigation Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38405-302, MG, Brazil.
Ixodology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38405-302, MG, Brazil.
Pathogens. 2025 Aug 15;14(8):809. doi: 10.3390/pathogens14080809.
Brazilian porcupinepox virus (BPoPV) is a recently described pathogen associated with severe cutaneous and systemic disease in spp. porcupines, posing potential conservation and zoonotic risks. Given the solitary behavior of porcupines and the unclear mechanisms of BPoPV transmission, this study investigated the presence of BPoPV DNA in porcupines and their associated ectoparasites (ticks and lice). We analyzed ticks and lice collected from 17 porcupines ( and ), with or without clinical signs of BPoPV infection. Ectoparasites were identified morphologically, separated into distinct pools for ticks and lice by host, and screened by PCR. BPoPV DNA was detected in all symptomatic porcupines and their ectoparasites-including , ticks, and spp. lice-except for one tick pool. Notably, an asymptomatic, BPoPV-negative porcupine harbored ticks that tested positive for the virus. Sequencing confirmed 100% identity with the BPoPV reference strain. These findings suggest that lice, , and particularly ticks may play a role in BPoPV transmission. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether these ectoparasites act as biological or mechanical vectors and to assess the zoonotic potential of BPoPV in contact with humans and domestic animals.
巴西豪猪痘病毒（BPoPV）是一种最近被描述的病原体，与豪猪属物种的严重皮肤和全身性疾病有关，构成潜在的保护和人畜共患病风险。鉴于豪猪的独居行为以及BPoPV传播机制不明，本研究调查了豪猪及其相关外寄生虫（蜱和虱）中BPoPV DNA的存在情况。我们分析了从17只豪猪（ 和 ）身上采集的蜱和虱，这些豪猪有或没有BPoPV感染的临床症状。通过形态学鉴定外寄生虫，按宿主将蜱和虱分成不同的组，并通过PCR进行筛查。在所有有症状的豪猪及其外寄生虫中均检测到BPoPV DNA，包括 、 蜱和 属虱，只有一组蜱除外。值得注意的是，一只无症状、BPoPV阴性的豪猪身上携带的 蜱检测出该病毒呈阳性。测序证实与BPoPV参考菌株100%相同。这些发现表明 虱、 ，尤其是 蜱可能在BPoPV传播中起作用。需要进一步研究以阐明这些外寄生虫是作为生物还是机械传播媒介，并评估BPoPV与人类和家畜接触时的人畜共患病潜力。
