Identification of Different Species of Mammalians Involved in Zoonoses as Reservoirs or Hosts by Sequencing of the Mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome B Gene

Introduction: The identification of species that act as reservoirs or hosts of zoonotic agents is essential for control and epidemiological surveillance of the important illness in public health. Identification of the reservoirs for zoonoses can help to clarify how the pathogens are maintained in nature, leading to more effective disease control and avoiding indiscriminate extermination of wild animals.

Aims: The objective of this study was to describe the genetic identification of 106 samples isolated from different mammalians species.

Methodology: This study was conducted using 106 tissue samples from wild and domestic mammals sent to rabies diagnosis in Pasteur Institute, Brazil. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA b gene and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) was used to confirm species identity.

Results and Conclusion: By sequencing the mtDNA cyt-b gene 10 orders, 20 families, 34 genera and 38 species of mammalians were identified. In conclusion, the method used at this work was efficient for identification of different species of mammalians. Animals identified at this work with same method, belong to high distance order, as marsupials, chiropters and primates.