Julio Cesar Souza Junior

Julio Cesar Souza Junior

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 May 2024 in Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
GGGustavo Henrique Pereira Gonçalves
Gustavo Henrique Pereira Gonçalves
DLDiego Averaldo Guiguet Leal
Diego Averaldo Guiguet Leal
PRPaula Angélica Roratto
Paula Angélica Roratto
JJJulio Cesar Souza Junior
Julio Cesar Souza Junior
SSSuzana Santos Souza
Suzana Santos Souza
JGJuliane Araújo Greinert-Goulart
Juliane Araújo Greinert-Goulart

15 August 2025 in Pathogens
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NMNathana Beatriz Martins
Nathana Beatriz Martins
MSMatias Pablo Juan Szabó
Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
JJJulio Cesar Souza Junior
Julio Cesar Souza Junior
Mario H. AlvesMario H. Alves
Mario H. Alves
MBMarcio de Barros Bandarra
Marcio de Barros Bandarra
AHAline Santana da Hora
Aline Santana da Hora
Brazilian porcupinepox virus (BPoPV) is a recently described pathogen associated with severe cutaneous and systemic disease in Coendou 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 (C. longicaudatus and C. spinosus), 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 Amblyomma longirostre, A. sculptum ticks, and Eutrichophilus spp. lice—except for one tick pool. Notably, an asymptomatic, BPoPV-negative porcupine harbored A. longirostre ticks that tested positive for the virus. Sequencing confirmed 100% identity with the BPoPV reference strain. These findings suggest that Eutrichophilus lice, A. sculptum, and particularly A. longirostre 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.