Experimental leptospirosis in capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona.
Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), the largest rodent in the world, is widely distributed in South America. These animals live in areas with abundant water, which makes them a potential reservoir for Leptospira. The objective of this study was to investigate seroconversion, leptospiremia, and leptospiruria in capybaras experimentally infected with a virulent strain of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona. Seven capybaras were used: one control and six infected. Agglutinins against serovar Pomona were initially detected in serum 6 or 7 day after innoculation with Leptospira (10(9)-10(11) organisms, given i.v.), peaked (titer, approximately 3,200) between 9 and 27 day, and were still present at 83 day (end of study). The earliest and latest isolation of leptospires from the blood was from 2-12 day and from urine, 9-19 day after exposure. However, polymerase chain reaction and isolation results from kidney and liver samples were negative for leptospires. The control animal tested negative on all diagnostic tests. Hence, the capybara can serve as a host for Leptospira.
Marvulo
Maria Fernanda Vianna
MF
Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. fernanda@triade.org.br
Silva
Jean Carlos Ramos
JC
Ferreira
Patrícia Marques
PM
de Morais
Zenaide Maria
ZM
Moreno
Andrea Micke
AM
Doto
Daniela Sabatini
DS
Paixão
Renata
R
Baccaro
Maria Regina
MR
Vasconcellos
Silvio Arruda
SA
Ferreira Neto
José Soares
JS
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D041401:Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000652:urine / Q000662:veterinary*; D012377:Rodentia
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial