title: Serological survey of Rickettsia sp. in horses and dogs in a non-endemic area in Brazil.
abstract: Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a lethal rickettsiosis in humans caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii, and is endemic in some areas of Brazil. Horses and dogs are part of the disease's life cycle and they may also serve as sentinel animals in epidemiological studies. The first human BSF case in the State of Paraná was reported in 2005. The present study was conducted in the municipality of Almirante Tamandaré, where no previous case of BSF was reported. Serum samples were collected from 71 horses and 20 dogs from nine properties in the area. Ticks were also collected from these animals. All farmers completed a questionnaire about their knowledge of BSF and animal health management. Serum samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) using R. rickettsii and R. parkeri as antigens. Ticks were analyzed by PCR for Rickettsia sp., and all of them were PCR-negative. Six horses (8.45%) and 4 dogs (20%) were identified as seropositive. Farmers were not aware of the correlation between the presence of ticks and risk of BSF. Although a non-endemic area, Almirante Tamandaré is a vulnerable environment for BSF and effective tick control measures are required.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, Curitiba-PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Gonçalves
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Daniella Matos da
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Kerriel Thandile
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Louise Boulsfield de Lorenzi
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Tezza
authors.forename: Sâmara Pereira de
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Suelen Graziele Soares de
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Iara
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moraes-Filho
authors.forename: Marcelo Bahia
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Labruna
authors.forename: Fernanda Silva
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.forename: Marcelo Beltrão
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Molento
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006736:Horses; D012284:Rickettsia rickettsii / Q000276:immunology*; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial