Toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis and brucellosis in stray dogs housed at the shelter in Umuarama municipality, Paraná, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and brucellosis are diseases with worldwide distribution. Among stray dogs, these zoonoses are facilitated by direct contact with other animal species, by the habit of scavenging garbage and hunting in search of food, drinking standing water, smelling other animals' urine, licking female genitalia and the sexual act itself. The objective of this study was to detect antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-Leptospira spp., anti-Brucella canis and anti-Brucella abortus in stray dogs housed in shelters at Umuarama city, Paraná, Brazil. In order to detect toxoplasmosis, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was performed, agglutination microscopic (MAT) test for leptospirosis and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and buffered acidified antigen (BAA) tests for brucellosis.


RESULTS
Of the 175 serum samples analyzed, 70.85% were considered positive for toxoplasmosis by IFA, 20% by MAT for leptospirosis and 2.85% by AGID for Brucella canis.


CONCLUSIONS
The serological results of this study showed that stray dogs housed at the private shelter are potential carriers of these three different zoonoses and contribute to the spread and maintenance of these etiologic agents in the urban area of Umuarama (PR), Brazil.
Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, University of Paraná (UNIPAR) Umuarama, Paraná, Brazil. danieladib@unipar.br.
Márcia Küster
MK
de Paula Dreer
Daniela Dib
DD
Gonçalves
Isabel Cristina
IC
da Silva Caetano
Edson
E
Gerônimo
Paulo Henrique
PH
Menegas
Danilo
D
Bergo
Fabiana Maria
FM
Ruiz Lopes-Mori
Aline
A
Benitez
Julio Cesar
JC
de Freitas
Fernanda
F
Evers
Italmar Teodorico
IT
Navarro
Lisiane de Almeida
Lde A
Martins