title: Serological Investigation into Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection in Dogs from Southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
abstract: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a dimorphic fungus and major cause of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), which is a systemic and endemic mycosis in Brazil. In Southern Brazil, an increased number of cases were detected since the 1990 s. Therefore, in order to determine areas with the presence of the fungus, this study aimed to investigate infection by P. brasiliensis in dogs from Southern Brazil. Indirect ELISA was used to detect antibodies against P. brasiliensis gp43. One hundred and ninety-six stray and semi-domiciled dogs from the municipalities of Pelotas and Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul were included in this study. P. brasiliensis infection was detected in 58 animals (29.6%) with no significant difference for gender, age and breed. Seropositive animals were detected in all neighborhoods in the city of Pelotas as well as in the neighboring municipality Capão do Leão. The detection of antibodies against gp43 in dogs suggests the presence and wide distribution of the fungus in Pelotas and Capão do Leão, warning for the possibility of PCM disease in dogs as well as in humans from this region.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Veterinary Department, Faculty of Veterinary, MICVET - Center for Veterinary Mycology Diagnostic and Research, Federal University of Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Jacomelli
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Teles
authors.affiliation: Mycology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande - FURG, Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, Rio Grande, RS, CEP: 96203.900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel Baracy
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Klafke
authors.affiliation: Preventive Veterinary Department, Faculty of Veterinary, MICVET - Center for Veterinary Mycology Diagnostic and Research, Federal University of Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ângela Leitzke
authors.initials: ÂL
authors.lastname: Cabana
authors.affiliation: Preventive Veterinary Department, Faculty of Veterinary, MICVET - Center for Veterinary Mycology Diagnostic and Research, Federal University of Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula Neuschrank
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.affiliation: Mycology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande - FURG, Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, Rio Grande, RS, CEP: 96203.900, Brazil. melissaxavier@ig.com.br.
authors.forename: Melissa Orzechowski
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.affiliation: Preventive Veterinary Department, Faculty of Veterinary, MICVET - Center for Veterinary Mycology Diagnostic and Research, Federal University of Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mário Carlos Araújo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meireles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: C103180:43 kDa protein, Paracoccidioides; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins
keywords: Dogs; ELISA; Mycosis; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Serology; gp43