title: Anti-leptospirosis agglutinins in Brazilian capybaras (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The interest in commercial use of wild animals is increasing, especially regarding raising of capybaras. Although this wild species is potentially lucrative for the production of meat, oil and leather, it is suggested as a probable reservoir of leptospires.
  
  
  METHODS
  Due to the economic importance of this species and the lack of studies concerning leptospirosis, the presence of anti-leptospirosis agglutinins was assayed in 55 serum samples of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from commercial and experimental breeding flocks located in São Paulo state, Paraná state, and Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Samples were obtained through cephalic or femoral venipunction (5 to 10 mL). Microscopic agglutination test was used according to the Brazilian Health Ministry considering as cut-off titer of 100.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 55 samples analyzed, 23 (41.82 %) tested positive. The most prevalent serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae (56.52 %) in 13 samples, followed by Copenhageni in nine samples (39.13 %), Pomona in four samples (17.39 %), Djasiman and Castellonis in three samples each (13.04 %), Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Canicola, and Cynopteri in two samples each (8.7 %), and Andamana and Bratislava in one sample each (4.34 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest the evidence of exposure to Leptospira spp. and the need of new studies to evaluate a higher number of capybaras from different regions to better understand the importance of leptospirosis infection in these animals and verify the zoonotic role of this species as a possible source of infection to humans and other animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil ; Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Jr, s/n, Botucatu, SP 18618-000 Brazil.
authors.forename: Helio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Langoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Ivone Yumi
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Kuribara
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ferreira Lopes Correa
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Leila Sabrina
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Ullmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Pacheco
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: São Paulo Agency of Agribusiness Technology (APTA/SAA), Bauru, São Paulo State Brazil.
authors.forename: Simone Baldini
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lucheis
keywords: Capybaras; Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris; Leptospirosis; Serologic evaluation; Zoonosis
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