Serological evidence of exposure to tick-borne agents in opossums (Didelphis spp.) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
This work involved a serological investigation of tick-borne pathogens in opossums in eight municipalities of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Serum samples from 109 opossums (91 Didelphis aurita and 18 Didelphis albiventris) were tested to detect antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii (Taiaçu strain, 1:64 cut-off) and Ehrlichia canis (São Paulo strain, 1:40 cut-off), by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA); and against Borrelia burgdorferi (strain G39/40) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of antibodies to anti-R. rickettsii, anti-E. canis and anti-B. burgdorferi was detected in 32 (29.35%), 16 (14.67%) and 30 (27.52%) opossums, respectively. Opossum endpoint titers ranged from 64 to 1,024 for R. rickettsii, from 40 to 160 for E. canis, and from 400 to >51,200 for B. burgdorferi. These serological results suggest that opossums have been exposed to Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and B. burgdorferi-related agents in the state of São Paulo. Our study underscores the need for further research about these agents in this study area, in view of the occurrence of Spotted Fever and Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome disease in humans in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Cuiabá MT , Brasil, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.
Andréia Lima Tomé
AL
Melo
Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Cuiabá MT , Brasil, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.
Daniel Moura de
DM
Aguiar
Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP , Brasil, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Mariana Granziera
MG
Spolidorio
Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP , Brasil, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Natalino Hajime
NH
Yoshinari
Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP , Brasil, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Eliana Reiko
ER
Matushima
Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP , Brasil, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Marcelo Bahia
MB
Labruna
Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina PE , Brasil, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brasil.
Mauricio Claudio
MC
Horta
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil; D048293:Didelphis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013987:Ticks
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial