title: Synanthropic Mammals as Potential Hosts of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Panama.
abstract: Synanthropic wild mammals can be important hosts for many vector-borne zoonotic pathogens. The aim of this study was determine the exposure of synanthropic mammals to two types of tick-borne pathogens in Panama, spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and Borrelia relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes. One hundred and thirty-one wild mammals were evaluated, including two gray foxes, two crab-eating foxes (from zoos), four coyotes, 62 opossum and 63 spiny rats captured close to rural towns. To evaluate exposure to SFGR, serum samples from the animals were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Rickettsia rickettsii and Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii antigen. Immunoblotting was performed using Borrelia turicatae protein lysates and rGlpQ, to assess infection caused by RF spirochetes. One coyote (25%) and 27 (43%) opossums showed seroreactivity to SFGR. Of these opossums, 11 were seroreactive to C. R. amblyommii. Serological reactivity was not detected to B. turicatae in mammal samples. These findings may reflect a potential role of both mammals in the ecology of tick-borne pathogens in Panama.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Sergio E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bermúdez
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gottdenker
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Aparna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishnvajhala
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Hannah K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Wilder
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Parque Municipal Summit, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Diorene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Parque Municipal Summit, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Marielena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Milixa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perea
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Chystrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rigg
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montilla
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: José E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Calzada
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Azael
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saldaña
authors.affiliation: El Níspero, El Valle, Coclé, Panamá.
authors.forename: Carlos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Job E
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4802-5779
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001179:Arthropod Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D010176:Panama / Q000453:epidemiology; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology*