Rickettsia in Synanthropic and Domestic Animals and Their Hosts from Two Areas of Low Endemicity for Brazilian Spotted Fever in the Eastern Region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Bruno S. Milagres Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Amanda F. Padilha Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Rafael M. Barcelos Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Gabriel G. Gomes Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Carlos E. Montandon Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Dárlen C. H. Pena Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Fernanda A. Nieri Bastos Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Iara Silveira Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Richard Pacheco Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Marcelo B. Labruna Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Donald H. Bouyer Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Renata N. Freitas Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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David H. Walker Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Cláudio L. Mafra Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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Márcio A. M. Galvao Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0239
Volume/Issue:
Volume 83: Issue 6
Page(s):
1305–1307
Restricted access
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The aim of this study was to understand the current epidemiology of rickettsial diseases in two rickettsial-endemic regions in Brazil. In the municipalities of Pingo D'Agua and Santa Cruz do Escalvado, among serum samples obtained from horses and dogs, reactivity by immunofluorescent assay against spotted fever group rickettsiae was verified. In some serum samples from opossums (Didelphis aurita) captured in Santa Cruz do Escalvado, serologic response against rickettsiae was also verified. Polymerase chain reaction identified rickettsiae only in ticks and fleas obtained in Santa Cruz do Escalvado. Rickettsiae in samples had 100% sequence homology with Rickettsia felis. These results highlight the importance of marsupials in maintenance of the sylvatic cycle of rickettsial disease and potential integration with the domestic cycle. Our data also support the importance of horses and dogs as sentinels in monitoring circulation of rickettsiae in an urban area.

Author Notes

*Address correspondence to Bruno S. Milagres, Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil, E-mail: bsmilagres@gmail.com or Márcio A. M. Galvao, School of Pharmacy and Medicine, Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto 35420-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil, E-mail: galvaomarcio@oi.com.br.

Financial support: This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/Brazil (Edital Universal/2005-6) and Fundacão de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais/Brazil (Pesquisador Mineiro/2007-9).

Authors' addresses: Bruno S. Milagres, Amanda F. Padilha, Rafael M. Barcelos, Gabriel G. Gomes, Dárlen C. H. Pena, and Renata N. Freitas, Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil. Carlos E. Montandon, Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil. Fernanda A. Nieri Bastos, Iara Silveira, Richard Pacheco, and Marcelo B. Labruna, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Donald H. Bouyer and David H. Walker, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX. Claudio L. Mafra, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX and Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil. Márcio A. M. Galvao, Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil and University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.

Copyright:
©The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2010
Received:
26 Apr 2010
|
Accepted:
16 Aug 2010
|
Published Online:
06 Dec 2010
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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