| Autor: |
Alkmim MA; Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medicine School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil., Ferreira LL; Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medicine School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil., Bastianetto E; Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medicine School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil., Bastos CVE; Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medicine School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil., Silveira JAGD; Department of Parasitology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
Amblyomma sculptum is a tick that has medical and veterinary importance as, in Brazil, it is the main vector of Rickettsia rickettsii , a disease affecting humans. The presence of ticks was observed outside a residence in a peri-urban area of the Atlantic Forest region in Brazil, as well as on two dogs that lived there. Eighteen A. sculptum adults were seen walking on a cemented pillar at the porch of the house and sheltering inside the pillar's crevices; meanwhile on the dogs, only Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks were found. It is hypothesized that as the dogs circulated in the forest regions, they might have carried A. sculptum to the residence. This situation highlights the role of dogs as possible carriers of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) tick vectors into human habitation. Strategies for the prevention and control of BSF should consider the hypothesis that ticks infected with R. rickettsii can be harbored in human dwellings in peri-urban areas. |
