| Autor: |
Neves LC; Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil., Paula WVF; Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil., de Paula LGF; Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil., da Silva BBF; Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil., Dias SA; Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil., Pereira BG; Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil., Silva BSA; Directorate of Surveillance in Zoonoses, Superintendence of Health Surveillance, Municipal Health Department, Goiânia 74891-135, Brazil., Sevá ADP; Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus 45662-900, Brazil., Dantas-Torres F; Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil., Labruna MB; Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil., Krawczak FDS; Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is the most important tick-borne diseases affecting humans in Brazil. Cases of BSF have recently been reported in the Goiás state, midwestern Brazil. All cases have been confirmed by reference laboratories by seroconversion to Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. Because serological cross-reactions among different rickettsial species that belong to the spotted fever group (SFG) are common, the agent responsible for BSF cases in Goiás remains unknown. From March 2020 to April 2022, ticks and plasma were collected from dogs, horses and capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ), and from the vegetation in an area where BSF cases have been reported and two areas under epidemiological surveillance in Goiás. Horses were infested by Amblyomma sculptum , Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus microplus ; dogs by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Amblyomma ovale and A. sculptum , and capybaras by A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum . Adults of A. sculptum , A. dubitatum , Amblyomma rotundatum and immature stages of A. sculptum and A. dubitatum , and Amblyomma spp. were collected from the vegetation. DNA of Rickettsia that did not belong to the SFG was detected in A. dubitatum , which was identified by DNA sequencing as Rickettsia bellii . Seroreactivity to SFG and Rickettsia bellii antigens was detected in 25.4% (42/165) of dogs, 22.7% (10/44) of horses and 41.2% (7/17) of capybaras, with higher titers for R. bellii in dogs and capybaras. The seropositivity of animals to SFG Rickettsia spp. antigens demonstrates the circulation of SFG rickettsiae in the region. Further research is needed to fully determine the agent responsible for rickettsiosis cases in this area. |
