scholarly journals Serologic evidence of the exposure of small mammals to spotted-fever Rickettsia and Rickettsia bellii in Minas Gerais, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcella Gonçalves Coelho ◽  
Vanessa do Nascimento Ramos ◽  
Jean Ezequiel Limongi ◽  
Elba Regina Sampaio De Lemos ◽  
Alexandro Guterres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia ◽  
Tick Vectors ◽  
Rickettsia Bellii ◽  
First Time

Introduction: Sources of pathogenic Rickettsia in wildlife are largely unknown in Brazil. In this work, potential tick vectors and seroreactivity of small mammals against four spotted-fever group Rickettsia (R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii and R. rhipicephali) and Rickettsia bellii from peri-urban areas of Uberlândia, a major town in Brazil, are described for the first time. Methodology: Small mammals were captured and blood samples collected. Ticks were collected from the surface of the host and the environment and posteriorly identified. Reactivity of small mammal sera to Rickettsia was tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using crude antigens from five Brazilian Rickettsia isolates. Results: Information was obtained from 416 small mammals (48 Marsupialia and 368 Rodentia). Forty-eight animals were parasitized and two tick species, Ixodes loricatus and Amblyomma dubitatum, were found on several host species, with a few tick-host relationships described for the first time. From the 416 tested sera, 70 reacted to at least one Rickettsia antigen (prevalence of 16.8%) and from these, 19 (27.1%) reacted to two or more antigens. Seroprevalence was higher for marsupials (39.6%) than for rodents (13.8%). Marsupial and Rhipidomys spp. sera reacted mainly (highest seroprevalence and titers) to R. bellii, and that of Necromys lasiurus mainly to R. rickettsii. Conclusions: Although the serologic assays poorly discriminate between closely related spotted-fever group Rickettsia, the observed small mammal seroreactivity suggests the circulation of Rickettsia in the peri-urban area of Uberlândia, albeit at low levels.

scholarly journals Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in dogs from urban areas in Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Emmanuelle de Farias Rotondano ◽  
Felipe da Silva Krawczak ◽  
Werona de Oliveira Barbosa ◽  
Jonas Moraes-Filho ◽  
Fernanda Nieri Bastos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Ehrlichia Canis ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
First Time

Abstract The aims of our study was to identify Ehrlichia canis and antibodies against Rickettsia spp. belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) in dogs sampled from Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. Blood and serum samples collected by convenience from dogs in urban areas of five municipalities were analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of E. canis DNA and by immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) for the identification of antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, R. felis, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii and R. rhipicephali antigens. E. canis DNA was detected in 8.9% (64/719) of the blood samples, whereas 5.63% (43/763) of the serum samples were positive for at least one of the Rickettsia antigens tested by IFAT. This study showed for the first time the occurrence of E. canis and suggested the circulation of SFG Rickettsia in dogs in the study region of Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil.

Molecular evidence and diversity of the spotted-fever group Rickettsia spp. in small mammals from natural, suburban and urban areas of Eastern Slovakia

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1400-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Heglasová ◽  
Bronislava Víchová ◽  
Jasna Kraljik ◽  
Ladislav Mošanský ◽  
Dana Miklisová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia

scholarly journals Serosurvey of Rickettsia spp. in small mammals from Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina de Campos Binder ◽  
Felipe da Silva Krawczak ◽  
Jonas Sponchiado ◽  
Geruza Leal Melo ◽  
Jonas Moraes-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Small Rodents ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate exposure of wild small mammals to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul State, central-western Brazil. Serum samples of 68 small mammals were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against six Rickettsia species from Brazil. Overall, 37.5% (9/24) marsupials and 6.8% (3/44) small rodents were seroreactive to at least one of the Rickettsia species, with end point titres ranging from 64 to 512. These results suggested that wild small mammals were infected by SFG rickettsiae, and could participate in the ecology of rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

scholarly journals Serosurvey on rickettsiae of the spotted fever group and Rickettsia bellii among dogs in the state of Goiás, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucianne Cardoso Neves ◽  
Ana Laura Gonçalves Barreto ◽  
Mariana Xavier de Souza ◽  
Danieli Brolo Martins ◽  
Amália Regina Mar Barbieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
First Record ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
The State ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Rickettsia Bellii

Abstract The purpose of this study was to do a serological survey on three rickettsial species: Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia parkeri, two species of the spotted fever group (SFG) that are considered to be great importance for public health; and Rickettsia bellii, a species of unknown pathogenicity that infects a variety of human-biting ticks. Serum samples from 273 dogs were tested using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A total of 52 samples (19.04%) were seropositive for at least one of the three Rickettsia spp. antigens. Thirty-eight (73.07%), twelve (23.07%) and one (1.92%) of these dogs showed homologous reactions to R. bellii, R. rickettsii and R. parkeri, respectively. Our results showed that the seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. was relatively low. However, the positive serological tests indicated that these dogs had become infected by these agents at some point in their lives. Lastly, our study adds to the previous knowledge on the epidemiology of rickettsiosis in the state of Goiás by doing the first record of detection of anti-R. rickettsii, R. parkeri and R. bellii antibodies by IFA among dogs, thus indicating that these agents may be circulating in the dog population analyzed.

scholarly journals Genotypic evaluation of rickettsial isolates recovered from various species of ticks in Portugal

1995 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Bacellar ◽  
R. L. Regnery ◽  
M. S. Núncio ◽  
A. R. Filipe
Keyword(s):  
Restriction Endonuclease ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Potential Vector ◽  
Genotypic Analysis ◽  
Restriction Endonuclease Cleavage Site ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia ◽  
First Time

SUMMARYTwelve rickettsial isolates, fromRhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, Dermacentor marginatusandHyalomma marginatus, were subjected to genotypic analysis. Amplification of specific DNA sequences, restriction endonuclease digestion of amplified DNA products, and gel electrophoresis were used to identify specific DNA fragment-banding patterns. Five patterns were resolved. Four were homologous with those of previously described rickettsial genotypes,R. conorii, R. slovaca, R. rhipicephaliandR. massiliae. The fifth pattern differed by only a single altered restriction endonuclease cleavage site. For the first time in Portugal a widely distributed spectrum of spotted fever group rickettsia was found among potential vector species stressing the need to determine their potential for human and domestic animals infection.

scholarly journals Serosurvey for tick-borne diseases in dogs from the Eastern Amazon, Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Granziera Spolidorio ◽  
Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino ◽  
Samantha Yuri Oshiro Branco Valadas ◽  
Herbert Sousa Soares ◽  
Kedson Alessandri Lobo Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Canine Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Brazilian Amazon Region ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia

Canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in Brazilian dogs. Few studies have focused attention in surveying tick-borne diseases in the Brazilian Amazon region. A total of 129 blood samples were collected from dogs living in the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Seventy-two samples from dogs from rural areas of 19 municipalities and 57 samples from urban stray dogs from Santarém municipality were collected. Serum samples were submitted to Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) with antigens ofBabesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and six Rickettsia species. The frequency of dogs containing anti-B. canis vogeli, anti-E. canis, and anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies was 42.6%, 16.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. Anti-B. canis vogeli antibodies were detected in 59.6% of the urban dogs, and in 29.1% of the rural dogs (P < 0.05). For E. canis, seroprevalence was similar among urban (15.7%) and rural (16.6%) dogs. ForRickettsia spp., rural dogs presented significantly higher (P < 0.05) prevalence (40.3%) than urban animals (21.1%). This first study on tick-borne pathogens in dogs from the Brazilian eastern Amazon indicates that dogs are exposed to several agents, such asBabesia organisms, mostly in the urban area; Spotted Fever group Rickettsia organisms, mostly in the rural area; andEhrlichia organisms, in dogs from both areas studied.

scholarly journals Rickettsial pathogens circulating in urban districts of Rio de Janeiro, without report of human Brazilian Spotted Fever

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Destri Emmerick Campos ◽  
Nathalie Costa da Cunha ◽  
Camila de Souza Cerqueira Machado ◽  
Erich Loza Telleria ◽  
Matheus Dias Cordeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato

Abstract Spotted fever group rickettsioses are emerging diseases. In some of these diseases, domestic dogs act as sentinels. Canine serological studies have demonstrated that rickettsial dispersion is concentrated in rural areas, seroprevalence being higher where human rickettsioses are endemic. In Rio de Janeiro, the Atlantic forest vegetation has been devastated by urbanization. In this context, we aimed to detect Rickettsia spp. in urban areas of the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Sera from 130 dogs were tested by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay, and ticks collected from these dogs were tested by polymerase chain reaction. We found the rate of serological reactions against R. rickettsii and R. parkeri in our study area to exceed those of rural and non-endemic areas, highlighting the importance of dogs as urban sentinels. The possibility of contact with opossums and capybaras increased the chances of exposure to Rickettsia spp., reinforcing the hypothetical link between the landscape and the rickettsial wild cycle. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was the tick most frequently observed. PCR-positive samples showed similarity with R. rickettsii and R. felis, an emerging pathogen rarely reported from ticks. We observed that rickettsiae circulate in urban places and ticks from indoor environments, which may be involved in bacterial epidemiology.

Two for the price of one: Co-infection with Rickettsia bellii and spotted fever group Rickettsia in Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks recovered from wild birds in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 101266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Paiva Barros de Abreu ◽  
Maristela Peckle Peixoto ◽  
Hermes Ribeiro Luz ◽  
Viviane Zeringóta ◽  
Ísis Daniele Alves Costa Santolin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia ◽  
Rickettsia Bellii

Small Mammals as Reservoir for Zoonotic Agents in Afghanistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Essbauer ◽  
Kathrin Baumann ◽  
Mathias Schlegel ◽  
Michael K Faulde ◽  
Jens Lewitzki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Chest Cavity ◽  
Dwarf Hamster

ABSTRACT Introduction Rodents and other small mammals can serve as reservoirs for a large number of zoonotic pathogens. A higher risk of infection with rodent-borne pathogens exists for humans with direct contact to rodents and/or their excretions, e.g., soldiers in operation areas. To date, little is known about endemic human pathogenic disease agents that are naturally associated with small mammals in Afghanistan. The aim of this study was to screen abundant rodents and insectivores collected from 2009 to 2012 in four field camps of the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in Northern Afghanistan for the presence of different pathogens. Materials and Methods Isolated nucleic acids from ear pinna were screened by real-time PCR for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae and from liver samples for Francisella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Brucella spp., Yersinia pestis, and poxvirus. Chest cavity lavage (CCL) samples were tested for antibodies against SFG and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae, as well as against flaviviruses using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Results Rickettsial DNA was detected in 7/750 (1%) ear pinna samples with one being identified as Rickettsia conorii. Antibodies against SFG rickettsiae were detected in 15.3% (n = 67/439) of the small mammals; positive samples were only from house mice (Mus musculus). Antibodies against TG rickettsiae were found in 8.2% (n = 36/439) of the samples, with 35 from house mice and one from gray dwarf hamster (Cricetulus migratorius). Flavivirus-reactive antibodies were detected in 2.3% (n = 10/439) of the investigated CCL samples; again positive samples were exclusively identified in house mice. All 199 investigated liver-derived DNA preparations were negative in the Francisella spp., C. burnetii, Brucella spp., Y. pestis, and poxvirus-specific PCRs. Conclusions Further investigations will have to prove the potential value of rodents in army camps as sentinel animals.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia parkeri in dogs during a Brazilian Spotted Fever outbreak in the State of Rio de Janeiro

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.T. Poubel ◽  
N.C. Cunha ◽  
A.B.M. Fonseca ◽  
A. Pinter ◽  
A.H. Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia ◽  
Janeiro State

ABSTRACT The present paper is the first to perform this evaluation in dogs from the cities of Natividade, Porciuncula and Varre-Sai. The aim of this study is to search for Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in canine sera using indirect immunofluorescence assay and to identify the probable causative agent of sera reactions in animals. Of the 253 sampled canines, 67.59% (171/253) were seroreactive for Rickettsia rickettsii and 11.07% (28/253) for Rickettsia parkeri, both in dilution 1:64. Titration of tested sera against R. rickettsii antigens reached 1:131.072 and, for R. parkeri, 1:4.096. We conclude that dogs are important sentinels for R. rickettsii infection, and can be infected regardless of sex, age, the habit of visiting woodlands or being in direct contact with equines and capybaras. Serological diagnosis has highlighted many dogs infected by R. rickettsii, and ambient conditions, such as the presence of flowing water bodies, was important for the occurrence of Brazilian Spotted Fever in the northwestern of Rio de Janeiro State.

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