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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Trop Med Hyg / Prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae ...
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene2004; 71(1); 93-97;

Prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae in humans and domestic animals in a Brazilian spotted fever-endemic area in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: serologic evidence for infection by Rickettsia rickettsii and another spotted fever group Rickettsia.

Abstract: In serum samples obtained from all the healthy humans, horses, dogs, and donkeys present on three farms in the Pedreira Municipality, an endemic area for Brazilian spotted fever, an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) detected antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii in 17 (77.3%) horses, 5 (31.3%) dogs (titers ranging from 64 to 4,048), and none of 4 donkeys or 50 humans. Five canine and eight equine sera with high antibody titers to R. rickettsii were also tested by IFA against R. bellii, R. akari, and R. africae antigens. Sera from two horses and two dogs that showed similar high antibody titers against two rickettsial antigens were evaluated after cross-absorption. Sera from seven horses and two dogs contained antibodies specific for R. rickettsii, and one dog serum had antibodies against a Rickettsia species very closely related to R. africae. The latter may have been caused by infection with the recently identified COOPERI strain.
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Publication Date: 2004-07-09 PubMed ID: 15238696
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigated the prevalence of antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsiae in humans and certain domestic animals in a region known for Brazilian spotted fever. The study found that a significant number of horses and some dogs had antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, indicating previous exposure to the bacteria, while none of the humans or donkeys showed such evidence.

Study Design and Methods

  • The research was conducted on three farms in the Pedreira Municipality, an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever.
  • Serum samples were collected from all individuals (humans and animals) and tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The IFA was designed to detect antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii – the bacterium responsible for causing spotted fever.
  • The test was conducted on horses, dogs, donkeys, and humans present on the farms.
  • Certain canine and equine sera with high R. rickettsii antibody titers were tested further against R. bellii, R. akari, and R. africae antigens.
  • The researchers carried out additional tests (cross-absorption) on the serum of animals exhibiting high antibody titers against two rickettsial antigens.

Results and Conclusions

  • The prevalence of Rickettsia rickettsii antibodies was found to be 77.3% in horses and 31.3% in dogs. None were found in donkeys or the human population.
  • Further tests on canine and equine sera with high R. rickettsii antibody titers showed specificity for R. rickettsii in seven horses and two dogs.
  • Significantly, one dog serum showed antibodies against a Rickettsia species highly related to R. africae, indicating potential infection from the COOPERI strain.
  • These findings highlight the immunity or resistance these animals have developed towards the disease, possibly due to repeated exposure to the bacterium. It also indicates that the disease is prevalent in the locality and poses a potential risk if protective measures are not maintained.
  • The results provide strong serologic evidence for infection by Rickettsia rickettsii and potentially another spot fever group Rickettsia, helping the scientific community gain better understanding of the disease landscape in this region and the potential threats it poses.

Cite This Article

APA
Horta MC, Labruna MB, Sangioni LA, Vianna MC, Gennari SM, Galvão MA, Mafra CL, Vidotto O, Schumaker TT, Walker DH. (2004). Prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae in humans and domestic animals in a Brazilian spotted fever-endemic area in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: serologic evidence for infection by Rickettsia rickettsii and another spotted fever group Rickettsia. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 71(1), 93-97.

Publication

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
ISSN: 0002-9637
NlmUniqueID: 0370507
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 71
Issue: 1
Pages: 93-97

Researcher Affiliations

Horta, Maurício C
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Parasitology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Labruna, Marcelo B
    Sangioni, Luis A
      Vianna, Manoella C B
        Gennari, Solange M
          Galvão, Márcio A M
            Mafra, Claudio L
              Vidotto, Odilon
                Schumaker, Teresinha T S
                  Walker, David H

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Animals, Domestic / microbiology
                    • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
                    • Brazil / epidemiology
                    • Dogs
                    • Endemic Diseases
                    • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
                    • Horses
                    • Humans
                    • Prevalence
                    • Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
                    • Rickettsia Infections / microbiology
                    • Rickettsia Infections / veterinary
                    • Rickettsia rickettsii / immunology
                    • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / blood
                    • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / epidemiology
                    • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / microbiology
                    • Seroepidemiologic Studies

                    Grant Funding

                    • D43 TW 00903 / FIC NIH HHS

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