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Home / Equine Research Bank / Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz / Rickettsia infection in five areas of the state of São ...
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz2007; 102(7); 793-801; doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762007000700003

Rickettsia infection in five areas of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract: This study investigated rickettsial infection in animals, humans, ticks, and fleas collected in five areas of the state of São Paulo. Eight flea species (Adoratopsylla antiquorum antiquorum, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Polygenis atopus, Polygenis rimatus, Polygenis roberti roberti, Polygenis tripus, Rhopalopsyllus lugubris, and Rhopalopsyllus lutzi lutzi), and five tick species (Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma dubitatum, Ixodes loricatus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus) were collected from dogs, cats, and opossums. Rickettsia felis was the only rickettsia found infecting fleas, whereas Rickettsia bellii was the only agent infecting ticks, but no animal or human blood was shown to contain rickettsial DNA. Testing animal and human sera by indirect immunofluorescence assay against four rickettsia antigens (R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. felis, and R. bellii), some opossum, dog, horse, and human sera reacted to R. rickettsii with titers at least four-fold higher than to the other three rickettsial antigens. These sera were considered to have a predominant antibody response to R. rickettsii. Using the same criteria, opossum, dog, and horse sera showed predominant antibody response to R. parkeri or a very closely related genotype. Our serological results suggest that both R. rickettsii and R. parkeri infected animals and/or humans in the studied areas.
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Publication Date: 2007-12-21 PubMed ID: 18094887DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762007000700003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research investigates the occurrence of rickettsial infection in various species in five areas of São Paulo, Brazil, specifically in animals, humans, ticks, and fleas. According to the findings, only specific types of rickettsia were found in fleas and ticks, but no rickettsial DNA was detected in animal or human blood. However, antibodies to certain rickettsia species were identified in some opossum, dog, horse, and human sera, indicating possible infection.

Research Methodology and Species Involved

  • The study covered five different areas within the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Main subjects of the study were humans and three types of animals: dogs, cats, and opossums.
  • Eight species of fleas and five species of ticks were collected from the animals for testing.

Rickettsia in Fleas and Ticks

  • Upon examining the fleas and ticks, only specific types of rickettsia were identified; Rickettsia felis was found in fleas and Rickettsia bellii in ticks.
  • Studying the DNA of both the ticks and fleas, no traces of rickettsial DNA were found in the blood of any of the animals or humans tested.

Serological Tests on Animal and Human Sera

  • The study performed indirect immunofluorescence assays on animal and human sera. This is a method to identify the presence of antibodies against a specific antigen, in this case, four rickettsia antigens (R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. felis, and R. bellii).
  • Some sera from opossums, dogs, horses, and humans demonstrated a reaction to R. rickettsii, with titers at least four-fold higher than those for the other three rickettsial antigens.
  • The sera reacting strongly to R. rickettsii were considered indicative of a predominant antibody response to this specific type of rickettsia, suggesting a past or current infection.
  • Using the same criteria, it was found that sera from opossums, dogs, and horses showed a predominant antibody response to R. parkeri or a closely related genotype.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The serological results suggest that both R. rickettsii and R. parkeri may have infected the animals and humans in the examined areas, despite the absence of rickettsial DNA in blood samples.
  • These findings are significant for public health, as the presence of these bacteria can potentially cause disease in both animals and humans. Detection of specific antibodies can provide early warning of a possible infection and aid in implementing preventive measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Horta MC, Labruna MB, Pinter A, Linardi PM, Schumaker TT. (2007). Rickettsia infection in five areas of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 102(7), 793-801. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762007000700003

Publication

Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
ISSN: 0074-0276
NlmUniqueID: 7502619
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 102
Issue: 7
Pages: 793-801

Researcher Affiliations

Horta, Maurício C
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil. maurivet@yahoo.com
Labruna, Marcelo B
    Pinter, Adriano
      Linardi, Pedro M
        Schumaker, Teresinha T S

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Bacterial
          • Brazil / epidemiology
          • Cats / microbiology
          • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
          • Dogs / microbiology
          • Endemic Diseases
          • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
          • Horses / microbiology
          • Humans
          • Opossums / microbiology
          • Rickettsia / genetics
          • Rickettsia / immunology
          • Rickettsia / isolation & purification
          • Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
          • Rickettsia Infections / microbiology
          • Rickettsia Infections / veterinary
          • Siphonaptera / microbiology
          • Ticks / microbiology

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