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Emerging infectious diseases2005; 11(2); 265-270; doi: 10.3201/eid1102.040656

Rickettsial infection in animals and Brazilian spotted fever endemicity.

Abstract: We compared the rickettsial infection status of Amblyomma cajennense ticks, humans, dogs, and horses in both Brazilian spotted fever (BSF)-endemic and -nonendemic areas in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Most of the horses and few dogs from BSF-endemic areas had serologic titers against Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. In contrast, no dogs or horses from BSF-nonendemic areas had serologic titers against R. rickettsii antigens, although they were continually exposed to A. cajennense ticks. All human serum samples and ticks from both areas were negative by serologic assay and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Our results indicate that surveys of horse serum are a useful method of BSF surveillance in areas where humans are exposed to A. cajennense ticks. In addition, we successfully performed experimental infection of A. cajennense ticks with R. parkeri.
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Publication Date: 2005-03-09 PubMed ID: 15752445PubMed Central: PMC3320454DOI: 10.3201/eid1102.040656Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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 article primarily focuses on understanding the infection status of the rickettsial disease, specifically Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), in Amblyomma cajennense ticks, humans, dogs, and horses across endemic and non-endemic regions in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study uncovers that BSF surveillance can be efficiently conducted through horse serum surveys in areas where A. cajennense ticks are common and humans are at risk.

Study Context and Objectives

  • This research sets out to assess the infection status of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and spread through the tick species Amblyomma cajennense, on various hosts—humans, horses, and dogs.
  • Investigations are conducted across different areas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, differentiated into BSF-endemic zones, where the disease is frequent, and non-endemic regions where the disease does not regularly occur.

Research Methodology and Findings

  • Serologic titers (a measure of antibodies present in the blood) against R. ricketsii antigens were observed in most horses and some dogs from BSF-endemic areas.
  • Interestingly, this research found no serologic titers against R. ricketsii antigens in dogs or horses from non-endemic areas, despite consistent exposure to A. cajennense ticks.
  • Furthermore, all human serum samples tested and ticks collected from both the areas did not show any evidence of infection, either by serologic assay (a diagnostic test to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens in the blood) or polymerase chain reaction (a method to amplify DNA sequences).

Implications and Conclusions

  • The findings suggest that surveys of horse serum might be an effective method for BSF surveillance. This is particularly applicable in regions where human exposure to A. cajennense ticks is high, thereby carrying a risk of potential transmission.
  • Apart from such invaluable insight, the study successfully achieved experimental infection of A. cajennense ticks with another species of Rickettsia, R. parkeri.
  • Therefore, the study contributes significantly to our understanding of Rickettsial infection dynamics, especially of BSF, amongst diverse hosts in variable geographical areas.

Cite This Article

APA
Sangioni LA, Horta MC, Vianna MC, Gennari SM, Soares RM, Galvão MA, Schumaker TT, Ferreira F, Vidotto O, Labruna MB. (2005). Rickettsial infection in animals and Brazilian spotted fever endemicity. Emerg Infect Dis, 11(2), 265-270. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1102.040656

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6040
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Pages: 265-270

Researcher Affiliations

Sangioni, Luis A
  • University of São Paulo, São, São Paulo, Brazil.
Horta, Maurício C
    Vianna, Manoella C B
      Gennari, Solange M
        Soares, Rodrigo M
          Galvão, Márcio A M
            Schumaker, Teresinha T S
              Ferreira, Fernando
                Vidotto, Odilon
                  Labruna, Marcelo B

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
                    • Brazil / epidemiology
                    • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
                    • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
                    • Dogs
                    • Female
                    • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
                    • Horses
                    • Humans
                    • Male
                    • Polymerase Chain Reaction
                    • Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
                    • Rickettsia Infections / microbiology
                    • Rickettsia Infections / transmission
                    • Rickettsia rickettsii / genetics
                    • Rickettsia rickettsii / growth & development
                    • Rural Population
                    • Tick Infestations / microbiology
                    • Ticks / microbiology

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                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 101 times.
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