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The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene2010; 83(1); 201-206; doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0595

Survey for tick-borne zoonoses in the state of Espirito Santo, southeastern Brazil.

Abstract: Blood samples collected from 201 humans, 92 dogs, and 27 horses in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, were tested by polymerase chain reaction, indirect immunofluorescence assays, and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tick-borne diseases (rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, borreliosis, babesiosis). Our results indicated that the surveyed counties are endemic for spotted fever group rickettsiosis because sera from 70 (34.8%) humans, 7 (7.6%) dogs, and 7 (25.9%) horses were reactive to at least one of the six Rickettsia species tested. Although there was evidence of ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis) and babesiosis (Babesia canis vogeli, Theileria equi) in domestic animals, no human was positive for babesiosis and only four individuals were serologically positive for E. canis. Borrelia burgdorferi-serologic reactive sera were rare among humans and horses, but encompassed 51% of the canine samples, suggesting that dogs and their ticks can be part of the epidemiological cycle of the causative agent of the Brazilian zoonosis, named Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome.
Publication Date: 2010-07-03 PubMed ID: 20595502PubMed Central: PMC2912600DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0595Google 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 examines the presence of tick-borne diseases in humans, dogs, and horses in Espirito Santo, Brazil. Findings reveal that this area is endemic for spotted fever group rickettsiosis and there is also evidence of ehrlichiosis and babesiosis in domestic animals.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The study was conducted in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, where samples of blood were collected from 201 humans, 92 dogs and 27 horses.
  • The samples were tested for various tick-borne diseases such as rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, borreliosis, and babesiosis using advanced laboratory tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indirect immunofluorescence assays, and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Findings

  • The results of the tests indicated that the counties investigated are endemic for spotted fever group rickettsiosis.
  • This conclusion was drawn based on the fact that 34.8% of human samples, 7.6% of dog samples, and 25.9% of horse samples tested reactive to at least one of the six Rickettsia species.
  • Meanwhile, there was also evidence of ehrlichiosis, particularly Ehrlichia canis, and babesiosis, with specific pathogens Babesia canis vogeli and Theileria equi, being found in domestic animals.

Concerning Findings

  • However, none of the tested humans were positive for babesiosis and only four individuals were serologically positive for Ehrlichia canis, the bacterium responsible for Ehrlichiosis.
  • Serologically reactive symptoms to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, were rare among humans and horses.
  • However, this condition encompassed 51% of the canine samples, suggesting that dogs and their ticks can be part of the epidemiological cycle of the causative agent of the Brazilian zoonosis, named Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome.

Conclusion

  • This research plays a significant role in public health for the endemic region as it not only identifies the prevalent tick-borne diseases but also the potential vectors and reservoirs of these diseases.
  • These findings can support the development of preventative measures and appropriate treatments to curb the spread of these diseases in the affected areas.

Cite This Article

APA
Spolidorio MG, Labruna MB, Machado RZ, Moraes-Filho J, Zago AM, Donatele DM, Pinheiro SR, Silveira I, Caliari KM, Yoshinari NH. (2010). Survey for tick-borne zoonoses in the state of Espirito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 83(1), 201-206. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0595

Publication

ISSN: 1476-1645
NlmUniqueID: 0370507
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 83
Issue: 1
Pages: 201-206

Researcher Affiliations

Spolidorio, Mariana G
  • Laboratório de Investigação Médica 17 (LIM17), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. marianaspolidorio@gmail.com
Labruna, Marcelo B
    Machado, Rosangela Z
      Moraes-Filho, Jonas
        Zago, Augusto M
          Donatele, Dirlei M
            Pinheiro, Sônia R
              Silveira, Iara
                Caliari, Késia M
                  Yoshinari, Natalino H

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Babesia / parasitology
                    • Babesiosis / parasitology
                    • Brazil
                    • Dogs
                    • Erythrocytes / parasitology
                    • Humans
                    • Tick-Borne Diseases / transmission
                    • Ticks
                    • Zoonoses / parasitology
                    • Zoonoses / transmission

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