3 research outputs found
Characterization of Rickettsia spp. circulating in a silent peri-urban focus for Brazilian spotted fever in Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The present study was intended to characterize
Rickettsia spp. circulating in arthropod vectors
in Caratinga,Minas Gerais, Brazil, by PCR and
to investigate the presence of antibodies against
the spotted fever Rickettsiae group (SFRG) in
dogs and horses. 2,610 arthropods were collected
and taxonomically identified. DNA samples
obtained from these vectors were submitted to
PCR and cycle-sequenced. Ctenocephalides and
Amblyomma cajennense showed sequences presenting
100.0% homology with R. felis. A sequence
obtained from Rhipicephalus sanguineus
showed 99.0% homology with R. felis, and
a sequence from A. cajennense showed 97.0%
homology with R. honei and R. rickettsii. Canine
(73) and equine (18) serum samples were
tested by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) using
R. rickettsii antigen. Only three of the equine
sera tested (17.0%) had positive antibody titers.
Molecular detection of rickettsiae species potentially
pathogenic to humans in arthropod vectors
and the presence of seroreactivity to SFRG
in horses show the risk of transmission of rickettsiosis
in this area and the need to maintain
continuous epidemiological surveillance for
rickettsial diseases