RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraíba State. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 411 dogs in four municipalities of Paraíba State. The seroprevalence was assessed by using ELISA. RESULTS: The seroprevalence ranged from 7.2% to 20%. The risk factors that were associated with the disease were the presence of ticks and contact with other animals. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis is high in Paraíba, indicating the need for health authorities to resume visceral leishmaniasis control activities. The ruralization of suburban areas in the region tends to homogenize the risk factors between suburban and rural areas.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/veterinária , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Doenças do Cão/diagnóstico , Cães , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/veterinária , Feminino , Leishmaniose Visceral/diagnóstico , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologia , Masculino , Fatores de Risco , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
Abstract INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraíba State. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 411 dogs in four municipalities of Paraíba State. The seroprevalence was assessed by using ELISA. RESULTS: The seroprevalence ranged from 7.2% to 20%. The risk factors that were associated with the disease were the presence of ticks and contact with other animals. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis is high in Paraíba, indicating the need for health authorities to resume visceral leishmaniasis control activities. The ruralization of suburban areas in the region tends to homogenize the risk factors between suburban and rural areas.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Feminino , Cães , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/veterinária , Brasil/epidemiologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/veterinária , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Fatores de Risco , Doenças do Cão/diagnóstico , Leishmaniose Visceral/diagnóstico , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The aims of our study was to identify Ehrlichia canis and antibodies against Rickettsia spp. belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) in dogs sampled from Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. Blood and serum samples collected by convenience from dogs in urban areas of five municipalities were analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of E. canis DNA and by immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) for the identification of antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, R. felis, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii and R. rhipicephali antigens. E. canis DNA was detected in 8.9% (64/719) of the blood samples, whereas 5.63% (43/763) of the serum samples were positive for at least one of the Rickettsia antigens tested by IFAT. This study showed for the first time the occurrence of E. canis and suggested the circulation of SFG Rickettsia in dogs in the study region of Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil.
Assuntos
Ehrlichia canis/isolamento & purificação , Rickettsia/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Antígenos de Bactérias/sangue , Brasil , DNA Bacteriano/sangue , Cães , Ehrlichia canis/genética , Rickettsia rickettsii/imunologiaRESUMO
Abstract The aims of our study was to identify Ehrlichia canis and antibodies against Rickettsia spp. belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) in dogs sampled from Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. Blood and serum samples collected by convenience from dogs in urban areas of five municipalities were analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of E. canis DNA and by immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) for the identification of antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, R. felis, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii and R. rhipicephali antigens. E. canis DNA was detected in 8.9% (64/719) of the blood samples, whereas 5.63% (43/763) of the serum samples were positive for at least one of the Rickettsia antigens tested by IFAT. This study showed for the first time the occurrence of E. canis and suggested the circulation of SFG Rickettsia in dogs in the study region of Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil.
Resumo Os objetivos do nosso estudo foram identificar Ehrlichia canis e anticorpos contra Rickettsia spp. pertencentes ao Grupo da Febre Maculosa (GFM) em cães amostrados no estado da Paraíba, nordeste do Brasil. As amostras de sangue e soro, coletados por conveniência, de cães em áreas urbanas de cinco municípios foram analisadas por PCR em tempo real para a detecção de DNA de E. canis e pela Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) para identificação de anticorpos contra Rickettsia rickettsii, R. felis, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii e R. rhipicephali. O DNA de E. canis foi detectado em 8,9% (64/719) das amostras de sangue, enquanto que 5,63% (43/763) das amostras de soro foram positivas para pelo menos um dos antígenos de Rickettsia testados por RIFI. Este estudo mostrou pela primeira vez a ocorrência de E. canis e sugere a circulação de Rickettsia do GFM em cães na região em estudo do estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil.
