A
cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the
seroprevalence of anti-
Rickettsia spp. in
dogs from Belo Horizonte, MG. For this purpose,
serum samples from 453
dogs were collected during the
rabies vaccination campaign and tested by the
indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using five
antigens Rickettsia bellii,
Rickettsia amblyommii,
Rickettsia rickettsii ,
Rickettsia parkeri, and
Rickettsia felis . The endpoint titer reacting with each
antigen was determined and
serum was considered positive if it reacted at the 164
dilution .
Serum showing titer for a
Rickettsia species at least four-fold higher than that observed for any other
Rickettsia species was considered homologous to the first
Rickettsia species. Only three (0.66%)
dogs reacted positively to at least one
Rickettsia species and one
serum showed to be homologous to R. rickettsii. These results showed a low
prevalence of
antibodies anti-
Rickettsia spp. in
dogs from Belo Horizonte city. However, other serosurvey
needs to be performed for
surveillance of the endemic status of the
disease in the municipal district.