Circulation of spotted fever group rickettsiae among dogs seropositive for Leishmania spp. in an urban area of Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Dogs play an epidemiological role in several vector-borne diseases that affect human and animal health worldwide. We aimed to identify rickettsial circulation among dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) from a region endemic for both diseases. METHODS: CVL-seropositive dogs were screened for spotted fever group rickettsiae using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Among the CVL-positive dogs, anti-Rickettsia rickettsii antibodies were identified in one asymptomatic and one oligosymptomatic dog. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows low circulation of antibodies to R. rickettsii in CVL-seropositive dogs. It is recommended that surveillance studies in dogs should continue in order to monitor this scenario.

Serological survey of cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis and evaluation of phlebotomine fauna on Marambaia Island, municipality of Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil* / Levantamento sorológico de casos de leishmaniose visceral canina e avaliação da fauna de flebotomíneos na Ilha da Marambaia, município de Mangaratiba, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The state of Rio de Janeiro is epidemiologically classified as a region of low incidence for American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL); however, endemic areas have expanded dramatically in recent years. In 2009 and 2010, autochthonous cases of AVL were reported in the municipality of Maricá and in the neighborhood of Laranjeiras in the city of Rio de Janeiro, respectively. In 2006, samples isolated in infected animals in the coastal area of the municipality of Mangaratiba were characterized as L. (L.) chagasi. In 2002, on Marambaia Island, located in Mangaratiba, only cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) were recorded. This study aimed to reassess the prevalence of CVL and identify the phlebotomine fauna on Marambaia Island, Mangaratiba, in 2012. To this end, a canine serological survey was carried out using IFA, ELISA and DPP techniques. In addition, phlebotomi were captured with the help of light traps, HP type. The census totaled 116 dogs, and 17 animals tested positive with prevalence of 14.6%. From April to November 2012, 2,524 sandfly specimens of nine different species were captured. We observed the maintenance of CVL prevalence in the region, as well as the presence of the Lutzomyia longipalpis vector.

O estado do Rio de Janeiro é classificado epidemiologicamente como uma região de baixa incidência de leishmaniose visceral americana (LVA), no entanto, áreas endêmicas têm se expandido drasticamente nos últimos anos. Em 2009 e 2010, foram notificados casos autóctones de LVA no município de Maricá e no bairro de Laranjeiras, na cidade de Rio de Janeiro, respectivamente. Em 2006, em amostras de animais infectados no litoral do município de Mangaratiba foram isoladas e caracterizadas L. (L.) chagasi. Em 2002, na Ilha da Marambaia, localizada em Mangaratiba, foram registrados apenas os casos de leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA). Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência da LVC e identificar a fauna de flebotomíneos na Ilha da Marambaia, Mangaratiba, em 2012. Para este fim, um inquérito sorológico canino foi realizado utilizando as técnicas IFA, ELISA e DPP. Além disso, foram capturados flebótomos com a ajuda de armadilhas luminosas, tipo HP. O censo totalizou 116 cães e 17 animais foram positivos com a prevalência de 14,6%. Entre abril e novembro de 2012, foram capturados, nove espécies diferentes flebotomíneos, um total de 2.524 espécimes. Observou-se a manutenção da LVC prevalência na região, bem como a presença do vetor Lutzomyia longipalpis.

The patterns of tungiasis in Araruama township, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This paper describes patterns of infestation with Tunga penetrans (L., 1758) within the poor community of Araruama municipality, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, assessed by the number of persons and domestic animals parasitized. The overall prevalence of infestation was 49.2 percent (211 parasitized hosts) of the 429 examined. Humans (p < 0.01) and dogs (p < 0.01) were the most important hosts with 62.6 percent and 35.6 percent respectively. Dogs were considered as the potential infestation source to humans. Considering sex and age groups, both measures showed a significant difference (p < 0.01): female (62.2 percent infested of 143 examined) and male (43.9 percent infested of 98 examined). All age classes were found infested with significant difference (G = 42.5; p < 0.01) and most of the infestation occurred in children in the 0-9-year old category (27.3 percent). In contrast and based on mean of chigoe burden per person, the parasitic intensity was significantly higher on male than on female in all age categories, except for the 50+ (H = 27.1; p < 0.01) and decreasing with the increase of age (chi2 = 69.7, A = -124.6, p < 0.01). Growing urbanization, improved housing and sewage systems, use of appropriate footwear, examination of the feet principally in young children, antitetanus prophylaxis and reduction of stray dogs population are the major prophylactic methods recommended

Small rodents fleas from the bubonic plague focus located in the Serra dos Orgäos Mountain Range, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Eleven species of fleas were collected from 601 small rodents, from November 1995 to October 1997, in areas of natural focus of bubonic plague, including the municipalities of Nova Friburgo, Sumidouro and Teresópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Among 924 fleas collected, Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus (Rhopalopsyllidae) was the predominant species regarding the frequency, representing 41.3 percent (N:382), followed by P. (Neopolygenis) pradoi, representing 20 percent (N:185) and Craneopsylla minervaminerva (Stephanocircidae), representing 18.9 percent (N:175). The host Akodon cursor harbored 47.9 percent of these fleas. Other six host species were infested by 52.1 percent of the remaining fleas. Fleas were found on hosts and in places within the focus not previously reported by the literature