Detection of rabies Virus-specific antibodies in terrestrial wild mammals from a native rainforest area in the North Coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

• Grant number: 14/01672-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Silvana Regina Favoretto
• Grantee: Silvana Regina Favoretto
• Host Institution: Instituto Pasteur (IP). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Rabies is one of the most ancient infectious diseases and continues to be responsible for thousands of humans and animals deaths worldwide each year. The emergent importance of rabies in wild animals demonstrates the necessity of epidemiological studies of infection in these species, for the development of better strategies for the prevention and control of rabies. We analyzed the circulation of rabies virus among wildlife from anative rainforest area in São Paulo State, Brazil. We used RFFIT to test for rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies in 139 captured terrestrial mammals and FAT, MIT and RT-PCR to test for virus in samples from the central nervous system of 53 animals found dead. The percentage of samples positive by RFFIT was 10.8%. All samples tested by FAT, MIT and RT-PCR were negative. We demonstrate the evidence of circulation of the rabies virus among wild animal species in the study area and the importance of continuous research to obtain a better understanding of the role of these species in the circulation and transmission of rabies virus. (AU)