Occurrence of infection by Leishmania spp. and Brucella spp. in the indigenous population and in dogs inhabitants from Tapirapé Indigenous Villages and in dogs inhabitants from Karajá Indigenous Villages

Author(s)

Julia Teresa Ribeiro de Lima

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-07-10

Examining board members

Rodrigo Martins Soares; Marcia Dalastra Laurenti; Sidnei Miyoshi Sakamoto

• Advisor: Rodrigo Martins Soares

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a chronic antropozoonose of worldwide distribution and has an estimated incidence of 2 million new cases per year between visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Dogs are very susceptible to infection by VL and due to its close relationship with man, are considered the most important reservoirs for disease transmission to humans. Leishmaniasis occurs in endemic form in the North, Northeast, Midwest and Southeast, making it necessary to carry out serological surveys, to determine the epidemiological situation of the disease in areas with active transmission or potential of transmission. Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution that causes systemic infection in man and decreased reproductive efficiency and abortion in domestic and wild species. In Brazil, brucellosis due to Brucella abortus is the most prevalent Brucella infection, followed by B. suis and B. canis. Due to the zoonotic and reproductive losses, the diagnose of infected animals is important to interrupt transmission of the disease. From the foregoing, we performed a serological survey in humans and dogs living in indigenous communities in the Amazon region of Brazil, with the aim of identifying endemic areas for Leishmania spp. and Brucella spp. The present study analyzed blood and serum samples of all humans and dogs from Tapirapé indigenous villages as well as dogs from Karajá indigenous villages by serological tests ELISA and IFAT for detecting leishmaniasis and serological tests AGID and AAT and also PCR for the detection of brucellosis. The results showed prevalence rates of 0.4% and 0.9% for LT and brucellosis in humans, respectively. All humans tested negative for LV. For the dogs from Tapirapé villages, the results of prevalence were 1.8%, 0.9% and 6.1% for LV and LT and brucellosis, respectively. The results for dogs from Karajá villages showed prevalence rates of 0.9% and 5.2% for LT and brucellosis, respectively, and these dogs tested negative for LV. The results of this study indicate low occurrence of infection by Leishmania spp. and moderate occurrence of infection by Brucella spp. Although slightly disseminated in the studied areas, leishmaniasis requires attention, such as brucellosis, for taking control measures and prophylaxis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/05277-5 - Serological and etiological study of Leishmania spp. infections in dogs from Tapirapé indians settlements from Confresa municipality, MT
• Grantee: Julia Teresa Ribeiro de Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master