Implications of domestic dogs in the epidemiology of Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest and Rangelia vitalii in Southeastern Brazil

Author(s)

da Silva Rocha Fournier, Gislene Fatima ; Pinter, Adriano ; Munoz-Leal, Sebastian ; Labruna, Marcelo Bahia ; Lopes, Marcos Gomes ; Martins, Thiago Fernandes ; Colacio, Luciana ; Santos Mora, Cayo Rodrigo ; Moraes-Filho, Jonas ; Dias, Ricardo Augusto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA; v. 29, n. 1, p. 17-pg., 2020-01-01.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of diseases transmitted by Amblyomma ovale in 61 dogs monitored for three years through collections of ticks and blood, interviews, telemetry and camera traps in three areas of Serra do Mar State Park, Brazil. Blood samples were used to investigate infection by Rangelia vitalii by real-time TaqMan PCR and Rickettsia parkeri by IIFA. The collected ticks were submitted to conventional PCR to investigate the presence of R. parkeri. These data were compared with the monitoring results and interviews with the owners. Dogs considered as companion presented a risk of infection by R. parkeri strain Mata Atlantica 5.4 times higher than those not considered as companion (p = 0.009). Dogs that had at least one A. ovale collected during the campaigns had a 10 times higher risk of infection by R. parkeri strain Mata Atlantica than those who did not (p = 0.009). One dog positive forR. vitalii by real-time TaqMan PCR was parasitized by A. ovale frequently during monitoring. Sequenced ompaA - positive DNA samples had 100% identity of R. parkeri strain Mata Atlantica clone As106. From the findings, it is urgent to control domestic dogs around rainforests to reduce zoonoses transmission. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/00648-3 - Study on impacts of domestic dogs with access to forest present in the area of Atlantic Forest of Caraguatatuba County and the correlation between the genetic variability of the ticks of dogs and wild environment
• Grantee: Gislene Fátima da Silva Rocha Fournier
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate