Detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi in Brazilian bats

Author(s)

Martin Mouriz Savani, Elisa San ^[1] ; de Almeida, Marilene Fernandes ^[1] ; Gibrail de Oliveira Camargo, Maria Cecilia ^[1] ; Nicoletti D'Auria, Sandra Regina ^[1] ; Sodre Silva, Miriam Martos ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Maria Lucia ^[1] ; Sacramento, Debora

Affiliation

^[1] Ctr Controle Zoonoses Municipio Sao Paulo, BR-02031020 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Veterinary Parasitology; v. 168, n. 1-2, p. 5-10, FEB 26 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 22

Abstract

Although bats are one of the most abundant mammals in the new world and are present in virtually all ecosystems, including urban and pen-Urban environments, few studies have investigated the role of these animals in the epidemiological chain of leishmaniosis Here, we report a study of 683 bats captured in Sao Paulo County (Southeastern from Brazil). which were screened by serology, parasitologic methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for trypanosomatids The indirect immunofluorescent antibody test demonstrated that 0 9% of bats react positively for leishmaniosis and PCR detected the presence of DNA of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in 18 bats and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi in 3 specimens. These results indicate that further studies are necessary to evaluate the role of bats in maintenance of the Leishmania life cycle. especially in areas where these diseases are endemic. (C) 2009 Elsevier B V. All rights reserved. (AU)