The Contribution of Bats to Leptospirosis Transmission in Sao Paulo City, Brazil

Author(s)

Franco Bessa, Thirsa Alvares ^[1] ; Spichler, Anne ^[2] ; Berardis Chapola, Erica G. ^[1] ; Husch, Alfred Christian ^[1] ; de Almeida, Marilene Fernandes ^[1] ; Sodre, Miriam Martos ^[1] ; Mouriz Savani, Elisa S. M. ^[1] ; Veiga Sacramento, Debora R. ^[3] ; Vinetz, Joseph M. ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo City CCVISA SMS PMSR, Zoonosis Control Ctr Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Infectol Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Genom Engn Mol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Calif San Diego, Div Infect Dis, Dept Med, Palade Labs, La Jolla, CA 92093 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; v. 82, n. 2, p. 315-317, FEB 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 20

Abstract

The biodiversity of potential leptospiral reservoir hosts is lower ill urban than in rural environments. Previous data indicate the potential for bats to act as carriers of Leptospira in regions Such as the Amazon Of South America and in Australia. Yet, little is known about the contribution of bats to leptospirosis in urban environments ill South America. This Study aimed to test the hypothesis that bats infected with Leptospira are Sources of leptospirosis transmission to humans in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. Six of 343 bats caught in different districts within the city of Sao Paulo (182 insectivorous, 161 frugivorous or nectarivorous) were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for pathogenic Leptospira; no seropositive bats were found. That few renal carriers of Leptospira were found in the city of Sao Paulo Suggests that bats are not important in the transmission of leptospirosis to humans in this, and possibly other Urban settings. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/58210-7 - Zoonotic profile in bats from São Paulo city, Brazil
• Grantee: Marilene Fernandes de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants