Serosurvey of Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in rats captured from two zoos in Southern Brazil
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop; 50 (6), 2017
Publication year: 2017
Abstract INTRODUCTION:
Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are zoonotic reservoirs for Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, and influence diseases in urban areas.METHODS:
Free-ranging and laboratory-raised rats from two zoos in southern Brazil were tested for Leptospira spp. and T. gondii using microscopic agglutination and modified agglutination tests, respectively.RESULTS:
Overall, 25.6% and 4.6% free-ranging rats tested positive for Leptospira spp. and T. gondii, respectively, with co-seropositivity occurring in two animals. For laboratory-raised rats, 20% tested positive for Leptospira spp. Also, Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc and Leptospira noguchii serovar Panama were found.CONCLUSIONS:
Serosurveys can show the environmental prevalence of zoonotic pathogens.
Pruebas de Aglutinación, Animales de Zoológico, Anticuerpos Antibacterianos/sangre, Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/sangre, Brasil/epidemiología, Leptospira/inmunología, Leptospirosis/diagnóstico, Leptospirosis/epidemiología, Leptospirosis/veterinaria, Vigilancia de la Población, Prevalencia, Toxoplasma/inmunología, Toxoplasmosis Animal/diagnóstico, Toxoplasmosis Animal/epidemiología, Población Urbana