Circulation of spotted fever group rickettsiae among dogs seropositive for Leishmania spp. in an urban area of Brazil

Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop; 52 (), 2019
Publication year: 2019

Abstract INTRODUCTION:

Dogs play an epidemiological role in several vector-borne diseases that affect human and animal health worldwide. We aimed to identify rickettsial circulation among dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) from a region endemic for both diseases.

METHODS:

CVL-seropositive dogs were screened for spotted fever group rickettsiae using an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTS:

Among the CVL-positive dogs, anti-Rickettsia rickettsii antibodies were identified in one asymptomatic and one oligosymptomatic dog.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study shows low circulation of antibodies to R. rickettsii in CVL-seropositive dogs. It is recommended that surveillance studies in dogs should continue in order to monitor this scenario.

More related