[Emerging and reemerging rickettsiosis in an endemic area of Minas Gerais State, Brazil]

Cad Saude Publica. 2002 Nov-Dec;18(6):1593-7. doi: 10.1590/s0102-311x2002000600013.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

This article describes a serological survey for rickettsiosis in the county of Novo Cruzeiro, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in 1998, testing schoolchildren and dogs. Sera included 331 samples from schoolchildren from an endemic area and 142 samples from schoolchildren from a non-endemic area in the county. All children examined were healthy and had not reported clinical symptoms of Brazilian spotted fever prior to the serological survey. Some 35 children in the endemic area were reactive to Rickettsia rickettsiiby indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) with a titer of 1:64, corresponding to 10.6%. Sera from 73 dogs were tested, showing seroreactivity (IFA 1:64) to Rickettsia rickettsi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Ehrlichia canisin 3 (4.11%), 11 (15.07%), and 13 (17.81%), respectively. The results in schoolchildren and the presence of canine seroreactivity to Ehrlichiaspecies that are potentially pathogenic to humans suggests the risk of transmission of other Rickettsiaein the study area.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / blood
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases / blood
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dogs
  • Endemic Diseases / statistics & numerical data*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Rickettsia rickettsii
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / blood
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / epidemiology*
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / veterinary
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Siphonaptera
  • Ticks

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial