Serosurvey of Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in rats captured from two zoos in Southern Brazil

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2017 Nov-Dec;50(6):857-860. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0138-2017.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Agglutination Tests
  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Leptospira / immunology*
  • Leptospirosis / diagnosis
  • Leptospirosis / epidemiology
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Rats
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / diagnosis
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Urban Population

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Protozoan