Detection of antibodies against Leptospira spp in free-living marsupials caught in the Eastern Amazon

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2018 May-Jun;51(3):368-371. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0236-2017.

Abstract

Introduction: Serological surveys are important to assess the health status of wild animals. In this study, antibodies against Leptospira spp, causal agents of leptospirosis, were detected in free-living marsupials in the State of Pará, Brazil.

Methods: Nineteen blood samples collected from marsupials in the municipalities of Peixe-Boi, Viseu, and Castanhal were subjected to microscopic agglutination tests.

Results: In total, 36.8% (7/19) of samples were positive, and two exhibited co-agglutination. The most frequent serovars were Icterohaemorrhagiae (60%; 3/5), Panama (20%; 1/5), and Nupezo (20%; 1/5).

Conclusions: Anti-Leptospira spp antibodies currently circulate in free-living marsupials in Northeastern Pará.

MeSH terms

  • Agglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / classification
  • Animals, Wild / microbiology
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Brazil
  • Leptospira / immunology*
  • Leptospirosis / diagnosis
  • Leptospirosis / epidemiology
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary*
  • Marsupialia / classification
  • Marsupialia / microbiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial