Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in Small Rodents from Areas of Low Endemicity for Brazilian Spotted Fever in the Eastern Region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Bruno S. Milagres Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Amanda F. Padilha Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Carlos E. Montandon Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Renata N. Freitas Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Richard Pacheco Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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David H. Walker Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Marcelo B. Labruna Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Cláudio L. Mafra Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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Márcio A. M. Galvão Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.12-0609
Volume/Issue:
Volume 88: Issue 5
Page(s):
937–939
Restricted access
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We investigated the humoral immune response against different species of Rickettsia in serum samples from small rodents collected in two areas of a silent focus for Brazilian spotted fever in the eastern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Sera samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay using antigens from Rickettsia species of the spotted fever, ancestral, and transition groups. Titers ≥ 1:64 were considered positive. In Santa Cruz do Escalvado, 94% (30 of 32) of the samples collected from Rattus rattus, 22% (5 of 23) from Nectomys squamipes, and 80% (4 of 5) from Akodon sp., reacted by indirect immunofluorescence assay with Rickettsia antigens of the spotted fever group. In the municipality of Pingo D'Água, 84% (26 of 31) of the samples collected from R. rattus, 86% (6 of 7) of the samples from Oryzomys subflavus, 86% (6 of 7) from N. squamipes, and 100% (1 of 1) from Bolomys sp. contained antibodies that reacted with rickettsial antigens of the spotted fever group. These results demonstrated the previous exposure of small rodents to spotted fever group Rickettsia, suggesting the participation of these animals in the natural history of these rickettsiae in this region.

Author Notes

* Address correspondence to Bruno S. Milagres, School of Pharmacy and Medicine, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais State, 35420-000. E-mail: bsmilagres@gmail.com

Financial support: This study was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais/Brazil (APQ-01602-09).

Authors' addresses: Bruno S. Milagres and Márcio A. M. Galvão, School of Pharmacy, Department of Medicine, Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, E-mails: bsmilagres@gmail.com and galvaomarcio@oi.com.br. Amanda F. Padilha, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, E-mail: amandaep12@gmail.com. Carlos E. Montandon and Cláudio L. Mafra, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, E-mails: em.carlos@yahoo.com.br and mafra@ufv.br. Renata N. Freitas, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, E-mail: rfreitasmail@gmail.com. Richard Pacheco, Department of Basic Sciences and Animal Production, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil, E-mail: pachecorichard@yahoo.com.br. David H. Walker, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, E-mail: dwalker@utmb.edu. Marcelo B. Labruna, Department of Preventive Veterninary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, E-mail: labruna@usp.br.

Copyright:
© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2013
Received:
01 Oct 2012
|
Accepted:
24 Dec 2012
|
Published Online:
01 May 2013
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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