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

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.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Pellizzaro,Maysa, Conrado,Francisco de Oliveira, Martins,Camila Marinelli, Joaquim,Sâmea Fernandes, Ferreira,Fernando, Langoni,Helio, Biondo,Alexander Welker
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2017
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822017000600857
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