Serological exposure of spotted fever group Rickettsia in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from urban parks in Campo Grande, Brazilian Midwest

ABSTRACT Background: Rickettsia of the spotted fever group (SFG) has been reported in ticks and domestic animals in Campo Grande (CG), Midwest Brazil. Methods: We searched for Rickettsia in the SFG in capybaras and their ticks in an urban park in the CG. Results: The seropositivity rate was 88.2% (15/17). Although 87.7% of the capybaras sampled showed infestations with Amblyomma sculptum, A. dubitatum, and Amblyomma spp., no molecular results were detected in ticks. Conclusions: Since Rickettsia from the SFG circulates among capybaras in the urban parks of Campo Grande, this large rodent species should be monitored within the One Health Agenda.

摘要
背景：斑疹热群立克次体（Spotted Fever Group, SFG）已在巴西中西部大坎普（Campo Grande, CG）的蜱虫与家畜中被报道。
方法：本研究于大坎普某城市公园内，针对水豚及其携带的蜱虫开展斑疹热群立克次体检测。
结果：血清阳性率为88.2%（15/17）。尽管87.7%的采样水豚均被雕刻钝眼蜱（Amblyomma sculptum）、疑钝眼蜱（A. dubitatum）以及未定种钝眼蜱（Amblyomma spp.）寄生，但未在蜱虫样本中检出任何分子阳性结果。
结论：鉴于斑疹热群立克次体在大坎普城市公园的水豚种群间循环传播，该大型啮齿类物种应被纳入同一健康（One Health）议程开展监测。