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

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Maysa Pellizzaro, Francisco de Oliveira Conrado, Camila Marinelli Martins, Sâmea Fernandes Joaquim, Fernando Ferreira, Helio Langoni, Alexander Welker Biondo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Norway rat; Leptospirosis; Toxoplasmosis; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Norway
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0138-2017; https://doaj.org/article/840232bf3dfd4d3daa1bc07332651e4b

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.