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

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Gleiciane Schupp de Sena Mesquita, Katarine de Souza Rocha, Thamillys Rayssa Marques Monteiro, Marcely Karen Santos do Rosário, Ianny Watuzy Monteiro Baia, Helyanne de Sousa Pereira, Valiria Duarte Cerqueira, Carla Cristina Guimarães de Moraes
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Didelphidae; Wild animals; Microscopic agglutination test; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0236-2017; https://doaj.org/article/8c13582eed014616adbfa852f1630ad9

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.