OCCUPATIONAL ZOONOSES: SERUM-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VETERINARY STUDENTS AND ANALYSIS OF RISK OF LEPTOSPIROSIS, BRUCELLOSIS, AND TOXOPLASMOSIS

THESIS:C. G. C. Vasconcelos submitted this thesis for her Doctorate in Tropical Diseases at Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil, 2003.

Advisor: Professor Hélio Langoni

ABSTRACT. Leptospirosis, brucellosis, and toxoplasmosis are worldwide zoonoses and man is the secondary host in their epidemiological chain. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the serological profile of undergraduate and graduate students and residents of veterinary medicine, as they are a risk group. Microscopic seroagglutination test (MTA) was used to diagnose leptospirosis; the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) to diagnose IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies; and the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) to identify Brucella canis or Brucella ovis antibodies. The Rose Bengal plate test was used to diagnose Brucella abortus antibodies; positive tests were confirmed by tube agglutination and 2-mercaptoethanol tests. The results showed 6.3% prevalence of Brucella canis or Brucella ovis by AGID; all samples were negative to B. abortus. The serological results were also negative to Leptospira spp. There was 9.2% prevalence to anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies but no reagent sample to IgM antibodies. There was a significant statistical association between the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies and close contact with dogs. Feeding and hygiene habits and contact with other species showed no statistical relationship with serological profiles for all diseases. Undergraduate students in the last year and graduate students showed higher prevalence to T. gondii serological test. The results suggest that both students and veterinarians must be fully aware of this public health risk.

KEY WORDS: brucellosis; leptospirosis; toxoplasmosis; risk analysis; students; veterinary.

CORRESPONDENCE TO: C. G. C. Vasconcelos – Rua Cel. Manoel L. Santos, 439/apto. 17, Vila São Lúcio, 18610-030, Botucatu , São Paulo, Brasil.E-mail: vasconcelos@laser.com.br