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J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis.

V.19, p.178-182, 2013.

Original paper - ISSN 1678-9199.

 

Toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis and brucellosis in stray dogs housed at the shelter in Umuarama municipality, Paraná, Brazil

 
Márcia Küster de Paula Dreer1, Daniela Dib Gonçalves1*, Isabel Cristina da Silva Caetano1, Edson Gerônimo1, Paulo Henrique Menegas1, Danilo Bergo1, Fabiana Maria Ruiz Lopes-Mori3, Aline Benitez3, Julio Cesar de Freitas2, Fernanda Evers2, Italmar Teodorico Navarro2,  Lisiane de Almeida Martins1

1Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, University of Paraná (UNIPAR) Umuarama, Paraná, Brazil.

2Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina State University (UEL), Londrina Paraná, Brazil.

3Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, University Center Philadelphia (UNIFIL), Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

 

Background

: Leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and brucellosis are diseases with worldwide distribution. Among stray dogs, these zoonoses are facilitated by direct contact with other animal species, by the habit of scavenging garbage and hunting in search of food, drinking standing water, smelling other animals' urine, licking female genitalia and the sexual act itself. The objective of this study was to detect antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-Leptospiraspp., anti-Brucella canis and anti-Brucella abortus in stray dogs housed in shelters at Umuarama city, Paraná, Brazil. In order to detect toxoplasmosis, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was performed, agglutination microscopic (MAT) test for leptospirosis and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and buffered acidified antigen (BAA) tests for brucellosis.

 

Results

: Of the 175 serum samples analyzed, 70.85% were considered positive for toxoplasmosis by IFA, 20% by MAT for leptospirosis and 2.85% by AGID for Brucella canis.

 

Conclusions

: The serological results of this study showed that stray dogs housed at the private shelter are potential carriers of these three different zoonoses and contribute to the spread and maintenance of these etiologic agents in the urban area of Umuarama (PR), Brazil.

 

Received: June 1, 2013; Accepted: September 12, 2013

 

Correspondence: danieladib@unipar.br

 

Financial source Universidade Paranaense (UNIPAR - University of Paraná) and Coordination for Improvement of Higher Level Personnel(CAPES).

Authors' contributions MKPD and DDG provided the idea; MKPD, PHM, GT and DB collection of biologicalsamples; FMRLM, AB, DB and FE realization of serology; DDG, JCF, ITN and RLF analyzed the data; MKPD and DDG drafted the manuscript, and all authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Competing interests The authors declare that there is no competing interest.