Abstract
ABSTRACT: The state of Rio Grande do Sul has a great diversity of reptile species distributed throughout its territory. Due to human actions, such as habitat fragmentation, these animals have been frequently observed in urban and peri-urban environments. This facilitates the spread of pathogens between animals and humans, posing a unique health risk, as many diseases are considered zoonoses. Leptospirosis is among the most common zoonoses in the world and is caused by pathogenic species of bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The role of reptiles in the cycle of this disease is yet unknown. However, serological studies have demonstrated positivity for antibodies against Leptospira spp. in tortoises and snakes, which may indicate that these animals act in maintaining the pathogen in the environment. This observed the presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in rescued reptiles taken to the Center for Rehabilitation of Wild Fauna and Screening Center for Wild Animals at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (NURFS-CETAS/UFPEL). Samples were collected from 55 animals (39 Trachemys dorbigni; 3 Philodryas patagoniensis; 3 Caiman latirostris; 3 Salvator merianae; 2 Acanthochelys spixii; 2 Phrynops hilarii; 2 Hydromedusa tectifera; 1 Philodryas aestiva) from August 2022 to December 2023 and tested for 12 reference serovars. Two animals demonstrated positivity, one for the pathogenic serovar Pyrogenes and the other for the pathogenic serovar Canicola. This result reflected the importance of different species besides mammals as potential reservoirs and responsible for maintaining leptospirosis in the environment.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
