Clinical and serological evaluation of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) successively exposed to an Amblyomma sculptum-derived strain of Rickettsia rickettsii.

ABSTRACT: Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is the most lethal tick-borne disease in the western hemisphere. In Brazil, Amblyomma sculptum ticks are the main vector. Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest living rodents of the world (adults weighing up to 100 Kg), have been recognized as amplifying hosts of R. rickettsii for A. sculptum in BSF-endemic areas; i.e., once primarily infected, capybaras develop bacteremia for a few days, when feeding ticks acquire rickettsial infection. We conducted experimental infections of five capybaras with an A. sculptum-derived strain of R. rickettsii and performed clinical and bacteremia evaluation during primary and subsequent infections. Bacteremia was detected in all capybaras during primary infection, but not in subse

SUBMITTER: Ramirez-Hernandez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6976648 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature