Detecção molecular de bactérias do gênero Rickettsia em carrapatos coletados em capivaras de um parque público da cidade de Uberlândia, MG

Abstract

Being hematophagous ectoparasites, ticks can carry and transmit many infectious agents, including Rickettsia spp. bacterium, which cause diseases to mammals as rodents and humans, classified as Spotted Fever Group. Some of these rickettsioses has a milder symptomatology, but one with greater impact on public health, due to its high lethality rate, is the spotted fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. BSF cases are related specially to the expansion of Capybaras population and Amblyomma sculptum ticks’ presence. Given the context, this study evaluated, trough molecular tests, presence of Rickettsia spp. on A. 2 sculptum ticks, collect from capybaras in Sabiá Municipal Park in 2010 and 2011. DNA samples were extracted from 12 ticks and tested by PCR to confirm Rickettsia’s DNA presence. Although none of the samples were positive, this study was extremally important to evaluate the presence of those bacterium, especially those who has a higher risk to humans due the continuous visitation of humans to the park.