Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Sep 2023)

Molecular detection of Leptospira spp. in small wild rodents from rural areas of São Paulo State, Brazil

  • Evelyn Cristine da Silva,
  • Felipe Fornazari,
  • João Marcelo Azevedo de Paula Antunes,
  • Larissa de Castro Demoner,
  • Lucia Helena O’Dwyer de Oliveira,
  • Marina Gea Peres,
  • Jane Megid,
  • Helio Langoni

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0160-2023
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 56

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Background: Leptospirosis represents a One Health issue, affecting humans and animals. This study investigated pathogenic leptospires in small wild rodents in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Kidney samples from 164 rodents underwent qPCR testing, targeting pathogenic Leptospira spp. Results: Thirty-five animals (21.34%) tested positive, including five rodent species: Akodon montensis (2/21; 9.5%), Necromys lasiurus (1/4; 25%), Oligoryzomys nigripes (24/92; 26.1%), Oligoryzomys flavescens (5/26; 19.2%), and Sooretamys angouya (3/14; 21.4%). Botucatu municipality exhibited the highest prevalence, with 42.5% (20/47) of the animals testing positive. Conclusions: The presence of Leptospira spp. in wild rodents suggests they may be chronic carriers, contaminating the environment.

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