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Molecular detection of Leishmania braziliensis in Rattus norvegicus in an area endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil

2011; Elsevier BV; Volume: 183; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.06.019

1873-2550

Andreza Pain Marcelino, Eduardo de Castro Ferreira, Jeronimo Sergio Avendanha, Cristiano Fernandes da Costa, Denise Chiarelli, Gregório Guilherme Almeida, Élvio Carlos Moreira, R.C. Leite, Jenner Karlisson Pimenta dos Reis, Célia Maria Ferreira Gontijo,

Parasites and Host Interactions

Leishmania nested PCR (LnPCR) targeted to the SSUrRNA gene and DNA sequencing were used to analyze 315 tissue samples from 80 Rattus norvegicus specimens trapped in an area endemic for leishmaniasis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Of the samples analyzed, 17.46% (55/315) of all tissues, 10% (8/80) of skin, 26.92% (21/78) of blood, 30.76% (24/78) of bone marrow and 2.53% (2/79) of spleen were positive for Leishmania. The overall infection prevalence was 36.25% (29/80) The DNA sequencing showed that 65.51% (19/29) of the positive animals were infected by parasites belonging to the Leishmania braziliensis complex. The identification of L. braziliensis DNA in R. norvegicus in an area with a high prevalence of leishmaniasis might imply a zoonotic role of this species. The rodent control programs and health education may represent important measures toward the control of leishmaniasis.