Risk factors associated with ticks and Rickettsia spp. exposure in wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs, and hunters of Brazil

Research (Published online: 25-10-2021)

24. Risk factors associated with ticks and Rickettsia spp. exposure in wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs, and hunters of Brazil

Louise Bach Kmetiuk, Thiago Fernandes Martins, Renato van Wilpe Bach, Camila Marinelli Martins, Ivan Roque de Barros-Filho, Leandro Cavalcante Lipinski, Giovani Marino Fávero, Andrea Pires dos Santos and Alexander Welker Biondo

Veterinary World, 14(10): 2745-2749

Louise Bach Kmetiuk: Graduate College of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Coronel Francisco Heráclito dos Santos Avenue, 100, Curitiba, Paraná State, 81531-970, Brazil.

Thiago Fernandes Martins: Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Orlando de Paiva Street, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508 270, Brazil.

Renato van Wilpe Bach: Department of Medicine, State University of Ponta Grossa, Carlos Cavalcante Avenue, 4748, Ponta Grossa, PR, 84030-900, Brazil.

Camila Marinelli Martins: Department of Medicine, State University of Ponta Grossa, Carlos Cavalcante Avenue, 4748, Ponta Grossa, PR, 84030-900, Brazil.

Ivan Roque de Barros-Filho: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná State, Funcionários Street, 1540, Curitiba, Paraná State, 80035-050, Brazil.

Leandro Cavalcante Lipinski: Department of Medicine, State University of Ponta Grossa, Carlos Cavalcante Avenue, 4748, Ponta Grossa, PR, 84030-900, Brazil.

Giovani Marino Fávero: Department of General Biology, State University of Ponta Grossa, General Carlos Cavalcanti, 4748, Ponta Grossa, Paraná State, 84030-900, Brazil.

Andrea Pires dos Santos: Department of Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, Harrison Street, 725, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907-2027, USA.

Alexander Welker Biondo: Graduate College of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Coronel Francisco Heráclito dos Santos Avenue, 100, Curitiba, Paraná State, 81531-970, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná State, Funcionários Street, 1540, Curitiba, Paraná State, 80035-050, Brazil.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.2745-2749

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Article history: Received: 08-06-2021, Accepted: 30-08-2021, Published online: 25-10-2021

Corresponding author: Alexander Welker Biondo

E-mail: abiondo@ufpr.br

Citation: Kmetiuk LB, Martins TF, Bach RVW, Martins CM, de Barros-Filho IR, Lipinski LC, Fávero GM, dos Santos AP, Biondo AW (2021) Risk factors associated with ticks and Rickettsia spp. exposure in wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs, and hunters of Brazil, Veterinary World, 14(10): 2745-2749.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Wild boars have recently been implicated as the maintainers and carriers of Amblyomma spp. ticks, which are essential for Rickettsia spp. transmission. Consequently, wild boar hunting may increase the risk of tick exposure and subsequent human tick-borne infection and disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for ticks and Rickettsia spp. exposure in wild boars, hunting dogs, and hunters in Brazilian biomes.

Materials and Methods: The statistical relationship of Rickettsia spp. antibodies were evaluated using the Chi-square test in 80 wild boars, 170 hunting dogs, and 49 hunters.

Results: The only statistically significant difference in seropositivity found in this study was between male and female wild boars (p=0.034), probably associated with in-park exposure to Amblyomma brasiliense infected with Rickettsia spp.

Conclusion: The absence of statistical differences in the associated risk factors for hunting dogs and hunters may indicate a random exposure to Rickettsia spp.

Keywords: Brazilian spotted fever, hunting activities, wild boars.