Abstract

BARBOSA DA SILVA, Jenevaldo et al. Serological prevalence and risk factors of Borrelia burgdorferi in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis, Linnaeus, 1758) on Marajó Island, northern region of Brazil. Rev Salud Anim. [online]. 2014, vol.36, n.3, pp. 147-151. ISSN 0253-570X.

Sera samples were collected from 330 water buffaloes on Marajó Island, state of Pará, Brazil, to assess the presence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi by indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Approximately 45% of the animals had antibodies against B. burgdoferi. The prevalence of seropositive buffaloes, 72% (85/118), was statistically higher in the city of Soure than in the other municipalities tested. Murrah breed animals were significantly more seropositive (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 1.84, p = 0.000) than those of the Mediterranean breed. Among the animals diagnosed positive for tuberculosis, 33% (4/12), were also seropositive for B. burgdoferi. Animals positive for tuberculosis had a significantly lower level of B. burgdorferi seropositivity (PR = 1.36, p = 0.0017) than negative animals. The study showed that there was an agent immunologically close to B. burgdorferi circulating in water buffalo on Marajó Island, state of Pará, Brazil. These results demonstrate a possible role of the water buffalo in the epidemiological chain of this agent in Brazil, and are a warning of the danger this disease could pose to public health.

Keywords : spirochetes; Borrelia sp.; ELISA; buffaloes; risk factors; espiroquetas; Borrelia sp.; ELISA; búfalos; factores de riesgo.

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