Short report: A survey of antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii and Ehrlichia chafeensis in domestic animals from a rural area of Colombia

Marylin Hidalgo, Juan Fernando Vesga, Diana Lizarazo, Gustavo Valbuena

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a rural area of Colombia endemic for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, we performed indirect immunofluorescent antibody assays for Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. using sera from randomly sampled dogs and horses to test the use of domestic animals as possible sentinels. Antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. were detected in 8 dogs (31.8%). Antibody titers against Rickettsia rickettsii antigen were positive in 4 dogs (18.2%) and 26 horses (16.3%). These values, albeit not directly comparable, are lower than those previously reported for humans in this region. A systemic approach to understanding dynamics of transmission is needed before implementing the use of domestic animals for disease surveillance activities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1029-1030
Number of pages2
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume80
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Parasitology

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